Home Basketball Ja Morant Shares Insight on What Grizzlies Need to Secure a Championship in Exit Interview

Ja Morant Shares Insight on What Grizzlies Need to Secure a Championship in Exit Interview

Basketball — 04/16/2024

Memphis Grizzlies v New Orleans Pelicans

Memphis Grizzlies v New Orleans Pelicans / Sean Gardner/GettyImages

After wrapping up on their 2023-24 campaign in the 13 seed at 27-55, the Memphis Grizzlies have officially registered their worst record in six years and claimed their seventh sub-30 win season since making their way over to Grind City back in 2001.

Yet, despite this lackluster 82-game showing, confidence is still high that this ball club can thrust themselves back into the title contender conversation as soon as next season and, according to superstar Ja Morant, there’s one key need this team covets to claim their first Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Ja Morant hints health is what Grizzlies need to win an NBA title

“I think we can [win a championship] next season, honestly. God willing, everybody stays healthy.”

– Ja Morant

While there were a number of factors that led to Memphis’ putrid finish to the season, easily the biggest was their inability to keep players on the floor.

Things got so bad for the Grizzlies to the point where they went on to set a plethora of undesirable season-long NBA records including having the most players suit up for a single team (33), most starting lineup changes (51), and most combined games lost by players (578).

Of course, the most noteworthy player who was frequently missing from the lineup this season proved to be Morant himself, as he was sidelined for the first 25 games due to a league-issued suspension and then, less than a month after his return, was shut down for the remainder of the year after opting to undergo right shoulder surgery due to a subluxation sustained during a team practice.

In the contests that the Grizzlies superstar did suit up, however, the team proved to be far more successful and competitive, as they went on a four-game winning streak right from the jump (their longest of the season) while Morant posted impressive averages of 25.1 points, 8.1 assists, and 5.6 rebounds during his 11 games played.

With him running alongside a healthy Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane, Memphis is viewed as one of the true threats to win it all.

Assuming they can all stay on the floor, Morant seems confident this trio can lead the club to ultimate glory as soon as next season.