Deadspin | Nolan Gorman’s big blast offsets 3 Astros homers as Cards take opener Apr 17, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Pedro Pages (43) runs to first base on a hit during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Nolan Gorman clubbed a three-run home run in the top of the seventh inning to give the St. Louis Cardinals plenty of breathing room as they claimed a 9-4 win in the opener of a three-game interleague series against the Astros in Houston on Friday. Gorman smacked his third homer of the season 353 feet to right field to break open a nip-and-tuck affair. He plated Alec Burleson and Jordan Walker by turning on an inside fastball from scuffling Astros reliever Bryan Abreu while countering the three solo homers the Astros hit to climb back into contention. Cardinals right-hander Kyle Leahy (2-2) surrendered all three homers but was otherwise effective. He allowed five hits and did not issue a walk while recording six strikeouts across five innings. Leahy stranded Yordan Alvarez in the bottom of the first and left the bases loaded in the fourth when he struck out Christian Vazquez and pinch-hitter Isaac Paredes in succession. The Cardinals spotted Leahy a 3-0 lead before the Astros rallied. JJ Wetherholt, Burleson and Walker all singled in the first off Houston right-hander Peter Lambert (0-1), the fourth consecutive pitcher making his first start for the Astros’ injury-marred rotation. Walker plated Wetherholt with his single to center for a 1-0 lead, an advantage the Cardinals upped in the third when Masyn Winn roped a two-run single that plated Wetherholt and Ivan Herrera. Lambert loaded the bases with no outs in the third before nearly escaping unscathed. He struck out Walker and Gorman and had two strikes against Winn, but could not hold the deficit to one. Lambert allowed four runs on seven hits and one walk with eight strikeouts over five innings, with Herrera delivering an RBI single in the fourth that scored Pedro Pages for a 4-2 lead. Vazquez and Alvarez smacked homers off Leahy in the third, with Vazquez leading off that frame with his second home run of the season before Alvarez added his eighth three batters later. Jose Altuve led off the fifth with his third homer to shave the deficit to 4-3. But after Gorman provided the Cardinals some cushion, Herrera socked a two-run homer that scored Wetherholt in the eighth. Wetherhold scored three runs; Gorman and Herrera had three RBIs apiece. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Nolan #Gormans #big #blast #offsets #Astros #homers #Cards #opener

Deadspin | Nolan Gorman’s big blast offsets 3 Astros homers as Cards take opener
Apr 17, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Pedro Pages (43) runs to first base on a hit during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Nolan Gorman clubbed a three-run home run in the top of the seventh inning to give the St. Louis Cardinals plenty of breathing room as they claimed a 9-4 win in the opener of a three-game interleague series against the Astros in Houston on Friday.

Gorman smacked his third homer of the season 353 feet to right field to break open a nip-and-tuck affair. He plated Alec Burleson and Jordan Walker by turning on an inside fastball from scuffling Astros reliever Bryan Abreu while countering the three solo homers the Astros hit to climb back into contention.

Cardinals right-hander Kyle Leahy (2-2) surrendered all three homers but was otherwise effective. He allowed five hits and did not issue a walk while recording six strikeouts across five innings. Leahy stranded Yordan Alvarez in the bottom of the first and left the bases loaded in the fourth when he struck out Christian Vazquez and pinch-hitter Isaac Paredes in succession.

The Cardinals spotted Leahy a 3-0 lead before the Astros rallied.

JJ Wetherholt, Burleson and Walker all singled in the first off Houston right-hander Peter Lambert (0-1), the fourth consecutive pitcher making his first start for the Astros’ injury-marred rotation. Walker plated Wetherholt with his single to center for a 1-0 lead, an advantage the Cardinals upped in the third when Masyn Winn roped a two-run single that plated Wetherholt and Ivan Herrera.

Lambert loaded the bases with no outs in the third before nearly escaping unscathed. He struck out Walker and Gorman and had two strikes against Winn, but could not hold the deficit to one. Lambert allowed four runs on seven hits and one walk with eight strikeouts over five innings, with Herrera delivering an RBI single in the fourth that scored Pedro Pages for a 4-2 lead.

