Ja Morant won Rookie of the Year after his first season, and he looked like one of the most exciting rookies in recent history. Today, seven years later, his storyline isn’t about what happened then. It’s about what has happened since.
The Memphis Grizzlies recently traded Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers. But this trade wasn’t just about improving the teams. It was very much about the Grizzlies’ decision to part ways with Morant, the conclusion of a story that began in 2023.
February 5, 2023: A report stated that Ja Morant and some of his associates got into a confrontation with opposing players after a game vs. the Pacers in Memphis. Following the confrontation, members of Ja’s party drove slowly past the Pacers’ traveling party and shone a red light at them, believed to be attached to a firearm. No police report was filed, and the NBA’s investigation found nothing concrete.
Photo courtesy Bozeman Chronicle
Later that same year, a report stated that someone filed a lawsuit against Morant for allegedly assaulting and threatening a 17-year-old with a firearm during a game of pickup basketball at Ja’s home. Morant stated that the 17-year-old threatened him and therefore he acted in self-defense. Morant filed a police report weeks after the incident, as he felt the teenager threatened his family. The same report also mentioned an incident where Morant’s mother got into an altercation with a Finish Line employee, and Ja quickly showed up with nine friends in tow. They reportedly heckled a security guard and threatened him with violence that would occur after his shift had ended.
Other controversies included flashing a firearm on social media and Morant choosing to stay separate from the team. Injuries also limited Ja’s time on the court, adding to these legal issues.
Now Ja gets a fresh start in Portland, as he said he wants. To do that, he needs to keep improving and his and contributing to his new team.
An ignorant man makes many mistakes; a wise man attempts to correct them and improve. The hope is that Morant has transitioned to wisdom.
