"Even before Ja Morant's postgame comments last week that led to a one-game suspension, followed by the star guard passing on the chance to defuse tension between himself and the Memphis Grizzlies coaching staff, plenty of eyes were watching how their season would play out. Last spring, after a shocking late-season coaching upheaval and a first-round sweep by the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder, Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman was blunt in his assessment."
"Then came this summer, when Memphis sent Desmond Bane -- a pillar of the franchise alongside Morant and big man Jaren Jackson Jr. -- to the Orlando Magic for a haul of draft picks, backing up Kleiman's words with significant action. The Grizzlies handed Jackson a five-year, $240 million contract extension -- and didn't tack on any additional seasons to the three years and roughly $126 million owed to Morant. Those moves left Morant and the Grizzlies in a version of NBA limbo entering this season."
Ja Morant received a one-game suspension after postgame comments and declined an opportunity to ease tensions with the Memphis Grizzlies coaching staff. A late-season coaching upheaval and a first-round sweep by the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder led GM Zach Kleiman to conclude the team was not close to contending. Memphis traded Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for draft picks and extended Jaren Jackson Jr. for five years and $240 million while not adding seasons to Morant's contract. Those moves positioned Morant and the franchise in NBA limbo entering the 2025-26 season, with several other franchise stars also facing uncertain futures.
Read at ESPN.com
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