Heat Have Eyes on Ja Morant - But Only if the Price Is Right
Ja Morant’s future in Memphis might be approaching a crossroads - and the Miami Heat are watching closely. With the trade deadline looming on February 5, the two-time All-Star has reportedly drawn interest from Miami, but there’s a major caveat: the Heat are only in if the deal comes at a steep discount.
According to league insider Jake Fischer, Miami’s front office is intrigued by the idea of adding Morant to its roster, but they’re not looking to overpay. The benchmark?
A package similar to what the Washington Wizards gave up for Trae Young - a deal that sent C.J. McCollum and Corey Kispert to Atlanta.
That’s the kind of trade framework Miami is eyeing for Morant. And it makes sense when you look at the numbers.
Morant still has $126.6 million remaining on his contract, which runs through the 2027-28 season. That’s a hefty commitment - especially when compared to Young’s deal, which had $95.3 million left and a player option in the second year. So while Morant’s talent is undeniable, the extra year of guaranteed salary, averaging around $42-45 million annually, is a sticking point for a Heat team already navigating tight financial waters.
Right now, Miami sits $42.9 million over the salary cap. They’ve got just $7.1 million of wiggle room under the first apron, and $19.1 million under the second. If they want to bring in Morant’s $39.4 million salary, they’ll have to get creative - and make some serious salary adjustments.
The likely trade package? Sources suggest it could center around Terry Rozier, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and possibly a young prospect like Kel’el Ware.
Rozier’s $26.6 million expiring contract would be a key piece, but there’s a complication: he was placed on indefinite leave in October as part of an ongoing FBI gambling investigation. Whether he’s eligible to be included in a trade remains unclear.
Then there’s the question of Morant’s current value - and that’s where things get tricky.
The 26-year-old guard is in the middle of his most challenging stretch since entering the league in 2019. He’s played in just 20 games this season, and only 59 total over the past two years.
His numbers have dipped: 19.5 points, 8.1 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game, while shooting just 23.5% from three and 41% from the field. Those are solid numbers for most players - but for Morant, they fall short of the explosive production we've come to expect.
To make matters worse, Morant suffered a UCL sprain in his left elbow on January 22. He’s expected to miss at least three weeks, which puts a serious dent in any trade momentum. With the deadline fast approaching, Memphis is left with a tough decision: move Morant now for a below-market return, or hang on and hope he can bounce back - both in health and value - later this season.
For Miami, the calculus is simple. They see the upside in Morant - a dynamic playmaker and former Rookie of the Year - but they’re not willing to mortgage their future or cap flexibility unless the price is right. And with the market reportedly quiet elsewhere, the Grizzlies may not have much leverage.
This is one of those moments where timing, talent, and circumstance all collide. Ja Morant still has the potential to be a franchise-changing player.
But right now, his trade value is at a low point, and Miami knows it. Whether that turns into action before the deadline remains to be seen - but the Heat are clearly ready, if the deal makes sense.