Kendrick Perkins has a new team in mind for Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant.
The ESPN personality said he thinks going to South Beach could do Morant some good.
“When I look at the culture and I look at what he could go and do for that organization and what the organization could do for him, I look at Ja and that change of scenery –– I think Miami is the best fit for him,” Perkins said on Thursday’s “First Take” segment.
Morant has been suspended by the organization from all team activities after holding what appeared to be a gun in a social media live stream on May 13 — less than three months after he brandished a firearm in a separate live stream in March.
For the first incident, Morant was hit with an eight-game ban from the NBA.
Commissioner Adam Silver has yet to announce a punishment from the league for the May live stream but did discuss the investigation on “The Dan Patrick Show” last week.
“It’s something that I’m thinking a lot about because, again, I’m not going to get into specifics about the investigation — but in fact, if you’re live streaming something to the world that looks exactly like a gun and in a frankly reckless manner, should it matter whether or not it’s a real gun?” Silver said.
With the off-court struggles in mind, Perkins said Morant getting out of Memphis with a trade could help the All-Star get back on track.
Perkins said the Heat’s culture and structure the Heat would benefit Morant.
“It’s an established culture, he’ll be well-protected and he could learn,” Perkins said. “I think it’s time for him to get out of Memphis.”
Perkins added that Heat president Pat Riley and veterans on the squad could help Morant stay in line.
“There’s nothing that goes on in that city of Miami without him knowing anything about,” Perkins said of Riley.
In the 2022-23 season, Morant averaged 26.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 8.1 assists while shooting 46.6 percent from the field.