The Ja Morant era in Memphis is over.
The Grizzlies struck a deal to send their former star guard to the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday afternoon, the team announced. In return, the Grizzlies will get forwards Jerami Grant and Kris Murray.
The Grizzlies first selected Morant with the No. 2 overall pick in 2019 out of Murray State, and he initially shined with the franchise. He earned Rookie of the Year honors that season while putting up 17.8 points and 7.3 assists per game.
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But in recent years, the two-time All-Star has struggled to remain on the court — both due to injuries and non-basketball issues. Morant played in only 20 games last season due to both calf and ankle injuries. He served a one-game suspension for “conduct detrimental to the team,” too. He averaged 19.5 points, 8.1 assists and a career-low 3.3 assists per game last season.
That was just the latest incident he’s faced. He was hit with a 25-game suspension to start the 2023-24 campaign after an incident in which he brandished a gun in public, which came after an eight-game suspension for a similar incident just months prior. There were several other alleged incidents, including some in which police were involved, and one where he accused of punching a 17-year-old in the head and threatening him with a gun during a pickup game. Prosecutors said there was not sufficient evidence to bring charges in that case.
Morant will now get to join a Trail Blazers franchise that went 42-40 and made the playoffs last season despite head coach Chauncey Billups‘ arrest and departure last fall. Tiago Splitter led them in the interim, and the franchise has since hired Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori to replace him.
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While it’s been a rough stretch for him, Morant will get the chance for a true reset. He’ll get to team up with star Deni Avdija, Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard in Portland, too. NBA TV’s Chris Haynes reported that the Trail Blazers plan to start Morant, Lillard and Avdija together.
Morant has two years and nearly $82 million left on his rookie extension he signed with the Grizzlies.
Grizzlies continuing to rebuild
With Morant now gone, the Grizzlies are very clearly committing to a rebuild.
Morant’s trade came just months after the team dealt Jaren Jackson Jr. away in an eight-player swap ahead of the deadline last season. The 2023 Defensive Player of the Year was sent to the Jazz in that swap. The team also sent Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic last season for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony and four future first-round picks.
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The Grizzlies went just 25-57 last season, the first full campaign under head coach Tuomas Iisalo. The franchise then selected Duke star Cameron Boozer with the No. 3 overall pick in the NBA Draft earlier this month. Boozer averaged 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game with the Blue Devils last season as a freshman.
Grant averaged 18.6 points and 3.5 rebounds per game last season in Portland. The 32-year-old signed a five-year deal with the Trail Blazers, and has a player option in his contract for the 2027-28 campaign. Murray averaged 5.8 points and 3.6 rebounds per game last season. The former Iowa star, and twin brother of Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray, will hit restricted free agency next offseason.
Now that Morant is gone — the Grizzlies had been shopping him previously, but to no avail — the Grizzlies can finally turn the page on what’s been a disappointing stretch for the franchise. The Morant deal, with Bane and Jackson moved before him, was the last piece to that puzzle.
Iisalo and Boozer can now usher in a new era and attempt to do what that trio was unable to previously.