Vazquez and Alvarez smacked homers off Leahy in the third, with Vazquez leading off that frame with his second home run of the season before Alvarez added his eighth three batters later. Jose Altuve led off the fifth with his third homer to shave the deficit to 4-3.

But after Gorman provided the Cardinals some cushion, Herrera socked a two-run homer that scored Wetherholt in the eighth. Wetherhold scored three runs; Gorman and Herrera had three RBIs apiece.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Nolan #Gormans #big #blast #offsets #Astros #homers #Cards #opener

Sports news April 18, 2026

Apr 17, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Pedro Pages (43) runs to first base on a hit during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Nolan Gorman clubbed a three-run home run in the top of the seventh inning to give the St. Louis Cardinals plenty of breathing room as they claimed a 9-4 win in the opener of a three-game interleague series against the Astros in Houston on Friday.

Gorman smacked his third homer of the season 353 feet to right field to break open a nip-and-tuck affair. He plated Alec Burleson and Jordan Walker by turning on an inside fastball from scuffling Astros reliever Bryan Abreu while countering the three solo homers the Astros hit to climb back into contention.

Cardinals right-hander Kyle Leahy (2-2) surrendered all three homers but was otherwise effective. He allowed five hits and did not issue a walk while recording six strikeouts across five innings. Leahy stranded Yordan Alvarez in the bottom of the first and left the bases loaded in the fourth when he struck out Christian Vazquez and pinch-hitter Isaac Paredes in succession.

The Cardinals spotted Leahy a 3-0 lead before the Astros rallied.

JJ Wetherholt, Burleson and Walker all singled in the first off Houston right-hander Peter Lambert (0-1), the fourth consecutive pitcher making his first start for the Astros’ injury-marred rotation. Walker plated Wetherholt with his single to center for a 1-0 lead, an advantage the Cardinals upped in the third when Masyn Winn roped a two-run single that plated Wetherholt and Ivan Herrera.

Lambert loaded the bases with no outs in the third before nearly escaping unscathed. He struck out Walker and Gorman and had two strikes against Winn, but could not hold the deficit to one. Lambert allowed four runs on seven hits and one walk with eight strikeouts over five innings, with Herrera delivering an RBI single in the fourth that scored Pedro Pages for a 4-2 lead.

Vazquez and Alvarez smacked homers off Leahy in the third, with Vazquez leading off that frame with his second home run of the season before Alvarez added his eighth three batters later. Jose Altuve led off the fifth with his third homer to shave the deficit to 4-3.

But after Gorman provided the Cardinals some cushion, Herrera socked a two-run homer that scored Wetherholt in the eighth. Wetherhold scored three runs; Gorman and Herrera had three RBIs apiece.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Nolan #Gormans #big #blast #offsets #Astros #homers #Cards #opener

SRH vs CSK Live Score, IPL 2026: Chennai Super Kings looks to continue winning streak against Sunrisers Hyderabad <div><p>Welcome to the live coverage of the IPL 2026 contest between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings taking place in Hyderabad.</p><p>Both teams are level on four points apiece, but SRH finds itself fifth due to a good Net Run Rate. The winner of this contest will take a further step forward in the race for the playoffs which seems to be heating up nicely.</p></div> #SRH #CSK #Live #Score #IPL #Chennai #Super #Kings #continue #winning #streak #Sunrisers #Hyderabad

