NBA Insider Reveals Ja Morant’s Role in Grizzlies’ Decision to Fire Coach

ESPN’s Tim MacMahon shed light on why Memphis made the shocking move to fire head coach Taylor Jenkins.

It’s been several days since the Memphis Grizzlies made the surprising decision to part ways with head coach Taylor Jenkins, and the exact reasons for the firing remain unclear. Although General Manager Zach Kleiman spoke with reporters over the weekend, he offered little in terms of specifics.

On Monday’s episode of the Hoop Collective podcast, ESPN NBA insider Tim MacMahon suggested that one major factor behind the Grizzlies’ decision was the desire to get the best possible performance from superstar point guard Ja Morant.

MacMahon reported that, as previously mentioned by The Athletic, Morant was not fond of the new offensive system Memphis introduced this season, which featured limited pick-and-roll plays. Morant has missed 30 games this season due to injury, and when he has played, he hasn’t been the dominant force he once was. His current season averages in points are the lowest since 2020-21, and his 3.8 turnovers per game are the highest of his career.

According to MacMahon, the Grizzlies felt a change was necessary to make the most of Morant’s talents.

“This decision to let go of Jenkins and move toward more pick-and-roll plays was aimed at maximizing Ja Morant’s potential,” MacMahon explained. “That was the main reason behind the move. Ja has been unhappy with the situation all season.”

It’s common for NBA teams to prioritize star players when making decisions. Having a superstar is essential for any team’s title hopes, and for many franchises, it’s also vital to fill the seats. It’s possible that the Grizzlies made the move now in hopes that interim head coach Tuomas Iisalo would be able to connect with Morant in the remaining weeks of the season. That would seem logical, but the decision’s timing, particularly just before the playoffs, is the most intriguing aspect.

The postseason will likely be the first real test of the decision.

Ja Morant Misses Another Game as Grizzlies Struggle Without Him

Ja Morant has been ruled out for his sixth consecutive game on Thursday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Grizzlies star is dealing with a left hamstring strain, and the team has faltered without him, losing three of their last five games. Memphis currently holds the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference.

Oddsmakers at DraftKings have set the Grizzlies as 10-point underdogs against the Thunder, who might have Jalen Williams (questionable) return to the lineup.

With Morant sidelined, Memphis will rely heavily on Desmond Bane and Scotty Pippen Jr. to run the offense. Morant has played just 43 games this season, averaging 22.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game. He’s shooting 44.9% from the field and 29.1% from three.

Kendrick Perkins Believes Ja Morant is Auditioning for a New Team

The Memphis Grizzlies are clearly going through a period of change. Last week, they fired head coach Taylor Jenkins, and now they face a dilemma regarding star point guard Ja Morant.

While Morant’s off-court troubles seem to have subsided, his future with the team remains uncertain. After returning from a suspension last season, Morant suffered a season-ending injury in January. Following shoulder surgery, Morant has missed another 30 games this season.

ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins believes that these ongoing issues, combined with the firing of Jenkins, suggest Morant is now auditioning for another team.

“Ja Morant is auditioning at this point,” Perkins said. “The Grizzlies’ front office fired Jenkins because they couldn’t align with him on the offense. Memphis had one of the best offensive teams, but they ran the fewest pick-and-roll plays in the league. Morant thrives when he has the ball in his hands.”

“This firing is a statement that Memphis doesn’t care about Morant’s opinion,” Perkins continued. “At this point, Morant is likely auditioning for his next team. He’s eligible for a contract extension this summer, which could approach $300 million.”

Bobby Marks, an ESPN analyst, clarified that Morant is eligible for a two-year, $125 million contract extension. However, considering his injury history and Memphis’ playoff struggles, Marks added that it wouldn’t be surprising if the Grizzlies considered moving on from Morant.

After this season, Morant has three years and more than $120 million left on his current contract, which could influence the team’s decision regarding his future.