Media Whack Job,' 'Fake News and Narratives' -- Scout's Brutal Assessment of Ja Morant and His Blazers Fit Sparks Backlash From NBA World

A Portland Trail Blazers swing this offseason brought Ja Morant to the roster in exchange for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, giving the two-time All-Star a new start. But an anonymous NBA scout interviewed by Sports Illustrated raised pointed concerns about how Morant will fit next to Damian Lillard, and the criticism spread widely across NBA social media. The scout suggested Morant has a “bad knee,” doubts about his physical conditioning, skepticism about him becoming an elite shooter, and concerns over his size as a defensive problem—especially paired with another small guard. Fans pushed back on the harsh framing, calling it “fake news” or questioning the credibility of anonymous reports. Others said the issues matter when considering a major financial commitment. The backlash continued as observers debated the specifics of the knee and shooting critiques.