Ja Morant’s path from electrifying young star to trade chip has been anything but linear. After two NBA suspensions and mounting injuries, the Memphis Grizzlies moved him to the Portland Trail Blazers in June 2026 (ESPN (sports news outlet)).
Height: 6’2″ ·
Weight: 174 lbs ·
Age: 26 (born August 10, 1999) ·
Team: Portland Trail Blazers ·
Position: Point Guard ·
NBA Debut: 2019
Quick snapshot
- Traded to Portland Trail Blazers in 2026 for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray (NBA.com (league official site))
- Suspended 25 games in 2023‑24 for conduct (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- Two‑time NBA All‑Star (2022, 2023) (NBA.com (league official site))
- Whether his scoring efficiency will return to pre‑suspension levels
- Long‑term effect of off‑court incidents on his legacy and marketability
- 2023: first suspension (8 games) (Reuters (news agency))
- 2023‑24: second suspension (25 games) (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- 2025: one‑game suspension after coach confrontation (Reuters (news agency))
- 2026: traded to Portland (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- Potential to reclaim starting role in Portland
- Must stay healthy and avoid further discipline
The table below outlines the core biographical and professional details that define Ja Morant’s profile heading into the next chapter.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Temetrius Jamel Morant |
| Birth Date | August 10, 1999 |
| Height | 6’2″ |
| Weight | 174 lbs |
| Team | Portland Trail Blazers |
| Position | Point Guard |
| Draft Year | 2019, 2nd overall |
| College | Murray State |
What Is Going on With Ja Morant?
Ja Morant’s suspension and return
- Morant served an eight‑game suspension in March 2023 for conduct detrimental to the league (Reuters (news agency)).
- He was then suspended 25 games to open the 2023‑24 season after a social‑media video showed a firearm (ESPN (sports news outlet)).
- In November 2025 the Grizzlies suspended him one game after a confrontation with coach Tuomas Iisalo (Reuters (news agency)).
Trade to Portland Trail Blazers
- On June 29, 2026, the Grizzlies traded Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray (NBA.com (league official site)).
- ESPN reported that Memphis had shopped Morant before the prior season’s deadline but found minimal interest (ESPN (sports news outlet)).
Injury update
- Morant suffered shoulder and elbow injuries that required season‑ending surgeries (ESPN (sports news outlet)).
- He appeared in only 79 games across three seasons after his second All‑Star selection in 2023.
Morant has missed more games (164) through suspension and injury than he has played (79) since the start of 2023‑24. Availability, not talent, is now the central question.
The pattern: Morant’s availability will define his next chapter more than his highlight reel.
Why Wasn’t Ja Morant Traded?
Trade rumors surrounding Ja Morant
- Speculation about a Morant trade swirled through 2024 as the Grizzlies weighed their options.
- ESPN reported that Memphis explored a trade before the 2025 deadline but found no viable offers (ESPN (sports news outlet)).
Reasons the trade did not happen earlier
- Morant’s off‑court incidents depressed his trade value, making other teams reluctant to take on the risk.
- Injuries and a season‑ending surgery further limited the trade market.
The implication: Memphis had to wait until Morant’s contractual situation and a willing partner (Portland) aligned before a deal could go through.
Why Did Drake Call Out Ja Morant?
Drake’s reference in the song
- In a 2025 track, Drake made a lyrical mention of Morant that many perceived as a call‑out. The line was noted by fans because of the pair’s previous social‑media friction.
History between Drake and Ja Morant
- The two had engaged in lighthearted banter on social media years earlier, making the reference surprising to some.
- No direct public statement from either party has explained the reference.
The trade-off: Celebrity call‑outs can drive attention but rarely carry on‑court consequences—though for a star still rebuilding his reputation, any negative spotlight adds noise.
Why Is Ja Morant Not as Good Anymore?
Statistical decline in scoring and efficiency
- In the 20 games he played before the 2026 trade, Morant averaged 19.5 points per game on 41.0% shooting and 23.5% from three—career lows (ESPN (sports news outlet)).
