Not long ago, Ja Morant was one of the NBA's brightest young stars, emerging as a franchise cornerstone and one of the league's most electrifying players. Now, the two-time All-Star could find himself in an unfamiliar position as he begins a new chapter with the Portland Trail Blazers. Morant is reportedly expected to come off the bench because of a crowded Portland backcourt, according to a report attributed to ESPN's Marc J.
The potential move would represent a significant change for Morant, who established himself as one of the NBA's premier point guards during his time with the Memphis Grizzlies before being traded to Portland during the offseason. However, the Trail Blazers have yet to officially confirm that Morant will begin the regular season in a reserve role. Portland acquired the former No. 2 overall pick in a trade that sent Jerami Grant and Kris Murray to Memphis, hoping the 27-year-old could provide another dynamic scoring and playmaking option.
But finding enough playing time for everyone has become one of the team's biggest challenges. The Trail Blazers enter the season with a backcourt featuring Morant, Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson, giving head coach Micah Nori several experienced options to consider. Lillard's return adds another dimension to the situation, with Portland attempting to balance two ball-dominant guards who have spent much of their careers directing their respective offenses.
Morant has already experienced a reserve role during the preseason. He came off the bench against the Sacramento Kings on Oct. 13, finishing with 14 points and six assists in Portland's 110-98 victory. However, Morant returned to the starting lineup for the preseason finale against the Golden State Warriors, scoring 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting.
His preseason performances demonstrated the different ways Portland could utilize its newest star. Morant averaged 19.5 points and 8.1 assists in 20 games with Memphis last season, although injuries continued to limit his availability. For Portland, the challenge extends beyond determining who starts.
Nori must also figure out which combinations give the Trail Blazers their best chance to compete in a crowded Western Conference. A bench role could allow Morant to become the primary offensive option for the second unit while still receiving significant playing time. The Trail Blazers open their regular season Wednesday against the Phoenix Suns.
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