Around the NBA: 2024-25 Edition

[Grang33r]

lol basketball. Not sure what was happening with me last night. lol

Whatever it was, I hope you at least had fun doing it!

lol i wish but can't even use that as an excuse.

[Pacers Forever]

Tonight in the Magic’s win at home over the Celtics former Pacer/Mad Ant Trevelin Queen went 5-9 (3-4 from 3) scoring 17 points with 3 assists, 3 steals, and 3 turnovers in 34 minutes.

The Magic are so injury plagued right now it’s a crazy reminder that if players are in the NBA they still have mad skills when they’re called on. Magic lineup tonight were

Goga Bitadze
Trevelin Queen
Tristan Da Silva —Rookie
Caldwell-Pope
Jalen Suggs


Celtics Jason Tatum was sick and didn’t play but rest of them were available with Brown going for 35 points.

[Grang33r]

Tonight in the Magic’s win at home over the Celtics former Pacer/Mad Ant Trevelin Queen went 5-9 (3-4 from 3) scoring 17 points with 3 assists, 3 steals, and 3 turnovers in 34 minutes.

The Magic are so injury plagued right now it’s a crazy reminder that if players are in the NBA they still have mad skills when they’re called on. Magic lineup tonight were

Goga Bitadze
Trevelin Queen
Tristan Da Silva —Rookie
Caldwell-Pope
Jalen Suggs


Celtics Jason Tatum was sick and didn’t play but rest of them were available with Brown going for 35 points.

Orlando is a great definition of next man up. Props to their scouting and player development.

In their last game vs Miami Cole Anthony stepped up and scored 35 and 9 assists.

[Scoot McGroot]

Pacers announced promotions.

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=jYPPXwUlm02fAaE9rSSACw

[Scoot McGroot]

I DO NOT envy Miami right now. Sheesh. Ugly situation with Butler down there unfolding. Reminds me of the Tinsley ending. Or maybe the Artest ending?

[Grang33r]

I DO NOT envy Miami right now. Sheesh. Ugly situation with Butler down there unfolding. Reminds me of the Tinsley ending. Or maybe the Artest ending?

Yup, they're headed towards a ugly divorce. I'm surprised that the twitter-trade proposals i've seen floated around still seem like Miami is gonna make out decent. We'll see what the reality is, but ive seen named such as Fox and Sochan linked with the Heat in a potential trade. I would've figured Butler's age and Miami's lack of leverage they would get taken to the shed on any deal. We'll see.

[Grang33r]

Also, Knicks got to see how it felt being the Pacers few weeks ago when we played OKC. They controlled the game, had a 66-54 half-time lead, had a 14pt lead in the game only to get outscored 37-19 in the fourth. OKC is a machine.

It's crazy because they're doing all this without Chet Holmgren.

[JMaster5K]

Pacers announced promotions.

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=jYPPXwUlm02fAaE9rSSACw

Pritch is President of Basketball Operations & Chad is GM? (right?) So, how does all this fit together? Is there something I'm missing?

(usually guarantee that there is something I'm missing...) LOL =]

[JMaster5K]

I DO NOT envy Miami right now. Sheesh. Ugly situation with Butler down there unfolding. Reminds me of the Tinsley ending. Or maybe the Artest ending?

Yup, they're headed towards a ugly divorce. I'm surprised that the twitter-trade proposals i've seen floated around still seem like Miami is gonna make out decent. We'll see what the reality is, but ive seen named such as Fox and Sochan linked with the Heat in a potential trade. I would've figured Butler's age and Miami's lack of leverage they would get taken to the shed on any deal. We'll see.

Any one have any ideas on where Butler could / would actually fit? A team or teams he would improve to the point of contention or beyond? Any rumors you've heard? or would like to start?.... o0

[Scoot McGroot]

Pacers announced promotions.

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=jYPPXwUlm02fAaE9rSSACw

Pritch is President of Basketball Operations & Chad is GM? (right?) So, how does all this fit together? Is there something I'm missing?

(usually guarantee that there is something I'm missing...) LOL =]

You’re right. Those guys are ahead of all these. Basically everyone else got a title bump, as Ted Wu wasn’t an AGM before, and he’s backfilling the spot vacated by Kelly Krauskopf returning to the Fever.

[JMaster5K]

Pacers announced promotions.

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=jYPPXwUlm02fAaE9rSSACw

Pritch is President of Basketball Operations & Chad is GM? (right?) So, how does all this fit together? Is there something I'm missing?

(usually guarantee that there is something I'm missing...) LOL =]

You’re right. Those guys are ahead of all these. Basically everyone else got a title bump, as Ted Wu wasn’t an AGM before, and he’s backfilling the spot vacated by Kelly Krauskopf returning to the Fever.

