Ja Morant’s Talent Ain’t the Problem — His Mindset Is

Look, I think Ja Morant is a helluva player. He’s must-see TV. Quite frankly, he might be the most explosive and athletic guard in NBA history.

The man can ball.

But what the hell is going on? He’s once again making headlines for the wrong reasons.

First, we had the gun videos. Ja waving pistols like he’s filming a deleted scene from Menace II Society.

And now this?

Reports of tension between Morant and first-year Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo have started to swirl, with teams around the league apparently monitoring the situation, according to Shams Charania.

Morant was suspended one game for “conduct detrimental to the team” after a heated postgame exchange with Iisalo following a 117–112 loss to the Lakers.

According to reports, Iisalo challenged Ja’s leadership and effort. Ja clapped back in a tone that was described as inappropriate and dismissive.

And the wild part? It happened in front of the team.

Morant had a season-low eight points that night, shot 3-for-14, and afterward, when asked about his play, he threw a little shade:

“According to [the coaching staff], probably don’t play me, honestly. That’s basically what the message was. It’s cool.”

Yeah… that’s not exactly “we’re all in this together” energy.

Now, to be fair, Ja’s averaging a solid 20.8 points, 6.7 assists, and 3.3 boards, but he’s shooting a brick-tastic 15% from three and playing the fewest minutes of his career (28.5 per game).

You can tell something’s off.

And it’s not just the stat sheet. It's the body language, the short answers, and the energy. When reporters asked him after his return game from suspension if he still had the same joy for the game, he flat-out said:

“No.”

Bruh.

For a player making $39.4 million this season — in the third year of a five-year, $197 million deal — that’s not what you want to hear. Especially from the face of your franchise.

The problem isn’t just Ja’s behavior ... it’s the pattern. From multiple gun incidents (costing him 33 games and over $8 million in lost salary), to fines, to now clashing with a brand-new coach trying to set the tone, it’s like déjà vu in Memphis.

And honestly, I can’t help but wonder if the Grizzlies’ front office is starting to think the unthinkable.

Would they ever consider trading Ja Morant?

Because let’s be real: when a star player starts bumping heads with two different coaches in under a year, and you’re not winning games, at some point, somebody’s gotta go.

I’m not saying Ja’s out the door, but when you’re getting suspended for arguing with your coach in front of the team, it’s not a great look for leadership.

Coach Iisalo was brought in to restore order after Taylor Jenkins reportedly “lost the locker room.” If Ja keeps testing the line, we might be looking at another messy breakup.

And look, I get it. Ja’s a competitor. He wants to win. But if the Grizzlies are going to rebuild their culture and identity, their best player has to buy in.

Ja's got all the talent in the world, but until the maturity matches the athleticism, Memphis is gonna keep dancing on that line between promise and chaos.

And for the record, if the Grizzlies ever did move Ja? I’m just saying… him in Houston next to KD would break the internet.