Ja Morant’s time in Memphis is officially over. The Grizzlies traded the two-time All-Star to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for veteran forward Jerami Grant and former first-round pick Kris Murray, bringing the curtain down on one of the most important moments in franchise history.
The move represents a complete reset in Memphis. Since being eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the 2025 playoffs, the organization has now split with all three of its former franchise mainstays: Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr.
The team acknowledged Morant’s impact shortly after the deal became official.
“12, thank you for all the highlights, all the memories, all the moments that will never be forgiven and for all you have given to this team, this community and this city,” the Grizzlies wrote on social media.
Morant leaves Memphis as one of the most electrifying players in franchise history, but his final three seasons were defined as much by injuries and suspensions as by his down-to-earth play. Since making his second straight All-Star appearance in 2023, the 26-year-old has appeared in just 79 games.
The behavior of the league played a big part in that absence.
Morant was suspended eight games in 2023 for conduct detrimental to the league before receiving a 25-game suspension to begin the 2023-24 season following separate incidents involving firearms on Instagram Live. He also missed significant time with shoulder and elbow injuries that eventually required surgery.
His production dipped last season as well. Morant averaged 19.5 points while shooting 41.0 percent from the field and 23.5 percent from three-point range in just 20 appearances.
For Portland, the deal represents a gamble for a player who already owns career averages of 22.4 points and 7.4 assists. The Trail Blazers will be out for the first time since 2021 and now add Morant to a roster that already includes Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe and forward Deni Avdija.
Meanwhile, Memphis turns its attention to a new chapter. The Grizzlies selected Cameron Boozer with the No. 3 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and are now starting to build in a completely different place after closing the book on Morant’s tenure.
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