Stephen A. Smith names the city where crime is scaring NBA players away from the team

Stephen A. Smith names the city where crime is scaring NBA players away from the team

While crime is generally down across the United States in recent years, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith believes the reputation of one American city is a barrier for attracting NBA players.

On a recent episode of his show ‘First Take’ on the network, Smith spoke at length about the issues preventing players from migrating to one city in the south that just saw a key contributor traded away.

Speaking with Lakers forward Markeiff Morris and his brother, former NBA player Marcus Morris, Smith discussed the trade that sent Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Orlando Magic.

At one point in their conversation, centering around if the Grizzlies should trade away superstar Ja Morant to do a deeper re-build, Smith asked the Morris twins if they wanted to open up about why they might not want to play in Bluff City.

‘You going to tell folks why nobody wants to be in Memphis?’ Smith said. ‘Or you want me to do it?’

After Marcus said he’d have no problems playing in Memphis, Markeiff wanted to hear Smith’s reasoning.

Stephen A. Smith believes that the crime rates in Memphis deter NBA players from going there

Stephen A. Smith believes that the crime rates in Memphis deter NBA players from going there

Just days ago, the Memphis Grizzlies traded away guard Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic

Just days ago, the Memphis Grizzlies traded away guard Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic 

So, Smith explained his thinking: ‘It’s a great sports town, great fans, great people,’ he began.

‘But there’s an element there where cats like Jimmy Butler and others don’t feel like it’s the safest environment. I’m talking to the local authorities in Memphis.

‘You gotta clean some of that stuff up because it’s dissuasive to NBA players,’ Smith told the brothers. ‘They have talked about it. I know, they’ve told me.’

Earlier in the season, before he was traded off the Miami Heat, swingman Jimmy Butler was so desperate to be moved that he said he was willing to play anywhere – except for Memphis. Eventually, he was traded to the Golden State Warriors.

After hearing about this discussion, Morant put out a series of tweets proclaiming his love for the city.

‘& ima be in dat 901 [bear emoji] source : ME!!,’ Morant said in a first tweet, referring to the city’s area code of ‘901’.

He then followed that up with a pair of tweets: ‘talkin bout the grizz more than the finals [laughing emoji] with these [cap emoji] ahh sources.’

Morant replied to his own tweet, saying, ‘instead of focusing on the performances we seen from jdub/shai , tj/siakam, how this series is going . we say sumn negative about a city/team on a national level.’

Memphis star Ja Morant seemed offended by Smith's comments, saying he's happy there

Memphis star Ja Morant seemed offended by Smith’s comments, saying he’s happy there

Memphis historically has a bad crime rate, but 2024 saw murders and total crime fall overall

Memphis historically has a bad crime rate, but 2024 saw murders and total crime fall overall

Smith didn’t point to any specific issues, but Memphis does have a reputation for being one of the most dangerous cities in the country.

According to US News & World Report, Memphis topped their list of the most dangerous places in the country.

However, according to local reports, violent crime in the first-quarter of 2025 was at the lowest it had been since 2020. 

2023 saw a record high of 398 murders in the city, but 2024 had a 25 percent drop to 296 according to local station WREG. 

A report from the city showed that in the year 2024, the total crime rate dropped 13 percent, the homicide rate dropped 30 percent, the motor vehicle theft rate dropped 39 percent.

Related Posts

LeBron James sparks fan frenzy over trade speculation with key detail in fiery Instagram post

LeBron James sparks fan frenzy over trade speculation with key detail in fiery Instagram post

LeBron James did little to dampen the speculation over his future with a social media post that sent some NBA fans into meltdown. The basketball legend, 40, confirmed…

Smitten Megan Thee Stallion and Klay Thompson enjoy romantic fishing date as NBA star gushes over his ‘queen’

Smitten Megan Thee Stallion and Klay Thompson enjoy romantic fishing date as NBA star gushes over his ‘queen’

Megan Thee Stallion and Klay Thompson have continued their offseason adventures by going on a romantic fishing date together. The new couple first sparked romance rumors earlier this…

NBA legend pokes fun at his arrest for illegal gambling in bizarre video after being released from jail on k bond

NBA legend pokes fun at his arrest for illegal gambling in bizarre video after being released from jail on $50k bond

Former Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas has poked fun at his arrest for allegedly running an illegal gambling operation after sharing a video on social media. The case against…

Marcus Morris Sr’s brother and agent slam NBA star’s ‘insane’ arrest and reveal ‘real’ reasons he was detained

Marcus Morris Sr’s brother and agent slam NBA star’s ‘insane’ arrest and reveal ‘real’ reasons he was detained

The twin brother of NBA free agent Marcus Morris Sr. and the player’s agent are disputing the reason for his shocking arrest in Florida on Sunday. Morris was…

Bronny James should NOT head to the NBA this year and instead needs another year in college before he is ready, ex-NBA star Byron Scott claims – after LeBron’s son declared for Draft

Bronny James should NOT head to the NBA this year and instead needs another year in college before he is ready, ex-NBA star Byron Scott claims – after LeBron’s son declared for Draft

Most watched Sport videos With Bronny James now entering the transfer portal and declaring for the NBA Draft, a number of former league executives and coaches have…

Shaquille O’Neal reveals the NBA star he ‘f***ing hates’

Shaquille O’Neal reveals the NBA star he ‘f***ing hates’

Shaquille O’Neal has reignited his long-running feud with Rudy Gobert after admitting he ‘f***ing hates’ the Minnesota Timberwolves star. O’Neal and Gobert are not the best of…