Kendrick Perkins Ripped for Saying He’d Like to See Ja Morant Play for the Heat

Allow the ESPN analyst to explain why this could work.

While the NBA world awaits Adam Silver’s decision on Ja Morant’s punishment, Kendrick Perkins made a surprising suggestion to help turn around the troubled star’s career.

Perkins believes Morant, who has been suspended indefinitely by the Grizzlies after flashing a firearm on Instagram for the second time, would benefit most from a change of scenery and a trade out of Memphis. Perkins’s ideal destination for the the troubled star raised plenty of eyebrows though, as he suggested that the Heat would be the best organizational fit for Morant.

“I think that’s the culture and that’s the organization that he needs to go to,” Perkins said.

.@KendrickPerkins wants to see Ja Morant play for the Miami Heat: pic.twitter.com/stEisZScCz

— First Take (@FirstTake) June 15, 2023

Miami’s reputation for having some of the best nightlife of any NBA city naturally made some skeptical of this take. But Perkins argued that Miami’s leadership, particularly that of team president Pat Riley and veteran forward Udonis Haslem, would provide Morant with the support system he needs and help keep him out of trouble.

“There’s nothing that goes on in that city of Miami without [Riley] knowing anything about it,” Perkins said. “When I look at that culture, and I look at what he could go and do for that organization and what the organization could do for him … I think Miami is the best fit for him. … I think it’s time for him to get out of Memphis.”

That justification wasn’t enough to win over some fans, given the concerns about surrounding Morant with the distractions that come with South Beach and Miami’s party scene.

Dude already can’t stay outta trouble and you wanna see him play in MIAMI? https://t.co/UzRfg9jbx1

— Drew Abell (@DrewAbell824) June 15, 2023

Ja would get into SOOOOO much trouble in Miami man https://t.co/Q9GTL3Uhjf

— Dan Lifshatz (@DanLifshatz) June 15, 2023

This man would love the Miami lifestyle too much https://t.co/hAd0stDETi

— Jamal Curry (@NateBoone15) June 15, 2023

A move like this would certainly shake up the NBA.