The return of Ja Morant helps Memphis, but the future of the two-time All-Star and the Grizzlies is unclear

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — GG Jackson II never played alongside Ja Morant in his first NBA season, only watching the two-time All-Star take the court in nine games Memphis Grizzlies.

He's seen enough to know now with Morant that the Grizzlies will do things differently.

“If we get the head of the snake out there, everyone’s role will definitely change,” Jackson said of Morant.

Morant is the point guard who makes the Grizzlies run – literally. Entering his sixth season in the NBA, the 2020 NBA Rookie of the Year and 2022 Most Improved Player, who also earned a spot on the 2021-22 All-NBA Team, is setting the breakneck pace that has helped Memphis securing second place in the Western Conference consecutive seasons.

Then the Grizzlies went 27-55 with Morant suspended for the first 25 games from the NBA for him extrajudicial behavior and drama in front of one Shoulder injury The fact that surgery was required put an end to the thought his return to the team

This could have been a blessing for both Morant and the Grizzlies. Morant was able to sit back and focus on what matters most to him. Morant credits the time he spent healing and strengthening his shoulder outside of basketball with also helping him reorganize his priorities.

“I am blessed to be in the position where I can do what I love at the highest level,” Morant said. “My main goal is to take care of my family and enable them to excel in whatever they want to do in life. So at the moment everything is going well. So I have no complaints.”

Nike, one of the sponsors that has stuck with Morant, has released a new commercial with the slogan “I get up,” which alludes to both his athleticism and his ability to overcome challenges.

Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins had to deal with a lot more than just the suspension and injury to Morant last season. He had to see it 2023 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. is honing his offensive skills alongside GG Jackson and Vince Williams, both of whom are dealing with injuries that will sideline them when Memphis opens the season at Utah on Wednesday night.

Still, Morant is the dangerous one with his high-flying dunks, ability to get passes to open teammates and ability to finish at the basket. Jenkins said it was fun watching Morant's approach this offseason, especially after doctors cleared the guard in mid-July. Morant began working non-stop with his teammates, including an invitation to rookie and two-time AP Player of the Year Zach Edey.

The point guard invited Edey to practice over the summer, which helped the 7-foot-4 center reduce his weight to 290 pounds at the start of training camp.

Jenkins said Morant is looking forward to the start of the season.

“We all know it’s an exciting time of year,” Jenkins said. “We have a group that we believe in, but there are going to be certain individuals on the team that need to lead our competitiveness and our cohesion and really set the tone to really get better and take responsibility.” He was involved in the conversations I had with him and that I saw with his teammates. These guys are dialed in right now, especially him.”

Jaren Jackson, who was drafted fourth overall the year before Memphis took Morant at No. 2 in 2019, is just happy to have his teammate back healthy. Morant told reporters at media day that he was happy too, which was the case makes him a scary player for some in the NBA. Jackson said a healthy player is a confident player.

“He can express any emotion and he’ll be great,” Jackson said.

The Grizzlies have built themselves around Morant, Jackson and shooting guard Desmond Bane, and general manager Zach Kleiman believes they are just entering their prime. That's why they are chose Edey in 9th place overall to help a half-court offense that was struggling as opponents managed to slow down the Grizzlies. Jenkins has been busy creating plays mixing Morant, Jackson, Bane and… 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart with Edey.

Morant remains the key. He averaged a career-best 27.4 points per game in the 2021-22 season and was named league MVP in both 2022 and 2023. If he matches Basketball-Reference.com's predictions of averaging 28 points over 36 minutes this season, that would put the Grizzlies back in contention not only in the Western Conference, but in the NBA as a whole.

Staying on the field will be crucial for Morant and the Grizzlies, whether to stay healthy or avoid problems outside of the arena. The 6-foot-1, 174-pound guard has never played more than 67 games, and that was in his Rookie season. He also missed key games in each of Memphis' last two postseasons.

“Of course I want to be at every game,” said Morant. “Now my main focus is being able to do this.”

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