There has been a lot of debate surrounding the future of Ja Morant. The NBA is expected to announce a punishment for Morant in the coming days after he was caught on Instagram Live flashing a gun last month. Despite claims from Morant's team that the gun was fake, the league is expected to hand out a significant suspension.
2023-24 marks the first year of a five-year, $194.3 million extension that Morant signed with the Grizzlies. Furthermore, there is a poison pill trade restriction in place until July 1, if the Grizzlies wanted to trade. However, that hasn't stopped speculation. Speaking on First Take, Kendrick Perkins said that he wanted to see Morant playing in Miami. "We just got talking about the Miami Heat. That's the culture and the organization I think he should go to," Perkins said. "They got the godfather, Pat Riley. There's nothing that goes down in that city without him knowing about it."
Rick Ross Offers To Mentor Morant
Morant to Miami is an interesting, if unlikely, proposal. While the organization would likely be a good informative culture for Morant, it's hard to see them swinging a trade. First, there are Morant's behavioral issues. Riley runs a fairly no-nonsense organization, so it's difficult to see him bring in a rehabilitation project like Morant. Second, Miami is already $87 million over the salary cap and eyeing a blockbuster trade to acquire Bradley Beal.
However, the proposed move has gotten very prominent vote of confidence. Taking to Instagram, Rick Ross posted a simple message to his story. "I can mentor #jamorant in Miami'. While somewhat unorthodox, especially given the recent news of Morant rejecting outreach from the likes of Lil Wayne, it could be just what Morant needs. An influential figure like Ross could get through to Morant in a way that an exec or cultural administrator like Riley couldn't. So, while the move is unlikely, it's good to know that there are people willing to help facilitate Morant's rehabilitation, even if that means moving him away from Memphis.
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