Why the Portland Trail Blazers traded for Ja Morant from the Memphis Grizzlies
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Why the Portland Trail Blazers traded for Ja Morant from the Memphis Grizzlies originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies have agreed to a stunning trade involving point guard Ja Morant.
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According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Grizzlies are trading Morant to the Trail Blazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray.
"BREAKING: The Memphis Grizzlies are trading two-time NBA All-Star Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, sources tell ESPN," Charania said on X.
Why the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies pulled off trade involving Ja Morant
Portland has been rumored to be star hunting this offseason after exceeding expectations in 2025, and they end up being the team that takes a flier on Morant.
Morant is incredibly talented, and at his best, there are few point guards in the sport better than him. However, the 2019 No. 2 overall pick struggled with injuries this past year. Though his off-court issues have been resolved, they also likely played a part in his low trade value and the Grizzlies' desire to move on.
The Blazers will now be banking on Morant bouncing back and forming a dynamic duo with All-Star forward Deni Avdija. A backcourt of Morant and Jrue Holiday also breathes optimism and creates excitement.
This trade does complicate Portland's point guard rotation, though. With Damian Lillard returning from a torn ACL and Scott Hendersen still on the roster, we'll see how first-year head coach Micah Nori builds this guard rotation.
As for Memphis, they've been looking to cut ties with Morant and start fresh, and they've done so with this deal. Grant and Murray should provide some value to the rebuilding squad in Memphis, but it's clear Cam Boozer is the future of the franchise, and the Grizzlies are moving in a new direction.