NBA Exec Questions If Ja Morant Can Be Best Player in Any 2025 Playoff Series

One Eastern Conference executive wonders if Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant can be the best player in an NBA playoff series this year, save for maybe a potential first-round matchup with the Houston Rockets.

"I'm not sure they have the internal fortitude to overcome what's been thrown at them," the executive said, per ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst. "They're betting on Ja to be the guy from 2.5 years ago. Everyone is waiting for him to come back, but he hasn't yet."

"At this point," the West executive said, "I don't know if there's a series where Ja will be the best player. Maybe against Houston."

To the executive's point, it is possible that Morant won't be considered the top player in any potential series that Memphis may encounter.

For example, in a date with the Oklahoma City Thunder, it would be presumptive NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

If the Grizzlies play the Los Angeles Lakers, Morant would probably rank third behind LeBron James and Luka Dončić.

A matchup with the Denver Nuggets would be against Nikola Jokić, who's the best basketball player in the world right now.

That being said, Morant is good enough where he can be the best player on the court over a series, and he's on fire right now. Over his last 11 games, Morant has averaged 31.1 points, 7.1 assists and 4.5 rebounds per contest.

He's a sensational, productive and electrifying talent at his best. But right now, he and the Grizzlies just need to focus on making the playoffs. Right now, they're in a three-way tie for sixth at 47-33 with two games to go. Falling out of the top six means having to fight their way in via the play-in tournament.

All games are massive now, especially the one Friday, which sees Memphis visit Denver at 9 p.m. ET.