Miami Heat Decided Not To Pursue Trade For Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant Because Of Contract, Injury History
The Miami Heat decided not to pursue a trade for Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant because of his contract and injury history, according to NBA reporter Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
Morant will remain with the Grizzlies for the rest of the season.
The Heat are the only team in the East that didn’t make a trade at the trade deadline.
“The Heat had enough interest in Memphis guard Ja Morant to make an initial call to the Grizzlies weeks ago,” Jackson wrote. “But they didn’t have enough interest to try to trade for him. Per a source, the Heat discussed Morant internally but decided not to pursue a trade because of myriad factors, including his contract and a history of injuries. Morant has not played more than 67 games in any of his six seasons because of injuries and suspensions. He has appeared in nine and 50 games the previous two seasons and just 20 this season, as he’s now sidelined by an elbow injury.”
Morant is making $39.4 million this season. The two-time All-Star will make $42.1 million next season and $44 million in the 2027-28 season, the final year of his contract.
Memphis entertained offers to trade Morant, who doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. Rival executives believed the Grizzlies prioritized draft picks and young players in return.
Morant has appeared in 20 games this season. He’s averaging 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game while shooting 41.0% from the field, 23.5% from beyond the arc and 89.7% from the free-throw line.
The 2019-20 Rookie of the Year, Morant has led the Grizzlies to the second round of the playoffs just once. That was back in 2022.
Morant, 26, has career averages of 22.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game. He was the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
A South Carolina native, Morant is currently out because of an ulnar collateral ligament sprain in his left elbow. The Grizzlies, who traded Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz, are in 11th place in the Western Conference standings.
The Heat are in seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings.
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