Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman said he expects Ja Morant to bounce back and be successful in Portland after Memphis traded him this summer.
The Memphis Grizzlies traded Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers on June 29, and on Monday, general manager Zach Kleiman said during the team's media day availability that he expects the two-time All-Star to bounce back in Portland.
Memphis received forwards Jerami Grant and Kris Murray in the deal. Morant left with two years remaining on his rookie maximum extension.
The Grizzlies drafted Morant second overall out of Murray State in 2019. He was the 2020 Rookie of the Year, the 2022 Most Improved Player, and a member of the All-NBA Second Team that season, and he averaged 22.4 points across seven seasons in Memphis.
Injuries and suspensions held him to 79 games over his last three seasons. In 2025-26, Morant averaged 19.5 points and 8.1 assists in 20 games before a UCL sprain in his left elbow ended his season. The Grizzlies suspended him for one game in November after a confrontation with Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo following a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN reported.
Kleiman Expects Morant to Bounce Back in Portland
Murray, 25, is set to become a restricted free agent next summer, and Memphis still has decisions to make about where he fits. Kleiman said the organization remains excited about the return while also wishing Morant well in Portland.
"In terms of the return, excited to have Jerami join us and Kris as well," Kleiman said. "Excited to get a look at Kris here. I think there's some things that he could bring to the table that, again, we've got decisions to make, but that could fit the identity and what we're going for. You've got to pick a lane in the NBA …
"I think I was pretty clear, pretty up front of what could be coming transactionally there," Kleiman continued. "Wish Ja nothing but the best. Think he's going to do well in Portland. So we, as I said, in this league, it's important that you pick a lane, have everyone on the same page. That's how you're able to actually achieve something over time. It's what we decided to do. But I think he's going to bounce back and be quite successful there. And we wish him nothing but the best."
Grant, 32, averaged 18.6 points and 3.5 rebounds in 57 games for Portland last season. He is due $34.2 million this season and holds a $36.4 million player option for 2027-28.
The Philadelphia 76ers drafted Grant 39th overall in 2014. Before four seasons with the Trail Blazers, he played for Philadelphia, Oklahoma City, Denver, and Detroit.
Murray, a former Iowa forward and the twin brother of Sacramento's Keegan Murray, averaged 5.8 points and 3.6 rebounds last season.
Grizzlies Have Broken Up Longtime Core
Morant was the third member of the franchise's longtime core traded since June 2025. The Grizzlies sent Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic in June 2025 for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks, and a pick swap.
On Feb. 3, Memphis traded Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar, Jock Landale, and Vince Williams Jr. to the Utah Jazz. Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang, and three future first-round picks came back.
That core won one playoff series in four postseason trips together. The Grizzlies finished 2025-26 at 25-57, 13th in the West.
Kleiman Says New Grizzlies Build Will Focus on Identity
Kleiman has been the first to raise his hand when questioning how that group was built. As Memphis starts another phase, he said creating a clear identity is a priority.
"As I'm my own biggest critic, I think it's important to look back and assess," Kleiman said. "And along the way, I've been the first one to raise my hand. Was that the right way to attack this? Is this the right way to attack that? I think if there's an overarching thing that we focused on coming out of it at this early, initial phase of this new build, it's the focus on identity.
"I think you can't lose sight of being asset focused and trying to build a team that has the requisite level of talent to compete at the highest level," Kleiman added. "But coming out of that build right now, like, let's go out, let's keep a Ty Jerome, let's add an Isaiah Stewart, let's see what a Jerami Grant can add to this group. And let's continue to have that kind of focus. What are the influences that are not just going to set the right tone for these guys, but can contribute as well.
"I think there's a lot of different ways you can win in the NBA nowadays," Kleiman noted. "We're going to keep an open mind to what that looks like, but there's a heavy focus on making sure we have an identity that we think can win at the highest level and can set the right tone as we're getting underway with some guys who are starting this year and some guys who have only been with us for a year or two."
Morant Will Face Grizzlies Early in Season
The Trail Blazers reached the playoffs last season for the first time since 2021.
Memphis visits Portland on Oct. 29, the fifth game of the regular season.
