NBA Trade Idea Sends Grizzlies' Ja Morant to Heat in Exchange for Four Players - NewsBreak
The Memphis Grizzlies and Miami Heat got swept in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs.
The Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Grizzlies, while the Cleveland Cavaliers swept the Heat.
Memphis drafted Ja Morant with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Morant won the 2019-20 Rookie of the Year Award and the 2021-22 Most Improved Player of the Year Award. He has also made two All-Star teams and one All-NBA team.
However, the Grizzlies have won only one postseason series in the Morant era.
Some believe Morant, who has been suspended twice by the NBA for showing a gun on IG Live, needs a change of scenery and one NBA analyst proposed that the Heat trade for the All-Star point guard.
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Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed that the Heat trade Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Pelle Larsson, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2031 first-round pick swap to the Grizzlies for Morant this offseason.
"This is a lot to give up for a diminutive guard who's struggled to stay on the floor throughout his career, but Morant also has superstar upside," Bailey wrote. "And this season made it clear that a top duo of Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro isn't good enough for meaningful title contention.
"Sliding those two back into more appropriate roles as second and third options would help them. And as two members of a big three, they can offer plenty of support to Ja."
Morant will make $39.4 million next season. He signed a five-year, $197 million extension with the Grizzlies in 2022.
The 25-year-old Morant appeared in 50 games for Memphis this season. He averaged 23.2 points and 7.3 assists while shooting 45.4% from the field, 30.9% from 3 and 82.4% from the foul line.
Morant has played in 307 NBA games with the Grizzlies. He has career averages of 22.6 points and 7.4 assists.
Jimmy Butler requested a trade from the Heat this season and was traded to the Golden State Warriors.
After getting swept by the Cavaliers, it's evident Miami needs more talent.