Sports
Jimmy Butler Sweepstakes: Which NBA Contender Has the Guts to Go All-In?
Jan 2, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) warms-up before the game against the Indiana Pacers at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images The Cavaliers, Celtics and Thunder almost surely won’t be active at next week’s trade deadline.
They can still be the three biggest reasons phones are buzzing with NBA trade chatter.
It wasn’t long ago NBA finalists were a foregone conclusion: the Cavs or Celtics in the East, the Thunder in the West.
But things have changed.
The Cavaliers got thumped big-time by the Pacers, who are an NBA-best 10-2 in January, and the Thunder. And perhaps more telling, they lost twice to the Rockets.
They are starting to resemble the Baltimore Ravens.
The Celtics also got rocked by the Thunder and likewise got blindsided by the Rockets. Narrow wins over the Pelicans and Clippers have been equally revealing.
They’ve become the Kansas City Chiefs… which obviously isn’t necessarily season-dooming.
And the Thunder lost twice to the Luka-less Mavericks, breathing life into the defending Western champs even while the Rockets are playing the best basketball of the three.
You have to wonder: Are they the NBA’s version of the not-ready-for-prime-time Detroit Lions?
In light of recent developments, I count at least half the league now asking itself: Would Jimmy Butler take us over the top? And if so, how could we get him?
First off, most of these teams are kidding themselves… or at least their unrealistic fans.
The Knicks, Bucks, Rockets and Mavericks don’t think they need any help.
The 76ers, Nuggets, Lakers and Suns should know by now: Three’s a crowd in superstar circles. They need depth, not star power.
The Magic, Grizzlies and Kings need to figure out what they have before deciding upon what they need; the Hawks and Warriors don’t belong in this conversation; and let’s be honest: Butler’s not going back to Minnesota.
That leaves three intriguing possibilities: the Pacers, Clippers and—dare we say it?—the Thunder.
The Heat are said to want expiring contracts and draft picks. That likely would mean getting a third and perhaps fourth team involved.
Let’s examine why these three contenders might be willing to try to make it happen.
PACERS
May 8, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle argues with an official in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks during game two of the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden. credits: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports Indiana was probably two players away from getting anyone’s attention last season when it took its first big step, acquiring Pascal Siakam. He, like team leader Tyrese Haliburton, are great complementary pieces. And that’s why Butler fits in so well.
Also, note the formula the Knicks have scripted in their effort to dethrone the Celtics. Priority 1: You have to match up Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Attaching them to Siakam and Butler would accomplish that.
How are the Pacers matching Butler’s $49 million contract and satisfying the Heat’s conditions at the same time? Myles Turner’s $20 million in the final season of his deal gets you halfway there, and no doubt the Heat would be interested in a good, young player like Aaron Nesmith ($11 million). Having no available first-round picks until 2029 could be a problem. Hello, Danny?
CLIPPERS
May 1, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; LA Clippers oach Tyronn Lue at a press conference during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Can you imagine Butler and Kawhi Leonard on the same team? Two winners, great two-way players and – teams in the West are less worried about this – an advantage over Tatum-Brown.
Tyronn Lue knows how to handle multi-superstar rosters, which helps. And the Clippers have just enough complementary talent—including the vastly underrated Norman Powell—to make this work.
But can they make it happen? Packaging James Harden ($34 million) and P.J. Tucker ($12 million) is a perfect fit… if the Heat are willing to accept the fact that Harden has the option to play next season at $36 million. Like the Pacers, their first-round picks are tied up for a while, so it might mean selling off the ever-popular Derrick Jones Jr. for a couple from OKC’s stash could be required.
THUNDER
Jan 8, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault reacts during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images If you believe in the natural progression of sports champions, the up-and-coming Thunder will improve on last year’s trip to the Western semifinals by making the West finals this year. But you gotta believe they want WAY more than that, especially with the door wide open (are the Rockets really their chief threat?).
OKC doesn’t NEED to make a move as much as it has to be asking itself: Why not? What good are half the league’s first-round picks over the next six seasons if they can’t be conglomerated into a star-importing package?
