Blazers answer the call taking Morant for Grant & Murray

The Memphis Grizzlies have officially turned the page on one of the most significant eras in franchise history, trading two-time All-Star Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. The blockbuster deal, first reported by ESPN's Shams Charania, ends Morant's seven-year run in Memphis after being selected second overall in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Here's Daily Memphian Grizzly Reporter Drew Hill discussing Morant and his exit with Jason Smith on Friday (6/30/26).

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Morant helped transform the Grizzlies into one of the NBA's most exciting young teams, earning two All-Star selections while leading Memphis to multiple playoff appearances. However, injuries, suspensions, and off-court issues limited his availability over the past three seasons, prompting the organization to begin a full-scale roster reset after already moving on from key pieces earlier this offseason.

For Memphis, the addition of veteran forward Jerami Grant provides an experienced scorer and versatile defender who can help stabilize a young roster, while Kris Murray adds another developmental piece. For Portland, the Trail Blazers are betting that a fresh start can help Morant rediscover the All-NBA form that once made him one of basketball's brightest stars. The move marks the end of an unforgettable chapter in Memphis and signals the beginning of a new era for both franchises.

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Here's the press release from the Memphis Grizzlies

GRIZZLIES ACQUIRE JERAMI GRANT AND KRIS MURRAY FROM TRAIL BLAZERS

- Memphis Trades Ja Morant to Portland -

Memphis, Tenn. – The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the team acquired forwards Jerami Grant and Kris Murray from the Portland Trail Blazers for guard Ja Morant.

Grant (6-7, 213) competed in 221 games (202 starts) over his four-year tenure with Portland and averaged 18.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 33.0 minutes. He recorded 18.6 points in 29.7 minutes in 57 games (38 starts) last season to help guide the Trail Blazers to their first postseason appearance since 2021.

A 12-year NBA veteran, Grant holds career averages of 13.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 blocks in 776 games (472 starts) with the Philadelphia 76ers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons and Trail Blazers. The 32-year-old originally was selected with the 39^th overall pick in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft out of Syracuse. The Portland native is the son of 11-year NBA veteran Harvey Grant and the nephew of four-time NBA champion Horace Grant.

Murray (6-8, 218) has appeared in 188 games (50 starts) over three seasons with the Trail Blazers and has averaged 5.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 19.8 minutes. He averaged 5.8 points and shot a career-high 46.7 percent from the field last season.

The 25-year-old Cedar Rapids, Iowa, native was selected by Portland with the 23^rd overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft out of Iowa.

Morant (6-2 ½, 175) appeared in 327 games (325 starts) and averaged 22.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.0 steals in 31.7 minutes over seven seasons in Memphis after he was selected second overall in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Murray State. He averaged 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 8.1 assists and 1.0 steals in 28.5 minutes over 20 games last season.

The 26-year-old won the NBA Rookie of the Year award and garnered unanimous All-Rookie First Team honors during the 2019-20 season. He received All-NBA Second Team and Most Improved Player accolades during the 2021-22 season and was selected an All-Star starter twice (2022, 2023) during his time with the Grizzlies. He scored a single-game franchise-record 52 points on Feb. 28, 2022 vs. San Antonio.

The Dalzell, S.C., native leaves Memphis ranked first in franchise history in scoring average and triple-doubles (12), second in assists per game and third in total assists (2,428). He started all 22 playoff appearances and averaged 26.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 8.1 assists in 36.8 minutes.