Ja Morant reportedly has some issues with the Memphis Grizzlies, even after the team’s decision to fire head coach Taylor Jenkins.
Even before Jenkins’ firing, Morant was unhappy with the new offense the team has installed this season, according to Sam Amick, Fred Katz, and Joe Vardon of The Athletic. The new motion offense relies more on cutting and off-ball movement and less on screens, which Morant had liked using as a ball-handler.
Morant was also said to be unhappy with the firing of assistant coach Blake Ahearn last summer. Morant was close with Ahearn, who was fired by the front office without Jenkins’ input.
Ja Morant looks ahead
Feb 12, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
While Morant remained supportive of Jenkins, the guard has had issues with the offense all season.
“Some days he looks like he’s ready to play, and some days he looks like he doesn’t want to be there … because he hates the offense,” one source told The Athletic.
Notably, Jenkins had begun to reinstall some of Morant’s preferred plays before he was fired on Friday. However, the team’s interim coach, Tuomas Iisalo, is one of the driving forces behind the new offense, suggesting that Memphis is doubling down on the system Morant dislikes.
The issue is significant enough that questions have popped up about Morant’s long-term future with Memphis, though there are no indications that either side is going to push for a divorce at this stage.
There are no indications that the Grizzlies fired Jenkins to placate Morant. If anything, the safer and more popular move would have been to keep the coach, given Morant’s reaction to his firing.
The uncertainty over Morant’s future in Memphis is not necessarily new. The franchise’s latest moves should breathe new life into those questions, however, especially if he is dissatisfied with the way the team plays.
Injuries have limited Morant to 43 games this season. He is averaging 22.3 points and 7.4 assists per game for the Grizzlies.