(Photo via Imagn Images)
Ja Morant trade rumors have begun to heat up, literally and figuratively. ESPN’s Shams Charania recently reported that the Memphis Grizzlies are officially fielding offers on the disgruntled Morant ahead of the February 5 trade deadline.
And of course, the Miami Heat have been linked to the former All-Star point guard. According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, he included the Heat as one of the few teams to express interest in acquiring Morant. Additionally, a few weeks back, Jake Fischer reported that the Heat front office has had “internal discussions” about Morant and how Miami’s “infrastructure could benefit him.”
The 26-year-old is one of the most polarizing star names in the league, but has had a rough last two years in Memphis.
With suspensions and injuries, Morant’s numbers have dipped across the board in recent seasons compared to his once MVP level production.
At his peak, he averaged a career-high 27.4 points, 6.7 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals on 49.3% shooting and nearly 35% from deep back in the 2021-22 campaign while leading Memphis to the playoffs as the number two seed in the West. Would the Heat truly feel that they can help Morant get back to that form? If that’s the case, there’s several reasons why Miami’s risk for his services could pay dividends:
1. The market is in the Heat’s favor
The NBA world just saw Trae Young, who is on an even more expensive contract than Morant, get dealt for the price of just CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. If the price for a former multi-time All-Star point guard needing a change of scenery is just two rotation veterans on expiring salaries, Morant’s market value can’t be that much different.
In fact, it could be even lower of an asking price, considering a combination of the steep statistical decline, injuries and off-court antics that comes with Morant. The Heat could be able to get a deal done on their terms, which has been a common tactic on the trade market for them over the years.
2. Heat have history of reviving star’s careers
Miami most recently helped rejuvenate Jimmy Butler, despite being viewed as a “locker room problem” back in 2019. He seemingly burned bridges at each of his previous destinations before arriving in South Beach. And the Heat turned that timeline into the peak of Butler’s career on route to a pair of NBA Finals runs and an Eastern Conference finals appearance in a five-year window.
Pat Riley has had a history of taking a swing on disgruntled stars looking for a fresh start. Tim Hardaway and Shaquille O’Neal are just a couple more examples. Perhaps, Morant could be the next to add to that list.
3. Provides the team with a true alpha
This current Heat team has a decent core of quality players, including some perfect second or third option guys like Norman Powell, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. However, none of them have shown to consistently be capable of being ‘the guy.’
Miami hasn’t had that since Butler. But Morant has shown early in his career that he can be an alpha, including in the postseason. Morant has averaged 26 points, 8.1 assists and 6.2 rebounds in 22 playoff games. If at his best, that playmaking ability could allow him to take over games for the Heat with his electric downhill burst and two-way athleticism.
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I think it may be one of our only ways to get a player of this nature since we don’t have much in the way of desirable players with good contract scenarios for an acquiring team. Memphis would like want a draft pick and they would take salary to even things up a little.
And, despite the way our team tries to play up his value by starting him, Herro would be very difficult to move. Wiggins, because of his salary, wont bring in a haul, but he does have some value to other teams. I think they will want Wiggins of the players who we can trade, and maybe Jaime or a pick. They don’t want anyone else on our team except Bam, Ware, and Powell, in my opinion, and trading them would be stupid, as they all may be more valuable than Morant in his current status.
So, if they take Wiggins, or Jaimie, and a filler (Jovic), or a pick. I take the risk. And be happy we get a chance to bring in a player like that with how little we have to offer of expendable players. We probably won’t get him anyway, but it’s fun to talk about it.
Big gamble tying up a lot of money. If it works, Miami could be a top 4 team in the East. If it doesn’t, Miami could continue to be a mediocre play-in team (or possibly a non-playoff/lottery team) for years.