The Thunder don’t have the type of expiring contract the Heat seek. But how many first-round picks would it take to pry, say, Ben Simmons ($40 million), from the Nets? Then the question becomes: Pat, how many first-rounders do you want? Five? Six? Eleven?
The Pacers have the greatest need. The Clippers have a dream. And the Thunder have the most attractive assets.
The next NBA champion could very well come from the destination on Butler’s one-way ticket out of Miami.
Sports
A'ja Wilson has no shortage of motivation after Aces' early exit in '24
Oct 1, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) during game two of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images LAS VEGAS — Entering her eighth season in the WNBA, Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson is poised to build on what was arguably the most dominant individual campaign in league history.
Wilson joined Cynthia Cooper (1997) as the second player in league history to win a unanimous MVP award and joined an exclusive club as the fourth player to win the award three times. She averaged 26.9 points and 11.9 rebounds per game last season and set the all-time single-season mark for points (1,021) and rebounds (451).
Unfortunately for Las Vegas, injuries and fatigue from their two previous championship runs mounted and resulted in the team’s worst regular-season record (27-13) since 2019. The Aces’ three-peat hopes ended with a 76-62 home loss to the New York Liberty to drop their semifinal series 3-1.
It’s that loss on her home floor that served as Wilson’s motivation this offseason.
“Losing sucks, especially on your home court,” Wilson said “It still kind of burns a little bit, but I’ve used that as fuel to help my teammates understand how hard it is to win in this league. Yes, we can celebrate the two championships. They were great. But for us to move forward, we have to understand how hard this league is and value the basketball and the little things. I think that’s what we lacked last season, so we’re going to make sure that we can show up better than we did.”
While the Aces appeared to be on top of the world heading into their potential three-peat campaign in 2024, the reality inside the locker room was that both the internal and external pressure to win another championship had become suffocating. A common theme across media day was the fact that the team feels less pressure entering the 2025 season, a sentiment Wilson shared as the unquestioned leader of the team.
“(Three-peat talks) obviously impacted us, because it’s like, y’all think we don’t want to win? We’re trying as well,” Wilson said.
“I would definitely say it’s refreshing this year. I feel like this is one of my only years where it feels like there’s no weight. There’s a lot of weight to be defending champs. It’s a lot of weight to be trying to win one. We don’t have that. We actually have a clean slate to really dial into getting back to who we are culturally, like, in our system and everything.”
Leading the Aces back to the top of the mountain for a third time in four years is one of a few historically significant achievements Wilson can collect this upcoming season. Wilson could also become the first four-time MVP in league history, though the meaning of that is something she hasn’t quite allowed herself to ponder yet.
“I haven’t given it much thought, but it would be a blessing to have my name in that conversation,” Wilson said. “Every year, I try to be better than I was the year before just to give myself a chance in this league. Because the league is getting better. We’re growing. At this point, you just want to maintain your stamina. You want to maintain your mental, all of that, because the season gets hard. I can’t think too much about that just yet, but I’m definitely going to try to be better than I was last year.”
As Aces coach Becky Hammon put it, fans can expect to see an even better version of Wilson this season.
“What I see is, she went and got better,” Hammon said. “Which is hard to do when you’re already the best, but it speaks to her work ethic, her desire and her mindset this whole offseason. We talked a lot this offseason. She’s a busy lady, but I can tell you what she always does is her workouts. She’s always getting her workouts in. That comes first and foremost, she never gets her priorities jumbled up.”
When Hammon was asked what a player like Wilson would possibly need to improve after last season’s campaign, the coach did not feel like revealing too much.
“There was (something for Wilson to improve), and she did,” Hammon said. “I’m not going to tell you what it was. Actually, there were two things.”
–Will Despart, Field Level Media
Sports
Jacob Wilson joins Aaron Judge in spotlight for Yankees-A's series
May 5, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) throws to first for an out against the Seattle Mariners during the seventh inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images The top two hitters in the majors square off Friday night when the New York Yankees face the Athletics in the opener of a three-game series in Sacramento, Calif.
It’s no surprise to see Yankees star Aaron Judge off to a superb start after winning American League MVP honors last season. He has a major league-best .400 batting average and entered Thursday’s play tied for the big-league lead with 12 homers and 34 RBIs.
