Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies could be a trade target for the Miami Heat.
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Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies could be a trade target for the Miami Heat.
The Memphis Grizzlies are expected to trade Ja Morant within the next month before the NBA trade deadline arrives. Reports have circulated about Memphis officially putting Morant on the trade block. Multiple teams are reportedly interested, but Morant’s value is considered lower than ever before due to the past few seasons of negative stories following his name.
NBA insider Chris Haynes shared his perspective on Sirius XM about the team most interested in landing Morant by the deadline:
“I do think Ja will be dealt. I’m not gonna go as far as to say that Miami is the favorite, but it’s been rumored for months that they’ve had interest. It’s not a surprise to see that there is mutual interest from Ja’s camp to be heading to South Beach as well. The other team, the Sacramento Kings, they have interest as well.”
Haynes confirmed two teams that have been rumored to desire Morant for quite some time. The Miami Heat are looking to add some star power to improve their chances of fielding a title contender in a couple of years. Sacramento Kings fans may have some excitement during their abysmal season if Haynes is right about the Kings getting involved as well.
Ja Morant Has His Own Preference
The quote from Haynes mentioned that Morant’s camp is starting to show some signs towards preferring Miami due to the fun location. Names like Jimmy Butler, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh all chose the Heat as landing spots when they had the chance to control their own futures for similar reasons.
Morant doesn’t have that same level of control due to the Grizzlies trading him vs those other players being free agents. However, most NBA teams don’t like to acquire a talent via trade if they are aware the player doesn’t want to spend their career there.
It is unlikely that Morant forces his hand in an already weak trade market, but his desire to play in Miami could be enough to tempt the Heat. Lesser competition in the trade market helps the Heat chances of keeping most of their roster intact while still having a viable package for Morant.
Miami’s Trade Package For Ja Morant
Zach Lowe recently claimed that previous rumors of the Heat having to include Andrew Wiggins and Jaime Jaquez were inaccurate. The popular reporter listed Tyler Herro and Terry Rozier’s dead money contract as the two players that Miami would likely offer for Morant.
Memphis would have to settle for the compensation of Herro and a protected draft pick, as it currently stands. Herro could make sense as a fellow All-Star, who has shown the ability to step up in big games and become part of the Grizzlies’ future.
However, other teams will have the chance to outbid the Heat if Miami doesn’t up this offer. The current market sees few teams willing to give up a lot for Morant, but things can change over the next three weeks and change. Neither side is in a rush with enough time left before the trade deadline in February.