Blab News
Ja Morant Traded to Portland Trail Blazers for Jerami Grant, Kris Murray and Cash
On Monday, the Portland Trail Blazers announced a blockbuster move that will reshape both franchises: they have traded for Memphis Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant, while sending forwards Jerami Grant, Kris Murray and $1 million in cash to the Grizzlies. The deal, finalized on June 29, 2026, sees Morant—a 2019 second‑overall pick and two‑time NBA All‑Star—land in a city that already boasts a crowded backcourt.
Morant’s journey to Portland is a story of explosive talent tempered by injuries. The 26‑year‑old has averaged 22.4 points per game in his NBA career, but has played only 79 games in the past three seasons because of a mix of injuries and suspensions. His 2021‑22 campaign, during which he captured the NBA Most Improved Player award, helped the Grizzlies win a franchise‑record 56 games. The core he helped build—Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane—has since dispersed: Brooks spent one more season in Memphis before moving on, Bane joined the Orlando Magic last summer, and Jackson was traded to the Utah Jazz in February.
Portland’s roster already features Jrue Holiday, Damian Lillard and Scoot Henderson, giving the Blazers a deep backcourt. Adding Morant brings a high‑scoring, play‑making guard who can also defend, potentially tipping the balance of the lineup. The trade comes at a time when new owner Tom Dundon—who also owns the Carolina Hurricanes—has signaled a willingness to make bold moves ahead of the 2026‑27 season.
Jerami Grant, 32, has spent the last four seasons with the Blazers after stints in Philadelphia, Oklahoma City, Denver and Detroit. In 2025‑26 he averaged 18.6 points and 3.5 rebounds over 57 games, and his inside presence and veteran experience will provide the Grizzlies with a reliable forward who can contribute in the post and on defense.
Kris Murray, the 23rd pick of the 2023 NBA draft, averaged 5.8 points and 3.6 rebounds over 56 games last season. For Memphis, Murray represents a young forward who can develop into a rotational player as the team rebuilds.
The $1 million cash consideration, reported by The Stein Line newsletter, is a modest figure that underscores the Grizzlies’ willingness to trade a high‑profile player for depth and a small financial offset.
For Memphis, the trade signals the start of a rebuild after losing its star guard. The Grizzlies will rely on a new core that includes Grant, Murray and other young talent to compete in the Southwest Division. For Portland, the gamble is whether Morant can fit into a lineup that already features a strong point guard and a championship‑contending forward in Lillard.
Both teams confirmed the trade on the same day. Blazers officials highlighted Morant’s potential to elevate the team’s offensive output, while Grizzlies management emphasized the value of acquiring a veteran forward and a young player who can grow.
The deal also reflects a broader trend in the NBA, where franchises are increasingly willing to trade star players for depth and salary flexibility. Analysts note that the Blazers’ move could be part of a strategy to balance a high‑scoring backcourt with a solid frontcourt, while the Grizzlies may be positioning themselves for a longer‑term rebuild.
As the 2026‑27 season approaches, both franchises will need to integrate new players quickly. Portland must manage Morant’s health and fit within a roster that already contains multiple guard options, while Memphis will focus on developing Grant and Murray into key contributors.
The trade is the latest example of the NBA’s dynamic roster landscape, where teams adjust personnel to meet competitive goals and financial constraints. The outcome of this move will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike as the two teams prepare for the next season.
Morant’s journey to Portland is a story of explosive talent tempered by injuries. The 26‑year‑old has averaged 22.4 points per game in his NBA career, but has played only 79 games in the past three seasons because of a mix of injuries and suspensions. His 2021‑22 campaign, during which he captured the NBA Most Improved Player award, helped the Grizzlies win a franchise‑record 56 games. The core he helped build—Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane—has since dispersed: Brooks spent one more season in Memphis before moving on, Bane joined the Orlando Magic last summer, and Jackson was traded to the Utah Jazz in February.
Portland’s roster already features Jrue Holiday, Damian Lillard and Scoot Henderson, giving the Blazers a deep backcourt. Adding Morant brings a high‑scoring, play‑making guard who can also defend, potentially tipping the balance of the lineup. The trade comes at a time when new owner Tom Dundon—who also owns the Carolina Hurricanes—has signaled a willingness to make bold moves ahead of the 2026‑27 season.
Jerami Grant, 32, has spent the last four seasons with the Blazers after stints in Philadelphia, Oklahoma City, Denver and Detroit. In 2025‑26 he averaged 18.6 points and 3.5 rebounds over 57 games, and his inside presence and veteran experience will provide the Grizzlies with a reliable forward who can contribute in the post and on defense.
Kris Murray, the 23rd pick of the 2023 NBA draft, averaged 5.8 points and 3.6 rebounds over 56 games last season. For Memphis, Murray represents a young forward who can develop into a rotational player as the team rebuilds.
The $1 million cash consideration, reported by The Stein Line newsletter, is a modest figure that underscores the Grizzlies’ willingness to trade a high‑profile player for depth and a small financial offset.
For Memphis, the trade signals the start of a rebuild after losing its star guard. The Grizzlies will rely on a new core that includes Grant, Murray and other young talent to compete in the Southwest Division. For Portland, the gamble is whether Morant can fit into a lineup that already features a strong point guard and a championship‑contending forward in Lillard.
Both teams confirmed the trade on the same day. Blazers officials highlighted Morant’s potential to elevate the team’s offensive output, while Grizzlies management emphasized the value of acquiring a veteran forward and a young player who can grow.
The deal also reflects a broader trend in the NBA, where franchises are increasingly willing to trade star players for depth and salary flexibility. Analysts note that the Blazers’ move could be part of a strategy to balance a high‑scoring backcourt with a solid frontcourt, while the Grizzlies may be positioning themselves for a longer‑term rebuild.
As the 2026‑27 season approaches, both franchises will need to integrate new players quickly. Portland must manage Morant’s health and fit within a roster that already contains multiple guard options, while Memphis will focus on developing Grant and Murray into key contributors.
The trade is the latest example of the NBA’s dynamic roster landscape, where teams adjust personnel to meet competitive goals and financial constraints. The outcome of this move will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike as the two teams prepare for the next season.
