Currently serving a 25-game suspension, Ja Morant is eligible to return to the Memphis Grizzlies on December 19, meaning fantasy basketball effects are imminent. Let’s analyze the biggest fantasy questions about how Morant will perform and how his return impacts his teammates’ value.
Analyzing the Fantasy Basketball Impact of Ja Morant’s Return
What Can We Expect From Morant?
The 24-year-old star should pick up from right where he left off last season. It may take a few games for him to acclimate, but this is not a major worry. He regularly practiced with the team during the suspension, easing concerns over his conditioning. Morant is expected to play heavy minutes from the start and carry the struggling Grizzlies.
Last season, he averaged 26.2 PPG, 8.1 APG, 5.9 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 3.4 TOV, and 1.5 3PM with 47/31/75 shooting splits. With his team currently holding a 6-18 record and the 13th seed in the West, it’s possible that he can post career-highs in some of these categories as he attempts to climb the standings. Despite missing about 30% of the season, Morant should be a top-75 fantasy player.
The point guard is the focal point of Memphis’s offence; he is their first scoring option and best playmaker. He is a decent three-point scorer, although his shooting efficiency and consistency could be better. Morant also offers some value on the other end of the court. His vertical makes him a solid rebounder who can block some shots. Overall, he offers excellent value in several categories. Morant could struggle with shooting and turnovers, but these are two of the most commonly punted categories. He also typically holds more value in points leagues.
How Much Will Desmond Bane’s Production Change?
Fantasy managers with Desmond Bane on their team have enjoyed his career-high 29.8% usage and increased production. However, Morant’s return will put a small dent in Bane’s impact.
Across 23 games this season, the shooting guard is averaging 24.9 PPG, 5.2 APG, 4.7 RPG, 1.3 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 3.0 TOV, and 3.3 3PM with 47/38/86 splits. Bane stepped up in a big way to lead the team in Morant’s absence. While he’s had some off games, his fantasy value skyrocketed. He is a stellar two-way player, posting career numbers in multiple categories.
Bane will return to a secondary role offensively, meaning his scoring will dip. Although, it’s likely that he can still average between 20 and 22 PPG. His assist numbers will also decrease, probably dropping closer to four per game. Last year, Bane averaged slightly fewer points and assists when playing with Morant. Without him, Bane’s three-point scoring was higher, as was his efficiency. Moreover, his defensive impact will likely remain about the same. Ultimately, Bane is a sell-high candidate before Morant returns on Tuesday. For managers keeping him, he will still provide solid fantasy value.
Which Other Grizzlies Will Be Affected the Most?
Marcus Smart is the most obvious Grizzly whose fantasy value will decline. In the offseason, Memphis acquired Smart in a trade with the Boston Celtics to fill the starting point guard hole while Morant was out. This didn’t have the expected result, as Smart injured his ankle on November 14 and has yet to return. While that date is approaching, Smart’s role will change. Across 11 games, his value was in points (12.5), assists (5.0), and steals (2.0). His points and assists will surely decrease as he will no longer be a top-three option, but he should maintain his defensive prowess.
The Grizzlies have several lineup options to explore. Smart can likely hold on to his starting role if he moves to shooting guard and Bane shifts to the three spot. Still, his fantasy impact won’t be the same. He should be held in deep leagues, but it’s possible that he could be dropped if he doesn’t see enough usage.
Conversely, Morant’s return could help Jaren Jackson Jr. He’s struggled a bit this season, particularly on the defensive end. He was forced to step up offensively, but Morant’s scoring means less pressure for Jackson on that end. This should allow him to focus on the defensive side as he looks to increase his block numbers.
The Last Word on Ja Morant’s Return
Morant’s return comes with its ups and downs. It’s a positive for managers who have patiently stored him on their roster but a negative for those with Smart (and Bane, but to a much lesser extent). There’s no question that Morant will once again post All-Star numbers, and he will serve as a significant fantasy boost.
However, it’s important to note that if the Grizzlies’ struggles continue and they fall out of playoff contention, the team will be careful with their stars. This means less minutes/a potential shutdown for Morant, which will be a massive blow for some fantasy managers.
