Ja Morant Shares New Message for Recently Traded Teammate

Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant shared a message for Ziaire Williams

Joey Linn | Jul 24, 2024

May 3, 2022; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) reacts with forward Ziaire Williams (8) after defeating the Golden State Warriors during game two of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports / Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

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The Memphis Grizzlies recently announced a trade that sent former 10th overall pick Ziaire Williams to the Brooklyn Nets.

"The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the team acquired forward Mamadi Diakite (MAH-muh-dee dee-uh-KEY-tay) and the draft rights to wing Nemanja Dangubic (nay-MON-yah dahn-GUBE-itch), the 54th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, from the Brooklyn Nets for wing Ziaire Williams and a future second round draft pick," the Grizzlies shared on Friday.

While Williams did not become the player Memphis hoped he would during his time there, he had a close relationship with star point guard Ja Morant who has shared several messages for his former teammate since the trade. This includes a new message Morant shared on his Instagram story with an eight ball emoji (Williams' jersey number), and Williams' Instagram handle:

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant shares a message for former teammate Ziaire Williams / Ja Morant / Instagram

The NBA is a business, but this side of the league often gets overlooked. Three of Morant's five NBA seasons have come alongside Williams, and the two had a close relationship. While this opportunity in Brooklyn is a good one for Williams, he will be missed in Memphis by his former teammates.

In his three seasons with the Grizzlies, Williams averaged 7.5 PPG in 19.6 minutes per game across 150 contests. The upside with Williams is intriguing, especially at just 22 years old, but it was no longer going to work out in Memphis.

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Published Jul 24, 2024

JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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