Ja Morant is embracing the rain. That might sound like small talk, but for a guy who spent his entire NBA career in Memphis before getting traded to Portland, it’s actually kind of a big deal.
The Blazers’ veteran guard was in Las Vegas supporting the team’s summer league squad when he talked to ESPN’s Ben Golliver about how he’s adjusting to life in the Pacific Northwest. And apparently, the answer involves a lot more water than he’s used to.
“It rains a lot. I got took fishing in the rain. That’s one thing I know for sure,” Morant said. “I feel like it’s a very quiet spot. It’s nice. I don’t know if ya’ll pay attention to me lately, but I’ve been kind of into nature. So, I feel like that’s a bonus for me. I’m not hiking! But I can go walking, ride a bike, I’ve been kayaking.”
It’s a notable shift for a player whose off-court headlines over the last few years have been anything but calm. Morant is entering his first full offseason as a Blazer after the Grizzlies shipped him out, and he seems to be leaning into Portland’s slower pace. Fishing in the rain, kayaking, biking. That’s a long way from the flashing-guns-in-Instagram-lives era.
Morant pushes back on the ‘bad boy’ label
Of course, Morant knows people still have questions about who he is. He’s been called a wild card ever since the gun suspensions. The label hasn’t gone away, even though it’s been a while since the last incident.
He addressed that directly in the same conversation with Golliver.
“Obviously, I’ve done what I’ve done in the past, but it’s been addressed and handled already,” Morant said. “I don’t see why, years later, that’s still the topic when nothing’s happened since. And I feel like if I was that guy, ya’ll wouldn’t be talking to me now. I wouldn’t be here.”
It’s a fair point. He’s still in the league. He’s still starting. The Blazers traded for him knowing the baggage, and they’ve seen zero new drama since he put on a Portland uniform. At some point, the narrative has to catch up to the reality.
But Morant also knows that first impressions with a new fanbase matter. Portland fans are passionate, and they’ve been through some rough years. If Morant shows up, plays well, and keeps his name in the box score instead of the police blotter, that rep will fade fast.
The 2026-27 season is going to be a fresh start in a lot of ways. New team. New city. New hobbies. Whether that translates to wins for the Blazers is another question. But at least Morant sounds like he’s in a good place. And honestly, after everything, that might be the most important thing.
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