Ja Morant currently sits with the 10th best MVP odds according to most sportsbooks at +3500. Familiar names like Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Nikola Jokic sit atop the list of favorites. Morant’s path to an MVP would be a bit unconventional but it’s not unrealistic. Just a few years ago, he finished in 7th place for the prestigious award. This year is the time he takes it to another level. With all the last couple of seasons brought in the rearview mirror, Ja Morant will rise up and win the 2024-25 NBA MVP award!
What happened to Ja last season?
Morant was on his way to superstardom after an incredible 2021-22 season. He won Most Improved Player after increasing his scoring average from 19.1 to 27.4 as well as increasing his field goal percentage by almost 5%. This led him to finish 7th in MVP voting and the Memphis Grizzlies to a second-place finish in a tough Western Conference. All was right for Ja Morant. He was set to be one of the faces of the NBA for years to come. Morant signed a five-year almost 200-million-dollar deal to remain a member of the Grizz. Then it all fell apart.
First was the incident with the Indiana Pacers. A few Pacers got into an altercation with Ja Morant’s father and good friend Davonte Pack. Words were exchanged both ways and Pack was forced to exit the arena. Then following the game, some of Morant’s crew confronted members of the Pacers’ traveling party. Shortly after, a red laser was reportedly seen pointed at the Pacers bus. Those who reported this were sure that it was a gun. The NBA investigated and couldn’t find much on the situation, but Davonte Pack was suspended for a year from the FedEx Forum.
Then came the two-gun incidents. First, Morant was seen flashing a gun on his Instagram Live from a Colorado nightclub in the early hours of the morning following a loss to the Denver Nuggets. Morant took time away from the Grizzlies and was eventually suspended for eight games. Just two months after the first incident, Morant had another run-in. He flashed another gun, this time on Davonte Pack’s Instagram Live. The same friend who was banned from Grizzlies home games. Commissioner Adam Silver said he was “shocked” by this second offense. This led to a 25-game suspension to begin last season. After just nine games back from suspension, Ja Morant suffered a torn labrum in a team practice. This ended his 2023-24 season before it could ever really get going.
Is an MVP really possible this year?
The right shoulder is all healed and Morant is ready to roll. He’s looking to bounce back in a big way in 2024-25. With all that occurred in the last couple of seasons, his name has picked up a lot of negativity. He’s looking to right his wrongs of the past two seasons with his play on the court. This was a guy just a couple of seasons ago who averaged 27.4 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.7 rebounds. Then he followed it up the next year with maybe an even better season with numbers like 26.2 points, a jaw-dropping 8.1 assists, and 5.9 rebounds.
Ja Morant’s game is all about getting in the open court and slashing to the rim. He has absolutely improved as a jump shooter, there’s no question about it. But he still has a 31.8% career three-point percentage. He’s a capable shooter in catch-and-shoot situations and when he gets hot. This is all he needs though as you could argue he’s the most explosive player in the NBA. His athleticism is truly generational, as his vertical is listed at 46 inches. At only 25 years old and approaching his fifth full season in the league, the sky is truly the limit. I could absolutely see Morant averaging something in the neighborhood of 29 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds a night.
The Grizzlies will be a great team!
It’s evident how important Morant is to this Memphis team. In 2021-22, Ja led the Grizzlies to tie their franchise record of 56 wins in a season as well as the second seed in the Western Conference. He then came back the next season and led them to the two seed again. How many division titles do you think the Memphis Grizzlies had won in their history prior to Ja Morant? The answer would be zero. He’s already brought them two, in the seasons I just highlighted. He’s taken a poverty franchise and turned it into one of the league’s brightest. The best is yet to come for the Grizzlies.
I love the way Memphis has constructed this roster and put elite talent around Morant. Obviously, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane have become great players, but now Memphis has even more options. I never thought I’d be highlighting Zach Edey at the NBA level because I’m personally not a huge fan of his game. But I think Memphis is the absolute perfect place for Edey. The core Memphis has surrounding Edey compliments his skillsets so well. Ja Morant will elevate Zach Edey in ways that I didn’t even think were possible. I love the hard-nosed defense and grit and grind mentality that Marcus Smart will bring. Luke Kennard will provide a great three-point threat for this team. Santi Aldama keeps getting better and I think there’s a good player in Jaylen Wells too. The Grizzlies’ roster management has been spectacular. This team has more talent than any one Morant has played on before.
Look for the play of the team to elevate Ja Morant’s game even more. This Grizzlies team will finish in the top three in a loaded Western Conference, you can book it now! With the team playing at a high level, Morant will absolutely lead the way. The time is now for Ja Morant to take the next step. He can still overcome his recent troubles and be everything we thought he’d be. It’s all still in front of him. He will have his best season yet and prove the doubters wrong. Look for Ja Morant to win the MVP award this upcoming NBA season!
