Deadspin | Rockies deliver shutout to finish doubleheader sweep of miserable Mets Apr 26, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Chase Dollander (32) pitches in the third inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images Chase Dollander threw seven scoreless innings in the longest outing of his career as the visiting Colorado Rockies completed a doubleheader sweep of the sinking New York Mets with a 3-0 win in Sunday’s nightcap. Four Rockies pitchers combined on a four-hitter in a 3-1 win in the opener. The doubleheader was necessitated by a rainout Saturday. Troy Johnston had an RBI single in the second inning of the nightcap and Hunter Goodman hit a two-run homer one inning later for Colorado, which swept a series from the Mets in New York for the first time since 2018 to improve to 13-16. The Rockies didn’t record their 13th win last season until June 12, when they improved to 13-55 on their way to a 43-119 finish. The Mets have lost 15 of 17 – their worst 17-game stretch since a 2-15 skid from Aug. 28 through Sept, 13, 2004. New York scored one run or fewer in a traditional doubleheader Sunday for the first time since Oct, 3, 2015, when the Mets scored one run while being swept by the Washington Nationals. Dollander (3-2), who made his first start of the season after six long relief outings, allowed five hits and two walks while striking out seven over a career-high 105 pitches. The scoreless start was the first of Dollander’s career, though he threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings as a bulk reliever and earned the win in a 3-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Apr. 16. Dollander wriggled out of a two-on, two-out jam in the first when he got MJ Melendez to fly out. Carson Benge and Ronny Mauricio singled to open the fifth, but Tyrone Taylor lined into a double play before Dollander retired Bo Bichette on a grounder. Seth Halvorsen threw a hitless eighth before Zach Agnos worked around Melendez’s one-out double in the ninth to notch his second save. The struggling Kodai Senga (0-4) took the loss after allowing three runs on three hits and three walks while striking out three in 2 2/3 innings. Senga has given up 17 runs (16 earned) over 8 1/3 innings in his last three starts. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Rockies #deliver #shutout #finish #doubleheader #sweep #miserable #Mets

Deadspin | Rockies deliver shutout to finish doubleheader sweep of miserable Mets
Apr 26, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Chase Dollander (32) pitches in the third inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Chase Dollander threw seven scoreless innings in the longest outing of his career as the visiting Colorado Rockies completed a doubleheader sweep of the sinking New York Mets with a 3-0 win in Sunday’s nightcap.

Four Rockies pitchers combined on a four-hitter in a 3-1 win in the opener. The doubleheader was necessitated by a rainout Saturday.

Troy Johnston had an RBI single in the second inning of the nightcap and Hunter Goodman hit a two-run homer one inning later for Colorado, which swept a series from the Mets in New York for the first time since 2018 to improve to 13-16.

The Rockies didn’t record their 13th win last season until June 12, when they improved to 13-55 on their way to a 43-119 finish.

The Mets have lost 15 of 17 – their worst 17-game stretch since a 2-15 skid from Aug. 28 through Sept, 13, 2004.

New York scored one run or fewer in a traditional doubleheader Sunday for the first time since Oct, 3, 2015, when the Mets scored one run while being swept by the Washington Nationals.

Dollander (3-2), who made his first start of the season after six long relief outings, allowed five hits and two walks while striking out seven over a career-high 105 pitches.

The scoreless start was the first of Dollander’s career, though he threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings as a bulk reliever and earned the win in a 3-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Apr. 16.

Dollander wriggled out of a two-on, two-out jam in the first when he got MJ Melendez to fly out. Carson Benge and Ronny Mauricio singled to open the fifth, but Tyrone Taylor lined into a double play before Dollander retired Bo Bichette on a grounder.

Seth Halvorsen threw a hitless eighth before Zach Agnos worked around Melendez’s one-out double in the ninth to notch his second save.

The struggling Kodai Senga (0-4) took the loss after allowing three runs on three hits and three walks while striking out three in 2 2/3 innings. Senga has given up 17 runs (16 earned) over 8 1/3 innings in his last three starts.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Rockies #deliver #shutout #finish #doubleheader #sweep #miserable #Mets

Sports news April 27, 2026

Apr 26, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Chase Dollander (32) pitches in the third inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Chase Dollander threw seven scoreless innings in the longest outing of his career as the visiting Colorado Rockies completed a doubleheader sweep of the sinking New York Mets with a 3-0 win in Sunday’s nightcap.

Four Rockies pitchers combined on a four-hitter in a 3-1 win in the opener. The doubleheader was necessitated by a rainout Saturday.

Troy Johnston had an RBI single in the second inning of the nightcap and Hunter Goodman hit a two-run homer one inning later for Colorado, which swept a series from the Mets in New York for the first time since 2018 to improve to 13-16.

The Rockies didn’t record their 13th win last season until June 12, when they improved to 13-55 on their way to a 43-119 finish.

The Mets have lost 15 of 17 – their worst 17-game stretch since a 2-15 skid from Aug. 28 through Sept, 13, 2004.

New York scored one run or fewer in a traditional doubleheader Sunday for the first time since Oct, 3, 2015, when the Mets scored one run while being swept by the Washington Nationals.

Dollander (3-2), who made his first start of the season after six long relief outings, allowed five hits and two walks while striking out seven over a career-high 105 pitches.

The scoreless start was the first of Dollander’s career, though he threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings as a bulk reliever and earned the win in a 3-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Apr. 16.

Dollander wriggled out of a two-on, two-out jam in the first when he got MJ Melendez to fly out. Carson Benge and Ronny Mauricio singled to open the fifth, but Tyrone Taylor lined into a double play before Dollander retired Bo Bichette on a grounder.

