Ja Morant Suspended — Grizzlies Tension Sparks Trade Watch

Merlin sees a crack forming in Memphis: Ja Morant was suspended one game for "conduct detrimental to the team" after a postgame dust-up with coach Tuomas Iisalo, and ESPN’s Shams Charania reports there’s "tension" the league is watching. Morant’s 3‑for‑14 night against the Lakers, his terse "go ask the coaching staff" and "probably don't play me" comments, and Blake Griffin’s critique that "for a guy that's making $40 million... that to me is a very bad sign" make this more than locker‑room noise — it threatens the Grizzlies’ chemistry. Merlin notes history and hubris. Memphis hoped Iisalo would align with Morant the way Jenkins didn’t; six games in, the fit is fraying. Trading Morant would be seismic and remains unlikely now, but unresolved leadership fights can widen fast if results falter.