Me Morant and the 5 biggest misses so far in the 2025-26 NBA season

With the NBA season comes fan expectations and predictions. Sports always sparks a lot of dialogue when it comes to player rankings, prediction recordand takes it hot. However, not every player will live up to expectations. For whatever reason, whether it’s a poor scheme fit, injury problems or regression, certain NBA players are disappointing compared to expectations. Check out the gallery to see the five biggest misses so far during the 2025-26 season.

Ace Bailey was considered a high-risk, high-reward prospect. The Utah Jazz took him after falling in the draft because they viewed him as a player who could turn into a star with the team. The team was praised for landing the Rutgers product with the fifth pick, but his rawness has been evident thus far.

Bailey was incredibly ineffective. Bailey is averaging just 7.5 points per game, while each of the four players drafted before him is averaging at least 14 points per game. He connects on just 38.3 percent of his shots, and only 26.7 percent of his long balls go into play. These are really bad numbers for someone as tall as Bailey, whose point guard needs to shoot.

Everyone knew there would be growing pains, but so far there haven’t been enough flashes of greatness. Jazz had too many of them bust outline in recent years, as Taylor Hendricks, Brice Sensabo and Cody Williams already look like that. Bayley has plenty of time to not only avoid bust status, but to develop into a star. The early return was not promising, however.

It was common knowledge that the Boston Celtics would take a step back this year. Jayson Tatum is out with a torn achilles, and Kristaps Porzingis i Jrue Holiday was traded in the offseason ahead of what is considered a down year in Boston’s championship deadline.

Jaylen Brown was already an established star, but fans were excited to see what he could do as the top option. So far, Brown is having a career year. Derrick White was also expected to step up and prove he could be more than just a role player. White struggled with the bigger role though.

White scores less than when he was surrounded by better players. He was also incredibly ineffective defensively, which gave him more focus. White’s 35.2 percent from the field is nearly 10 percentage points worse than last year, and he’s shooting just 29.2 percent from deep. White didn’t step up for the Celtics, and Boston’s record suffered as a result.

Injuries have derailed Joel Embiid’s career, and he’s no longer the perennial MVP contender he once was. The latest problem in Embiid’s extensive injury history was arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, which kept him on the sidelines. minute limit. Embiid has always missed a lot of time, but he’s historically been dominant when he’s been able to play.

Now, the Philadelphia 76ers are limiting Embiid to just 23.3 minutes per game. He hasn’t had enough court time to improve this year, and when he’s been on the hardwood, he hasn’t been as dominant as fans have come to expect. Embiid has topped 30 points per game in three consecutive seasons. Now his score is in the teens.

He’s had his moments throughout his career, but injuries have made Embiid one of them the biggest “what if” in NBA history. This season is just another proof.

The Denver Nuggets were thought to have one of the best offseason this year. They added depth in Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jonas Valanciunas. That depth allowed the Nuggets to once again establish themselves as champions this season.

Their biggest offseason move was trades Michael Porter Jr. for Cam Johnsonhowever, even so far, Johnson has not been thrilled with the Nuggets. A season after averaging 18.8 points per game, Johnson is averaging just 7.2 points per game. You have to make sacrifices when playing with Nikola Jokić, who is best nba player but Jokic’s playmaking prowess was only supposed to help Johnson, not hurt him.

A statistical decline could be expected in the new system. Of greater concern is that Johnson has not yet passed the eye test in Denver. He looks especially timid to kick the ball and establish his score. The all-time leading 3-point shooter, Johnson hits just 21.1 percent of his long balls. I hope Johnson turns things around. When he does, the Nuggets will be a truly terrifying team. So far, though, Johnson has been one of the biggest misses of the 2025-26 season.

1. I MorantMemphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant’s struggles have been one of the biggest stories of the young NBA season. Morant is playing badly, and he is fighting with the coaching staff. The guard is shooting 35.2 percent from the field and 16.7 percent from 3-point range. His 18.9 points and 3.7 rebounds per game are career lows since his rookie season.

Morant’s poor play went deeper than his production on the court. He seems to have done everything in his power to be a bad leader and say the wrong things in the media. His lack of effort and behavioral problems resulted in a one game suspension. This, of course, was just one of many suspensions for Morant during his tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Morant is a talented player, but he is not living up to his potential. His conflict with the rest of the Memphis organization already has him in trade rumors.