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The Miami Heat were not willing to meet the Memphis Grizzlies demands for guard Ja Morant.
The Miami Heat were linked to Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant on multiple occasions, but decided not to trade for the star.
After the trade deadline expired on February 5, Greg Sylvander of 5ReasonsSports revealed the package the Grizzlies wanted from the Heat in exchange for Morant.
“Memphis wanted Jaime [Jaquez Jr.] or [Kel’el] Ware, plus [Terry] Rozier and a first-round pick,” Sylvander said.
Ultimately, the asking price was too high for Pat Riley and the Heat front office.
Despite ongoing trade talks for multiple weeks, Morant wasn’t dealt at the trade deadline. Instead, it was Grizzlies center Jaren Jackson Jr. who was traded to the Utah Jazz in a blockbuster trade.
Morant was linked to multiple teams throughout the last few weeks, but the Heat stood out as a potential favorite if he were to be dealt. Other teams reportedly weren’t as interested in a trade.
The star guard is having a down season in comparison to what NBA fans are used to seeing. He’s averaging 19.5 points, 8.1 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game. It’s Morant’s fewest points per game since the 2020-2021 season.
Why Didn’t the Miami Heat Meet the Grizzlies’ Price?
GettyPat Riley and the Miami Heat wanted to keep their young players and first-round pick.
There are likely multiple reasons why the Miami Heat weren’t willing to meet the Memphis Grizzlies’ asking price for Ja Morant.
Morant has had his fair share of issues both on and off the court. He’s missed NBA games on multiple occasions for various suspensions and his play has been declining on the court.
The Grizzlies wanted either Jaime Jaquez Jr. or Kel’el Ware. Both players play an important role in the Heat’s rotation. Jaquez, who is having the best season of his young career, acts as a spark plug off the bench.
He’s averaging 15.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game this season.
While Ware has had an up-and-down season in many aspects, he remains an important piece in the Heat’s rotation. He’s averaging 11.3 points and 9.2 rebounds per game this season.
Combine one of those two players with a first-round pick, and the package for Morant appeared to be a little too steep.
The Miami Heat Strike Out at the Trade Deadline, Again
Missing out on stars on the trade block is becoming a common theme for the Miami Heat. This time, it was Ja Morant and Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo who were linked to the Heat, before staying on their respective teams.
The Heat were the only Eastern Conference team and one of just three teams in the NBA to not make a trade at the deadline.
The other two teams are the San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets, who are both contenders — The Heat are not.
Heat fans reacted online to the recurring trend of being disappointed come February. At this point, it’s considered anything but a surprise.
“A tale as old as time,” one fan on Reddit said.
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