Overview
- Morant returned from a team suspension and posted 18 points and 10 assists on 5-for-16 shooting with five turnovers in a 114-106 loss to the Pistons, then answered “No” when asked if he still feels his usual joy playing.
- Memphis sat Morant one game for conduct detrimental to the team after reports of a locker-room exchange in which Iisalo challenged his leadership and effort and Morant responded in a way the team deemed inappropriate.
- Coverage highlights early-season slippage in production, including poor shooting and reduced minutes compared with his norms, as the Grizzlies have started 3-5.
- Rival teams are said to be monitoring the situation and media have floated destinations and swaps, but multiple reports indicate a thin market and no imminent deal despite past public insistence from GM Zach Kleiman that Morant is not available.
- Teammate Jaren Jackson Jr. said the group still has “everything we need” and called for buy-in, while former players Jamal Crawford, Carmelo Anthony and DeMarcus Cousins publicly weighed in on Morant’s next steps.