Heat
Jimmy Butler’s latest suspension by the Miami Heat marks his third of the season, and this time, it’s indefinite. With the NBA trade deadline looming in under two weeks, Butler could soon be playing somewhere else.
The six-time All-Star’s suspension follows an incident where he reportedly left a practice after being told he would be moved to a bench role in favor of Haywood Highsmith. This came after some apparent tension, but according to Highsmith, there was no noticeable drama when Butler departed.
In fact, other Heat players downplayed the situation, and coach Erik Spoelstra chose to stay quiet, focusing on the team’s task at hand rather than addressing the controversy.
It’s clear that the Heat are trying to maintain a level of professionalism amidst the Butler drama, but with the trade deadline fast approaching, there’s speculation about whether the team might make a move involving their star forward.
Miami’s 125-119 double-overtime win over Orlando seemed to be a reflection of the Heat’s focus on basketball, even as off-court issues swirl.
As Butler’s future with the team grows uncertain, the Heat will need to weigh their options in the coming days, both for the current season and beyond.
Nuggets
Aaron Gordon’s calf injury is officially behind him, according to the Nuggets forward, who feels he’s ready to return to his full workload.
Gordon, who’s been on a minutes restriction since his injury, stated that he no longer feels any discomfort and is awaiting the green light from the coaching and training staff to ramp up his play.
While Gordon has yet to exceed 25 minutes in a game since his return, Denver has found a surprising benefit in staggering his minutes with Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets have posted a solid 9.5 net rating when Gordon plays without Jokic, an encouraging sign considering Denver has historically struggled when their three-time MVP sits.
Gordon’s defensive prowess and post-scoring ability are crucial for Denver, and coach Michael Malone is focused on maximizing his impact, even if that means keeping him as a reserve for now.
Looking ahead, there’s growing speculation about Gordon’s role and whether he’ll be reinserted into the starting lineup. Christian Braun has been starting in his place, and Michael Porter Jr. has shifted to a different role to accommodate Braun.
With Denver’s 28-17 record, up from an 11-10 start, and with the February 6 trade deadline on the horizon, the Nuggets are likely weighing options to bolster their roster.
A potential trade for another scoring star or frontcourt help could be on the table, as Denver aims to strengthen its position for a deep playoff run.
Warriors
Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, who has missed the last 11 games due to a right ankle sprain, will be sidelined for at least two more weeks.
The team confirmed Kuminga’s injury status after a recent reevaluation, noting he’s making progress but won’t return until after the February 6 trade deadline.
While Kuminga has started light individual workouts, coach Steve Kerr emphasized that the 22-year-old is still far from a return, as he’s only been doing stationary shooting and cycling.
This is a tough blow for Kuminga, who was in the midst of his best stretch of the season before the injury, averaging 24.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in the six games prior to January 4.
With Kuminga set to become a restricted free agent this offseason, the extended absence could impact both his development and the Warriors’ roster plans.
- On a brighter note, Draymond Green has been cleared to return to the practice court. The former Defensive Player of the Year has missed four games with a left calf strain, but he’s now day-to-day and could be back in action soon.
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