GM says Grizzlies will spend to keep Morant, core together

Posted May 15, 2022 7:00 am

By CLAY BAILEY

Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant reacts in the final minute against the Golden State Warriors during Game 6 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal in San Francisco, Friday, May 13, 2022. The Warriors won 110-96 and advanced to the conference finals. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) The Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - The Memphis Grizzlies are willing to spend whatever necessary to keep its core together, including signing All-Star guard Ja Morant to a contract extension this offseason.

Zach Kleiman, the Grizzlies' general manager and vice president of basketball operations, made that very clear Sunday. Memphis finished with the second-best record in the NBA and its highest playoff seeding at No. 2 in the Western Conference. Memphis was eliminated in six games by Golden State in the semifinals Friday night.

'œWe're not going to have any issues paying anyone who we want to pay,'ť Kleiman said of the future. 'œThere's never going to be any issue with retention here.'ť

Kleiman emphasized that is want owner Robert Pera wants. Memphis' goal is maintaining team chemistry while making toward winning a championship despite being one of the NBA's small-market teams. Memphis ranked 10th in the league for merchandise sales recently with Morant ninth among players.

'œWe're not worried about small market notions or any of this or that,'ť said Kleiman, this season's NBA executive of the year. 'œWe're not going to have any issue whatsoever keeping together whoever we ultimately decide along the way.'ť

That certainly includes Morant, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 draft, who has improved from rookie of the year in 2020 to All-Star starter this season and as the NBA's Most Improved Player who also finished seventh in MVP voting. Morant is eligible for a five-year maximum contract extension this off-season.

And Kleiman made it as clear as possible that he intends to make sure Morant is in Memphis for a long time.

'œWhatever I'm allowed to say under the NBA rules without violating the CBA, I hereby say about what our plans would be for Ja,'ť Kleiman said.

Morant's desire is keeping the Grizzlies intact as well, starting with himself.

'œI'm definitely happy to be here. Memphis is my home,'ť said Morant who knows his contract situation will be a hot topic this offseason. 'œIf your (question) is: Do I want to be in Memphis? Hell, yeah.'ť

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Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, left, talks with Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant after Game 6 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal in San Francisco, Friday, May 13, 2022. The Warriors won 110-96 and advanced to the conference finals. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) The Associated Press

Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins watches from the bench during the first half of Game 6 of the team's NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, Friday, May 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) The Associated Press

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