The Memphis Grizzlies finally did it. They traded Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers, and honestly, the return is so underwhelming it almost hurts to look at. Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. No draft picks. No young upside asset. Just a 32-year-old wing on a monster contract and a third-year guy who still can’t shoot.
This was supposed to be the end of a full teardown. Memphis already shipped out Desmond Bane for four first-round picks. They flipped Jaren Jackson Jr. for three more firsts and a haul of young players. Morant was the last man standing from that core. And then the Grizzlies basically gave him away.
Let’s be real about where Morant is right now. Two seasons ago, he averaged 27.4 points and looked like the future of the league. Since then, he’s played 79 total games. Injuries. Suspensions. A 23.5 percent clip from three last season. His elite burst hasn’t looked the same. The defense was never there, and reports of tension with the coaching staff made it clear a fresh start was inevitable. But still. You don’t get better trading a 26-year-old All-Star for Grant and Murray, even if Grant can still put up 20 points on any given night. Grant is 32. Murray has shot under 28 percent from deep in each of his three NBA seasons. Memphis didn’t take back a single future asset. That’s a C- at best. Maybe a D.
Portland’s side is messier, which makes it more interesting.
Why the Blazers Took the Gamble
The Trail Blazers now have Damian Lillard coming back, Scoot Henderson needing minutes, Jrue Holiday playing off the ball more, and Ja Morant. That is a lot of guards who want the basketball. But here’s the thing: Portland didn’t give up any draft picks. They didn’t trade anyone they actually planned to keep. Grant was a salary dump waiting to happen, and Murray was a throw-in. The risk is almost entirely financial.
And sure, the fit is weird. Lillard and Morant together in the backcourt means two guys who need the ball and two guys who don’t guard anyone. But Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara can defend multiple positions. Donovan Clingan is a legitimate rim protector. Holiday is still one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. It’s not a perfect roster, but it’s a roster with real offensive firepower and enough defenders to clean up some mistakes.
The real bet here is that Morant rediscovers the form that made him must-watch TV. He’s still a nightmare in transition. He still gets to the rim at will. And if Lillard stretches the floor like he always does, there will be driving lanes everywhere. The Blazers are betting on health and maturity. That’s a long shot. But for a team that gave up nothing of long-term value, it’s a B.
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