NBA Notes: Blazers, Ja Morant, Suns, Miles Bridges, Heat

Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers knew they were taking a chance when they acquired Ja Morant. The bigger question is whether the gamble pays off.

As Keith Smith of Spotrac recently reported (via SI’s Jeremy Brener), one Portland executive said the organization believes Morant simply needed a fresh start after seven seasons with the Grizzlies.

“Sometimes you have to take big swings,” the executive said. “We think Ja was in need of a fresh start. The All-Star, All-NBA guy is still in there.”

It’s easy to understand Portland’s thinking. The Blazers don’t typically land superstar talent in free agency, so when a player of Morant’s caliber became available, they made their move.

If Morant can stay healthy and rediscover the form that made him one of the league’s most explosive guards, Portland could have one of the biggest steals of the offseason.

Suns

The Suns believe acquiring Miles Bridges was worth sacrificing another future draft pick. Not everyone agrees.

For instance, The Athletic’s David Aldridge questioned Phoenix’s decision to include an unprotected 2033 first-round pick in the deal with Charlotte, noting the Suns have already spent much of their future draft capital in pursuit of winning now.

Phoenix general manager Brian Gregory defended the move, saying the organization still controls first-round picks in each of the next seven drafts and felt comfortable making the trade to land Bridges.

Whether that’s enough will ultimately depend on one thing.

If Bridges helps keep the Suns in the playoff picture, few will worry about a draft pick seven years from now. If not, that 2033 selection could become one of the more heavily scrutinized assets in the league.

Heat

Training camp remains a couple of months away, but there will be plenty to watch in Miami once it opens.

Mateo Mayorga of Heat on SI pointed to three storylines in particular.

The biggest, of course, is how coach Erik Spoelstra manages Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s workload after several seasons interrupted by calf injuries. Keeping the former MVP healthy for the postseason figures to be Miami’s top priority.

The Heat will also be counting on Pelle Larsson to take another step after an encouraging second season. Miami would love to see the young wing develop into another reliable playmaker and perimeter shooter.

Then there’s Bam Adebayo. After an emotional summer that included a much-discussed confrontation with former teammate Tyler Herro in Las Vegas, all eyes will be on whether Adebayo brings that same competitive edge into the regular season.

Miami has never shied away from embracing toughness, and the Heat would undoubtedly welcome their captain setting that tone again.