Deadspin | Braves, Cardinals ready to put disappointing June behind them Jun 28, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (27) leaves his feet to attempt to throw out San Francisco Giants first baseman Rafael Devers at first base during the sixth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images Two teams who have struggled throughout June will try to change their trajectory when the St. Louis Cardinals visit the Atlanta Braves for a three-game series that begins on Tuesday. Both teams are 3-7 over their last 10 games and will be happy to turn the calendar. The Braves are 9-13 in June and the Cardinals are 12-12 over the same time. Atlanta has seen its lead in the National League East, which was 10.5 games on May 22, dwindle to three games over the Philadelphia Phillies. St. Louis was 4.5 games behind the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers on May 31 but now trail by seven games and is just a half-game ahead of the San Diego Padres and Miami Marlins in the race for the final wild-card spot. The series opener features a pair of left-handers, as St. Louis’ Matthew Liberatore (3-5, 5.56 ERA) faces Atlanta’s Martin Perez (6-4, 3.00). Atlanta has been in an offensive funk. During their current 4-12 skid, the Braves have been shut out twice and scored three or fewer runs 10 times. “Our sport is different than every other sport,” Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said. “We play virtually every day for seven months, so you’ve got to get past all that stuff. You’ve got to keep your head down and keep doing the work. These guys are doing the work, they’re doing all that stuff. We’ve just got to fight through it.” The strugglers are led by Austin Riley, who went 4-for-21 on the six-game West Coast road trip, saw his average fall to .209, and hasn’t homered since May 20. Ha-Seong Kim is on an 0-for-24 skid and is hitting .068. Drake Baldwin hit a home run in his first at-bat after coming off the injured list, but is 2-for-43 since his return and has seen his average fall from .303 to .255. The Cardinals have been equally puny at the plate. St. Louis scored only three runs in its three-game weekend series against Miami. “You look at the games, we’re successful, we come up with that key hit, that big hit and kind of keep it rolling,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “We haven’t been able to do that recently and that’s a big part of how we’ve gotten to this point.” Two Cardinals will try to rekindle their offense. Ivan Herrera (22 games) and Alec Burleson (career-long 25-games) had their on-base streaks end in Sunday’s 2-1 win which snapped a four-game losing streak. Rookie second baseman JJ Wetherholt is coming off back-to-back multi-hit games, giving him 23 on the season. The Atlanta staff has been stabilized by the veteran Perez. With No. 2 starter Spencer Strider out for the foreseeable future, Perez has been a dependable arm. Since rejoining the rotation in mid-May, he is 4-2. He had a four-game winning streak end on Wednesday against San Diego when he gave up three runs in four innings, his shortest start of the season. Liberatore has struggled over his last four starts, going 0-2 with a 10.34 ERA in June. He was rocked by Arizona on Wednesday for six runs in 5 1/3 innings. This is the first meeting between the Braves and Cardinals this season. The Braves won the series 4-2 in 2025. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Braves #Cardinals #ready #put #disappointing #June

#Deadspin #Braves #Cardinals #ready #put #disappointing #June">

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Jun 28, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (27) leaves his feet to attempt to throw out San Francisco Giants first baseman Rafael Devers at first base during the sixth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Two teams who have struggled throughout June will try to change their trajectory when the St. Louis Cardinals visit the Atlanta Braves for a three-game series that begins on Tuesday.

Both teams are 3-7 over their last 10 games and will be happy to turn the calendar. The Braves are 9-13 in June and the Cardinals are 12-12 over the same time.

Atlanta has seen its lead in the National League East, which was 10.5 games on May 22, dwindle to three games over the Philadelphia Phillies.

St. Louis was 4.5 games behind the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers on May 31 but now trail by seven games and is just a half-game ahead of the San Diego Padres and Miami Marlins in the race for the final wild-card spot.

The series opener features a pair of left-handers, as St. Louis’ Matthew Liberatore (3-5, 5.56 ERA) faces Atlanta’s Martin Perez (6-4, 3.00).

Atlanta has been in an offensive funk. During their current 4-12 skid, the Braves have been shut out twice and scored three or fewer runs 10 times.

“Our sport is different than every other sport,” Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said. “We play virtually every day for seven months, so you’ve got to get past all that stuff. You’ve got to keep your head down and keep doing the work. These guys are doing the work, they’re doing all that stuff. We’ve just got to fight through it.”

The strugglers are led by Austin Riley, who went 4-for-21 on the six-game West Coast road trip, saw his average fall to .209, and hasn’t homered since May 20. Ha-Seong Kim is on an 0-for-24 skid and is hitting .068. Drake Baldwin hit a home run in his first at-bat after coming off the injured list, but is 2-for-43 since his return and has seen his average fall from .303 to .255.

