Is This NBA Western Conference Team Poised For A Leap

Since drafting Ja Morant in 2019, the Memphis Grizzlies have been an up-and-coming NBA team. They have accumulated a very talented trio of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson, and Desmond Bane. With all on track to be healthy for the 2024 season, here's why the Grizzlies will take a big leap next season.

Star Number One Option

To be a true contender in the NBA, every team needs to have an elite number one option and Ja Morant has proven he is exactly that. Over the last three seasons, Morant has averaged over 25 points and seven assists. Morant's athleticism makes him one of the most effective paint players, and his three-point shot is improving every season.

Morant was on an MVP trajectory in 2022 and 2023 before off-the-court issues and injuries. Morant is expected to make a full recovery and be able to play at the start of the year. If Morant continues his upward trajectory and his three-point shot keeps improving, he is absolutely around one of the top ten players in the NBA.

Developing Supporting Cast

Along with Morant, the Grizzlies also have two all-star caliber players Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. Both provide vital roles for the Grizzlies and are near the top of what they specialize in. Jackson Jr is a premier defender in the NBA and even won a Defensive Player of the Year award. Bane is an elite three-point shooter and is fresh off of averaging 23 points per game on 38% from three.

Bane is only 26 and Jackson Jr is 24. When Memphis has the core of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr healthy, they've been a premiere Western conference team and have been near the top of the standings.

Marcus Smart

Among all of the off-season chaos the Grizzlies had last season, a move that gets forgotten is their acquiring Marcus Smart. Smart is arguably the best perimeter defender in the NBA and also averages double-digit scoring numbers.

Smart is a good option to pair with Morant, as he provides a more defensive role and Morant is more of a scorer. Also, having a DPOY winner on the perimeter in Marcus Smart, and a paint defender like Jaren Jackson Jr, makes Memphis one of the most formidable defenses in the NBA.

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