The Miami Heat’s strong early-season performance may prompt team president Pat Riley to pursue aggressive upgrades ahead of the trade deadline as the franchise positions itself for a deep playoff run in the wide-open Eastern Conference.
If the two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo opts to remain in Milwaukee this season, ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel floated a bold alternative path: a blockbuster pursuit of Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant in a three-team structure that would reshape Miami’s roster while involving both the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis.
Proposed Three-Team Blockbuster Sends Morant to Miami, Wiggins to Lakers
Siegel’s hypothetical framework positions the Heat to land Morant without surrendering key franchise pieces Tyler Herro or Kel’el Ware, instead building a trade package around young contributors, defensive specialists and draft capital.
Miami Heat receive: G Ja Morant, F Rui Hachimura, G/F John Konchar, G Gabe Vincent
Los Angeles Lakers receive: F Andrew Wiggins
Memphis Grizzlies receive: G Davion Mitchell, F Jaime Jaquez Jr., F Simone Fontecchio, G Terry Rozier (expiring contract), MIA 2029 1st-round pick, MIA 2030 1st-round swap, LAL 2031 1st-round pick
Siegel emphasized that Memphis has not made Morant available and continues to signal no intention of trading the former Rookie of the Year. Even so, he noted that Morant’s theoretical trade value is “significantly lower” than Antetokounmpo’s, allowing the Heat to retain Herro and Ware while offering a competitive package.
From Miami’s viewpoint, Siegel wrote that parting with Davion Mitchell and Jaquez “would be an obvious move” if it meant acquiring Morant—a dynamic playmaker who could instantly elevate the Heat’s offensive ceiling. Wiggins, included in the framework, would be rerouted to the Lakers in exchange for additional assets.
Los Angeles has “long held interest in Wiggins dating back to the offseason,” Siegel noted, though whether the Lakers would part with their lone tradeable first-round pick remains uncertain.
Heat Have Discussed Morant Internally; Memphis Tensions Continue
Miami’s interest in Morant is not purely speculative. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Heat have already held internal discussions about potentially acquiring the former All-Star.
“Miami was already shaping into a surprising buyer on this trade market even before this week’s Giannis headlines,” Fischer reported. “League sources say the Heat have had internal discussions about Ja Morant and how Miami’s infrastructure could benefit him.”
Morant has been the subject of trade speculation since early in the season. Siegel previously reported that tensions escalated in Memphis when Morant criticized the coaching staff, resulting in raised voices in the locker room as head coach Tuomas Iisalo challenged Morant over perceived lapses in effort and leadership.
This friction has layered onto Morant’s already complicated off-court history, which includes multiple NBA suspensions for conduct detrimental to the league. In 2023, Morant was suspended for eight games after appearing on Instagram Live holding a firearm; the league suspended him for 25 games the following season for a similar incident. Several additional off-court disputes involving individuals close to Morant heightened scrutiny of his decision-making and professionalism.
Taking a page from former Heat star Jimmy Butler, Morant admitted after a brief suspension earlier this season that he no longer felt joy playing for Memphis, fueling league-wide questions about his long-term fit with the franchise.
@tsn Tensions continue to brew in Memphis as star PG Ja Morant says he’s not as happy as he once was on the court. 😬 (🎥: Matt_Infield / X)
Morant’s On-Court Production Has Declined Amid Injuries and Turmoil
Morant’s performance this season has lagged behind his previous All-Star standards. He has averaged 17.9 points and 7.6 assists while shooting 35.9% from the field and just 16.7% from three—well below his career averages. He has not appeared in a game since Nov. 15 due to a right calf strain suffered against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his availability and trajectory, Siegel argued that a Miami core of Morant, Herro, Hachimura, Bam Adebayo and Norman Powell would represent a formidable unit tailored for postseason success under Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.
Whether the Grizzlies shift their stance remains the defining question. But as the Heat continue to search for a star-level addition who fits both timeline and culture, Morant may emerge as a surprising trade deadline pivot should the market move away from Antetokounmpo.
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