The Miami Heat are clearly focused on the pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo, but if they do resort to a plan B, you can almost bet that it will revolve around Ja Morant.
If that wasn't plainly obvious before, it should be now. Especially considering that it's been spitballed by Greg Cote of the Miami Herald. It was also hinted at slightly by ESPN's Shams Charania. The Heat are hoping it doesn't come to that, because that would almost certainly mean they missed out on Giannis.
However, as disappointing as it would be to miss out on Giannis, adding a talent like Morant wouldn't be that terrible of a plan B. Especially considering the types of plan B's that the Heat have had in the past.
Less than a week before the NBA Trade Deadline, Giannis is the clear goal. He should be the priority, and this front office should be exerting all its efforts to try and land him. However, for whatever reason, if he isn't traded or is sent to another team, the Heat would almost certainly have to circle back to Morant.
Ja Morant would not be a terrible plan B
It's one of those low-risk, high-reward deals, especially because of the reported asking price, that the Heat would have to consider making.
The fan base wouldn't be as excited as they would be in acquiring Morant compared to Giannis, but he's a player who could absolutely give this team a much-needed boost heading into the second half of the season.
Morant in the Heat's developmental (and reclamation) system would be almost unfair. If Morant were traded to the Heat, and had the right mindset, it's hard to imagine how this experiement wouldn't work.
Morant has many of the superstar characteristics that the Heat is looking for, and he could be a dangerous fit next to Bam Adebayo.
Even in what is being described as a "down" season for Morant, he's still averaging 20 points and eight assists per game. At his peak, Morant was the type of player who could elevate a team and make his teammates around him better.
To a lesser extent, that's exactly what the Heat is seeking in their pursuit of Giannis.
An acquisition of Morant wouldn't nearly have the impact that Giannis would have in Miami, but he's not a bad consolation prize heading into the NBA Trade Deadline.
It's anyone's guess how the trade deadline will play out, but it does seem as if the Heat intends to be active over the next few days. Whether that will equate to a big move remains to be seen, but there is a chance that the Heat could end up with Giannis or Morant.