Ja Morant spoke in a recent interview with Overtime about his comeback season. While talking about his dunking, the interviewer asked him which player in the NBA, whom he hadn’t gotten to dunk on yet, would he most like to pull off a dunk on next season. Surprisingly, Morant named his rookie teammate Zach Edey, while also joking that Jaren Jackson Jr. was another target during Grizzlies practice.
Overtime: “If there was one NBA player that you haven’t dunked on yet that you would want to dunk on, who would it be?”
Ja Morant: “Zach Edey… Him and Jaren [Jackson Jr.]”
Morant was clearly having fun in the interview, but perhaps there is some truth to what he was saying. Fans don’t get to witness Grizzlies’ practice sessions, so perhaps Ja is really bringing aggressive energy against the rookie from Purdue, or maybe he has already accomplished his goal and dunked on the rookie.
The upcoming season is a big one for Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies. Ja’s off-court controversies became a massive distraction during the 2022-23 NBA season, and the second infraction earned Morant a massive suspension. Upon serving the suspension, Morant didn’t return as he underwent season-ending surgery.
Injuries to other key stars for the Grizzlies meant that the franchise ended with a terrible record. It was a blessing in disguise, as it allowed them to draft Edey, who only provided them more size than they had, especially after the franchise traded Steven Adams to the Rockets. A pairing of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey working on rim protection could be absolutely frightening for opposition teams.
Morant will be looking to earn some redemption and remind fans and the NBA about why he was considered a potential face of the league prior to his controversies. Morant is an athletic phenom, who can do things most players his size and frame shouldn’t be able to do, and it will be thrilling to see him back on the court.
Morant’s Connection With Edey Beginning To Form
Tonight, fans got to see the first glimpse of the connection between Ja Morant and Zach Edey. In the Grizzlies’ preseason game against the Dallas Mavericks, Ja Morant set up Zach Edey for a brilliant alley-oop that got the crowd roaring. If this is what we can expect from the duo, then the rest of the NBA should take notice now.
Ja Morant lobs it up to Zach Edey for his first preseason bucket with the Grizzlies 💪pic.twitter.com/gqU5KeatHQ
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 8, 2024
Morant had a decent game for the Grizzlies, putting up 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal. But there was a scary moment in the game when Morant seemingly rolled his ankle. Luckily, it appeared to be a minor injury, as Morant would later enter the game, and contribute to help the Grizzlies win 121-116.
The preseason games will be important for Morant, as he attempts to shake off the rust he has accumulated, having only played in nine games during the 2023-24 season. After such a lengthy layoff, it will be a challenge to get back. But Morant looks like he will be ready to go come the season opener for the Grizzlies against the Jazz.
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