Morant, Durant and Gobert trade buzz swirls in early October

Rival executives are watching whether Portland could rehab Ja Morant's value before flipping him, Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer said, though his $87M salary and injury history make a deadline deal unlikely.

Houston is expected to wait on Fred VanVleet's return before deciding Kevin Durant's future, with ESPN's Tim MacMahon saying Durant was central to the Rockets' chemistry problems last season.

Minnesota has resisted moving Rudy Gobert, including turning down a reported Jaylen Brown framework, but his looming extension and rookie big man Joan Beringer's development could change that calculus.

POR Lillard | HOU VanVleet | POR Henderson

Damian Lillard Fred VanVleet Ja Morant Jaylen Brown Jrue Holiday Kevin Durant Rudy Gobert Scoot Henderson

Related updates

Yahoo Sports ↗· 3 Oct 2026

Trade rumor · MEM / POR

★ MarqueeDone deal

Blazers gamble on Morant, send Grant and Murray to Memphis

Portland acquired Ja Morant from Memphis in exchange for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, Yahoo Sports reports. Morant struggled early last season but surged after a calf injury, averaging 28.5 points per 36 minutes on 58.7% true shooting over his final eight games before a season-ending elbow injury.

Basketball-Reference ↗· 29 Jun 2026

Trade rumor · MEM / POR

★ MarqueeDone deal

Ja Morant traded to Portland for Grant and Murray

The transaction record is official: Memphis sent Ja Morant and cash to Portland for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. Both teams also came away with a trade exception. A franchise guard moved for two rotation pieces and paperwork.

Sportando ↗· 25 Sept 2026· updated 12d ago

Extension · MIN

★ MarqueeDeveloping

Gobert extension talks with Minnesota show little momentum

The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski said on his podcast there's no serious push toward a new deal for Rudy Gobert in Minnesota.