Former Heat wing endorses Ja Morant to Miami – Hot Hot Hoops
It appears that Ja Morant’s time with the Memphis Grizzlies is nearing an end. The two-time All-Star still has two more years left on his contract beyond 2025-26. But dating back to his suspension in early November after an incident with head coach Tuomas Iisalo, the writing is on the wall for a change in partnership sooner rather than later.
Now, who would be interested in the disgruntled guard? The Miami Heat have reportedly had internal conversations on taking a potential flyer. And one former Heat forward Markieff suggests it’s one worth taking.
“I like [Ja Morant] to Miami too,” Morris said on a recent episode of The Morris Code. “I like him and [Bam Adebayo] in that situation and I keep saying that because they got a Miami way. You have to tighten up a lot of s–t just playing for the Heat in general.
“It’s not like you can’t enjoy your life. It ain’t that crazy. Miami culture is not that crazy — it’s the work you put in, and the attention to detail and the attention to what a professional ball player is. That’s the Miami way more than anything. The basketball is the easiest part because they know the game so well.”
The Miami Heat need to pick a direction:
As we approach the midway point of the 2025-26 season, the Heat are right back are to where they were last year: Fighting for a play-in spot in the East.
Ironically enough, last year’s Heat team through 39 games was 20-19, just like it is right now. This year’s squad has regressed to being a bottom-third offense — despite seven games with 140-plus points. Furthermore, they’ve complemented that with a top-flight defense, yet they’ve still struggled to beat good teams and close out teams in the second half.
Sound familiar?!
The approach has run stale; this core, even with Norman Powell, is stale. Change is needed. And if Morant’s that player, Morris believes Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra would maximize his capabilities.
“[Erik Spoelstra] is a great coach,” he said. “So if he gonna go to Miami, he’s going to get put in best possible position he can possibly be in on that basketball court without a question. Spo will put him in that best spot him succeed basketball wise.”
Morant is one of the league’s most polarizing players. On the court, his potential is tantalizing. But Morant’s 3-point shooting has regressed from below-average to among the league’s worst, shooting just 20.8 percent from 3-point range this season. He’s also a very poor defender and, most importantly, hasn’t been available, appearing in 37.9 percent of the team’s games the last three years.
Depending on the price, it may not be worth the gamble. The value is in the eye of the beholder, though.
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