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"Those guys just don't come up often" - Draymond believes Ja Morant is a catch despite his flaws
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- "Those guys just don't come up often" - Draymond believes Ja Morant is a catch despite his flaws
The Memphis Grizzlies appear ready to turn the page on the Ja Morant era, as a recent report from ESPN's Shams Charania indicates that they are currently entertaining offers to consummate a trade deal involving their franchise player.
While Ja's misgivings in recent years are well known at this point, as well as his current malaise on the hardwood in which he's averaging a dismal 19.0 points on 40.1 percent shooting, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green confidently declared that many teams will pursue hyper-athletic 6'2" guard, hoping that a fresh start would result in a return to his former All-Star form.
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Teams must do their due diligence
Now playing in his seventh season in the league, every scout in the league already has a solid grasp of what Ja brings to the table: nuclear athleticism, excitement, and elite playmaking. However, the blessings come with a curse, as the flamboyant guard's penchant for taking high-risk-high-reward plays often results in turnovers and defensive miscues.
Nevertheless, teams that are willing to take a chance on Ja due to his immense potential and natural talent must still do their due diligence if they want to play with fire and add the All-Star to their roster.
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"What I'll say about that is, not every day do players with the ability and capabilities of a Ja Morant come available. So when those guys come available, you've got to do your homework and your due diligence," Green declared on his podcast.
Dray is well-versed in all things Ja, considering the epic battles the Warriors had with the Grizzlies back when they were on the cusp of running things in the Western Conference. The former Defensive Player of the Year stated that, given Morant's brash personality, the team that adds him must have a strong infrastructure in place to aid his development.
"Make sure that's a guy that fits into your culture, or that he doesn't really fit into your culture, and you're going to take a flyer on him and say the talent is so big that I can work around him in the culture. Because if we can get that part right, the talent is undeniable," he added. "And I think that's what Ja Morant is."
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An elite player
The last three seasons have seen Morant play in only 77 games due to a combination of suspension and injuries. This season alone, he has suited up in only 18 games. So Green understands why some teams are hesitant to take a chance on Morant, especially since acquiring him would likely mean paying a king's ransom.
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"So his hiccups — I'll call them that — that he's had off the court have kind of dropped his value a bit as far as how people see him around the league. And then also the injury concerns and how many games he's played over the last few years as opposed to how many games he didn't play," Green stated. "But make no mistake about it, an elite player — those guys just don't come up often."
It's crystal clear that Ja's time in Memphis is up, and he's a player who desperately needs a fresh start. It remains to be seen where that new city will be, but one thing is for sure: Morant has the potential to be a game-changer wherever he lands.
Related: ESPN analyst says the trade market is as non-hyped for Ja Morant as it was for Trae Young
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Jan 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
