The Miami Heat may put their interest in Ja Morant on the back burner for the off-chance that they'll be able to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo during the offseason. If this is the case, Heat fans are being set up for major disappointment again.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, while the Heat does have interest in Morant, the team's ultimate dream revolves around acquiring Giannis during the offseason. In order for the Heat to have a realistic shot at Giannis in the event that he were to hit the block, they'd have to keep every last one of their available assets at their disposal until then.
Ja Morant to the Heat seems unlikely at this point
That means holding on to the entire asset chest through this year's NBA Trade Deadline. In other words, Miami doesn't have much wiggle room, if any at all, in a hypothetical pursuit of Morant.
Would they take Morant if it meant only parting ways with expiring contracts? Sure. But that doesn't seem like a very likely scenario, especially if the Memphis Grizzlies had their way.
I wouldn't completely count out the Heat in the Morant sweepstakes, but this report does throw a bucket of cold water on the recent momentum that developed over the last few days.
The Heat are playing another huge game of risk
Even though this isn't all that surprising, this plan should be considered a huge risk because there's no guarantee that Giannis will even hit the trade block during the offseason. And if he doesn't, that means the Heat will have passed on the opportunity to trade for another star player without the reward of Giannis. Again.
It's certainly a huge risk and, honestly, odds are that the Heat will be left without Giannis in the end. But, at least in their eyes, the Heat believes this is a risk worth taking.
This is what the front office has done. This has been their identity. Still, that doesn't mean that it's not incredibly frustrating to watch unfold. Especially for the fans.
Heat fans just want to root for winning basketball again. Since the team's relationship with Jimmy Butler went sideways, it's been tough sledding for the Heat.
Sure, they've had small pockets of encouraging moments, but this team is far from the champioship contender that fans had quickly become accustomed to watching.
At least for the Heat, I do suppose it's Giannis or nothing. And, hey, maybe this all works out for the Heat in the long run. But there's no question fans were/are hoping for a quicker payoff. It's just not coming, not right now. That's become abundantly clear.