12 answered the call 📞 Ja Morant's chapter in Memphis comes to an end. https://t.co/2mQNzNInDf Via @ESPNNBA on X

What happened: Memphis is trading two-time All-Star point guard Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers in a deal returning Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. The move closes Morant's chapter with the Grizzlies, the franchise that drafted him second overall and built around him for years. It marks one of the most significant point-guard relocations of the offseason.

Why it matters: The trade completes a dramatic teardown of Memphis's core, sending away the face of the franchise as the Grizzlies pivot toward a rebuild. For Portland, landing a dynamic lead guard reshapes the backcourt and signals a more aggressive timeline heading into 2026-27. The deal resets expectations for both rosters and shifts the balance in the Western Conference.

What to watch: Watch for how Portland reconfigures its rotation around Morant and whether Memphis continues to move veteran pieces. Reaction from both fan bases and the rest of the conference will follow as the offseason unfolds.

Sources

  • @ESPNNBA