Ja Morant Reportedly Tells Players He Won't Play for Grizzlies Anymore, Trade Expected

The star point guard's frustration with the team and coach has reached a breaking point, setting the stage for an offseason trade.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:56pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a basketball player's movements broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes, conveying the unsettled nature of Ja Morant's situation with the Memphis Grizzlies.A cubist interpretation of Ja Morant's dynamic playing style captures the star's restlessness with the Grizzlies' direction.Memphis Today

Ja Morant has reportedly told players around the league that he no longer wants to play for the Memphis Grizzlies, according to ESPN. Morant's relationship with head coach Tuomas Iisalo has deteriorated, with the team suspending Morant last season for a 'conduct detrimental to the team' incident after a locker room confrontation. The Grizzlies tried to trade Morant at the February deadline but couldn't find a deal they liked, but are now expected to move him this offseason despite the challenges of his contract and injury history.

Why it matters

Morant is one of the NBA's brightest young stars, so his potential departure from Memphis would be a major shakeup. The Grizzlies are in a rebuild, having already traded away key pieces like Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane, and Morant's unhappiness signals the end of an era for the franchise.

The details

Morant reportedly told other players that he 'isn't playing for Memphis anymore' after the incident with coach Iisalo last season. The Grizzlies did try to trade Morant at the deadline, but the offers were 'modest' and didn't meet their asking price. While Morant is owed $87.1 million over the next two seasons, his injury history and ball-dominant playing style may limit the trade market for him this summer. However, teams that strike out on bigger free agent names could see Morant as an option.

  • Morant was suspended one game last season for 'conduct detrimental to the team' after a locker-room confrontation with coach Iisalo.
  • The Grizzlies tried to trade Morant at the February 2023 trade deadline but couldn't find a deal they liked.

The players

Ja Morant

The star point guard of the Memphis Grizzlies, who has reportedly told other players that he no longer wants to play for the team.

Tuomas Iisalo

The head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies, whose coaching style and approach has reportedly caused friction with Morant.

Zach Kleiman

The general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies, who was unable to find a satisfactory trade for Morant at the February deadline.

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What’s next

The Grizzlies are expected to try to trade Morant again this offseason, but may have to accept a lower return than they had hoped for given the challenges around his contract and injury history.

The takeaway

Morant's reported desire to leave Memphis signals the end of an era for the Grizzlies, who are in the midst of a rebuild. The team will have to navigate a tricky trade market for their star player, who remains one of the NBA's most talented young guards despite his recent issues.