A year ago, the Memphis Grizzlies initiated a plan to move away from their core of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane.
Bane was dealt to Orlando last summer, Jackson followed at February’s trade deadline by being shipped to Utah, and now Morant completes the mission, as he’s heading to Portland.
Although this feels like the beginning of something more, let’s break it down.
The Memphis Grizzlies: It’s a fresh start
In return for Morant, the Grizzlies received Jerami Grant, Kris Murray, and … well, that’s it.
No draft pick compensation or blue-chip prospect.
It makes sense given the constant controversies surrounding Morant, as well as the fact that his game simply isn’t tailored for the NBA in 2026.
While in possession of ridiculous athleticism, Morant isn’t a strong outside shooter, lacks defensive know-how, and while he’s a decent playmaker, he is nowhere near elite status in that department.
In many ways, even if the Grizzlies didn’t get a lot in return, this wasn’t an unexpected value package for Memphis, which can now enter the 2026-27 season with full focus on Cam Boozer, the recent third overall pick in the draft.
Being rid of a distraction is a good thing, but the Grizzlies did take on poor money in Grant, who is on the hook for over $70 million the next two seasons.
Grade: B-
This seems … confusing for the Blazers. At least for now, unless they make some follow-up moves. Morant doesn’t represent a position of need for the Blazers, as they were expected to enter next season with a point guard crop of Scoot Henderson, Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday.
Now Morant is added to that list, which leads one to believe something is brewing. But that would fall in the category of a new deal, and we have to just look at this trade in isolation.
Why Portland goes after a point guard who isn’t much of a floor-spacer or defender, when they already had depth at that position, seems counterintuitive.
They’re also acquiring a player who, frankly, has proven to be immature over the years, right on the heels of Portland making a little noise in the playoffs. That, too, seems counterintuitive.
That said, Morant is skilled, and he is athletic. He can get into the paint with the best of them, and he can draw fouls.
He’s, in a way, operating in the same space as Deni Avdija, so the Blazers need to figure out how to make that work.
Morant will have good games for the Blazers, but will he offer a path to more wins? Thats seems unlikely.
Grade: C
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