Ja Morant Trade Buzz: Why the Heat and Bucks May Be Out of the Picture
With the NBA trade deadline creeping closer, the Ja Morant rumor mill is heating up-but don’t expect to see him suiting up for the Miami Heat or Milwaukee Bucks anytime soon.
Despite recent buzz linking the two Eastern Conference contenders to the Memphis Grizzlies star, league insiders aren’t buying it. According to reporting around the league, including insights from ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, there’s a growing sense that neither Miami nor Milwaukee is likely to land the two-time All-Star.
“I feel confident that Ja Morant will not be a Heat and will not be a Buck,” Bontemps said, pointing to the current dynamics surrounding both franchises and their respective trade strategies.
Let’s break it down.
Miami’s Waiting Game with Giannis
The Heat have long been known as a team that keeps one eye on the present and one on the superstar horizon. Right now, that horizon includes Giannis Antetokounmpo.
League chatter suggests Miami is hesitant to make any blockbuster moves until there’s clarity on Giannis’ future in Milwaukee. If the Bucks’ franchise cornerstone becomes available-whether now or further down the line-Miami wants to be in a position to pounce.
That kind of long game doesn’t exactly mesh with a win-now trade for Morant, especially given his sizable $39.4 million salary this season and the assets it would take to get him.
Milwaukee’s Fit and Focus
As for the Bucks, the pairing of Morant and Antetokounmpo sounds intriguing on paper, but team construction is more than just star power. Milwaukee’s roster is already loaded with high-salary veterans, and adding Morant would require significant cap maneuvering and likely the sacrifice of key rotation players or future assets.
There’s also the question of fit. Morant thrives with the ball in his hands, and integrating him into a system built around Giannis’ unique skill set isn’t a plug-and-play scenario.
Memphis’ Motive: Picks and Youth
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are taking calls. League sources say Memphis is open to dealing Morant and is prioritizing draft capital and young talent in return. That’s a clear sign the franchise may be looking to retool around a younger core-or at the very least, reset its trajectory with more flexibility.
Morant doesn’t have a no-trade clause, which gives Memphis the freedom to explore the best return without being locked into his preferences. Several teams are reportedly in the mix, and while Miami and Milwaukee have been mentioned, they may not have the right blend of assets Memphis is targeting.
Morant’s On-Court Production
Morant has played in 19 games this season, posting averages of 19.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game. He’s shooting 40.7% from the field and just 23.5% from deep, but he’s been nearly automatic from the free-throw line at 89.0%. Those numbers are solid, though slightly below his career marks of 22.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game.
At 26 years old, Morant is still in his prime and remains one of the league’s most electrifying guards when healthy and locked in. He was the 2019-20 Rookie of the Year and has already made two All-Star appearances, but his postseason resume is still thin-just one trip past the first round with Memphis.
What’s Next?
With the trade deadline looming next month, all eyes are on Memphis. The franchise has a decision to make: double down on Morant as the face of the team, or cash in while his value is high and reshape the roster.
One thing seems clear: if Morant is on the move, it probably won’t be to South Beach or Milwaukee. But in today’s NBA, things can change quickly. For now, the Grizzlies are listening-and the rest of the league is watching.