The NBA season is now two weeks underway, providing enough early data to identify some emerging trends across the league. As many anticipated, the Chicago Bulls have established themselves as the Eastern Conference leaders, while the New Orleans Pelicans have struggled, particularly with their star Zion Williamson sidelined due to injury yet again. Meanwhile, league-wide, free throw attempts are increasing and injuries are mounting, with notable stars like Trae Young already out of action. In this analysis, we explore several storylines and developments shaping the early part of the 2024-25 NBA season.
One of the most talked-about narratives involves Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant and his recent suspension for “conduct detrimental to the team.” The suspension came after Morant clashed with first-year coach Tuomas Iisalo following a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in which Memphis squandered a 15-point lead. At the heart of the issue is Morant’s frustration with Iisalo’s rotation strategies, which rely on shorter player stints as part of a modern approach to basketball conditioning and rhythm. Iisalo explained that players are used to longer minutes to find their groove, but the game is evolving, and the Grizzlies are adapting accordingly.
Morant, however, has voiced that he has lost his joy for basketball this season, a troubling admission for a franchise that depends heavily on its dynamic guard. Despite the drama off the court, the Grizzlies’ on-court performance has also faltered, sitting at a disappointing 3-4 record. Their offense ranks 24th in the league, while their defense is marginally better at 22nd. Injuries have certainly played a role, with key players like Brandon Clarke, Zach Edey, Ty Jerome, and Scottie Pippen Jr. all expected to miss significant time. Yet, even with these absences, neither Morant nor Jaren Jackson Jr. has stepped up offensively. Both stars are averaging their lowest scoring outputs since their second seasons, with Morant posting career-worst shooting percentages, including a poor 5-of-32 mark from beyond the arc.
Given Morant’s ongoing off-court issues, health concerns over the last two seasons, and declining production coupled with a publicly expressed lack of enthusiasm, questions are swirling about whether the Grizzlies should consider moving on from their electrifying guard. Morant’s recent statement that the team is “fine in the West” and his dismissive attitude toward the competition have coincided with his downward performance trend. While it’s still early and the suspension might serve as a wake-up call, if tensions and struggles persist, Morant could become a trade candidate by midseason.
In stark contrast to the Grizzlies’ turmoil, San Antonio Spurs’ phenom Victor Wembanyama is off to a historic start in his third NBA season. The French superstar is not just posting impressive numbers—he’s evolving his game in ways that are turning heads across the league. Wembanyama has become far more aggressive attacking the rim this season, reducing his three-point attempts from 8.8 per game last year to just 3.5. He is dominating inside, already racking up 22 dunks in six games, which puts him on pace to be only the second player in NBA history to hit 300 dunks in a single season, joining fellow Frenchman Rudy Gobert.
This assertiveness has also translated into a significant increase in free throw attempts, which have doubled from 4.1 to eight per game. Wembanyama’s ability to take defenders off the dribble—regardless of whether they are big men or quicker wings—is a showcase of his unique blend of size, strength, and skill. The Spurs started the season with a franchise-best 5-0 run, their only loss coming in a game where Phoenix Suns defenders committed multiple players to containing Wemby, limiting him to just nine points.
Phoenix’s defensive strategy of switching and doubling Wembanyama, while ignoring his teammates, might slow him temporarily, but as the season progresses, Wembanyama is adjusting by improving his passing and finding open teammates. This will force opposing teams to reconsider their defensive schemes as the Spurs’ supporting cast capitalizes on the attention Wembanyama commands.
Defensively, Wembanyama is equally dominant. His presence in the paint deters opponents from attempting shots near the basket, with the Spurs allowing the second