From the perspective of a former two-time All-Star, Ja Morant doesn't fit this Portland Trail Blazers roster. If you cater to his ball-dominant game, it will inevitably come at the expense of a young core that has already proven capable of reaching the postseason without him, particularly with point forward Deni Avdija.
Fortunately, it sounds like Micah Nori is already well aware of this predicament, reportedly telling The Athletic's Jason Quick that a Damian Lillard-Ja Morant starting backcourt doesn't make sense.
If Nori does ultimately make the difficult but correct decision to bring Morant off the bench, he could still provide tremendous value for Portland this season. With how few assets the Blazers had to surrender, it's easy to return value on the trade in a sixth-man role for Morant.
Ja Morant can still be valuable in a sixth man role for the Blazers
Jerami Grant was already demoted to a bench role in Portland, while it was unfortunately in their best interest to move on from former first-round pick Kris Murray, who has yet to show signs of shooting progress at 26 years old.
The risk comes if Morant gets in the way of the momentum their young core looks to carry over from last season. That problem would be mitigated in a bench role.
He'd still be incredibly valuable in that diminished role. Morant could spell a 36-year-old Damian Lillard coming off a torn Achilles. He could add more secondary ball-handling and playmaking, allowing Avdija to exert more energy defensively. He could even fill the scoring void left by Grant's trade and yet another extensive injury to Shaedon Sharpe.
Morant certainly won't help the Blazers' inefficient three-point shooting or even bolster their previously established defensive identity. But what he does offer is star power, offensive creation, and unselfishness.
Ja Morant's unselfishness could make this trade work for Portland
It's perhaps that last part that's both the most underrated aspect of Morant's game and why many are overlooking this fit in Portland.
Teams should be hoping Nori starts a Lillard-Morant backcourt, as that will largely defeat the purpose of the identity Portland has previously established throughout this rebuild. But if used properly in the right role, Morant can still be an incredibly valuable asset and addition for Portland this season.
Don't overlook this addition simply because the short-term fit doesn't make sense, especially given how little they had to give up to address this frustrating playmaking problem -- hopefully once and for all.
Again, that has just as much to do with Morant's ability to adapt as it is Portland knowing how to use his strengths and weaknesses for a team with aspirations of ultimately becoming a contender.
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