NBA Exec: Grizzlies' Ja Morant Not 'Quite as Good' as Public Perception

Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant is having a breakout year and is in the MVP conversation, but apparently he hasn't impressed everyone.

An NBA executive told ESPN's Tim Bontemps that he believes perception isn't reality and Morant's success this season is more of a product of the system around him.

"It's weird to say this, but I don't think [Morant] is quite as good as his public perception," an Eastern Conference executive said. "If you put Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander] on that Memphis team, he could potentially be doing a lot of the same things."

According to a survey conducted by ESPN, 15 NBA scouts and executives ranked Morant as the second-most desirable young point guard to build a team around behind Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic. ESPN made a pool of six floor generals who are still on their rookie deals. Morant received four first-place votes, eight second-place votes, two thirds and a fourth. 

The other players in the field were Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Charlotte Hornets' LaMelo Ball, Cleveland Cavaliers' Darius Garland and Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young.

Morant earned a trip to the All-Star Game this season for the first time in his three-year career and ranks seventh in the NBA with 27.6 points per game. He averaged 33.0 points in the month of February with two 40-point games and a career-high 52-point performance. He's put together an array of highlights that have set him apart as one of the most exciting players to watch.

With Morant leading the way, the Grizzlies have climbed to second in the Western Conference with a 44-22 record. They hold a 3.5-game lead over the Mavericks in the Southwest Division.

To the East executive's point, Memphis has not struggled when Morant has been off the floor. The Grizzlies are 12-2 this season when the 22-year-old isn't in the lineup, per StatMuse.

Morant and the Grizzlies will take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday.