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The Miami Heat found themselves labeled as the favorites to pick up Ja Morant in a blockbuster trade during the 2025-2026 NBA season.
Two NBA Insiders are pushing back hard on that narrative. Do the Heat have interest in Morant? Sure. Is it overstated? Apparently, that’s the case.
Miami wants to star hunt, but they don’t want to fast-track their plans by buying low on Morant midway through an up-and-down season. As the Heat’s front office looks ahead, there are more candidates they have their eyes on, which leaves them with a mindset to avoid taking on long-term money right now.
“The Miami Heat, in particular, have been overstated as a potential destination, sources said,” ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst wrote.
“The Heat have been laser focused on avoiding taking on money for the 2027-28 offseason -- a season when, as of right now, Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic and Donovan Mitchell, among others, could all be unrestricted free agents.”
Miami has a similar mindset as the Golden State Warriors, who had a hard time moving Jonathan Kuminga because they didn’t want to take on contracts that could affect their money a couple of years from now. It’s difficult to settle for a star during a down year with the thought of adding Giannis, Jokic, or Mitchell looming.
Morant is currently in the midst of a five-year, $197 million deal. The contract expires after the 2027-2028 season.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo potentially the next All-Star to hit the trade block for the Milwaukee Bucks, the Heat have to be prepared to make a true competitive offer. Recent reports suggest that Miami is on a very shortlist of destinations that Giannis would prefer.
Jokic might be a pipe dream for anybody outside of Denver, but his name is too intriguing to stash away. The Heat will probably continue keeping tabs on Morant, but it seems they aren’t close to making a move for the Memphis star at this time.
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