Ja Morant's Preferred Landing Spot Revealed in Latest Trade Rumors amid NBA Buzz

Ja Morant is very clearly on the trade block, and the Miami Heat have been star-hunting for several years now.

Rachel Nichols of Fox Sports 1 told Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix that Morant wants to play for the Heat, but added that she believes he would be a bad fit with Heat Culture:

"I think there's a misconception about Heat Culture," she said. "Heat Culture is not boot camp for wayward souls. It is not, 'Oh gee, the Heat will clean him up.' Heat Culture is, 'We are tough and we are disciplined, and you either play by our rules or you leave and go home. We are not here to babysit you hope you get up to our level.' And that's why the players who have worked there have really worked. Morant, and the way he approaches the game, seems to me to be the opposite of that. I used to live down in Miami, I used to cover that team, it just seems to be the opposite of what that team represents and stands for. And I know he wants to go down there, from what I've heard, I just can't imagine that would be a smart move."

It's a fair point. The last few years of Morant's career have been largely defined by off-court issues, difficulties staying healthy and clashes with coaches. It's hard to see that as a fit in Miami.

The Heat are 20-19, however, and seem destined to be a Play-In Tournament team this year. With Morant only under contract for two more seasons after this one, the team may be willing to take on some of that risk if they believe it will meaningfully raise their ceiling and if they believe they can get Morant to buy in.

But it would undoubtedly be a risk.