The NBA offseason is off to a blazing start with multiple big-name players heading to new homes.
Rising star point guard LaMelo Ball was moved to Minnesota for Naz Reid, a 2033 first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps, and three second-round picks. The LA Clippers have finally ended the Kawhi Leonard experiment after dealing the oft-injured former Finals MVP back to Toronto for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks (2031, 2033), a 2027 pick swap and two future second-round picks.
The moves aren't stopping any time soon, and a former Hawkeye star was right in the middle of one of the biggest moves we've seen so far.
Kris Murray is heading to Memphis after being included in a deal for Ja Morant
One of Iowa's first-round picks from the last five years was involved in a blockbuster trade for star guard Ja Morant, and is now getting a chance for a fresh start in Memphis.
BREAKING: The Memphis Grizzlies are trading two-time NBA All-Star Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/FJOTzGe5Tr
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2026
According to ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania, the Grizzlies are finally moving on from Ja Morant after drafting him No. 2 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft. Memphis is reportedly sending Morant to Portland for Jerami Grant and former Hawkeye Kris Murray, effectively ending the star point guard's troubled time in Memphis.
Morant made a name for himself during the 2019 NCAA Tournament with Murray State, prompting the Grizzlies to make him a high first-round pick. He breathed fresh air into a franchise that had been scuffling for years since the mid-2000s with Marc Gasol, Tony Allen, and Mike Conley, but it went south after a few years.
Morant was repeatedly suspended for conduct issues and was rarely healthy in his final few years in Memphis due to a variety of major injuries. Memphis has been rumored to be actively shopping Morant for a while and has finally made a move. For Kris Murray, this is a great opportunity for a fresh start with a new franchise that is entering rebuild mode.
Murray can immediately help the new-look Grizzlies roster
After dealing Morant to Portland, the window has temporarily closed for the Grizzlies as the organization shifts its focus to rebuilding around potential star Cameron Boozer. Memphis selected Boozer with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and is fully investing in the former Duke star. With Zach Edey returning from a season-ending injury and breakout Cleveland star Ty Jerome and Jerami Grant on board, the Grizzlies have a young core to build around.
Murray's best season was during his rookie year in 2023-2024, and he has not replicated that success. He started 29 games that season for the Trail Blazers and fell out of the rotation until having a resurgence near the end of last season. Now with a new organization, he can prove why he was a first-round draft pick on a rebuilding squad.
He will likely have to fight for reserve minutes behind Boozer and Grant, competing with Santi Aldama and recent draft pick Richie Saunders for forward minutes, but he has a clearer path to playing time than he did with the Blazers. Hopefully, Murray can carve out a role as a three-and-D wing and someone who can provide a spark off the bench.
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