Joe Mullinax here, the host of the daily Locked On Grizzlies podcast, with your daily Locked On Grizzlies newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Grizzlies and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
The Memphis Grizzlies are seeing stars!
Nov 17, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) reacts with forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas/Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Forgive this old blogger if for a moment the fact that the Memphis Grizzlies have two names among the top vote getters for the NBA All-Star Game is bringing a tear to his eye.
Yes, Memphis has had numerous All-Stars in the same game in the past. And yes, it was the same two - Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. - that currently are in that mix according to the fan’s vote. But for a moment, let’s acknowledge how far away 2023 seems.
A lifetime, right? OK maybe not a lifetime, but still - it’s been a long couple years to get back to this point.
Thankfully, fan vote alone does not an All-Star make. The media and the players themselves get a say as well. But to see two members of the Memphis Grizzlies get some national fan love is still nice - even if they most certainly should be in the mix considering the Grizzlies are, once again, one of the NBA’s best teams.
It’s especially nice for Jaren Jackson Jr., whose All-NBA campaign got another nice boost from being named the Western Conference’s Defensive Player of the Month for December on Thursday. It’s a well-deserved accolade - after all, as the press release states no other player in the NBA recorded at least 20 steals and 20 blocks last month. He’s a force to be reckoned with defensively.
But we already knew that - he is a former Defensive Player of the Year, after all.
It’s the continued evolution of “JJJ” as a two-way player that is why he’s a deserved All-Star contender. As the Grizzlies press release stated, Jaren is currently the team’s best offensive player in a season where Memphis is setting all sorts of franchise records on that end of the court.
Ja Morant is a superstar. When it comes to fan voting, him being on this list makes total sense. But Jaren is not that level of popular among the NBA fan base at large.
At least, not yet.
That is OK with Memphis Grizzlies fans, of course. Memphis is well aware of Jaren’s leadership both on and off the court - the work he does in the Memphis community and for women’s sports, the fact he’s the Vice President of the NBPA. He is the latest in a long line of Grizzlies that has come to love the city - and the city/fans of the Grizzlies love him back.
They;re very different, of course. Ja has his shoe deal, and viral highlights online. Jaren’s NBA career is much more quiet - but don’t mistake volume for impact. The Memphis Grizzlies now have not just one superstar talent.
They have two. And as NBA Trade Deadline deals approach, do not be surprised if the names of Brandon Clarke and John Konchar (especially Konchar) get bunched together again in a deal for a soon-to-be expiring deal that can help Memphis now while also coming off their books before 2026.
Because Jaren Jackson Jr. is about to be paid like an NBA superstar. And he will deserve every penny.
Jan 2, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) warms-up before the game against the Indiana Pacers at Kaseya Center. | Jim Rassol/Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
After weeks of downplay by his agent and denials by Heat president Pat Riley, Jimmy Butler has finally said the quiet part out loud to a room of postgame media about his future in Miami.
“What do I want to see happen? I want to see me get my joy back from playing basketball, wherever that may be — we’ll find out here pretty soon — but I want to get my joy back. I’m happy here, off the court, but I want to be back to somewhere dominant. I want to hoop and I want to help this team win. Right now, I’m not doing that,” Butler said.
In a quick follow up, Butler was asked whether he thought he could get his joy back with the Heat.
“Probably not,” he said without any hesitation.
As a Butler in Miami believer, my surprise stems from the state of the team. That the front office has let the Heat’s roster slowly erode to the strange place of competitive limbo they find themselves in. Losing key role players, like Max Strus and Caleb Martin, plus offensive gap fillers like Gabe Vincent, has left the Heat without much depth. The undeniable talent of Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro — who is having one of his best seasons, despite it all — and sophomore Jamie Jaquez Jr. is there, and for years Duncan Robinson has worked to be whatever the team needs him to be, but the scrappy longevity and the plucky punches this team was capable of pulling two and three seasons ago are gone.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis Taylor Jenkins has significantly advanced in his coaching abilities this season, showcasing strategic growth and adaptability that have positively impacted the Memphis Grizzlies’ performance. (Beale Street Bears)
Injury Fans are reacting to the news of Zach Edey’s injury ahead of the Grizzlies’ game against the Kings, raising concerns about the impact on the team’s lineup and performance. (Sports Illustrated)
Honor Ja Morant’s selection to the All-Star team has sparked excitement among NBA fans, celebrating his recognition and contributions to the Memphis Grizzlies. (Sports Illustrated)
Must Read Get the latest on the 2025 NBA All-Star Game voting results, featuring standout players like Giannis, Jokic, and Tatum. (Bleacher Report)
Honor Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards calls Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the “MVP of the NBA.”(ESPN)
Injury Pistons Jaden Ivey undergoes surgery to repair his broken fibula, and his earliest timeline for return is four weeks. (SportsNet)
Watch Charles Barkley calls out JJ Redick over NBA ratings comments, “dead man walking.” (Awful Announcing)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Jimmy Butler’s Trade Request Shakes Up Miami Heat & Fantasy Basketball
Jan 2, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) looks on from the bench during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol/Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
I’ve been hearing whispers about potential issues between Butler and the Heat organization for months now. Sources close to the situation indicated that the Heat were hesitant to offer Butler a contract extension, which reportedly left him feeling undervalued and frustrated.
Butler’s recent press conference comments, where he stated he may never regain his joy for playing basketball while with the Heat, seem to confirm these tensions. His on-court performance has also noticeably dipped, with Butler appearing disengaged and putting up subpar numbers.
From a fantasy perspective, Butler’s potential departure raises questions about who might step up in his absence. However, looking at games where Butler has been out this season, no clear beneficiary has emerged. Players like Jaime Jaquez Jr., Tyler Herro, and Duncan Robinson have failed to consistently produce starter-level fantasy numbers in Butler’s absence.
Click the button below to get the inside scoop on a rookie center’s breakout game.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Grizzlies podcasts.
Ja Morant’s poster dunk on Victor Wembanyama highlights Memphis Grizzlies win over Spurs This is the Ja Morant we all know and love. The guy confident and audacious enough to DUNK ON VICTOR WEMBANYAMA! The guard that can dish out assists at an elite level while limiting turnovers. Memphis Grizzlies fans saw superstar Ja Morant on Wednesday night. How could you not be entertained? Host Joe Mullinax breaks down the game, Memphis’ depth, and GG Jackson’s slow but steady return progressing through the G-League on this episode of Locked on Grizzlies!
Are the Houston Rockets a bad matchup for the Memphis Grizzlies? Is it a silly question? Sure, the Grizzlies have lost three straight to the Rockets. But Memphis collapsed in the fourth quarter while having a double-digit lead. So who would have the advantage in a seven game series - the Grizzlies, or Houston? Hosts Damichael Cole and Joe Mullinax break that down and preview Memphis’ game with Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs on this episode of Locked on Grizzlies!
Memphis Grizzlies crumble in fourth quarter, lose again vs Rockets The Memphis Grizzlies dropped their third game this season against the Houston Rockets. In this episode, host Damichael Cole recaps the game, discusses key Taylor Jenkins decisions and provides an update on GG Jackson and Vince Williams Jr.
