Heat insider fuels Ja Morant trade rumblings with Pat Riley on mic

A ton rumors have surrounded Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant lately regarding recent comments about his lack of “joy” with the team, as another franchise linked to the star in a potential trade Miami Heat. As people in the basketball world come up with trade proposals to send Morant to the heat from the Grizzlies, a team insider added fuel to the fire.

The Sun Sentinel’s Ira Winderman spoke with Frank Isola and Brian Scalabrino, after being asked if he sees the possibility of Morant ending up in Miami. He would see that, explaining why the team “Pat Riley‘s a home for players in need” and gives an example with Tim Hardaway in 1996.

“Yes, yes, and yes, because it’s Pat Riley,” Winderman said. “This is Pat Riley’s home for distressed players. And I’m going to take this back to 1996. Tim Hardaway gets kicked out of the starting lineup by Rick Adelman. On his knees, his career is over; he’s a shooter. Who would take a chance on him? Boom.”

“It’s Pat Riley’s home for players in need”😂@IraHeatBeat says @TheFrankIsola & @Scalabrine The Heat could be a good landing spot for Ja Morant. pic.twitter.com/gKs6Vkvi3sP

— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) November 7, 2025

Not mentioned in the clip, but the other recent struggling player to come to the Heat is 2021 Jimmy Butler of the Philadelphia 76ers. What resulted was a successful tenure that saw Miami reach two NBA Finals, but it would end in ugly fashion last season before he was traded to the Golden State Warriors.

More in the basketball world could see Ja Morant with the Heat

While it seems to exist tension with Morant and Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisala move to the Heat could be a good fit as the team has changed its offensive philosophy to match that of Memphis since last season. With Miami leading the pace with 106.95 possessions per 48 minutes, the addition of Morant could make them dangerous, as will the former Kevin Garnett could see the 26-year-old with the Heat.

“I actually thought – Me in Miami, you know why? Miami has some structure. You don’t just work down there and do what you want. You down in some real structure that will make you a professional.” They may be the last to have real culture, where once you get in, you’re actually better,” Garnett said on his “KG Certified” show.

Either way, it remains to be seen what will happen between Morant and Memphis.