Introduction
If you have been searching for Ja Morant trade rumors, you already sense something big happened. For months, whispers followed the Memphis Grizzlies star everywhere he went. Every interview, every injury update, every offseason move seemed to feed the speculation machine. You wanted answers, not more guesswork.
Here is the short version. The rumors were real, and they came true. Ja Morant is no longer a Memphis Grizzly. After years of speculation, the Grizzlies finally pulled the trigger and sent their franchise point guard elsewhere. In this article, I will walk you through exactly how this unfolded, why it happened, and what it means for Morant, the Grizzlies, and his new team going forward.
Is Ja Morant Being Traded?
Yes, and it is no longer a rumor. Ja Morant has officially been traded by the Memphis Grizzlies to the Portland Trail Blazers. The deal sent Morant to Portland in exchange for forwards Jerami Grant and Kris Murray.
This ended a saga that stretched across an entire season. Morant spent his whole career in Memphis after the Grizzlies picked him second overall in the 2019 draft. Now, for the first time, he suits up for a different franchise.
Are The Grizzlies Shopping Ja Morant?
They were, and they made no secret of it. ESPN insider Brian Windhorst reported that Memphis planned to actively shop Morant during the offseason, even without an obvious trade partner lined up. The front office wanted a full reset.
That reset already included trading Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic earlier in the year. Once Bane left, fans and analysts saw the writing on the wall. Morant felt like the next domino to fall, and he was.
The Grizzlies drafted Cedric Coward, Cam Spencer, Walter Clayton Jr, and other young pieces. Combined with existing talents like GG Jackson and Ty Jerome, the roster started looking like a team building around youth rather than a veteran star with an injury history. Source: The Commercial Appeal
Why Are There Ja Morant Trade Rumors?
A few factors pushed these rumors from quiet chatter to loud headlines.
- Morant battled recurring injuries, including issues with his shoulder, ankle, calf, and elbow.
- He appeared in only 79 games out of a possible 246 over three seasons.
- Off court incidents in recent years damaged his public image and league standing.
- Memphis wanted to build around younger, cheaper talent after a disappointing stretch.
- Rival executives reportedly viewed his contract as risky given his availability concerns.
You can see why teams hesitated to give up major assets. A talented player who cannot stay on the court becomes a tough sell, even at his ceiling.
What Is Ja Morant’s Current Contract?
Morant plays under a five year, 197 million dollar rookie extension. He will earn 42.2 million dollars for the 2026 27 season and 44.9 million dollars in 2027 28, right before he reaches free agency in 2028.
There is an interesting wrinkle here too. Morant has a 15 percent trade kicker in his deal. Because the trade closed before the new league year officially began, he did not receive that trade bonus. Had the sides waited until after July 6, his salary for the next two seasons would have jumped significantly higher.
He also becomes eligible to sign a three year, 178 million dollar extension with Portland this summer, so his financial story is far from finished.
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What Would The Grizzlies Get For Ja Morant?
This is where things get genuinely surprising. Many expected Memphis to land future draft picks or young prospects, similar to how the Atlanta Hawks moved Trae Young for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert without attaching extra draft compensation.
Instead, the Grizzlies only received Jerami Grant and Kris Murray in the deal. No first round picks. No extra sweeteners. Just two rotation caliber forwards.
That outcome tells you a lot about how the market viewed Morant’s contract and durability. Teams simply were not lining up to pay a steep price for a two time All Star coming off a run of injuries and controversy.
Where Could Ja Morant Be Traded?
Before the deal became official, plenty of teams entered the rumor mill.
- The Chicago Bulls were connected to Morant as speculation heated up ahead of the draft.
- The Miami Heat came up frequently in fantasy and trade speculation circles, especially amid their pursuit of other stars.
- The Minnesota Timberwolves were mentioned early, though insiders later reported they were not actively targeting him.
- The New Orleans Pelicans were also floated, but reporting confirmed they had no real plans to pursue a deal.
In the end, none of those teams closed a deal. Portland emerged as the actual destination, a franchise many fans did not expect early in the rumor cycle.
Will Ja Morant Stay With The Memphis Grizzlies?
No. That question is officially settled. Morant is now a member of the Portland Trail Blazers. His entire career with Memphis has come to a close, closing one of the more dramatic chapters in recent Grizzlies history.
He joins a crowded Portland backcourt that already features Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson, and Damian Lillard. That mix alone raises fresh questions about role, minutes, and long term fit, which will likely fuel new storylines all season long.
What Is The Latest Ja Morant Trade News?
As of now, the trade is complete and official. The Trail Blazers confirmed the move through a press release, and league sources noted Memphis even sent a small amount of cash, about 1 million dollars, to Portland as part of the transaction.
Because Portland absorbed more salary than they sent out, the team will operate with a hard cap at the first tax apron this season. That restriction limits how much additional money Portland can spend, so expect ripple effects across their roster decisions in the coming months.
Memphis, meanwhile, retains a large trade exception worth roughly 29 million dollars, one of the biggest in league history. Expect Grizzlies executives to explore ways to use that flexibility as they continue reshaping their roster around younger talent.
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Final Thoughts
The Ja Morant trade rumors that dominated headlines for months finally resolved with one of the more talked about moves of the offseason. Memphis chose a full rebuild over patience with an injury prone star, and Portland decided the upside was worth the risk despite an already stacked backcourt.
What do you think about this move? Does Morant thrive in Portland, or does a crowded roster limit his impact? Share your thoughts, and keep checking back as this story continues developing throughout the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ja Morant still with the Memphis Grizzlies? No. He was officially traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in a deal completed in late June 2026.
Who did the Grizzlies get in the Ja Morant trade? Memphis received forwards Jerami Grant and Kris Murray from Portland.
How much money does Ja Morant make? He earns 42.2 million dollars for the 2026 27 season and 44.9 million dollars for 2027 28 under his current contract.
Did Ja Morant get his trade bonus? No. Since the trade closed before the new league year started, his 15 percent trade kicker did not apply.
Why did the Grizzlies trade Ja Morant? Recurring injuries, off court incidents, and a desire to build around younger talent all pushed Memphis toward a full roster reset.
Which teams were linked to Ja Morant before the trade? Reports connected him to the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, and New Orleans Pelicans at various points.
Can Ja Morant sign a contract extension with Portland? Yes. He becomes eligible for a three year, 178 million dollar extension this summer.
What draft pick was Ja Morant originally? The Grizzlies selected him second overall in the 2019 NBA draft.
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Author Bio
Written by a sports content writer who follows NBA roster moves, trade rumors, and free agency news closely, translating complicated front office decisions into clear and simple stories for everyday fans.
