Heat Keeping Options Open with Eyes Still on Giannis
The Miami Heat are staying active behind the scenes, keeping their options wide open as the trade deadline approaches. While their sights remain firmly set on landing a superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo, they’re not ruling out other potential moves - including a possible pursuit of Grizzlies guard Ja Morant.
According to league sources, Miami has shown “some level” of interest in Morant in recent weeks. But let’s be clear: Giannis is still the main prize.
The Heat are operating with a “both/and” mindset rather than “either/or.” In other words, they’re not treating a Morant pursuit as something that would necessarily take them out of the Giannis conversation.
From Miami’s perspective, it’s all about timing, value, and flexibility. If Memphis lowers its asking price for Morant - and that’s still a big “if” - the Heat could explore a deal without compromising their long-term ability to make a blockbuster move for Antetokounmpo. That’s the tightrope they’re walking: staying aggressive while preserving enough assets and cap maneuverability to strike big when the moment is right.
Memphis Playing the Middleman After JJJ Trade
On the other side of the chessboard, Memphis is embracing its role as a potential trade facilitator following the recent deal that sent Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah. The Grizzlies are now in a strong position to help broker other moves around the league - and possibly benefit in the process.
One name being floated in connection with Memphis is Raptors center Jakob Poeltl. With a $28.9 million trade exception now in hand, the Grizzlies could absorb Poeltl’s $19.5 million salary without needing to send out matching contracts. That’s a rare bit of flexibility in today’s cap landscape, and it gives Memphis a seat at the table in multi-team trade talks.
Toronto, meanwhile, has been engaged in discussions with Sacramento centered on Domantas Sabonis. But the Kings reportedly have no interest in Poeltl, which opens the door for a third team - like Memphis - to step in and take on the big man’s contract.
Here’s the catch: Poeltl’s deal runs through the 2029-30 season and still has over $100 million left on it. That’s a hefty long-term commitment, and around the league, his contract is widely viewed as a negative asset. For Memphis to take it on, they’d likely need to be compensated with meaningful draft capital or young talent.
Chicago has also surfaced as a potential facilitator in these talks, but the Bulls would need to send out salary to make the math work - something Memphis doesn’t have to worry about thanks to their trade exception.
Golden State, Giannis, and the Money Math
In any potential trade scenario involving Giannis Antetokounmpo, salary matching becomes a key component - and that’s where Draymond Green’s $25.9 million contract comes into play. With Jimmy Butler reportedly not included in Golden State’s offer, Green’s deal becomes essential for the numbers to line up.
For Miami, that’s just another layer to consider in their pursuit of the two-time MVP. They’re threading a needle - balancing their desire to stay competitive now with the need to maintain enough flexibility for a franchise-altering swing.
Bottom line: The Heat are staying in the mix on multiple fronts, and they’re doing it with purpose. Whether it’s Giannis, Morant, or another surprise name, Miami is positioning itself to strike - but only if the timing and price are right.