Whether the Miami Heat acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo or not over the next 23 or so hours, the pathway for acquiring Memphis Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant became a whole lot easier.
With Memphis shipping Jaren Jackson Jr. off to Utah Tuesday, the already-low price for Ja Morant continued to sink. All signs point to Memphis rebuilding, which means Morant’s exit as the deadline approaches could be inevitable.
While the Grizzlies are still aiming to acquire a team’s best offer, Morant strongly prefers to be moved to the Miami Heat — as well as the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are also in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes — according to Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko.
Morant, 26, has a $39.4 million cap hit this year. He is on the books for two more seasons at $42.2 and $44.9 million, respectively, according to Spotrac.
Given his contract, injury history, off-court issues and declining play, his value was never going to be very high. Miami has long-been rumored as a potential suitor for Morant — as long as it still kept them in the chase for Antetokounmpo. The Heat will always do their due diligence on stars.
Through 20 games, Morant’s averaging 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 8.1 assists on 41.0 percent shooting, including a career-low 23.5 percent from 3-point range.
At 27-25, Miami needs a shakeup. Morant does carry a lot of baggage, and he doesn’t like the offense that team’s currently running. But acquiring Morant is better than the alternative — which is better than nothing — Antetokounmpo notwithstanding.
We’ll see if Miami pulls the trigger. It would likely come at the expense of Terry Rozier and Simone Fontecchio, two expiring contracts, with the rest being on the table for the Bucks’ superstar, should they decide to move him.
***
This is a developing news story. Stay tuned for updates!
To check out our other content, click here.
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Twitter/X here!
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Instagram here!
Check out Hot Hot Hoops on Facebook here!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel here!
- Norman Powell to play for Team World in All-Star Game
- Jahmir Young named replacement for 2026 Rising Stars game
- POLL: How would you grade Heat’s season entering All-Star break
- Heat defeat Pelicans 123-111 led by Bam Adebayo’s double-double effort
- NBA GAMETHREAD: Miami HEAT (28-27) @ New Orleans Pelicans (15-40)
- GAME PREVIEW: Heat head to New Orleans for final game before All-Star break
- Hanifan: Which Miami Heat players would I protect in expansion draft?
zubac to pacers there goes suns big backup
rc practice your post moves need u big guy
is it worth to watch this mediocre team got e reid got rcs posts?hmmm
The Bucks shouldn’t do that to teams. Everyone got played and teams put in a lot of effort assembling packages just for them to see what they could get. Then they let everyone know he’s not getting traded like three hours before the deadline, makes it hard for teams to pivot and accomplish their goals. OTOH, there should be enough time to make at least one deal and I remain hopeful will hear about it soon. The hour is getting late.
he wants to go to ny sounds like 30
gabe vincent to atlanta
ja and demar would be a good haul plus a big for sunman
Bucks apparently informed teams they aren’t trading Giannis. So looks like status quo…
Maybe Spo can play Ware, Kasparas, and Jovic – more than they probably deserve – to see if they can grow…or we can win roughly 50% of our games and get swept (or gentlemen’s swept) in the playoffs.
ja better be heading here that suks if thats true about greek.
looks like its the heat or wait til summer for greek.
Not coming in the summer neither tank time
whos gonna go to games here nobody
What is the Heat going to do, wait forever?. They should have a plan b.
Timberwolves rumored to have moved on, with the trade for Ayo, giving up Dillingham, thought to be a piece of the trade.
That leaves on Pat – seemingly not understanding that Giannis won’t get moved. Riley really going to put all his eggs in the Giannis off season acquisition or will he move on and try and improve the roster this year?
lebron gets a good one trick pony luke kennard
almost midnight here. about to sleep. when i wake up i guess its all done. whatever that will be. i wonder what the Heat players are feeling? specially Tyler. might be a good thing they don’t have any game scheduled this deadline. i wonder what jersey # our new recruit will wear?
Sit before check what happens over night… and remember, the phone is only a messenger. Good night.
Feels more and more like the “we really like our roster” FO is going to keep us at the 8 seed.
Giannis feels more and more like a pipe dream, that the Bucks aren’t ready to move off of. Getting Ja, might not move the needle, but continuing to fight to get a 8 seed, doesn’t either.
Another wasted year, young talent not playing enough, too good to get a decent pick, too bad to be a contender. NBA purgatory.
In twenty minutes I will 100% agree with your assessment.
