Grizzlies GM reacts to Ja Morant trade reports

As the NBA world processes the news of nine current or former All-Stars switching teams at the trade deadline, a bombshell dropped earlier this week hinting at another blockbuster transaction. 

The Ringer's Howard Beck reported that the Grizzlies could move Ja Morant this offseason if the team fails to make a deep postseason run. Beck noted that Memphis has trepidations about paying Morant max dollars in a few years, much like the Dallas and Luka Doncic situation.

Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman, though, has categorically shot down the reports, going as far as to blast critics for underestimating Morant. 

"I can't blame other executives for fantasizing about us trading Ja," Kleiman told The Daily Memphian's Drew Hill. "But it's just that —fantasy. We are not trading Ja. Continue to underestimate Ja, this team, and this city, and we will let our performance on the floor speak for itself. I'm not going to give this nonsense further oxygen, and I look forward to getting back to basketball."

Kleiman's strong-worded response drew the praise of Grizzlies legend Tony Allen.

"Listen, when the GM stands up for you like that and you ride for your city and you ride for your guys," Allen told the "Chris Vernon Show." "...That lets you know that he's no snake in the grass."