An interesting NBA rumor this week suggested that while the Miami Heat would be interested in a blockbuster trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, they could also target a deal for troubled young star Ja Morant.
This has been a good season for the Heat. Despite being without All-Star Tyler Herro for the first month of the campaign, the addition of Norman Powell has turned into one of the best moves of the summer. Plus, high-upside youngster Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kel’el Ware have taken another very nice development step forward.
However, despite the positives this season, including going 10-5 in November, Miami has started to slump over the last couple of weeks and has lost four of its last five. It sends a clear sign that while they are a good team with a great coach, they aren’t talented enough to really get past the East elites.
That is why it should not be a surprise that they have already been linked to a potential blockbuster trade for Antetokounmpo. Especially since they did not make rumored trades for Kevin Durant or Damian Lillard over the last couple of years.
“League sources say that the Heat refused to include Kel’el Ware in any of those trade discussions. They likewise refused to package Ware, Jamie Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jović, and the No. 20 overall pick in last June’s draft in exchange for Durant,” Jake Fischer reports.
“Rest assured that the Heat have not forgotten that Antetokounmpo was said to have a level of interest in a move to Miami back in 2020 before the Bucks’ acquisition of Jrue Holiday led Giannis to ink the first of two Milwaukee contract extensions.”
Ja Morant on Miami Heat’s trade wishlist?
However, the two-time NBA MVP is not the only star player that could be traded this year that the Heat could pursue on the trade block.
According to Fischer, there have been front office conversations about a potential trade for Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant. The two-time All-Star has seen his stock plummet over the last two years due to suspensions, being often injured, and ongoing drama with the team’s current head coach. Yet, the NBA insider claims Miami believes their “infrastructure could benefit him.”
- Miami Heat get: Ja Morant
- Memphis Grizzlies get: Tyler Herro, Nikola Jovic
So if they did try and pursue the troubled star, what would it cost the Miami Heat? Trading for Morant when his value is at a new low would likely benefit the team. A potential deal might only cost the Heat Tyler Herro and Nikola Jovic.
Memphis would surely be interested in getting a talented scorer like Herro back in the deal. But the chance to get an interesting 22-year-old prospect like Jovic to pair with Jaren Jackson Jr. for years would be important toward getting a deal done. Giving up Jovic might make it easier for Memphis to make a deal without having to get a future first-round pick back.
