With just under three weeks to go until the 2025-26 NBA Trade Deadline, the rumor mill is heating up-and fast. The Washington Wizards got the ball rolling last week by pulling off a blockbuster move for Trae Young, and now all eyes are shifting to Memphis, where Ja Morant’s name is starting to surface in trade talks.
Morant, a two-time All-Star and one of the league’s most electrifying guards when healthy and available, may be on the move. While there’s no guarantee the Grizzlies will deal him before the February 5 deadline, there’s at least some smoke coming from South Beach. The Miami Heat are reportedly interested-though not necessarily ready to go all-in.
Let’s be clear: Miami isn’t expected to empty the vault for Morant. But when a star becomes available, Pat Riley and the Heat front office are never ones to sit on the sidelines. They’ll explore the opportunity, even if the odds are long.
What Would a Deal Look Like?
According to league chatter, any Heat offer for Morant would likely be centered around Terry Rozier’s expiring $26.6 million contract. That’s the kind of salary ballast that makes trades work under the cap, and it’s a piece Miami could use to match Morant’s deal in a potential swap.
But there’s a complication-Rozier’s status is currently in limbo. He was placed on leave by the NBA following his arrest in late October as part of an ongoing FBI investigation into illegal gambling. While his salary remains on the books, it’s unclear whether the league would allow him to be traded while the investigation is still active.
That uncertainty casts a shadow over any potential deal. Miami could still attempt to include Rozier, but if the league blocks the move, it would leave both teams back at square one-and potentially force the NBA into a tough public position.
What Do the Grizzlies Want?
From Memphis’ perspective, the return has to make sense. Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman reportedly wants a package that includes at least one young player and a first-round pick. That’s a reasonable ask for a player of Morant’s talent, even with the off-court baggage.
One hypothetical deal floated recently includes Rozier, Simone Fontecchio (whose $8 million contract is also expiring), and promising young wing Jaime Jaquez Jr., along with a first-round pick swap. It’s not a king’s ransom, but it’s something. The question is whether it’s enough to get Memphis to bite.
The Heat’s Dilemma
The Heat are in a tricky spot. They’ve long been a destination for stars, and Morant’s reported interest in landing in Miami adds another layer to the intrigue. But with Rozier’s legal situation unresolved and Morant’s own availability always a question mark, it’s not a straightforward move.
Still, Miami has shown time and again that they’re willing to take calculated risks on talent-especially if there’s a chance to add a dynamic player who can shift the balance of power in the East. Morant, when he’s on the floor, is exactly that kind of player.
The next 19 days could get interesting.