Memphis Embraces Boozer, But Morant Problem Still Festers

MEMPHIS, TN - JUNE 25: Cameron Boozer #27 of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a portrait on June 25, 2026 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the

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What is the story about?

Cameron Boozer and his fellow rookie teammates, Karim Lopez and Richie Saunders, have been introduced to fans by the Memphis Grizzlies, and Boozer, at least, seems to have gone over well.

The team clearly plans to build around him, and that could mean a tricky transition between the Grizzlies being Ja Morant’s team and Boozer’s.

It’s no secret that Memphis would like to move Morant, who has derailed his career with stupid acts, generally involving guns, or defying what the franchise or his coach wants

him to do.

To be clear, he’s not interested in staying with Memphis either, but between his behavior, injuries, and declining performance, there’s just not much of a market for his services right now.

This site suggests trades might be possible with Boston, Miami, and Chicago.

Brad Stevens (Boston) and Pat Riley (Miami) have been around long enough to have clearly defined cultures, and both have already had talented players who had serious issues fitting in. For Stevens, it was Kyrie Irving; for Riley, Jimmy Butler. Both were expensive lessons, and we can’t imagine either wanting to try that again.

Chicago?

Maybe.

Unless and until it happens, it’s going to be difficult for Morant to watch the offense and attention shift to Boozer, who, while still just 18 (he turns 19 on July 18) is already more mature than his older teammate. That dynamic is going to be tough to handle.

In a small bit of other rookie news, Maliq Brown and Isaiah Evans have picked their new numbers. Brown will wear #15, while Evans has taken #33, perhaps to remind him that he lingered in the draft until that point, and now plans to use it as motivation.