"You of all people, Ja, should know 'cause he sent you home" - Austin Rivers advises Ja Morant to know his place after trash-talking a bona fide legend

Despite being sidelined for the next few weeks because of a calf strain, Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has not been inactive, recently getting into a spat with Dallas Mavericks wingman Klay Thompson after the latter reacted to the former's relentless trash talk.

Former NBA guard and current NBC media personality Austin Rivers shared his two cents on Morant's recent activities, advising him to focus on regaining his health and status as one of the league's top point guards.

Ja is barking up the wrong tree

Morant's profile has fallen off a cliff since the 2022-23 season, due to a combination of suspensions and injuries that have limited him to just 59 games over the last two seasons. This season hasn't been any better for the once-explosive guard, as aside from suffering a right calf strain, his play has left a lot to be desired (17.9 points on 35.9 percent shooting).

However, all that hasn't stopped him from yapping his mouth and creating controversies within his team and against his foes. That said, Rivers shared that the best thing for Morant to do these days is keep quiet.

"It was a tough one for Ja to get into because people were like, 'Yo, you're saying he's a bum now?' It's like, 'Ja, Klay's given everything he's got already. He's playing for the love of the game. This is all icing on the cake for Klay,'" Rivers, the son of Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers, said.

"Anything Klay Thompson does from here on out is added to an already cemented legacy. He's a top-three shooter in the history of the game. I put Steph number one, as everyone does. If you don't, you automatically get your license revoked. Number two would be Ray Allen. Three is Klay Thompson. Four, I'd put Reggie Miller. Those are my four greatest shooters of all time. Look at the company I just put him with," he continued.

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Ja has yet to reach the NBA mountaintop

For a time, Ja was one of the league's most exciting players. Blessed with unreal athleticism, he could easily soar over defenders and hammer down one jaw-dropping dunk after another. And with his bravado and moxie fitting in with the other young guns on the Grizzlies' roster, their squad became elite and was touted to soon contend for a title in the next few seasons. However, all that changed when Ja's troubles and injuries began to pile up.

"Ja Morant has not reached such status," Rivers emphasized. "So when he says, 'You're a bum now,' and he's a guy who doesn't play ever because he's hurt or getting suspended — it comes across to pretty much every basketball fan like, 'Okay… now what?'"

Thompson's shooting struggles have made him an easy target for criticism this season. Averaging a career-low 10.3 points on a startling 35.1 percent shooting, his performance has been under heavy scrutiny. However, Austin believes that criticizing Klay is like reaching for low-hanging fruit.

"Klay has already done everything he wanted to do in the game of basketball. The door's closed. He's playing now strictly for the love of it because he gets paid to do it and it's a fun job to have," he explained. "Do I think Klay goes into this season with the same amount of focus and attention to detail he had in his fifth year with the Warriors? No. He's won four rings."

At only 26, Ja still has a lot of time to steer his ship in the right direction. However, Rivers implored him to do that as soon as possible before he loses his way.

Related: Mychal Thompson shares how he would've reacted to Ja Morant's taunts in Klay Thompson's shoes

This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Nov 28, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.