Back
Sports

Memphis Grizzlies Trade Ja Morant to Portland Trail Blazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray

Generated on: Last updated: 3 sources
View source

The Memphis Grizzlies have agreed to trade guard Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for forwards Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, according to multiple team sources. The trade has been reported but is not yet official.

Trade Details

Players involved:

Player Team Moving To Key Statistics (Last Season) Ja Morant Portland Trail Blazers 19.5 PPG, 8.1 APG over 20 games; 41% FG, 23.5% 3PT Jerami Grant Memphis Grizzlies 18.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG Kris Murray Memphis Grizzlies 5.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG

Contract information:

  • Ja Morant, 26 (or 25, per varying reports), has two years and approximately $82 million remaining on his rookie extension.
  • Jerami Grant is on a five-year contract with a player option for the 2027-28 season.
  • Kris Murray will be a restricted free agent next offseason.

Player Background

Ja Morant:

  • Selected by the Grizzlies with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
  • Two-time NBA All-Star.
  • Won Rookie of the Year (2019-20) and Most Improved Player (2021-22).
  • Led Memphis to three consecutive playoff appearances (2021-2023).
  • In 19 playoff games, averaged 27.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 8.6 assists.
  • Missed 33 games across the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons due to suspensions for off-court incidents involving displaying a firearm on social media.
  • Received a one-game suspension this season for conduct detrimental to the team.
  • Has not played more than six consecutive games since the 2022-23 season.
  • Missed time due to calf and ankle injuries.

Jerami Grant:

  • 32 years old, forward.

Kris Murray:

  • 24 years old, forward.

Team Context

Memphis Grizzlies:

  • The Grizzlies finished the 2024-25 season with a 25-57 record and did not make the playoffs.
  • This trade follows earlier trades of Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic and Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz.
  • Memphis selected Cameron Boozer with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
  • Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman dismissed trade rumors in February, calling them "fantasy."
  • A conflict between Morant and head coach Tuomas Iisalo resulted in a one-game suspension.
  • A heated discussion between Morant and guard Vince Williams during a team trip in London was reported.

Portland Trail Blazers:

  • Finished the 2024-25 season with a 42-40 record and made the playoffs.
  • Have hired Micah Nori as head coach.
  • Portland's roster includes guards Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday, as well as forward Deni Avdija.
  • Reports indicate the team plans to start Morant, Lillard, and Avdija together.
  • The addition of Morant may affect the playing time of guard Scoot Henderson, who is now reportedly available for trade.

Expected Next Steps

Memphis is expected to continue reshaping its roster following the trade. The transaction is pending league approval and will become official upon completion of standard administrative procedures.