NBA Expert shares bold take on Grizzlies star Ja Morant's 'comeback story'

2023-24 was a campaign to forget for both the Memphis Grizzlies and their superstar centerpiece, Ja Morant.

As a result of the guard being held out for all but nine games due to early season suspensions and health-related ailments, the ball club only managed to string together 27 wins on the year and missed out on a playoff run for the first time since 2020.

However, despite all these hardships, the Grizzlies head into 2024-25 with hope on their side, and the experts familiar with the league seem to be on the same page as some have them pegged as the team that will see the biggest improvement in the wins department compared to last year.

While there are several reasons why expectations are high for Memphis to take part in a bounce-back season, easily the biggest is the return of Morant, who, just recently, was cleared to return to all basketball activities.

A player who, when healthy, has helped guide the franchise to back-to-back Southwest Division Championships and a total of 107 wins from 2021-2023, the return of the 24-year-old has both fans and media pundits excited for what could be on the horizon for the team as a whole.

Of course, when it relates to an individual perspective, there appears to be even more fanfare being drawn in, as one writer believes the All-Star could find himself being a dark horse candidate for league MVP.

Grizzlies star Ja Morant listed as honorable mention on MVP rankings

In a recent piece penned by Bleacher Report's Mo Dakhil, several players across the association were discussed as being "way too early" Most Valuable Player candidates.

Among the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards, and reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, Morant was found listed as an "honorable mention," with Dakhil suggesting a tremendous "comeback story" could realistically be enough to thrust him into the race this coming season.

"It feels like Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies have been overlooked. Some of it has to do with Morant's behavior two seasons ago and the rash of injuries the Grizzlies suffered all season, including Morant's. This has the chance to be a fantastic comeback story, and narratives always play a role in MVP voting. In the 21-22 season, he finished seventh in MVP voting. He averaged 27.4 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.7 rebounds. The drawback is the 65-game mark he has only played surpassed that number once."

- Mo Dakhil

Since entering the association back in 2019, Morant has quickly ascended up the ladder of the league's elite talents, especially when it relates to the point guard position.

With career averages of 22.5 points, 7.4 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assists on 47.2 percent shooting along with two All-Star nods and an All-NBA selection attached to his name, it's undeniable that, when fully healthy, the youngster is one of the best players the game currently has to offer.

Even this past season, Grizzlies fans were reminded firsthand of the type of impact he brings to this team on his own, as he dropped 25.1 points, 8.1 assists, and 5.6 boards on 47.1 percent shooting per game and helped lead the team to a 6-3 record and their longest winning streak of four games during the 2.5 weeks he was active.

To Dakhil, should he be able to put up these types of numbers while guiding Memphis to a similar level of success throughout the vast majority of a full 82-game stretch, there's reason to believe that Morant will find his name in the running for the Michael Jordan Trophy come year's end.