The Memphis Grizzlies are in a tough spot-and that might be putting it lightly. With Ja Morant sidelined again due to injury and trade rumors heating up around the franchise, Memphis is staring down another frustrating chapter in what was supposed to be a new era of relevance. Sitting below .500 and currently on the outside looking in at the playoff picture, the Grizzlies are searching for answers with the trade deadline fast approaching on February 5.
Adding fuel to the fire, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum made headlines this week during an appearance on The Pivot podcast. While discussing the intense expectations that come with playing in Boston, Tatum used Memphis as a measuring stick-albeit not in a flattering way.
“The career I have right now, if I had it with the Grizzlies, I would have a statue outside the arena,” Tatum said.
Now, there’s no question Tatum has built an impressive résumé. He’s been a perennial All-Star, a consistent scoring threat, and a centerpiece on one of the NBA’s most storied franchises.
If he had put up those numbers in Memphis, sure, he’d likely be one of the most decorated players in team history. But that’s only part of the story.
Tatum’s rise in Boston came under uniquely favorable circumstances. He was a top-three draft pick who landed on a team that had just finished with the No. 1 seed in the East. That’s a rare kind of launchpad, and it’s helped him rack up deep playoff runs that might not have been possible in a smaller market still trying to establish a winning identity.
Grizzlies fans, understandably, might bristle at Tatum’s comments-not just because of the slight, but also because of his own rocky postseason track record. Last year’s playoffs saw Tatum struggle in Games 1 and 2 against the Knicks before a devastating Achilles injury cut his postseason short. That injury still has him sidelined, and it’s fair to say his own playoff legacy is still under construction.
As for Memphis, the franchise had high hopes when Morant burst onto the scene. His explosive play and electric presence gave the city a star to rally around and a reason to believe in something bigger. But between injuries, off-court issues, and now the looming possibility of a trade, the Morant era feels like it’s teetering on the edge.
The Grizzlies were hoping to shed their reputation as an NBA afterthought. Instead, they’re once again being used as a punchline-this time by a fellow star. Whether that lights a fire or adds to the frustration remains to be seen.
Next up, Memphis will try to regroup at home on Wednesday night against a Charlotte Hornets team that’s quietly finding its footing. It’s not a marquee matchup, but for the Grizzlies, it’s another chance to start rewriting the narrative-before the trade deadline writes it for them.