Trail Blazers Acquired Ja Morant in 2026 Offseason Trade
The Portland Trail Blazers added Ja Morant to their roster this offseason in exchange for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Basketball
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During the 2026 offseason, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired All-Star guard Ja Morant from the Memphis Grizzlies. The trade involved sending Jerami Grant and Kris Murray to Memphis as part of the exchange.
Why it matters
The organization completed this move to bolster their backcourt and facilitate a new competitive direction for the team. This acquisition aims to elevate the team performance as they enter the upcoming season under new leadership.
Ja Morant enters the roster following a 2022-23 campaign where he averaged 26.2 points, 8.1 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game. The 27-year-old guard previously earned All-Star selections in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 NBA seasons.
The players
Ja Morant
He is an NBA guard known for his athletic playstyle and multiple All-Star appearances.
Micah Nori
He is the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers for the 2026-27 season.
Jerami Grant
He is a professional basketball player who was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Kris Murray
He is a professional basketball player who was included in the trade package to Memphis.
PJ Carlesimo
He is a coach who previously worked alongside Micah Nori during their time with the Toronto Raptors.
The details
The move pairs Morant with the Portland roster under the guidance of head coach Micah Nori, who begins his first season with the franchise. The coaching staff is currently preparing the team for training camp as they integrate the new backcourt dynamic.
Timeline
Ja Morant earned his first All-Star selection during the 2021-22 season.
Morant secured his second All-Star honor during the 2022-23 season.
Portland acquired Morant from Memphis in an offseason 2026 trade.
The 2026-27 season marks the debut of this new backcourt pairing.
Training camp for the Portland Trail Blazers begins in late September 2026.
Season Trajectory
This transaction significantly alters the team competitive profile and backcourt depth for the upcoming campaign. The acquisition signals a move to accelerate the franchise timeline for playoff contention as they integrate new talent.
The addition of Morant directly impacts the team rotation and changes the statistical outlook for the Portland backcourt production. The move sets new expectations for the team offensive efficiency and lineup flexibility throughout the season.
The takeaway
The Trail Blazers are banking on the dynamic playmaking of their new acquisition to redefine their offensive identity. Fans should look for adjustments in the team pace and efficiency metrics as the coaching staff implements new systems.
Further reading
For more updates on the roster, visit Portland Basketball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ClutchPoints.
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