What Mike Miller said about adding new client Ja Morant
Mike Miller believes Memphis Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant will show the world he is a top five NBA player, the former Grizz-turned-NBA agent said Thursday in the wake of Morant hiring Miller and his agency to represent him.
“He’s an elite person,” Miller told The Daily Memphian on Thursday.
“He comes from an elite family. He’s an elite player. It’s an exciting time, as I continue to try and build Let It Fly Team into one of the premier agencies, to bring on this kind of player. To add someone who’s a Top 5 player in the league, if not the best player in the league, is exciting.”
Earlier this month Morant parted ways with his former agent, Jim Tanner, and Tandem Sports and Entertainment.
Morant and Miller have had a friendly relationship ever since in 2019 Morant arrived in Memphis, where at the time Miller was an assistant coach with the University of Memphis basketball team.
Miller and Morant posed together for a photo in September 2020, when Morant won NBA Rookie of the Year, each holding their own trophy. Miller won the award in 2001.
Mike Miller with LIFT Sports Management is Ja Morant’s new agent. (Courtesy of LIFT Sports Management)
Miller started LIFT Sports Management in 2020 after leaving his position with the Tigers.
Since then he’s added Paolo Banchero, the 2023 Rookie of the Year; Wendell Carter Jr.; PJ Washington; Patrick Beverley; and many others. LIFT also works with incoming college players on NIL deals, including Tigers recruit Jayden Quaintance.
“It’s super exciting and humbling at the same time,” Miller said.
“A lot of families and kids put faith in us over here, trusting the experiences I’ve lived through. I say this every time I talk to Paolo (Banchero), I’m super thankful for him believing in us. He’s the one who got this thing going. To bring in a player like Ja (Morant), and to have Paolo and Wendell (Carter), and adding (agent) Kevin Bradbury to the team — it’s all credibility, and I’m excited to see where it’s going to go.”
Morant is in the second year of a five-year, $192 million contract. His signature shoe continues to be one of the more popular sellers for Nike, even with Morant basically missing the entire 2023-24 season due to NBA suspension and shoulder surgery.
Though Miller won’t be negotiating Morant’s playing contract in the next couple years, both parties still felt there would be mutual value in Morant joining Miller’s agency.
“My job is just to grow with him,” Miller said. “I’m trying to be there as a mentor. To help him with routine, with habits. Just always be there for what he needs.
“The fact is, I played 17 years in the NBA and I reside in Memphis. That’s helpful. But he’s already got a great foundation.”
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John Martin
John Martin is a contributing college sports columnist for The Daily Memphian. Martin is a lifelong Memphian who’s covered the Memphis Tigers’ basketball program for more than a decade. Before joining The Daily Memphian team, he was the Memphis beat writer for The Athletic. Currently, he is the co-host of the Jason and John Show on 92.9 FM ESPN, weekdays at 11 a.m. Martin is a graduate of White Station High School and the University of Memphis.
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