The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired Ja Morant from the Memphis Grizzlies in a trade that sends Jerami Grant and Kris Murray to Memphis. The deal ends Morant's seven-season tenure with the Grizzlies.
The transaction, reported by ESPN, moves the former All-Star to Portland ahead of free agency. Morant, the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, won Rookie of the Year in 2020 and Most Improved Player in 2022 during his time in Memphis.
Injuries limited Morant to 20 games in the 2025-26 season before he was shut down in January with an elbow issue. Off-court incidents and tensions with the coaching staff had strained his relationship with the Grizzlies, who explored trading him earlier.
Portland adds Morant to a backcourt that already includes Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday. The team also features Deni Avdija, who earned his first All-Star selection last season.
Memphis receives Grant and Murray while gaining salary flexibility and shifting focus to younger players such as Cameron Boozer.
