Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant Drops 4-Word Response to Probe Reports After Controversial Gun Gesture Vs. Golden State Warriors 4 Apr 1, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) reacts toward Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) after a basket during the second quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Former Memphis Grizzlies Star Delivers 1 Strong Message to Ja Morant

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 8:12 AM ET

Following the surprise trade of Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic last week, the main focus is on Ja Morant as the Memphis Grizzlies are entering a pivotal offseason.

Morant hasn’t been the franchise player the Memphis Grizzlies needed, as he has missed many games due to injuries and suspensions from his off-court antics. Amid the noise, former franchise star Zach Randolph offered some timely advice for the enigmatic guard.

“He’s a special player. We need him in Memphis… I just tell him, ‘You going to be alright, just keep your head up high,’ because I’ve been through sh*t… It’s about how you bounce back,” Randolph said about Morant on The Big Podcast with Shaquille O’Neal.

Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant Shares 'Tough' Admission After Returning From Injury 9 Mar 29, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) defends as Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) drives to the basket during the fourth quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

“How you bounce it back is being great now. You got to keep on gaining, keep moving forward to what he is doing, stacking days, coming back healthy, and proving people wrong,” he concluded.

Memphis Grizzlies News: Jaren Jackson Jr. draws “most overhyped” claim from ESPN analyst

Ja Morant’s co-star, Jaren Jackson Jr. , recently drew the ire of former NBA player Kendrick Perkins. During a June 19 episode of the Gil’s Arena podcast, the one-time NBA champion called Jackson the “most overhyped” player in the league while questioning the Memphis Grizzlies’ direction.

Memphis Grizzlies: Taylor Jenkins' Replacement Issues Demand After First Game as Interim HC 8 Mar 29, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) and forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) react during the third quarter against the Lakers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

“I like Jaren Jackson Jr., I don’t love him. I think he is the most over-hyped player in the NBA… I think in the last four years, or maybe the last three years, Ja Morant has only played one season where he played over 60 games. So, it’s like, what’s really going on over there?” Perkins said.

Jackson averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.5 blocks on 49/38/78 shooting splits across 74 regular season games. The Memphis Grizzlies finished with a 48-34 record, good for the eighth seed in the Western Conference, but were eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder in a first-round sweep.