But who had Athletics rookie Jacob Wilson ranking second in the majors at .357 as the season nears the quarter pole? Wilson has played in just 64 career games and quickly has solidified himself as a future All-Star, perhaps even this season.
Sharing the marquee board with Judge seems quite surreal for the 23-year-old shortstop who was the No. 6 overall pick of the 2023 draft.
“It’s a great feeling, for sure,” Wilson said of his name being mentioned with Judge. “Obviously, everybody has seen what he is doing. It’s pretty incredible watching him do his thing on a daily basis. To be up there with him is pretty cool for me.
“I’m excited to play against him this week and see what it looks like in person.”
Wilson had his first career four-hit game during Wednesday’s 6-5 home loss against the Seattle Mariners and has six multi-hit outings in the past eight games. He went 8-for-14 with one game-winning hit in the three-game series against the Mariners and is 16-for-34 (.471) with four walks during the eight-game stretch.
The hot hitting led to Athletics manager Mark Kotsay moving Wilson to the leadoff spot on Wednesday. Kotsay indicated Wilson may be sticking at the top of the lineup.
“I think you’ll see Jacob up there now,” Kotsay said. “Jacob’s earned it. … Jacob has shown enough over the last week. He’s walking and taking pitches, and, obviously, swinging the bat really well.”
Judge arrives in Sacramento in the midst of a four-game funk in which he is 2-for-15.
The two-time MVP just went 1-for-10 in a three-game home series against the San Diego Padres, but the one hit was a homer.
Judge grew up 50 miles south of Sacramento in Linden and starred for Linden High but wasn’t highly sought by major league teams. The then-Oakland Athletics selected him in the 31st round in 2010.
Judge instead went the college route and starred for Fresno State. He was chosen in the first round (32nd overall) by the Yankees in the 2013 draft.
Trent Grisham was one of the heroes of Wednesday’s 4-3, 10-inning win over the Padres. He hit a tying two-run pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning.
Grisham had two homers and five RBIs in the series against the Padres — one of his former teams — and already has 10 long balls in just 89 at-bats. He hit just nine last season in 179 at-bats.
“I’m having fun with the guys, I would say that more than anything,” Grisham said. “The clubhouse is really good in here, led by Cap (Judge). So, I would say the guys have been the most enjoyable part.”
New York is starting right-hander Will Warren (1-2, 5.65 ERA) in Friday’s series opener. Right-hander Osvaldo Bido (2-2, 4.71) will be on the mound for the Athletics.
Warren, 25, struck out a career-high eight in 4 2/3 innings while losing to the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. He gave up five runs (three earned) and seven hits. Warren hasn’t previously faced the Athletics.
Bido, 29, received a no-decision against the Miami Marlins last Saturday when he gave up four runs on three hits over five innings. He is winless (0-1) over his last three starts. Bido hasn’t faced the Yankees.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao coming out of retirement
Aug 21, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada; Manny Pacquiao (right) fights Yordenis Ugas in a world welterweight championship bout at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao plans to end his retirement and return to the ring on July 19 against Mario Barrios in Las Vegas, ESPN reported Thursday.
Pacquiao, 46, will be fighting for the first time since losing a unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas in 2021.
The fight will be for Barrios’ WBC welterweight championship belt. Barrios turns 30 on May 18.
Pacquiao is an eight-division champion who is slated to be inducted into the boxing Hall of Fame in June. He reportedly will formally announce his return to boxing next week. The report stated that Pacquiao has been cleared to compete by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
In recent years, Pacquiao has been focusing on his political career in the Philippines.
The boxer nicknamed “PacMan” has a 62-8-2 record with 39 knockouts during his career. He won his first major title — the WBC flyweight crown — at age 19 in 1998.
Pacquiao was 54-3-2 prior to turning 33 and 8-5 afterward. One of those losses was to Floyd Mayweather Jr. via unanimous decision in 2015, a bout that reportedly drew nearly $400 million in pay-per-view sales.
Barrios (29-2-1, 18 knockouts) fought to a 12-round, split-decision draw against Abel Ramos last November. This will be his third defense since winning the title by beating Ugas in 2023.
–Field Level Media
A'ja Wilson has no shortage of motivation after Aces' early exit in '24
Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
