The Memphis Grizzlies just flipped the script on their head coach situation, and the NBA world is still piecing together what really went down.
Over the weekend, Memphis announced the shocking dismissal of head coach Taylor Jenkins after six seasons—a move that had fans scrambling for answers. But one thing’s for sure: star guard Ja Morant wasn’t in the loop.
An NBA insider has now confirmed that the franchise player had no idea this change was coming, fueling even more debate about the direction of the Grizzlies moving forward.
Ja Morant Had No Say In Decision
Whenever a major shake-up happens, fingers immediately point toward the franchise star. Did Morant push for this? Was there tension behind the scenes?
Turns out, the answer is a hard no. During the Grizzlies’ Monday night showdown with the Boston Celtics, TNT’s Taylor Rooks dropped some insider intel, shutting down any speculation that Morant had a hand in Jenkins’ firing.
“The decision (to fire Jenkins), I am told, was about the second half of the season,” Rooks reported courtside. “The defense had slipped, they had lost nine straight games against opponents .500 or better, and the belief is that they simply needed a new voice. I can confirm that Ja Morant did not ask for this move to be made, and the team did not know that this was coming.”
This revelation puts the spotlight squarely on Memphis’ front office. With Jenkins steering the Grizzlies to back-to-back 50-win seasons and top-two seeds in the West in 2021-22 and 2022-23, his firing wasn’t exactly predictable. But after a brutal stretch this year, including a freefall against playoff-caliber teams, the organization clearly felt like it was time for a reset.
Grizzlies’ Future Hinges On Next Move
The biggest question now? Where does Memphis go from here?
With Morant as the centerpiece of the franchise, it’s a no-brainer that the front office will want a coach who complements his playing style. But that’s easier said than done.
The Grizzlies have built an identity around their electric, fast-paced offense and scrappy defense—both of which took major hits this season. Injuries, roster instability, and a struggling defense all played a role, but whether a new coach can come in and immediately right the ship is another story entirely.
With a young core that still has serious upside, the Grizzlies aren’t in full teardown mode, but they also can’t afford to waste more seasons stuck in the middle of the pack.
For now, one thing is clear: Morant had nothing to do with Jenkins’ exit. But as the Grizzlies look to their next era, they’ll need to make sure their franchise star is on board with whatever comes next.