Can Erik Spoelstra Fix Ja Morant for Miami Heat
Merlin sees Miami rising as a plausible suitor for Ja Morant, with Heat officials mulling "whether the organization could foster a productive environment for Morant to bounce back to his All-Star best." The Grizzlies are "entertaining offers" and want draft picks and young players for the 26-year-old, whose prime years were interrupted by injuries and suspensions. Miami has assets to offer and sits comfortably in the East, making a deal logistically possible. Merlin warns that talent alone does not conjure chemistry. Morant’s scoring and shooting have dipped and the Heat would pay a steep price in youth and picks. Erik Spoelstra’s culture could revive Morant, or it could expose the trade as a cautionary tale. The next move will test Miami’s appetite for risk.
