Morant finds renewal in Portland

Ja Morant views Portland as a genuine restart — a place where he can shed the weight of past seasons and return to playing freely. Speaking at the Trail Blazers’ media day on September 28, he described how meeting his new teammates daily has reshaped his perspective, praising their work ethic, communication and personalities.

Initially intent on observing quietly, Morant said the group encouraged him simply to be himself. A key part of his new chapter will be sharing the floor with Damian Lillard, whom he sees not as overlap but as opportunity: Morant wants to ease pressure on Lillard and exploit the spacing his shooting creates. He also dismissed concerns about ball‑handling hierarchy, calling the roster “unselfish.” Leaving Memphis, he admitted, was necessary to move past lingering baggage. Now, he feels healthy, motivated and focused solely on winning — regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench.