sports
Ja Morant Traded to Portland Trail Blazers in June 2026
Ja Morant was traded from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Portland Trail Blazers in June. Speaking in Las Vegas on July 11, he said the move gives him a chance to start fresh and show a different side.
Jul 13, 4:34 PM·1m read1 source
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Ja Morant was traded from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Portland Trail Blazers in June 2026, ESPN reported. The 26-year-old guard spoke publicly for the first time since the deal on Saturday in Las Vegas at the NBA summer league. Morant said the trade allows him to start fresh and show a different side to fans.
"New organization," he said. " He made four playoff appearances during seven seasons with the Grizzlies. His time there included an eight-game suspension in March 2023 for conduct detrimental to the league and a 25-game suspension to open the 2023-24 season after incidents involving a firearm on an Instagram livestream.
The Grizzlies also suspended him for one game in November after a heated confrontation with coach Tuomas Iisalo. The Trail Blazers acquired Morant by sending forwards Jerami Grant and Kris Murray to Memphis. Morant, the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, averaged 19.5 points and 8.1 assists per game last season while playing in 20 games due to injuries.
Morant said his body feels great after spending the last four months ensuring he was in shape. He added that he is willing to start or come off the bench for Portland. Morant has visited the Portland area regularly to visit Nike headquarters and once went fishing there despite the rain.
