At one point, Ja Morant was the untouchable face of the franchise of the Memphis Grizzlies. Winning Rookie of the Year, being chosen for two All-Star teams, and some fine seasons catapulted him to superstar status in the NBA.
However, as the years have gone by, not only is he no longer untouchable, but he’s also very much on the trade market after three straight injury-plagued, indisciplined seasons have affected his impact and performance. For those reasons, his trade market is not considered strong; yet one team stands out as the ideal place for a fresh start, according to one former NBA player.
Ja Morant’s Next Trade Destination Predicted
Iman Shumpert, a former NBA champion with the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers, predicted Morant’s ideal next spot on ESPN’s “NBA Today.” With a mischievous grin, he left it to absolutely no imagination as to where Morant would next land, chuckling midway through, saying. “I think that when he gets into that Heat uniform, he’s gonna be able to have a little fun and play free.” Perhaps that word choice indicates that Shumpert has some inside knowledge on the subject.
Iman Shumpert on Ja Morant:
“I think that when he gets into that Heat uniform, he’s gonna be able to have a little fun and play free.” 👀🤣
(h/t @ohnohedidnt24)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 13, 2026
If reports are anything to go by, the Miami Heat are very much Morant’s preferred destination, after ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news that the Grizzlies are actively pursuing trade talks to move their franchise player with two years and around $87 million left on his contract.
“This is potentially the beginning of Ja Morant’s exit in Memphis. From my understanding Miami, Sacramento, multiple other teams have a level of interest…Rival executives have told me the Grizzlies are seeking young-players and draft picks in any potential deal.”
Shams: “This is potentially the beginning of Ja Morant’s exit in Memphis. From my understanding Miami, Sacramento multiple other teams have a level of interest” pic.twitter.com/FYC6tMhkNh
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) January 13, 2026
The Heat makes sense as a destination, not least because he purchased a home in the Miami area in December 2025, worth $3.2 million, held in a trust in his name. Possibly indicating his future destination.
Plus, in a basketball sense, the opportunity to be coached by one of the best in the business, Erik Spoelstra, play in a bigger market, and form a pick-and-roll partnership with Bam Adebayo makes sense. From a Heat perspective, they are looking for a star-caliber guard to augment their roster. They also may be able to acquire him without a huge haul, given Morant’s shaky value around the league.
With the trade deadline only a few weeks away, all eyes are on where Morant may end up, and if the Heat wins the bidding for the former All-Star, who has not suited up for the Grizzlies’ last five games.
