In the world of sports, where contracts are torn with ease and loyalty is often measured in dollars, Ja Morant’s story with his new team, the Portland Trail Blazers, has acquired an interesting cultural nuance. After the official trade that ended the player’s seven-year saga in Memphis, a discussion erupted on social media, not about basketball statistics, but about the ink on the star’s back.
A Symbol of Loyalty or a Past Mistake?
Ja Morant, selected second overall in the 2019 NBA draft, has always positioned himself as a loyal individual. These are not just words for press releases, but a conviction he expressed in the most radical way – by getting a tattoo of the Memphis Grizzlies logo on his back. In one interview during the season, the player directly stated that this design symbolized his unwavering loyalty to the city and the club. “Anyone who knows me knows I’m a very loyal guy. I got the logo on my back, and that should speak to where I want to be,” he noted.
However, life has its own adjustments. In June 2026, after a series of disagreements and difficulties, Morant was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. The deal involved not only the player but also the names of Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. Now, as the player prepares to start a new chapter, his tattoo has become the subject of intense scrutiny from fans and media.
Fan Reaction: Remove or Keep?
After photos of the tattoo were posted on the popular Instagram account NBA Memes, the post garnered over 30,000 likes and hundreds of comments. Many users immediately began discussing the necessity of covering or removing the symbol of his former team. The logic is simple: in the world of professional sports, team tattoos are often perceived as a sign of devotion that can become awkward when changing clubs.
However, the majority of fans sided with preserving the story. Here’s what fans are writing in the comments:
- “That’s the team that drafted him. It’s forever.”
- “They changed his life, it has sentimental value.”
- “He can keep it, it’s the first team that took a chance on him.”
- “It’s part of his history, they didn’t part ways.”
- “You can’t forget where you came from.”
Expert View: Tattoos in the Context of an Athlete’s Career
From a tattoo culture perspective, Morant’s situation is a classic example of how ink becomes part of a biography, not just decoration. Unlike temporary stickers or flash tattoos, permanent images on athletes’ bodies often mark significant milestones. A team logo on a player’s body is not just graphics; it’s a promise the athlete made to himself.
There have been many instances in NBA history where players have changed teams but kept tattoos of their old clubs. This is perceived as respect for their roots. Tattoo removal (laser or cover-up) is a painful and lengthy process that is often postponed. In Morant’s case, given his status and the fact that Memphis became his “home” for seven years, removing the symbol could be perceived as a betrayal of his history, which contradicts his own words about loyalty.
Morant’s Future in Portland
Now, the attention on the tattoo is receding, giving way to athletic goals. Ja Morant, a recipient of the “Most Improved Player” award, must prove that he is still among the league’s elite superstars. However, there are also challenges: the player is recovering from a torn UCL (ulnar collateral ligament) that ended his season in Memphis after only 20 games.
When Morant returns to play, his statistics will speak for themselves. Currently, his career numbers look impressive:
- 22.4 points per game
- 46.6% field goal percentage
- 4.6 rebounds
- 7.4 assists
- 1.0 steal
Returning to play and adapting to a new team in Portland will be the main challenge for the 30-year-old guard. The tattoo on his back will remain a reminder that the star’s journey began in Memphis, and by all appearances, this mark will stay with him forever, regardless of the jersey he wears in the future.