Former NBA All-Star Urges Memphis Grizzlies To Cut Ties With Ja Morant
The Memphis Grizzlies are navigating a turbulent start to the season, and the situation has drawn sharp commentary from around the league. Former NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins recently weighed in, making a bold suggestion that the Grizzlies should consider trading their franchise cornerstone, Ja Morant. Cousins’ comments come amid visible friction between Morant and the team’s new coaching staff, adding fuel to an already tense situation in Memphis.
DeMarcus Cousins’ Perspective On The Memphis Grizzlies Situation
Speaking on the “Run It Back” podcast, Cousins did not mince words about the relationship between Morant and the Grizzlies’ new leadership. “It’s time to move on. This ship has sailed,” Cousins declared. He pointed to the team’s decision to suspend Morant as a clear indication that the organization is siding with the coaching staff over its star player.
Cousins believes the “militant style of coaching” brought in by new head coach Tuomas Iiasalo does not align with Morant’s game or the style of modern basketball. This perspective comes from a player who has his own history of a public falling out with the Sacramento Kings, the team that drafted him. Cousins’ experience of being traded after clashes with the organization gives his opinion a unique weight, as he sees a familiar pattern developing in Memphis.
Context of Morant’s Struggles
The call for a trade comes after a series of frustrating events for Morant and the Grizzlies. The star guard was recently suspended for one game for “conduct detrimental to the team” after he appeared to criticize the coaching staff following a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. In post-game comments, Morant deflected questions about his performance, telling reporters to “go ask the coaching staff why.”
On the court, Morant has had an uncharacteristically slow start to the 2025-26 season. Through six games, his scoring and assist numbers are down from last season, and he is shooting a career-low from three-point range. This slump has coincided with the team’s adjustment to Iiasalo’s system, and the friction between the star player and the new coach is becoming increasingly apparent.
Implications for the Grizzlies
Cousins’ suggestion, while jarring, highlights a critical question for the Memphis front office: can the relationship between Morant and the current coaching staff be repaired? Trading a player of Morant’s caliber and popularity would be a monumental decision, effectively signaling a full-scale rebuild and a departure from the identity the team has built over the last several years.
While a trade seems unlikely at this stage, the ongoing tension is a major concern. The Grizzlies invested heavily in Morant as the face of their franchise, and his happiness and performance are central to their success. The organization is now at a crossroads, forced to find a way to bridge the gap between their star player and new leadership or risk the situation spiraling further. Cousins’ comments serve as a stark warning of what could happen if the current issues are not resolved.