Cools! Thank you. A couple of sentences & now this starts to make sense! LOL =]

[Grang33r]

Any one have any ideas on where Butler could / would actually fit? A team or teams he would improve to the point of contention or beyond? Any rumors you've heard? or would like to start?.... o0

I have nothing to back this up with but Golden State to me seem like the most logical destination. They have the pieces they can move and they want to give Green and Curry all the help they can get for 1 more run.

Here is a article about some possible destinations: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2025/01/03/jimmy-butler-trade-destinations-landing-spots-warriors-knicks/77444854007/

[Wizop]

I worry about Butler's attitude

[JMaster5K]

Any one have any ideas on where Butler could / would actually fit? A team or teams he would improve to the point of contention or beyond? Any rumors you've heard? or would like to start?.... o0

I have nothing to back this up with but Golden State to me seem like the most logical destination. They have the pieces they can move and they want to give Green and Curry all the help they can get for 1 more run.

Here is a article about some possible destinations: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2025/01/03/jimmy-butler-trade-destinations-landing-spots-warriors-knicks/77444854007/

Thanks mate! I've seen articles about the Dubs, Texas teams, Phoenix. But, had not seen anyone mention Memphis, or NYK. To me Mem, NYK, NO, maybe the T-wolves, (cough,cough) Bucks,.. Seem to make some sense from a 'fits the teams style of play (and for most of those a 'need' in some form or another) & immediately adds to the team' perspective. Not looking at what teams could actually make a move to get him, was just wondering over his fit?

His personality, competitiveness has both the positive to drive a team to success it couldn't reach without him,.. and the negative to take a team that can contend and utterly disrupt it?

If I think of this in terms of the Pacers (which isn't going to happen),... Butler has the toughness, and drive to succeed/knowhow to succeed that we sometimes lack. Would I risk our team chemistry, knowing that he either has or is going to put off some of this team?

For me, no, I wouldn't. I would trust that if this season keeps improving and we are a legit post-season team,.. that Pascal & the coaching staff have the gravitas to help make those improvements when the team is ready. But you still have to wonder,... do we have too many 'nice guys' to have the drive to win a championship? If we do,... are we ok with that?... I probably am...

[Scoot McGroot]

Any one have any ideas on where Butler could / would actually fit? A team or teams he would improve to the point of contention or beyond? Any rumors you've heard? or would like to start?.... o0

I have nothing to back this up with but Golden State to me seem like the most logical destination. They have the pieces they can move and they want to give Green and Curry all the help they can get for 1 more run.

Here is a article about some possible destinations: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2025/01/03/jimmy-butler-trade-destinations-landing-spots-warriors-knicks/77444854007/

Thanks mate! I've seen articles about the Dubs, Texas teams, Phoenix. But, had not seen anyone mention Memphis, or NYK. To me Mem, NYK, NO, maybe the T-wolves, (cough,cough) Bucks,.. Seem to make some sense from a 'fits the teams style of play (and for most of those a 'need' in some form or another) & immediately adds to the team' perspective. Not looking at what teams could actually make a move to get him, was just wondering over his fit?

His personality, competitiveness has both the positive to drive a team to success it couldn't reach without him,.. and the negative to take a team that can contend and utterly disrupt it?

If I think of this in terms of the Pacers (which isn't going to happen),... Butler has the toughness, and drive to succeed/knowhow to succeed that we sometimes lack. Would I risk our team chemistry, knowing that he either has or is going to put off some of this team?

For me, no, I wouldn't. I would trust that if this season keeps improving and we are a legit post-season team,.. that Pascal & the coaching staff have the gravitas to help make those improvements when the team is ready. But you still have to wonder,... do we have too many 'nice guys' to have the drive to win a championship? If we do,... are we ok with that?... I probably am...

Minnesota, Milwaukee, and Phoenix are very unlikely to be able to acquire Butler as they’re deep in the 2nd apron, or unable to “aggregate” or combine smaller salaries for a larger one. So, Milwaukee would have to cut a bunch of salary or send out a salary larger than Butler (as in, Dame or Giannis), Minnesota would have to cut $16m in a deal as they’re deep don’t have anyone that makes more than Butler. Phoenix would have to deal Durant or Beal, and Miami won’t take Beal and Phoenix won’t give up Durant.

NYK is hard capped at the 2nd apron, so they can’t add salary in trading for someone. And I don’t think they’d trade either of OG or Bridges, and then it’s impossible to make the salary work.


I think Sacramento is the team that might get a bit desperate and make a deal happen. They fired Mike Brown just months into a fully guaranteed 3 year deal, there’s rumors of Fox maybe not sticking around, and their owner is….not the best at decision making.

[JMaster5K]

I have nothing to back this up with but Golden State to me seem like the most logical destination. They have the pieces they can move and they want to give Green and Curry all the help they can get for 1 more run.

