Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant is having a breakout year and is in the MVP conversation, but apparently he hasn't impressed everyone.

An NBA executive told ESPN's Tim Bontemps that he believes perception isn't reality and Morant's success this season is more of a product of the system around him.

"It's weird to say this, but I don't think [Morant] is quite as good as his public perception," an Eastern Conference executive said. "If you put Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander] on that Memphis team, he could potentially be doing a lot of the same things."

According to a survey conducted by ESPN, 15 NBA scouts and executives ranked Morant as the second-most desirable young point guard to build a team around behind Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic. ESPN made a pool of six floor generals who are still on their rookie deals. Morant received four first-place votes, eight second-place votes, two thirds and a fourth.