After years of rumors, the Memphis Grizzlies have traded Ja Morant.
On Monday, they dealt the star point guard to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray.
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The blockbuster trade puts an end to a seven-season era in which Morant was the Grizzlies’ offensive centerpiece.
Although he possesses elite leaping ability, crafty playmaking and impressive shotmaking, his career has been plagued by off-court issues and injury woes.
In March 2023, near the end of his second straight All-Star season, he was suspended for eight games after an incident in which he displayed a gun on a social media livestream.
A second offense resulted in a 25-game suspension for Morant to start the 2023-24 season.
Additionally, Morant has battled various shoulder and elbow injuries that prompted a season-ending surgery on multiple occasions.
Last season, he shot career-lows from both the floor and from three as his scoring dipped to 19.5 points per game in just 20 appearances.
The Grizzlies had reportedly been struggling to find a trade suitor for Morant, with teams asking them for draft capital in a deal involving Morant.
Memphis ultimately made a deal with Portland, and received what could be seen as a much worse return for Morant than expected.
Monday’s trade is the latest in a series of moves that signal a full rebuild for the Grizzlies, one that Morant will not be present for.
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
