Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12)
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12).
Key Points
The Memphis Grizzlies have had an up-and-down season thus far as they currently sit ninth in the Western Conference standings with a 14-16 record.
Of course, Memphis struggled to begin the season but they have been better recently as they have won six of their last 10 games despite being without star guard Ja Morant who is sidelined with an ankle sprain.
Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
While the Grizzlies have played better recently despite injuries to some key players, they still find themselves barely inside the Play-In picture and they may be open to making some moves ahead of the trade deadline.
If that is the case, Memphis could elect to add talent to their roster to make a run at a playoff spot in the West or they could look to move some of their key pieces and begin a mini-rebuild where they would likely build around Jaren Jackson Jr., Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey.
Either way, it would not be a surprise to see the Grizzlies be active ahead of the trade deadline as they try to turn their season around.
Heat May Target Ja Morant if Grizzlies Look to Move Him
One player who continues to be in trade rumors for Memphis is Morant, who has missed multiple games due to injuries this season, along with one in which he was suspended after getting into a heated exchange with head coach Tuomas Iisalo.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12)
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12)
Because of this, many around the NBA believe the Grizzlies could elect to move on from Morant this season, though his trade value has taken a dip.
If Memphis does shop Morant ahead of the trade deadline, one team that may show interest in the star guard is the Miami Heat as they have been in desperate need of a point guard for the last handful of seasons.
Mock Trade Sends Ja Morant to Heat, Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic to Grizzlies
In a potential trade, the Grizzlies could send Morant to the Heat in exchange for Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic and draft capital.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) — Source: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
While moving Morant would be a tough decision for the Grizzlies to make, it may be in their best interest to do so this season due to injury history and off-court issues and swapping him for Wiggins and Jovic could benefit them.
For Wiggins, he would provide Memphis with a reliable scorer and defender at the forward position who they could either choose to keep on their roster or move him later down the road to add more young talent and draft capital.
Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (21). — Source: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
This season, the 30-year-old forward is averaging 15.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 46.8% from the field and 38.8% from three.
Memphis would also add another key young player in Jovic who has been a key piece off Miami’s bench over the past three seasons.
Nikola Jovic Miami Heat
Nikola Jovic Miami Heat
This season, the 22-year-old forward is averaging 7.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 39.0% from the field and 28.3% from three.
While this trade could work out well for the Grizzlies, they may also want more in return for Morant which could cause the Heat the look elsewhere to upgrade their roster, while Memphis may also elect to keep Morant on their roster.
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