MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Despite the Oklahoma City Thunder being on the brink of winning their first NBA Championship, national sports media spent part of Tuesday discussing the Memphis Grizzlies. 

The Grizzlies’ buzz followed the first blockbuster trade of the NBA offseason, a deal that saw Desmond Bane go to the Orlando Magic in return for two players, four first-round draft picks, and a pick swap. 

RELATED: Magic land Desmond Bane in trade with Grizzlies for Cole Anthony, KCP and draft picks

During an ESPN discussion titled “Should Grizzlies move on from Ja Morant?” ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith said, “You going to tell folks why nobody wants to be in Memphis, or do you want me to do it?” Marcus Morris, a veteran NBA player, replied, “I’d love to be in Memphis. I’d embrace it, but you’ve got to identify those guys, especially a younger guy, to identify who wants to be in Memphis.” 

Smith continued, saying, “The people in Memphis. It’s a great sports town. Great fans. Great people. But there’s an element there where cats like Jimmy Butler and others don’t feel it’s the safest environment. I’m talking to the local authorities in Memphis. You got to clean some of that stuff up because it’s dissuasive to NBA players. They have talked about it. I know. They’ve told me.” 

Jimmy Butler, who Smith referred to, joined the Golden State Warriors in a February 2025 trade with the Miami Heat. He played his first six seasons in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls before playing 69 games with the Minnesota Timberwolves and 55 games with the Philadelphia 76ers. Leading up to his trade to the Warriors, national sports outlets discussed the possibility of Butler being traded to Memphis. 

talkin bout the grizz more than the finals😂 wit these 🧢 ahh sources

— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) June 17, 2025

The debate wasn’t lost on Grizzlies’ point guard Ja Morant. Morant took to X after the discussion, posting, “talkin bout the grizz more than the finals wit these (cap) ahh sources…instead of focusing on the performances we seen from jdub/shai, tj/siakam, how this series is going. we say sumn negative about a city/team on a national level,” and, “& ima be in dat 901…source: ME !!” 

Smith fired back at Morant some hours later, posting a reply to X: “So this is what we’re doing now, @JaMorant? I recall talking about the Finals. But the @memgrizz made news because of Bane getting traded. AND, your possible extension coming up. Would you prefer I go into detail about WTH has been going on in Memphis? Why players have stated they’re not interested in going? Or would you like me to leave well enough alone, and let the great peeps of Memphis address it on their own? Your call! I’m all ears!

Paul Young Stephen A. Smith response

Memphis Mayor Paul Young also made a statement on Smith’s comments, also posting to X: “Stephen called us a great sports town – facts. Best fans in the game? True. People of Memphis? Unmatched.

But what he is missing is that crime is down in 2024 and 2025. We’re not just talking change, we’re delivering it. Memphis is rising, and we’ve got the numbers and the heart to prove it.

If Jimmy or anyone else is unsure, come see for yourself. And Stephen, we’ll welcome you here anytime. Just don’t bet against us. Memphis doesn’t stay down.

Big shoutout to all the Memphians and Ja Morant for jumping into the mix today. Ja repping his city like that shows exactly why he’s one of us. His greatness is undeniable, but it’s his heart that makes him Memphis.”

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