‘Blockbuster’ NBA Trade Idea Sends Ja Morant To Heat

One NBA analyst proposed that the Miami Heat trade for Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant this summer. 

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Heat and Grizzlies: 

Miami Heat receive: Ja Morant and Jay Huff

Memphis Grizzlies receive: Duncan Robinson, Kyle Anderson, Nikola Jović, Jaime Jaquez Jr., a 2025 first-round pick (via GSW), a 2029 first-round pick (top-four-protected) and a 2031 first-round pick

The Grizzlies were swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of this year’s playoffs, while the Heat were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

A two-time All-Star, Morant appeared in 50 games for the Grizzlies this season. He averaged 23.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.3 assists while shooting 45.4% from the field, 30.9% from 3 and 82.4% from the foul line.

Morant was the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The Grizzlies have won just one postseason series since drafting Morant out of Murray State. 

The 25-year-old Morant has career averages of 22.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.4 assists. He signed a five-year, $197 million extension with Memphis in 2022. 

Morant will make $39,446,090 next season, $42,166,510 in 2026-27 and $44,886,930 in 2027-28, the final year of his contract. 

“Their longstanding itch for half-court scoring has yet to be scratched, and their star power hasn’t been where they needed since splitting with Jimmy Butler,” Buckley wrote. “Morant could help on both fronts. He’s an electric downhill scorer and a skilled creator for himself and his teammates. While there would be defensive question marks with a Morant-Tyler Herro backcourt, their offensive upside would be enormous, and they would have Bam Adebayo and head coach Erik Spoelstra around to help correct some of those mistakes.”