Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant Drops Controversial Statement After 1st Round Loss Vs. Oklahoma City Thunder 6 Apr 1, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) defends as Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) shoots during the fourth quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

'This is By Far the Happiest I Have Seen Him' – Memphis Grizzlies Insider’s Latest Ja Morant Take Should Have Fans Excited

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Aug 6, 2025 11:12 AM ET

Memphis Grizzlies insider Chris Vernon has a hunch that Ja Morant could be in for a big year in 2025-26 because he is in a much better headspace than he was in the past few months.

This summer, the Memphis Grizzlies star has been busy on his Nike tour, where he promoted the Ja 3 across various Asian countries, gaining new fans in the process. Because of the love he received from the supporters, Vernon believes Morant’s confidence got a huge boost.

“He has been so down, and so despondent, and so mopey,” Vernon said on The Ringer. “This summer tour that he has been on, and people will see it all over, because he’s on a Nike World Tour. This is by far the happiest I have seen him in four years. Easily.”

Feb 25, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) reacts during overtime against the Phoenix Suns at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

“To see him now come out. All indications are he’s come out on the other side of this thing. All the problems, all the injuries, all the depression, all the everything, and it looks like the guy we saw the first two years when everybody in the NBA fell in love with that guy,” he added.

Memphis Grizzlies News: Ja Morant draws All-NBA prediction from former LeBron James teammate

The Memphis Grizzlies will rely more on Ja Morant to shoulder the heavy offensive load now that they don’t have Desmond Bane anymore, and this could help Morant secure an All-NBA selection next season, per Iman Shumpert.

Dec 3, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) dribbles during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

“When you talk about somebody that is that athletic, the only thing that can stop him is… I don’t even want to say it (injuries),” Shumpert said about Morant on NBA Today. “That’s the only thing that can stop him from being on the court and showing us what we want to see.”

“He’s in love with the game, and that’s apparent, no matter when you see him playing basketball. Even when he’s stopped himself, when he returns to the court, give me Ja,” he added.