Pat Riley
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The Miami Heat are not likely to have their first round pick returned to them.
The Miami Heat are going to be a team to watch closely ahead of the NBA trade deadline on February 5.
Pat Riley has never been scared to make a big move. He has made plenty of them during his tenure with the Heat and would likely be interested in making another before the deadline this year.
Keeping that in mind, a lot of rumors have surrounded Miami potentially making a move to acquire superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. While that would be a dream scenario for the Heat, there are other avenues to improvement the team could look at as well.
One of those avenues could be to pursue a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies for star point guard Ja Morant.
Miami Heat Again Linked to Trade Idea for Ja Morant
Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey has come up with a new trade idea that he wants to see the Heat and Grizzlies make together.
In his suggested trade proposal, Miami would acquire Morant from Memphis in exchange for Simone Fontecchio and a 2029 first-round pick. Obviously, that would be a big-time win for the Heat from a talent perspective.
“On a winning team, surrounded by experienced, winning players like Bam Adebayo and Andrew Wiggins, and with Erik Spoelstra as his coach, Morant would almost certainly be more focused and more productive,” Bailey wrote.
At one point just a couple of short years ago, Morant was viewed as one of the top rising superstars in the NBA. He is one of the most explosive and dynamic guards in the league. Acquiring him would be worth the risk for Miami.
That risk comes from two different areas. Morant has had some off-the-court and on-the-court issues. His injury history has been a bit concerning as well.
Taking a Closer Look at Ja Morant’s Fit with the Heat
Throughout the course of the 2025-26 NBA season thus far, Morant has played in 20 games. He has averaged 19.5 points per game to go along with 8.1 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and a steal. In addition, he has shot 41 percent from the floor and 23.5 percent from the three-point line.
For the Heat, a chance to acquire a dynamic point guard would be a intriguing. Morant is more than capable of being a franchise player if he plays to his full talent level.
If the price tag that Bailey suggested was accurate, Miami would feature a lineup of Morant, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, Norman Powell, and Tyler Herro. That starting five would be capable of competing in the Eastern Conference.
Again, it’s important to note that this is simply an idea. No reporting has connected the Heat and Grizzlies to this particular trade. However, it’s an intriguing idea.
Would Memphis be happy with that small of a return? Morant’s time with the Grizzlies has not gone smoothly. Perhaps the front office would be willing to move on from him and the money he’s owed.
Only time will tell, but Morant is a name to watch closely as the deadline approaches. If Memphis does make him readily available, Miami would be a team that would make sense as a destination.