The Memphis Grizzlies’ early-season struggles in the 2025-26 NBA season are about more than just their record. After a 114–106 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Monday night dropped the team to 3-5, a bigger storm is brewing off the court. A conflict involving star point guard Ja Morant and the coaching staff has erupted into a public spectacle, sparking a team suspension and calls from a former NBA champion for Morant to find a new home.
While the on-court performance has been shaky, this off-court drama now threatens to derail the team’s entire campaign.
Why Is Ja Morant Clashing With the Grizzlies?
The tension boiled over on October 31 during the Grizzlies’ loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, a night when Morant seemed completely out of sorts. In 31 minutes of play, he scored only eight points on inefficient 3-of-14 shooting. However, the real concern began after the game had ended.
During his postgame interview, Morant deflected responsibility for his poor performance. Instead, he repeatedly shifted the focus toward the coaching staff, stating variations of, “that’s something the coaches can explain.” Those comments immediately raised eyebrows and suggested a significant disconnect between the star player and the team’s leadership.
In response, the Grizzlies suspended Morant for one game due to “conduct detrimental to the team,” sidelining him for their next contest against the Toronto Raptors. The decision sent a clear message that no player, not even the franchise cornerstone, is above the organization’s standards.
Without Morant’s offensive spark, Memphis fell to Toronto 117–104, which only deepened its early-season struggles. Following that loss, whispers of a potential trade began to circulate, and those whispers have only grown louder since.
Could a Trade to the Miami Heat Be the Solution?
The speculation intensified following the loss to Detroit, when former NBA player Kendrick Perkins weighed in on the controversy during the latest episode of the “Road Trippin’ Show.” Perkins was direct, stating his belief that the relationship between Morant and Memphis has been permanently damaged.
According to Perkins, it is time for the 26-year-old guard to move on. He specifically pointed to the Miami Heat, a franchise led by proven championship-winning coach Erik Spoelstra, as the ideal destination. Perkins believes the Heat’s structure is exactly what Morant needs.
“The organizations that whisper behind their coaches’ backs and don’t have their backs? Their teams are trash. So again, I feel like this relationship has run its course. I do think it’s time for Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies to part ways. And I think there’s only one option for Ja, only one direction he needs to go. He needs that Erik Spoelstra–Pat Riley–Miami Heat type of structure,” said Perkins during the podcast.
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On paper, the potential fit seems logical. Through seven appearances, Morant is averaging 20.4 points, 7.1 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game. His primary impact comes from attacking the rim, though he is shooting just 39.3% from the field and 13.9% from beyond the arc.
For a Miami team that has struggled to generate consistent offense in the half-court, Morant’s relentless drives could provide a much-needed jolt of energy. Furthermore, playing alongside Bam Adebayo would give Miami a lethal inside-out combination that could elevate its assist rate and overall scoring efficiency.
What happens next is where the real intrigue lives. The Grizzlies are now at a crossroads. The front office can still salvage this situation if communication improves and wins begin to follow. Still, the longer this friction lingers, the louder the siren call for a franchise-altering trade will become.