Overview
- The Blazers acquired Ja Morant on June 29, 2026, trading Jerami Grant and Kris Murray to the Memphis Grizzlies with no draft picks reported to have moved.
- Portland posted a team video that confirmed Morant will change his jersey from No. 12 to No. 1 ahead of his first season with the franchise.
- New coach Micah Nori flew to meet Morant and said the guard expressed that he 'missed basketball' and promised to 'do all the right things' as he seeks a rebound after injuries and suspensions.
- Portland now has an elite but crowded backcourt that includes Damian Lillard, Morant, Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson, leaving Holiday's future unresolved and creating questions about lineups, defense and how the team will reduce last season's high turnover rate.
- Reporters say Nike reportedly wanted Morant in Oregon because of its investment in him, and owner Tom Dundon has said he will not put private money into a proposed $600 million Moda Center renovation, prompting pushback from local officials and a political fight over public funding.