Months After Ja Morant’s $7.6 Million Worth Suspension, Analysts Predict “Bust” Season for Grizzlies Despite Marcus Smart Acquisition

The Memphis Grizzlies were one of the teams which made a huge noise in the 2023 postseason. Even though the team didn’t make it big, they definitely gave a tough fight. However, the momentum didn’t last longer, as the franchise superstar Ja Morant fell into deep trouble. The league slapped him with a hefty fine and a 25-game suspension over a gun controversy. The team eventually overlapped it with the star trade involving Marcus Smart. While the team seemed strong on paper, ESPN‘s analysts rip apart the Grizzlies and termed it a ‘Bust’.

Before attaining the tag of ‘Bust Team’, Grizzlies almost topped the Western Conference with a 51-31 record in 2022-23 regular season. Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks, Tyus Jones led the team from the front. Nevertheless, it all seemed to have changed for the Memphis side, as they traded out Brooks and Jones in the offseason. Moreover, Morant would at least miss 25 games in the next season.

Despite Marcus Smart trade, analyst term Ja Morant & Co as ‘Bust‘

Ja Morant could lose up to $7.6 million during the course of his 25-game suspension because of his hefty $300k fee per game. The fine not only affects the player financially but also the team’s chance at the 2024 playoffs. In a recent ESPN show, the analysts picked out the ‘Bust’ teams of the upcoming season. Senior reporter Tim MacMahon listed out the points that could come as a snag for the Grizzlies.

In the latest episode of The Hoop Collective titled Predicting the BREAKOUT & BUST teams for the 2023 NBA season, Brian Windhorst opened the stage to MacMahon to dissect the Grizzlies. He started off, pointing out the absence of Morant. He also added the role of Tyus Jones as leader in the absence of Morant last season. While both Jones and Brooks are out of the roster, he felt Marcus Smart wouldn’t fill the void of two player.

He added, “Marcus Smart is not the organized run your team… run the system kind of point guard.”

Read More – “There’s No Victim Here but Him”: As Ja Morant Set To Lose $7,000,000, Former All-Star Could Not Fathom $30 Billion Brand’s Actions Against the Grizzlies Star

While the experts spoke about the missing piece in the Grizzlies roster, they forgot about a MVP player.

MVP addition to the roster

Along with Marcus Smart, the Grizzlies roped in Former MVP Derrick Rose for a two-year contract. Inclusion Rose into the roster could reduce Smart’s pressure to lead the team in the absence of Morant. Moreover, the franchise superstar seemed to more than elated with the Rose addition, as he came out of his social media hiatus to express his happiness on the trade.

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Will the Grizzlies turn out to be a bust in the upcoming season? Let us know your opinion in the comments.