Derrick Rose Mentors Ja Morant During NBA Suspension

Derrick Rose has made it clear that his role with the Memphis Grizzlies is no longer to watch after his star colleague Ja Morant.

At Grizzlies media day, the former league MVP spoke with reporters and remembered a chat he had with Morant after Rose committed to Memphis this past summer.

Morant, who will begin a five-year, $197 million deal at the beginning of this season,

will miss the first 25 games in 2023–2024 due to disciplinary action taken against him by the league.

The Grizzlies have an uphill task to duplicate their regular-season domination for a third consecutive year after finishing as the No. 2 seed in the West in back-to-back campaigns.

It will be difficult on its own to remove an MVP-caliber player like Morant from the starting lineup for a lengthy period of time.

Moreover, a ruptured Achilles might force backup big Brandon Clarke to miss the whole season.

Even as they make an effort to give an update on the late Dillon Brooks and his tenacity on the wing.

While Rose must establish himself as a valuable senior acquisition and a vital part of the Memphis team,

it is no longer safe to presume that the 35-year-old will play starter minutes in Morant's place.