Sports

What the Ja Morant Trade Means for Every Trail Blazers Player

By Amoye Favour Athlon Sports

Updated July 6, 2026 7:34 PM

The Portland Trail Blazers pulled off one of the biggest trades of the 2026 offseason, sending Jerami Grant, Kris Murray, and cash to the Memphis Grizzlies for two-time All-Star Ja Morant. This Ja Morant trade instantly changes the identity of Portland's roster, and it does not stop with Morant himself. Every guard, forward, and even the head coach now faces a new reality. This piece breaks down what the move means for each Trail Blazer, from stars like Damian Lillard to young players like Scoot Henderson, using real facts and current numbers.

The Trade At A Glance

Portland gets Ja Morant. Memphis gets Jerami Grant, Kris Murray, and cash considerations. No draft picks changed hands at all.
Morant has played just 79 games total over the last three seasons because of injuries and suspensions, a huge risk for any team.
My take: Portland made this move anyway, even with a crowded backcourt, because cheap shots at real star power rarely come along twice.

Ja Morant - A Fresh Start With Real Risk Attached

Ja Morant faces heightened fantasy uncertainty despite proven production within Portland's increasingly crowded backcourt rotation. Petre Thomas-Imagn Images Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Last season, Morant played only 20 games, averaging 19.5 points and 8.1 assists, both well below his peak All-NBA form.
His shooting dropped hard too, hitting a career-low 41.0% from the field and just 23.5% from three point range.
My take: Morant should not be handed the keys right away. With Lillard, Holiday, Henderson, and Sharpe already there, he needs to earn his minutes, not assume them.

Damian Lillard - The Biggest Wild Card on the Roster

Damian Lillard returns from a major Achilles injury facing significant role and workload uncertainty this season. © Soobum Im-Imagn Images © Soobum Im-Imagn Images

Lillard is coming back from a torn Achilles that wiped out his entire 2025-26 season, and he turns 36 in July, which makes a full recovery far from guaranteed.
Adding Morant makes things trickier for Lillard even without health concerns. Both are ball dominant guards who need the rock in their hands, and only one offense can run through a single player at a time.
I expect Lillard to be somewhere between a solid rotation piece and a part time starter this season. Full All-Star form seems unlikely given his age and injury history, but total collapse also seems unlikely given his track record. Fans should brace for something in between, not the extremes on either side.

Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson - The Most Squeezed

Holiday should open the season as the starting point guard while Lillard slowly builds back up from his Achilles injury, giving him early control of the position.
That window will not last long. Once Morant proves healthy, he becomes the clear long term answer at point guard, which pushes Holiday toward a smaller, more defensive focused role off the bench.
Henderson faces the toughest squeeze of all. With Morant, Holiday, and an eventual Lillard all needing guard minutes, his path to real point guard reps shrinks fast.
My take: Henderson becomes the most realistic trade or buy-low candidate on the roster. Portland already has more proven guards than available minutes, and Henderson's long term fit now looks uncertain.

Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija - Largely Unaffected

Deni Avdija remains Portland's most stable fantasy asset despite sweeping changes surrounding the backcourt rotation. © Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images © Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Avdija is Portland's clear top offensive option. He just posted a career year with 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game, and the Morant trade does not affect his role or his touches.
Sharpe operates as more of an off-ball scoring wing rather than a true point guard, so the new backcourt crowd should not hurt him much. Still, in a deeper rotation, his minutes could tighten slightly on nights when the coaching staff wants more ball movement from Morant and Holiday together.
My take is that Avdija's ADP should barely move at all. His usage, shot volume, and role stay fully intact no matter who Portland adds at guard, so drafting him should feel just as safe as it did last season.

Redraft Rankings Impact

Morant should be drafted several rounds later than his talent alone suggests. His crowded backcourt and shaky recent health make him a boom or bust pick, not an early round lock.
Lillard needs patience too. Coming off a torn Achilles, he likely slides outside the range fantasy managers remember from his prime scoring seasons.
Holiday and Henderson both drop in value due to the sheer number of guards fighting for the same minutes.
Avdija and Sharpe hold steady, with little change expected to either player's draft slot.
Actual 2026-27 ADP numbers are not out yet since free agency just wrapped, so treat this as directional guidance and check final expert consensus rankings closer to draft day.
My take is that Avdija is the best value on the board. He carries a locked-in role, proven All-Star production, and zero exposure to Portland's crowded backcourt, which makes him a safer bet than any guard on this roster.

How It All Shakes Out

The Ja Morant trade affects almost every corner of Portland's roster, but the picture becomes clear once you sort through the numbers. Avdija remains the safest fantasy asset on the team, with a locked-in role and All-Star production that no trade can touch. Holiday and Henderson carry the most downside, since both now compete for shrinking minutes in a stacked backcourt. Morant and Lillard sit on the opposite end, high variance bets whose value depends entirely on health and how quickly they carve out clear roles. For draft prep that keeps up with every roster change this offseason, keep checking Athlon's ongoing 2026-27 fantasy basketball draft coverage.

Questions About the Ja Morant Trade, Answered

What did the Trail Blazers give up for Ja Morant?

The Trail Blazers acquired Ja Morant by sending Jerami Grant, Kris Murray, and cash considerations to the Memphis Grizzlies. No draft picks were included in the transaction, making it a player-focused deal that immediately reshapes Portland's roster.

Who is hurt most in fantasy basketball by the Ja Morant trade?

Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson appear to lose the most fantasy value because both now compete directly with Morant for point guard minutes. With Damian Lillard also returning from injury, the competition for backcourt playing time becomes even tighter.

Is Damian Lillard still a fantasy basketball option after his Achilles injury?

Yes, but he carries significant uncertainty. Lillard is returning from a torn Achilles that cost him the entire 2025-26 season, and Morant's arrival further complicates his offensive role, making him a high-variance fantasy selection.

Does the Ja Morant trade affect Deni Avdija's fantasy value?

Not significantly. Avdija remains Portland's top offensive option, and his usage, touches, and role are presented as largely unchanged despite the addition of another high-profile guard.

This story was originally published July 6, 2026 at 7:27 PM.