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.
Riley Responds to Report on Butler Trade
Miami Heat president Pat Riley sits on the court for the jersey retirement ceremony for former player Udonis Haslem during halftime of the game between the Miami Heat and the Atlanta Hawks. | Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images
The Heat pulled off an incredible comeback against the Magic, capped by Tyler Herro’s game-winning shot. But the real story here is the ongoing Jimmy Butler situation and Pat Riley’s response to it.
• Pat Riley released a statement saying Miami won’t trade Jimmy Butler, an unusual move from the Heat president. And while the statement might provide fans some comfort and assurance, this statement seems out of touch and ineffective in 2024 as it won’t stop speculation or reporting on Butler’s future with the team.
Look, I get what Riley’s trying to do here. He wants to put a stop to all the chatter about Jimmy potentially wanting out. But come on, Pat. A press release isn’t going to cut it in today’s media landscape. This isn’t dropping rings on the table - it’s more like dropping the ball.
The whole thing reeks of an organization that’s behind the times. You can’t just tweet something and expect the rumors to disappear. As long as Jimmy’s contract situation remains unresolved, people are going to keep talking about it. And reporters are going to keep digging.
What’s really concerning is that the front office seems to think this statement will actually work. It shows a lack of understanding of how modern media and NBA coverage operates. The toothpaste is out of the tube on this one, and no amount of strongly-worded emails is going to put it back in.
At best, this statement does nothing. At worst, it makes the organization look foolish if they do end up trading Butler down the line. It’s not a great look either way.
The key points to remember here:
• The Jimmy Butler situation remains unresolved
• Pat Riley’s statement won’t stop the speculation
• This approach feels outdated and ineffective
• It could backfire if the Heat do trade Butler eventually
Now, the Heat did manage to win the game despite all this drama swirling around. Tyler Herro hit the game-winner, which was huge. But even that feels a bit overshadowed by everything else going on.
The bottom line is that until we know where Jimmy Butler’s next contract is coming from, this story isn’t going away. Pat Riley can tweet all he wants, but it’s not going to change that reality. The Heat need to figure out a better way to handle this situation, because right now, it’s not a great look for anyone involved.
Dec 25, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (left) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (right) talk before the game at Chase Center. | Darren Yamashita/Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The ‘Things NBA fans get themselves worked up about’ category got a new entry this month, and it reached a fever pitch over the Christmas Day slate of games —ratings. Specifically, broadcast ratings.
It’s a subject Commissioner Adam Silver is often asked about in his pressers, especially those that precede the NBA’s tent-pole events like the In-Season Tournament, All-Star Weekend, the Finals, and Summer League. It also comes up around the annual Board of Governors meeting in early September. It makes sense for Silver to talk about it, given that he’s the league Commissioner, and because he’s been at the helm for broadcast contract negotiations and renegotiations. If this is all making your eyes cross, good, that helps to prove my point.
Silver, team owners, and broadcast executives are the only people who should care about the NBA’s broadcast ratings. It’s their job. Whether numbers are up or down should be of no concern to fans, casual or die-hard, because they ultimately have no bearing on the viewing experience, nor is it up to fans to “fix” anything.
Traditionally, this would’ve been self-evident, but in the contemporary era of fandom — especially NBA fandom — there’s a desire to critique and cosplay as team or league executives. Everything from down to the decimal point salary analysis in trade machinations, on-court performance and ways to improve athlete “production”, concerns for whether front offices are over-spending (they’re billionaires, they can afford it), and now, worries over marketing of the league.
Broadcast ratings are just one metric. The decline in “traditional” television ratings has more to do with how younger fans find and interact with basketball than with some phantom threat of malaise or disinterest. Cable is expensive, and younger audiences almost exclusively stream their sports. Case in point ESPN’s announcement on Christmas Day of an 84% spike in viewership, a day when many, many people head to their family home and have cable television to watch and plenty of free time on their hands.
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 Exploring the idea of the Miami Heat blowing up their roster, this analysis delves into potential outcomes and strategic moves. What could it look like? The piece offers a detailed examination of possible directions. (All U Can Heat)
Trade Pat Riley has clarified the team’s stance on a potential Jimmy Butler trade. Riley emphasizes the value Butler brings to the Heat and their commitment to him. (All U Can Heat)
Fans Miami Heat fans celebrated Tyler Herro’s game-winning shot, showcasing their enthusiasm and support for the rising star. The moment highlighted their strong connection with the team. (Sports Illustrated)
Saturday, Dec. 28 | 3:00PM | State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA | Get Tickets
Heat @ Rockets
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Pelicans @ Heat
Wednesday, Jan. 1 | 7:30PM | Kaseya Center, Miami, FL | Get Tickets
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Christmas Day Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Spectacular: Must-Adds and Droppable Players
Dec 25, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (right) during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita/Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
As we celebrate Christmas Day, it’s time for a fantasy basketball waiver wire spectacular. Let’s dive into the most added players, must-roster options, and those you can consider dropping.
The most added player over the last 48 hours is Trayce Jackson-Davis. With two solid games in a row and increased minutes, he’s a no-brainer add for now. Keep an eye on his playing time, as anything over 22 minutes makes him worth rostering.
Noah Clowney is another intriguing addition. His shooting has improved from his college days, and he’s getting significant minutes due to injuries. While I’m not sure he’ll provide top-70 value, he’s worth a look in most leagues.
When it comes to must-roster players (under 50% rostered on Yahoo), consider these options:
1. Goga Bitadze: Despite a recent ankle sprain and ejection, his floor has risen significantly.
2. Ben Simmons: Roster him now and worry about potential issues later.
3. Yves Missi: While I’m skeptical about his role when the Pelicans are fully healthy, he should be rostered for now.
4. Bilal Coulibaly: After a cold streak, he’s regained his form and confidence.
5. Ayo Dosunmu: Although I have limited faith in his long-term upside, he’s a must-roster player for the time being.
On the flip side, there are some players you can consider dropping. Remember, “droppable” doesn’t mean you must drop them, but rather that it’s acceptable to do so if needed. These include Gradey Dick, Dennis Schröder, Onyeka Okongwu, Rui Hachimura, Jaden McDaniels, and Jaden Ivey.
Looking at hot players, Larry Nance Jr. has been impressive lately, ranking 40th over the last week. While I don’t expect this to hold long-term, he’s worth rostering for now. Other notable hot players include Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jake LaRavia, and Dean Wade.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Heat podcasts.
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. Dive into the thrilling analysis of Tyler Herro’s game-winning shot against the Orlando Magic, a moment that could define his All-Star candidacy.
How Bam Adebayo, Kel’el Ware Fueled Miami’s Win Over Nets, Plus Dru Smith’s Devastating Injury The Miami Heat snapped a three-game losing streak with a win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night thanks to big contributions from Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson and Nikola Jovic. Wes Goldberg and David Ramil react to the win and ask what it means in the grand scheme of Miami’s crossroads of a season. Plus, they break down what Kel’el Ware adds to the lineup and what comes next after Dru Smith’s potentially season-ending injury.
How Miami Heat’s Collapse vs Magic Proves it’s Time to Blow It Up The Miami Heat let a 20-point lead slip away against the Orlando Magic over the weekend and have now lost three straight games. Wes Goldberg and David Ramil discuss how the Heat have shown us exactly what kind of team they are and why it’s time to turn the page on this era.
