David Thorpe Destroys the Blazers for Ja Morant Trade | Blazer's Edge Skip to main content A Portland Trail Blazers CommunityBlazer's EdgeJuly 1, 2026Blazer's Edge The Feed The Portland Trail Blazers have received mixed reviews for yesterday’s trade which sent Jerami Grant and Kris Murray to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for point guard Ja Morant. A few people have been enthusiastic. Most have expressed some level of puzzlement, seeing as how the Blazers now have four point guards meriting minutes and the ball. (Morant, Damian Lillard, Scoot Henderson, and Jrue Holiday) Coach David Thorpe of TrueHoop takes neither of those positions. To say he is critical of the move would be an understatement. The latest post on the TrueHoop substack details why. Thorpe starts with a simple premise: defense is irreplaceable. He uses the 2026 NBA Playoffs as an example, including and especially the teams who rose to the top of the league. One bad defender can be absorbed or hidden. Two bad defenders will get exploited:
Published: June 30, 2026 5:52 pm
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