Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant breaks silence on Desmond Bane trade, new roster additions
Morant, seated courtside, took in the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Advertisement
For Morant, going to summer league was about making a statement. Memphis is building around him and co-star Jaren Jackson Jr., and Morant's appearance is a sign of him understanding his role.
"It's different from on TV," Morant said. "Obviously, I know me being here in person means a lot not only to these guys but to the organization as well. For me to be the leader of this team, I felt like it was very important."
Ja Morant 'shocked' by Desmond Bane trade
A lot has changed since Morant last spoke publicly about the Grizzlies. Trades and roster moves have shifted the outlook.
The most notable change was Desmond Bane being traded to the Orlando Magic.
Advertisement
"I was shocked, personally," Morant said. "I got the message from Des. To see it all over the internet, I thought the (expletive) was fake, honestly.
"It's best for both sides. Des is going to a very talented Orlando team. I feel like he's the piece that they've been missing."
Ja Morant talks Cedric Coward
GG JACKSON: How Memphis Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo is unlocking a new level for GG Jackson's game
One of the players the Grizzlies eventually acquired using an asset from the Bane trade was Cedric Coward, who they took in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. Coward is expected to take pressure off Morant and Jackson with his defensive skill set and ability to shoot the ball.
Advertisement
"It's exciting," Morant said. "I'm just ready to see him hit the floor."
Jaren Jackson Jr.
The bigger Grizzlies move of the offseason was agreeing to a contract extension with Jackson.
Along with Morant, Jackson has been a core member of the Grizzlies. Morant is one of the Grizzlies players who has challenged Jackson the most to reach his potential, often reminding him how hard it is for opponents to guard him.
Now, Jackson will be rewarded with a new five-year deal.
"He deserves it," Morant said. "That's the heart of Memphis, the heart of this team. I feel like he deserves it. I thought it would have been way more, honestly. I don't understand the cap stuff."
Advertisement
GG Jackson seeks Ja Morant advice
GG Jackson, who has been one of the best Grizzlies players during summer league, is bonded with Morant not only as teammates, but also through their South Carolina ties.
During the Grizzlies' summer league games in Salt Lake City, Jackson reached out to Morant to see if he was taking in the action. Morant reminded Jackson that he needs to stay aggressive.
But there's another area Morant wants to see build in Jackson, and that's his leadership.
"It's time for him to grow in that aspect of his game," Morant said. "It's the perfect situation, being a third-year guy on this team and guys looking to do what you do."
Advertisement
Morant likes new additions
Memphis added veteran guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the Bane trade, someone Morant has competed against for years.
"I felt like for us, having him be that vet around is definitely big-time for us," Morant said. "Everybody know what he does on the defensive end. For our young guys who are trying to push themselves to be that guy as well, they got a perfect vet to learn from."
The Grizzlies also dipped into the free agency pool, adding Ty Jerome. That is a move Morant also approved of.
"Definitely another solid guard for us," Morant said. "Everybody seen what he done for a great Cleveland team this year. I honestly felt like he was a big piece of that team. To have him, we adding another ballhandler that can not only create for himself but for everybody else."
