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    Report: Grizzlies trade Ja Morant to Trail Blazers

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    ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that the Grizzlies have traded Ja Morant to the Trail Blazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray.

    The second overall pick in the 2019 draft, Morant’s time in Memphis has come to an end. While there were certainly high points, most notably his winning Rookie of the Year in 2020 and making two All-Star teams, the inability to stay healthy and off-court issues ultimately led the Grizzlies to seek a way to move on. Morant appeared in 20 games last season, averaging 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 8.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 three-pointers. With the Trail Blazers having Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday on the roster, it’s fair to wonder if this will be Morant’s final destination. He’ll likely need a move to a third team to protect his fantasy ceiling in 2026-27.
Morant trade is a 'complete reset' for Grizzlies
Grant Liffmann discusses the Ja Morant trade and how it will impact the Memphis Grizzlies' culture and the Portland Trail Blazers' backcourt.

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  • MEM Guard #12
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    Appearing on ESPN Radio, Windhorst described Morant as “flagrantly available” in trade talks. The Grizzlies are determined to move Morant, who Windhorst says he can’t see playing for the organization again. Memphis has had difficulty finding a trade partner at the moment due to the two seasons left on Morant’s contract, which is viewed as a negative. At this point, the Grizzlies will likely have to take on a bad contract to move Morant.
  • MEM Guard #12
    Morant received a PRP injection to help with his recovery and is expected to make a fill recovery ahead of next season. He hasn’t played since Jan. 21, so this update isn’t surprising. Ty Jerome, Cam Spencer, Walter Clayton Jr. and Javon Small will continue to fill out the point guard minutes for the rest of the year.
  • MEM Guard #12
    This has Morant being re-evaluated around March 19, which means he will miss at least two months with this injury. There is a chance he returns shortly after, but this could be nearing the end of the fantasy playoffs in many leagues. Memphis still has plenty of depth at point guard, with Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen Jr., Cam Spencer and Walter Clayton Jr. also playing large roles with Morant out.
  • MEM Guard #12
    Morant last appeared in a game on January 21, and the Grizzlies announced on Wednesday that he will be out at least two more weeks before being re-evaluated. The point guard is still dealing with discomfort in his left elbow, which is why he needs more rehab time. With Morant down, the Grizzlies will continue to rely on Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen Jr. and Cam Spencer to handle the playmaking responsibilities. Jerome offers the highest fantasy ceiling of the three.
  • MEM Guard #24
    Spencer didn’t bring much to the table as a scorer on Monday, but he had the most productive night of his NBA career in the assist category. The second-year guard’s 14 assists were a career-high, and he committed just three turnovers. Spencer isn’t going to offer the scoring that Ja Morant brings to the table, but he is worth rostering as long as the Grizzlies’ starting point guard is out. Rostered in 30 percent of Yahoo! leagues, Spencer has been a seventh-round player over the past two weeks.
  • MEM Guard #12
    Morant suffered a UCL sprain in his left (non-shooting) elbow during Wednesday’s loss to the Hawks. The injury is expected to sideline the 26-year-old point guard for at least the next three weeks, at which point he’ll be reevaluated. Cam Spencer started in Morant’s place Friday and had 21 points and 11 assists, making him a legitimate fantasy option while Morant is out.
  • MEM Guard-Forward #2
    Iisalo also said Jerome needs to “build up over the next week or two,” but he is “very close.” Jerome has yet to make his debut for Memphis after injuring his calf in the preseason finale. He still may not return until closer to the All-Star break, but he will eventually fill out some of the backcourt minutes for the Grizzlies. However, it seems likely that Ja Morant will remain with Memphis for the rest of the season, so there isn’t much upside for Jerome unless there is an injury in front of him.
  • MEM Guard #12
    Due to a sprained UCL in his left (non-shooting) elbow, Morant will not play on Friday. Cam Spencer is the most likely replacement in the starting lineup, but there have been times when Vince Williams Jr. received the nod instead. Regardless of who head coach Tuomas Iisalo decides to go with, Spencer offers a considerably higher fantasy upside.
  • MEM Guard #12
    Playing stateside for the first time since January 2, Morant finished Wednesday’s defeat with his third double-double in as many appearances and eighth of the season. The Grizzlies’ point guard had a chance to win the game in the final seconds, but his three-point attempt missed the mark. Morant did commit five turnovers, but that was the lone negative. Overall, he’s been very good in his first two games back from injury, a positive development for those who have Morant rostered.
  • MEM Guard #12
    Morant returned from a six-game injury and looked no worse for wear as he went off for 20 points, 10 dimes and four boards in the first half. Memphis cruised to victory in this one, and Morant could have had an even bigger night had this one been more competitive. The Grizzlies will travel home from their European road trip, and won’t play again until Wednesday. Morant’s status moving forward will remain in question as he’s been forced to miss significant time and his name is still on the trade block, but this was good to see for fantasy managers.

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    Sam Amick of The Athletic reports that Jalen Duren will meet with the Lakers via telephone on Tuesday as free agency begins.