Seth Halvorsen threw a hitless eighth before Zach Agnos worked around Melendez’s one-out double in the ninth to notch his second save.

The struggling Kodai Senga (0-4) took the loss after allowing three runs on three hits and three walks while striking out three in 2 2/3 innings. Senga has given up 17 runs (16 earned) over 8 1/3 innings in his last three starts.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Rockies #deliver #shutout #finish #doubleheader #sweep #miserable #Mets

Sanjay Manjrekar on why Impact Player rule, short boundaries are reducing venues to bowler graveyards <div id="content-body-70911580" itemprop="articleBody">The debate surrounding the Impact Player rule in Indian Premier League (IPL) isn’t new, but this season has once again pushed it into sharper focus.This is also the fourth year of the Impact Player rule. Despite strong calls from players to scrap it, the IPL has made it clear there will be no review before the 2027 season.The balance between bat and ball, always a delicate balance in T20 cricket, now appears to have tipped decisively in one direction.Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes the shift is no longer subtle, but stark.“Yes, that’s the burning topic. Everyone’s talking about it. I can recall at least five batters [in IPL 2026] scoring not just hundreds, but hundreds off around 50 balls, striking at 200. I’ve felt strongly for a number of years about the balance between bat and ball, and I think we’ve now gone beyond a certain limit,” Manjrekar said on Sportstar’s Insight Edge podcast.For Manjrekar, the concern is not limited to purists longing for the past. Even the modern T20 audience, conditioned to expect high-scoring thrillers, is beginning to feel the excess.“Even T20 fans, not just traditional Test cricket followers, are starting to feel slightly disillusioned by the sheer dominance of bat over ball.”The pitch problemAt the heart of this imbalance, he argues, lies the nature of Indian pitches. “Let’s start with one fact: the IPL is played on Indian pitches. While not every ground is high-scoring, venues like Lucknow and occasionally Chennai have maintained some balance. But most grounds, including the new one in Chandigarh, are heavily skewed in favour of batters.”The issue is not just flatness, but predictability. “Why do I say that? Because on Indian pitches, once the ball lands, it does very little. It comes on straight, which makes batting much easier. Even on flat pitches in Australia, South Africa, or England, the ball still does something occasionally. That’s not the case here.”Unintended consequencesLayered onto these conditions is the Impact Player rule, which Manjrekar believes has amplified the imbalance. “Reason number two is the Impact Player rule. I think it has impacted bowlers far more negatively than it has benefited batters. Imagine this rule in New Zealand, where the ball swings. Bringing in a seam bowler could balance things. But in India, it hasn’t worked that way.”Interestingly, he admits he initially welcomed the rule. “When it was introduced, I was actually excited. I thought we’d see more specialist players, an extra pure batter or bowler, raising the overall quality. So the players who I used to call bits and pieces, I don’t do that anymore, because that term is misunderstood. So I would say, non-specialists.”The effect is visible in team composition and intent. “You now have pure batters like Ashutosh Sharma coming in at No. 8. When you have batting depth till No. 8, players at the top can go all out because they know there’s cover.”That safety net, he suggests, has fundamentally altered risk-taking. “Imagine a scenario where the overs were reduced to 20, you know, from 50 and teams could only use seven batters and the innings ended after five wickets. It would be a completely different game.”Grounds stuck in another eraThen comes a structural issue that often escapes scrutiny: ground dimensions. “Many were built decades ago, with dimensions suited to a different era of cricket. The game has evolved, but the grounds haven’t.”If anything, the problem has worsened. “Boundaries need to be longer. Instead, in some cases, like at Wankhede, they’re brought in further for advertising boards. It’s ridiculous. You see shots reaching the boundary in seconds, with no real fielding contest. You don’t see the chasing, you know, the old-fashioned somebody running after the ball and people going, ‘oh, is he going to stop it?’ It’s just four or six.”Is the middle order being exposed or protected?While some argue that the Impact Player rule masks weak middle orders, Manjrekar sees it differently. “Not necessarily. Teams with strong middle orders, like RCB, still see contributions from those players. The bigger issue is how conditions favour batters so heavily.”He even questions whether certain T20 staples remain relevant in current conditions. “In fact, someone suggested whether we even need the six-over PowerPlay in these conditions. With a hard new ball and only two fielders outside the circle, teams at the top are maximising this phase.”What can be fixed?If given the power to intervene, Manjrekar points to both ideal and practical solutions. “Two or three things come to mind. First, reconsider the six-over PowerPlay. It’s pragmatic.”Longer boundaries would help, but aren’t always feasible. “Ideally, I’d like longer boundaries, but not all grounds allow that. Some venues are simply too small. After watching recent games, especially at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, I feel some grounds just aren’t suited for T20 anymore… Same with [Chinnaswamy Stadium] in Bengaluru… They’ve become bowler graveyards.”He offers a telling example. “Take Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s hundred [against Sunrisers Hyderabad], for instance. At least four sixes he hit would’ve been catches if the boundaries were even slightly longer. That would bring some sanity back to the game.”One unintended casualty of the current ecosystem is the genuine all-rounder.“Yes, it does,” Manjrekar says when asked if the Impact Player rule hurts them. “For example, Shivam Dube showed his value in the T20 World Cup and Asia Cup by contributing with both bat and ball. In the IPL, he barely bowls.”The broader issue, he feels, is the loss of in-game adaptability.“In hindsight, I’d like to see teams forced to adapt when bowlers struggle, instead of relying on substitutions. That unpredictability adds to the charm.”Published on Apr 27, 2026</div> #Sanjay #Manjrekar #Impact #Player #rule #short #boundaries #reducing #venues #bowler #graveyards

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">

mwasimuddin125 0

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.