Advertisement
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant talks Desmond Bane trade, roster changes
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a minute ago
- Yahoo
5 Takeaways from Week 2 of Bears 2025 training camp
The Chicago Bears have put together two weeks of training camp, which have consisted of eight practice (including three with pads on). That includes the longest workout of the summer on Thursday, which spanned two and a half hours ahead of another pair of padded practices on deck. Head coach Ben Johnson has established a high standard with this team, which has featured some impressive performances from big names and others looking to make an impact en route to a roster spot. But there were some players who showed up through this second week of practice (Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8), including some top rookies and the most important player on the roster. Following the second week of training camp, here are our takeaways from what transpired during the four practices: 1. The offense is starting to come together The first week of Bears camp was all about the defense and how the offense was struggling to muster any sort of momentum. That started to change during the second week. Quarterback Caleb Williams and the rest of the unit started putting things together, operating more successfully, and creating bigger plays in both the pass and run game. That was evident on Thursday when Williams had his best day and the receivers were dialed in, catching nearly everything thrown their way. It feels like the coaching Williams is receiving is starting to stick, and both he and Ben Johnson agree. "He is so much more comfortable right now," Johnson said on Tuesday. "His process is really clean right now; I'm talking about how he's preparing. I'm really pleased with it. He's doing the work behind the scenes that no one else is seeing, and we're starting to see the dividends being paid from it." Stacking good practices together is what you want to see, even if they're not perfect. Williams and the entire group improved throughout the week, and the goal is to carry that into the next set of practices. 2. DJ Moore could be a realistic option at running back One of the first things we saw when the Bears took the field Monday was DJ Moore working with the running backs during warmups. Not the receivers. Moore took a number of handoffs and pitches during individual drills, then saw action during team drills later on. It's been something that has become more regular this week as Moore has been featured at the position quite a bit. We likely won't see him make a drastic position change, but we could see Moore handle a few carries each game this year. And not just the jet sweeps we saw in 2025. Moore can be elite when the ball is in his hands and plays the position much like Deebo Samuel, who averaged 45 carries a season during his last four years. We'll see if it comes to fruition, but don't be surprised to see No. 2 lined up behind No. 18 when the games begin. 3. Jaylon Johnson's injury may be more severe than initially thought Through eight practices, the Bears have been relatively lucky when it comes to injuries. They did lose rookie defensive tackle Shemar Turner for nearly a month, but no starters have suffered any major injuries on the practice field. The lone exception has been cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who remains on the NFI list a week and a half after the Bears reported to camp. The initial prognosis of Johnson's injury did not seem too serious, and it seemed that he would be back at some point during camp. Johnson put that timeline into doubt, however, on Thursday when he discussed the star defensive back's injury. "I think there is a scenario where he will be ready for Week 1, and that is really the target day," Johnson said. "I know he is working hard and diligently to get there for that, and with those types of injuries that he's got, you just never know. You never know. It's still early in that process, but I know he's attacking that rehab really well." Initially, it didn't seem like Johnson would be in any danger of missing Week 1, and though Johnson talks about that still being a target, it feels more uncertain than it did a week ago. That's not exactly comforting. Johnson could just be tempering expectations, and the goal is to get Johnson back by Week 1 anyway. But his injury will be something to continue to monitor. 4. Outside cornerback is far from settled With Johnson sidelined, the Bears have been working in multiple players at outside cornerback, and it's a position that is still up for grabs. Just ask defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. "I think it's completely up for grabs," Allen said earlier in the week. That means Tyrique Stevenson, Terell Smith, Nahshon Wright, Nick McCloud, Tre Flowers, and more are all competing for the spot opposite Johnson when he returns. The silver lining with Johnson sidelined is that the Bears can get more looks at these other players. Wright has impressed the coaching staff, as he has been the predominant starter in Johnson's absence. Stevenson and Smith have the experience with the rest of the secondary, and McCloud is turning heads at times, too. Even Kyler Gordon will see time at the outside spot, a change from the last two years. At this point, it's anyone's guess as to who will emerge as the starter. 