Memphis trade Ja Morant: new home is Portland

With the NBA summer in full swing, a major trade has gone through. The Memphis Grizzlies have sent their star player Ja Morant, long the face of the franchise, to the Portland Trail Blazers. As part of the deal, Memphis bring in Jerami Grant and Kris Murray.

With this move, both Memphis and Portland have made a fundamental change to their plans for the new season. On the Portland side, the standout point is the projected starting lineup; the team is reportedly envisioning a backcourt of Damian Lillard and Ja Morant alongside Deni Avdija on the wing. Described as quite unconventional, the plan is being put in place on the belief that it carries upside for the franchise.

For Ja Morant, this transfer marks a fresh start in his career. The young player, who has a long history with Memphis and became one of the team's most important names, will now be part of a different project in the Western Conference. Memphis, for their part, aim to add experience and depth to their rotation with Jerami Grant and Kris Murray.

The trade is expected to directly affect both teams' roster balance. How Portland's new backcourt translates on the court will be one of the most intriguing storylines of the season. Coming right before the start of free agency, this move also signals the activity expected across the NBA this summer. The additional steps both clubs take in the coming period will reveal the trade's true impact more clearly.

Image: Sky Sports