Memphis guard Ja Morant broke his six-week public silence on Saturday, speaking with reporters before the Grizzlies’ game for the first time since sustaining a UCL sprain in his left elbow on January 21.
The 24-year-old kept his answers brief but touched on several key issues, starting with last month’s trade that sent Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz. “I wasn’t a fan of it, but it’s a business,” Morant said, calling the deal that moved another member of Memphis’ previous playoff core “difficult.”
Trade speculation around Morant surfaced roughly two months ago when The Commercial Appeal reported that the organization was willing to entertain offers. None materialized, yet league sources expect general manager Zach Kleiman to revisit possibilities this summer as the club tries to get younger. Morant is owed more than $87 million over the next two seasons, a figure that could weigh on a roster not projected to contend.
Despite reports of friction with head coach Tuomas Iisalo, hired late last season, Morant insisted he wants to remain in Memphis. “Why can’t I be? I’ve been happy this whole time,” he said. Asked whether he believes he will still be with the team next season, he replied, “I hope so. You would know more than me. The internet is right there.”
Morant also updated his recovery. He still feels pain when making cross-court passes with his left arm, noting, “Whipping a pass to the opposite side with that hand is the biggest problem. Other than that, I feel like I can fight through it, but I still have to be smart.”
The two-time All-Star hopes to play again this season and does not expect to need significant conditioning time because his legs were unaffected. He added that he can mesh with the current core of Cedric Coward, Zach Edey, Cam Spencer and Jaylen Wells just as he did with former teammates. “The same way I’d fit with any other team—whatever Ja brings to the table,” he said.
Source: Hoops Rumors
