The only Ja Morant trade the Heat must be willing to make is with the Grizzlies

As it is The Miami Heat have been surrounded by rumors with Ja Morant from the Memphis Grizzlies, the question remains what the team will have to give up to acquire the talented point guard. While it is Heat is associated with Morant and also a superstar Giannis Antetokounmpothere’s no doubt how busy the team could be ahead of the February 5 deadline.

These talks intensified every day, as did Miami and Memphis “preliminary discussions” around Morant’s availability, though the link was labeled “premature,” according to Anthony Chang of the Miami Herald.

“There have been preliminary discussions between the Heat and Grizzlies about Morant’s availability, according to a league source,” Chang wrote. “Those talks have not yet escalated, and a deal is not imminent, with a source characterizing the Heat’s connection to Morant as ‘premature.’

There have been other reports claiming that Morant sees Miami as “attractive option” per Kelly Ico of Yahoo Sports.

“There are teams with varying levels of interest in Morant — Minnesota, Sacramento and Milwaukee, to name a few — but Miami has quickly emerged as an attractive option for Morant and his camp in recent days,” sources said, Ico wrote.

Now, with the Morant news buying a house in Miami, speculation has reached a new level.

“Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant has bought a home in Miami, according to Miami-Dade County property records,” wrote Lucas Finton and DayMichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. “Records show that on December 23, 2025, Morant was listed as the executor of a trust that purchased a $3.2 million home.”

However, Morant’s trade value is clearly low, so how much should the Heat give up for the star? Let’s talk:

In a potential pursuit of the Heat, what does Ja Morant’s trade value look like?

As it is Heat look at Morant’s trade value, he appears to be short, like Tim MacMahon gave several reasons on why from an Eastern Conference executive.

“I’m just going to quote an executive from the East. The combination of a sore butt, injury-prone, not so good anymore, and a big contract, is bad,” McMahon said.

Whether or not fans believe Miami should trade for Morant is out of date, as this executive from the East could share the same sentiments with Heat ownership. However, there’s no denying the talent that could unlock Miami’s famed system that gets the best out of its players.

Morant has dropped off in production over the past few seasons, but credit can be given to the effort the 26-year-old has put in, as his displeasure with the Grizzlies organization has been well-documented.

With his public frustration with the team, his slump in play, a mix of off-the-field situations that led to multiple suspensions and a contract that will see him make around $40 million a year through the 2028-29 season, it’s hard to ask for much of a return.

I’d be cautious about giving up too many assets, especially if the Heat find themselves in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, but playing the waiting game can be dangerous. While there has been talk that Miami could be in the driver’s seat to sign both players, that might sound like wishful thinking.

Last season, Morant averaged 19 points, 7.6 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game while shooting 40.1 percent from the field and 20.8 percent from deep, most of those categories being up to his previous years.

What the Heat should and shouldn’t trade for Ja Morant

Looking at what a A Morant trade for the Heat could look likemany mock deals involved multiple first-round picks and an array of players that included Kel’el Ware, Andrew Wiggins and others. That’s too much, especially when the main target should still be Antetokounmpo, as well as Zach Lowe demolished that kind of business.

“Miami was a hot team,” Lowe said on the latest episode of his show. “I saw some mock trade where it was like Wiggins + Jaquez + 2 first round picks, and I was like, ‘What are you smoking?’ The Miami trade is more like Hero + Dead Money (Terry Rozier) + not much else.

“I think some team will end up trading something real for him,” Lowe continued. “It’s the ultimate ‘buy low’ thing; He’s never going to be this unhealthy. Off-field stuff, hopefully, from the back end. He’s completely unmotivated out there and he’s going to get a motivated chip on his shoulder (when he’s gone).”

Given that Lowe even included Hero in a potential deal, I’d almost be wary of that as well, as Miami’s longtime point guard has a troubled injury history and should be extended this summer despite having an All-Star season last year.

Discussions surrounding a potential contract for Morant included Terry Rozier’s expiring contract, Simone Fontecchio, a 2028 or 2029 first-round lottery pick and one of Miami’s young players, Jaime Jaquez Jr. or Nikola Jovic. For someone as talented as Morant, fans and the organization could feel good about that, especially if the team were to save key pieces for potential Antetokounmpo down the stretch.

A potential heat blocker Ja Morant?

It’s interesting to think about Heat potential pursuit of Morant and Antetokounmpoas the team has been interested in big-name stars in the past, such as Kevin Durant last offseason and Damian Lillard a few years ago.

Morant’s connection to Miami would be interesting, as he gives the team a top point guard to pair with Bam AdebayoNorman Powell and others, plus the Murray State product would join a team he knows. With the Heat now running a free-flowing, up-tempo offense that limits the amount of screens, it was implemented with the help of Noah LaRoche, who was instrumental in bringing him to Memphis, and a style that Morant wasn’t a fan of.

As LaRoche’s involvement in a consulting role could pose problems for fans in their pursuit of Morant, NBA insider Jake Fisher said that it would have surprised him if it had dissuaded him Pat Riley from retirement. After all, Morant’s interest in Miami was well noted, as Ico continued to report.

“The Heat have historically been considered one of the NBA’s most focused and structured organizations, a major aspect of the development that appeals to Morant, who has missed 34 games due to various suspensions,” Ico wrote. “Morant also has a deep respect for the Heat’s head coach Erik Spoelstrawho also leads Team USA; Morant wants to represent his country at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The presence of Miami’s veterans is an additional selling point and something Morant craves.”

If the Heat could land Morant on a low-risk deal, it would be too good to pass up, but if Miami had to trade a young up-and-comer or first-round pick, you might have to do it anyway.