Overview

• On June 17, Stephen A. Smith told ESPN’s First Take that NBA players such as Jimmy Butler view Memphis as unsafe and urged local authorities to address crime.
• Morant fired back on X by criticizing the emphasis on negative narratives and calling for attention to his teammates’ performances in the NBA Finals.
• In a follow-up post, he dismissed trade-rumor speculation by assuring fans he plans to remain in the 901 area code, adding Source: ME!!
• The remarks come days after the Grizzlies traded Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic, which sparked further questions about Memphis’s ability to retain star talent.
• Memphis’s high crime rate has become a focal point in discussions about the team’s attractiveness to free agents and player retention.