NBA rumors: Insider makes eye-opening Ja Morant-Heat trade connection
The post NBA rumors: Insider makes eye-opening Ja Morant-Heat trade connection appeared first on ClutchPoints.
With some wondering about the Memphis Grizzlies' plans with Ja Morant after the shocking trade of sending Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic, there has been much speculation about the team that could be interested in the star. As some such as ESPN's Brian Windhorst see the Grizzlies' move as a rebuild trade that could impact Morant, Vince Goodwill of Yahoo Sports would link the Miami Heat to the 25-year-old.
Advertisement
Morant being connected to Miami currently wouldn't be the first time it's happened, as Goodwill points out that it would have been more complicated to do before the trade deadline with the Jimmy Butler saga happening. He would also say on his 'Good Word with Goodwill' podcast that Bane would've been involved in 'iterations' of a potential deal at the time.
'I don't think I'm breaking news here, but in the middle of the whole Jimmy Butler saga last year, one name that multiple league sources had brought up to me was, 'Hey, you might want to check on Ja Morant and Miami,'' Goodwill said. 'I didn't understand the iterations of it and I thought 'This was gonna be a really complicated trade (A) because of Jimmy's extension (B) because of Ja's long money, and there was iterations of Ja and Desmond Bane being shipped out, which sounds like it could be true given Desmond Bane was just traded yesterday.'
Grizzlies not expected to trade Ja Morant
Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Trade rumors around Morant have been non-stop, especially ever since the Grizzlies fired head coach Taylor Jenkins, but in terms of the current moment, there isn't an expectation that the team will trade the talented star. This comes from a report by Tim Bontemps of ESPN, who said that Memphis is 'not looking to deal' Morant and big man Jaren Jackson Jr., who are seen as the 'two remaining franchise cornerstones.'
Advertisement
'But more star trades are not expected. Sources told ESPN that the Grizzlies are not looking to deal either of their two remaining franchise cornerstones. The team has spent the past several months clearing salary cap space to complete a renegotiation and extension of Jackson's contract this offseason, preventing him from hitting free agency in 2026. The belief is that an extension will get done, sources said. But the Bane trade gives Memphis an avenue to give Jackson even more on that deal and lock him in long term.'
Looking at the Heat, the team is currently pursuing Kevin Durant, but if it does not pan through, the franchise will look for other options in adding a star, which could mean contacting the Grizzlies about Morant. At any rate, Memphis looks to improve after finishing 48-34, which put them eighth in the Western Conference before being eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
Related: NBA rumors: Shams claims Heat, Rockets 'a piece or 2 away' from Kevin Durant trade
Related: 2025 NBA Mock Draft 3.5: How Desmond Bane trade can lead to more 1st-round deals
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton Opens Up on Calf Injury Before NBA Finals Game 7
Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton Opens Up on Calf Injury Before NBA Finals Game 7 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton entered the team's first elimination game of these NBA Finals at home at Gainbridge Fieldhouse as a great question mark. He had injured his calf in Game 5, and did not look healthy in closing out that game, walking with a notable limp. Advertisement The question going into the win-or-go-home Game 6 for Indiana was two-fold: Would Haliburton play, and if so, would he be effective? We learned early on Thursday that the intention was that Haliburton would be on the floor. And we learned early in the game that he would, indeed, be effective. Haliburton led the Pacers to a laugher in the game, a 108-91 win that will now send the series to a Game 7 finale. Haliburton had 14 points and five assists, but was a plus-25 on the floor, as his presence was what really mattered for Indiana. After the game, he explained what went into him playing in Game 6--and what he'll carry into Game 7, injury-wise. Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) in the first quarter during game six of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images "I just look at it as I want to be out there to compete with my brothers. These are guys that I'm willing to go to war with and we've had such a special year, and we have a special bond as a group, and you know, I think I'd beat myself up if I didn't give it a chance," he said. Advertisement "I just want to be out there and fight and just had to have an honest conversation with coach (Rick Carlisle) that, you know, if I didn't look like myself and was hurting the team, like sit me down. Obviously, I want to be on the floor. But I want to win more than anything. So had an honest conversation with coach. But yeah, I want to be on the floor, and if I have the ability to, if I can -- like I said, if I can walk, I want to be out there." He will get one more chance to be out there for the Pacers. That will come Sunday in Oklahoma City for the finale. He said he knows the key for the Pacers will be putting Game 6 behind them and moving on. "Celebrate this one tonight and move on. It's done with. We did our job to take care of home court, and we have to be ready to compete in Game 7," he said. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Celtics Make 'No-Brainer' Payton Pritchard Announcement on Friday
Celtics Make 'No-Brainer' Payton Pritchard Announcement on Friday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. While the Boston Celtics fell short of their championship aspirations in 2024-25, the team had some notable bright spots shine throughout this past year's NBA campaign. Advertisement Fifth-year Celtics guard Payton Pritchard put together the best season of his young NBA career, averaging a career-high 14.3 points on 47.2% shooting from the field and 40.7% shooting from behind the three-point arc. Pritchard accomplished these impressive statistics through 77 games off the bench in 2024-25. As such, he was recognized with the NBA's coveted Sixth Man of the Year trophy earlier this year. Unsurprisingly, Pritchard was also recognized as the Celtics' Sixth Man of the Year winner in an announcement on Friday. "The biggest no-brainer of our Awards Series: our Sixth Man of the Year," the team wrote on X. This Sixth Man of the Year trophy marks Pritchard's second honor of the Celtics' postseason award series. The former No. 26 pick was also recognized as the team's Most Improved Player. Advertisement The Celtics still have one more postseason award to announce: the Sharpshooter of the Year. Pritchard is certainly a candidate for this award as well as he boasted the team's best three-point percentage of any player averaging at least one attempt per game. Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11).Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images The Celtics' 2024-25 season came to an end with a second-round playoff loss the the New York Knicks. In Game 4, Boston superstar Jayson Tatum suffered an Achilles tendon tear. With Tatum out for the majority of the 2025-26 season, Pritchard will likely serve an even more integral role in the Celtics' upcoming NBA campaign. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
NFL Star Lamar Jackson Sends 5-Word Message to Jayson Tatum
NFL Star Lamar Jackson Sends 5-Word Message to Jayson Tatum originally appeared on Athlon Sports. A little over one month ago, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum suffered an Achilles injury near the end of the team's Game 4 loss to the New York Knicks in the second round of the playoffs. While his timeline is still not fully clear, the expectation is that the Duke alum will miss all of next season. Advertisement As one of the top stars in the NBA, Tatum's injury is tough for the league and for the Celtics. However, the 27-year-old is seemingly still keeping his head eye in the midst of support from some of the greatest athletes in the world today. This includes Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who recently sent a message to the Celtics star. Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0).© Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images While recovering from an Achilles injury is never easy, there are reasons to believe Tatum will be able to bounce back, especially given his age. This is the hope for not just the Celtics organization or the city of Boston, but also for the Ravens star as well, who sent a five-word message to Tatum: 'Wishing you 100% recovery Champ!' With their star player likely out for next season, in addition to the likely roster turnover they will have this summer as they look to gain financial flexibility, the Celtics will be in a strange spot next year. After being legitimate title favorites over the last few seasons, they will most likely not be as dominant next season and may have a re-tooling year. Advertisement Hopefully for the Celtics, Tatum can come back from his injury and return to his pre-injury form. Until then, however, Boston will have to make do without their star player and look to shock the basketball world in 2026. Related: Former Celtics Star Announces Decision on Retirement Related: NBA Player Sends Message After Being Released by Celtics in 2019 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