The Cardinals have been equally puny at the plate. St. Louis scored only three runs in its three-game weekend series against Miami.

“You look at the games, we’re successful, we come up with that key hit, that big hit and kind of keep it rolling,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “We haven’t been able to do that recently and that’s a big part of how we’ve gotten to this point.”

Two Cardinals will try to rekindle their offense. Ivan Herrera (22 games) and Alec Burleson (career-long 25-games) had their on-base streaks end in Sunday’s 2-1 win which snapped a four-game losing streak.

Rookie second baseman JJ Wetherholt is coming off back-to-back multi-hit games, giving him 23 on the season.

The Atlanta staff has been stabilized by the veteran Perez. With No. 2 starter Spencer Strider out for the foreseeable future, Perez has been a dependable arm. Since rejoining the rotation in mid-May, he is 4-2. He had a four-game winning streak end on Wednesday against San Diego when he gave up three runs in four innings, his shortest start of the season.

Liberatore has struggled over his last four starts, going 0-2 with a 10.34 ERA in June. He was rocked by Arizona on Wednesday for six runs in 5 1/3 innings.

This is the first meeting between the Braves and Cardinals this season. The Braves won the series 4-2 in 2025.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Braves #Cardinals #ready #put #disappointing #June">Deadspin | Braves, Cardinals ready to put disappointing June behind them

Jun 28, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (27) leaves his feet to attempt to throw out San Francisco Giants first baseman Rafael Devers at first base during the sixth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Two teams who have struggled throughout June will try to change their trajectory when the St. Louis Cardinals visit the Atlanta Braves for a three-game series that begins on Tuesday.

Both teams are 3-7 over their last 10 games and will be happy to turn the calendar. The Braves are 9-13 in June and the Cardinals are 12-12 over the same time.

Atlanta has seen its lead in the National League East, which was 10.5 games on May 22, dwindle to three games over the Philadelphia Phillies.

St. Louis was 4.5 games behind the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers on May 31 but now trail by seven games and is just a half-game ahead of the San Diego Padres and Miami Marlins in the race for the final wild-card spot.

The series opener features a pair of left-handers, as St. Louis’ Matthew Liberatore (3-5, 5.56 ERA) faces Atlanta’s Martin Perez (6-4, 3.00).

Atlanta has been in an offensive funk. During their current 4-12 skid, the Braves have been shut out twice and scored three or fewer runs 10 times.

“Our sport is different than every other sport,” Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said. “We play virtually every day for seven months, so you’ve got to get past all that stuff. You’ve got to keep your head down and keep doing the work. These guys are doing the work, they’re doing all that stuff. We’ve just got to fight through it.”

The strugglers are led by Austin Riley, who went 4-for-21 on the six-game West Coast road trip, saw his average fall to .209, and hasn’t homered since May 20. Ha-Seong Kim is on an 0-for-24 skid and is hitting .068. Drake Baldwin hit a home run in his first at-bat after coming off the injured list, but is 2-for-43 since his return and has seen his average fall from .303 to .255.

The Cardinals have been equally puny at the plate. St. Louis scored only three runs in its three-game weekend series against Miami.

“You look at the games, we’re successful, we come up with that key hit, that big hit and kind of keep it rolling,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “We haven’t been able to do that recently and that’s a big part of how we’ve gotten to this point.”

Two Cardinals will try to rekindle their offense. Ivan Herrera (22 games) and Alec Burleson (career-long 25-games) had their on-base streaks end in Sunday’s 2-1 win which snapped a four-game losing streak.

Rookie second baseman JJ Wetherholt is coming off back-to-back multi-hit games, giving him 23 on the season.

The Atlanta staff has been stabilized by the veteran Perez. With No. 2 starter Spencer Strider out for the foreseeable future, Perez has been a dependable arm. Since rejoining the rotation in mid-May, he is 4-2. He had a four-game winning streak end on Wednesday against San Diego when he gave up three runs in four innings, his shortest start of the season.

