Ja Morant’s tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies reached an abrupt finish in late June of 2026 after the front office traded their franchise superstar to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for forward Jerami Grant and Kris Murray.
The move comes after a turbulent 2025-26 campaign defined by the 2-time All-Star’s injuries and escalating locker-room tension, forcing the Grizzlies management to rethink their plans regarding the point guard.
Joe Johnson Wants Ja Morant To Rediscover His Love and Passion for Basketball
On the latest episode of the Nightcap podcast, the 7-time NBA All-Star Joe Johnson expressed concern over Ja Morant’s recent demeanor, emphasizing that the 24/7 media scrutiny and endless setbacks seem to have diminished his passion and love for the game.
“I like all the antics because it lets me know he’s enjoying the game and having fun. And it seems like he’s lost his joy for the game,” Johnson explained. “I wanna see him get back enthused about playing the game…get back to being that kid that we enjoyed watching. Who was box office star-studded every night, you know, putting on a show.”
“That’s what we wanna see, man…body language don’t lie…So when I see you out there training, working out, playing, like, I wanna see that enthusiasm coming from him, bro. Like, I just feel like the past couple of years, because he’s dealt with so many injuries and so many setbacks, that it took the love and joy and passion away from him….I wanna see him get back to having fun, man,” added Johnson.
Joe Johnson says he hopes Ja Morant can get back to his old self with Portland. When you hear him speak now, you can tell the media criticism and everything he’s been through over the years have made him lose that enthusiasm . pic.twitter.com/9yntkFvuig
— NBA Hoops (@Thechat101) July 12, 2026
Co-host Chad Johnson weighed in, noting that while the trade serves as a perfect change of scenery, it is also a glaring wake-up call for the 26-year-old guard.
“Not only a change of scenery, it can be a good thing for you, but it can also be a wake-up call…You’re the franchise player…the face of Memphis…and they had the nerve to move me?”
In a seven-year stint at Memphis, Morant transformed the playing culture with his explosive dunks and elite athleticism. He stepped on the court for 327 games and averaged 22.4 points, 7.4 assists, and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 46.6% from the field and 31.1% from beyond the arc.
Due to injuries and a total 34-game suspension, he played in only 79 games over the last three seasons, a number far less than expected when he was drafted second overall in 2019.
While the trade closes a decorated yet chaotic chapter in the 2020 Rookie of the Year’s career, it also comes with an opportunity to hone his skill set, rebuild his health, and re-establish himself. As Johnson said, “He got too much talent” to waste away.
