Trail Blazers Finally Land Their Star in Blockbuster Ja Morant Trade

Since being eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs in the opening round of the 2026 NBA postseason, the Portland Trail Blazers have been star hunting. 

They checked back in on Giannis Antetokounmpo — who Portland pursued at February's trade deadline — before the "Greek Freak" landed with the Miami Heat. The Blazers then shifted focus to LaMelo Ball until he was moved to the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

As far as we know, Portland is still in the mix for Jaylen Brown. But in the meantime, Rip City opted to take a chance on Ja Morant, banking on his superstar upside for a low cost. 

Morant joins a Blazers backcourt that already features Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday and former lottery selections Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. Insider Chris Haynes took to X to reveal that Portland sees Morant and Lillard as the starting backcourt duo, relegating Holiday, Henderson and Sharpe to the bench. 

The Blazers were believed to be after Anthony Davis in some capacity after Antetokounmpo was dealt, but that is likely no longer the case now that the Golden State Warriors are hot on the veteran big man's trail. 

But that doesn't mean Portland is done dealing. 

The Blazers would have to find a way to make the salaries work, but now that Morant is in town, Holiday, Henderson and Sharpe may all be available in a potential Brown deal. 

Holiday helped guide the Celtics to a title in 2024, and Henderson and Sharpe are each young guards who have yet to reach their full potential. It'd be interesting to see if Cronin were to offer all three plus future draft capital to Boston president Brad Stevens; would the Celtics ease their reported asking price of four first-rounders in exchange for Brown? 

Portland would have to beat out the other suitors around the league, but this Morant trade seems to be a precursor to another potential blockbuster. 

And remember, since the Blazers weren't included in the Antetokounmpo deal whatsoever, they still possess pick swaps with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2028 and 2030 — each of which could carry immense value depending on the route the Bucks decide to take next. 

Portland had tons of flexibility before the Morant trade. Now that its added a former All-Star and All-NBA guard to an already crowded backcourt, keep an eye on some of the Blazers' young talent to be moved in another transaction for a big name.