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.
Has Jimmy Butler Lost Leverage With the Miami Heat?
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) warms-up before the game against the Indiana Pacers at Kaseya Center. | Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
It looks like Jimmy Butler’s leverage play might be backfiring. Some ex-NBA players are calling him out, which is pretty surprising given the usual “brotherhood” mentality among players. Here’s what’s going down:
• Tony Allen and Tim Hardaway Sr. criticized Butler for wanting max money despite only playing 75% of the regular season.
• They’re basically saying, “How can you ask for that much when you’re not even giving it your all during the regular season?”
• This is a big deal because former players usually stick together and defend current players against management.
• It seems like Butler’s reputation for coasting through the regular season and only turning it on in the playoffs is rubbing some people the wrong way.
The whole situation is getting messy. Butler’s trying to force a trade, but his options are dwindling:
• Mark Stein reported that the Brooklyn Nets, who were seen as a potential landing spot, have no plans to pursue Butler in free agency.
• This hurts Butler’s leverage because he can’t threaten to opt out and sign elsewhere as easily.
• Other teams with cap space, like the Houston Rockets, might be able to offer him a deal, but it’s looking less likely he’ll get the max contract he wants.
• The Phoenix Suns deal involving Bradley Beal seems to be at a standstill.
So, what’s next for Jimmy? It’s hard to say, but a few things are clear:
• His strategy of trying to force his way out of Miami isn’t working as well as he might have hoped.
• At 35 years old, teams are hesitant to commit big money to him long-term.
• The Heat might have to consider taking whatever offers are out there, even if they’re not great.
• There’s a chance Butler might end up opting into his $52.4 million player option for next season if he can’t find a better deal elsewhere.
The whole situation is a reminder that even star players can overplay their hand. Butler’s reputation for being difficult and his age are working against him. It’ll be interesting to see how this all shakes out, but right now, it’s not looking great for Jimmy Buckets.
Monday movers: Isaiah Collier and the resilient Pistons
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (13) lays the ball up against the Brooklyn Nets during the fourth quarter at Delta Center. | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Isaiah Collier
If you thought tracking incremental improvements was just for teams, think again. Jazz rookie Isaiah Collier had himself a game on Sunday, with a career-high 23 points, seven rebounds and assists, plus a block, in 37 minutes on the floor. It was Collier’s longest sustained playing time this season.
I covered Collier over his McDonald’s All-American weekend in April 2023. As a USC signee he was in the shadow of Bronny James, also in the same “McDAAG” class. Collier was quiet, polite, and a little shy off the floor, on the floor, all those traits inverted. When I’ve circled around to check on how Collier’s been doing this season I haven’t been surprised to see him taking a secondary role. Sometimes the best thing for a rookie is to have a working balance between competitive pressure and developing at their own pace. What I have been surprised by is how much Collier, up to now, has been flying under the radar.
He had a sixth-sense for the game in high school, in his knack for passing, knowing where teammates would be, and dictating the pace of the game — a rarer thing for a young athlete. It showed it again in his single season at USC. The Jazz don’t necessarily want Collier to be the one deploying these things, they have Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, and Keyonte George as a backup for them, but when Collier’s been trusted by the team to handle the ball it’s paid dividends.
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
Rumor The Brooklyn Nets reportedly have no plans to pursue Miami Heat star in upcoming free agency, quelling speculation about potential roster changes. No pursuit means the Heat retain a key player as they look ahead. (All U Can Heat)
Honor Pat Riley is receiving offensively low odds to earn a prestigious honor, reflecting his continued influence and success within the NBA. Low odds suggest high expectations for the Miami Heat’s President. (Sports Illustrated)
Trade The Heat might part ways with Jaime Jaquez Jr. in a proposed blockbuster trade with the Brooklyn Nets, a move that could significantly alter the team’s dynamics. Proposed trade could bring new opportunities and challenges. (Sports Illustrated)
Opponent Despite the LA wildfires, the Miami Heat are expected to play against the Spurs, Lakers, and Clippers on Monday, a testament to the league’s commitment to maintaining the schedule. Expected games will proceed as planned. (Bleacher Report)
Trade Every NBA team, including the Miami Heat, should propose at least one trade right now to bolster their roster for the upcoming season. Proposed trades could offer strategic advantages heading into the new season. (Bleacher Report)
Preview The Heat will take on the Clippers at the FTX Arena at 8:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Watch Roundball Rock is (almost) back. Giannis, Jayson Tatum, and Wemby star in NBC’s NBA promo. (NBC Sports)
Analysis Amid struggles, what’s the end game for the Suns? (NBA.com)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Waiver Wire Wisdom: Navigating Fantasy Basketball’s Ever-Changing Landscape
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney (21) passes the ball away from Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) during the first quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
As we dive into Week 13 of the NBA season, it’s crucial to approach your fantasy basketball strategy with a keen eye on both the present and the future. The key is to play for the short term while keeping long-term potential in mind.
Donovan Clingan is an interesting addition. With Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams out, Clingan started and showed promise. However, his value may be limited when Ayton returns. This could be an opportunity to sell high on Clingan if you believe his current performance isn’t sustainable.
Noah Clowney and Nikola Jovic are two players with more long-term value. Clowney’s minutes may fluctuate, but he’s worth rostering for potential future gains. Jovic, despite coming off the bench, has shown promise and could see consistent minutes moving forward.
Click the button below to see which under-rostered players need to find their way onto your team.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Heat podcasts.
Why Jimmy Butler Is Losing Leverage in Trade Talks The Miami Heat are navigating choppy waters as Jimmy Butler’s trade demands shake the NBA landscape. With Butler’s leverage waning, the Heat’s locker room dynamics are under the spotlight. Former NBA stars like Tony Allen and Tim Hardaway Sr. weigh in on Butler’s situation, adding layers to the ongoing narrative. As the Heat prepare to face the Los Angeles Clippers, the stakes are high, and the potential for a continued winning streak looms large.
How Jaime Jaquez Jr. Fueled Miami’s Win Over Utah Jaime Jaquez Jr. continued the best stretch of his season and the Miami Heat won their second straight game Thursday night against the Utah Jazz. Wes Goldberg and David Ramil ask if this is a turning point for Jaquez this season, hand out Credit Cookies and discuss why Erik Spoelstra is keeping Terry Rozier in the starting lineup.
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.
