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Ja Morant is averaging 19.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists in 19 games. (Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)<\/p>\nJa Morant is averaging 19.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists in 19 games. (Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n
We are less than three weeks away from the 2025-26 NBA Trade Deadline \u2014 17 days, to be exact. But who\u2019s counting, right?!<\/p>\n
The Miami Heat, who are 22-20 and in sole possession of the No. 8 seed in the East, need a(n external) jolt not just for the short-term, but for the long-term as well. Outside of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the biggest name the Heat have been linked to <\/a>ahead of the deadline is Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant.<\/p>\n However, just like Morant\u2019s perceived market, the Heat\u2019s interest in the 6-foot-2 guard appears to be tepid. The Heat are, reportedly, prioritizing future cap space<\/a> over bidding up for the two-time All-Star, should he develop any sort of market.<\/p>\n Though that\u2019s not the only factor that will potentially preclude them from targeting Morant, according to NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line.<\/p>\n \u201cOne well-placed league source insisted to me that the Heat should be scratched as a Morant suitor \u2014 even if the terms are favorable \u2014 if such a move jeopardizes a future trade run at Milwaukee\u2019s Giannis Antetokounmpo,\u201d Stein\u2019s report read.<\/a> \u201cAll indications are that Antetokounmpo will not be in trade play before the Feb. 5 deadline, but as we\u2019ve often warned readers previously, that won\u2019t stop interested teams from continuing to plot future pursuits of The Greek Freak.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd word is that Miami believes it will be firmly in the mix as a legit trade destination for Antetokounmpo if he actually becomes available at season\u2019s end \u2014 at last \u2014 as various rival teams project.\u201d<\/p>\n How Heat targeting Ja Morant could affect any Giannis Antetokounmpo pursuit:<\/p>\n It remains to be seen whether or not these recent bits of information are negotiation ploys through the media. But if there\u2019s one thing we can assume, it\u2019s that the Heat won\u2019t let anything get in the way of targeting Antetokounmpo \u2014 even if that means trying to lob a chip, penny and a used napkin<\/a> to Zach Kleiman for Morant.<\/p>\n Morant, 26, is averaging 19.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists through 19 games. He\u2019s shooting 40.7 percent from the floor and just 23.5 percent from 3-point range. Meanwhile, Antetokounmpo is averaging 28.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists on 67.9 percent true shooting in 27 games. <\/p>\n Where we enter the middle of the Venn Diagram between \u201cwhat the Heat should trade for Morant v. Antetokounmpo\u201d is draft capital. <\/p>\n The Heat have just two tradable first-round picks (2030, 2032) with three swaps available. They\u2019ll have four swaps available upon next summer\u2019s arrival. Regardless, they\u2019ll need to empty the cabinet to enter the conversation for the two-time MVP, let alone acquire him.<\/p>\n Truthfully, the Miami Heat don\u2019t have enough to acquire the two-time MVP as it currently stands. At the end of the day, the value is in the eye of the beholder. But if this becomes a bidding war, Miami won\u2019t be operating from any position of strength. <\/p>\n Deals get done when every side has urgency. We\u2019ll see how urgent Miami (and Milwaukee\/Memphis) is to shake things up ahead of the deadline \u2014 and at what price \u2014 before Antetokounmpo likely becomes available this summer. Regardless, they will have a steep hill to climb to put themselves in the conversation for Giannis, whether they see it that way or not.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n To check out our other content, click\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Twitter\/X\u00a0here<\/a>!<\/p>\n Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Instagram\u00a0here<\/a>!<\/p>\n Check out Hot Hot Hoops on Facebook\u00a0here<\/a>!<\/p>\n Subscribe to our YouTube channel\u00a0here<\/a>!<\/p>\n \t\t\t