NBA Analyst Says Ja Morant Trade to Portland Will Impact Danny Avdija's Role

ESPN NBA analyst Zach Lowe examined the recent trade of Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers, highlighting why Portland acquired the guard at a relatively low cost without giving up draft picks. Morant, a two-time All-Star and former Most Improved Player, was available at a reasonable trade price due to several factors, including suspensions related to incidents such as displaying a weapon on Instagram live and a shoulder surgery he underwent in January 2024. Additionally, Morant has experienced a professional decline, struggling to regain his status as an elite offensive player.

Lowe pointed out Morant's shooting struggles, noting his three-point percentage peaked at only 34% in the 2021/22 season and has averaged 31% over his career, ranking him near the bottom among active players with significant attempts. His ability to drive and finish near the basket has also diminished since 2021/22, when he was among the league leaders in scoring in the paint despite being a guard.

Regarding Portland, Lowe said the trade fits the team’s needs, especially since injuries left them without a natural point guard for much of the previous season. Danny Avdija often managed the offense, which contributed to the Trail Blazers having the league’s highest turnover rate. With Morant joining Damian Lillard, Scottie Henderson, and Jerami Holiday, Portland now has depth at point guard, though Lowe cautioned that aside from Holiday, the group lacks sufficient shooting and defense to play effectively together.

Lowe does not expect Portland to extend Morant’s contract soon, suggesting the team will wait to see if he can return to his former star level, which he called unlikely but not impossible. He graded the Memphis Grizzlies a B for the trade, noting Morant’s league-wide value has dropped significantly. Memphis’s ability to trade Morant’s contract without surrendering draft picks was seen as a positive outcome. Lowe concluded that Morant’s departure marks the end of the young core that once propelled Memphis to the top of the Western Conference, as the team now shifts to a new era following trades of Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr.