Stock Watch: What's trending in the NBA
Welcome to the second installment of Stock Watch for the 2023-24 season, a look at what's been trending up and down in the NBA.
⬆️ Morant-led Grizzlies
Welcome back, Ja Morant.
After going 6-19 without their star guard, the Grizzlies resemble a competent team again with Morant back after serving his 25-game suspension. In six games, he's averaging 25.2 points, 7.8 assists, and five rebounds, leading Memphis to wins over the Pelicans twice, Pacers, and Hawks. The Grizzlies suffered a blowout loss to the defending champion Nuggets on Thursday without Morant in the lineup, but they can reasonably expect to at least compete with him available.
It's not a lost season in Memphis either. The Grizzlies only sit 5.5 games back of the Houston Rockets for 10th in the Western Conference with a large portion of the season still left. With Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis has a formidable Big Three that has led the franchise to the postseason in three straight campaigns. A fourth is still a real possibility.
⬇️ Monty's Pistons rotations
The Pistons are in the league's basement with no hope of getting out. Losers of 28 straight before Saturday's win over the Toronto Raptors, Detroit has cemented itself in the esteemed company of the Process Sixers in utter ineptitude. While the players and front office all share blame for the putrid product, Monty Williams' negative coaching decisions are starting to come to light.
Ausar Thompson, the No. 5 pick in this season's draft, is averaging 20.1 minutes in the last 13 games. A player who should be considered a pillar for the future played fewer minutes than Alec Burks, Isaiah Livers, and Kevin Knox in Thursday's loss to the Boston Celtics. In a season that's already lost, it's ridiculous to not play your prized rookie more often.
Another tactic that's drawn the ire of Pistons fans is Williams' tendency to sub in all-bench lineups instead of stacking rotations with their better players. After being touted for his ability to build a winning culture with the Phoenix Suns, Monty might find himself on the hot seat in his first season in the Motor City after signing a lucrative six-year, $78.5-million deal.
⬆️ Jaquez's fit with Heat
It's become evident that Jaime Jaquez Jr. should have never fallen into the Miami Heat's lap at No. 18. If it weren't for the exploits of Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren, the UCLA product would have a compelling case for Rookie of the Year. Jaquez ranks in the top five among first-year players in several categories, including points (13.7 per game), total steals (32), and free-throw attempts (77). On Christmas Day, he became only the second Heat rookie to record 30 points and 10 rebounds in a game.
Most importantly, Jaquez has been a perfect fit for "Heat Culture." The 22-year-old does all the little things that contribute to winning basketball, leading Miami in contested shots (191), loose balls recovered (20, tied with Jimmy Butler), and deflections (59). He's been a versatile offensive piece, serving as an isolation threat, cutter, post-up scorer, and secondary playmaker. Miami's front office deserves full credit for finding yet another hidden gem.
⬇️ Sliding Suns
The Suns appeared to be figuring things out after they rattled off seven straight wins in November. However, they've gone just 6-9 since that strong stretch, dropping to eighth in the West standings with a 17-15 overall record. Injuries have certainly played a role with Bradley Beal limited to seven appearances and Devin Booker already missing nine contests. But the Suns have bigger issues than the star duo's availability.
Phoenix hasn't been able to stop anybody despite having a defensive-minded head coach in Frank Vogel. The Suns are 21st in defensive efficiency and 24th in opponent points off turnovers. They gave up 50 points to Jalen Brunson and Luka Doncic over the last two weeks. To make matters worse, tensions appear to be rising internally. Kevin Durant is reportedly frustrated with the lack of support he's receiving, Eric Gordon has publicly asked for more offensive looks, and Booker even called out Chimezie Metu midgame after the latter committed a turnover.
⬆️ OKC as a contender
General manager Sam Presti has done a masterful job building one of the more exciting young cores in the NBA. Led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Rookie of the Year frontrunner Holmgren, the Thunder seem poised to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-20 season.
Despite their youth, the Thunder have been one of the league's best defensive teams. Oklahoma City's 110.3 defensive rating is second-best in the NBA. Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, and Jalen Williams are three physically gifted and switchable defenders on the perimeter. If those guys get beat, the Thunder have Holmgren and his 2.7 blocks per game patrolling the paint. OKC forces opponents to shoot 59.4% at the rim - the second-lowest rate in the league.
⬇️ Hawks' porous defense
It’s Year 2 of the Dejounte Murray-Trae Young experience. Quin Snyder and the Hawks were hopeful at the beginning of the season that the team would improve on last year's 41-41 record. But after an up-and-down start to the campaign, the wheels have fallen off in December. The Hawks went 4-10 over the month and have dropped down to 11th in the Eastern Conference.
Once again, defense has been their Achilles' heel. During their December skid, the Hawks have held opponents to under 120 points just four times. The numbers back up the eye test as Atlanta is 27th in defensive rating (119.7), tied for second-worst in opponent field-goal percentage (50), and 27th in opponent points in the paint (55.4). It is very challenging to be a competent defensive team with two undersized lead guards.