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.
Is Bradley Beal the Key to Trading Jimmy Butler?
Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) controls the ball against Miami Heat forward Duncan Robinson (55) during the first half at Kaseya Center. | Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
• The Jimmy Butler trade saga continues, with new reports throwing cold water on a potential deal with the Suns.
• ESPN’s Brian Windhorst spoke directly with Bradley Beal’s agent, who said the Suns haven’t approached Beal about waiving his no-trade clause.
• This doesn’t mean a Butler-to-Phoenix deal is dead, but it suggests we’re far from that point. The Heat and Suns haven’t found another team willing to take on Beal’s contract.
• The Pistons and Spurs have been floated as potential Beal destinations. Interestingly, both teams currently have better records than the struggling Suns.
• Beal’s massive contract and no-trade clause make moving him tricky, but teams like Detroit or San Antonio could benefit from eating his deal for a couple years to get that valuable 2031 Suns pick.
Look, this Beal situation is far from over. His agent can say there are no trade discussions, but that’s just smart PR. You don’t want to alienate your star player until you have a concrete deal in place.
The Suns moving Beal to the bench is a clear signal they’re trying to make him uncomfortable. It’s basically saying, “Hey, you’re not essential to this team.” I mean, come on - you build this guy up as your third star and then reduce him to a role player? That’s a message.
Here’s the thing - I wouldn’t rule out Beal waiving his no-trade clause. I’ve talked to people around the Suns, and it seems more possible than most assume. Why would Beal want to stay in Phoenix at this point? They’re losing to teams like Charlotte and sitting 12th in the West.
Sure, his family might be happy in Phoenix. But these players don’t necessarily need to live in the city they play for year-round. You play half your games at home, travel for the rest, then spend the offseason wherever you want.
The key here is finding a team willing to take on Beal’s contract. That 2031 Suns pick could be the golden ticket. If I’m running the Pistons or Spurs, I’d be all over that. You eat Beal’s contract for a couple years, get a still-productive player, and potentially land an incredibly valuable future asset.
Bottom line - this Jimmy Butler to Phoenix thing isn’t dead. But we’re a long way from making it happen. The pieces just aren’t there yet. Stay tuned, because I have a feeling this story is far from over.
The Cavs, the Thunder, and the joy of a job well done
Jan 8, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (3) during the first half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. | Ken Blaze/Imagn Images
The ESPN broadcast had its usual coach interview at the start of the fourth quarter, but the dialogue was far from typical. Instead of anodyne coach-speak, a smiling Kenny Atkinson marveled at the basketball being played before him.
“What a great basketball game,” the Cavaliers coach gushed. “I wish I could just sit back and watch it.”
As someone who did precisely that, I can say that Atkinson sure wasn’t wrong.
Cleveland/OKC had something for everyone. There were loud dunks, post moves, occasional but far from overwhelming flurries of three-pointers, high-level shotmaking, ping-pong ball movement, and great all-around defense (despite what the final score might indicate).
The major players exerted maximum effort on both sides and played more than their usual share of minutes. Coaches unveiled tactical adjustments at a lightning pace, counters to counters at a rate you usually only see in the playoffs. There was even a lot of zone defense (which, if you read Basketball Poetry, you would’ve been prepared for!). The refs were largely inobtrusive and inconsequential.
Frankly, if you didn’t like this game, there’s not much hope for you.
Something that struck me halfway through an exquisite third quarter: everyone on the court was simply doing their job. I don’t love how that sentence reads on paper; it makes it sound like a dull affair, people clocking in and clocking out before going to a chain bar with flashing neon signs instead of character for their preferred domestic light pilsner of choice.
That couldn’t be further from the truth. What is an NBA player’s job if not to entertain?
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Rumor Tyler Herro revealed that he was nearly drafted by a rival team on draft night. This intriguing detail about his draft experience adds a new layer to his journey with the Miami Heat. Herro’s revelation sheds light on what could have been. (All U Can Heat)
Preview The Heat will face the Jazz at Vivint Arena at 9:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Analysis A look at the state of zone defense in the NBA. Who’s running it, and who isn’t? (Basketball Poetry)
Must Read NBA greats think this D-II coach is a basketball genius. So why don’t you know who Jim Crutchfield is? (The Athletic)
Analysis Is this the worst rookie class in modern NBA history? Jared Dubin examines box-score production to compare this year’s rookies to the past. (Last Night in Basketball)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Must-Add Players and Surprising Drops
Jan 7, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) is defended by Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images | John Hefti/John Hefti-Imagn Images
As we approach the NBA trade deadline, it’s crucial to stay on top of the fantasy basketball waiver wire. Let’s dive into the most added and dropped players over the last 48 hours, and discuss some must-roster options for your fantasy teams.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. tops the list of most added players on Basketball Monster. While he’s had two solid games recently, I’m cautious about his long-term value, especially if Jimmy Butler is traded. Remember, any incoming player in a Butler trade could easily take over his role and minutes.
Ryan Dunn is another popular add, likely due to the Suns’ five-game week. However, he’s not a long-term hold for 12-team leagues. Use him for the extra games this week, but be prepared to move on quickly.
Kelly Oubre Jr. is seeing increased opportunities with Paul George out, making him a solid short-term add. Naji Marshall has also been playing well and is worth considering, despite a recent poor shooting night.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Heat podcasts.
Bradley Beal Holds the Cards to Trading Jimmy Butler Dive into the latest buzz surrounding the Miami Heat as trade rumors swirl around star player Jimmy Butler. With the NBA landscape ever-evolving, the potential impact of Bradley Beal’s situation and Kevin Love’s influence are hot topics. Hosts Wes Goldberg and David Ramill provide an in-depth analysis of these developments, exploring the complexities of NBA contracts and player loyalty.
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.
