Smith questions Ja Morant's stalled development, lamenting the absence of the explosive, box-office star that once captivated fans and rivaled Allen Iverson.
Ja Morant entered this season seeking redemption but instead finds himself confronting renewed scrutiny.
After missing extended stretches over the past two years because of injuries and suspensions, the two-time All-Star guard opened the 2025–26 campaign under the weight of expectation. Many around the league believed this would be the season he reasserted himself as one of basketball’s defining young stars. Instead, turbulence has continued to follow both Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies.
Reports of friction with the coaching staff, heated verbal exchanges with teammates, lingering injury concerns and persistent trade speculation have clouded what was supposed to be a reset year. The optimism that once surrounded the Grizzlies’ cornerstone dimmed well before the All-Star break.
Among the most vocal critics has been longtime ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith, who recently questioned whether Morant’s development has stalled.
Morant’s rise had once felt inevitable. He led Memphis to consecutive No. 2 seeds in the Western Conference in 2022 and 2023, earning back-to-back All-Star selections, the NBA’s Most Improved Player award and an All-NBA Team nod during that stretch. His explosive athleticism and flair turned him into appointment viewing, and he appeared poised to become one of the league’s faces.
But as Morant battled injuries and served suspensions, a new wave of young stars surged forward. Anthony Edwards guided Minnesota to multiple Western Conference finals appearances. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander captured a scoring title, Most Valuable Player award and Finals MVP in the same season. Victor Wembanyama, still early in his career, began leading the league in multiple statistical categories.
While those players expanded their games and solidified their leadership credentials, Smith argued that Morant has not demonstrated similar growth.
During a recent segment, Smith framed his critique not around Morant’s talent but around perceived stagnation.
“Morant was ascending to superstar status, and when I watch him now, he’s just a good player,” Smith said.
He then sharpened his point, questioning whether the evolution expected of elite players has materialized.
“But you find yourself aching like, where’s that dude?... Where’s that dude that was box office? Where’s that dude that was like a damn modern-day version of Allen Iverson?” Smith asked.
Smith continued by focusing on what he views as missing layers in Morant’s development.
“I’m not talking about like he’s rail thin or whatever,” he said. “I’m saying you see no growth. You see nothing about his game that says, ‘I’m working on my game. I’ve been working on my conditioning. I’ve been working on my physicality.’”
The commentary reflects a broader shift in perception. During the 2026 midseason trade window, there was little indication that teams were eager to make a significant move involving Morant. For a player who once seemed untouchable in Memphis, even speculative hesitation signals a recalibration of league-wide confidence.
None of that erases Morant’s ability. His explosiveness remains intact, and he is still capable of taking over games. But the modern NBA rewards not just highlights, but consistency, durability and incremental improvement. The stars who have risen alongside him have done so by adding dimensions to their games while limiting off-court distractions.
If Morant hopes to reclaim the narrative that once surrounded him, the formula is clear, even if execution is difficult. Staying healthy, stabilizing his environment and recommitting to visible growth would go further than any rebuttal.
For now, the conversation around Morant is no longer about inevitability. It is about whether he can reestablish it.