Blockbuster Trade Idea Sends Ja Morant to Eastern Conference

Should the Memphis Grizzlies part ways with their franchise star? It doesn’t seem like the Ja Morant era in Memphis is going to produce much more than a few playoff wins, and if the Grizzlies want to change their fortunes, trading Morant may be their best course of action. 

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed “1 Trade Every NBA Team Would Make If the Deadline Was Today,” and his Grizzlies trade idea sends Morant to a feisty Eastern Conference playoff team. 

“The trade: Ja Morant to the Miami Heat for Tyler Herro and Nikola Jović

Trade winds have quieted a bit around Morant, although a muted market may be more to blame than any lack of incentive on Memphis' side. The Grizzlies have played much better without their oft-unavailable point guard this season, faring 6.3 points better per 100 possessions when he's not on the floor.

Memphis might just be waiting for the right offer to come along, and maybe Miami is ready to provide it. The Heat "have had internal discussions" about him and "how Miami's infrastructure could benefit him," per NBA insider Marc Stein. They've also had trouble reintegrating Herro into their revamped offense and haven't gotten anything near the breakout campaign they hoped was in the cards for Jović.”

How much more valuable is Morant than Herro? That’s what this trade comes down to. There are some who consider Morant a superstar and Herro just a fringe All-Star. Others believe they are both pretty much the same, offensive stars with some major defensive flaws. 

One thing is for sure: for the Heat to make a trade like this, they must feel a bit desperate. That's not usually Miami's style, so don't expect this trade to go down.