It’s been nearly a month since Ja Morant last suited up after injuring his left elbow in a Jan. 21 game against the Atlanta Hawks. He collided with the backboard while attempting a block, resulting in a UCL sprain that sidelined him. With trade rumors swirling ahead of the deadline, Memphis Grizzlies fans feared that might have been the last time they’d see him on the court.
However, the trade never came to fruition, and Morant remains in Memphis. Ja’s teammate, rookie Cedric Coward, recently shared his thoughts on his veteran leader and how people have the wrong impression of him.
Cedric Coward Gives Ja Morant His Flowers
One of the biggest reasons the Grizzlies wanted to trade Morant was his attitude problem. Ja has become notorious for his misdemeanors both on and off the court.
Morant often finds himself getting fined for making inappropriate gestures on the court or acting inappropriately outside the hardwood. Hence, he has a poor record as an unethical NBA player.
This has led many to believe that Morant is a huge pain to the Grizzlies. His bad behavior has also scared off other NBA teams, which is likely why there were no takers for Morant leading up to the trade deadline.
Despite all the negativity surrounding him, Morant’s teammate, Coward, seems to see the gold under the ashes. In a recent interview with the Grizzlies rookie, Coward shut down critics and explained why their opinions are at odds with what he sees in himself on a daily basis.
“If you want to say all the negative connotations about him, you’re dead wrong, and you need to keep your thoughts to yourself,” Coward said. “Ja is one of the best people I’ve ever met. One of the best people to be around.”
“Like I said, he’s the same way, goofy,” Coward continued. ” We quote movies all the time. He’s always cracking jokes. What people portray him as is not what he is. He’ll take care of you … When we had the ice storm, he offered to buy my groceries. He doesn’t have to do all that stuff, but he does as a kindness of his own heart.”
Cedric Coward on Ja Morant: “If you want to say all the negative connotations about him, you’re dead wrong and you need to keep your thoughts to yourself. Ja is one of the best people I’ve ever met. One of the best people to be around.” pic.twitter.com/8LZK0UTdZ8
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) February 18, 2026
Unfortunately for Morant, the genuine things he does for his teammates are not seen on social media, which is a major factor. For as long as people don’t see it, there’s an unfortunate mentality that they won’t believe it until it’s proven true.
