Ja Morant, the breakout star of the Memphis Grizzlies and favorite for NBA Rookie of the Year, is at a pivotal moment in his young career. As he steers through these choppy waters, he’s managing a three-year, $197.2M, five-year contract he signed in Jul. Currently in the midst of his contract, Morant’s salary for the 2023-2024 season stands at $39.5 million, with increases to $42.2 million and $44.9 million in the following two years. His play in light of a recent one-game suspension raises the alarm level. Continued internal turmoil is as much threatening Walters’ immediate future with the organization.
Despite the Grizzlies’ struggles to adapt to head coach Iisalo’s system, Morant has not requested a trade, reflecting his commitment to the team. Morant is hit with further complications from his latest suspension. The frustration generated by that move proves he is still struggling to deal with the fallout from that move. The Grizzlies are keen to manage the situation internally, preferring to limit outside influences as they work through their season’s difficulties.
Recent Performance and Challenges
This season, Morant has been huge statistically even with the challenges. He’s set new career-highs in touches and dribbles per 100 possessions. Consequently, he currently ranks second in the NBA in dribbles per 100 possessions. To make things worse, his touch time has ballooned by about 30% from last year. In a breakout game against the Detroit Pistons, Morant dropped 18 points. He averaged 10 assists, a glimpse into the mind-blowing potential this 19-year-old possessed.
Morant’s scoring efficiency has raised concerns. He’s true shooting 14th out of 15 high-usage (over 30%) players this year. His struggles extend beyond mere statistics. He has struggled with his three-point shooting as well, holding a career average of only 31% and starting this season with a dismal 14% (5-for-36) from beyond the arc.
“We need just a lot more of the right things.” – Jaren Jackson Jr.
Jaren Jackson Jr., Morant’s teammate and All-Star big man, added change is needed when it comes to what’s acceptable in the team culture. He made clear that getting it right requires everyone’s buy-in. The Grizzlies still have everything they need to succeed despite their understandable struggles.
Suspension and Its Aftermath
Morant’s most recent one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the league has sparked discussions about his maturity level and overall focus. This came after missing a critical matchup against the Toronto Raptors. This led some to question his viability and dependability as a long-term franchise cornerstone for the Grizzlies. Morant has understandably decided to stay quiet about the particulars of his suspension. That — what you all are saying out there in the world about me is not how I want to feel.
“Yeah, they told y’all that, right? If I didn’t have a relationship, I wouldn’t talk to them at all.” – Ja Morant
Morant’s statements imply that he has some understanding of how there’s a mistrust of his behavior both in the media and in fan spaces. He appears intent to set the record straight on misunderstandings, yet still keep an ongoing conversation with team ownership.
A deeper look at the Grizzlies’ internal reaction to these nefarious patterns of behavior suggests an organizational inclination toward fixing problems away from public scrutiny. This strategy could be a powerful tool to create the collaborative spirit within which they will collectively want to improve their results week-on-week over the season.
Future Considerations
Looking ahead, Morant is at a crossroads personally and professionally. He’s eligible to sign a three-year maximum extension, totaling $178 million, next summer. With these persisting issues potentially souring his market value in the event the Grizzlies decide to trade him in the near future, they must tread carefully. At only 26 years old, he has two years left on his deal after this season. He comes with a highly problematic history of suspensions and injuries. With him playing in only 59 games over the past two seasons, the team will have to consider this risk deeply.
The internal discourse within the organization reflects their desire to build around Morant while addressing any issues that have arisen due to his recent behavior. A deeper commitment to mental conditioning and building a better team mindset might pave different roads for Morant. This move could prove to be what he, and the Grizzlies, need to get back on track.
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