Ja Morant has expressed interest in joining the Miami Heat via trade from the Memphis Grizzlies, but the extent of Miami’s reciprocal interest remains uncertain as the February 5 trade deadline approaches.
There have been preliminary discussions between the Heat and Grizzlies regarding Morant’s availability, according to a league source. However, those talks have not escalated and a deal is not imminent, with one source characterizing the Heat’s connection to Morant as “premature.”
Miami has quickly emerged as an attractive option to Morant and his camp in recent days, according to Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports. This follows ESPN’s recent report that Memphis is entertaining offers for Morant for the first time during his tenure with the franchise.
“The Heat have historically been regarded as one of the NBA’s most detail-oriented and structured organizations, a major aspect of development that appeals to Morant, who has missed 34 games due to various suspensions,” Iko reported Wednesday.
Morant has deep respect for Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, who also runs Team USA. Morant desires to represent his country in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, and Miami’s veteran presence is an additional selling point.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Memphis would prioritize draft picks and young players in return. The expectation is Miami would not want to include any first-round picks or any of its best young players in a potential deal for Morant.
A hypothetical trade involving the expiring salaries of Terry Rozier and Simone Fontecchio for Morant would work financially. However, Miami would then have to absorb Morant’s $89 million in additional salary during the next two seasons instead of allowing those contracts to expire this offseason.
Morant, 26, is earning $39.4 million this season and has two additional years remaining on his contract. He is due $42.2 million next season and $44.9 million for 2027-28 before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2028.
Morant’s production has declined in recent years after being named NBA Rookie of the Year for 2019-20 and making the All-NBA Second Team for 2021-22. He is averaging 19.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game while shooting 40.2 percent from the field and 21.6 percent from three-point range in 17 games this season.
He has been sidelined since January 2 because of a right calf contusion. Among 238 NBA players who entered Wednesday with at least 70 three-point attempts this season, Morant has the third-worst three-point shooting percentage.
Morant is also getting to the rim less and not finishing around the basket as effectively this season. After shooting 66.9 percent on 7.9 rim attempts during 2021-22, he is shooting 60.5 percent on 4.5 rim attempts per game this season.
Morant is eligible to sign up to a three-year, $178 million extension this summer. According to Iko, Morant is hopeful of securing a maximum extension by next summer.