Here is a article about some possible destinations: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2025/01/03/jimmy-butler-trade-destinations-landing-spots-warriors-knicks/77444854007/

Thanks mate! I've seen articles about the Dubs, Texas teams, Phoenix. But, had not seen anyone mention Memphis, or NYK. To me Mem, NYK, NO, maybe the T-wolves, (cough,cough) Bucks,.. Seem to make some sense from a 'fits the teams style of play (and for most of those a 'need' in some form or another) & immediately adds to the team' perspective. Not looking at what teams could actually make a move to get him, was just wondering over his fit?

His personality, competitiveness has both the positive to drive a team to success it couldn't reach without him,.. and the negative to take a team that can contend and utterly disrupt it?

If I think of this in terms of the Pacers (which isn't going to happen),... Butler has the toughness, and drive to succeed/knowhow to succeed that we sometimes lack. Would I risk our team chemistry, knowing that he either has or is going to put off some of this team?

For me, no, I wouldn't. I would trust that if this season keeps improving and we are a legit post-season team,.. that Pascal & the coaching staff have the gravitas to help make those improvements when the team is ready. But you still have to wonder,... do we have too many 'nice guys' to have the drive to win a championship? If we do,... are we ok with that?... I probably am...

Minnesota, Milwaukee, and Phoenix are very unlikely to be able to acquire Butler as they’re deep in the 2nd apron, or unable to “aggregate” or combine smaller salaries for a larger one. So, Milwaukee would have to cut a bunch of salary or send out a salary larger than Butler (as in, Dame or Giannis), Minnesota would have to cut $16m in a deal as they’re deep don’t have anyone that makes more than Butler. Phoenix would have to deal Durant or Beal, and Miami won’t take Beal and Phoenix won’t give up Durant.

NYK is hard capped at the 2nd apron, so they can’t add salary in trading for someone. And I don’t think they’d trade either of OG or Bridges, and then it’s impossible to make the salary work.


I think Sacramento is the team that might get a bit desperate and make a deal happen. They fired Mike Brown just months into a fully guaranteed 3 year deal, there’s rumors of Fox maybe not sticking around, and their owner is….not the best at decision making.

You make great points. You answered my next set of questions which for me is usually, once we know where he has value, who could actually make a deal. (Not just ‘theoretically’ but actually).

I’m still looking for a dark horse team, Sac-town does seem like they are grasping & could make a move. For me, I’d include Orl (though that is very unlikely), & NO, (Maybe Atl? Port?)?

But, if it come to teams like Orl or NO, I don’t think it will happen as fast? Riley would have to take back players he probably doesn’t want to make it happen. He would have to be in a worse position than he is now?

For Sac, you are spot on. Who knows what that FO would do? They could give up half their team & all their draft assets, call it a ‘huge victory’ and have him report by lunch tomorrow,… or just do nothing…

[JMaster5K]

I DO NOT envy Miami right now. Sheesh. Ugly situation with Butler down there unfolding. Reminds me of the Tinsley ending. Or maybe the Artest ending?

Yup, they're headed towards a ugly divorce. I'm surprised that the twitter-trade proposals i've seen floated around still seem like Miami is gonna make out decent. We'll see what the reality is, but ive seen named such as Fox and Sochan linked with the Heat in a potential trade. I would've figured Butler's age and Miami's lack of leverage they would get taken to the shed on any deal. We'll see.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/278648/Heat-Attempting-To-Trade-Jimmy-Butler-As-Soon-As-Possible

and once again,... our own Scoot McGroot is a couple of days ahead of the 'professionals',.... LOL kinda gettin used to that.

[Scoot McGroot]

Cole Swider waived from his 2 way in Detroit.

Read on Twitter

?s=61&t=4P34sFh22Otrr6CybjJQ_g

[JMaster5K]

I DO NOT envy Miami right now. Sheesh. Ugly situation with Butler down there unfolding. Reminds me of the Tinsley ending. Or maybe the Artest ending?

Yup, they're headed towards a ugly divorce. I'm surprised that the twitter-trade proposals i've seen floated around still seem like Miami is gonna make out decent. We'll see what the reality is, but ive seen named such as Fox and Sochan linked with the Heat in a potential trade. I would've figured Butler's age and Miami's lack of leverage they would get taken to the shed on any deal. We'll see.

Not likely,... but an interesting tid-bit that could make this even uglier,...

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/278669/Miamis-Two-Future-Traded-First-Rounders-Become-Unprotected-If-They-Miss-Playoffs

[Pacers Forever]

Being a fan of the NBA sometimes events that happen are very surprising. Mike Brown (supposedly a players coach) was fired in Sacramento. Brown was the coach of the year for taking the Kings to the playoffs last year.

Since that time former player Doug Christie stepped in to guide the Kings to a 7-1 record with 7 straight wins since Brown’s departure. 2nd hottest team currently in the league.

Crazy how sometimes a move sparks a team. Makes you wonder if he really lost the players or why they weren’t performing this season for him ? Also makes you wonder if Christie is a better coach ? Or does it just come down to if the players are happy they perform regardless of the coach ? I don’t have a dog in this fight but just noticed that the Kings are on fire.