Ja Morant’s actions in celebrating a 3-pointer by simulating pulling the pin and throwing a grenade into the crowd immediately threw a “bombshell” into the NBA community, especially Memphis.
After serving a 25-game suspension and a $75,000 fine for his previous gun and gun gesture, Morant’s quick turn to another symbol of violence—albeit a fake one—was seen by many as a challenge to the NBA and a disrespect for warnings.
Why Is This Gesture So Offensive?
Sensitive History: The move was seen as a dangerous replay of Morant’s past issues, where he repeatedly got involved in situations with weapons.
Immature: Former stars like Charles Barkley have publicly criticized the behavior as “childish” and “unnecessary,” saying it overshadowed his stellar performance on the court.
Defiant Response: When asked about the gesture, Morant defiantly stated, “That’s my celebration now until someone else has a problem with it, and then I’ll find another one.”
💔 TRADING RUMORS AND THE MEMPHIS RIFT
The “grenade” incident comes amid long-simmering rumors of Ja Morant leaving the Grizzlies, largely due to concerns about:
Off-the-Court Issues: Morant’s continued controversial behavior, coupled with injury issues, have called his value and reliability into question.
Team Strategy: While the Grizzlies’ GM has repeatedly stated that Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. being the “core of the franchise” and “not for sale” (especially after the Desmond Bane deal), Morant’s instability has experts constantly coming up with trade scenarios.
Pressure on the Board of Directors: Many analysts believe that if Morant cannot mature and stay away from actions that are detrimental to the league’s image, the Grizzlies will be forced to consider a transfer to protect the team’s culture and other assets.
Is Ja Morant Really Traded?
Currently, the Memphis Grizzlies still insist that Ja Morant is not for sale. However, if Morant continues to have controversial behavior or cannot maintain his health, pressure from the NBA, commercial partners, and the media may force the Board of Directors to reconsider.
The question is no longer whether he can leave, but whether he is pushing himself out of Memphis.
