Ja rules? Adrian Wojnarowski weighs in on MVP race

This could be the season Ja Morant rules the NBA.

That's according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, who went on "Get Up" Wednesday morning and discussed Morant's chances of not only winning MVP but piloting the Grizzlies to a western conference championship.

"Both are very possible, and I think especially for Ja Morant. Team success certainly helps with winning an MVP and this is a Memphis team that has every opportunity to emerge as the one-seed in the west," Wojnarowski said. "This could be Ja's year."

The Grizzlies (9-6, sixth in Western Conference) face stiff competition from within their own division. The New Orleans Pelicans (8-6, seventh in Western Conference) beat the Grizzlies Tuesday night without Zion Williamson (the Grizzlies were without starting shooting guard Desmond Bane), 113-102. Luka Doncic's play with the Dallas Mavericks (8-5, fifth in Western Conference) will leave MVP voters plenty to consider when casting ballots.

Morant is averaging 29.3 points on 48 percent shooting. He is shooting 40.3 percent from three-point range and averages 6.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists.

Doncic is averaging 34.4 points on 49.7 percent shooting. He shoots worse from the three-point line (29.1 percent) but averages more rebounds (8.8) and assists (7.8).

There's no denying Morant is already one of the best players in basketball and will be a huge reason for the team's success. If the Grizzlies end the season first in the west, Morant will likely have the MVP on lock.

The politicking for MVP is already underway. Two former two-time MVPs -- Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic -- will likely be serious contenders all season. 

Per Oddschecker, Antetokounmpo is the favorite to win MVP at +260. Doncic trails right behind at +275. Morant's odds (+1400) are tied for fourth-best (Joel Embiid, Stephen Curry). Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum has the third-best odds of winning MVP (+500).