Lonzo Ball chose Anthony Edwards to start, LaMelo Ball to come off the bench and Ja Morant to cut during an appearance on Michael Porter Jr.’s podcast.
Guard Lonzo Ball was asked to choose between guards Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball and Ja Morant, deciding who he would start, bench and cut in their primes.
Lonzo appeared on Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr.'s podcast, Curious Mike, on Aug. 24, where he discussed various topics around the league. Ball chose Edwards to start, LaMelo to come off the bench and cut Morant.
Porter Jr. questioned Ball on cutting Morant in his prime and reminded him of when he dunked on guard Malik Beasley in Game 5 of the first round of the 2022 playoffs. The current free agent indicated that he respects Morant and explained why he cut him.
"I'm a big Ja fan, but peak Ja is not better than a six-seven coming down the lane like hehe," Ball said on the Curious Mike Podcast.
Ja Morant Trade
The 2026-27 season will be the first time the Memphis Grizzlies take the floor without Morant. Memphis traded him on June 29 to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for forwards Jerami Grant and Kris Murray.
Morant was drafted by the Grizzlies with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft. He played all seven seasons with the team, averaging a career 22.4 points, 7.4 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.0 steal while shooting 77.3% from the charity stripe.
The 6-foot-2 guard was suspended three times while in Memphis. However, after the team traded away guard Desmond Bane in 2025 and forward Jaren Jackson Jr. in 2026, Morant became the last core player to be moved.
During the 2025-26 season, the Murray State product suited up for 20 games, where he averaged 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 8.1 assists while shooting a career-low 23.5% from 3-point range.
Memphis Grizzlies Rebuild
With Morant being traded, Memphis is under a full rebuild, and the Grizzlies had a productive offseason. The franchise drafted forward Cameron Boozer No. 3 overall and acquired the draft rights to forward Karim López, the No. 21 pick.
Memphis also selected guard Richie Saunders at No. 32. On June 24, the organization acquired center Isaiah Stewart from the Detroit Pistons.
In addition to acquiring Stewart, the team signed center Carson Cooper to a two-way contract and recently landed guard AJ Johnson in a trade.
The Grizzlies will be a young team and will have second-year coach Tuomas Iisalo returning to the helm. The front office will have to manage roster expectations while developing talent to compete for the future.
With Morant in Portland, Boozer will be expected to help lead this franchise in its newest era. Some have labeled him a Rookie of the Year candidate and a player who could have instant success due to the situation he landed in by being drafted by the Grizzlies.
