Ja Morant nonetheless performs for the Memphis Grizzlies — however maybe for not for much longer.
A day after their 132-101 loss of their season finale in opposition to the Rockets, the Grizzlies held exit interviews on Monday.
But Morant was nowhere to be discovered.
As the Commercial Appeal’s Damichael Cole reported, Morant, Brandon Clarke and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had been all absent from the classes following Memphis’ 25-57 end to the season.
General supervisor and govt vp of basketball operations Zach Kleiman had a cryptic reply when requested in regards to the two-time All-Star guard, whom the crew flirted with buying and selling away this winter.
“I think everyone is on the same page as much as they can be,” he stated. “I’m not going to speculate on potential transactions.”
As ESPN’s Shams Charania reported in February, the Grizzlies — for the primary time — had been entertaining trade presents for the mercurial star, who has struggled with accidents and suspensions in recent times.
The Grizzlies and Morant, Kleiman stated on Monday, have had “open, honest and respectful communication”, whereas the chief additionally stated that Morant has acted like a “pro.”
The oft-injured 26-year-old has performed simply 79 video games over the previous three seasons, together with 20 this yr, as he was shut down in March following a torn UCL.
He was additionally seen brandishing a gun on two separate events in 2023, resulting in 33 video games in complete suspension time.
After signing a five-year, $197million rookie extension with the crew, Morant is underneath contract in Memphis by means of the 2027-28 season.
Nonetheless, the crew is in rebuild mode after trading Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Jazz and ending this season with the sixth-best lottery odds.
The Grizzlies will discover out their lottery destiny on May 10.
