Memphis Grizzlies officially close the Ja Morant era. The two-time All-Star point guard will be traded to the Portland Trail Blazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. The move completes one of the great falls from grace in recent NBA history.
Memphis: The End of an Era
The Grizzlies have now traded all three of their former franchise cornerstones — Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. — since getting swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the 2025 playoffs.
Memphis, once thought to have one of the league’s most talented young cores but went 1-3 in the playoffs with that trio together.
Now Memphis is flipping the page. The Grizzlies are entering a rebuild led by a strong 2026 draft class that includes Cameron Boozer, Karim Lopez and Richie Saunders and have added toughness with the acquisition of Isaiah Stewart.
BREAKING: The Memphis Grizzlies are trading two-time NBA All-Star Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/FJOTzGe5Tr
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2026
What Memphis Gets in Return
Grant has been on the trade block forever, and is still wildly overpaid at $71 million over the next two seasons. Murray, a 23rd overall pick in the 2023 draft, has yet to make an impact in his first three seasons. The return isn’t inspiring, but Memphis didn’t have to part with any draft picks to make the deal.
Risking It All for Portland
Morant has appeared in just 79 games over the past three seasons due to off-court problems and injuries, including suspensions for weapons and a string of surgeries on his shoulder, elbow and ankle.
Now Portland has a backcourt of Morant and Damian Lillard, which is maybe a little awkward on paper but has elite playmaking potential. Per ESPN, Morant’s averages 22.4 points and 7.4 assists in his career
A new beginning in Portland. There is no doubt about the talent
