With the 2024-25 Playoffs less than two months away, Kendrick Perkins shared his outlook on the Memphis Grizzlies recently. The player-turned-analyst had a bone to pick with Ja Morant and the role he has played for his team this season, leading to quite the comparison between Ja and Austin Reaves.
Advertisement
Since 2023, the high-flying point guard has been marred by inconsistency. Perhaps due to worsened conditioning, Morant picked up several injuries over the past two seasons and he’s dealt with them by playing a more timid brand of basketball. According to Perkins, that has led to a confused offense in Memphis.
The 2008 NBA champion believes that Jaren Jackson Jr., who stepped up in Morant’s absence, cannot effectively function as the team’s number one option during the postseason.
“If you’re trying to be a legit title contender… Jaren Jackson Jr. can’t be your best player in a seven-game series. Ja Morant needs to be that guy,” the ESPN analyst argued. “And Ja Morant, honestly, hasn’t been that guy all season long.”
In 34 appearances this season, the explosive guard has recorded only 11 dunks, marking a significant departure from his usual play style. To add to his woes, Ja is also recording the lowest field goal percentage of his career while tallying 3.9 turnovers per game — his highest mark since becoming an NBA player.
“One could argue that Austin Reaves, and I say this respectfully, Austin Reaves has had more of a productive season this year than Ja Morant. If you don’t believe me, go look at the numbers,” Perkins added.
Perk:
"Jaren Jackson Jr can't be your best player in a 7-game series. Ja Morant needs to be that guy. One could argue that Austin Reaves has had more of a productive season this year than Ja Morant" pic.twitter.com/cLxnHgK9HD
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) February 24, 2025
The numbers are surprisingly close between AR and Ja. With 19-4-6 on the season, Reaves is a whisker short of Morant’s 20-4-7 averages. In terms of efficiency, the Lakers undrafted guard actually has the two-time All-Star beat, though he does face a different coverage as his team’s third option.
Perkins isn’t arguing that Reaves would be a better leading man than Morant, though the 25-year-old has been nothing short of impressive this season. Perk is just pointing out how Ja’s production has fallen off to the point where Memphis lacks a clear first option.
Who will run the Grizzlies’ offense during the Playoffs?
With Ja’s off-court controversies limiting his play-time since 2023, Jackson Jr. has stepped up in a big way for the Grizzlies. Ever the elite defender, JJJ has been displaying an aggressiveness on offense that earned him his second All-Star nod this season.
He’s averaging 22.8 points on 58.5% true shooting, outshining Morant on the offensive end. However, against defensive minded teams like the LA Clippers, Jackson Jr. struggles to create his own shot.
In a Playoff series where the opposition plans for him, JJJ will find it harder to get to his spots and create the looks he is comfortable with. Even with improved ball handling, the 6’10” forward doesn’t present the best opportunity for the Grizzlies’ offense. That’s where Morant comes in.
The downhill pressure he generates can help teammates like Jaren and Desmond Bane exploit the defensive coverage and create open looks off the ball. Furthermore, with his handle, playmaking and ability to reach the rim at will, Morant is the Grizzlies’ premier isolation threat — a trait that becomes highly valuable in the postseason.
Taylor Jenkins knows this, and perhaps Morant’s backseat role thus far is just a means of preserving his health during the regular season. If that is the case though, the Grizzlies need to ramp up his involvement in the offense over the next two months to prepare him for the load he needs to carry come Playoff time.
