​Portland, Oregon—Ja Morant is about to begin a new chapter in his NBA career as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers after being traded from the Memphis Grizzlies earlier in the offseason. Morant’s value has fluctuated in the past year, shaped by off-court controversies and a string of injuries that constrained his playing time and development. On the court, he has also faced some decline as the Grizzlies shifted away from the player they once viewed as the franchise cornerstone. Despite these challenges, the Trail Blazers are banking on recapturing the athletic burst and relentless paint pressure that Morant once showcased, hoping that he can elevate Portland into playoff contention in the Western Conference.
New Blazers head coach Micah Nori sees Morant as a central driver for the upcoming season. “It’s been great. When I first saw him, I thought, we need the Ja Morant who decimated us in the playoffs four to two or five years ago,” Nori said during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. He was alluding to Morant’s standout 2022 playoff performance, when Morant led the Grizzlies to a 4-2 series win in the first round against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Nori, who previously served as an assistant coach for the Timberwolves—whose offense then relied heavily on Anthony Edwards—believes Morant can again become a catalyst for a winning Portland squad.
Nori also stressed that Morant has been healthy and is expected to be a key contributor next season as the Trail Blazers pursue a playoff berth. “He’ll have an opportunity to play winning basketball again with a team that’s ready and proven in the playoffs,” Nori said. “The conversations have been excellent. We haven’t once discussed how we’ll utilize him in terms of minutes or a specific role. He’s eager to join this group, contribute in any way he can, and help us win.”
Morant appeared in only 50 games for the Grizzlies last season due to a left elbow UCL sprain. The Blazers acquired Morant in a favorable deal that cost them Kris Murray and Jerami Grant while leaving their future draft assets intact. At 26 years old, Morant will team up with veteran guards Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday, bringing veteran leadership and playoff experience to the backcourt. He will also serve as a mentor to Scoot Henderson, a former No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft, who likewise has drawn comparisons to Morant for his miso of explosive playmaking and explosive athleticism.
In addition to Morant, Portland’s roster features Deni Avdija, who figures to play a significant role as the team positions itself for improved performance and deeper playoff runs. As Morant joins a club poised to retool around him, the Blazers aim to leverage his skill set—ball-handling, speed, and finishing ability near the rim—to re-establish themselves as a formidable opponent within the league.
The move signals a broader strategic bet by Portland: that Morant, even after a turbulent year, still possesses the tools to impact a game at the highest level when placed in the right system with the right surrounding pieces. If Morant can regain his footing and health, the Blazers believe he can help accelerate their trajectory toward consistent playoff contention, while also providing a dynamic pairing with Lillard and Holiday that could redefine Portland’s ceiling in a competitive Western Conference.