David Ramiland Wes Goldberg here, the hosts of the daily Locked On Heat podcast, with your daily Locked On Heat newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Heat 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.
Jimmy Butler’s Return: What’s Next for the Heat?
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) walks off the court after the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. | Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
The Miami Heat are about to welcome back Jimmy Butler after a 10-day absence, but his return raises more questions than answers. Here’s what we’re looking at:
• Butler is expected to practice with the team on Tuesday, setting the stage for a media frenzy.
• The big question: Will Jimmy actually talk to reporters after practice?
• If he does speak, what will he say? And does it even matter?
Look, we’ve been down this road before with Jimmy. He’s a master at dodging trade rumors and playing coy with the media. But this time feels different. The stakes are higher, and the rumors aren’t going away.
Here’s the deal:
• Pat Riley made a statement saying the Heat won’t trade Butler.
• But that statement wasn’t for us - it was for Jimmy.
• Now the ball’s in Butler’s court. How will he respond?
Here’s my take: Whatever Jimmy says, it probably won’t be the whole truth. He’s not going to come out and say, “I want my money” or “I’m 100% committed to Miami.” That’s just not his style.
The reality is:
• Butler wants a max contract.
• He’s 35 and his production is declining.
• The Heat aren’t sure they want to pay him that much.
So we’re at an impasse. And until Jimmy’s next contract is sorted out, this saga isn’t over.
Now, let’s talk about what the Heat should do next. Some teams in similar situations (aging roster, closing championship window) have made moves:
• The Lakers traded for Dorian Finney-Smith.
• The Warriors picked up Dennis Schröder.
Should Miami follow suit? It’s complicated.
If Riley is serious about not trading Butler, then yeah, they should probably look to add a piece. But here’s the thing - I’m not buying what Pat’s selling. I think they’re still exploring trade options for Jimmy.
So what’s the move? In my opinion, it might be time to blow it up. Trading your franchise star for a Cam Thomas-type player doesn’t move the needle. But standing pat isn’t a great option either.
The bottom line:
• The Heat have weaknesses they need to address.
• They could use help at power forward and backup center.
• But their assets are limited.
It’s a tough spot. And until we know for sure what’s happening with Jimmy Butler, it’s hard to predict the Heat’s next move.
The NBA’s next generation of stars is already here
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) and guard Isaiah Joe (11) in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. | Kirby Lee/Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Here’s something that will read like a riddle: When do you know the future has arrived?
Fitting, on the eve of a new year, to have one foot in the future and one eye still cast over the shoulder, looking back at the past. I value New Year’s Eve for this liminal space it lends, the opportunity to pause and consider the year that was and the one to come without a sense yet of its pressures. In-between spaces like this are rare in life, and if or when you find them, are nice not to rush out of.
Basketball has its liminal spaces too, though they’re a bit more rare. The time right after the Draft, when the next season’s rookies-to-be have their teams but no hulking expectations. The brief stretch between the regular season and the playoffs is another — the brackets set, but no competition commenced. It’s easier to tell in these situations when the future arrives, when the liminal space shuts.
But back to the riddle. Under the surface of this season’s NBA discourse, there’s been a persistent hum. With the inevitable aging of the game’s superstars comes the question of who’s next?
What confuses me is that I’ve mainly seen it asked in worry and incredulity, the implication being that there’s no one obvious, or ready, to fill those well-worn shoes. All it takes is a cursory glance at the season’s standings, now firmly set as we shift past the quarter mark, to see that the future is here — and it’s been humming for a while now.
The top four teams in the East and West all boast talent, skill, and star-power. Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Ja Morant, Donovan Mitchell and Karl-Anthony Towns are the most established in terms of their fan familiarity, but Darius Garland, Paolo Banchero, Jalen Williams, and Jalen Green are already on their way to being as regularly recited — and that’s really it.
When the skill and flare of an NBA athlete proves to have staying power, to dazzle consistently, the rest comes down to name recognition, which comes through repetition.
We’ve been saying the same big names for a long time now. LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo — their names conjure stats and highlight reels in our heads.
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.
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Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Roundup: Morant’s Injury, Waiver Wire Trends, and Monday’s Game Recaps
Dec 27, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) reacts after a screen by New Orleans Pelicans center Daniel Theis (10) during the third quarter at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images | Matthew Hinton/Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
As we enter the final week of 2024 for fantasy basketball, there’s plenty to discuss. Let’s dive into the latest injury updates, waiver wire trends, and recap Monday’s action.
Ja Morant’s Injury Update
The Memphis Grizzlies received some concerning news about Ja Morant. He’s been diagnosed with a right AC joint sprain in the same shoulder that was reconstructed last season. The team is considering him week-to-week, which typically means a minimum absence of one week, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it stretches to two or three weeks.
The Grizzlies’ injury report is staggering. In addition to Morant, Marcus Smart is out for multiple weeks, Santi Aldama is week-to-week, and several others are sidelined. This situation could lead to increased opportunities for players like Scotty Pippen Jr. and John Konchar.
Waiver Wire Trends
Looking at the most added players over the last 48 hours, Scoot Henderson tops the list. With the Portland Trail Blazers dealing with injuries, Henderson could see increased minutes. However, I’m skeptical about consistent 30-minute outings for him.
Other notable additions include Scottie Pippen Jr., Justin Champagnie, and Keon Johnson. While Pippen seems like a clear add given the Grizzlies’ injury woes, I’m less convinced about Johnson’s role with the Brooklyn Nets.
On the drop list, Larry Nance Jr. leads the pack due to his broken hand. Brandin Podziemski and Royce O’Neale are also seeing significant drops, which aligns with my expectations.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Heat podcasts.
Jimmy Butler to Rejoin Miami Heat & De’Aaron Fox Watch Begins
What do the Heat need from Jimmy Butler as he returns to the team? Wes Goldberg and David Ramil discuss that, and also look at some minor moves the Heat can make ahead of the NBA trade deadline and ask if De’Aaron Fox is the next whale worth watching.
Game-Ending Brawl Shows Miami Heat Culture Is Alive and Well
After a wild ending that saw Nikola Jovic hit a dagger 3-pointer and a bench-clearing brawl breakout in the final seconds, the Miami Heat beat the Houston Rockets as Tyler Herro continues to make his All-Star case.
Can Pat Riley’s Decision Unite the Miami Heat?
Will Pat Riley’s emphatic declaration against trading Jimmy Butler work for the Miami Heat? This episode unpacks the implications of Riley’s statement and its impact on the team’s dynamics.
