If Ja Morant does get traded by the Grizzlies, it’s now becoming clearer what Memphis might get in return — or at least want.
The controversial two-time NBA All-Star has seen his game, availability and value plummet over the last couple of seasons. Now, in trade rumors, Morant — who is in the third year of a five-year, $197 million deal — could be in for a Trae Young-like fate and be on the move.
On Sirius XM’s “Deals and Dunks,” longtime NBA insider Marc Stein said Memphis is looking to receive a first-round pick and a younger player in return for Morant.
“It’s hard to pinpoint clear-cut suitors. Miami, we know, is interested,” he said. “There has been some dialogue between the teams. How far it’s actually gone, I imagine the Heat would just try to steal him for expiring.
“I don’t know how far the Heat would be willing to go as far as draft capital and young players to put into an offer — We do know with Miami, whenever there’s a star player available, they will at the very least investigate it.”
Young, despite his individual accolades, was dealt by the Hawks to the Wizards last week for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. Although Travis Schlenk — the Hawks general manager when Young was there — is the current Wizards vice president of player personnel, making Washington an obvious landing spot once Young’s time in Atlanta soured.
Young, unlike Morant, can opt into free agency this summer.
Morant is making $39.4 million this season and is set to take $42.1 million and $44.9 million in each of the next two seasons, respectively.
The Heat have contracts that are tradable in the $26-to-$31 million range, like guard Tyler Herro, swingman Andrew Wiggins, and the expiring deal of guard Terry Rozier, who has been on leave all season due to an ongoing betting scandal.
Rozier pleaded not guilty in early December, and the next hearing is scheduled for March 3.
The Heat could use Rozier as a trade chip ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline, as ESPN reported this week.
Other teams rumored to be interested in Morant now include the Pelicans, according to a report from Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, adding them to a list that reportedly includes the Kings, Raptors and Bucks.
Morant, who has never played 70 games in a season, has been limited to just 212 games — regular season and playoffs — since the 2021-22 season, missing 178 games and counting in the process due to injuries and suspensions.
This year, he’s averaging 19 points and 7.6 assists, shooting a career-worst 40.1 percent from the floor, and just 20.8 percent on 3-pointers, also a career-low.
