3 thoughts on the Ja Morant trade: Why more moves would make sense in Portland and Memphis

Go back to the summer of 2022 for a second. Ja Morant just made All-NBA, just signed a five-year, $197 million extension, and is the face of a Grizzlies team that everyone had penciled in as the West’s next contender.

But today, Morant was traded to Portland for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. That’s it. No picks. Some of you reading probably have no idea if I’m making up the name “Kris Murray” and you probably know Jerami Grant as a journeyman wing on an understandable contract. That’s what the Grizzlies got for the guy who was once the most electric young guard in basketball. 

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That’s how far Ja torpedoed his trade stock. Between the guns, the suspensions, throwing coaches under the bus, and the injuries, Morant has shrunk from a generational talent to a salary dump all in just four years.

I have three thoughts on the trade. First, from the Portland side, then Memphis.

1. This feels like a setup trade for Portland

The Blazers already have three point guards: Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, and Scoot Henderson; plus a pair of 2-guards in Shaedon Sharpe and Blake Wesley; and now they’re adding Morant? What an odd way to build a roster.

But it would make perfect sense to add Morant if there’s another move coming for a wing/forward that can replace Grant. Right now, the depth chart is shallow there with just Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, Vit Krejci, and Matisse Thybulle.

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The Athletic’s Sam Amick said last week that Portland is the frontrunner for Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown. Brown would make perfect sense following the Morant move: Send out Holiday, Sharpe, and Henderson with future draft picks to Boston.

The roster would be so beautifully balanced:

PG

Damian Lillard

Ja Morant

SG

Jaylen Brown

Blake Wesley

F

Deni Avdija

Vit Krejci

F

Toumani Camara

Matisse Thybulle

C

Donovan Clingan

Robert Williams*

*Williams is an unrestricted free agent and would need to be re-signed or replaced by a different center.

Of course, ESPN’s Shams Charania says the Blazers are signaling that they’re “done” and “out” on Brown. Maybe it’s true! But I don’t totally buy it. The roster would be extremely balanced with Brown replacing those…

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Author : Kevin O'Connor

Publish date : 2026-06-30 03:00:00

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