If Ja Morant is traded by the Grizzlies, it now becomes clearer what Memphis gets – or at least wants – in return.
The controversial two-time NBA All-Star has seen his play, availability and value plummet in recent seasons. According to trade rumors, Morant – who is in the third year of a five-year, $197 million deal – could face a Trae Young-esque fate and be on his way.
On Sirius XMs “Deals and Dunks,” longtime NBA insider Marc Stein said Memphis is looking for a first-round pick and a younger player in exchange for Morant.
“It’s difficult to identify clear candidates. We know Miami is interested,” he said. “There’s been some dialogue between the teams. As far as it’s gone, I imagine the Heat would just try to steal it because it’s expired.
“I don’t know how far the Heat would be willing to go in terms of loan capital and young players to make an offer. With Miami, we do know that when a star player is available, they will at least explore him.”
Young, despite his individual accolades, was dealt by the Hawks to the Wizards last week for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. Although Travis Schlenk — the Hawks general manager when Young was there — is the Wizards’ current vice president of player personnel, making Washington an obvious landing spot once Young’s time in Atlanta soured.
Young, unlike Morant, can opt for free agency this summer.
Morant is making $39.4 million this season and will receive $42.1 million and $44.9 million in each of the next two seasons, respectively.
The Heat have contracts that are tradable in the $26 million to $31 million range, including guard Tyler Herro, swingman Andrew Wiggins and the expiring deal of guard Terry Rozier, who has been on leave all season due to an ongoing gambling scandal.
Rozier pleaded not guilty early december, and the next hearing is schpostponed for March 3.
The Heat could use Rozier as a trade chip ahead of the February 5 trade deadline, as ESPN reported this week.
Other teams rumored to be interested in Morant now include the Pelicans, according to a report from HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, adding them to a list that reportedly includes the Kings, Raptors and Bucks.
Morant, who has never played 70 games in a season, has been limited to just 212 games (regular season and playoffs) since the 2021-22 season, missing 178 games and adding to that due to injuries and suspensions.
This year he is averaging 19 points and 7.6 assists, shooting a career-worst 40.1 percent and shooting just 20.8 percent on three-pointers, also a career low.
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