The NBA Trade Rumor Mill is Heating Up: Ja Morant's Future Hangs in the Balance
This article originally appeared in the Open Floor newsletter, a free, bi-weekly NBA deep dive delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now and stay ahead of the curve: https://www.si.com/newsletter-nba
Greetings from sunny Los Angeles, where the rain clouds have finally parted after weeks of relentless downpour. While we're on the topic of departures, a tip of the cap to Mike Tomlin, the Steelers' long-time coach who stepped down this week after 19 seasons. His exit leaves Miami Heat's Erik Spoelstra as the dean of coaches in the major men's sports leagues, entering his 18th season at the helm. Spoelstra, visibly saddened by Tomlin's departure, shared that his video team often sent him clips of Tomlin's coaching strategies. He also expressed disappointment that more teams don't prioritize the long-term stability that both Pittsburgh and Miami have championed.
"It's not a badge of honor for me," Spoelstra reflected. "It's more of a reflection on the industry that there aren't more coaches given the chance to weather the storms and build something lasting."
Pod Alert!
Rachel Nichols joins me in the studio this week for a jam-packed discussion. We'll be dissecting the hottest topics in the NBA: the fiercely contested All-Star ballot, the sudden slump plaguing the Houston Rockets, the surprisingly quiet market for Ja Morant, and the potential impact of Trae Young's eventual arrival in Washington. https://www.si.com/nba/what-trae-young-trade-says-about-hawks-future
Drama with AD: Surgery or No Surgery?
Social media erupted on Tuesday with news of Anthony Davis potentially undergoing surgery for a left hand injury, reportedly sidelining him for months. Davis swiftly denied the reports on X, his first social media activity in six months. https://www.si.com/nba/anthony-davis-responds-latest-round-mavericks-trade-rumors-injury-report Hours later, the Mavericks announced that surgery was unnecessary, and Davis is expected to recover within six weeks. https://www.si.com/nba/anthony-davis-expected-to-undergo-surgery-on-left-hand-miss-several-months
While this is positive news for Davis's health, it effectively kills any chance of a trade before the February 5th deadline. Dallas, desperate to recoup assets after the ill-fated Luka Dončić trade, had been shopping Davis. Atlanta, having shed long-term salary in the Trae Young deal, was seen as a potential suitor. However, with Davis's injury history and his desire for a contract extension beyond 2026-27, teams are hesitant to offer significant assets, especially draft picks. The Mavericks might still explore deals, but a major trade before the deadline seems highly unlikely. The smart money is on Dallas shutting Davis down for the season and revisiting trade talks next summer.
Houston, We Have a... Slump?
The Rockets snapped a three-game losing streak by defeating the Bulls on Tuesday, temporarily silencing critics who questioned the team's recent struggles. Their offensive woes, particularly from beyond the arc, have been glaring. Houston, known for their efficient three-point shooting earlier in the season, have become a low-volume, low-percentage team. Jabari Smith Jr. and Dorian Finney-Smith are both shooting well below their season averages from three-point range. Coach Ime Udoka hasn't held back his criticism, publicly expressing frustration with the team's inability to score when Kevin Durant is off the court.
But here's where it gets controversial: Are these struggles a cause for real concern, or just a temporary blip? Personally, I'm not hitting the panic button. Houston's recent slump coincided with the absence of Alperen Şengün, whose offensive presence takes pressure off Durant. Reed Sheppard's three-point shooting will likely improve, and Udoka's tough-love approach, while not for everyone, has proven successful in Boston and seems to be working in Houston. The Rockets just completed a grueling stretch of 11 out of 14 games on the road. With Şengün back and eight of their next 11 games at home, I predict a turnaround for this talented team.
Ja Morant: Destination Unknown
The question on everyone's mind: Will Ja Morant be traded before the February 5th deadline? Conversations with team executives reveal a common sentiment: who truly needs him? Morant's performance and availability have declined in recent years, and he has two years remaining on his contract.
Two teams frequently mentioned in these discussions are Sacramento and Miami. Sacramento's new executive, Scott Perry, publicly denies interest in Morant's volatility. However, many believe this to be a smokescreen. The Kings, struggling to find their footing, possess shorter contracts (like Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan) that Memphis might find appealing, especially if a draft pick is included.
Miami presents an interesting case. Their fast-paced, Noah LaRoche-inspired offense seems mismatched with Morant's style. However, acquiring Morant would likely lead to a shift towards a more pick-and-roll heavy system, which might actually benefit some current Heat players.
And this is the part most people miss: While the "Heat Culture" is renowned for its transformative power, it's not a magic bullet. Jimmy Butler, for example, had tumultuous exits from Minnesota and Philadelphia, but his unwavering competitiveness made him a perfect fit in Miami. Morant, on the other hand, hasn't yet demonstrated the same level of maturity and commitment. Can the Heat culture truly reshape him? That remains a significant question mark.
Food for Thought:
Can Ja Morant regain his All-Star form and become a franchise cornerstone again? Is Miami the right environment for his development, or would a team like Sacramento offer a better opportunity for redemption? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
For more in-depth NBA analysis, subscribe to the Open Floor newsletter and listen to our podcast on Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/open-floor-sis-nba-show/id1050847009 and Spotify. https://open.spotify.com/show/0Bgxp9XcFMTysIDB5mC04P Don't forget to check out our YouTube channel for exclusive video content. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRxhb-2QRi1DlpVi8D3zH7WzJgtZXo72g
