There was a time when a young and hungry Memphis Grizzlies team, led by Ja Morant, wanted to make a name for themselves at the expense of the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James and Anthony Davis proceeded to whoop them in a stunning two-seven upset.
Despite that disappointing series loss in the 2023 NBA Playoffs, there was still optimism for many that Memphis was a team on a solidified upward trajectory. That hope never delivered practical results for the Grizzlies and their fans.
2023-24 was a disastrous season plagued by injuries. 2024-25 was a confusing time that forced the dismissal of Taylor Jenkins as head coach. 2025-26 has been an uninspiring 9-12 start that is warranting everyone outside of Memphis to ask when the shoe finally drops and the Grizzlies embrace a full-scale rebuild.
The underachieving of the once exciting young team can largely be connected to the disappointment that Ja Morant continues to be. The failure to launch for the Grizzlies star point guard as a true superstar has played a massive role in the downfall of the franchise.
Ja Morant needs a change of environment to save his NBA future
There was a time when Morant infamously claimed to be fine in the West. Everyone knows by now that take has aged like the most sour of milks that one can find.
Morant and the Grizzlies have been far from fine. The point guard, in particular, has been absolutely brutal in 2025-26.
Morant is averaging a disappointing 17.9 points per game this season. That is only marginally better than his rookie season, when the Grizzlies guard put up 17.8.
Unlike his first year in the league, Morant has dealt with brutal issues regarding his efficiency. As a rookie, the star point guard averaged 47.7 percent from the field and 33.5 percent from beyond the arc. In 2025-26, Morant is shooting 35.9 percent from the field and 16.7 percent from deep. Both of those are the lowest marks of his seven-year career.
Injuries have continued to be a major concern for him too. A right calf strain has kept Morant out since the time of his ailment on Nov. 15.
It is difficult to see how the Grizzlies would salvage their current situation by continuing to move forward like nothing is wrong with their set-up involving Morant. The ceiling of this core is questionable, at best.
For the sake of both Morant and the Grizzlies, the two sides each need a change. The light at the end of the tunnel is just too hard to find here.