With the midway point of the 2025–26 NBA season fast approaching, the Memphis Grizzlies sit below .500 at 17–22 and 10th in the Western Conference.
The team has trended toward the play-in picture rather than comfortable contention under first-year head coach Tuomas Iisalo, circumstances that have fueled growing trade speculation, particularly surrounding franchise guard Ja Morant.
Morant's recent disciplinary incidents, inconsistent on-court availability, the Grizzlies' middling record, and Morant's own public comments about preferred destinations have led many around the league to believe he could be moved ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
As those rumors continue to swirl, a short video from the Grizzlies' European shootaround in Berlin on Wednesday showed Morant and reserve guard Vince Williams Jr. engaged in a heated, midcourt verbal exchange that lasted more than a minute.
While no audio was available, the clip circulated widely and showed Morant visibly frustrated during an argument centered around an apparent point of contention.
Fans online were quick to react to the altercation.
“They are ready for him to go,” said one user.
“Only a matter of time before he would act this way in his new locker room. Dude is a cancer,” another fan commented.
“No one wants this liability,” one other user reacted.
“I know JA type lol. Tryna make a scene so he don't have to actually fight. Adorable. Get that princess outta town lmaooo,” another fan responded.
“Grizzlies are going to fall back into irrelevancy when Ja Morant is gone!” replied one other user.
“Happens everywhere. Y'all just have never touched a court at any level do you wouldn't know,” said another fan, downplaying the situation.
Morant's numbers this season have clearly fallen off compared to his peak, averaging just 19.0 points, 7.6 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game while shooting 40.1% from the field in 28.3 minutes per contest.
By contrast, across seven NBA seasons, his career averages sit at 22.4 points, 7.4 assists and 4.6 rebounds in 31.7 minutes per game, shooting 46.6% from the field.
Drafted No. 2 overall in 2019 out of Murray State, Morant is a former Kia NBA Rookie of the Year (2019–20), a two-time All-Star, an All-NBA Second Team selection and a former Most Improved Player.
Even so, the current situation has further fueled speculation that Morant's tenure in Memphis could be nearing its end, with a potential change of scenery viewed as a reset point for both player and franchise.
At the time of writing, multiple outlets have identified the Miami Heat as a leading and mutually attractive destination, while teams such as the Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors and Minnesota Timberwolves have also been mentioned among potential suitors.
With the NBA trade deadline set for 3 p.m. ET on February 5, 2026, any deal reached in the near term would almost certainly be finalized before that date, otherwise pushing negotiations into the offseason.
Morant is currently under a five-year extension worth roughly $197 million through the 2027–28 season and would be eligible next summer for a larger three-year extension, with reports suggesting a potential max-type deal valued at up to $178 million depending on All-NBA eligibility.
Newsweek