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Miami Heat’s Crossroads: Navigating the Post-Jimmy Butler Era
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) celebrates with guard Tyler Herro (14) after Herro made a three-point basket against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Kaseya Center. | Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
The Miami Heat suffered a crushing defeat against the Utah Jazz on Saturday night, leaving fans and analysts wondering if this is a sign of things to come in the post-Jimmy Butler era. But let’s pump the brakes on the hot takes for a moment.
Here’s what we need to consider:
• Physical and emotional exhaustion: This was the Heat’s third game in four nights, and the team was dealing with the fallout from Butler’s trade request.
• The Jimmy Butler effect: His locker was still intact, with his shoes and jersey present - a constant reminder of the situation.
• Bam Adebayo’s struggles: He had one of the worst games of his career, scoring just four points with zero made field goals.
While it’s easy to say, “See, this is why you can’t trade Jimmy,” we need to look at the bigger picture. The team was clearly drained, both physically and mentally. Eric Spoelstra even tried to shake things up with a new starting lineup, but it didn’t pan out as hoped.
Speaking of that lineup, let’s break it down:
• New starters: Terry Rozier, Tyler Herro, Haywood Highsmith, Nikola Jovic, and Bam Adebayo
• The problem: This lineup doesn’t excel in any particular area - it’s not overly big, small, skilled, or defensively strong
• The rationale: Spoelstra wanted more on-ball creation without Butler, but it felt like a “blah” option
So, what’s the solution? I’ve got an idea that might raise some eyebrows:
• Go big: Start Kal’el Ware alongside Bam Adebayo
• Embrace the size: With Butler gone, we can afford to have two non-floor spacers in the lineup
• The Cleveland model: Look at how the Cavs are using their bigs - we could do something similar
This lineup would give us the size we’ve been craving while still maintaining shooting with guys like Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson. It’s time to experiment, and this upcoming road trip is the perfect opportunity.
As for the Jimmy Butler situation, here’s the latest:
• The Heat are looking to take back as little guaranteed money beyond this season as possible
• There’s skepticism around the league that a trade will happen soon
• The team is actively making calls, not just receiving them
The bottom line is this: The Heat will likely have to settle for less than they want in a Butler trade. But remember, they got Butler for Hassan Whiteside, Josh Richardson, and a protected first-round pick. If they can get something similar in return now, after two Finals appearances and three Eastern Conference Finals, that’s a win in my book.
It’s time to move on from the awkward situation and find a way forward. The Heat need to take action and stop hoping for a miracle trade to materialize.
Jan 4, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) greets Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) before a game at Frost Bank Center. | Scott Wachter/Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Casting a cursory eye up and down the standings this weekend, I noticed some appearances that made me take a second look. This went for teams for climbing and sliding. So, I’m introducing a potentially recurring feature called “Monday movers”, highlighting teams jostling and jockeying in the standings, likely bound to get more contentious as the season goes on.
San Antonio Spurs
What a thrill it must be for long-suffering Spurs fans to take a glance at the West’s top 10 and see their team there, after so many seasons spent hanging around the bottom of the conference. What a thrill it was for me, too!
It’s not all because of Victor Wembanyama, but the phenom did hit two milestones this weekend: he played his 100th NBA game and he turned 21. His in-game numbers are similarly worth celebrating.
He’s the first player since Shaquille O’Neal to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds before turning 21, and the 7th player in the last 45 years to score over 2,200 points (he’s scored 2,278) through his first 100 games. Other than Bill Walton and Brad Daugherty, Wembanyama’s the only other 7-foot center with 385+ assists before turning 21, though their first 100 games. He’s also put up more threes than Steph Curry did, with 225 to Curry’s 200 through their first 100 games.
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 The 76ers are recognizing Caleb Martin’s impact, a key insight Miami Heat fans have known all along. His versatility and defensive prowess are proving essential. (All U Can Heat)
Roster The Miami Heat are eyeing three potential targets under 25 to reset their roster. These young players could bring fresh energy and long-term potential to the team. (All U Can Heat)
Trade In a significant move, the Miami Heat secured a $94.5 million forward through a trade involving Jimmy Butler, signaling strategic roster adjustments. (Sports Illustrated)
Fans Social media buzzes as fans compare Jimmy Butler to Tyreek Hill after the Dolphins star addressed his future, highlighting Butler’s influence both on and off the court. (Sports Illustrated)
Rumor Despite suspension, Jimmy Butler is expected to continue with the Heat unless a trade materializes, fueling speculation about his future with the team. (Bleacher Report)
Trades The Jimmy Butler vs. Heat saga escalated quickly: Here’s what we know. (ESPN)
Biz Amazon adds Blake Griffin and Dirk Nowitzki to its inaugural studio coverage for the 2025-2026 season. (The Athletic)
Jan 5, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Utah Jazz guard Brice Sensabaugh (28) is interviewed by Seg Media reporter, Lauren Green following a game against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Russell Lansford-Imagn Images | Russell Lansford/Russell Lansford-Imagn Images
One of the most intriguing developments on Sunday came from the Utah Jazz, where rookie Brice Sensabaugh has suddenly burst onto the scene with a scoring explosion.
Sensabaugh dropped 27 points against the Orlando Magic, following up a 34-point performance in his previous outing. That’s a staggering 61 points over two games for a player who had been largely off the fantasy radar. His usage rate has skyrocketed to over 30% in these contests, and he’s been scorching hot from beyond the arc, hitting 12 of 17 three-point attempts.
However, before we rush to add Sensabaugh in all leagues, it’s crucial to examine the context of his breakout. The Jazz were missing several key players, including Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, and Jordan Clarkson. This opened up a significant opportunity for Sensabaugh to showcase his scoring prowess.
The sustainability of Sensabaugh’s production is questionable. His three-point shooting percentage is bound to regress, and when the Jazz get healthier, his minutes and usage are likely to decrease. That said, he’s shown enough to warrant consideration as a streaming option in deeper leagues, particularly when Utah is shorthanded.
Click the button below for more insights, including another Thunder player to keep an eye on for your fantasy roster.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Heat podcasts.
How Does Miami Move On After Jimmy Butler’s Trade Request? Can the Miami Heat overcome the turmoil of Jimmy Butler’s trade request? Dive into the latest buzz surrounding the Miami Heat as they navigate a challenging season in the NBA. With star player Jimmy Butler’s trade request shaking up the team dynamics, hosts Wes Goldberg and David Ramil explore the implications for the Heat’s future
Jimmy Butler Wants a Trade From the Miami Heat After a revealing press conference in which Jimmy Butler claimed he could not find joy playing for the Miami Heat, ESPN reported that Butler has told the team that he wants to be traded. What do the Heat do now, and what is Butler’s trade value? Which teams would want Butler at this point? Wes Goldberg and David Ramil react to an eventful postgame press conference, and talk about how they got here and what comes next for Butler and the Heat.
How Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo Fueled Miami’s Win Over Pelicans Tyler Herro scored 32 points and Bam Adebayo took over in the final two minutes to lead the Miami Heat to a win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Wes Goldberg and David Ramil react to Miami’s fourth win in fives games, Herro’s and Jimmy Butler not playing in the fourth quarter.
