The Memphis Grizzlies are heading in a new direction after an injury sidelined Ja Morant. A chase-down block against the Atlanta Hawks on January 21 would be Morant’s final appearance in a Memphis Grizzlies uniform, at least for the season. Shortly after that game, the Grizzlies announced Morant had sustained a UCL sprain in his left elbow and would be reevaluated in three weeks.
Two months later, the team ruled him out for the rest of the season because of “lingering discomfort.”
Grizzlies’ Roster Overhaul
In the days before the trade deadline, Memphis moved forward with its plan to pivot toward a rebuild. Two-time All-Star power forward Jaren Jackson Jr. was sent to the Utah Jazz for a package headlined by three future first-round picks. This deal mirrored the summer trade that sent shooting guard Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic.
The Grizzlies were looking for suitors for Morant in the trade market while he was dealing with a calf injury. Despite Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman’s efforts, nothing materialized for Morant.
“This is about organizational direction now,” Kleiman told the Memphis media during a news conference after the deadline. He acknowledged his attempt to trade the popular face of the franchise, adding: “This is not about Ja in particular.”
The Rise and Fall of a Promising Team
Just four years ago, Morant was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player at age 22 after averaging 27.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.7 assists. The Memphis team had won 56 games behind the trio of Morant, 23-year-old Bane and 22-year-old Jackson.
The years since that 2021-22 campaign have largely been defined by a seemingly endless stream of injuries and incidents of misconduct by their star.
- Morant averaged 27.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.7 assists.
- Morant was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player at age 22.
- The Grizzlies won 56 games.
The team produced only one playoff series win with Bane, Jackson and Morant as the core.
These events have left both Morant and the Grizzlies at the most perilous of crossroads.