Toumas Iisalo is in the early stages of his first full season as the Memphis Grizzlies head coach, but his star player is already expressing frustration with him.
After Morant struggled mightily during the team’s loss to the Lakers on Friday, Morant repeatedly told the media “Go ask the coaching staff,” and “Go ask him” when quizzed on his performance.
Asked if he had any other observations regarding the game, Morant has this reply, per Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal (Twitter link).
“According to them, probably don’t play me, honestly. That’s basically what the message was after.”
Grizzlies’ Ja Morant had poor performance against Lakers
Morant scored eight points on 3-for-14 shooting with seven assists while playing 30 minutes, 58 seconds on Friday. Although he has appeared in all six of Memphis’ games this season, he has not played more than 31 minutes, 33 seconds in any game yet this season, Josh Robbins of The Athletic notes. He was also torched by Luka Doncic on the defensive end as the Lakers star poured in 44 points.
Morant wrapped up his postgame comments by denying there was anything wrong with him physically. The media didn’t get a chance to talk to the coach regarding Morant’s comments.
Former All-Star Blake Griffin, now a commentator on Amazon Prime Video, criticized Morant after the game.
“For a guy that’s making $40 million and needs to be the leader of the team, I just don’t love it. I don’t know if he was not feeling well, if he’s hurt. But that, to me, is a very bad sign and is something that … has to change,” Griffin said, per Robbins.
Morant is shooting 40.6% overall and just 15.6% on threes. He’s in the third year of a five-year, $197.2M contract. Memphis is off to a 3-3 start.
Morant, of course, is no stranger to controversy. He was suspended twice by the league in 2023 for conduct detrimental to the league after social media posts in which he was seen with a weapon.
Morant’s comments on Friday suggests some sort of disconnect with the current staff. Whether that leads to a trade request or the front office making him available in trade talks remains to be seen.