When it comes to getting upgrades, the Miami Heat have struck gold before. Whether it comes in the form of a trade or free agency, they have a knack for getting the biggest fish in the pond. Alonzo Mourning, Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Jimmy Butler.
They have the chance to get another one almost a year after the Butler fallout. However, one particular star isn’t quite on the same level as some of the aforementioned players. Hence, it appears the Heat are not as interested in him as many once thought.
Which NBA Star Are the Heat Not Really That Interested in?
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps reported that not only is the Morant interest on the open market “tepid,” but explained that the Heat aren’t really that interested because they have their sights set on three other particular stars.
“The Miami Heat, in particular, have been overstated as a potential [Ja Morant] destination, sources said,” Windhorst and Bontemps wrote.
“The Heat have been laser focused on avoiding taking on money for the 2027-28 offseason — a season when, as of right now, Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokić and Donovan Mitchell, among others, could all be unrestricted free agents.
“It’s highly unlikely the Heat would deviate from that plan to go after Morant, sources said.”
“The Miami Heat have been overstated as a potential [Ja] destination, sources said. The Heat have been laser focused on avoiding taking on money for the 2027-28 offseason…It’s highly unlikely the Heat would deviate from that plan to go after Morant, sources said.” @WindhorstESPN pic.twitter.com/cVtRkq8rLz
— Dru (@dru_star) January 16, 2026
With Miami’s history of getting big NBA stars, they are accustomed to getting the best of the best when the opportunity presents itself.
Something they must keep in mind, though, is that this summer will mark seven years since they acquired Butler (and much of that was because of Butler’s connection to Dwyane Wade, whom he played with in Chicago).
Pushing back even further, it’s been over a decade and a half since they got James and Bosh to sign on the dotted line. Choosing to wait until 2028 for potentially better players to join your team is a very risky choice, regardless of what your history is in that regard.
Are the Heat really willing to throw away three seasons just to have a shot at one of those players? More importantly, Morant’s contract runs out in 2028, so Miami can have its cake and eat it, so why not do that?
