Around the trade deadline, there were rumors of the Memphis Grizzlies being a possible target for Jimmy Butler. As interest grew among teams, Jimmy Butler expressed his desire to avoid playing in Memphis with the Grizzlies,

Smith made some very disparaging comments about the city of Memphis and the Memphis Grizzlies on First Take, and Ja Morant fired back on X.

Stephen A. Smith claims players do not sign with Grizzlies in free agency due to lack of safety in Memphis, in light of Desmond Bane trade