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Tag: Jimmy

  • 5 takeaways: Jimmy Butler goes to Warriors in reported multi-player trade


    How will Jimmy Butler’s move to the Bay impact the Warriors in 2024-25 and beyond?

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    The drama is over. And so is Jimmy Butler’s tumultuous season in Miami.

    The Heat reportedly sent him to the Warriors for a package of players and picks Wednesday, ending a standoff that began a month ago when Butler became surly over his lack of a contract extension. That forced the Heat to put him on the bench with multiple suspensions, then on the block.

    Butler was the Heat’s centerpiece player in the post-Big Three Era of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The ending was sour, though, and a divorce was the only solution.

    With the trade deadline approaching at 3 p.m. ET Thursday, the Heat found a suitor for Butler with time to spare.

    Here are five takeaways on the trade and what it means:

    1. Warriors desperately try to salvage Stephen Curry’s prime

    A generational player was spoiled by success. His coach was antsy. And options were running dry.

    So the Warriors chose to roll the dice on Butler mainly because of his playoff history, which is rich with clutch and signature moments — “Playoff Jimmy” and all that.

    If Butler can extend that magic with the Warriors, if nothing else it adds meaning to the mid-life crisis being experienced by Curry, who wants to win without leaving town and switching teams. Therefore it made sense for the Warriors to do something, because as long as they have Curry, the belief goes, any gamble is worthwhile. Just get to the playoffs and anything can happen.

    And now coach Steve Kerr has a pair of proven postseason performers. Butler helped a pair of otherwise nondescript Miami teams reach the NBA Finals, falling short of a championship both times mainly because Butler didn’t have a capable co-star. And Curry has four championships.

    Here’s the issue: Both are moving past their prime. Curry is currently having a sub-par season to his standards — his efficiency suffering especially. As for Butler, his health is a constant concern. Can they overcome those issues come playoff time — assuming of course they qualify for the playoffs — with an assist from Jonathan Kuminga and make a run?

    2. Butler’s toughness fits next to Draymond

    No longer does Draymond Green need to do the heavy lifting alone. Now he has his twin when it comes to toughness, both mental and otherwise.

    Butler takes pride in accepting the challenge of guarding the other team’s best scorer and setting the tone for his team. He was the spiritual leader in Miami, by example and also verbally if necessary. It’s that last part that led to Butler’s exit when he claimed he would’ve been the difference last spring in the playoffs had he been healthy … prompting Pat Riley to reply: If you don’t play, you shouldn’t say.

    And that leads to this: Can Kerr, who has his hands full with Draymond, juggle another potentially high-maintenance star?

    3. Is this a gamble financially?

    Two years and $121 million? That’s the cost of doing business with Butler, who declined his player option for 2025-26 to receive the reported extension. And that’s a chunk to pay someone who’ll be 36 when next season tips and only played 67 or more games once in his career (not including shortened seasons).

    Depending on what they can (or can’t) do to re-stock the depth they lost in the deal, the Warriors will essentially be locked into this core for the next two years.

    Again: With Draymond, Curry and Butler, the Warriors will be led by three players with plenty of tread on the tires. Plus the competition in the Western Conference is unforgivable.

    4. The Wizards impacted this trade … how?

    The journey of Butler from Miami to Golden State was virtually assured a few years ago when the Wizards gave Bradley Beal a no-trade clause — on top of a max contract. It was inconceivable then, and certainly now.

    Beal, as you know, went to the Suns in their attempt to create a Big Three. And because those formations are now next-to-impossible under the revamped salary cap rules, the team must win, or cut the losses quickly.

    The Suns tried to win, and when they failed, Beal had the final say in all deals with his no-trade. Therefore, it proved too tricky to add a third team in any swap with Miami, which didn’t want Beal.

    Which left the Suns helpless to get Butler, who wanted Phoenix. Lucky for him, another team came along and gave him the money he wanted. As for the Suns, no such luck.

    5. How it helps the Heat, or not

    The best part of this deal for Miami? Butler isn’t around to cause any more distractions. As usual whenever there’s a multiple-player deal, the team that doesn’t receive the best player rarely “wins.”

    In this situation, it’s a wait-and-see with Miami from a talent standpoint. Andrew Wiggins is a solid defender and younger, and Kyle Anderson can fit any system. As for the protected pick, who knows?

    Will any of that help Miami reach the Eastern Conference Finals and two NBA Finals four times, as Butler did?

    Again, when assessing the swap, removing a player from the roster who no longer wanted to be there is the best return, for now. Addition by subtraction.

    * * *

    Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.

    The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Warner Bros. Discovery.




    1. Warriors bolster their lineup with Jimmy Butler: The Golden State Warriors have reportedly acquired All-Star forward Jimmy Butler in a multi-player trade with the Miami Heat. This move adds another dynamic scorer and defender to an already stacked roster.
    2. Heat shake up their roster: In exchange for Butler, the Heat are said to be receiving a package of players, potentially including young talent and draft picks. This trade signals a shift in direction for Miami as they look to retool their lineup.
    3. Warriors’ championship aspirations solidified: With the addition of Butler, the Warriors are now considered serious contenders for the NBA championship. Butler’s proven ability to perform in high-pressure situations makes him a valuable asset to Golden State.
    4. Butler’s impact on the Warriors’ defense: Known for his tenacity on the defensive end, Butler will provide a much-needed boost to the Warriors’ defense. His ability to guard multiple positions and disrupt opposing offenses will be key for Golden State’s success.
    5. Chemistry concerns: While Butler’s talent is undeniable, there may be questions about how he will fit in with the Warriors’ star-studded lineup. Building team chemistry will be crucial for Golden State as they look to integrate Butler into their system and make a deep playoff run.

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    #takeaways #Jimmy #Butler #Warriors #reported #multiplayer #trade

  • Jimmy Butler’s Messy Splits | The New Yorker


    Sometimes, at the start of a relationship, you can see its end. When the Miami Heat acquired Jimmy Butler, in 2019, what did they expect would happen? “I like controversy,” Butler said to reporters, in 2017, when he was a member of the Chicago Bulls. Right around that time, he was fined for a locker-room argument in which he questioned the younger players’ desire to win. He felt underappreciated, and he reportedly called the team’s head coach, Fred Hoiberg, “soft.” Butler was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves after the Bulls were knocked out of the playoffs. “I feed off of confrontation,” he told the basketball writer Michael Pina that summer. “It makes me go.”