Liberatore has struggled over his last four starts, going 0-2 with a 10.34 ERA in June. He was rocked by Arizona on Wednesday for six runs in 5 1/3 innings.

This is the first meeting between the Braves and Cardinals this season. The Braves won the series 4-2 in 2025.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Braves #Cardinals #ready #put #disappointing #June

Ja Morant’s name has been in NBA trade rumors for at least a year. Finally, the Memphis Grizzlies pulled the trigger on a deal no one could have seen coming.

The Portland Trail Blazers acquired Morant from Memphis for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, according to Shams Charania. The Blazers are reportedly set to start Morant and Damian Lillard in the backcourt next to Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan, with Scoot Henderson, Jrue Holiday, and Toumani Camara filling out the rotation. The Grizzlies start fresh for the Cam Boozer era by unloading Morant, who had been the troubled face of the franchise since he was selected No. 2 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Morant reportedly didn’t garner much trade interest, but the Blazers made a bold move to acquire him without giving up any draft capital or key rotation pieces. Let’s grade this trade for both sides.

Trail Blazers grade for Ja Morant trade

Morant’s star has fallen significantly after making back-to-back All-Star teams in 2022 and 2023, as well as Second-Team All-NBA in 2022. Morant was once one of the brightest young stars in the league, but injuries, off-court issues, and a significant drop-off in two-point scoring efficiency have diminished his production.

This feels like an odd fit. Portland already has Lillard coming back from a torn Achilles next season at age-36, and he was a terrible defender even before the injury. Morant is another small and weak defender. How are the Blazers going to be able to stop anyone in the backcourt if the plan is for Lillard and Morant to start together? While this lineup could suddenly have a lot of ball handling and playmaking, it’s worth noting that Avdija’s All-Star leap last season only happened in a heavy on-ball role. I don’t like taking the ball out of Avdija’s hands, and hate the defensive pairing of Lillard and Morant even with Clingan at the rim and Toumani Camara and Jrue Holiday on the wings.

Credit the Blazers for not really giving up anything. Grant was a bad contract, and his touches needed to go to other players this season. Grant had two years, $70.6 million remaining on his deal. Murray will be more enticing for Memphis, but he was only a depth wing in Portland. The Blazers got a former star in Morant who is still young at 26 years old. There’s upside in the deal for Portland if Morant can approach getting back to his old self.

Morant has two years, $87 million left on his deal. Even if this doesn’t work out, Portland could always trade him as an expiring contract next season.

It really feels like there’s another shoe to drop with the Blazers after this deal. I had Portland on my list of Jaylen Brown trade suitors, and they could make some sense as a Kawhi Leonard destination, too.

I can’t ding Portland too much for this trade because they didn’t really give anything up, and they also unloaded a bad asset in the process. I just don’t love the on-court fit here, and I see no world in which a Lillard and Morant backcourt is viable even in the short-term. Let’s see what Portland has up its sleeve next.

Grizzlies grade for Ja Morant trade

Memphis is Cam Boozer’s team now. I thought the No. 3 overall pick was by far the best prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft, and he’s going to be the face of the franchise with Morant out of the way. This return shows just how little interest there was in Morant. Memphis probably didn’t want to take back Grant, but they didn’t have any other options without giving up assets in the deal. My guess is Grant is immediately available to anyone who wants him, otherwise he will be a buyout candidate a year from now. Murray projects as a backup wing if he can fix his three-point shot. He’s only shot 25 percent from deep for his career.

This move is really all about addition by subtraction for Memphis. The Grizzlies have plenty of guards on the roster with Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen Jr., Walter Clayton Jr., Cam Spencer, and Javon Small. Cedric Coward and Jaylen Wells can hold down the wing, while Boozer, Santi Aldama, Isaiah Stewart, and Zach Edey fortify the front court. If Boozer is as good as I think he’s going to be, Memphis will have a great young core in place. It didn’t need Morant messing with that.

Morant’s fall from grace in Memphis is just sad. The Grizzlies should have traded him sooner, but just getting off him at all right now is good work.

