Grizzlies Traded Ja Morant to Trail Blazers
The Memphis Grizzlies sent seven-year veteran Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers on June 29, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Basketball
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On June 29, 2026, the Memphis Grizzlies traded star point guard Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers. In exchange for the former No. 2 overall pick, the Grizzlies acquired forwards Jerami Grant and Kris Murray.
Why it matters
The deal ends a seven-year tenure for Morant in Memphis, which included his selection as the second pick in the 2019 NBA draft. His final season with the team featured a 41.0 percent field goal percentage and a reported internal conflict.
During the 2025-26 season, Morant appeared in 20 games and averaged 19.5 points and 8.1 assists. He recorded 79 total appearances over the past three seasons while playing for Memphis.
The players
Ja Morant
He is a professional basketball player who spent seven seasons as a point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Jerami Grant
He is an NBA forward who was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of the exchange for Ja Morant.
Kris Murray
He is a professional forward who moved to the Memphis Grizzlies in the deal involving Ja Morant.
Tuomas Iisalo
He serves as the head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies and was involved in a reported clash with Morant.
Damian Lillard
He is an NBA player expected to return to the court following his recovery from a torn Achilles.
The details
The trade followed a 2025-26 season where Morant faced a one-game suspension following a reported verbal clash with head coach Tuomas Iisalo. Portland, which finished the season with a 42-40 record, now incorporates the veteran into its lineup.
Timeline
The Grizzlies drafted Ja Morant in 2019.
Damian Lillard suffered a torn Achilles in April 2025.
Memphis traded Morant on June 29, 2026.
A video regarding the trade was revealed on September 18, 2026.
The Trail Blazers will host the Grizzlies on October 29, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This trade significantly alters the competitive landscape for both teams heading into the new season. It marks the end of an era for Memphis while shifting the playoff potential for Portland following the 2019 NBA draft tenure.
The trade impacts future fantasy basketball rotations and depth charts for both Western Conference franchises. Readers can track how Jerami Grant and Kris Murray integrate into the Memphis offensive scheme.
The takeaway
This trade highlights the volatility of NBA rosters and the impact of internal team dynamics on long-term personnel decisions. Readers observing team management should note how performance metrics and coaching relationships often precede major roster overhauls.
What happens next
The Portland Trail Blazers are scheduled to host the Memphis Grizzlies for a regular-season game on October 29, 2026.
Further reading
For more news on league movements, visit the Basketball section.
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