    Butler forced his way out of Minnesota at the start of his second season there. After asking for a trade, he skipped the first two weeks of training camp. He bridled at being made to practice despite his trade request. “I have a for-real problem with authority,” he later explained on J. J. Redick’s podcast. “When somebody’s telling me what to do as a grown man, I have a problem with it.” When he finally showed up, he started yelling at the general manager, Scott Layden. “You fucking need me, Scott,” he said. “You can’t win without me.” Butler joined a reserve squad for a scrimmage, and they crushed the starters. He shut down the team’s best players largely by himself. When the game was over, his Timberwolves teammate Jeff Teague recalled, Butler took off his warmups to reveal his shirt and shorts, with big holes where he had cut out the word “Minnesota.” He bolted before practice was even over. When the other Timberwolves headed back to the locker room, they turned on ESPN and saw Butler, already at home, describing his discontent to the journalist Rachel Nichols. The interview had already been set up.

    A month after that, the Timberwolves traded him to the Philadelphia 76ers. With Butler, the 76ers made the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they narrowly lost to the Toronto Raptors. Then, in the offseason, the 76ers decided to sign Tobias Harris, instead of paying Butler what he thought he was worth. Butler left Philly for Miami, and later described his fallout with the team on Redick’s podcast. He said that he’d heard there were questions about whether the 76ers’ coach, Brett Brown, could “control him.” “I was, like, ‘You don’t gotta worry about it,’ ” Butler said. “Shit, can’t nobody fucking control me.” When he was playing for Miami in the 2022 playoffs, the Heat beat the 76ers and he shouted, “Tobias Harris over me?”

    Miami was supposed to be different, in the same way that Butler was clearly different. Other stars had forced their way into trades before: Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard, Ben Simmons, James Harden, Carmelo Anthony, and Paul George, among others. Some of those deals worked out; some did not. But no one had ever seemed to fit his new team quite like Butler seemed to fit the Heat. The team was hypercompetitive; Butler was, too. The Heat had the hardest preseason conditioning test in the league; Butler’s intense work ethic was legendary. Butler was a “serial killer’s dream,” his personal skills trainer told Pina, back in 2017. “He does the same shit every fucking day.” Pat Riley, the Heat’s calculating, impenetrable president? Also a serial killer’s dream. Both fetishized toughness and proving others wrong. Butler played in junior college before transferring to Marquette University, and was the thirtieth pick in the N.B.A. draft. In Miami, he was the best player on a team that relied on contributions from former G Leaguers and undrafted players. The Heat made the N.B.A. Finals as the fifth seed in the East, in 2020, and again, as the eighth seed, in 2023. The higher the stakes, the harder the team hustled. The higher the stakes, the better Butler got.

    Before “Heat Culture” was a brand—the words now painted on the floor, sold on jerseys—it seemed to be a real thing. Intangible, but real. You could find evidence of it in the stats of playoff games, like charges taken and loose balls recovered, and in the intensity of the team’s zone defense. You could hear it in the zeal with which players spoke about it, and their pride that not everyone could stand it. Heat culture predated Butler; its paragon was Riley. He wore suits and slicked back his hair, and, as Udonis Haslem, the player who, more than anyone, represented the team’s ethos, said, Riley wanted his teams to be “a little nasty.” And there was something a little nasty about the way Riley pushed players, and sometimes pushed them out, even the stars. Shaquille O’Neal, Alonzo Mourning, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James all left. But all of them came to praise Riley, and some of them have returned to his fold.

    When Butler arrived, he seemed to embody the team’s energy. But in fact he was a culture all of his own. Stories have been emerging about how there were cracks forming in the relationships between Riley and Butler, between Butler and other members of the team. He would fly private instead of joining everyone on the charter. He’d stay at his own place, not the team hotel. He got special treatment, which was nothing new; stars often do. But, as far as the tenets of Heat culture go, hard work wins championships, sacrifice wins championships, toughness wins championships. Teamwork, not freelancing stars, wins championships. Butler was, at times, a great teammate, but also in many ways an island unto himself.

    Heat culture hasn’t actually won any championships in recent years. But good players have, and lately Miami has needed more of them. Butler has often been injured, and is thirty-five years old now. The team has been focussed on cultivating a few of its best young players, including Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. The front office’s failure to sign another big star reportedly frustrated Butler. Then the Heat did not offer him the two-year, hundred-and-thirteen-million-dollar max extension he was eligible for this past summer. Riley raised questions about Butler’s durability and ego, after Butler declared, in May, that the Heat could have gone further in the post-season had he been fully healthy. “For him to say that, I thought, Is that Jimmy trolling or is that Jimmy serious?” Riley said. “If you’re not on the court playing against Boston, or on the court playing against the New York Knicks, you should keep your mouth shut in your criticism of those teams.”

    The Heat probably should have traded him right then. Riley might have been right about not offering Butler so much money, but it has always been clear that, to Butler, money is a signal of value, respect. Maybe Riley was also right about Butler’s chirping, but it’s no surprise to learn that Butler reportedly took offense to that, too. During the start of the season, Butler was in and out of the lineup with injuries, and sometimes seemed to be out of it even when he was in. He let it leak that he wanted to be traded. He talked about wanting to recover his “joy” on the court. The Heat suspended him for seven games, citing issues with his conduct toward the team. He skipped a flight, and was suspended for another two. Then he came to practice, and was told he’d be replaced in the starting lineup with Haywood Highsmith, a player few outside of Miami, and quite possibly few within it, had heard of. The N.B.A. reporter Brian Windhorst later described it as a setup, and Butler complied, walking out. The Heat suspended him indefinitely.

    It’s likely that he’ll be traded by Thursday’s deadline. He is still a fantastic defender, a disciplined player, a gnarly competitor, and now he has something to prove. It’s been rumored that the Heat, who clearly have no other choice, have been dropping the price and now are shopping him cheap. Some people have wondered why he would sink his stock and worsen his trade value. They seem to suggest that he should view himself as fans and analysts sometimes view him, as an asset. They wonder why he isn’t more considerate of his teammates, whom he’s putting in an awful position, and why he’d damage his legacy. His teammates, for their part, appear ready to move on from him.

    “You gotta go further into my life to understand why I am the way that I am,” Butler told Sports Illustrated, a few years ago. “And I ain’t changing.” He grew up in Tomball, Texas, a tiny town outside of Houston. His father left him and his mother, and then his mother kicked him out when he was thirteen. She told him, he recalled, “I don’t like the look of you.” He had to fend for himself, and went from couch to couch, until a friend’s family took him in. “I’m gonna go or I’m gonna be or I’m gonna stay wherever I’m wanted, man. Because that’s all anybody ever wants,” he said, in 2017. “To be appreciated.”

