The Memphis Grizzlies were swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of this year’s playoffs. The franchise has won only one postseason series (2022) since drafting Ja Morant with the second overall pick in the 2019 draft.
Some believe the Grizzlies should embark on a rebuild this summer by trading Morant since the Western Conference is so tough and one NBA analyst thinks a playoff team in the East could make sense as a landing spot for the two-time All-Star.
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed that the Miami Heat trade Duncan Robinson, Kyle Anderson, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., a 2025 first-round pick (via GSW), a 2029 first-round pick (top-four-protected) and a 2031 first-round pick to the Grizzlies for Morant and Jay Huff this summer.
If this trade happened, the Heat would have Morant, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro as a “Big 3.”
“Their longstanding itch for half-court scoring has yet to be scratched, and their star power hasn’t been where they needed since splitting with Jimmy Butler,” Buckley wrote. “Morant could help on both fronts. He’s an electric downhill scorer and a skilled creator for himself and his teammates.
“While there would be defensive question marks with a Morant-Herro backcourt, their offensive upside would be enormous, and they would have Adebayo and head coach Erik Spoelstra around to help correct some of those mistakes.”
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12).
Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Morant appeared in 50 games for the Grizzlies this season. He averaged 23.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.3 assists while shooting 45.4% from the field, 30.9% from 3 and 82.4% from the foul line.
Morant has career averages of 22.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.4 assists. He signed a five-year, $197 million extension with Memphis in 2022.
The Heat, who were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of this year’s playoffs, signed Adebayo to a three-year, $165 million extension last summer.
