Heat insider explains why Pat Riley, Miami might take a gamble on Ja Morant

There has been a lot of buzz recently around Ja Morant and the Miami Heat.

After Morant had another embattled event with the Memphis Grizzlies, many thought that both sides might finally be heading toward a breakup. Eventually, Miami has been pegged as one of the prominent potential destinations proposed for the All-Star.

Still, most people think that Morant going to the Heat is simply unrealistic. Knowing the Memphis guard's history of bad conduct on and off the court, many view trading for Morant as disruptive and horrible by Miami’s “Heat Culture” standards.

MORE: Ja Morant’s camp sent update on Grizzlies’ chances of trading guard to Timberwolves, Kings, Rockets

Amid considerable doubts, a veteran Heat writer and insider believes that there is a significant chance Miami may seize a trade for Morant.

Appearing on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel was asked if there is a possibility that the Heat will pursue Morant in the near future. Interestingly, he argued that it's likely under Pat Riley’s radar, while referencing Tim Hardaway Sr.’s arrival to the franchise back in the ‘90s.

“Yes, yes, and yes, because that's who Pat Riley is,” Winderman said. “It's Pat Riley's home for distressed players, and I will take this back to 1996.

“Tim Hardaway's taken out of the starting lineup by Rick Adelman [of the Golden State Warriors]. He’s got his bum knees, his career is over, he's a short player — who would take a chance on him? Boom, [it’s Riley].”

In the middle of the 1995–96 season, Hardaway Sr. saw a bitter end to his remarkable run with the Golden State Warriors. After five seasons as the team's star floor general, the franchise decided to trade him away due to his reported tensions with Latrell Sprewell and the coaching staff, as well as declining play and statistics after suffering a torn ACL injury that kept him out of the 1993–94 season.

But being acquired by Riley to join the Heat served as a blessing in disguise for Hardaway Sr. He revived his All-Star form while helping Miami’s transformation into an Eastern Conference powerhouse, ultimately propelling his Hall of Fame career.

Since 2023, Morant dramatically regressed from being one of the league’s future faces into a scandal-ridden, oft-injured star. Perhaps a new scenery might give him a renewed spark in fulfilling his true potential.

As the man behind the “Heat Culture,” Riley is notoriously strict and abrasive. But he and Miami might intriguingly do wonders in redeeming Morant for the better, should they ultimately choose to go all-in for the disgruntled Grizzlies sensation.

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