Ja Morant's been suspended twice for brandishing a gun during a livestream on social media, and he reportedly clashed with Memphis Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo last season.
But the new Portland Trail Blazers guard insists he isn't the same person and believes he's been miscast as a "bad guy."
"Obviously, I've done what I've done in the past, but it's been addressed and handled already," Morant told reporters Saturday at Summer League. "I don't see why years later that's still the topic when nothing's happened since.
"If I was that guy, y'all wouldn't be talking to me now. I wouldn't be here."
Portland acquired Morant from the Grizzlies in June in exchange for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. The two-time All-Star is under contract for two more seasons.
Calf soreness and a UCL sprain in his left elbow limited Morant to 20 games last campaign. The former No. 2 overall pick struggled when he was available to play, averaging 19.5 points on a career-low 41% shooting, including a 23.5% clip from deep. He also made only 61% of his rim attempts, which ranked in the 42nd percentile among point guards, per Cleaning the Glass.
Morant added Saturday that he's looking forward to putting those struggles behind him as he begins a new chapter of his career with the Blazers.
"Excited to be in Portland. Ready to get started there," Morant said. "Definitely grateful for my time in Memphis. That'll always be home for me, but it's time to get to work now."
