Ja Morant has been out injured for a considerable amount of time. However, firing a beloved coach like Taylor Jenkins would’ve shocked him as much as it did the rest of the basketball world.
The latest report claims that the star point guard’s affinity or lack thereof could have played a part in Jenkins being axed despite the Memphis Grizzlies being the No. 5 seed.
NBA Insider Points Out Ja Morant’s Disdain for Taylor Jenkins’ Offensive Plans
Jenkins and Morant arrived in Memphis at around the same time when Morant was drafted the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. However, their relationship has been rocky this season. According to the Athletic, things started going downhill during the offseason itself.
The 25-year-old was not happy when Blake Ahearn was let go by the Grizzlies in the summer. According to the report, he continued working with others on the coaching staff but wasn’t able to find his groove.
“Morant played his entire career for Jenkins and remained supportive of the coach up to the end, a league source said,” stated the report. “Morant did not, however, like the new offense.”
“… But when he’s been on the court, according to a league source, Morant has complained about the new scheme, which takes the ball out of his hands and removes the screens he likes to use as a ball handler to make plays.”
REPORT: Ja Morant ‘complained’ about Taylor Jenkins’ new offensive scheme.
“Some days he looks like he’s ready to play, and some days he looks like he doesn’t want to be there… because he hates the offense.”
(via @sam_amick, @joevardon, @FredKatz) pic.twitter.com/WHWT3wSeQo
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 29, 2025
“One league source who has seen Morant work out with the Grizzlies recently said, ‘Some days he looks like he’s ready to play, and some days he looks like he doesn’t want to be there … because he hates the offense.’”
The Grizzlies have lost four of their last five games with Morant missing. Their heartbreaking 104-125 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder proved to be the final nail in Jenkin’s six-year career with the Grizzlies.
Ja Morant’s Latest Injury Update
Morant has played only 43 games this season and has suffered from hamstring and shoulder issues. However, according to the latest reports, the Grizzlies have upgraded the point guard to questionable status for their next game.
If the two-time NBA All-Star does end up taking the court, it would be a blessing for Tuomas Iisalo, who has been named the franchise’s interim head coach. He has been working with the Grizzlies as an assistant coach since last season.
The Grizzlies will play the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, March 29, at the FedExForum. The tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET.