Overview
- ESPN detailed that Ja Morant’s clash with first-year coach Tuomas Iisalo stemmed from skepticism over the coach’s frequent mass substitutions, leading to a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.
- Through eight games, Morant has posted career-low efficiency at 38.3% from the field and 14% from three, which executives say is dampening his market and complicating any near-term deal.
- League outlets report Memphis is not actively pursuing a trade and that the market is tepid, though teams such as the Timberwolves and Kings are monitoring and media chatter has focused on Miami.
- Bill Simmons and others floated Heat-centric packages involving Tyler Herro and Terry Rozier, but those concepts remain speculative and no formal movement has been reported.
- Attention has turned to Jaren Jackson Jr. as a separate asset of interest around the league, with his new five-year deal keeping him under contract through 2030 and making him trade-eligible starting January 13, 2026.