Trail Blazers Acquired Ja Morant in 2026 Offseason
The team traded Jerami Grant and Kris Murray to the Grizzlies to secure the All-Star guard.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Basketball
Live Poll
Do you believe pairing two high-scoring guards will improve your local team's chances this season?
The Portland Trail Blazers reshaped their roster during the 2026 offseason by acquiring Ja Morant from the Memphis Grizzlies. In exchange for the dynamic playmaker, the organization sent Jerami Grant and Kris Murray to Memphis.
Why it matters
The organization aims to take a significant step forward by pairing a new dynamic backcourt with Micah Nori, who begins his first season as head coach. Fans are watching to see how this transition influences team performance as the group prepares for the upcoming campaign.
Ja Morant averaged 26.2 points, 8.1 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game during his 2022-23 All-Star season. The impact of his arrival on the 27-year-old's production and the team's total output remains unknown until the season begins.
The players
Ja Morant
The 27-year-old All-Star guard joined the Trail Blazers in a 2026 trade from the Memphis Grizzlies.
Micah Nori
The head coach leads the Portland Trail Blazers for the 2026-27 season.
Jerami Grant
The forward was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of the deal for Ja Morant.
Kris Murray
The player was included in the trade package sent to Memphis during the 2026 offseason.
PJ Carlesimo
The coach previously worked alongside Micah Nori during their shared tenure with the Toronto Raptors.
The details
The Portland Trail Blazers completed the trade for Morant to anchor a revamped backcourt under first-year head coach Micah Nori. Nori, who previously worked with PJ Carlesimo in Toronto, is currently focused on leading the team into the start of training camp. This move marks a strategic shift for the franchise as they look to build toward the 2026-27 season.
Timeline
2021-22 season: Ja Morant earned his first All-Star selection.
2022-23 season: Ja Morant earned his second All-Star selection.
Offseason 2026: Portland acquired Ja Morant from Memphis.
2026-27 season: The season marks the debut of the new roster configuration.
Late September 2026: Portland Trail Blazers training camp begins.
Beyond the Bridges
This move serves as the foundational element of the 2026 Trail Blazers roster reorganization. It follows a pattern of franchise-level changes seen in recent years to address backcourt competitiveness in the Western Conference.
Fans will get their first look at the new-look squad when training camp activities open in late September 2026. The shift impacts season ticket holders and local followers as the team adjusts its playstyle to integrate the new roster additions.
The takeaway
The team enters this season with a clear objective to modernize their backcourt play through high-level acquisitions. Watch for initial reports from training camp in late September 2026 to see how the team hierarchy develops under coach Micah Nori.
What happens next
The Portland Trail Blazers will officially begin training camp in late September 2026, marking the first time the new roster will practice together under head coach Micah Nori.
Further reading
For more on how the team is preparing for the new season, see our Basketball coverage.
Live Poll
Do you believe pairing two high-scoring guards will improve your local team's chances this season?
