Ja Morant has seemingly been on the trade block since the season began, and those rumors have only intensified as the year has progressed.
The Memphis Grizzlies have climbed back into the playoff picture after a tough start, even while Morant missed almost a month with a calf strain. The Grizzlies could get a nice return for the former All-Star and still contend in the Western Conference. In a new trade proposal from Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, Memphis sends Morant to the Miami Heat in exchange for some high-upside players.
Here’s the full trade proposal:
- Grizzlies receive: G Tyler Herro, F Nikola Jovic
- Heat receive: G Ja Morant
Does either side say yes to this deal? Do both teams say no? Let’s see it through and find out:
Why Memphis Grizzlies Make This Trade
Memphis would certainly like to move on from Morant, who has had a hard time staying on the court over the past few seasons and doesn’t seem to click with new head coach Tuomas Iisalo. This is a return the Grizzlies would probably be comfortable with.
Herro would be the headliner for Memphis in this deal , as he was an All-Star last season averaging 23.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists while shooting 47.2% from the field and 37.5% from three. He’s only played in six games this season due to ankle and toe injuries, but he appeared in 77 games in 2024-25. The Grizzlies should view 2025-26 as more of an outlier for Herro from a health perspective and be confident in his production when he’s at full strength. The Kentucky product also has playoff experience, including two runs to the NBA Finals, and is under contract for one more season.
Jovic is a nice auxiliary piece in this trade that will help balance salaries. He showed flashes of potential last season, so much so that Miami signed him to a four-year, $62.4 million extension before this season. He’ll have the opportunity to develop into a key rotational player, or potentially a starter, in Memphis.
Why Miami Heat Make This Trade
Morant has all the talent in the world, evidenced by All-Star selections in 2022 and 2023, but off the court issues have also followed him for the last few years. The Heat, however, believe their famed culture is bigger than any one player in the organization, and if they can get Morant to buy into that mentality, it might just change the trajectory of his career.
As per usual, Miami is contending in the Eastern Conference, and bringing in a player like Morant at the deadline is the kind of move that could ignite a deep playoff run. The Heat would also be getting him at a discount, given the situation, and wouldn’t have to give up any draft capital in this deal.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 draft is under contract for two more seasons after 2025-26 and is just entering his prime. The risk is always high with Morant, but the reward could certainly be higher for Miami.
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