NBA: Top 15 players from the 2019-20 regular season
By Quinn Allen
15. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
The second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft fully lived up to expectations this year, leading the Memphis Grizzlies in points and assists. He gave the franchise life and carried them to a 32-33 record before the season was postponed, which landed them in eighth in the Western Conference.
The former Murray State standout was an exhilarating player to watch offensively thanks to his tremendous athleticism. Whether it was using his slick handles to get by the opposition and finish with a reverse layup or simply soar over a big man for a dunk, Morant was a breath of fresh air for a franchise that desperately needed a spark.
He averaged 17.6 points and 6.9 assists per night for the Grizzlies, which was far from the top 15 in the league from a scoring standpoint. But his importance to this team is evident by their record. Yes, he’s a pure scorer, but his ability to find teammates with crafty passes is second to none. He’s the ultimate offensive weapon and as he physically matures, there’s also a lot of potential in Morant’s game defensively.
With a solid duo of Jaren Jackson and Morant, Memphis is in reliable hands for the future.