Portland Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin said he didn't hesitate when the opportunity to acquire Ja Morant presented itself.
"Straight belief in Ja more than anything. ... The decision was based on our view of Ja as still a very high-level player," Cronin told reporters Monday at Blazers media day.
Cronin added: "We're very confident that Ja has a lot of good years ahead of him. For us, I'm sure there will be questions around fit, position, and all those different things. But we're very focused - and will continue to be - on talent and adding to our talent base as much as we can."
Portland acquired Morant from the Memphis Grizzlies in June in exchange for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray.
The former No. 2 overall pick made only 20 appearances last season due to a UCL sprain in his left elbow.
While Morant averaged 19.5 points, 8.1 assists, 3.3 boards, and one steal in 2025-26, he shot a career-worst 23.5% from deep. He also converted only 61% of his attempts at the rim, which ranked in the 42nd percentile among point guards, per Cleaning the Glass.
Morant's addition has created a bit of a logjam in the Blazers' backcourt with Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, and Scoot Henderson already in the fold. Fifth-year guard Shaedon Sharpe will also be part of the picture whenever he returns from a torn meniscus.
Whether Morant starts or comes off the bench, he said he has only one thing in mind.
"I think winning is the most important thing for me," Morant said, per Sportscenter. "Whatever role I have to play to get that done, I don't think nobody will be mad after a win. ... If I'm starting or if I'm not, it's the same thing."
