High-Profile Trade Sends Star Ja Morant to Portland
The Memphis Grizzlies have traded star guard Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers. In return, Memphis received Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. This trade signals a new direction for the Grizzlies, who have now parted ways with all three of their former main stars following disappointing playoff results. Memphis is now focused on rebuilding around rookie Cameron Boozer. Meanwhile, Morant joins a young Portland team that already has several top guards, hoping to restart his career after facing multiple injuries and suspensions in recent years.
According to sports journalists, the Memphis Grizzlies have agreed to send their guard, Ja Morant, to the Trail Blazers in Portland. In exchange for the twice-selected All-Star, Memphis will receive young player Kris Murray and forward Jerami Grant. This massive deal marks the complete dismantling of the team that Memphis previously hoped would lead them to a championship.
Following a disappointing sweep by Oklahoma City during the 2025 postseason, the franchise decided to reconstruct its roster. Consequently, management traded their three primary stars, including Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. Although the former core was highly regarded, they managed to win only a single playoff series during their four appearances together. Now, the team is building around Cameron Boozer, who was selected as the third overall pick in the recent 2026 draft.
Meanwhile, Portland acquires a 26-year-old star who has faced significant challenges recently. Due to various injuries and multiple suspensions, Morant appeared in just 79 matchups during a three-year span. For example, he was suspended twice in 2023 for showing a gun on social media. Additionally, he was suspended last season after a heated disagreement with head coach Tuomas Iisalo. If Morant had stayed healthy and avoided off-court trouble, his career might have progressed much more smoothly.
In Portland, Morant joins a rising squad led by Deni Avdija, which recently broke a postseason drought. Nevertheless, the guard joins a packed roster of players at his position, including experienced players like Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday. Financially, Morant has two seasons left on his contract extension, which will pay him roughly 87 million dollars. In contrast, the 32-year-old Grant is entering the final year of his agreement before a player option in 2027. Meanwhile, Murray is scheduled to become a restricted free agent after the upcoming season.
Take a position. Out loud, if you can.
Four ways to start. Pick one and try saying it before you scroll on.
Tip · Record yourself, use in a notebook, or practice with a language partner.
Which players did the Memphis Grizzlies acquire in exchange for Ja Morant?
Third Conditional
The third conditional is used to talk about imaginary situations in the past and their hypothetical results. It is formed using 'if' + past perfect, and 'would/might/could' + have + past participle.
“If Morant had stayed healthy and avoided off-court trouble, his career might have progressed much more smoothly.”
What to know · B2
Try saying this aloud
Scenario: Discussing big changes or restructuring within a business team or sports club with colleagues.
- 01“complete dismantling of the team”
- 02“reconstruct its roster”
- 03“a heated disagreement”
Register tip · informal
🔑Key Phrases
Useful for introducing information from a source in formal or journalistic contexts.
According to sports journalists, the coach will resign tomorrow.
Helps describe a situation where a group or organization is completely broken up to start over.
The new manager ordered the complete dismantling of the department.
A formal way to talk about changing the composition of a team or staff.
The company needs to reconstruct its roster of consultants.
Used to describe a strong conflict of opinions, especially in professional settings.
The meeting ended early after a heated disagreement between the directors.
A common sports idiom describing a team qualifying for the playoffs after many years of failing to do so.
With their victory last night, the team finally broke a postseason drought.
💬Discussion Questions
Open-ended questions to talk or write about — alone, with a partner, or in class.
- 1
Do you think trading away all franchise cornerstones is a good strategy for a team's long-term success?
Opinion - 2
How should sports organizations balance a player's athletic talent with their off-court behavior?
Evaluate
Adapted from ESPN · Read the original. LectoPress rewrites the facts as original graded-reader text for language learners.
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