Apr 1, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) reacts toward Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) after a basket during the second quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

'When They Don’t Have Him, They’re Horrible' – Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant Has a Believer in Former NBA Champion

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Sep 10, 2025 10:37 AM ET

Former NBA champion and All-Star Jeff Teague feels that Ja Morant will have a huge bounce-back campaign with the Memphis Grizzlies this year. Speaking on the Club 520 podcast, Teague explained how a healthy Morant is good not only for Memphis but also for the NBA.

“I don’t know if Ja Morant watches the show, but if he does, I’m a Ja Morant believer. I just feel like he knows how to win. He has some magic with that organization. When they don’t have Ja, they are horrible. Ja is must-see TV. When he’s on the court, you’ve got to put him on ESPN for sure. The NBA is better when Ja Morant is healthy,” Teague said.

“Memphis is a cool team to watch when Ja Morant is playing. When Ja is not playing, please don’t put Memphis on TV, and that’s no disrespect. He talks crazy, he’s competitive, bro, I like that,” he added.

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

The past two seasons haven’t been kind to Morant, as the Memphis Grizzlies guard only played 59 out of a possible 164 regular season games due to suspensions and injuries, and the team struggled mightily without him.

Memphis Grizzlies sign former Dallas Mavericks lottery pick

ESPN’s Shams Charania recently reported that the Memphis Grizzlies signed Olivier-Maxence Prosper, who was waived and stretched by the Dallas Mavericks last week, to a two-way contract.

Mar 5, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) drives for the basket against Dallas Mavericks forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper (8) in the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

The 23-year-old will hope for a clean slate upon joining the Memphis Grizzlies. During his two-season stint with the Dallas Mavericks, Prosper barely played and posted career averages of 3.5 points and 2.4 rebounds per game on 40.2 percent shooting from the field.