Morant’s Master Plan: 3 Keys to Grizzlies’ NBA Title Run

 

Morant’s Master Plan: 3 Keys to Grizzlies’ NBA Title Run

 

This past 2024–25 season, the Memphis Grizzlies went 48–34 and lost in the first round of the playoffs to the eventual champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

 

The controversial dismissal of head coach Taylor Jenkins with nine games remaining in the regular season was the season-defining event for the Grizzlies.

 

Even though Tuomas Iisalo has great expectations from the franchise, he has a lot of ground to cover as his successor.

 

In 2021–22 and 2022–23, Jenkins guided the Memphis Tigers to 50–win seasons.

 

 

Regardless of who the coach is, the weight of the franchise falls on star point guard Ja Morant.

 

The 26-year-old guard undoubtedly has the talent to put the Grizzlies on his shoulders, and if he can do these three things, he can help the franchise compete in a loaded Western Conference.

 

Morant is undoubtedly one of the best point guards in the NBA when healthy, but the two-time All-Star has not been able to stay on the court recently.

 

After playing just nine games in the 2023-24 season, he suited up just 50 times last year, and his playoff run was ultimately cut short due to an injury.

 

The Grizzlies desperately need Morant to simply stay on the court, as they can not afford him to miss 30+ games next season.

In 30 games last season that Morant played 30+ minutes, he averaged 25.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 45.3% from the field.

If Morant can get through the 2025-26 season with minimal injury concerns, they will automatically ns I’mj Lee we o  abe in a much better position.

 

After trading away  Desmond alb, who averaged 18+ points per game in each of the last four seasons, the Grizzlies will have a gaping hole on offense.

 

The absence of Bane puts much more offensive responsibility on Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., and the two need to be ready to not have a third offensive star to lean on.

When the Grizzlies were the No. 2 seed in the West in back-to-back seasons, Morant attempted 20.6 and 19.9 field goals per game, respectively.

 

However, last season, he was only attempting 17.8 shots per game. For the Grizzlies to have a successful offense, especially without Bane, Morant simply needs to do more.

There is a real scenario where Morant averaged 30+ points per game next season, as he should be attempting 20+ shots per game.

 

If Morant can take more offensive responsibility while finding consistency from beyond the arc, he will be an All-NBA First Team talent and should be able to lead the Grizzlies toward the top of the West.

However, the most important thing for Morant will always be his health.