It’s been another fun week in the NBA!
We have a new update on the biggest name in the trade market. Plus, the Suns’ ownership is doing some pretty cool things to make life easier for fans, and Damian Lillard is set for life! Let’s get to that and more in today’s NBA Notes.
NBA Notes
Last week we talked about a back-and-forth between ESPN’s Shams Charania and Jimmy Butler’s agent Bernie Lee about whether or not Butler wanted a trade out of Miami or was being made available for trade. Long story short, it appears Butler is very available in the right deal. While it seems like he would like to sign an extension in Miami, Pat Riley doesn’t seem too interested in committing to him with that big of a deal. With Butler being able to opt out of his contract and hit free agency this offseason, a trade seems pretty likely. Charania reported earlier this week that Butler does have two preferred destinations in the event of a deal – the Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors. He does also say that the Mavericks and Rockets remain options, but that the Suns and Warriors seem like the two most likely destinations.The latest reporting surrounding Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat on NBA Today: pic.twitter.com/w8TpCuQ7jd
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 17, 2024 It sure feels like Golden State has the easier path to pulling this off. The Suns have only one draft pick – a 2026 second-round selection – to their name through 2030, and they would also need to get Bradley Beal to waive his no-trade clause in order to make the deal work. Golden State has more young assets to entice Miami and more draft capital to work with. While Butler would be a good fit in both spots, to me, it feels like this ends with Butler in The Bay eventually. On the topic of the Phoenix Suns, their owner Mat Ishbia announced a pretty awesome change for fans at home games going forward. Ishbia shared earlier this week that the Suns will be rolling out a new $2 value menu at home games for the foreseeable future. Hot dogs, water, soda, chips, and popcorn will all cost only $2. It’s a little thing, but in a time where we see owners trying to grab every last dollar from fans and not care about keeping prices affordable for families, it’s cool to see an owner make a move like this. Let’s hope it catches on.Winning starts with our fans. When I walk the concourse at games there aren’t food options for families who don’t want to spend a lot of money. That needs to change, so today we’re rolling out our $2 value menu for all home @Suns games. pic.twitter.com/BsluNoKD5P
— Mat Ishbia (@Mishbia15) December 18, 2024 So far, Mat Ishbia has been the type of owner who’s been pretty easy to root for. Granted, his aggressive approach hasn’t quite worked out in terms of bringing the Suns a title. But he’s been fully on board with his team exhausting all resources to try and get one. It might not work out, but the way the Suns have gone for it since Ishbia took over has been something I’m jealous of as a Chicago sports fan. Teams here seem to have one foot in and one foot out at all times. Damian Lillard signed a new contract! No, not with the Milwaukee Bucks, but with Adidas. Shams Charania broke the news earlier this week that Lillard and Adidas agreed to a lifetime contract extension. So … Lillard is quite literally set for life with this deal (not that he already wasn’t with his NBA money). Dame joins just LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry as the only active NBA players with lifetime shoe endorsement deals.Milwaukee Bucks All-Star Damian Lillard has agreed to a lifetime contract extension with Adidas, sources told ESPN. Lillard now joins LeBron James and Kevin Durant (Nike) and Stephen Curry (Under Armour/Curry Brand) as active NBA players with lifetime shoe endorsements. pic.twitter.com/BNKU2VDUNT
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 18, 2024 It turns out Zach LaVine isn’t the only star that the Denver Nuggets are interested in potentially trading for! According to NBA Insider Ian Begley, the Nuggets also have Brandon Ingram on their radar. Ingram and the Pelicans seem well on their way toward a split, and New Orleans will likely do their best to move him this season. So it would appear that the Nuggets indeed are looking for a roster shakeup. Whether that ends up meaning Zach LaVine or Brandon Ingram is up for debate, but it looks like Denver will be a team on the hunt for a big splash before February’s trade deadline.Brandon Ingram is reportedly on the Denver Nuggets’ radar, per @IanBegley pic.twitter.com/fKj3BKlBr4
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 18, 2024 Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( NBA Notes: Jimmy Butler’s Preferred Destinations, Suns Owner Makes Awesome Move, Dame’s New Deal, More )
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