By Mark Ricci | July 1, 2026
Ja Morant has been officially traded from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Portland Trail Blazers in one of the biggest moves of the 2026 NBA offseason. The deal ends a seven-year run in Memphis and gives Portland a new star guard to build around.
The trade, factually
According to ESPN, NBA.com, and the Grizzlies' own announcement, the terms of the trade are straightforward:
- To Trail Blazers: Ja Morant
- To Grizzlies: Jerami Grant, Kris Murray
NBA.com notes that the Trail Blazers "have agreed to acquire two-time All-Star guard Ja Morant in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray," citing reporting from ESPN's Shams Charania. Yahoo Sports and The Athletic confirm the same structure and describe the move as the official end of "the Ja Morant era" in Memphis.
Morant had previously signed a five-year designated rookie maximum extension with Memphis in 2022 worth at least $193 million (up to $231 million with incentives), so Portland is acquiring him with multiple years remaining on that contract.
Why Memphis made the move
ESPN reports that the Grizzlies traded Morant "to start anew," sending out their former franchise centerpiece after a seven-year tenure that mixed All-Star peaks with injuries and off-court issues. The Athletic characterizes his time in Memphis as "a tumultuous seven-year period" that featured major team success, personal accolades, and rising tension behind the scenes.
By making this deal, Memphis:
- Moves off the remainder of Morant's max contract.
- Adds Jerami Grant, a proven veteran forward who can score and defend.
- Picks up Kris Murray as a younger, versatile forward on a more modest deal.
ESPN also points out that with this move, Memphis has now traded all three of its recent cornerstone players—Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr.—since being swept by Oklahoma City in the first round of the 2025 playoffs, signaling a full-scale reset.
Why Portland took the gamble
From Portland's perspective, the trade is a calculated swing at star-level upside. NBA.com describes the move simply: "Trail Blazers add Ja Morant in trade with Grizzlies," emphasizing his status as a two-time All-Star guard who averaged 19.5 points and 8.1 assists in 20 games last season.
Sports Illustrated calls it a "stunning move" and grades it as Portland taking a big swing to raise its ceiling by acquiring a dynamic lead guard. Yahoo Sports similarly notes that the Blazers "struck a deal" to get their former star guard in exchange for two forwards — a significant talent upgrade at the cost of depth and flexibility.
BasketNews, citing NBA insider reporting, adds that:
- The Blazers believed they "had to take a swing" based on Morant's talent.
- They are hoping he will have "a chip on his shoulder" and motivation to turn his career around in a new environment.
Morant's reaction and new chapter
BasketNews reports that Morant is "thrilled to welcome new beginnings in Portland," quoting an insider who says both Morant and the Blazers are "ready to work" after the shock of the trade settled.
Factually, we know:
- Morant is joining Portland with multiple years remaining on the max extension he signed with Memphis.
- He arrives as a two-time All-Star and former Rookie of the Year with career averages in the low 20s in points and strong assist numbers.
- The Blazers' front office views him as a new focal point around which to reshape the team's identity.
What it means for both teams
For Memphis:
- The Grizzlies officially close the Morant chapter and pivot into a new era with Grant, Murray, and future flexibility.
- The trade is framed by national outlets as both a basketball and cultural reset after several difficult seasons.
For Portland:
- The Blazers add a high-usage, high-impact guard whose availability and off-court decisions will heavily influence the success of this gamble.
- Early analysis focuses on fit, expectations, and whether Portland can provide the structure Morant needs to recapture his peak form.
Mark Ricci is an NBA and WNBA columnist for Sportsmedia News. His coverage spans professional basketball at the highest levels, from trade deadline analysis and free agency breakdowns to record-setting performances and championship runs.