Former Grizzlies center Joakim Noah believes Portland could give Ja Morant the fresh start he needs, with Damian Lillard providing veteran leadership.
Joakim Noah, who spent the 2018-19 season with the Memphis Grizzlies, said Ja Morant landed in the right place when Memphis traded him to the Portland Trail Blazers in late June. Noah made the comments on The Man On Show.
The two-time All-Star and 2014 Defensive Player of the Year never played with Morant. Memphis drafted Morant second overall in 2019, after Noah's one season with the franchise had ended.
Noah said he hopes Morant can be a top-10 player in the league again.
"You're young, you might make some mistakes, but you got to bounce back," Noah said. "Just some new scenery … sometimes, it makes all the difference."
"I'm happy that he is in Portland," Noah continued. "I think Dame is there as well … so he has some veteran leadership at the point guard position, somebody who can be in his ear and help him out on the things he's been going through."
Ja Morant Gets Fresh Start in Portland
Memphis sent Morant and $1 million in cash to Portland for forwards Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. No draft picks were involved.
Morant has two years and roughly $87 million remaining on the five-year, $197.23 million extension he signed with the Grizzlies in July 2022. The deal runs through the 2027-28 season.
Through 20 games last season, Morant averaged 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 8.1 assists in 28.5 minutes. He shot a career-low 41.0% from the field and 23.5% from 3 on 4.2 attempts per game.
Memphis shut him down on March 24 after a platelet-rich plasma injection to treat a UCL sprain in his left elbow.
Earlier in the season, on Nov. 1, the Grizzlies suspended Morant one game for conduct detrimental to the team. Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo had challenged Morant's leadership and effort in front of the team after a 117-112 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers the night before.
Morant scored eight points on 3-of-14 shooting in the loss. He told reporters afterward to ask the coaching staff about his performance. He served the suspension in Toronto.
Oklahoma City swept Memphis in the first round of the 2025 playoffs. Desmond Bane went to the Orlando Magic that offseason. Memphis traded Jaren Jackson Jr. after that.
Morant eventually followed them out.
Damian Lillard Could Help Ja Morant in Portland
Portland already had Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson, and Shaedon Sharpe in the backcourt.
Morant makes five.
Lillard tore his left Achilles tendon on April 27, 2025, in Game 4 of Milwaukee's first-round series against the Indiana Pacers. He underwent surgery May 2.
The Milwaukee Bucks waived him that summer, and he signed a three-year deal to return to Portland. He turned 36 in July and has not played since the injury.
That's the veteran Noah believes could help Morant.
Holiday has drawn trade and buyout speculation since the Morant deal. Portland isn't buying him out and has told teams it wants to keep him.
Portland acquired Holiday from the Boston Celtics for Anfernee Simons in 2025.
The Trail Blazers hired Micah Nori on June 23, a week after the Chicago Bulls hired Portland interim coach Tiago Splitter. Nori had spent the previous five seasons as an assistant to Timberwolves coach Chris Finch.
Under Splitter, Portland lost to the San Antonio Spurs in five games in the first round last season. It was the franchise's first playoff trip since 2021.
Nori's contract covers one guaranteed year with team options for each of the next two seasons.
Now he'll be tasked with sorting through a crowded backcourt and helping Morant begin the next chapter of his career.
