The Memphis Grizzlies have embarked on a rebuild for some of their young players such as Cedric Coward and were looking to trade for Ja Morant before the 2026 NBA trade deadline. As rumors continue to swirl about Morant and his future with the franchise, Coward wants everyone to know what the Grizzlies point guard is really like.
Speaking with HoopsHype at All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, Cedric Coward was asked about Ja Morant's perception of the league and what it's like to actually be around him.
It is safe to say that cowards did not retreat.
“Yeah, it depends what people think about him,” Cedric Coward told HoopsHype. "If you want to say all the negative connotations about him, you're absolutely wrong and you need to keep your thoughts to yourself. Jaa is one of the nicest guys I've ever met. One of the nicest guys. He's the same way, goofy — we quote movies all the time. I mean, he's always cracking jokes."
Ja Morant and his leadership were ousted by head coach Tuomas Isalo in early November 2025 and he was suspended one game due to "conduct detrimental to the team." Morant wishes to remain a member of the Grizzlies, and has remained professional throughout the process.
Coward continued to talk about what a great teammate Morant has been to him.
"He's not what people make him out to be. He'll take care of you, like, when we had the snowstorm, he offered to buy my groceries, just little things like that that he didn't have to do, but he just takes care of people out of the kindness of his heart, just because that's who he is. It's like his nature. And then at the same time, he's a great person to be around. As I tell people all the time, he's one of those guys. The ones I'll bring to my cookouts, you know, and you'll be like, "Hey man, come over." You know what I'm saying?
In 48 appearances so far this season, Cedric Coward has averaged 13.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game, while shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 34 percent from three.
Ja Morant has struggled to stay on the court this season, playing in only 20 games this season. He averaged 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 8.1 assists and 1.0 steals in a career-low 28.5 minutes per game.
