The Memphis Grizzlies have made it quite clear they want out of the Ja Morant business, a feeling that appears to be mutual. While the Sacramento Kings have been repeatedly linked to Morant in rumors, the Miami Heat are the only team for him. Their culture could save his floundering career.
While the Kings strategize their long-term rebuild project, they know what they are looking for in players. They want young defenders who can grow together as a team. They don't want players with baggage and big contracts who are always injured and have only offensive skills.
That sounds like Ja Morant. If you just started watching the NBA in the last couple of years, you would be hard-pressed to believe that he was once considered to be the rising face of the league. These days, he's a shadow of his former self, assuming he's not too injured to play, which he usually is.
Because of the Kings' rebuild and Morant's availability/notoriety, the two parties have been linked in almost endless trade rumors. In truth, Sacramento couldn't be any less interested in him. He is everything they are not looking for in new players, particularly expensive and limited.
Morant needs to head to Miami, not Sacramento
The reality is that the Miami Heat are the best destination for Morant. Erik Spoelstra is the longest-serving and most respected head coach in the league. Following the lead of team president and NBA legend Pat Riley, the Heat have developed a strong culture of discipline leading to success.
That mentality starts with Riley, then flows through Spoelstra and onto the court through team leaders like Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. Miami provides the level of discipline and structure Morant needs to break the cycles that prevent him from actually living up to his unrealized potential.
To be blunt, the Kings cannot give Morant any of that. This is a team in turmoil, which is still recovering from the ill-advised firing of their former head coach and trading their best player away. There are a lot of veterans on the roster likely to be moving, and young stars still finding their rhythm.
Morant ending up in Sacramento would not just reinforce and repeat his bad tendencies; it would allow the Kings to do the same. This partnership would be a no-win scenario for both sides that would stifle development and ultimately drive the Kings further into the NBA's basement.