The Memphis Grizzlies have traded two-time All-Star Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers. In exchange, the Grizzlies are receiving Jerami Grant and Kris Murray.
How We Got Here:
This trade has been expected by many NBA fans. Over the past couple of seasons, Morant has been far from the ideal star player. In 2023, he missed eight games due to “conduct detrimental to the league.” Then at the start of the 2023-24 season he served a 25-game suspension. Both suspensions were related to the former Grizzly brandishing guns on social media. In November, he was suspended for one game after an argument with his head coach, Tuomas Iisalo.
Apart from the off-the-court issues, Morant has struggled with his on-the-court performance. He played in only 20 games last season due to injury. Additionally, he has seen a decrease in nearly all statistical categories, including points, rebounds, and field goal percentage. Last season, he scored 19.5 points while shooting career lows of 41.0% from the field and 23.5% from the 3-point line.
What This Means:
Grizzlies:
The Grizzlies have fully cleaned house after they were considered one of the most promising young cores in the league. The trio of Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr, and Desmond Bane was supposed to make this team relevant in the Western Conference.
However, since they were swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the 2025 playoffs, they have begun to tear it down. They traded Bane to the Orlando Magic during the offseason. They then traded Jackson to the Utah Jazz at the deadline. Now they are looking to rebuild around the No. 3 overall pick Cameron Boozer.
Trail Blazers:
Morant is now joining a Trail Blazers team that is fresh off their first playoff appearance since 2021. They put together a solid season, finishing 42-40 led by All-Star Deni Avdija. They were a very well put-together team that is starting to emerge in the Western Conference.
However, the Trail Blazers guard room is very crowded. They have veterans Jrue Holiday and franchise legend Damian Lillard, who returned on a three-year deal. They also have young guards in Scoot Henderson and Shadeon Sharpe. It’ll be interesting to see where he fits in on the team and how much his ability to stay on the court will impact his fit.
Grades
Grizzlies: B
The writing was on the wall when it came to Morant and the Grizzlies’ relationship. The fact that they were able to get off a player that hadn’t been working out without giving up draft capital to incentivize them is a major win.
This move allows them to empower their new young core, highlighted by Boozer. He is a talented player that will be able to elevate the players that they currently have on the roster. That, paired with the Grizzlies’ history of drafting and developing, makes this a decent move.
Trail Blazers: B
The Trail Blazers are buying low on a point guard that used to be viewed as one of the most electric young players in the league. If things do work out, the Blazers can aim even higher and finish outside of the play-in tournament.
If things don’t end up working out, there aren’t any consequences to this. The Blazers gave up minimal assets to bring Morant in and can quickly pivot. They have other options that they can turn to and could trade him next offseason.
It’ll be interesting to see what Morant looks like on the Trail Blazers. It is a major change of pace from the Grizzlies, so anything could happen next season. For the Grizzlies, they have the chance to build around their top pick.
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