Ja Morant played on some pretty solid teams with the Memphis Grizzlies. They made the playoffs, they were competitive, and he had plenty of talent around him. But there's a real argument to be made that this season's Portland Trail Blazers are going to be the best team Morant has ever been a part of.
The fit isn't perfect. The questions that were asked when the Blazers made their giant trade for Morant are still valid. Portland has a lot of guards on the roster, and it could get awkward when it comes to lineup construction. But the talent is there. Unequivocally so. And that's going to be a good thing for Morant as he attempts to help the Blazers make the playoffs.
Portland has plenty of talent, and even in a crowded Western Conference, it looks like they have a real chance to rise up into a playoff spot (even if it's via the Play-In Tournament).
Blazers are most talented team Ja Morant has played with
Morant, Damian Lillard, and Jrue Holiday are going to make a very talented backcourt. Throw in Scoot Henderson, and you have the perfect mix of veteran presence and potential.
Holiday helped the Blazers win a ton of games last season; Lillard is one of the most clutch shot makers in NBA history, and Morant is an unbelievably explosive athlete ready to complement the team.
Then, you get to perhaps the best player on the team: Deni Avdija. Last year, Avdija broke out into a legitimate star, proving that he's capable of leading a talented team to the postseason.
The Blazers made the playoffs for the first time in their current rebuild, and even though they were bounced in the first round by the San Antonio Spurs, it was progress.
Then, there's Donovan Clingan. He's one of the most intriguing big-man talents in the NBA, thanks to his impressive combination of defensive presence and three-point shooting.
Shaedon Sharpe is hurt, but he will make an impact as well (once healthy). The Blazers just have solid talent at every position on the floor. Again, it may be the most talented team Morant has ever been on.
Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane are solid players, but a core of Avdija, Lillard, Holiday, and Clingan tops even the depth the Grizzlies had.
By that metric, this year should be Morant’s best chance ever to win in the playoffs. The West is very talented, so it's going to be harder than it might have been in years past, but nothing is impossible.
Alongside Avdija, Lillard, Holiday, and Clingan, Morant could help the Blazers do something special this year.
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