The Ja Morant to the Miami Heat trade noise is pretty deafening at this point. Even though it doesn't guarantee that Morant will be traded to Miami, it's a possibility that has officially become difficult to ignore.
But it's certainly one that Heat rivals have to hope doesn't come to fruition. Because, if it does, it could have the Heat right back on the fast track toward contention in the Eastern Conference.
If there's any team that could get Morant back on track, it's probably the Heat. Miami has a great infrastructure, one of the best reclamation programs in the league, and a pretty strong supporting cast in place that would benefit from a star talent.
The Heat are a good fit for Ja Morant
Sure, there are natural questions about whether Morant can remain healthy, whether he'll be a good schematic fit for Miami, and if this move alone would be enough to catapult the Heat up the Eastern Conference standings, but from just a talent acquisition standpoint, it'd be difficult to argue with this move.
And that's what the rest of the Eastern Conference has to be fearing. Especially for a conference that feels so wide open, the opportunity is there for a team like the Heat to add a talent like Morant and go on a serious second half of the season run.
Whether that will actually happen or not remains to be seen, but you can't give Heat coach Erik Spoelstra a premier talent and expect him not to make lemonade out of lemons.
There's a better chance that Morant bounces back in a big way if he gets traded to Miami than not.
The Ja Morant trade flames are real
Over the past few days, the trade intensity revolving around Morant has certainly grown. It's gone from pure speculation to almost a foregone conclusion that he will be traded before the February 5 deadline.
The question is, where does Miami land in all this?
At least at the moment, it does seem as if the interest is real. Both ways. The Heat have been linked to Morant by multiple reporters, and Morant's camp is said to be intrigued more by Miami than any other team interested.
But, especially as we've seen time and time again before, none of that may matter in the end.
The Memphis Grizzlies are going to make the deal that makes the most sense for themselves. And that may not include taking an offer from the Heat.
That said, the trade noise for Miami is pretty difficult to ignore.
Chris Haynes is reporting that Miami has been interested in Morant for months. Jake Fischer has said that the Heat are one of the most likely landing spots for Morant. Kelly Iko is reporting that Morant wants Miami.
The tea leaves are certainly pointing in one direction right now. That could change, but if it doesn't, it looks like the Heat are going to land a star point guard with tremendous upside.
And, if that does happen, it's going to leave a lot of the Heat's rivals scrambling.