Grizzlies finally end Ja Morant era with stunning trade to Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired guard Ja Morant in a trade that will send Jerami Grant and Kris Murray back to the Memphis Grizzlies, according to multiple reports.

ESPN's Shams Charania was first to report the deal.

Morant will receive a fresh start after his time in Memphis was filled with highlight reels and controversy, which was marked by off-the-court issues that led to three suspensions in the past three years. The two-time All-Star was suspended for eight games in March 2023 after he displayed a firearm in a live-streamed video from a Denver-area nightclub.

Just four months later, the NBA suspended him again, this time for 25 games, for another video in which he was showing a firearm. This season, he was suspended for one game for conduct detrimental to the team following a postgame incident with head coach Tuomas Iisalo. Morant has only played in 79 games during the past three seasons due to injuries and off-the-court issues.

Ja Morant trade details

• Portland Trail Blazers: Ja Morant
• Memphis Grizzlies: Jerami Grant and Kris Murray

Ja Morant contract details

Morant signed a five-year, $197.2 million contract in July 2022 and is in the third year of that deal. Morant made $39.4 million for the 2025-26 season, is due $42 million and $44 million over the next two seasons and is scheduled to hit free agency in the summer of 2028.

Ja Morant age

Morant is 26 years old. He was drafted by the Grizzlies with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft after two seasons at Murray State. During his sophomore season with the Racers, Morant averaged 26.8 points, 11 assists and 6.2 rebounds a game, earning Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year honors and being named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press.

Ja Morant stats for 2025-26

Playing in only 20 games this past season, Morant averaged 19.5 points, 8.1 assists and 3.3 rebounds in a career-low 28.5 minutes per game. He shot 41% from the floor and only 24% from 3-point range and was shut down in March due to a UCL sprain in his left elbow.

Ja Morant career stats

During his seven-season NBA career, Morant has averaged 22.4 points and 7.4 assists per game. The two-time All-Star was named the 2019-20 Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player for the 2021-22 season.