Another day, another blockbuster trade in the NBA.
The Memphis Grizzlies are reportedly sending two-time All-Star point guard Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. Here’s a closer look at the trade’s implications, including who came out on top and what it means for both franchises moving forward.
Portland Trail Blazers’ Grade
- Receive: G Ja Morant
Out of all the NBA organizations expected to make a move for Morant this offseason, the Trail Blazers were near the bottom of the list. Prior to the deal, Portland’s backcourt rotation was set to feature Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson, and Shaedon Sharpe.
Now, adding Morant raises some concerns. Portland reportedly plans to start Lillard and Morant together, but how will they fare together? Where does Henderson fit in all of this? Regardless, when you consider what Portland is sending out compared to what it is receiving, they can comfortably say they came away the winners of this deal.
Grant is set to enter the fourth year of a five-year, $160 million contract, and while he has been an extremely solid role player, his value had declined in recent years. He wasn’t seen as part of the Trail Blazers’ long-term plans. Meanwhile, Murray was nothing more than a rotational forward option with only one year left on his contract.
In return, they receive a 26-year-old two-time All-Star who is a year removed from averaging 23.2 points and 7.3 assists per game. Of course, Morant has issues of his own when you consider his off-court battles and injury concerns, but his talent is undeniable and he could quickly turn his career around in a new setting.
Additionally, Portland is now in a perfect position to make yet another splash, as suggested by Yahoo Sports’ NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor.
“Acquiring Ja Morant feels like a set-up trade to me given all the Jaylen Brown rumors in Portland,” O’Connor wrote. “Now the Blazers could feel more comfortable sending Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson, and Shaedon Sharpe with draft picks to Boston for Jaylen Brown. We’ll see what happens.”
Acquiring Ja Morant feels like a set-up trade to me given all the Jaylen Brown rumors in Portland. Now the Blazers could feel more comfortable sending Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson, and Shaedon Sharpe with draft picks to Boston for Jaylen Brown. We’ll see what happens. https://t.co/zNMIjIiuay
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnor) June 29, 2026
In this hypothetical, Portland would no longer enter the season with a crowded backcourt. A core featuring Morant, Lillard, Deni Avdija, and Jaylen Brown would give Portland its best chance at contention in decades. But even if this is Portland’s lone move, it’s a smart buy-low acquisition that warrants excitement.
GRADE: B+
Memphis Grizzlies’ Grade
- Receive: F Jerami Grant
- Receive: F Kris Murray
This was largely the expectation for a Morant trade this offseason. After seeing his value rapidly decline these past few seasons, the Grizzlies were left with no choice but to cut ties with their former No. 2 overall pick.
Unfortunately, the Grizzlies were unable to secure anything beyond salary filler in Grant and Murray. However, that’s still a more favorable outcome than having to include additional draft compensation to move off Morant’s contract, as seen with the Minnesota Timberwolves when they traded Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets.
Memphis can now officially hit the reset button. A core that once featured Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, and Dillon Brooks is now centered around 2026 No. 3 overall pick Cameron Boozer, and 2024 and 2025 first-round selections Zach Edey and Cedric Coward.
Other notable names in the Grizzlies’ young core include Walter Clayton Jr., GG Jackson II, Jaylen Wells, Taylor Hendricks, and Karim Lopez. Although the roster is nothing to write home about, Memphis has quite a few solid pieces in place as they jumpstart their rebuild.
Losing a player like Morant, who embraced the Memphis culture for several years, is never easy. But simply put, a change of scenery was necessary. Boozer will now be handed the keys to the franchise as he aims to bring the Grizzlies back to relevance in the Western Conference.
