If the Miami Heat are indeed desperate for a star player, Ja Morant may be the real name to watch this offseason. And the Heat would be absolutely foolish if they passed up this trade idea proposed by Bleacher Report.
In this deal, the Heat would only have to give up Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell to get something done. Even if Miami had to include a couple of second-round picks, such a deal could be worth it.
Giannis Antetokounmpo will almost certainly be the No. 1 target for the Heat this offseason, especially considering how hard they pushed for him ahead of this past year's NBA Trade Deadline. However, if that doesn't become a realistic option, Morant could be a player the Heat pivots back to.
Ja Morant could be a worthy gamble for the Heat
The Heat had at least some interest in Morant ahead of the trade deadline. As you'd expect, that interest was reciprocated by Morant. However, Miami's level of interest never got to the point where the two sides had real dialogue.
Most of that was because of the Heat's focus on Giannis. But, again, that could change if Giannis signs an extension with the Milwaukee Bucks this summer, or if he's traded to another team.
It would be at that point that the Heat would have to pivot.
Morant, in many ways, would be a worthwhile gamble for the Heat to make. He carries the elite talent, he has a proven track record, and he's a player whose trade value is close to an all-time low. It wouldn't cost the Heat much to take a flier on Morant.
Of course, the true risk is the fact that he's had a couple of down seasons, the durability issues, and his bloated contract.
Ja Morant would be a star in Miami
But if the Heat genuinely believes in their developmental system, there's a reason to believe that they could find a way to get the most out of him in Miami. And if Morant could rediscover himself amid a fresh start, there's no question he'd emerge as a huge star for the Heat.
In theory, he'd help make a great 1-2 punch alongside Bam, and he'd carry the alpha-star energy that the team has missed since Jimmy Butler walked out the door.
For as good as Wiggins and Mitchell have been for Miami, the Heat has to be willing to make that swap. Especially if it comes with the high reward of Morant getting back to an All-NBA level again.