Milwaukee Bucks star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo during an NBA game.
With their pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo losing traction as Thursday’s NBA trade deadline approaches, the Miami Heat have shifted their focus to another former All-Star — Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant — as a potential buy-low swing that could reshape the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Heat Pivot From Giannis Antetokounmpo to Ja Morant Trade Talks
According to ClutchPoint’s Brett Siegel, the Heat re-entered the Morant trade discussions with the Antetokounmpo deal appearing unlikely.
“The Heat, who league sources indicate are no longer at the forefront of Giannis trade talks before Thursday’s deadline, are attempting to trade for Grizzlies’ Ja Morant, sources told @ClutchPoints. There is a belief the Heat can pull off a Trae Young-like deal for Morant,” Siegel reported on X ono Wednesday.
Morant has emerged as a realistic trade target for the Heat after the Grizzlies signalled a full rebuild is coming following the blockbuster trade that sent Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz for three first-round picks, a follow-up to last summer’s Desmond Bane deal.
Those trades netted Memphis a combined seven first-round selections while clearing roughly $300 million in long-term salary commitments, dramatically altering how the franchise views Morant’s contract and trade value.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst: Buy Low, Take on Baggage
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst explained Wednesday on Get Up that the Grizzlies no longer need a traditional haul to justify moving Morant.
“They can now shift if they want, instead of trying to trade him for value, to trying to trade him and use him basically as money in a contract,” Windhorst said. “They would take on future money to get assets.
“This is an opportunity for somebody not only to buy low on Ja Morant, but also to offload toxic assets as part of getting Ja Morant. Will any team step up in the next 24 hours? That’s what we’re going to see.
“This is a player who is potentially a steal, but there’s a lot of baggage that comes along with it.”
Miami Heat Among Few Serious Ja Morant Suitors
According to Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports, Miami and the Sacramento Kings remain the two teams actively engaged in buy-low discussions for Morant.
The Heat’s interest is not new. NBA insider Jake Fischer previously reported that Miami had internal conversations about Morant as early as December, even before Antetokounmpo’s name re-entered trade chatter.
“Miami was already shaping into a surprising buyer on this trade market,” Fischer reported at the time. “League sources say the Heat have had internal discussions about Ja Morant and how Miami’s infrastructure could benefit him.”
Off-Court Issues and Injuries Cloud Morant’s Market
Morant’s talent has never been questioned. His durability and decision-making have. He has missed significant time over the past two seasons due to injuries and suspensions, including an eight-game ban in 2023 and a 25-game suspension the following season for conduct detrimental to the league after separate incidents involving firearms on social media.
Siegel previously reported that friction escalated earlier this season when Morant openly criticized the coaching staff, leading to a heated locker-room exchange with head coach Tuomas Iisalo over effort and leadership expectations.
Those concerns have cooled the market, turning Morant from a franchise cornerstone into a calculated risk.
Why the Heat Are Willing to Take the Risk
Miami has a long track record of betting on elite talent in complicated circumstances, trusting its organizational structure, locker-room culture, and accountability system to rehabilitate players’ careers.
At a discounted price — potentially without surrendering premium draft capital — Morant represents a rare chance to acquire a dynamic, franchise-altering guard still in his prime. With Antetokounmpo increasingly unlikely to move before the deadline, the Heat appear ready to gamble that Morant’s upside outweighs his baggage.
Whether Memphis agrees — and whether Miami ultimately pulls the trigger — may be decided in the next 24 hours.