Ja Morant 2019 Props: Over/Under PPG Set at 17.5, APG Listed at 7

• Ja Morant should be the starting point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies from day one
• Memphis is moving on from its largely successful Grit ‘n Grind era
• We identify the winning bets for Morant’s rookie output

Two moves pulled the Memphis Grizzlies out of the old and into the new.

The first: dealing longtime point guard Mike Conley to the Jazz, the last vestige of the venerable Grit ‘n Grind era. While it never produced a trip to the NBA Finals, that squad was respected for its hard work and relentless defensive prowess, which resulted in a seven-year stretch of postseason excellence, with a trip to the Western Conference Finals as the high point.

Not sure what this tradition is but I like it 🤣 @igotgame_12 (via @memgrizz ) pic.twitter.com/e7qmzIwCsx

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) June 24, 2019

The second: drafting stud Ja Morant with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Morant is an exceptional building block ushering in a new era of hoops in Memphis. Now, sportsbooks have posted odds on just how great Morant will be out the gate.

Here’s a hint: he’s going to be really, really good.

Ja Morant 2019-20 Points Per Game Odds

Odds taken 06/24/19

If there was no Zion Williamson, the basketball world would be fawning over the sheer brilliance and otherworldly athleticism of Morant. Unheralded at little-known Murray State, he put together an incredible one-and-done season. His numbers: 24.5 points, 10.0 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game on 49.4% shooting from the field jump off the page, yet they hardly come close to revealing what his game tape does: a superstar in waiting.

“Nothing was handed to him. He had to earn it.”@TheAndyKatz has high praise for top #NBADraft prospect Ja Morant (@igotgame_12)! pic.twitter.com/0GDnexIXl7

— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 19, 2019

As his rep was gaining hype through the year, Morant shined at the NCAA Tournament, putting together a remarkable triple-double performance against Marquette, punctuated with one of the plays of the tourney.

Ja Morant is incoming Memphis fans. pic.twitter.com/Jn9aJGwZrB

— AAWOL (@goaawol) June 19, 2019

No matter what system they run, Morant is going to be able to get to the bucket at will. But this is also the NBA, where defensive schemes will eventually figure him out. Teams will dare him to knock down jumpers, and that’s where it could get dicey.

Being an unknown recruit didn’t stop @igotgame_12 from climbing to the top of draft boards 😤 pic.twitter.com/WXEgHX3lxo

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 19, 2019

If you’re wondering, in the last five years, only six rookies have been able to eclipse the 17.5 mark: Luca Doncic, Trae Young, Donovan Mitchell, Joel Embiid, Karl Anthony-Towns and Jalil Okafor. It’s worth noting that Embiid only played 31 games his rookie year.

I think Morant, Zion, and RJ Barrett comfortably cross that line this season, as they battle for Rookie of the Year honors.

Pick: Over 17.5 PPG (-120)

Ja Morant 2019-20 Assists Per Game Odds

Morant was touted as the best passer in the draft, and it’s not even close. He combines the fearless attacking and scoring gene in his system with an ability to read the defense and find the right man with the goal of getting buckets.

Ja Morant vs Alabama: Think it's safe to say that Morant's best skill is his passing. While he only had 5 assists, he had plenty of opportunities but teammates were missing layups & open shots.

Morant's ability to get into the paint & dump it off to teammates really stands out pic.twitter.com/dV5WWpUqzX

— Zach Milner (@ZachMilner13) November 28, 2018

Situation matters here, and Morant will get a chance from the jump to be the undisputed lead ball-handler, something that Darius Garland is going to have to fight for in Cleveland, up against incumbent Collin Sexton and fellow first-round draftee Kevin Porter Jr.

There’s a reason why only three rookies have eclipsed seven assists per game in their first year in the last five seasons: point guard is a hard job, and even more so now because teams want multiple play-making threats on the court.

Only three rookies have eclipsed seven assists per game in their first year in the last five seasons.

Trae Young averaged 8.1 assists this last season. Two years ago, Ben Simmons had an 8.2 average, trailed by Lonzo Ball’s 7.2. That’s it.

Who will have the better pro career: Zion, Ja Morant or RJ Barrett?

"Ja Morant can do more than Zion and RJ Barrett. Ja reminds you a lot of Russell Westbrook with his athleticism. He's a better shooter than Russ." — @ShannonSharpe pic.twitter.com/EZN9YWa76Y

— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) June 21, 2019

Mark Jackson’s 10.6 average his rookie year in 1987 remains the lone double-digit assist season by a rookie in NBA history. Even the great Oscar Robertson (9.7) couldn’t get there. Toronto Raptors guard Damon Stoudamire came close in an expansion year (9.3).

We’re really high on Morant here, and believe this mark will be the easier of the two bets for you to win.

Pick: Over 7.0 ASG (-120)