In a stunning revelation on ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith claimed that NBA players around the league are actively wary of playing in Memphis, not because of basketball reasons, but due to concerns about personal safety.
“The people in Memphis is a great sports town, great fans, great people. But there’s an element there where cats like Jimmy Butler and others don’t feel it’s the safest environment.”
“I’m talking to the local authorities in Memphis. You 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.”
While Smith’s comments sparked immediate debate, they reflect a growing undercurrent of discomfort some stars reportedly feel about playing in the city.
His remarks couldn’t have come at a more tumultuous time for the Memphis Grizzlies, who just traded away cornerstone guard Desmond Bane and appear to be flirting with a full-scale rebuild.
The Bane trade sent shockwaves through the NBA, not only because of the return package of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, and a handful of draft picks, but also because it signaled a departure from the franchise’s win-now mindset.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst noted that this wasn’t about fit or short-term upgrades; this was the first step toward a pivot in direction.
If Smith’s claims about player concerns regarding safety are true, it only amplifies the challenges Memphis faces in building a winning culture. Ja Morant, already under the microscope for multiple off-court incidents, was reportedly frustrated with his usage last season and clashed with the coaching staff before Taylor Jenkins was fired.
Jaren Jackson Jr., meanwhile, just lost out on a supermax extension after missing All-NBA honors, something sources say he didn’t take lightly.
With the Grizzlies now pivoting toward flexibility and draft capital, trade chatter around Morant and Jackson Jr. is heating up. The Miami Heat, having moved on from Jimmy Butler, are said to be intrigued by Morant’s fit in South Beach.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves could become serious players if they choose to pair Morant with Anthony Edwards.
And Jackson? The Lakers are reportedly monitoring his situation closely. They’ve long sought a stretch-five with defensive chops, and Jackson would fit the bill.
But beyond basketball, Smith’s comments bring up a serious and uncomfortable question: could the city’s reputation, fair or not, become a long-term deterrent for free agents and stars?
If players around the league are indeed discussing Memphis as a “risky” destination, it puts the Grizzlies in a difficult position. They’ll not only have to sell players on their rebuild but also on the city itself.
At a time when nearly every other Western Conference team is pushing the pedal to the floor, Memphis might be facing challenges that go far beyond the hardwood.
