Ranking the top 50 NBA players of next season: 50-41

43. Ja Morant

The reigning Rookie of the Year, Ja Morant is ready to be more than that. He led all rookies in minutes, field goals made, field goals attempted, free throws made, free throws attempted, assists and points while being top 10 in rebounds and steals.

For anyone as slight as he is (just 174 lbs.) his numbers are impressive. For a rookie expected to lead a young team and almost pushing them to the post season in his first attempt it is almost unfathomable. He posted averages of 17.8 points, 7.3 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 0.9 steals. His efficiency needs to improve for the team to take the next step but at only 21 that will come.

Morant is such a hard worker and will clearly not be willing to rest on any laurels. He will not be satisfied being just Rookie of the Year. He wants All-Star and playoff appearances. He wants titles. Ja Morant likely deserved to be on this list last year and the leap he will take this year cements that place. While the team may struggle given the increasing strength of the teams around them that will not be any fault of Morant’s. He is the driving face of this franchise that will help them hit whatever ceiling they can.