The Memphis Grizzlies had a busy weekend with two summer league games on Friday and Saturday, and two roster moves that were made official after buying out Cole Anthony to officially extend Jaren Jackson Jr.'s five-year $240 million deal. The Grizzlies' other star, Ja Morant, made an appearance at the Grizzlies' summer league game Saturday and talked to the media for the first time since the team's season ended in April.
While his primary goal of showing support for the Grizzlies' summer league team was to show the leadership that will be expected from him going forward, he also chimed in on the roster moves since the trading of his former starting backcourt mate, Desmond Bane, last month.
Ja Morant was shocked by the trade but understands the bigger picture
Two things can be true at once, and Ja Morant made that known when he said he was shocked by the Desmond Bane trade, followed by saying it was best for both sides. Morant has always operated on the mentality that roster moves are the job of the front office, and his focus is on being the best player that he can be for the team.
Regardless of what is said about the Grizzlies' roster and ability to compete with its new construction, Morant being healthy will be the key to the team's success. When asked about how healthy he was feeling for next season, he answered, "I'm already in the lab." That's good news for a team that has injuries to Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey they are dealing with, as their timelines are expected to linger into training camp.
When asked about the team's roster moves following the Desmond Bane trade, Ja Morant said he was excited about the prospect of Cedric Coward and ready to see him on the floor. Coward hasn't suited up for the summer league team due to recovery from a shoulder injury that ended his last college season, after playing only six games for Washington State.
While Coward was one of the players received by virtue of their first-round draft pick in the Desmond Bane trade, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was also dealt to Memphis. Morant understands that the veteran presence he will bring will be a big-time addition to the team. He specifically acknowledged the importance of what the young guys like Coward, Jaylen Wells, and GG Jackson will be able to learn from Caldwell-Pope.
Grizzlies' guard rotation chopping it up after the summer league game (Ja, Ty, Scotty) pic.twitter.com/wefQfG1wjP
— Parish Sharkey (@DaOne_PShark) July 13, 2025
Lastly, Ty Jerome agreed to a free-agent contract with the Grizzlies to stabilize the team's playmaking in the backcourt off the bench. He was in attendance as well for the team's game on Saturday night and was spotted talking to Morant and fellow backcourt mate Scotty Pippen Jr. following the team's summer league victory. The Grizzlies' star seems to be bought in with the team's plans for the upcoming season