Ja Morant's Fresh Start: What a Portland Reset Really Solves

Ja Morant is a Trail Blazer, and it ends the book on a run that once seemed like it was the foundation of a contender.

He was traded to Portland for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, the latest to fall in a breakdown that also saw Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. moved.

The young core that played 56 games together in 2021-22 is officially gone.

Why Memphis Let Him Go

The real story is in the numbers.

Morant has struggled with injury and off-court issues, playing just 79 games over the last three seasons.

He was suspended for brandishing a gun on social media and benched following an altercation with his head coach.

Memphis had tried to trade him before and got little traction but eventually pulled the trigger with the front office choosing a clean rebuild over additional uncertainty.

Portland’s Backcourt is Full

The tricky part is Morant isn’t entering an empty depth chart.

The Blazers also has Jrue Holiday, Damian Lillard and Scoot Henderson on the roster, meaning Portland suddenly has one of the most ball-dominant backcourts in the league

He’s also owed $42 million to $45 million per year for the next two seasons, a high price for a player who’s still trying to establish he’s available.

The True Test

Portland is gambling on talent, hoping the change of scenery unlocks the Morant who finished second in Rookie of the Year voting and was also an MVP candidate again in 2022.

Now, whether that version still exists is less about location and more about whether the health and decision-making issues that prompted Memphis to move on are really behind him.