Sources: Grizzlies trading star Morant to Blazers
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- Memphis Grizzlies are trading Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, per ESPN's Shams Charania, marking the third former franchise cornerstone dealt since their first-round sweep by Oklahoma City in the 2025 playoffs (after Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr.).
- Morant, 26, played only 79 games across the last three seasons due to injuries and league suspensions stemming from Instagram Live firearm incidents, including an eight-game ban in March 2023 and a 25-game suspension to open 2023-24.
- Morant carries two years and approximately $87 million remaining on his maximum rookie extension, while Grant (32) has one year left plus a $36 million player option for 2027-28, and Murray is headed to restricted free agency next summer.
- Morant's production dipped to 19.5 points last season on career lows of 41.0% shooting and 23.5% from three; he holds career averages of 22.4 points and 7.4 assists per game.
- The Grizzlies aggressively shopped Morant before last season's trade deadline but found minimal interest, and he was injured before the deadline and did not play again.
- Portland's backcourt is already crowded with Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard, who returned to the franchise on a three-year deal after being waived by Milwaukee.
- Memphis now pivots to a new era headlined by 2026 No. 3 overall pick Cameron Boozer.
Why it matters: Memphis is fully exiting the Ja Morant era after one playoff series win in four tries with their former young core, absorbing Grant's expiring deal plus Murray as it hands the keys to 2026 No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer. Portland inherits Morant's $87 million and his availability questions — only 79 games in three seasons — into a backcourt already stacked with Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday, a fit problem the Blazers apparently decided was worth solving.
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