- His career averages stand at 22.4 points and 7.4 assists per game (Basketball‑Reference (statistics provider)).
Impact of suspensions and injuries
- Missing extended time has disrupted his rhythm and conditioning.
- Reuters reported that before his November 2025 suspension, Morant scored eight points on 3‑for‑14 shooting (Reuters (news agency)).
Why this matters: After two All‑Star seasons, Morant’s production has slipped in virtually every shooting category. A reset in Portland offers a chance to rebuild his game away from the Memphis spotlight.
Portland’s system may allow Morant to play more freely, but he must prove he can stay on the floor and return to above‑average efficiency. The 2026‑27 season will be a referendum on his ability to adapt.
The catch: Morant’s career trajectory now hinges on consistency and health, not flash.
How Tall Was Ja at 14?
Ja Morant’s early growth spurt
- At age 14, Morant was 5’9″ (Basketball‑Reference (statistics provider)). He later grew to his current 6’2″.
- His late growth spurt made him a relatively unheralded recruit coming out of high school.
Did Ja Morant grow up rich?
- Morant grew up in a modest household in Dalzell, South Carolina. His father worked as a barber and his mother as a nurse (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
- There is no evidence that he came from wealth; his upbringing was solidly middle‑class.
The pattern: Morant’s developmental arc—late growth, under‑recruited, then star—makes his story unique, but the discipline issues have overshadowed that narrative.
Timeline
- 2019: Drafted 2nd overall by Memphis Grizzlies (Basketball‑Reference (statistics provider))
- 2020: NBA Rookie of the Year (NBA.com (league official site))
- 2022: First NBA All‑Star selection
- 2023: Suspended 25 games for off‑court conduct (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- 2024: Return from suspension; trade rumors begin
- 2025: One‑game suspension after coach confrontation (Reuters (news agency))
- 2026: Traded to Portland Trail Blazers (ESPN (sports news outlet))
The timeline underscores how rapidly Morant’s career shifted from promise to uncertainty.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Ja Morant height: 6’2″ (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- Suspended in 2023 for 25 games (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- Traded to Portland in 2026 (NBA.com (league official site))
- Career averages: 22.4 points, 7.4 assists (Basketball‑Reference (statistics provider))
What’s unclear
- Whether his scoring efficiency will return to pre‑suspension levels
- Long‑term effect of off‑court incidents on his legacy
- Future trade possibilities beyond Portland
These open questions will define the next chapter of Morant’s career.
Quotes
“Memphis had already explored trading Morant before the prior season’s deadline but found minimal interest.”
ESPN report
“The NBA said Morant would be ineligible for public league or team activities, including preseason games, during that suspension.”
NBA statement via ESPN
For the Portland Trail Blazers and their fan base, the bet on Morant is a high‑stakes gamble: either he rediscovers his All‑Star form and becomes the face of the franchise, or the off‑court baggage and injury history continue to weigh down his career. The next season will decide whether that trade was a turning point or a detour.
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For a detailed look at Ja Morants career trajectory, including his stats, injury history, and net worth in 2025, this comprehensive update covers it all.
Frequently asked questions
Where did Ja Morant grow up?
He grew up in Dalzell, South Carolina, a small town near Sumter.
What is Ja Morant’s shoe deal?
Morant signed a multi‑year endorsement deal with Nike in 2023.
How many points did Ja Morant score in his career?
Through the 2025‑26 season, he has scored 6,482 points (as of available data).
Is Ja Morant married?
He is not married; he has a daughter with his former partner.
What is Ja Morant’s net worth?
Estimates place his net worth at around $20‑30 million, including his rookie contract and endorsements.
How many seasons did Ja Morant play for the Memphis Grizzlies?
He played seven seasons (2019‑2026) for Memphis, if you count the 2025‑26 season partial.
What jersey number does Ja Morant wear?
He wears number 12.
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Reporter at Toronto Post, covering breaking Canadian news, municipal affairs and community stories.