Ja Morant is one of the best young talents and future superstars in the NBA. Last season, he led the Memphis Grizzlies to the second-best record in the league and was an All-Star starter in his first-ever All-Star game.
Morant already put the league on notice when he won the Rookie of the Year award in 2020 and continues to draw attention to himself because his talent is what made the Memphis Grizzlies become relevant. The young team even believes that if it had not been for Morant’s injury, they could have beaten the Golden State Warriors and continued their playoff run.
After an incredible season, Morant won the Most Improved Player award last season but also finished seventh in MVP voting after not even being considered a candidate at first. Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green already claimed earlier this year that Morant belonged in the MVP conversation rather than in the running for the Most Improved Player award.
Next season, Morant will be looking to improve even more and will be aiming for nothing less than the highest level, so let’s look at some goals he will need to achieve to enter the MVP conversation next season.
Goal #1: Ja Morant needs to stay healthy
One important goal for Ja Morant to achieve and to enter the MVP conversation is to stay healthy. Morant never had much trouble with injuries despite his athletic and physical style of play, but last season, an injury put an early end to his season and the Memphis Grizzlies’ playoff run. They certainly do not want that to happen again.
Of course, players want to avoid injuries at all times, but it is especially important if Morant wants to enter the MVP conversation next season. Considering how tough his competitors are, he cannot afford to lose playing time or any opportunity to show off his incredible talent.
Morant will need every second of playing time he can get to impress in order to enter the MVP conversation. He cannot afford to let the buzz he has created around himself fade away and has to make sure that every last person notices him as one of the best players in the league rather than just a bright star that is still on the rise.