    There was a sense, in Miami, that he’d found his people: the intense coach, who could in one moment nearly come to blows with him and in another embrace him; the teammates who could withstand his brutal workouts, who had nearly as much to prove as he did; and Riley, a man who might just possibly understand and value him. Riley has heaped praise on Butler in the past. But lately there has been the reminder of limits, an almost paternal strictness. You should keep your mouth shut. Riley rarely speaks to the press these days, but he recently went on the podcast of Dan Le Batard, and they spoke as friends do. At several points in the course of nearly two hours, Riley sounded emotional, choked up. They discussed Riley’s father, a “great man,” Riley said, who had never achieved his own dreams as a ballplayer, and who’d been very hard on his children. “Whatever I did wasn’t good enough.” Later he said, of him and his siblings, “Without a doubt, we were survivors. If my father gave us one thing, all of us, it’s, You’re on your own. And, when we all got the opportunity to leave, we left.”

    Riley got a scholarship to the University of Kentucky, where he played on an all-white team that lost the national championship to Texas Western College, in a game that helped drive the integration of sports. From there, he went pro, before becoming a commentator and then a coach. His father died when he was twenty-five. There was the suggestion, throughout the interview, that Riley turned basketball into a family, though his model at times has seemed more like that of a Don than the life he shares with his wife and children. (His nickname is the Godfather.) It’s not clear precisely when the interview was recorded, but, when he was asked by Le Batard about the way he related to players these days, his answer seemed to allude to Butler in particular:



    Jimmy Butler’s Messy Splits: A Deep Dive into the NBA Star’s Turbulent Relationships

    In the world of professional sports, drama and controversy are not uncommon. But few players have experienced as many messy splits as NBA star Jimmy Butler. From his tumultuous departure from the Chicago Bulls to his rocky relationships with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers, Butler’s career has been marked by drama both on and off the court.

    In this in-depth analysis, The New Yorker explores the reasons behind Butler’s turbulent relationships with his former teams and the impact it has had on his reputation in the league. From clashes with teammates and coaches to demanding trades and public outbursts, Butler’s career has been anything but smooth sailing.

    But despite the drama, one thing is clear: Butler is a talented and tenacious player who has proven time and time again that he can thrive in high-pressure situations. As he continues to make headlines with his recent move to the Miami Heat, one thing is for certain: Jimmy Butler’s messy splits are far from over.

    Stay tuned for more updates on Butler’s career and the latest developments in the NBA world, only on The New Yorker.

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    Jimmy Butler, NBA, trade rumors, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, basketball, sports news, athlete controversies, locker room drama, The New Yorker, professional athlete scandals

    #Jimmy #Butlers #Messy #Splits #Yorker

  • Jimmy Butler trade to Warriors from Heat reportedly nixed amid unwillingness to sign extension in Golden State


    Trade negotiations between the Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat have come to a halt due to Jimmy Butler’s unwillingness to sign an extension with the Warriors, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. The news comes as Butler remains suspended indefinitely by the Heat after he expressed his desire to be traded in early January, followed by multiple incidents which Miami deemed detrimental to the team, including walking out of a shootaround.

    The Warriors have been considered a possible suitor for Butler, who has a player option for the final year of his contract next season that would pay him $52 million. Because of his ability to decline the option and become a free agent, any team that surrenders assets in a trade would likely want some sort of assurance that Butler would be willing to extend for multiple years. Not only did Golden State fail to receive that assurance, they also reportedly were told the exact opposite and therefore shut down talks with the Heat.

    player headshot

    There is a very important caveat at the end of Windhorst’s report, however: “for now.” 

    This could be an attempt by Butler to ensure that he goes to a destination of his choice — possibly the Phoenix Suns to play alongside Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. If he’s telling the Warriors, and maybe other teams, that he won’t re-sign with them after a trade, perhaps he believes he can force the hand of Pat Riley and the Heat to send him where he wants.

    How will Heat’s Jimmy Butler saga end? The six possible outcomes after his indefinite suspension

    Sam Quinn

    How will Heat's Jimmy Butler saga end? The six possible outcomes after his indefinite suspension

    There are a couple of problems with that theory, though, and both involve Bradley Beal. To make the money work in a Butler deal to Phoenix (assuming they keep Durant and Booker), Beal would have to be in the trade. The problem is that Beal has a no-trade clause, and can simply say “no-go” on any deal the Suns and Heat might make.

    Second, even if Beal is willing to waive the clause, Phoenix needs to find a taker for a player who was recently sent to the bench and is set to make over $50 million per season through 2027. 

    player headshot

    Beal has already said that he’s not interested in going to the Bulls, according to The Athletic, and Chris Haynes reported a while back that the Milwaukee Bucks have not had any discussions about taking Beal in a potential Butler trade.

    Therefore, if Beal decides he doesn’t want to leave Phoenix or the Suns simply can’t find anyone to take him, Butler may have to reconsider his stance on the Warriors or risk an extended, awkward standoff with the Heat. No matter what happens, the days leading up to Thursday’s trade deadline are sure to be filled with even more rumors and posturing regarding a Butler trade.





    According to recent reports, a potential trade that would have sent Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat to the Golden State Warriors has been nixed due to Butler’s unwillingness to sign an extension with the Warriors.

    The trade talks between the two teams reportedly gained traction in recent weeks, with the Warriors looking to add a proven veteran like Butler to their roster. However, it seems that Butler is not interested in committing to a long-term deal with Golden State, which ultimately led to the collapse of the trade.

    While the Warriors were eager to add a player of Butler’s caliber to their roster, it seems that Butler’s desire to explore other options in free agency has put a halt to any potential deal. It remains to be seen what the future holds for Butler and whether he will ultimately end up staying with the Heat or signing with another team in free agency.

    Stay tuned for more updates on Jimmy Butler’s future in the NBA.

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  • Early spring? More winter? Here’s what Sun Prairie’s Jimmy the Groundhog predicted


    SUN PRAIRIE − Jimmy the Groundhog is on a hot streak, at least in terms of his recent weather prognostications.

    For the fifth time in seven years, Jimmy did not see his shadow on Groundhog Day morning, meaning he predicted an early spring Sunday at the 77th annual Sun Prairie Groundhog Prognostication in downtown Sun Prairie. Mayor Paul Esser relayed Jimmy’s prediction to the hundreds of onlookers gathered at sunrise in the Cannery Square.

    Hundreds of onlookers gather at sunrise to hear Jimmy the Groundhog's weather prediction on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, in Cannery Square in downtown Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, for the 77th annual Sun Prairie Groundhog Day Prognostication event.

    Hundreds of onlookers gather at sunrise to hear Jimmy the Groundhog’s weather prediction on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, in Cannery Square in downtown Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, for the 77th annual Sun Prairie Groundhog Day Prognostication event.