#Morant #trade #grades #Trail #Blazers #Grizzlies #surprising #deal">

Ja Morant trade grades for Trail Blazers, Grizzlies after surprising deal Ja Morant’s name has been in NBA trade rumors for at least a year. Finally, the Memphis Grizzlies pulled the trigger on a deal no one could have seen coming.The Portland Trail Blazers acquired Morant from Memphis for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, according to Shams Charania. The Blazers are reportedly set to start Morant and Damian Lillard in the backcourt next to Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan, with Scoot Henderson, Jrue Holiday, and Toumani Camara filling out the rotation. The Grizzlies start fresh for the Cam Boozer era by unloading Morant, who had been the troubled face of the franchise since he was selected No. 2 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft.Morant reportedly didn’t garner much trade interest, but the Blazers made a bold move to acquire him without giving up any draft capital or key rotation pieces. Let’s grade this trade for both sides.Trail Blazers grade for Ja Morant tradeMorant’s star has fallen significantly after making back-to-back All-Star teams in 2022 and 2023, as well as Second-Team All-NBA in 2022. Morant was once one of the brightest young stars in the league, but injuries, off-court issues, and a significant drop-off in two-point scoring efficiency have diminished his production.This feels like an odd fit. Portland already has Lillard coming back from a torn Achilles next season at age-36, and he was a terrible defender even before the injury. Morant is another small and weak defender. How are the Blazers going to be able to stop anyone in the backcourt if the plan is for Lillard and Morant to start together? While this lineup could suddenly have a lot of ball handling and playmaking, it’s worth noting that Avdija’s All-Star leap last season only happened in a heavy on-ball role. I don’t like taking the ball out of Avdija’s hands, and hate the defensive pairing of Lillard and Morant even with Clingan at the rim and Toumani Camara and Jrue Holiday on the wings.Credit the Blazers for not really giving up anything. Grant was a bad contract, and his touches needed to go to other players this season. Grant had two years, .6 million remaining on his deal. Murray will be more enticing for Memphis, but he was only a depth wing in Portland. The Blazers got a former star in Morant who is still young at 26 years old. There’s upside in the deal for Portland if Morant can approach getting back to his old self.Morant has two years, million left on his deal. Even if this doesn’t work out, Portland could always trade him as an expiring contract next season.It really feels like there’s another shoe to drop with the Blazers after this deal. I had Portland on my list of Jaylen Brown trade suitors, and they could make some sense as a Kawhi Leonard destination, too.I can’t ding Portland too much for this trade because they didn’t really give anything up, and they also unloaded a bad asset in the process. I just don’t love the on-court fit here, and I see no world in which a Lillard and Morant backcourt is viable even in the short-term. Let’s see what Portland has up its sleeve next.Grizzlies grade for Ja Morant tradeMemphis is Cam Boozer’s team now. I thought the No. 3 overall pick was by far the best prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft, and he’s going to be the face of the franchise with Morant out of the way. This return shows just how little interest there was in Morant. Memphis probably didn’t want to take back Grant, but they didn’t have any other options without giving up assets in the deal. My guess is Grant is immediately available to anyone who wants him, otherwise he will be a buyout candidate a year from now. Murray projects as a backup wing if he can fix his three-point shot. He’s only shot 25 percent from deep for his career.This move is really all about addition by subtraction for Memphis. The Grizzlies have plenty of guards on the roster with Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen Jr., Walter Clayton Jr., Cam Spencer, and Javon Small. Cedric Coward and Jaylen Wells can hold down the wing, while Boozer, Santi Aldama, Isaiah Stewart, and Zach Edey fortify the front court. If Boozer is as good as I think he’s going to be, Memphis will have a great young core in place. It didn’t need Morant messing with that.Morant’s fall from grace in Memphis is just sad. The Grizzlies should have traded him sooner, but just getting off him at all right now is good work. #Morant #trade #grades #Trail #Blazers #Grizzlies #surprising #deal

