Anthony Edwards Sends NBA Necessary Reminder of Ja Morant's Return

The Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves once seemed bound to emerge as the NBA's next great rivals.

More than two years after they faced off in the first round of the playoffs, though, Minnesota has established itself as a true title contender behind Anthony Edwards while Memphis has become an afterthought in an increasingly loaded Western Conference.

The main source of the Grizzlies' struggles since that thrilling 2022 playoff battle against the Wolves? Ja Morant's absence from the lineup.

But after missing most of the last two seasons due to suspensions and injuries, Memphis' franchise player is sound of mind, fully healthy and ready to go for 2024-25.

While the Grizzlies are certainly a bigger threat to Minnesota in the West with their star point guard back in the fold, Edwards is nevertheless excited about Morant's return .

"Oh yeah, he’ll be back this year," Edwards told comedian Chris Tucker of Morant in a chat for Interview magazine. "A lot of people, I ain’t going to say they forgot about him, but he went under wraps for a few months, because he hasn’t been playing."

Behind Morant, former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. and ever-improving sharpshooter Desmond Bane, Memphis boasts the high-end talent to make real noise toward the top of the West this season.

If that possibility ultimately comes to pass as the playoffs loom, don't be surprised if Edwards is singing a much different tune about Morant's comeback.

Related: Grizzlies fans got fired up after the latest Morant and Edey workout video