The Miami Heat were a significantly different team from last season. After acquiring Norman Powell this summer, Miami offloaded a significant number of veterans and older players, effectively shifting the team’s timeline.
While this would typically indicate a rebuild, the Heat seem to have gotten better. Led by the young star duo of Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, Miami is poised to be a dark horse in the East with one of the youngest rosters in the league.
Although Miami boasts a solid roster, the team may not have enough firepower to be considered a title contender in the East. However, a trade proposal presented by Sports Illustrated’s Ethen Hutton allows the Heat to transform into a powerhouse by acquiring Ja Morant from the Memphis Grizzlies. Here’s the trade scenario:
Proposed Trade Details
Miami Heat Receive: Ja Morant
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., 2027 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick
Why Should Miami Acquire Morant?
Acquiring Morant would effectively signal a new era for the Miami Heat. With a generational talent joining the side, the Heat would become a new superpower in the East, capable of going toe-to-toe with the best in the league.
As constructed, the Heat are in possession of talented players. When considering their starting backcourt, with Herro and Powell, Miami already possesses impressive offensive firepower.
Injecting Morant into this rotation would require Powell to move to the small forward position, but it would do wonders for the Heat’s overall scoring production.
Morant has shown all the makings of a superstar. Aside from his elite athletic ability and scoring prowess, Morant is known for his showmanship and his ability to perform in clutch situations. These traits resonate with Herro’s game, creating the potential for the two to be one of the most exciting backcourt duos in the league.
Last season, Morant averaged 23.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game, while shooting 45.4% from the field and 30.9% from three-point range.
When assessing the 26-year-old’s play style, he has shown a preference for attacking the basket. While he is ball-dominant, like Herro, he is also more of a threat going downhill. These skills complement Herro’s, considering that he is capable of attacking as a reliable perimeter threat.
Several factors suggest that acquiring Morant would be in Miami’s best interests. When additionally factoring in his age, the Heat would only fortify their core. Given the weakened state of the East next season, Miami could even make a run at the title by making this trade without compromising its timeline.
There could be some concerns regarding his off-court antics and controversies, but under a coach like Erik Spoelstra and a president like Pat Riley, the two-time All-Star is unlikely to have the same latitude.
Additionally, concerns about the star’s health will also be valid. Although he appeared in 50 games last season, Morant has been known to sustain several injuries over the course of the season. Managing this would become a priority for Miami should they consider acquiring him.
What Do The Grizzlies Gain?
The Memphis Grizzlies have already shown that they have partially committed to a rebuild this offseason. By trading Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic, the Grizzlies have effectively broken up their main core. Although they shut down trade rumors of any further activity, it doesn’t guarantee that the Grizzlies won’t commit to a rebuild eventually.
In the current scenario, the Grizzlies’ star duo of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. hasn’t been able to deliver postseason success. With Jackson Jr.’s recent contract extension, Memphis has committed to the former DPOY. Thus, structuring the rebuild around him could prove to be wiser.
On this note, Hutton’s proposal with the Heat sends some solid pieces over to the Grizzlies. With two first-round draft picks (2027 and 2031), Andrew Wiggins, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Nikola Jovic, Memphis would have all the necessary assets to properly structure a rebuild while staying competitive.
Wiggins, who is on an expiring contract, has shown a lot of upside as a gifted two-way player. While anchoring Memphis’ perimeter defense, the 30-year-old has also been a reliable scoring and rebounding presence.
Last season, Wiggins recorded an average of 18.0 points and 4.5 rebounds, while shooting 44.8% overall and 37.4% from three-point range. When asked to play a more significant role on offense, the forward notched a slight uptick in scoring production, showing potential to be a viable scoring threat next to Jackson Jr. in Memphis.
Additionally, acquiring developmental pieces such as Jovic and Jaquez Jr. could also prove to be valuable. Both of them are on the verge of breakout years, with Jovic’s performance at EuroBasket being of particular intrigue.
Both players have shown a lot of upside as scoring assets. Last season, Jovic averaged 10.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per game on 45.6% shooting overall and 37.1% shooting from three-point range. Meanwhile, Jaquez showed promise even with reduced output, as he averaged 8.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game on 46.1% shooting from the field.
Should they receive more playing time with more responsibilities, both players possess the skill and talent to emerge as significant contributors. On a rebuilding team, assets like these could develop into key players on the roster.
Miami May Hesitate To Part With Young Talent
Even with all the benefits that could be gained from doing this deal, the Heat may be hesitant to part ways with the young talent on their roster. While there has been trade talk involving Andrew Wiggins all summer, Miami has maintained a strong stance on retaining both Jaquez Jr. and Jovic for the foreseeable future.
Jaquez Jr. is primed to see a resurgence in form this upcoming season. Meanwhile, the Heat coaching staff has been immensely invested in the performances of their European players, even attending their games at EuroBasket.
Given Jovic’s growth, there are possible scenarios in which the Serbian forward could even be a part of the team’s starting lineup. With this kind of investment, the Heat are unlikely to part ways with these players at the moment.
