Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has been traded to the Portland Trail Blazers for forwards Jerami Grant and Kris Murray.
Brandon Dill | AP file photo
Ja Morant is headed to Portland, after the Trail Blazers and Memphis agreed on a trade Monday that sees the Grizzlies starting anew and gives the two-time All-Star a chance to revive his career, a person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press.
Portland is sending forwards Jerami Grant and Kris Murray to the Grizzlies as part of the deal, said the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the trade has not gotten the required league approvals.
ESPN first reported the agreement.
It’s a big swing by the Trail Blazers and could suggest Portland — with new owner Tom Dundon, whose Carolina Hurricanes just won the Stanley Cup — might not be done making moves. Morant adds to a logjam at point guard right now for Portland, with Jrue Holiday, Damian Lillard and Scoot Henderson also on the current roster.
Morant has averaged 22.4 points for his career but has played only 79 games over the last three seasons because of injuries and suspensions — including a 25-game banishment after he was seen on a livestream holding a gun while he was in the passenger seat of a vehicle. That came not long after an eight-game suspension for flashing a gun in a Denver-area nightclub, also captured on social media.
The suspensions, combined, cost Morant — who was Rookie of the Year after being the No. 2 selection in the 2019 draft, as well as the league’s Most Improved Player in 2021-22 when he appeared to be on a path toward superstardom — about $9 million in lost salary. He said in April 2025 that he’s made his peace with being a lightning rod for constant criticism.
“I’m kind of used to it,” Morant said at that time. “I was pretty much a villain for two years now. Every little thing, if somebody can say something negative about me, it’s going to be out there. So, yeah. I don’t care no more.”
Grant averaged 18.6 points last season for Portland and will be joining his sixth team by going to Memphis. Murray averaged 5.8 points per game this past season for the Trail Blazers.
Morant’s MIP-award year in 2021-22 saw Memphis win 56 games, tying a franchise record. That team was built around a young core four — Morant, Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane.
And now, they’re all gone. Brooks played only one more season with the Grizzlies after that and has changed teams twice since, Bane went to Orlando last summer and Jackson was traded to Utah in February.
Shamet staying with Knicks on four-year deal
NEW YORK — Landry Shamet is returning to the New York Knicks with a four-year deal worth $24 million, a person with knowledge of the details said Monday.
Shamet was a key contributor to the Knicks with his outside shooting and defense, and the NBA champions have an agreement to keep him long term, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity since there was no announcement of the new contract.
Shamet signed late last offseason and became a trusted member of coach Mike Brown’s rotation. He made the tying 3-pointer when the Knicks rallied from a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat Cleveland in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, going on to hit 11 of 12 from behind the arc in that series.
The guard shot 47.5% on 3s in the postseason.
He is the second key reserve the Knicks have committed to keep following a multiyear deal for Jose Alvarado. Backup center Mitchell Robinson will also be a free agent.
Champagnie, Spurs agree to three-year contract
The San Antonio Spurs signed starting forward Julian Champagnie to a new three-year, $45 million contract on Monday, securing a key piece of the core that led the club to the NBA Finals this season.
The compensation was confirmed by a person familiar with the deal who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the terms have not been released. The Spurs declined their $3 million option on Champagnie left from the contract he signed with them in 2023 to create some future salary cap flexibility and reward a player who has flourished in their system after arriving as a waiver claim.
Undrafted out of St. John’s in 2022, the 6-foot-7, 215-pound Champagnie signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers and was let go after appearing in only two NBA games. He finished his rookie year with the Spurs and became a starter in 2023-24. Champagnie played in all 82 regular season games in 2024-25 and 2025-26, improving each year in almost every statistical category. His streak of 185 consecutive regular-season games played is the second-longest active streak in the league.
Champagnie averaged 11.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists for the Western Conference champion Spurs last season while shooting 38.1% from 3-point range. He set the franchise single-season record with 195 made 3-pointers — and the single-game record with 11 against the New York Knicks on Dec. 31. Champagnie had a career-high 36 points in that game while setting the NBA record for made 3-pointers by an undrafted player and also became the first player in league history to score at least 36 points without attempting a two-point field goal.
The 25-year-old native of New York contributed valuable floor spacing, hustle and leadership from his spot on the wing for the Spurs over 23 playoffs games while shooting nearly 40% from 3-point range.
Champagnie’s twin brother, Justin Champagnie, also went undrafted out of Pittsburgh and has played for three NBA teams, including the past three seasons with the Washington Wizards.
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