    The prognostication event kicked off more Groundhog Day fun across the city, including the Hibernation Hustle 5K & Kids Dash in downtown, a Pancake Toss Breakfast with Jimmy the Groundhog at the Angell Park Pavilion, and a sled dog demo at Wetmore Park. The big day capped the city’s Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department’s annual five-day Frozen Fest, which featured a puzzle contest, the Groundhog Open Putt Putt Bar Crawl and a candlelit hike and bonfire at the Patrick Marsh Wildlife Area, among other activities.

    While temperatures have been rising in recent days, a return to wintry weather awaits most of Wisconsin this week. According to the National Weather Service, high temperatures for Monday and Tuesday range from the low 20s further north to low 30s in the southern parts of the state, with a chance of snow or a wintry mix in store for much of Wisconsin on Wednesday and Thursday.

    More: What have Jimmy the Groundhog’s predictions been in recent years?

    Tim Langton is a digital planning editor for the Appleton Post-Crescent and the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

    This article originally appeared on Marshfield News-Herald: Groundhog Day in Sun Prairie results: More winter, or early spring?



    As we eagerly await the arrival of spring, many are wondering if the recent snowfall means more winter is on the way or if warmer weather is just around the corner. In Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, residents turn to a furry meteorologist named Jimmy the Groundhog for answers.

    On February 2nd, Jimmy emerged from his burrow and did not see his shadow, indicating an early spring is on the way. This prediction is a stark contrast to Punxsutawney Phil’s forecast of six more weeks of winter.

    While some may be skeptical of a groundhog’s weather forecasting abilities, Jimmy has been surprisingly accurate in the past. Residents of Sun Prairie are hopeful that Jimmy’s prediction will hold true and that warmer weather will soon be on its way.

    Regardless of what the weather may bring, one thing is for certain – spring is just around the corner and we can all look forward to longer days, blooming flowers, and outdoor adventures. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that Jimmy the Groundhog is right and that an early spring is on the horizon.

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  • Beyond the Barometer: Jimmy the Groundhog prediction history | News


    MADISON, Wis. – Every year on February 2nd, Wisconsinites wait to see whether or not Jimmy the Groundhog sees their shadow, predicting either six more weeks of winter or an early spring. And according to the National Weather Service, Jimmy is fairly accurate.

    According to the city of Sun Prairie’s website, February 2nd, 2025, will mark 77 years that a groundhog has been making predictions as to whether or not winter will continue to six more weeks or if spring will come early. 







    Capture.JPG




    Last year, Jimmy did not see his shadow calling for an early spring, which did occur. The year before, in 2023, Jimmy predicted six more weeks of winter. So how accurate is Jimmy? According to NOAA… Jimmy is a good meteorologist.

    Over the last 20 years, Jimmy has an accuracy of 60% making him one of the best groundhogs in the nation. The best groundhog, when it comes to predicting whether or not spring will come early, is Staten Island Chuck who boasts an 85% accuracy. Compared to Punxsutawney Phil, who has a 30% accuracy rate, Jimmy is much more accurate. But there’s something to consider.

    Jimmy’s accuracy percent is over the last 20 years while Punxsutawney has been forecasting since 1887… 138 years. There’s going to be more room for errors over a longer period of time which will cause the accuracy percentage to go down.

    Clouds are expected to linger during the morning hours in the Sun Prairie area during the time when Jimmy is expected to make his prediction. So Wisconsin may be in store for an early spring if he doesn’t see his shadow.

    For the most accurate forecast, though, make sure that you are following the meteorologists at News 3 Now. 







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    Every year on February 2nd, all eyes turn to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, as the famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, emerges from his burrow to predict the weather for the coming weeks. But did you know that Phil isn’t the only forecasting groundhog in town?

    Meet Jimmy the Groundhog, the lesser-known weather prognosticator who also makes his prediction on Groundhog Day in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. While Phil may be the more famous of the two, Jimmy has a prediction history that is just as intriguing.

    Over the years, Jimmy has made some bold and sometimes controversial predictions. In 2014, he predicted an early spring, much to the delight of the crowd gathered to watch him emerge from his burrow. However, his prediction was met with skepticism when a late-season snowstorm hit the region just days later.

    Despite the occasional misstep, Jimmy has a dedicated following of fans who eagerly await his prediction each year. Will he see his shadow and predict six more weeks of winter, or will he herald the arrival of an early spring? Only time will tell.

    So next Groundhog Day, don’t just focus on Punxsutawney Phil. Keep an eye on Jimmy the Groundhog and see if his prediction holds true. Who knows, he may just surprise us all with his accuracy.

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    #Barometer #Jimmy #Groundhog #prediction #history #News

  • Jimmy Butler timeline – Dysfunction, stormy practices and six All-Star Games


    The Miami Heat suspended Jimmy Butler again Monday, the third suspension for their disgruntled star over the past month but the one that appears to signal the end of his six-year tenure with the team.

    The Heat said the latest suspension — triggered by Butler walking out of practice after hearing the team planned to bring him off the bench — will take this ongoing drama through the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 6.

    The indefinite suspension all but closes a complicated chapter of Butler’s 14-year career. A six-time All-Star, an Eastern Conference finals MVP and the leader of two teams that went to the NBA Finals, Butler has taken each of his four franchises to heights they have struggled to replicate without him.

    Yet Miami is seeing firsthand how uncomfortable Butler can make life when he is unhappy. His exit strategies have become legendary: confrontational practice sessions, clashes with coaches and an overall push to make the situation untenable. Butler already had missed nine of Miami’s past 12 games with suspensions, the first being seven games for conduct the Heat deemed detrimental and the next for two games for missing a team flight to Milwaukee last week, before his latest penalty on Monday.

    If Butler has played his final game for the Heat, then it’s a chance to take a look back at the veteran’s tumultuous NBA career and how each situation devolved from promising potential to painful breakup.

    Chicago Bulls (2011 to 2017)

    Butler arrived in Chicago as the 30th pick in the 2011 draft, but quickly ascended up the depth chart.

    He did not play much as a rookie, but by his third season, he developed into a consistent starter, carrying the team while Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah were sidelined by injuries. By Year 4, Butler made his first All-Star team and ushered the Bulls into a new era, shifting from a team led by Noah and Rose into one centered on its emerging superstar. And Butler was intent on putting his stamp on the franchise, demanding the same dedication it took for him to rise from the end of the bench to star player at all levels.

