Ja Morant Reiterates Desire to Stay with Grizzlies After Leading Team to Win in London

The Memphis Grizzlies have been actively working with Ja Morant's representatives to find him another home before the trade deadline.

Ja Morant Reiterates Desire to Stay with Grizzlies After Leading Team to Win in London

Ja Morant wants to stay in Memphis (Image via FirstSportz)

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These days, Ja Morant is trying to keep his mind focused as his Memphis Grizzlies have given out enough indications that they are open to moving their leading superstar.

Former players have slammed the move, citing that the Grizzlies, and quite a few other teams, have been setting this dangerous precedent of intentionally undervaluing their players with the hope of shipping them off easily.

The 26-year-old is purchasing a $3.2 million home in Miami, Florida, which has only fueled trade rumors to the Heat, as many feel Morant joining them would be the best option for the player and both respective teams.

Anybody who in here knows me knows I’m a very loyal guy. I got a logo on my back, so that should say exactly where I wanna be.

Ja Morant said

This was the Murray State alum’s response to veteran journalist Marc Stein, who asked the Grizzlies star point-blank where he wanted to be amidst the trade rumors.

The logo tattoo Ja Morant refers to is the one he has of his current team on his back. It is not easy to get a tattoo of a franchise on an athlete’s body, especially when the said athlete may not have ever envisioned leaving the team. However, his injury problems have compounded matters for the organization, who struggle to consistently win whenever he is not playing.

Ja Morant ‘loves’ being back on court after leading Grizzlies to win

Ja Morant last played in the New Year-opening game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Since then, he has watched as his team struggled to surprisingly win just two games out of their six games.

Ja Morant against the Magic's Wendell Carter Jr.
Ja Morant against the Magic’s Wendell Carter Jr. (Image via BR Kicks/X)

He was part of their trip to Europe, which meant after missing out on their loss to the Orlando Magic in Berlin, Germany, there was a chance he would play in London.

Against the Magic, the South Carolina native came back to start the game and quickly went back to his dominating ways. He led his team in scoring and also assisted his teammates to help his Grizzlies take a commanding 30-point lead midway through the second quarter.

After ending the game with a 126-109 score, British Grizzlies fans were on their feet, cheering on Ja Morant as he was approached for an on-court interview.

Just the love. I’m able to see not only I got love back home, but I got it here too. Fans constantly calling my name and cheering when I score. That’s big time.

Ja Morant said

It seems the superstar wanted to remind the team’s top brass that not only does he want to stay, but the fans also seem to want the same.

Ja Morant brings out a ‘bazooka’

One of the many reasons the Memphis Grizzlies want to trade Ja Morant away could be his antics while on the court. Last year, he was fined for bringing out the gun celebration.

After all, he was suspended 25 games for brandishing an actual gun. The league felt this hand gesture was not a good way to connect with its viewers.

Since then, the 6′ 2″ guard has brought out his creativity. He switched from the handgun to a shotgun. Then brought out the grenade celebration on quite a few occasions.

The league has not been able to fine him for either of those, as the grenade celebration has been a hit with many athletes and fans across various spectrums.

Be it high school and college basketball, in European soccer, or even tennis, the celebration became a viral hit. Knowing the league might be starting to encourage creativity, Ja Morant decided to bring out another celebration.

Midway in the second quarter, the guard scored a deep three. As he backpedaled towards his team’s half, Morant was seen thumping his chest, and then brought out a bazooka celebration. It seems he wants to keep creating new celebration ideas every time he scores.

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