5. Luther Burden can be a difference maker Last week, Luther Burden was turning into Kevin White in the eyes of Bears fans. This week, he may as well be the best wide receiver in team history. He has only practiced three times in team settings, but Burden is making the most of his opportunities as of late since he returned from a lower leg injury. Over the last two practices, the rookie out of Missouri has made multiple plays, both with underneath routes and deep patterns. Burden is quickly getting acclimated to the offense, and even though it hasn't been perfect, he's showing the skills needed to be a difference maker in this league. Of course, he still needs to prove it during games, especially ones that count in the standings. No one should be doing victory laps yet, just like there shouldn't have been concern about his injury a week ago. That being said, he's showing he has the capabilities of becoming a different maker and someone who can be dangerous with the ball in his hands. That's all you can ask for at this point. This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 5 Takeaways from Week 2 of Bears 2025 training camp
Yahoo
a minute ago
- Yahoo
Tyreek Hill admits he 'didn't understand' Dolphins offense, says Tua Tagovailoa's comments were 'needed'
At his best, Tyreek Hill has made Mike McDaniel's motion-heavy Miami Dolphins offense hum. He's apparently done so without having a full grasp of the scheme. "I'm gonna' be completely honest," Hill told reporters Friday at Dolphins training camp. "I didn't understand the offense for the first three years of me being here. But this year, I feel like coach [Bobby Slowik] has explained it a lot." Slowik, who achieved enormous success and then a head-scratching drop-off in his two seasons as the Houston Texans' offensive coordinator, is in his first year as Miami's senior pass-game coordinator. Hill said Slowik has simplified the Dolphins' offense, particularly in regard to route detail. Hill added: "We're taking notes in the meeting rooms, which is great, something I've never done in my career. I'm taking notes in meeting rooms — even if I know it, I'm taking notes. So he definitely helped us all, man. He's been great." Hill also credited his first-year wide receivers coach, Robert Prince. Following three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys in that same role, Prince teamed up with McDaniel. "Coach RP, he's been great," Hill said. "He has has been getting on me and [Jaylen] Waddle's nerve since he's got here. But I think it's great, though. That accountability piece is something that we needed and then also pushing us every day." It's hard to believe this is the first time in Hill's six-time All-Pro career that he's taking notes in the meeting room, especially considering he started his career in Kansas City, where now-three-time Super Bowl-winning head coach Andy Reid is known for his offensive acumen and creativity. Nevertheless, Hill's comments Friday indicate the 31-year-old's commitment to recentering himself and his work ethic after his "I'm out" comments at the end of last season. In the immediate aftermath of the Dolphins missing the playoffs and losing their 2024 regular-season finale to the New York Jets, a frustrated Hill hinted that his time in Miami was coming to end. The Dolphins traded for him in 2022 and then gave him a record-breaking $120 million contract. Although Hill piled up more than 1,700 receiving yards in each of his first two seasons with the team, he failed to reach the 1,000-yard mark for only the third time in his career last year. To start this year's training camp, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa made it clear that — even though Hill walked back what he said and then apologized — the speedy wideout's comments this past January still had consequences. 'When you say something like that, you don't just come back with, 'My bad.' You gotta work that relationship up," Tagovailoa said last month. "He is working on himself." Hill called his quarterback's remarks "needed." "He's obviously the leader of our team," Hill said Friday. "He sets the standard. So I'm just trying to be the best teammate, the best version of myself for this team I can be, man. Every day. Showing up for meetings, coming out here every day busting my tail in practice, I think it's important. "If you want to be able to leave a legacy, you got to be able to consistently do those kind of things."
Yahoo
a minute ago
- Yahoo
Yankees expect Aaron Judge activated from IL early next week
The Yankees avoided the worst-possible news on Aaron Judge's right elbow last week, and it now appears the superstar slugger may only face the minimum amount of time on the injured list. Before their road series opener against the Marlins on Friday, manager Aaron Boone told reporters the plan is for Judge to get live at-bats in Tampa on Sunday, in anticipation of him being activated on Tuesday or Wednesday against the Rangers. While the Yankees' captain isn't scheduled to begin a throwing program for another week-plus, his flexor tendon strain didn't preclude him from taking on-field batting practice with teammates on Friday. Judge received a PRP injection earlier this week to expedite the healing process. If all goes well with the bat this weekend, the reigning AL MVP will return as the Yankees' designated hitter. His temporary absence from the field will consequently mean some defensive work for Giancarlo Stanton. The second half of July wasn't kind to Judge. Since the All-Star break, he's slashed an uncharacteristic .160/.267/.400 with two home runs, four RBI, and 11 strikeouts (25 at-bats).
