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.
Memphis didn’t want Jimmy Butler, anyway
Nov 8, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) shoots for three as Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart (36) defends during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports | Petre Thomas/Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Just as Memphis Grizzlies fans started actually thinking Jimmy Butler may wind up as part of their team’s championship push, Senior NBA Insider Chris Haynes crushed their collective dreams. No, Memphis. Jimmy Butler - superstar Jimmy Butler - will not be joining the Grizzlies.
Another superstar shunning the small market of Memphis. Say it ain’t so! If only there was a beach nearby...CURSE YOU GEOGRAPHY!
Outside of being uncontrollably land-locked, the Memphis Grizzlies may very well have dodged the proverbial bullet. Of course this sounds like the scorned lover hating on the pretty girl or handsome boy that didn’t “like them like that”. Make no mistake, Jimmy Butler would have made the Grizzlies better. He would have made a title parade down the streets of Memphis at the end of this season more likely.
But, as always, the question becomes about cost. Would the juice have been worth the proverbial squeeze?
We will never know. And perhaps that is for the best. Jimmy Butler almost certainly wants to go to Phoenix and to get paid a max contract. If he doesn’t want to be in Memphis, best to find out now.
Before the Grizzlies cash a lot of their capital and make a move they come to regret.
What comes next? A fair question. Memphis has many different directions they can take. If the trade market is something they’re interested in, they could most certainly keep swimming in those waters. Cam Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets, for example, is an elite three point shooter who is under contract this season and the next two that follow.
Or, if star hunting is still your cup of tea thanks to the Butler flirtation, how about Brandon Ingram down in New Orleans? He’s also searching for a pay day, but on an expiring deal with no options he has less leverage than Butler. Would New Orleans do a similar package to Miami (without Brandon Clarke - hooray!) for Ingram the rental?
He can score in bunches and allows for rookie Jaylen Wells to have a better chance at impacting winning in the playoffs off the bench.
Or, here’s a crazy idea - perhaps we all need to take a breath and wait! GG Jackson is returning from injury soon and has put on TWENTY POUNDS OF MUSCLE. 20-years-old, 6'9", 235 pounds, a returning All-Rookie player...could the Memphis Grizzlies possibly have a future Jimmy Butler at home already?
Time will tell. But the lesson learned here is that while it is fun to play ArmChair GM (spoken from experience), sometimes watering the grass where your standing and making it greener is the best path. It’s not like Memphis isn’t looking for upgrades - the Dorian Finney-Smith pursuit was very real.
But as has been said here, there, and everywhere - the Memphis Grizzlies run their own race. They will not deviate from their plans. They will not overpay for anyone.
Not even an All-NBA talent like Jimmy Butler.
Don’t worry Jimmy. Get paid. Do you. The Memphis Grizzlies have already moved on.
Their fans? It may take a day or two. Or at least another GG Jackson training video.
Jan 7, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) reacts after a fouled was not called against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Smoothie King Center. | Matthew Hinton/Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
How can you know in the NBA if something’s real?
If a team really is on a sustainable upward trajectory, or if they’ve overachieved? If a player whose name has become synonymous with trade talks really wants out (or in somewhere else, depending on how you’re looking at it)? How can you tell the difference between talent and development, and when does it start to matter? And how do you know that regular season dominance will translate into postseason competence, let alone contention?
I’ve been thinking about NBA mirages, the things we will ourselves into believing over the course of a season, as a few of the league’s prominent storylines play out. What constitutes an NBA mirage is that it has justenough staying power at a distance, but like the real thing, when you start to interrogate it up close its corporeal outlines vanish.
Trades are a huge generator of NBA mirages. I hate to think how many ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine tool is pumping out per hour as the trade deadline approaches. Jimmy Butler’s request for a trade out of Miami is one of the reasons I started thinking about them, specifically, where they shift from fantasy to reality. The prospect of a trade, for Butler, is as solid as the car he gets in to drive himself to Heat games. For Pat Riley and the Heat’s front office, the trade’s an illusion (delusion, maybe, if you asked Riley). What’s real to them is Butler’s behaviour, which they emphasized by suspending him for seven games.
Does Butler, since then reported to have asked both the Bucks and the Grizzlies not to trade for him, make his potential trade more real by narrowing its scope? Or is he limiting himself and his chances of an exit — any exit — from Miami?
Shifting from trades to returns, Zion Williamson’s back on the floor in New Orleans. Williamson’s dunks, like his first in-game slam last night since early November, have a knack for calling to mind immediately the contours of the earth under your feet. I tend to curl my toes against the ground, checking it’s still there. Why then, does he make me think of mirages? The hope for Williamson, since he entered the league, has been consistency — in his health, his game, his career.
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
Milestone Memphis Grizzlies rookie is in rarified air if this trend continues. This remarkable achievement places him among the best in the league, showcasing his exceptional potential. (Beale Street Bears)
Analysis The Grizzlies must pivot again after the Jimmy Butler bombshell. This unexpected development forces Memphis to reconsider their strategy moving forward. (Beale Street Bears)
Trade Latest report on failed Grizzlies trade for new Lakers player reveals the details behind the unsuccessful deal, shedding light on the intricacies and negotiations involved. (Sports Illustrated)
Injury Latest Ja Morant injury update after five straight missed games indicates progress in his recovery. The star player continues to work towards returning to the court. (Sports Illustrated)
Prediction Updated win-loss predictions for every team with remaining 2024-25 NBA schedule offer a glimpse into the Grizzlies’ potential, anticipating their performance as the season progresses. (Bleacher Report)
Must Read Amid Pacific wildfires, Steve Kerr and JJ Redick’s families have evacuated the area. (CNN)
Biz What the EuroLeague and IMG’s new deals mean for the future of basketball in Europe. (The Athletic)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Tuesday’s Key Fantasy Basketball Notes
Jan 7, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) signals to his team during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe/Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
Tuesday’s NBA action brought a mix of surprises and disappointments across seven games. The Phoenix Suns, despite their recent lineup changes, continue to underperform, raising questions about their strategy and team dynamics.
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a significant setback, losing to a depleted Dallas Mavericks team. This loss highlights ongoing concerns about the Lakers’ consistency and ability to compete against even weakened opponents.
In a thrilling finish, Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks showcased his clutch abilities by sinking a half-court shot to secure a victory. Young’s performance was stellar throughout the game, finishing with an impressive 24 points and 20 assists.
Injury Updates and Roster Moves
Several key players were sidelined due to injuries or illness. Jeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs is out with a back issue, potentially impacting his trade value. Jerami Grant’s facial contusion continues to sideline him, opening up opportunities for players like Deni Avdija.
The Philadelphia 76ers are facing challenges with both Joel Embiid and Paul George out, though not due to a back-to-back situation. This absence further complicates the 76ers’ season, which has already been marred by inconsistency.
Ausar Thompson’s absence due to illness raises concerns, especially given his history of health issues. While the exact nature of his current condition remains unclear, fans and fantasy managers alike are hoping it’s not as serious as his previous bout with blood clots.
Waiver Wire Trends
The waiver wire has seen some interesting movement, with Bryce Sensabaugh emerging as the most-added player despite missing a game due to illness. Ryan Dunn and Nikola Jovic have also seen increased interest, though their long-term value remains questionable.
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.