    The Bulls hired Fred Hoiberg as coach in 2015 and he immediately clashed with Butler, who signed a new five-year max contract. By December, Butler was criticizing Hoiberg after games, saying he needed to coach harder. Butler also clashed with Noah during the 2015-16 season, which led to heated disagreements throughout the year, sources told ESPN at the time. Chicago put together the misguided three alphas of Butler, Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo for the 2016-17 season in an attempt to compete, but after a first-round playoff exit, the Bulls fielded multiple calls for Butler on draft night 2017 — the second straight year they tried to trade him at the draft — before finally sending him to Minnesota.

    The deal marked the end of the Butler era in Chicago. It also sent the Bulls into a rebuild from which they haven’t recovered. Chicago has made the playoffs only once since trading Butler, when it lost in the first round in 2022 against the Milwaukee Bucks in five games.

    Minnesota Timberwolves (2017 to 2019)

    • Sept. 20, 2018: Ahead of the 2018-19 season, Butler requested a trade from Minnesota.

    • Oct. 10, 2018: In his first practice since requesting a trade, Butler yelled at Minnesota general manager Scott Layden as the team scrimmaged. “You f—king need me, Scott. You can’t win without me,” Butler said. He played with bench players during the practice and famously beat the starters and “regulars” throughout the scrimmages.

    • Oct. 10, 2018: Later that day, Butler sat down with ESPN’s Rachel Nichols to discuss the heated practice and his future with the franchise.

    • Nov. 10, 2018: A month later, the Wolves agreed to trade Butler to Philadelphia for Robert Covington, Dario Saric, Jerryd Bayless and a 2022 second-round pick.

    Butler’s trade from Chicago reunited him with his former Tom Thibodeau. Butler’s first season in Minnesota was a success, as he made the All-Star team for the fourth consecutive year and led the Wolves to the postseason, breaking a 13-year drought of playoff basketball. However, Butler missed 17 games late in the season, and the Timberwolves tumbled from fourth in the standings to eighth. They were quickly dispatched by the top-seeded Houston Rockets. The following summer, Butler and the Wolves were not able to reach a contract extension, leading to trade rumors that began swirling by the start of training camp.

    Butler missed the first two weeks of camp after requesting a trade, and when he returned, he unleashed his frustration on the rest of the team in a now-famous practice session. He dominated his teammates on the court and yelled at them off it, targeting his ire at Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, Thibodeau and then-Wolves GM Scott Layden, whom Butler told, “You f—ing need me.”

    And yet, Butler was in the starting lineup for the Wolves when they opened the regular season, though his tenure in Minnesota was all but over. After a two-month saga, Butler played 10 games for the Wolves to begin the 2018-19 season before being sent to Philadelphia in November.

    Philadelphia 76ers (2018-19)

    The Sixers, with their trio of Joel Embiid, reigning Rookie of the Year Ben Simmons and Butler, were positioned right away to be a contender in the Eastern Conference and provide a payoff to fans who had just lived through “The Process” rebuilding years. Though Butler wasn’t eligible to sign an extension immediately, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported at the time that the forward and the Sixers fully expected to reach a deal on a long-term contract in the summer. But six weeks into Butler’s tenure, he “aggressively challenged” coach Brett Brown during a film session, leading to another rift. Butler would go on to criticize Brown’s playcalling and put him on blast often in front of the media throughout the season.

    Butler played in only 55 games for the Sixers, but he provided highlights, game winners and fourth-quarter takeovers that seemed to prove his point to Brown that more of the offense should be centered around him. Butler was brilliant in the postseason, especially during a thrilling seven-game, second-round series loss against the eventual NBA champion Toronto Raptors.

    Butler was eligible to sign a five-year, $190 million deal with the 76ers in the offseason, but the team elected instead to bet on Tobias Harris, who had been acquired from the LA Clippers in a trade two months after Butler arrived in Philadelphia. The Sixers facilitated a sign-and-trade deal to send him to Miami while bringing Josh Richardson to Philadelphia, though the shooting guard lasted just a season there before being shipped to Dallas. Brown was fired as coach after the following season, and Philadelphia still hasn’t made it beyond the second round of the playoffs since 2001.

    Three years later Butler exclaimed “Tobias Harris over me?!” after the Heat defeated the 76ers in the playoffs.

    Miami Heat (2019 to present)

    • March 23, 2022: Jimmy Butler, Udonis Haslem and head coach Erik Spoelstra got into a heated argument during a timeout in a close game against the Golden State Warriors. Haslem and Butler were shouting at each other, and Spoelstra slammed a clipboard on the floor in frustration. The Heat went on to lose their fourth game in seven matchups.

    • May 6, 2024: During an end-of-season news conference, team president Pat Riley addressed some of Butler’s on- and off-court antics surrounding the playoffs. Butler sprained a knee in the play-in tournament and did not play in the first round of the playoffs. When asked about Butler’s behavior, Riley said, “If you’re not on the court playing against Boston, or on the court playing against the New York Knicks, you should keep your mouth shut.”

    • June 26, 2024: Butler and the Heat failed to agree to an extension ahead of the 2024-25 season.

    • Dec. 10, 2024: The Heat said they were open to potential trades for Butler.

    • Dec. 26, 2024: After ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Butler preferred a trade out of Miami, Riley announced in a statement, “We are not trading Jimmy Butler.“

    • Dec. 31, 2024: When asked if he wants to be in Miami, Butler responded simply, “That’s a good question.“

    • Jan. 2, 2025: Butler indicated to the Heat that he would like to be traded. “I want to see me getting my joy back playing basketball. Wherever that may be, we’ll find out here pretty soon,” Butler said.

    • Jan. 14, 2025: In a face-to-face meeting with Riley during his suspension, Butler reiterated his demand to be traded.

    • Jan. 22, 2025: Butler was again suspended, this time for two games. The latest instance was for missing a team flight.

    • Jan. 23, 2025: Following another suspension, Spoelstra told the Heat roster to “get used to” and “get over” the constant news surrounding the situation.

    • Jan. 27, 2025: After being told he was being replaced in the starting lineup, Butler walked out of practice, leading to his third suspension of the month. He is now suspended indefinitely.

    The Heat executed a four-team trade to sign Butler to a four-year contract in 2019, and it was instantly a perfect marriage of player and team. The term “Heat Culture” was born and seemed tailor-made for Butler. It was a mantra that fit Butler’s ideology as a player who had worked his way from the end of the bench to stardom, as well as the Heat’s success in turning unheralded players into playoff contributors.

    The Heat went to the NBA Finals during the 2020 bubble, dragged there by Butler, who leaned over the guardrails in exhaustion during a game, an image that would become a meme. In 2021-22, Miami was the No.1 seed in the East and missed returning to the Finals by one game, when a furious comeback in the fourth quarter of Game 7 against the Boston Celtics fell just short as Butler missed a potential go-ahead 3-pointer with 16 seconds left. A year later, the Heat got revenge on the Celtics, holding off a 3-0 comeback to win in Game 7 in Boston and return to the Finals, this time as a No. 8 seed. Butler’s playoff performances became so iconic, the nickname Playoff Jimmy began to stick.

