The Memphis Grizzlies traded two-time NBA All-Star Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers in a three-player deal on June 29 or 30, 2026. Morant was exchanged for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, pending NBA approval and physicals [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Morant, 26, was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and has career averages of 22.4 points, 7.4 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and one steal over 327 games [1, 2, 3, 4]. He signed a contract running through the 2027-28 season, paying roughly $42.17 million in 2026-27 and $44.89 million in 2027-28 before he will be a free agent in 2028 [1, 2, 3].
Injuries and off-court issues have limited Morant’s availability; he played only 20 games last season and 79 over the past three years due to injuries and suspensions. He missed the remainder of last season after an elbow injury shut him down in January 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4]. Morant was also suspended 25 games to start the 2023-24 season for a gun-related incident and eight games in March 2023 for conduct detrimental to the league [3].
Jerami Grant, 32, averaged 18.6 points and 3.5 rebounds over 57 games for Portland last season. He has played for five NBA teams since 2014 [1, 2]. Kris Murray, 25, was a 2023 first-round pick (No. 23 overall) and has career averages of 5.3 points in 188 games [1, 2].
The Grizzlies have traded three former cornerstones in the past year, moving Desmond Bane to Orlando before the 2025 draft, trading Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah at the February 2026 trade deadline, and now sending Morant to Portland [1, 2, 3]. Memphis finished last season with a 25-57 record, a sharp decline from the 51-win campaign two years earlier when they won back-to-back Southwest Division titles [1, 2].
Portland’s roster now includes multiple star guards, such as Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, and recently acquired All-Star Deni Avdija, raising questions about playing time and fit with Morant joining the team [4]. Rumors circulated before this deal about Portland potentially trading for Boston’s All-Star Jaylen Brown; it remains unclear if those talks will continue [1, 2].
Morant’s arrival in Portland marks a major shift for both franchises. The trade is subject to the completion of an NBA physical and league approval, expected soon [1, 2, 3].
