Ja Morant Eyes Clean Slate With Trail Blazers
ja-morant-eyes-clean-slate-with-trail-blazers
LAS VEGAS — Ja Morant says a move to the Pacific Northwest represents a chance to repair a reputation he believes was unfairly tarnished in Memphis. Speaking Saturday to reporters at the NBA Summer League, the two-time All-Star called his trade to the Portland Trail Blazers “a fresh start.”
“My image, that I’m a bad guy, is what I’d like cleared up,” Morant said, adding, “I’ve done what I’ve done in the past, but it’s been addressed and handled. If I were that guy, you wouldn’t be talking to me now.”
The 25-year-old guard was dealt in late June after the Grizzlies spent months seeking a trade partner willing to absorb the two years and more than $87 million left on his contract. Memphis received forward Jerami Grant and swingman Kris Murray in the exchange.
Suspensions, injuries stalled Memphis rise
Morant averaged 26.2 points in 2021-22 and 26.0 in 2022-23 while leading a young Grizzlies squad that appeared on the brink of contention. That trajectory shifted in March 2023, when the NBA suspended him eight games for displaying a firearm on Instagram Live. A 25-game ban opened the following season, and injuries limited him to just 20 appearances in 2025-26, leaving him with 79 games played over three years.
Ready for new role in Portland
Now healthy, Morant said his body “feels great” and that he is eager to line up alongside Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday and Deni Avdija. “They’ll unlock new parts of my game, and I’ll do the same for them,” he noted, adding that he is open to coming off the bench if head coach Chauncey Billups asks.
No hard feelings toward Memphis
Morant called the Bluff City “home” and said he remains close with former teammates. “It was all love,” he said of the reaction to his exit. “Some fans might say bad things about me, but I see it as tough love from family.”
The Trail Blazers will open training camp in late September, when Morant begins the on-court portion of his attempted reboot.
Source: HoopsRumors
