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.
Jimmy Butler Returns: What’s Next for the Heat?
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) talks with forward Kevin Love (42) on the bench during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Kaseya Center. | Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
The Miami Heat are bringing back their iconic Vice jerseys, and it’s causing quite a stir among fans and players alike. Here’s what you need to know:
• The original white Vice jerseys will return for 10 games this season, starting Friday night against the Nuggets.
• They’ll replace the classic white Miami Heat jerseys with red numbers and letters.
• The Vice court is also making a comeback, adding to the nostalgia factor.
Now, some folks might think this is a distraction from the Jimmy Butler situation, but that’s not the case. This Vice comeback has been in the works for a while. The Heat have been pushing Nike and the NBA for two years to let them bring these bad boys back.
Why? Well, it’s simple:
• The Vice jerseys were a massive hit with fans, even attracting non-basketball fans.
• They became synonymous with Miami’s brand and culture.
• The merchandise sales were through the roof, making it a win-win for everyone involved.
Speaking of Jimmy Butler, there’s been some buzz about the Milwaukee Bucks potentially trading for him. Here’s the deal:
• The Bucks are a team to watch in the Jimmy Butler sweepstakes.
• They’ve got an aging core with Chris Middleton and Brook Lopez, and they’re looking for a boost.
• Adding Butler to a lineup with Giannis and Dame Lillard could make them serious contenders in the East.
But here’s the kicker - the Bucks have shown they’re not afraid to make big moves to keep Giannis happy. Remember when they traded for Jrue Holiday? And then shipped him off for Dame? They’ll do whatever it takes to compete for championships.
Now, there are some technical hurdles to overcome:
• The Bucks are currently above the second tax apron, limiting their trade options.
• They could potentially get below that threshold by trading Pat Connaughton or Bobby Portis into cap space.
• This would give them more flexibility to make a deal for Butler.
Bottom line: Don’t sleep on the Bucks as a potential landing spot for Jimmy Buckets. They’ve got the motivation and the track record to make a splash.
As for the Heat, they’re probably looking at this as an opportunity to get the best possible deal for Butler. It might not be the star package they were hoping for, but hey, you gotta work with what you’ve got.
So, keep your eyes peeled for any minor moves involving Milwaukee. If you see Connaughton or Portis getting shipped out, that could be the first domino to fall in a bigger deal.
Jan 14, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives for a shot past Philadelphia 76ers forward Guerschon Yabusele (28) during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. | Bill Streicher/Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the rest of the NBA season could just be various instances spent listening to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander go WOOOO to varying decibels and degrees of excitement? It would be, to borrow from a master gone too soon, Lynchian.
If not that, then to watch the Thunder and Cavaliers play each other, over and over, until April 13th. I suspect we still wouldn’t have our fill of these two teams but don’t fret, we’d have a riveting seven game series. Each game a competitive and tight feast for the eyes.
To really get an understanding of how, though relentless pressuring and seamless switching, the Thunder have run away with the first overall defensive rating. That even against a team like Cleveland who pride themselves on the way they’re able to take care of the ball, and their communication skills, OKC can pluck the ball out of the hands of an opponent on a fastbreak, a drive, as if they were walking right up to a kid and taking candy from their hands.
Of course, this all makes it sound like watching these two teams in perpetuity is going to look heavily lopsided for the Thunder. The matchup last night was a wallop for the West, for sure, but Cleveland showed why they’ve been coolly leading the East and the entire league. Rainbow threes from Mitchell, light lobs over the heads of every Thunder player — just then upturned to watch — between Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen, and fadeaway shots from the corner care of Max Strus.
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
Legacy A Miami Heat legend inspires with a motivational message directed at a former All-Star, emphasizing resilience and commitment to excellence. This underlines the enduring spirit of the franchise. (Sports Illustrated)
Preview The Nuggets take on the Heat in Miami at 7:30 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Fantasy Basketball News Roundup: The Tanking In Utah
Jan 11, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) looks on against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images | Joe Camporeale/Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
The Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers are taking tanking to a whole new level. The Jazz have been sitting players like John Collins, Lauri Markkanen, and Walker Kessler for various reasons. While I understand the incentives for tanking, the odds of getting the number one pick are not high. The NBA has been cracking down on teams resting healthy players, but these two franchises seem to be pushing the boundaries.
As a fantasy analyst, I’ve been advising people to avoid high picks from these teams due to the risk of shutdowns and reduced playing time. It’s frustrating to see this level of blatant tanking, especially when it impacts fantasy basketball managers.
The Memphis Grizzlies are another team to watch, with Ja Morant constantly appearing on the injury report. While they’re not tanking like Utah and Portland, Morant’s frequent injuries are concerning for fantasy managers.
In other news, Donte DiVincenzo is out with a toe sprain for the Knicks, which could lead to increased minutes for Mike Conley. However, I wouldn’t rush to add Conley in most leagues.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Heat podcasts.
Miami Heat Bold Moves: Jimmy Butler Meets Micky Arison & Vice Jerseys Return The Miami Heat are making waves with the return of their iconic Miami Vice jerseys and the buzz surrounding Jimmy Butler’s potential trade to the Milwaukee Bucks. As the Heat prepare to don the Vice jerseys for 10 games, fans are eager to see how this decision impacts merchandise sales and team spirit. The episode also highlights an anticipated meeting between Butler and Heat owner Micky Arison, sparking curiosity about the team’s direction.
Can Miami Heat Find Tyler Herro Some Scoring Help? The Miami Heat’s recent road trip has fans buzzing, especially after a challenging 117-108 defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers. With Tyler Herro’s standout 34-point performance overshadowed by LeBron James’ late-game heroics, and now the Miami Heat’s struggles are under the spotlight. Wes Goldberg and David Ramill react to another tough loss, focusing on Bam Adebayo’s role and potential lineup changes involving rookie Kel’el Ware. They also zoom out for their positive and negative takeaways from the team’s six-game road trip.
How Miami Heat, Pat Riley Plan to Handle Jimmy Butler’s Demands The Miami Heat’s star player, Jimmy Butler, has stirred the NBA world with his trade request, sparking intense discussions about his future with the team. As Butler meets with team president Pat Riley and plans a crucial conversation with owner Micky Arison, the stakes are high for both the player and the franchise. Coach Erik Spoelstra faces one of his toughest challenges yet, managing team dynamics amidst this uncertainty. Wes Goldberg and David Ramil explore Butler’s contract options, potential trade scenarios, and the implications for the Miami Heat’s strategy moving forward.
