Over the last few months, it seemed inevitable that Ja Morant’s time with the Memphis Grizzlies would come to an end by the trade deadline. After public clashes with his coaching staff, falling out with a teammate and showing little interest in helping the team climb higher in the West standings, a trade felt inevitable.
Yet, in a surprising turn, Morant remained with the organization. For DeMarcus Cousins, that decision feels more like a punishment than a vote of confidence.
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Cousins sounds off on the Grizzlies
There was a time when Morant’s ceiling looked limitless. He led the Grizzlies to back-to-back second-seeded runs in the West, powered 50-plus-win campaigns and deservedly earned two All-Star nods while being recognized as one of the league’s brightest young stars.
However, recurring off-court issues, suspension and injury setbacks changed everything.
Over time, it became evident that Morant’s attention had shifted, with his celebrity status often overshadowing his long-term growth as a player. Also, his mounting frustration with the Grizzlies organization further tarnished his reputation.
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That is why Cousins questioned the logic behind Memphis holding on to Morant, especially when they have shown an interest in pivoting in a new direction and, though subtly, have continuously thrown him under the bus for his antics. Having traded Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz, and with the team currently sitting in the 11th seed with a 20-30 record, the retired center argued that holding onto Morant serves no purpose, particularly when it is most likely that he might not suit up for the team for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
“It didn’t really make sense to me as to why they would keep him after the deadline. You made all the other moves, you traded another huge foundational piece in the franchise, it’s almost like a punishment,” Cousins said on a recent episode of the “Run It Back” show. “You send all my friends off, and you just leave me?”
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Memphis wants maximum value for Ja
On the surface, Cousins’ frustration is understandable. With the Grizzlies having already broken up key parts of their core, there’s little reason to hold onto Morant solely out of sentiment. But the counterargument is just as clear — why move on from him if the offers on the table don’t match his value?
And based on Brian Windhorst’s reports, teams were only willing to take Morant if the Grizzlies added draft compensation. That’s why the deal didn’t materialize.
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Despite the turbulence, based on potential alone, Morant remains Memphis’ most valuable trade asset on paper — one capable of reshaping the franchise’s future if handled correctly.
From the team’s perspective, the most logical way forward is patience. Rather than selling low at the deadline, the Grizzlies appear to be banking on Morant’s value rising by the offseason, when more teams will have financial and draft flexibility and clearer roster needs. That should allow them to maximize the return for Morant and get the right pieces for roster retooling.
As bleak as the remainder of the 2025-26 season looks for Morant, there’s still time for him to rebuild his image and improve his health. That’s also in Memphis’ best interest.
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This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Feb 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.