    Not long after it was reported that Duren would meet with the Kings, who hope to arrange a sign-and-trade with the Pistons, he will also meet with another Pacific Division team. The Lakers are seeking a starting center, as they look to upgrade the position after receiving underwhelming production from Deandre Ayton last season. Given their current salary cap situation, the Lakers would likely be in a position where re-signing LeBron James would be unrealistic if they signed Duren.
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    ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that the Spurs and Harrison Barnes have agreed to a one-year deal worth $8 million.

    After beginning the 2025-26 season as a starter, Barnes fell out of the starting lineup just before the All-Star break, making just three starts the rest of the season. The veteran forward did not offer great fantasy value as a starter, and the situation became even more dire once he hit the bench. Barnes’ return gives San Antonio another experienced option to call upon in the frontcourt, but he’s unlikely to get the opportunities needed to affect fantasy basketball.
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    ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that the Warriors and Kristaps Porziņǵis have agreed to a two-year, $40 million contract.

    Acquired from the Hawks at the trade deadline, injuries and a lingering illness limited Porziņǵis to 15 appearances for the Warriors last season. The veteran center played just 32 games overall, averaging 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.7 three-pointers in 24.0 minutes. Porziņǵis’ contract includes a player option for the second season. While he’s certainly capable of being a highly impactful option for fantasy managers when available, injuries have been a major concern for Porziņǵis in recent seasons.
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    NBA insider Chris Haynes reports that Jalen Duren will meet with the Kings at the start of free agency with the intention of working out a sign-and-trade to leave Detroit.

    For quite some time now, it has been believed that Duren and the Pistons were far apart in their negotiations on a new deal. While the 2026 All-Star struggled during the postseason, Monday’s report is shocking. Not only will Duren meet with the Kings at the beginning of free agency, but he’ll do so to work out a sign-and-trade with the Pistons. According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Kings plan to offer Domantas Sabonis to the Pistons to get a deal done. Of course, Detroit can always refuse to do so, especially if they decide to simply match whatever offer sheet Duren signs. If Duren were to move on, that would put the Pistons in the market for a new starting center, which could affect the market for a player like New York’s Mitchell Robinson.
  • DET Guard-Forward #27
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    ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that the Pistons and Kevin Huerter have agreed to a three-year, $27 million contract.

    Acquired from the Bulls at the February trade deadline, Huerter missed nine of the Pistons’ final 10 games of the postseason with a strained adductor. When he was available, he averaged 8.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 three-pointers in 20.3 minutes per game with the Pistons. Huerter’s production wasn’t great, but the Pistons are likely betting that a return to full strength and a better understanding of the team’s system will pay dividends next season.
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    ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that the Jazz and Jusuf Nurkić have agreed to a two-year, $22 million contract.

    While he appeared in just 41 games last season, Nurkić fit well within Jazz head coach Will Hardy’s system when available. The veteran center averaged 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game, shooting 50.3 percent from the field. How impactful he’ll be next season depends on what happens with Walker Kessler, who is a restricted free agent. If Kessler returns, Nurkić will come off the bench, which lowers his fantasy ceiling.
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    ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that the Spurs and Julian Champagnie have agreed to a three-year, $45 million contract.

    Instead of simply exercising his option worth $3 million, the Spurs have rewarded Champagnie handsomely with a new contract. Appearing in all 82 regular-season games, starting 68, the 6-foot-7 wing averaged 11.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.4 three-pointers, shooting 43.7 percent from the field and 84.4 percent from the foul line. While the Spurs did add more size via the draft, selecting Jayden Quaintance and Tarris Reed Jr., Champagnie should still figure prominently in the team’s rotation next season.
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    ESPN’s Shams Charania reports the Thunder have exercised Luguentz Dort’s option for the 2026-27 season.

    Dort entered the offseason with a team option worth $17.7 million, and there were questions about whether his time in Oklahoma City would come to an end. That’s still a possibility, but the Thunder’s ability to move Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe via trade may bode well for Dort and his chances of remaining with the only NBA franchise he’s played for. Due to the limited offensive production, his fantasy ceiling has been limited, and that may not change next season, especially if Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain play more minutes.
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    The Athletic’s James Edwards III reports that the Knicks and Landry Shamet have agreed to a four-year deal worth $24 million.

    While there were reports that multiple teams had interest in offering Shamet a deal when free agency opens on Tuesday night, he’s decided to remain in New York. He’ll receive an average of $6 million per year, which leaves the front office some room to work with as they look to follow owner James Dolan’s directive to avoid the second apron. Shamet was not a consistently impactful fantasy option, but he came up big for the Knicks when they needed him most, including shooting 11-of-12 from three in the Eastern Conference Finals.
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    ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that the Hawks have declined Jonathan Kuminga’s option for the 2026-27 season.

    With Kuminga’s $24.33 million option, it’s unsurprising the Hawks declined to exercise it. According to multiple reports, the front office attempted to find a trade partner but failed, leading to this transaction. Acquired from the Warriors, Kuminga appeared in 16 games for Atlanta, averaging 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.1 three-pointers in 22.1 minutes. While he had his moments of fantasy relevance, especially with the Warriors, Kuminga likely needs to land in a position where he’ll be featured to be worth the risk in most drafts.