When trade speculation around Ja Morant began intensifying ahead of the February deadline, the Miami Heat were widely viewed as a logical landing spot. Instead, the deadline passed without movement, and Miami stood as the only Eastern Conference team to remain inactive.
According to Miami Herald reporter Barry Jackson, the Heat did make an exploratory call to the Memphis Grizzlies weeks before the deadline. But internal discussions never progressed into serious negotiations.
“There was a reluctance to take on two years ($84M) for a player who has not played more than 67 games in any of his six seasons because of injuries and suspension,” Jackson reported. “His slender body type (which runs counter to Miami preference for PGs) and diminished production couldn’t be ignored, nor the risk of extended NBA suspension with another misstep.”