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Ja Morant’s name has been in NBA trade rumors for at least a year. Finally, the Memphis Grizzlies pulled the trigger on a deal no one could have seen coming.
The Portland Trail Blazers acquired Morant from Memphis for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, according to Shams Charania. The Blazers are reportedly set to start Morant and Damian Lillard in the backcourt next to Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan, with Scoot Henderson, Jrue Holiday, and Toumani Camara filling out the rotation. The Grizzlies start fresh for the Cam Boozer era by unloading Morant, who had been the troubled face of the franchise since he was selected No. 2 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Morant reportedly didn’t garner much trade interest, but the Blazers made a bold move to acquire him without giving up any draft capital or key rotation pieces. Let’s grade this trade for both sides.
Trail Blazers grade for Ja Morant trade
Morant’s star has fallen significantly after making back-to-back All-Star teams in 2022 and 2023, as well as Second-Team All-NBA in 2022. Morant was once one of the brightest young stars in the league, but injuries, off-court issues, and a significant drop-off in two-point scoring efficiency have diminished his production.
This feels like an odd fit. Portland already has Lillard coming back from a torn Achilles next season at age-36, and he was a terrible defender even before the injury. Morant is another small and weak defender. How are the Blazers going to be able to stop anyone in the backcourt if the plan is for Lillard and Morant to start together? While this lineup could suddenly have a lot of ball handling and playmaking, it’s worth noting that Avdija’s All-Star leap last season only happened in a heavy on-ball role. I don’t like taking the ball out of Avdija’s hands, and hate the defensive pairing of Lillard and Morant even with Clingan at the rim and Toumani Camara and Jrue Holiday on the wings.
Credit the Blazers for not really giving up anything. Grant was a bad contract, and his touches needed to go to other players this season. Grant had two years, $70.6 million remaining on his deal. Murray will be more enticing for Memphis, but he was only a depth wing in Portland. The Blazers got a former star in Morant who is still young at 26 years old. There’s upside in the deal for Portland if Morant can approach getting back to his old self.
Morant has two years, $87 million left on his deal. Even if this doesn’t work out, Portland could always trade him as an expiring contract next season.
It really feels like there’s another shoe to drop with the Blazers after this deal. I had Portland on my list of Jaylen Brown trade suitors, and they could make some sense as a Kawhi Leonard destination, too.
I can’t ding Portland too much for this trade because they didn’t really give anything up, and they also unloaded a bad asset in the process. I just don’t love the on-court fit here, and I see no world in which a Lillard and Morant backcourt is viable even in the short-term. Let’s see what Portland has up its sleeve next.
Grizzlies grade for Ja Morant trade
Memphis is Cam Boozer’s team now. I thought the No. 3 overall pick was by far the best prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft, and he’s going to be the face of the franchise with Morant out of the way. This return shows just how little interest there was in Morant. Memphis probably didn’t want to take back Grant, but they didn’t have any other options without giving up assets in the deal. My guess is Grant is immediately available to anyone who wants him, otherwise he will be a buyout candidate a year from now. Murray projects as a backup wing if he can fix his three-point shot. He’s only shot 25 percent from deep for his career.
This move is really all about addition by subtraction for Memphis. The Grizzlies have plenty of guards on the roster with Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen Jr., Walter Clayton Jr., Cam Spencer, and Javon Small. Cedric Coward and Jaylen Wells can hold down the wing, while Boozer, Santi Aldama, Isaiah Stewart, and Zach Edey fortify the front court. If Boozer is as good as I think he’s going to be, Memphis will have a great young core in place. It didn’t need Morant messing with that.
Morant’s fall from grace in Memphis is just sad. The Grizzlies should have traded him sooner, but just getting off him at all right now is good work.

#Morant #trade #grades #Trail #Blazers #Grizzlies #surprising #deal">Ja Morant trade grades for Trail Blazers, Grizzlies after surprising deal

Ja Morant’s name has been in NBA trade rumors for at least a year. Finally, the Memphis Grizzlies pulled the trigger on a deal no one could have seen coming.

Trail Blazers grade for Ja Morant trade

Morant has two years, $87 million left on his deal. Even if this doesn’t work out, Portland could always trade him as an expiring contract next season.