The buzz around Ja Morant’s trade availability might sound louder than it actually is - but dig a little deeper, and it becomes clear: the interest across the league is lukewarm at best.
According to recent reports, teams aren’t exactly lining up for the Grizzlies’ star guard. Despite Morant’s undeniable talent and electric style of play, the market for him right now is, in a word, tepid. And that includes the Miami Heat, a team often mentioned in speculative trade chatter.
Let’s start with the Heat. Miami has been linked to Morant in recent weeks, but sources suggest that connection is more smoke than fire.
The Heat are reportedly locked in on preserving cap flexibility for the summer of 2027 - a potentially seismic offseason when several franchise-altering stars could hit free agency. Morant’s contract, which includes a fully guaranteed $44.9 million salary for the 2027-28 season, doesn’t exactly fit that long-term vision.
Bottom line: Miami isn’t looking to tie up that kind of future money unless it results in a clear leap toward title contention. And right now, adding Morant - as dynamic as he can be - doesn’t guarantee that.
Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson doubled down on that sentiment, noting that the Heat haven’t made any formal offer for Morant. In fact, Jackson went as far as to suggest that Memphis might have to attach a first-round pick just to get the Heat to pick up the phone. That’s not exactly a glowing endorsement of Morant’s current trade value.
Across the rest of the league, the vibe is pretty much the same. Executives are wary, and not without reason.
Morant’s recent injury history and stretches of inconsistent production have made teams hesitant. This isn’t about questioning his ceiling - when he’s healthy and locked in, Morant is one of the most explosive guards in the league.
But right now, there’s a real sense of caution.
So while Morant’s name may continue to pop up in trade rumors, the actual market for him appears far more restrained. The talent is there - no question. But between the contract, the injury concerns, and the uncertainty about what version of Morant a team would be getting, GMs around the league are pumping the brakes.
For now, Memphis doesn’t seem to be in any rush to move him. But if the Grizzlies do decide to explore trade options more seriously, they may find that the offers don’t quite match the player’s star power - at least not yet.