Two-time NBA All-Star Ja Morant spoke publicly on Saturday, his first time doing so since being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers by the Memphis Grizzlies last month.
While speaking to reporters in Las Vegas during the 2026 NBA Summer League, Morant expressed excitement to be on a new team with a fresh start.
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“New home. New team. New organization,” he said. “I get to show the fans in Portland a different Ja. It’s like starting all over again.”
Morant was drafted by the Grizzlies No. 1 overall and was named the 2020 Rookie of the Year. He quickly bloomed into Memphis’ offensive leader and went on to average 22.4 points, 7.4 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game over seven seasons.
Despite showing superstar potential, his time in Memphis was marred by injuries and off-court issues. Last November, he was suspended for one game due to a heated altercation with head coach Tuomas Iisalo.
On Saturday, Morant pushed back on his “bad guy” image that originated from his two suspensions in 2023 due to gun-related offenses.
“What would I like cleared up? I think you know the answer to that. My image. [That] I’m a bad guy,” he said. “I’m Ja. 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. If I was that guy, y’all wouldn’t be talking to me now. I wouldn’t be here.”
Morant was suspended for eight games in March 2023 after brandishing a gun on an Instagram live stream and later served a 25-game suspension to begin the 2023-24 season after a second offense.
His tenure in Memphis is over, but Morant said he’s matured and is excited to give Portland fans the best version of him yet.
“Over the years, I’ve grown a lot and learned a lot. My mindset changed. I go into things differently now. I feel more mature, and I’m ready to work.”
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
