Hoops Rumors

Heat forward Jimmy Butler had to leave Sunday’s game in the closing seconds due to pain in his right knee, writes Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald. After being fouled on a drive to the basket with 1:27 remaining, Butler took a while to get up and appeared to be favoring the knee. He stayed in a game a while longer, but was taken out with 24.2 seconds left to play and Miami … [Read more...] about Heat Notes: Butler, Herro, Rozier, Richardson

In each of the past two seasons, the Jazz started out surprisingly competitive, with .500 records in early February, only to sell off veterans and tank down the stretch to improve their lottery odds. With a 4-15 start to the 2024/25 campaign, Utah’s front office probably isn’t concerned about the team’s place in the reverse standings. That doesn’t mean the Jazz won’t be … [Read more...] about Trade Rumors: Collins, Jazz, Bulls, Nets, Zion, Butler

Fresh off signing a five-year, $150MM contract extension with the Hawks last month, Jalen Johnson has taken on an increased role so far this season, earning more touches and more play-making responsibilities, as Spencer Davies writes for RG.org. Entering Friday’s game vs. Cleveland, Johnson was averaging 20.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.4 steals in 36.4 minutes … [Read more...] about Southeast Notes: J. Johnson, Valanciunas, Kuzma, Heat

The Heat need more from recent first-round picks Jaime Jaquez and Nikola Jovic if they want to improve their middling 8-8 record, according to Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel (subscription required). Both players appeared to be on the rise last season. Jaquez earned a spot on the All-Rookie First Team, while Jovic started his final 26 games of the ’23/24 … [Read more...] about Heat Notes: Jaquez, Jovic, Richardson, NBA Cup

Wizards guard Jordan Poole considers Washington’s recent struggles necessary for the team to eventually take the leap to the next level. After the Wizards’ 121-96 home defeat to the Clippers on Wednesday, their 13th in a row, Poole addressed reporters postgame, per Chase Hughes of Monumental Sports Network (Twitter video link). “It’s just a matter of figuring things out,” Poole … [Read more...] about Southeast Notes: Poole, Wizards, Butler, LaMelo