This is truly the end of an era for this Memphis basketball.
Monday afternoon news broke that the Memphis Grizzlies had made a deal sending two-time all-star point guard Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray.
His departure closes the door to the post-Core Four GrzNxtGen era of basketball, arguably some of the most entertaining basketball this franchise has ever seen.
The speculation about Morant’s negative trade value and future has been ongoing, with seemingly frequent rumors that this team or that team doesn’t want to trade for him. That’s something I will not miss in the slightest.
But I am 1,000 percent going to miss Ja Morant in a Memphis Grizzlies uniform, and I don’t think this franchise will ever have a more electrifying player with the type of star power that Morant still wields.
Morant is considered by many around the league to be an injury prone undersized guard who depends heavily on his explosive athleticism. Athleticism that has been on the decline.
His off-the-court issues have colored how he’s perceived by media and fans alike, regardless of the fact he’s kept his nose squeaky clean for almost three years now.
I predict the way the media will change the narrative around Morant now that he’s been moved out of Memphis is going to give some folks whiplash.
I remain firmly in the camp that feels like the Grizzlies should have tried to reconcile with the biggest star the franchise has ever had, at least for the upcoming season.
For several reasons, but the most important two are 1. giving Morant time to get back on the court and boost his trade value, and 2. giving loyal Grizzlies fans a chance to experience a proper farewell to the player who has electrified Memphis basketball more than any other player.
Clearly that wasn’t in the cards, so here we are. Now that the proverbial band-aid has been ripped off, we can get back to what will become the latest iteration of Grizzlies basketball.
I want it on record that I am first and foremost a Memphis Grizzlies fan, but I am also a Ja Morant fan; two things can be true at the same time. I hate to see him go but I do wish him well for the future.
Of all the things I hate about this trade, the fact that being traded to a western conference team means that the Grizzlies will have to play against him four times a season is up near the top of the list.
The Ja Morant revenge tour is going to be legendary and having seen firsthand how he plays with a chip on his shoulder, I fully expect him to put belt to ass against his former team.
This has been a tough offseason for Memphis Grizzlies fans with the sudden and unexpected tragic death of reserve big man Brandon Clarke earlier this summer, and now the trade of Morant.
All of this while some folks are still reeling from the loss of Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz right at last season’s trade deadline. (It’s me, I am some folks.)
Clarke* and Morant were both selected during the first round of the 2019 NBA draft, at spots 21 and 2, respectively.
They were also both selected for the 2020 NBA all-rookie team, with Morant being nearly unanimously voted as Rookie of the Year. The future looked bright for Memphis.
*Brandon Clarke was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 21st pick and immediately traded to the Grizzlies.
Now the team is moving on to a new era, helmed by Cameron Boozer, Cedric Coward, Zach Edey, and Jaylen Wells.
What that looks like for the next phase of Grizzlies basketball is a mystery I look forward to unraveling in the upcoming season.
