ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith took aim at Memphis’ appeal as an NBA destination, going viral for his divisive take. Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant, who has spent his first six seasons representing the city, promptly pushed back, questioning Smith’s credibility.
However, Smith doubled down on his stance, issuing a lengthy retort about the state of the Grizzlies’ team-building prospects.
Stephen A. Smith Defends Questioning Memphis’ Safety After Ja Morant Call-Out
On Tuesday’s episode of “First Take,” Smith and Co. discussed the possibility of Memphis rebuilding after trading starting shooting guard Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic.
When asked to elaborate on why he thinks players don’t want to play in the city, Smith cited intel he’s received from around the league regarding safety concerns.
“The people in Memphis, it’s a great sports town, great fans, great people, but there’s an element there where cats like Jimmy Butler and others don’t feel like it’s the safest environment,” Smith said.
“I’m talking to the local authorities in Memphis. You’ve got to clean some of that stuff up because it’s dissuasive to NBA players. They have talked about it. I know. They’ve told me. That’s all I’m saying.”
Stephen A. Smith says NBA players have told him they would feel unsafe playing in a city like Memphis
“Cats like Jimmy Butler and others don’t feel like it’s the safest environment. I’m talking to the local authorities in Memphis”
(h/t @awfulannouncing)pic.twitter.com/qySJhGBofG
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 17, 2025
Shortly after, Morant took to X and blasted Smith for criticizing a small-market team during the NBA Finals and questioned the legitimacy of his NBA player sources.
“talkin bout the grizz more than the finals [laughing emoji] wit these [cap emoji] ahh sources,” Morant wrote.
talkin bout the grizz more than the finals wit these ahh sources
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) June 17, 2025
“instead of focusing on the performances we seen from jdub/shai, tj/Siakam, how this series is going. We say sumn negative about a city/team on a national level,” he added.
instead of focusing on the performances we seen from jdub/shai , tj/siakam, how this series is going . we say sumn negative about a city/team on a national level.
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) June 17, 2025
On Tuesday evening, Smith fired back, asserting that his comments about Memphis’ purported player safety risks were well-founded. The analyst added that, given the Grizzlies’ decision to move on from Bane, discussing the franchise’s future was a warranted move despite the ongoing finals.
“So this is what we’re doing now @JaMorant? I recall talking about the Finals. But the @memgrizz made news because of Bane getting traded. AND, your possible extension coming up,” Smith wrote.
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“Would you prefer I go into detail about WTH has been going on in Memphis? Why players have stated they’re not interested in going? Or even MORE details? Or would you like me to leave well enough alone, and let the great peeps of Memphis address it on their own? Your call! I’m all ears!”
So this is what we’re doing now @JaMorant? I recall talking about the Finals. But the @memgrizz made news because of Bane getting traded. AND, your possible extension coming up. Would you prefer I go into detail about WTH has been going on in Memphis? Why players have stated… https://t.co/kSa3v4d7Sz
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) June 17, 2025
Despite Smith and Morant’s exchange, according to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps’ Sunday report, “the Grizzlies are not looking to deal” Morant or his co-star Jaren Jackson Jr. The latter is expected to sign a lucrative contract extension this offseason.
& ima be in dat 901
source : ME !!
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) June 17, 2025
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Morant, under contract through the 2027-28 season, reiterated his contentment with the only NBA city he’s ever known.
“& ima be in dat 901 … source : ME !!” Morant tweeted. As such, conversations about Memphis rebuilding due to a lack of market appeal appear moot.
