What’s Happening Around The NBA? Wednesday, January 8th, 2025
Jimmy Butler On The Move?
As we enter the 2025 year, it’s usually the time we start seeing players' names in trade rumors. Currently, the hottest name is one Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat. Butler has made it clear that he wants to leave Miami and trade to another contending team.
Earlier this month, Butler indicated that he wants to find joy in playing basketball again. A reporter asked Butler if he could find that joy with the Miami Heat. Butler answered, “Probably not.” Teams are making phone calls to the Miami Heat to trade for Butler, however, the biggest obstacle would be signing Butler to a long-term deal for a significant amount of money.
Two teams that have been rumored to be potential landing destinations for Butler are the Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns. The Suns could center a deal around Bradley Beal who could also be on the move from the Suns.
Bradley Beal Days Number In Phoenix?
The Phoenix Suns acquired Bradley Beal a short time ago and thus far it has not successfully worked with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. Whether it’s been fit or health it also seems like Beal’s days are numbered in Phoenix. Earlier this week, the Suns made rotational changes to the team by bringing Center Jusuf Nurkic and Bradley Beal off the bench.
The big contract that Beal currently holds could make it difficult for the Suns to trade Beal. However, a change has to be made in Phoenix if the Suns want to capitalize on the window of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.
Birthday’s This Week In The NBA:
January 8th:
Glen Robinson III – Milwaukee Bucks
Keon Ellis – Sacramento Kings
Tre Jones – San Antonio Spurs
January 9th:
Caleb Houstan – Orlando Magic
Zeke Nnaji – Denver Nuggets
What’s Happening Off The Court in the NBA
LiAngelo Ball The Rapper?
If you haven’t heard already, LiAngelo Ball (brother of Lonzo and LaMelo) dropped a viral song called “Tweaker”. Locker rooms around the league are blasting “Gelo” a new song and it has even made it’s way to the NFL locker room. Dan Campbell after the Lions clinched the #1 seed in the NFC on Sunday night, in his postgame locker room speech ended it by saying “Put that Gelo On.” Check it out below!
Nike Drops LeBron’s 22nd Signature Shoe
On January 1st, 2025, Nike dropped LeBron James’s 22nd Signature Shoe “Mogul”. Check out the new shoe below. The shoe retails at $180 for adult sizes and $150 for kid sizes. What do you think of the newest shoe from “The King”?
MVP Race
We slowly approaching the halfway point of the NBA regular season and the MVP race according to the betting odds is going to be between two players, barring healthy of course. Currently, as it stands Oklahoma City Thunder guard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the front-runner at -145. Next on the MVP odds list is Denver Nuggets Center Nikola Jokic who is +130. After that, the list is as follows:
Giannis Antetokoumpo +1200
Jayson Tatum +2000
Anthony Edwards +6000
Victor Wembanyama +7500
There’s no question at least in my mind that SGA should be the MVP this season, he’s led the Thunder to a 30-5 record as the #1 seed in the Western Conference thus far. On the season, SGA is averaging 31.3 ppg, 5.6 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game. Yes, you can make the argument for Nikola Jokic who is nearly averaging a triple-double on the season with 31.5 ppg, 13 rebounds, and 9.7 assists per game. Could there be another player who enters the MVP conversation? I don’t think so. These two guys are playing head and shoulder above the rest of the league and barring health, I don’t see that changing!
Free Player Prop Pick – January 8th, 2025
Isaiah Hartenstein Over 11.5 Rebounds vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
A big need for the Oklahoma City Thunder coming into this season was a big man who can defend the paint and rebound. They got exactly that with the signing of Hartenstein in the offseason. Hartenstein on the season is averaging 12.2 rebounds per game. However, Hartenstein is averaging 14.1 rebounds per game on the road. The Cleveland Cavaliers over the last two weeks are giving up 18.7 rebounds per game to the center position. In a game where the books are expecting this to be a close game with a spread of two points, I expect Hartenstein to log 30+ minutes. Lastly, in five matchups this season against teams who are bottom 10 in rebounds per game allowed to centers, Hartenstein is averaging 15 rebounds per game.