Portland Should Start Ja Morant on the Bench, Analyst Argues
Translated & summarized from Sport5 by baba
An opinion piece on the Rip City Project suggests the Portland Trail Blazers should start Ja Morant on the bench, arguing his game doesn't complement Deni Avdija's. Writer Reese Kunz believes Avdija's All-Star level play was key to the team's success last season. The article contends that the Blazers have a clear plan for Avdija but not for Morant, who could hinder the team's development if not used as a complementary piece. Kunz concludes Morant should begin the season as the team's sixth man.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- An opinion piece suggests Ja Morant should start on the bench for the Portland Trail Blazers.
- Writer Reese Kunz argues Morant's game does not complement Deni Avdija's playstyle.
- Deni Avdija's emergence as an All-Star level player was crucial for the Blazers' 42-40 record.
- The article contrasts the Blazers' development of Avdija with other teams' plans for star players.
- Morant is seen as a potential risk to the team's established success if not used correctly.
- The writer recommends Morant start the season as the team's sixth man.
An opinion piece on the Rip City Project website suggests that the Portland Trail Blazers should bring new acquisition Ja Morant off the bench to start the 2026-27 NBA season. Writer Reese Kunz argues that Morant's driving game does not complement Deni Avdija's playstyle, and that Avdija's emergence as an All-Star level player was the team's most important story last season.
Kunz highlighted Avdija's versatile forward play, which he believes was crucial for the team's 42-40 record and playoff appearance, especially given the number of injuries. He noted that interim coach Thiago Spittler and former coach Chauncey Billups relied on Avdija more as a point-forward, a development that helped him overcome ball-handling growing pains. Kunz asserted that the Blazers should prioritize Avdija, emphasizing his ability to initiate and manage the offense, creating matchup problems as a large guard, similar to players like Cade Cunningham and Luka Dončić.
The article points out that while the Blazers have successfully developed Avdija's point-forward capabilities, unlike the Washington Wizards, they lack a clear plan for him. This contrasts with teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, who have built their roster around Luka Dončić's strengths. The acquisition of Morant is seen as a potential risk, not in terms of trade value, but in potentially hindering the success already established by Avdija and the young core.
Kunz suggests that Morant could serve as a secondary ball-handler, easing the burden on Avdija, but warns against making him a focal point of the rebuild. Instead, Morant should be viewed as a complementary player to the existing playoff-caliber team. The writer concludes that if Morant is not used in a way that addresses the team's existing weaknesses and supports Avdija, the trade could become an obstacle for Avdija and Portland's young nucleus, and Morant should start the season as the team's sixth man.
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