It’s a busy time in the world of Ja Morant — unfortunately, not in the best of ways. The “trade machine” complex has kicked up anew as he expressed less-than-optimal sentiments regarding the coaching staff. Whether this is something that can be sorted out in-house or something that eventually warrants the 24/7 news cycle remains to be seen. Leaning on the breakaway success of the Nike Ja 3 is a shrewd move to get a break from that discourse, as #12 has let loose a fresh set of seven upcoming colorways.
A few of these are looks that we’ve spotted on social media and the newswire before, including the “Valentine’s Day” Ja 3, “Chinese New Year” Ja 3, a “Statue of Liberty”-like teal and red edition, and the mismatched “Murray State” Ja 3. Given Morant himself has expressed dismay at fakes circulating on social media, getting the official stamp on those colorways is undoubtedly a relief, but it also leaves three editions pictured here as earnest “first looks.”
Working clockwise, we’re seeing some Snow Beach inspiration in a yellow/navy, bleeding those darkened tones onto the upper in a fade-out gradient and adding some earthquake-like graphics into a ruby red Swoosh. Next up is arguably the most radical design featured here — a tropical edition that eschews the solid body we’ve seen on most pairs for a horizontally oriented ombré treatment that works through hi-vis shades of pink, blue, and orange, culminating in an identically shaded sole. Adding to the “Inverse” atmosphere is the fact that the “claw marks” remain entirely one-note. Lastly, what appears to be a modern Grizzlies edition closes out this preview, dominated by navy before giving way to throwback-style teal in the sole and working in yellow detailing consistent with Memphis’ recent on-court wear.
Shots of each of those shoes are in short supply (outside of our earlier linked coverage), so in the meantime, catch some side-profile images of each below.
