As exciting as the next era of Grizzlies basketball is, the Ja Morant trade is still fresh in the minds of many. It is never easy to move on from a player as loved as Ja was in Memphis, but the Trail Blazers are already coming to an immediate realization the Grizzlies have known for years. Ja Morant isn't the same consistently reliable starter that he once was.
It wasn't long ago that Ja Morant was an All-NBA caliber talent and one of the best clutch players in the NBA. But the lack of availability and drop off in offensive efficiency the last three seasons led to Portland's "buy-low" opportunity on Morant this summer. Portland didn't have to give up very much, however; they will still owe Morant $87 million over the next two seasons.
Ja Morant starting in Portland isn't guaranteed yet
Now factor in new head coach Micah Nori's latest comments, and it seems quite clear that the Blazers took an upside swing rather than getting a safe lock for an upgrade. Micah Nori was asked if Ja Morant would come off the bench in Portland, and he responded with, “Well, I don’t know. I take people at their word, so if it has to come to it, I can say hey you said you didn’t care.”
Regardless of whether Morant ends up starting or not, that is not exactly a glowing endorsement from Nori. The Blazers currently have an intriguing group of guards in Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, and now Ja Morant. However, it's a position group that doesn't seem to fit quite well together on paper.
Now, that's not solely because of Ja Morant, considering the fact Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard are in the later stages of their careers. But the truth is, if Micah Nori were asked the same question about Ja Morant 2-3 years ago, he would almost certainly be an undisputed starter in Portland. Had Morant continued to produce like his past All-Star seasons, a trade likely would've never happened.
For the record, I think Ja Morant should start, but it is clear that he isn't currently the same player he once was. Rather than a guaranteed upgrade in Portland, this is a prove-it opportunity for Morant in terms of staying healthy and restoring some of the lost offensive efficiency of the past few seasons. Ja Morant remains very talented, but he is already facing an uphill climb to return to his previous best.
It was already clear that the Grizzlies weren't going to get the same level of return for Ja Morant that they got when they traded Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. But it appears that the Trail Blazers are already realizing that they aren't getting the same Ja Morant as the Grizzlies got back in 2022 and 2023.
Understandably, the trade was a difficult one for Grizzlies fans, and Ja Morant still remains beloved in Memphis. However, it seems like the Grizzlies moved on at the exact right time.
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