Breaking News: Ja Morant traded to Portland Trail Blazers

The Memphis Grizzlies have traded two-time All-Star Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for forward Jerami Grant and guard Kris Murray, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Monday.

This blockbuster deal all but confirms the Grizzlies’ status as a rebuilding team, as they have now moved on from their former core of Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane over the last year. Despite the talent within that trio, the Grizzlies never advanced beyond the second round, winning just one playoff series in four postseason appearances together.

Their new era will be led by Cameron Boozer, whom the Grizzlies drafted third overall in last week’s NBA Draft.

Morant had been the subject of trade speculation for months and was reportedly shopped around the league before last year’s trade deadline before Memphis ultimately found its trade partner in Portland.

Morant, who is still only 26 years old, has simply been unable to stay on the court, appearing in just 79 games over the last three seasons. He has also dealt with off-the-court controversy, serving two league-issued suspensions after flashing a firearm on Instagram Live.

Portland will hope that a change of scenery can bring back the version of Morant that earned back-to-back All-Star selections in 2022 and 2023.

He’ll be joining a young and talented Trail Blazers team that returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2021. He also joins a talented core featuring Damian Lillard, Deni Avdija, Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe and Jrue Holiday.

Morant still has two years remaining on his maximum rookie extension worth nearly $90 million. Grant has one guaranteed year remaining on his contract before a $36 million player option for the 2027-28 season, while Murray is set to become a restricted free agent next summer.

Grant, a veteran who has been in the league since 2014, spent four seasons with Portland and averaged 18.6 points per game last season while shooting 45.3% from the field and 38.9% from 3-point range.

In 20 games with the Grizzlies last season, Morant averaged 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game while shooting career lows of 41.0% from the field and 23.5% from 3-point range.