Report: Heat preferred destination of Grizzlies’ Ja Morant

If the chatter is accurate, Ja Morant has a destination in mind.

Morant wants the Grizzlies to trade him to the Heat, Rachel Nichols said on the SI Now Open Floor Show with Chris Mannix (via DallasHoopsJournal’s Ashish Mathur). That desire reportedly aligns, at least to some degree, with Memphis’ openness to listening.

Jake Fischer of the Stein Line adds that members of the Heat organization have discussed whether Miami could provide an environment that allows Morant to reset and return to his All-Star level. That is the optimistic version of the story.

There is also the messier part. Sources have said that Morant strongly dislikes playing for Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo, citing frustration with frequent short shifts and mass substitutions. The belief, per those sources, is that the approach has prevented Morant from finding rhythm and maintaining his legs over the course of games.

Memphis does not face any contractual barriers to moving Morant. He does not have a no-trade clause, and multiple teams are said to be pursuing him. Rival executives believe the Grizzlies would focus on draft picks and young players in any deal, consistent with a longer-term reset as several young contributors emerge alongside Jaren Jackson Jr.

At the same time, the Grizzlies have not closed the door on keeping Morant as a centerpiece. That ambiguity remains part of the leverage.

On the court, Morant has appeared in 18 games this season, averaging 19.0 points and 7.6 assists while shooting 40.1 percent from the field.