    But Butler’s postseason performances began to stand in contrast to his regular-season production, especially as injuries kept him out of a combined 40 games during the past two seasons. Butler also missed the Heat’s entire first-round playoff loss to the Celtics in 2024 with a sprained MCL but said later during a radio interview that if he’d been healthy, the Heat would have beaten the Celtics, who went on to win the title. Heat president Pat Riley directed a comment toward Butler at his end of the season news conference, saying, “If you’re not on the court playing … you should keep your mouth shut.” Then, Riley declined to reward a maximum contract to Butler at age 35, despite the two NBA Finals appearances, again reiterating his desire for the veteran to be on the floor more often.

    Butler dropped the antics he had become known for on media day — emo hair in 2023, dreadlocks the year before that — and said he wanted to focus on the season ahead. But in December, ESPN reported that Miami was open to trading Butler. When Riley issued a statement the day after Christmas that the Heat “are not trading Jimmy Butler,” it was unclear to whom the declaration was directed — the public or Butler. Meanwhile, Butler was missing in action for most of this time. He rolled an ankle Dec.20 and missed 13 days with an illness.

    He returned for a back-to-back in the first two days of the new year, although Butler indicated the team accused him of not playing his hardest in the first game. After the second game, a blowout loss to the Pacers, Butler said he had lost his joy for basketball and that it could “probably not” be found in Miami.

    Butler was suspended for seven games Jan. 3, a day after the rant, as Miami issued a second statement: “Jimmy Butler and his representative have indicated that they wish to be traded, therefore, we will listen to offers.”

    In a meeting with Riley during that suspension, Butler said he would not sign a new deal in Miami and intended to use his $52 million player option for 2025-26 only as a trade maneuver, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Jan. 14. Butler returned for three games, but then received a second suspension Jan. 22 after he missed a team flight to Milwaukee. After he sat out two more games, the team indefinitely suspended Butler on Monday. The third suspension came when the disgruntled star walked out of morning practice after the Heat told him he’d come off the bench moving forward. Now, he’ll be suspended for at least five games, which runs through the Feb. 6 trade deadline.



    Jimmy Butler has had quite the tumultuous journey in the NBA, filled with drama, intense practices, and ultimately earning himself six All-Star Game appearances.

    Butler’s career started with the Chicago Bulls, where he quickly made a name for himself as a hard-nosed defender and reliable scorer. However, his time in Chicago was not without its controversies, as Butler clashed with teammates and coaches, leading to a reputation for being difficult to work with.

    Things came to a head in 2017 when Butler was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite leading the team to its first playoff appearance in 14 years, Butler’s tenure in Minnesota was marked by tension and dysfunction. He famously called out his younger teammates for their lack of effort and commitment, leading to a stormy practice where he reportedly dominated the court and verbally challenged his teammates.

    Butler’s next stop was the Philadelphia 76ers, where he helped lead the team to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Despite his brief stint in Philly, Butler continued to make waves with his demanding leadership style and high expectations for his teammates.

    In 2019, Butler joined the Miami Heat and found a home where his intensity and work ethic were embraced. He led the Heat to the NBA Finals in his first season with the team and earned his sixth All-Star Game appearance.

    Throughout his career, Jimmy Butler has been a polarizing figure, known for his competitiveness and drive to win at all costs. While his journey has been filled with ups and downs, one thing is certain – Jimmy Butler’s impact on the court is undeniable.

    Tags:

    1. Jimmy Butler timeline
    2. NBA drama
    3. Chicago Bulls
    4. Minnesota Timberwolves
    5. Philadelphia 76ers
    6. Miami Heat
    7. All-Star player
    8. NBA controversies
    9. Team chemistry issues
    10. Jimmy Butler trade timeline

    #Jimmy #Butler #timeline #Dysfunction #stormy #practices #AllStar #Games

  • NBA Legend Suggests Jimmy Butler Drama Could Change Contracts Forever


    In the short-term, the Jimmy Butler saga hurts him, the Miami Heat, and the NBA at large.

    In the long-term, Hall of Fame big man Kevin Garnett fears the ongoing drama could have an irreversible impact on other players.

    Garnett passionately blasted Butler on his podcast, ripping the six-time All-Star for his recent conduct. The legendary forward said Butler’s behavior could convince teams to eventually forego giving guaranteed contracts.

    “Non-guarantees are gonna come into our league, right here, for s–t like this,” Garnett declared.

    Butler signed a three-year extension worth $146.4 million in 2021. His feud with the Heat stems partly from the two sides failing to reach another extension last summer.

    “We f—- fought our ass through five or six g–damn lockouts to get to a point where … we protect the integrity of the talent,” Garnett said. 

    “And then that talent has a responsibility to come in and be professional and do your f—- job,” he continued. 

    Garnett explained he and co-host Paul Pierce played despite disliking ownership or management. The Heat suspended Butler three times in January alone for misconduct, including missing a team flight and walking out of practice.

    Rather than act out, Garnett feels Butler should have shown up and done his job. Garnett cited former All-Star John Wall, who sat out the 2021-22 season with the Houston Rockets, as the team prioritized developing younger guards.

    The Rockets reportedly paid Wall roughly $41 million following a buyout.

    In fairness to Butler, Garnett argued Heat president Pat Riley isn’t innocent. Riley publicly called out Butler’s durability last spring. 

    “Both sides could’ve actually squashed all of this,” Garnett said, “but this is a message. 

    “This is a message not only to the league but this is a message between upstairs and the power of players.”

    COULD BUTLER JOIN WEST STARS?

    If the Heat do move Butler, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania has a good idea where the six-time All-Star will end up.

    “The Suns and Warriors are shaping up … to being the two likeliest landing spots for Jimmy Butler in a trade,” Charania reported Friday night.

    Charania added other teams are in the mix but Golden State and Phoenix remain the favorites.

    Both teams have been linked to Butler for nearly two months. Butler does not have a no-trade clause and has not publicly demanded joining a specific team. 

    Charania said the two Western Conference teams are being aggressive ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline. Both organizations are potentially nearing the end of championship windows, with Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry seeking one more title.

    Charania added the Heat have remained in constant communication with both teams. 

    “The Warriors’ front office has been acting very opportunistically ahead of the deadline next week,” Charania said.

    KINGS OUT ON BUTLER

    Butler can cross Sacramento off his list of possible places he’ll finish the season.

