Ja Morant is taking his talents to Oregon.
The Memphis Grizzlies are sending Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported.
In the last two seasons, the Grizzlies have now traded all three of their former franchise cornerstones, Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. Just a few years ago, the Grizzlies were hailed as one of the most talented young teams. After trading Morant, the Grizzlies have made a full reset.
MORANT SPENT HIS FIRT SEVEN SEASONS IN MEMPHIS
Morant’s seven-season tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies was thrilling, capped by a stark and abrupt ending. Selected second overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, Morant single-handedly revived the franchise’s identity post-“Grit and Grind.” He won Rookie of the Year in 2020, was a two-time All-Star, and Most Improved Player in 2022.
At his peak, his gravity-defying dunks and elite playmaking transformed Memphis into an elite Western Conference powerhouse. The team enjoyed a 56-win season and a trip to the conference semifinals. However, his off-court issues derailed his potential. He was suspended by the league for gun-related conduct, sidelining him for significant stretches alongside a season-ending elbow injury in early 2026. Over his last three seasons in Memphis, Morant was limited to just 79 games.
According to The Athletic, Morant had been declining on the court as injuries had taken their toll. This past season, he averaged 19.5 points per game, “his third-lowest scoring average since his first two seasons as a pro.” Also, “he shot 41 percent from the field, the lowest of his career, and 23.5 percent from the 3-point line.
Earlier this season, when the Grizzlies were in London for two regular-season games, Morant said he wanted to stay with the team.
If anybody in here knows me, I’m a very loyal guy,” he said. “I got a logo on my back, so that should tell you exactly where I want to be.”
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