Still hopeful. Something is going to happen even if it’s only because there are contract issues to address. But, it’s more than that as this team, as currently constructed, is going nowhere. Hard to gauge what the Bucks are thinking or if Giannis is really even available. But, other teams are making moves. Probably half the league has been involved in some transaction over the last few days. We need to do something. Morant for very little back is a good option, one that gives us hope. In the end I’m optimistic that today is going to be a very good day for us.
I remember the baptism scene in Godfather 1 where all the enemies are eliminated at the same time? I hope Riley has a plan to eliminate all of Miami’s pending issues by 3PM (ET) one way or the other, e.g. Giannis, Morant, Wiggins, Powell, etc.
Leaving unresolved lingering issues is like suffering a slow death.
I also hope Riley doesn’t give so much away that the team is left with a good starting unit and not much else. If he sacrifices Miami’s young players AND future draft picks now, the Heat will not be able to acquire and develop young players in the foreseeable future.
I hope he doesn’t put all of Miami’s eggs in one basket in order to have one last shot at a ring, without regard to what he will be leaving behind when he’s gone.
Keeping my fingers crossed that Riley will earn his money today
“eliminate all of Miami’s pending issues” is posturing for perfection. sounds like it. we could wish for that. i would want that also. but in reality….reality bites. just hope its not that big and painful of a bite.
Ok…not asking for much. Wild but possible thought (?) Riley figures out a way to get both Freak & Morant. Mickey gifts a couple cruise ships to make it happen !!!
Waiting sucks. I hope it is worth it.
The overnight odds are for Giannis to stay in MIL (80%), or be traded to MIA or MIN, both at just 10%. Still think these odds are way, way off.
Milwaukee needs to tank to get a high pick in this draft (they currently have the 9th worst record and have a 25% at a top 4 pick – they need to increase those odds). Assuming Giannis is healthy, he would need to sit out games for them to lose, and there’s no way that happens. Although there’s been no official trade request reported, all signs point that he wants a trade. It would be a big surprise if Milwaukee ignores that. This CBA is very harsh on players, but in the past whenever a franchise legend wants out the team accomodates their request. So I think a deal is highly likely today.
I also think that this trade will happen now. Unless Giannis is hurt more then believed and he will sits out this season. I that case MIN deal should fall apart, because MIN is a contender. I m not sure what Miami would do in that case.
I think there is a close to zero percent chance Giannis gets traded. Why would the Warriors make their move, if there was any chance for Giannis. Sure Miami’s odds go up because the Warriors are out, but it feels a lot like one team read the tea leaves and the other is just praying for a miracle.
My bet is Miami does absolutely nothing. Stuck waiting for the Bucks to make a move in the off season…
Maybe. My bet is that Giannis will be traded.
just a thought. what if Heat end up with the other Antetokounmpo? hahaha that would be freaking funny…and so maddening! i bet this place would blow up and we’d demonstrate in the streets for Riley’s resignation
I dont really understand Bucks. There is not much sense to keep greek till offseason. Offers can be much worse then today.
As for Morant, the sentiment change quite a bit lately here. A month ago, it was hard to find someone here to wants to have Ja in Miami.
Desperate times called for desperate moves.
But I m strongly against it.
Is Ja often injuried: Yes
Does he fit with current way heat are playing: No.
Heat are contender after making this trade: No
Is there a strong chance to get Jimmy 2 in the house: Yes.
Is he expensive:yes
Is he better then what we have now (Herro); not really.
The only trade worth all in is for greek. If he is not available, there the only alternative is to get rid of players, who are not considered as a part of the future and solve the Powell/Herro thing.
That means trade Herro, Rosier, Wiggins, Fonteccio, Dru, Johnson for picks and younger players with more potential, and play out the season with youngsters.
It’s midnight Eastern.
Happy trade deadline day to those who celebrate!
How is everyone feeling?
Giannis looks like he’s not going to Golden State. I really thought an injured 35-year old malcontent getting paid a hundred million dollars was going to get it done. Shocker. I also think New York is out. I think Wolves are seriously trying to get it done but don’t have the pieces.
I think Miami is probably the most likely, unless Cleveland decides to offer Mobly. I think if it gets pushed to the offseason, Cleveland is out because at that point it’s a 1-year rental. But if it gets pushed to the offseason, the Lakers are probably live, the Knicks might be back in it, and someone like OKC or Houston might get in the mix.