    NBA insider Sam Amick reported Thursday the Kings are not pursuing Butler ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline. Sacramento is currently weighing whether to trade All-Star guard De’Aaron Fox within the next week.

    The 24-23 Kings are competing for a Play-In spot. Whatever the Kings do, Amick said, will not involve the disgruntled Butler. 

    “They do not see Jimmy Butler as the answer,” Amick wrote.

    MIAMI HEAT ON SI’S JIMMY BUTLER COVERAGE

    NBA Insider Says Miami Heat Could Compromise in Jimmy Butler Trade Saga

    New 3-Team Trade Proposal Sends Jimmy Butler to Contender, Gives Heat Flexibility

    Ex-ESPN Star ‘Not Surprised’ Teams Possibly Reluctant to Add Jimmy Butler

    NBA Great Issues 2-Word Warning for Disgruntled Heat Star Jimmy Butler

    MORE HEAT NEWS

    Heat Legend Says Pat Riley Refused to Draft Warriors Star

    Dwyane Wade Reveals Kidney Removal Following Cancer Diagnosis

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    Jake Elman works as a contributing writer to Miami Heat on SI. He can be reached at jakeelman97@gmail.com or follow him on X @JakeElman97.



    NBA Legend Shaquille O’Neal Suggests Jimmy Butler Drama Could Change Contracts Forever

    In a recent interview, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal weighed in on the ongoing drama surrounding Jimmy Butler’s trade request from the Minnesota Timberwolves. O’Neal suggested that Butler’s bold move to demand a trade and potentially disrupt team chemistry could have a lasting impact on player contracts in the league.

    O’Neal pointed out that in the past, players were often hesitant to rock the boat and demand trades for fear of being labeled as difficult or disruptive. However, Butler’s actions have shown that players are increasingly willing to take matters into their own hands and push for trades to situations that better suit their needs.

    The NBA legend predicted that Butler’s drama could set a precedent for future contract negotiations, with players becoming more assertive in shaping their own destinies and seeking out situations that align with their personal goals and aspirations.

    As the NBA landscape continues to evolve and players gain more power and agency in shaping their careers, it will be interesting to see how Butler’s situation plays out and whether it will indeed have a lasting impact on player contracts in the league.

    Tags:

    NBA legend, Jimmy Butler, contract drama, NBA news, sports contracts, player contracts, NBA trade rumors, NBA free agency, sports industry, basketball drama, NBA superstars, athlete contracts

    #NBA #Legend #Suggests #Jimmy #Butler #Drama #Change #Contracts

  • NBA trade rumors: Pelicans interested in Jimmy Butler-Brandon Ingram swap; Marcus Smart on the move again?


    A new development on the Jimmy Butler front: The New Orleans Pelicans approached the Miami Heat this week about a potential trade involving Butler and forward Brandon Ingram, The Stein Line’s Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported Friday.

    Ingram, 27, is on a $36 million expiring contract. He became eligible for a contract extension worth up to $208 million over four years last summer, but the Pelicans have not been willing to max him out, nor have they been able to find him a suitable trade. Initially, according to The Stein Line, other teams proposed frameworks for Butler deals that also involved Ingram. Then New Orleans decided to reach out to Miami directly about a Butler-Ingram swap.

    For the Heat, who would like to move on from the Butler era, make the playoffs this season and not take on money past 2025-26, a trade built around Butler and Ingram would make a lot of sense. Ingram has been out since Dec. 7 with a high-grade ankle sprain, but, assuming he can get back on the court for the stretch run, he’d give them another talented creator. If he fits well, they’d have the option of re-signing him with Bird rights in the offseason. They could also sign-and-trade him at that point.

    A Jimmy Butler-free trade deadline preview: Six questions about the other storylines ahead of Feb. 6

    James Herbert

    A Jimmy Butler-free trade deadline preview: Six questions about the other storylines ahead of Feb. 6

    For the Pelicans, the motivation here is less clear. They need to shed $1.4 million to get under the luxury tax, and, given that they never pay the tax and have a 12-36 record, they’re not going to add to their payroll between now and the Feb. 6 deadline. Butler is making $48.8 million this season, so, presumably, New Orleans would be giving up more than just Ingram. Could CJ McCollum ($33.3 million this season, $30.7 million next) be moved to Miami (or elsewhere)? Does the front office envision Butler helping a healthier version of the team make a playoff run next season, or is this just a creative way to create financial flexibility?

    The new CBA means that almost any trade involving Butler and Ingram would have to be complex and involve at least one other team. The Heat are close to the second apron, and, if they aggregate multiple contracts, they can’t finish the trade above it. As they are over the first apron, they cannot take back more salary than they receive.

    According to The Stein Line, the Pelicans have also had recent discussions about Ingram with the Toronto Raptors and that “preliminary conversations” with the Atlanta Hawks have “not gained significant traction.”

    Does Fox want out or did Sacramento decide to shop him? Yes

    Let’s talk about semantics! When ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news that De’Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings was on the block, he did not report that Fox had demanded (or politely requested) a trade. He did, however, report that Fox had a “target destination in mind ahead of 2026 free agency.”

    So does Fox want out? Well, The Stein Line reported Thursday that the Kings recently approached Fox about trading him before the deadline, not the other way around. They reportedly told some teams that they were open to discussing Fox last week.

    Rich Paul wants De’Aaron Fox rumors out now and timing shows how players have lost leverage with NBA’s new CBA

    Bill Reiter

    Rich Paul wants De'Aaron Fox rumors out now and timing shows how players have lost leverage with NBA's new CBA

    But they didn’t do those things in a vacuum. In the same story, The Stein Line reported that, regardless of how this season played out, Fox had “no intention of extending in Sacramento.” Is communicating this to the Kings the same as publicly demanding to be traded immediately? No, and definitely not in this case — according to The Stein Line, Fox would actually prefer to leave Sacramento this coming offseason — but it’s not all that different from a private trade request. If the team knows you don’t want to stay, you don’t have to ask for a trade.

    To be clear, I’m not saying Fox has wronged the Kings or vice versa. He has the right to leave in free agency, and, if that’s the plan, then being upfront about it helps Sacramento, as it has an opportunity to get something back in return. The Kings, meanwhile, have the right to take the best offer they can get, and to do the deal when it makes the most sense for them, not him.

    As a reminder: Donovan Mitchell never officially asked the Utah Jazz for a trade.

    Has Bogdanovic played his last game for Atlanta?

    On Monday, Bogdan Bogdanovic was on the Hawks’ active roster for their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He didn’t log a single minute, though, and officially got a DNP-CD. He was then listed as out due to personal reasons for their games against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday. Bogdanovic is expected to miss Saturday’s game against the Indiana Pacers, too.

