Two-time NBA All-Star Ja Morant intends to hit the ground running for the Memphis Grizzlies after serving a suspension to start the upcoming season.
Morant, 23, will miss at least the opening 25 games of the 2023/24 NBA campaign after being banned for conduct "detrimental to the league ". The Grizzlies guard was seen on social media posing with what appeared to be a firearm.
It was the second time in two months that Morant's behaviour during a live-streamed video. The initial incident, at a Denver area night club, earnt the 2020 Rookie of the Year an eight-game suspension.
That sanction was more than trebled in the latest penalty imposed upon to player. It means Morant can only feature in a maximum of 57 games in Year 5 as a pro.
Ahead of the upcoming season, Hall of Fame point guard Isiah Thomas is backing the All-NBA level player to have an MVP-caliber season due to the experience Memphis has acquired in free agency.
14-year NBA veteran, and former MVP, Derrick Rose has signed a two-year deal with the team after leaving the New York Knicks. Thomas believes the addition will get the best out of Morant.
"Watch what type of season Ja has next year with D Rose connected to his hip all year long," the two-time NBA champion tweeted. "Once he gets off suspension, he will have his best season yet. That D Rose presence going to have him on some MVP s***… Watch!"
Morant later responded to Thomas on the social media platform. "You too loud, OG. They gon' feel me fasho'," was the reply.
After a tumultuous first half of 2023, the Grizzlies guard seems intent on impressing on the court as he begins the first season of a five-year, $197 million contract. Morant's off-court controversies since the turn of the year cost him around $40 million in future salary.
Failing to make an All-NBA team last year prevented the player's contract from converting into a supermax deal. Morant was in line to be a third-team selection before missing those eight games in March.
Memphis must hope that his All-Star snub by national journalists will only fuel their franchise player once he returns to the court.
Like Thomas, the team will also want Rose to positively impact their young star believing that a veteran presence will help maintain his focus.
After all, the Chicago native knows about shooting to stardom at a young age. Following a single season at the University of Memphis, Rose went to the Chicago Bulls as the number one overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.
After his third season, aged 22 years and six months, Rose was named the youngest MVP in league history. An ACL injury a year resulted in recurring knee issues that hindered him from further success in the NBA and have seen him transition into a revived role as a sixth man off the bench over recent NBA seasons.