Anyway, I hope the Heat get Giannis. I’ve always liked Ja Morant, so I’d be happy if the Heat get him. If it’s only minor moves, I’m probably checked-out on this team until the playoffs.
Yup, just read this:
The Warriors made several offers over the past week but came away with the impression over the past 24 hours that the Bucks won’t be moving Antetokounmpo at the deadline and pivoted to other plans, sources said.
what do you think RC, are we getting Giannis?
I don’t know, but I dislike this down to the wire stuff
I feel like this is the first time i don’t trust the Heat front office. Even with Durant, I thought they were gonna do it. This is the first time I can remember feeling like this front office just doesn’t have the juice to get the deal done
About an hour ago, Shams said some teams wonder if the Bucks are serious about trading Giannis
Kuminga and Hield to Hawks for Porzingis. No picks involved.
Nice to see so many teams trying to improve. No risk no glory
Past midnight here now
Past 12noon here 😉
We are like night and day
This is funny and a bit offensive. Sorry…
But true
A little trivia while we’re waiting for our ss to arrive. I find it interesting that 2 of the worst NBA trades in recent history had to do with the same player – Doncic. First Trae Young for Doncic, and then AD for Doncic. And now, both players end up on the same team.
Oh yeah right. That’s funny. My Mavs friends here are sooooo silent right now. And im sad for them. Poor Mavs fandom they got punked
They got Cooper Flagg. It should’ve been us.
Im already forgetting that! why’d you remind me?! Lol
Pure luck (or conspiracy). Imagine, how that Dallas team would look without Flagg. Black hole.
lol. They should hire Nico Harrison as their GM
And the same team – Dallas.
Just saw this post. What if…
Heat gets Giannis, Morant, Portis
Bucks gets Herro, Jovic, Rozier, 4first rds (1 from Grizz)
Grizz gets Bam (ouch!)
Would you do it?
Said it once I saw Pat with that 06 team and herro was around smiling and dancing he’s not getting traded.
He should, especially if Heat going after Ja.
Who are your front court players other than Giannis and Portis? Why would Grizzlies want Bam if they just traded away JJJ?
Ware+Giannis might work. Hopefully. Portis from bench just might need to do one more trade for a big.
Also Bam >> Jackson
Bam>>>Ja too!
I think Bam is the only guy that the Heat won’t trade
This guy makes a lot of sense about Giannis and Ja. Get Giannis or rebuild.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO1MW0BC6jM
Just a thought (or two) before the NBA trade deadline regarding Miami’s need for more “athletic” players.
Two way players are a luxury most teams would love to have. Despite the number of “non-athletic players” on Miami’s roster, it is still the #5 defensive team in the NBA, behind only OKC, Detroit, San Antonio and Houston.
Defense is not the problem with the Heat, offense is. It is especially important in the last 5 minutes (clutch time). Unfortunately, the Heat does not have players who can consistently perform in the clutch, (regardless of race, ethnicity, defensive ability or athleticism).
There are a ton of players in the NBA who may be “athletic” but who are not bona fide two-way players. Some can play defense but are marginal, at best, on offense. Others are good offensively, but are marginal defenders. Some are raw athletes who never fully develop into all-around NBA caliber players.
Oversimplifying the issue and lumping everyone into “athletic vs non-athletic” categories does not address the real problem. The real problem is that Miami does not have an A+ player or a top notch closer. Many of Miami’s games are lost in the second half because the team does not have a legitimate superstar to carry the load when the rest of the team falters. They normally lose 3rd and 4th quarter leads, not because of defensive meltdowns, but because of offense ones.
If you add one ss to this team (be he “athletic” such as Giannis or “non-athletic” such as Luka) the narrative could completely change. The players could be viewed as fantastic playing together and management could be viewed as outstanding. Until that happens, it is easy to point out the many defects in Miami’s team composition and management’s inadequacies. After all, it is human nature to find someone to blame when things don’t go the way we had hoped.
Let’s all hope Riley pulls a rabbit out of his hat/hits a homerun. Otherwise, we’ll all have plenty to bitch about after 3:00 P.M. (ET) tomorrow.
GO HEAT!!!
Management could be viewed as outstanding is interesting. So somehow management has inadequacies while at the same time having the best overall package for the effing Greek Freak while ALSO being able to possibly pull Ja freaking Morant.
