Ja Morant Reacts to Big Derrick Rose Announcement on Thursday

Ja Morant and Derrick Rose both played together on the Memphis Grizzlies

Apr 20, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) walks off the court during the second half of a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Not too long ago, Derrick Rose and Ja Morant were teammates on the Memphis Grizzlies. In fact, Memphis was the last team Rose played for before ultimately retiring.

On Thursday, Rose reached the next level of that retirement when the Chicago Bulls announced that they will be retiring Rose's number 1 jersey on January 24, 2026. Rose's jersey retirement announcement was rejoiced by NBA players both past and present, including Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant.

Morant sent a simple yet poignant message to Rose following the news.

Via @JaMorant: "🌹"

🌹 https://t.co/imS9ibClpN

— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) August 21, 2025

Ja Morant and Derrick Rose's Relationship

When Rose joined the Grizzlies during the 2023-24 NBA season, he had the opportunity to play alongside Morant and become a mentor. When Rose was asked about Morant earlier in the season, the Bulls legend called him a pure point guard.

Apr 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) walks down the court in the third quarter of game two of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

"I see pure point guard," Rose said. "His talent is his passing. Everything else is like an enhancement... You know he gonna have double-digit assists and that's hard to do now in this game with him not being like a crazy three-point shooter... Players like that I love to watch... I don’t like to say that we play alike because he jumps higher."

"I see pure point guard. ... I don't like to say that we like play alike because he jump higher, he do crazier more sh*t. He risky as f*ck."

Derrick Rose on the comparison between him & Ja Morant 🗣️

(via @OutTheMudTL, "Tidal League") pic.twitter.com/2qK0gSW7ok

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 23, 2025

Rose also admitted that the way Morant plays basketball is much riskier than anything he's ever done.

"He risky as f**k, and I don't think some of the risk that he take, I wasn't willing to take like that," Rose admitted.

Rose only played 24 games with the Grizzlies before ultimately getting injured, but that didn't stop him from creating a special relationship with Morant. His son even played for Ja Morant's AAU team last year.

D Rose’s son hit the bucket to clinch the championship win for Ja Morant’s Twelve Time AAU team 🔥👀 (via miekajoi_) pic.twitter.com/38OsRcfyg8

— Grind City Media (@grindcitymedia) April 29, 2024

Derrick Rose's career will always be one of the more fascinating ones in NBA history. He has the universal respect from almost all of his peers and has almost become a mythical figure. The point guard only played with the Bulls for seven seasons and never took them to an NBA Finals, and yet, he'll have his jersey retired.

That shows just how special Derrick Rose truly is.

Related Articles

Jaren Jackson Jr's Strong Seven-Word Message to Grizzlies Fans

Ex-Lakers Veteran Issues Apology to Gilbert Arenas After Controversial News

Ja Morant's Marquee Matchups vs Lakers, Celtics, Knicks Announced