Ja Morant will be wearing No. 1 for the Portland Trail Blazers this season, not because he wanted a fresh start, but because the team had other plans for his original choice. According to The Athletic’s Jason Quick, Morant said the Blazers didn’t let him pick No. 12 — the number he wore in Memphis. And the reason is a pretty clear nod to franchise history.
“The organization has other plans for it,” Morant said, not naming names but making it obvious he was talking about LaMarcus Aldridge.
Aldridge spent nine seasons in Portland, from 2006 to 2015, making five All-Star teams and putting up numbers that still sit near the top of the franchise’s record books. He’s the Blazers’ all-time leader in rebounds with 5,434, ranks third in points with 12,562, and sits fifth in games played at 648. Retiring his No. 12 would be the obvious move at some point. The Blazers haven’t officially announced anything, but Morant’s comment strongly suggests the number is being saved for the rafters.
Morant switching to No. 1 marks a clean break for Portland. He arrived in a blockbuster trade this offseason after winning Rookie of the Year and making two All-Star teams with the Grizzlies. Now he’s tasked with leading a young Blazers roster that’s been rebuilding around Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. Wearing a new number is a small but symbolic piece of that.
Morant on His “Bad Guy” Label: How Long Does This Last?
Morant also addressed his reputation head-on in a recent interview with ESPN’s Ben Golliver. He didn’t dodge the past — he owned it. Then he asked a fair question.
“Obviously, I’ve done what I’ve done in the past, but it’s been addressed and handled already. I don’t see why, years later, that’s still the topic when nothing’s happened since,” Morant said. “And I feel like if I was that guy, ya’ll wouldn’t be talking to me now. I wouldn’t be here.”
He’s got a point. The incidents that got him suspended twice by the NBA — flashing a gun on Instagram twice in a matter of months — happened in 2023. That’s three years ago as of this fall. Since then, Morant has stayed out of trouble, played a full season with the Grizzlies, and handled the trade to Portland professionally. But the national conversation still treats him like a ticking time bomb sometimes.
Morant will make his Blazers debut when the regular season tips off later this fall. No. 1 jersey. New city. Same questions about whether he’s really changed. He seems ready to answer them on the court.
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