    On Thursday, four separate outlets — HoopsHype, The Arizona Republic, SNY and The Stein Line — either directly reported or implied that Bogdanovic is likely to be traded before the deadline. The Phoenix Suns have reportedly talked to Atlanta about swapping Jusuf Nurkic for Bogdanovic (and presumably incentivizing the Hawks with draft capital). Miami has also “expressed interest” in him, per HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

    Bogdanovic is 32 years old and is making $17.3 million this season. That would be a big-time bargain if he were playing at the level he did last season, but he has shot 37.1% from the field and 30.1% from deep in 24 games this season after missing the first few weeks with a hamstring injury. He’s also owed $16 million next season, and he has a team option worth $16 million in 2026-27.

    If Bogdanovic’s down year is strictly health-related, not evidence of decline, then, whether it’s the Suns or another win-now team, this could be a great opportunity to buy low. If Bogdanovic can get healthy relatively quickly, that is. 

    What’s the Pacers’ plan?

    Tyrese Haliburton’s five-year extension kicked in this season, and Indiana’s newly named All-Star reserve, Pascal Siakam, is in Year 1 of a four-year deal. Both contracts started at $42.2 million, or 30% of the salary cap. As thrilled as the Pacers must be to have both stars on the roster — after a slow start, they’ve won 16 of their last 21 games — they knew when they traded for Siakam that, with that kind of money on the books, they’d have to make hard decisions about the rest of the roster.

    One decision: How much can they afford to offer Myles Turner in free agency? The big man, who turns 29 in March, is on a $19.9 million expiring contract. That is an artificially low number; two years ago, Indiana used cap space to renegotiate and extend his contract, so he got a $17.1 million raise as soon as he signed it and the team has paid Turner a below-market-value salary in the two seasons since. The Pacers do not have that option now, and, if they simply add a new contract for Turner to the 10 salaries they already have on next year’s books, they will be in the luxury tax. (Turner will be looking for a starting salary of more than $30 million, per The Athletic’s Jovan Buha.)

    Another decision: How much can they afford to offer Bennedict Mathurin when he’s up for an extension this summer? The 22-year-old is a gifted scorer with considerable upside, but you can’t pay everybody. Indiana has already signed wing Aaron Nesmith through the 2026-27 season, and it has signed guard Aaron Nembhard through the 2027-28 season. Ben Sheppard will be up for an extension the year after Mathurin, too.

    The Pacers don’t exactly have to make those right decisions right now, but they need to at least have an idea of where they stand, as it will inform how they approach this trade deadline. The rest of the league knows the position Indiana is in, so other teams have been reportedly monitoring both Turner and Mathurin.

    On Friday, The Athletic’s Fred Katz reported that the Pacers are “not trying to get worse,” so they are unlikely to trade Turner. They have also reportedly rejected other teams’ overtures about Nembhard, who has been instrumental to their turnaround. And while the franchise has not paid the luxury tax in two decades, that streak could potentially end next season, depending on how the rest of this one goes.

    According to The Athletic, Indiana’s conversations about Obi Toppin (who re-signed with the team last summer on a four-year, $58 million deal) haven’t really gone anywhere. Mathurin is not mentioned in the story.

    Smart move?

    Could Marcus Smart’s tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies end before he even plays his 40th game for the team? According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, there has been “plenty of discussion” about this possibility recently.

    The 30-year-old guard joined the Grizzlies in the same June 2023 deal that sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Boston Celtics. To acquire Smart, Memphis gave up Tyus Jones, the 2023 first-round pick that became Marcus Sasser and the 2024 first-round pick that became Bub Carrington. Smart has dealt with a series of injuries since then, though, and appeared in only 20 games in 2023-24. 

    This season, Smart has appeared in 18 games, and he has been sidelined since he suffered a finger injury (a “partial tear of the proximal extensor hood of his right index finger,” per the team) on Dec. 21. While practicing with the the Grizzlies’ G League team, the Memphis Hustle, on Jan. 9, Smart fractured his left thumb, which required surgery. On Wednesday, Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins told reporters that Smart was still “week-to-week” and limited to individual work, per Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

    These hand injuries are strange, and, if Memphis doesn’t end up trading Smart, the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year could still play a significant role as it battles for playoff positioning. As ESPN pointed out, though, the Grizzlies have to think about the money they’re likely to spend this offseason when Santi Aldama will be a restricted free agent and Jaren Jackson Jr. could be eligible for a supermax extension (if he makes an All-NBA team). Given how backup point guard Scotty Pippen Jr. has emerged this season and how well rookie Jaylen Wells has fared with the starting five, it is understandable that Memphis — perhaps the league’s deepest team — might want to shed Smart’s $21.6 million 2025-26 salary.





    The NBA trade rumors are heating up as the New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly interested in a trade for Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat in exchange for Brandon Ingram. The Pelicans are looking to add a proven veteran presence to their young roster, and Butler could provide the leadership and scoring punch they need to make a push for the playoffs.

    Meanwhile, there are also rumblings that Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics could be on the move again. Smart has been a key player for the Celtics, but with their crowded backcourt, there could be a potential trade in the works to shake things up. Stay tuned as the NBA trade deadline approaches to see if these rumored trades come to fruition.

    Tags:

    NBA trade rumors, Pelicans, Jimmy Butler, Brandon Ingram, swap, Marcus Smart, trade, NBA rumors, basketball trade rumors, NBA news, NBA trade updates

    #NBA #trade #rumors #Pelicans #interested #Jimmy #ButlerBrandon #Ingram #swap #Marcus #Smart #move

  • [WATCH] Huge title feud subtly teased for Jimmy Uso on SmackDown


    Big things are seemingly on the way for Jimmy Uso on SmackDown as he gears up in his singles career – targeting singles gold just like his brother Jey Uso. He may have his moment soon as a huge title feud was subtly teased for him.

    This week on SmackDown, Jimmy Uso was in the middle of a great promo backstage as he was making his way to the ring for a match against Carmelo Hayes.

    As you can see in the video below, United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura was walking in the background, looking at Jimmy Uso intently – clearly teasing a future championship feud.

    Check out which wrestler EC3 finds cute RIGHT HERE

    The decision to do so was immediately justified because of the reaction Jimmy got from the WWE Universe when making his entrance. He even has a modified version of the entrance which, for the lack of a better explanation, sounds less “heel-ish” and plays more into his babyface persona.

    There seems to be a greater recognition now for Big Jim and what he can accomplish, and many fans are likely going to embrace the idea of him going after a singles title in his pursuit of gold.

    He helped his cause on the January 31 episode of SmackDown by beating Carmelo Hayes – pulling a fast one over him much to the delight of the Indianapolis crowd.