Yang Hansen's new teammate has arrived! The Trail Blazers and Grizzlies complete a 2-for-1 trade, sending Morant to Portland.

Per Shams on June 30, Beijing time, the Grizzlies dealt two-time All-Star Ja Morant to Portland in exchange for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. Yang Hansen gains a new teammate as a result.

Standing 1.88 meters tall, Morant is a point guard who was the second pick in 2019, the Grizzlies' longtime franchise player, and a two-time All-Star. He won Rookie of the Year, earned Most Improved Player honors in 2021-22, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team. His career averages are 22.4 points and 7.4 assists per game. His explosive drives, rapid changes of speed and direction, and exceptional court vision are his trademarks, making him one of the league's elite playmakers. He once led Memphis to perennial contention in the West. In the 25-26 season, he posted 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 8.1 assists, but inconsistent three-point shooting, recurring injuries, and off-court issues prompted a rebuild. Now traded to Portland, he will become the new backcourt anchor, reshaping the Blazers' offense with his dynamic ability to attack the basket.

Grant is a 2.01-meter forward selected 39th overall in the second round of 2014. With 11 years of NBA experience across seven franchises, he now joins Memphis. In the 25-26 season, he averaged 18.6 points and 3.5 rebounds. He offers two-way balance, combining reliable mid-range and three-point shooting with elite one-on-one defense. He can create his own shot in isolation or lock down the opponent's top perimeter scorer, having once carried Detroit's offense. His mature game, steady professionalism, and versatility in both on-ball and off-ball roles make him an ideal fit to fill the scoring and defensive gap left by Morant. He can serve as a consistent second scoring option, complement Memphis's interior defensive system, and address the forward position's weaknesses.

Murray is a young Portland forward selected 23rd overall in the first round of 2023. In college, he was the leading scorer at Iowa State, boasting a strong frame and physical style while primarily playing the 3 and 4 positions. Shooting is his key strength, with steady spot-up three-point efficiency and a knack for moving without the ball to catch and fire. He also excels at boxing out and crashing the boards for rebounds. As a promising young talent with good athleticism and significant room for growth, he will be developed long-term in Memphis to build a younger roster. He can relieve some of Grant's perimeter scoring load, add depth to the wing, and provide youthful firepower for the rebuild, addressing the team's long-standing lack of a quality young shooting forward.