Ja Morant Trade Rumors Swirl As Heat And Grizzlies Plot Major Moves

The NBA landscape is buzzing as the Memphis Grizzlies make bold moves ahead of the 2026 trade deadline, signaling a seismic shift in their franchise direction. With star forward Jaren Jackson Jr. already shipped off to the Utah Jazz and a package of players and draft picks coming Memphis's way, the basketball world is now watching to see what happens next with All-Star point guard Ja Morant. Will he be the next domino to fall? Or could the Grizzlies chart a different course as they stare down a full-scale rebuild?

The Grizzlies’ decision to send Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah on February 3, 2026, was a clear declaration of intent. Memphis received Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, and Georges Niang, plus three valuable first-round picks in return—a haul that adds to the four first-rounders they previously acquired from the Orlando Magic in the Desmond Bane deal. The message from general manager Zach Kleiman couldn’t be clearer: the Grizzlies are stockpiling assets for the future.

But the plot thickens around Ja Morant, the electrifying two-time All-Star point guard who has been the face of the Memphis franchise in recent years. After the Jackson trade, Morant is now firmly on the trade block, with the NBA’s February 6 deadline looming. Reports from multiple outlets, including the South Florida Sun Sentinel and The Sporting News, confirm that Memphis is ready to entertain offers for Morant as they shift their focus to a younger core—namely first-round picks Cedric Coward and Zach Edey, along with other promising talents like Jaylen Wells, Ty Jerome, and Cam Spencer.

Speculation about Morant’s next destination is running rampant. The Miami Heat have emerged as a serious contender, with league sources indicating that Morant himself is open to a move to South Beach. According to the Sun Sentinel, an NBA source revealed, “the Heat could be active on both the Antetokounmpo and Morant fronts ahead of the trade deadline, with decisions on the two not being mutually exclusive.” That’s right—Miami is keeping its options open, potentially eyeing both Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and Memphis’s Morant in a high-stakes deadline double play.

For the Heat, landing Morant would be a blockbuster move, but not without risks. Morant’s contract is hefty—$34.9 million this season, escalating to $44.9 million by 2027-28, with a 15% trade kicker to boot. Miami’s limited draft capital (first-round picks in 2030 and 2032) might be enough if the Grizzlies are simply looking to shed salary, but the Heat’s management is weighing their options carefully, especially with their eyes also on Antetokounmpo. There are whispers that an offer involving Terry Rozier’s $26.6 million expiring salary and Simone Fontecchio’s $8.3 million expiring contract could be enough to get a deal done if Memphis’s priority is financial flexibility.

But Miami isn’t the only team in the Morant sweepstakes. The Minnesota Timberwolves have also been floated as a potential landing spot, though a viral social media post claiming a deal had already been struck was quickly debunked. As of February 3, 2026, no trade involving Morant had occurred, but the anticipation is palpable. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely, with some predicting a deal could happen within the next 48 hours.

The Grizzlies’ situation is further complicated by their current standing in the Western Conference. Sitting in the lottery sector with a 19-29 record, Memphis snapped a six-game losing streak with a win over the Timberwolves on February 2. Their next matchup, against the Sacramento Kings on February 4, will be their first without Jackson Jr. on the roster—a stark preview of the team’s new era.

Within the organization and among NBA insiders, there’s debate about the best path forward. Some advocate for a complete teardown—moving off big contracts like Morant’s and focusing on cost-controlled deals to support the young core. Others suggest bringing in a veteran presence, such as Minnesota’s Mike Conley Jr., who is in the final year of his contract and could provide leadership for the Grizzlies’ next generation. There’s also talk of targeting young players who need a fresh start, like Jeremy Sochan from the San Antonio Spurs, to bolster the roster’s talent base.

Rebuilding through the draft seems to be the consensus strategy, leveraging the Grizzlies’ newfound trove of picks and young assets. As one Sports Illustrated contributor put it, “The Grizzlies have the young pieces in Edey, Coward, Spencer, and Wells to feel comfortable about a future build. If they can get value in Jaren Jackson Jr., Ja Morant, and/or Santi Aldama, they have to explore that avenue. Then their focus turns to the lottery in a stacked NBA Draft.”

Meanwhile, the Heat are no strangers to dramatic trade deadlines and bold roster moves. Their history with the Grizzlies includes deals that fueled their 2020 NBA Finals run and the 2006 championship, which is being celebrated on its 20th anniversary this season. The Heat’s front office, led by Pat Riley, is known for its willingness to swing big—making the possibility of a Morant trade all the more tantalizing for fans in Miami.

But the Heat’s calculus is complicated by ongoing injury concerns and roster dynamics. With Andrew Wiggins and Norman Powell both sidelined recently, and the point guard rotation featuring Davion Mitchell, Dru Smith, and rookie Kasparas Jakucionis, Miami must weigh the immediate impact of acquiring Morant against the long-term financial implications and the potential to pursue Antetokounmpo.

As the trade deadline approaches, the NBA is holding its breath. Will the Grizzlies go all-in on the rebuild and move Morant, or will they attempt to retool around him and their young core? Will Miami make a daring play for Morant, Antetokounmpo, or perhaps both? With the clock ticking and rumors swirling, one thing is certain—the next 48 hours promise to reshape the futures of both franchises, and perhaps the league itself.

For now, all eyes remain on Memphis and Miami as the trade deadline drama unfolds. The only certainty is change, and the NBA world waits to see who will take the next big leap.