Yeah, they suck. Just because things don’t happen exactly when fans want it to doesn’t mean things haven’t been happening. This is just a reminder of why I frequent less often. Not that anyone cares lol. It seems the board, and the nature of sports blogs/sites, is for fans to complain while things are actually happening. Reminds of the complaining the entire season we ended up in the Finals. Too damn funny.
The only time there is happiness in Mudville is when the team is winning… as it was at the beginning of this season. When the team is not doing so well, the glaring deficiencies are very obvious to all. This is one of those “all in or all out” moments for Heat management. Either catch a whale or turn the page and begin a rebuild. Their empty promises and gaslighting can only go so far.
When bottom feeding lottery teams like Charlotte, Phoenix, Washington, Utah, Portland and others start making moves to improve, it is only a matter of time before they leave Miami in the dust. So saying it is time for Riley to s*** or get off the pot seems very appropriate.
Preach it!
Oh and by the way you can tune down the “complaints” if you can but we sure could use more of 2qbn here
There you go, there you go again. I will be here everyday, wherever you go. Not going to affect me either way. I will be nice, but I will adjust to unnecessary micro-aggressions. Some are satisfied with the last few years, which is the humorous thing. The year you harken back to was in the Covid era. We have all taken off our masks now. The last few years haven’t worked out great by any standard.
We should give Pat credit when he gets something done, not for making a good offer. His task is to try to improve this team and if one avenue is blocked, you find another one. Furthermore, this Ja thing has practically fallen into his lap. Let’s not make any excuses for him not getting anything accomplished this time.
And, if he does make a move by tomorrow that really moves the needle and improves us, then give him all the accolades he will richly deserve.
Personally, I wish 2qbn participated here more often again. It’s not whether I agree with him on every point he makes, but, rather, that he is a counterpoint to the abundance of negative sentiment that exists on this blog now. It can be very hypocritical at times. Case in point – Riley, according to many, is a blundering, over the hill, game’s passed him by, moron right now and has been for a while. And that will remain the case if tomorrow at 3:30, we have exactly the same team we have now. But, if he pulls off one or both of these deals, watch the sentiment here do a complete 180 with lots of ‘that’s great’ and ‘about time’ and ‘we’re relevant again’ and ‘thank you godfather’ comments. I want a deal as much as anyone else. I will be disappointed if we don’t at least get Ja at a discount. Clock is ticking
Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean
David Essex. Rock on?
I said what I said, I only used euphemisms to say it. I’m not defending it anymore.
I am hoping we improve at the deadline. BTW, If we sit Pat and do nothing, why should anyone get credit for trying if it ends up in nothing done? If you want to improve and an offer isn’t taken, you take another route, and not say, oh well, I tried. And this offer for Ja practically fell into our laps. Im tired of excuses. Let’s hope we get something accomplished by tomorrow.
“Let’s hope we get something accomplished by tomorrow.”
You and me both brother. If Riley doesn’t swing a significant trade or two by 3:00 P.M. tomorrow, I think it is time for him to ride off into the sunset. Spo should then be elevated to his position and a new head coach should be named. But that’s just my opinion.
I agree with what you say. I was only using euphemisms. I won’t defend my comments anymore. I was only trying to explain the rationale behind them the best I could. Now I have accomplished that. I knew what I had to say could be unpopular. Everyone has a right to react how they want, and believe what they will. I’m ok with that.
I now turn to the draft and hope for the best.
Tyler Herro for Morant and the Grizzlies throw in one of those picks they got for Jaren Jackson
Tick tock on the clock….
There are deals being worked out, details being discussed, probably going on right now….
herro and dav for ja get that man here dam it
Herro and Fontecchio works better.
This is going to be an exciting 24 hours. All our dreams fulfilled. Or maybe half our dreams. Or maybe none. But, if this story is to be believed and not just some form of posturing, this Ja thing is falling into our laps. And really, our Giannis package is very competitive. It’s hard for me to be objective but it seems like it’s pretty much up to Giannis if they actually do trade him because noone clearly outbid us yet.
“Miami has an offer they could take,” Windhorst said on NBA Today. “I think the Golden State offer is better because of the unprotected picks post Steph (Curry) I value more, but the Miami offer, which has young players and couple of draft picks in it, they could take that offer. Especially if Giannis wants to do it.”
Per Windy
South Beach wins again. Come on down, Ja-mon!
So Ja Seh!