2026 Grizzlies Trade Two-Time All-Star to the Portland Trail Blazers
Just two days before the official start of NBA free agency, Shams Charania has reported that the Memphis Grizzlies are trading two-time all-star Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. This comes after the Grizzlies’ horrendous 25-57 season, where they traded 2023 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz. Since Morant’s incident with a firearm back in 2023, Memphis has struggled, missing the playoffs during the 23-24 season, but won 48 games the following year; however, they were eliminated in the first round. Grizzlies fans never got to witness the true potential of the 2020 NBA Rookie of the Year alongside Jackson Jr., as many had high hopes this dynamic duo could give Memphis their first NBA Championship.
With this trade, the Grizzlies are officially building around the third overall pick of the 2026 NBA Draft, Cameron Boozer. While they’ll be facing some of their toughest challengers in a grueling Western Conference, Memphis should fully be confident building around their soon-to-be 19-year-old prospect. Certainly, Grizzlies fans must be hoping that Boozer will be the pick that becomes the franchise cornerstone who could bring a title to a franchise eagerly awaiting their first one. While the 26-27 season may not be the brightest, the future is certainly in mind for this Grizzlies team.
The Trail Blazers now have an array of guards that is quite questionable. Portland has veteran point guards like Morant, Damian Lillard, and Jrue Holiday, in addition to younger guards such as Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. We have to wonder what the next steps for the Blazers will be as they rebuild their franchise and look to win their first NBA Championship in almost 50 years. Will they trade a guard or a string of guards for a possible high-caliber all-star to pair next to Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan?
This past season, in just 20 games played, Morant averaged about 20 points a game, along with three rebounds, eight assists, and a steal. With the limited games played over the past three seasons, it’s clear Memphis wanted to start fresh as soon as possible. The two-time all-star still has a chance to revive what was once a promising career with the Trail Blazers must be a leader on and off the court. He could help the Blazers make a second consecutive playoff appearance during the 26-27 season, but Morant will need to do more to put himself back in the all-star conversation.
