Jimmy Butler has fit in perfectly with the Heat’s culture, Brian Windhorst of ESPN writes. The Bulls and Timberwolves traded Butler away and the 76ers didn’t make him a priority in free agency. However, Miami has been a better spot for the sometimes abrasive swingman, since the front office and coaching staff welcomes a measure of friction, believing it can be a positive in the long run. It leads to more focus, camaraderie and trust, Windhorst adds.
We have more from around the Eastern Conference:
- The Sixers‘ flameout in the first round of the playoffs could benefit the Hawks. Philadelphia could be willing to deal one or more of its starters, according to The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner, who joins forces with Peachtree Hoops’ Andrew Kelly to explore how various Sixers – along with some other potential trade targets from around the league – could fit in with Atlanta’s current mix.
- The Pistons have finalized a contract with former Lakers executive Ryan West, Jerry West‘s son, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The news that Detroit was hiring West broke three weeks ago. He will concentrate on player evaluation with Detroit. West and the Lakers mutually agreed to part ways last summer after both sides felt he had reached a ceiling in his 10 years with their franchise.
- The Cavaliers are likely to use their mid-level exception to upgrade the team, according to Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. If there’s a player worth signing, the Cavs are eager to upgrade the roster before next season and push for a playoff spot, Fedor adds. Fedor also explores the Cavaliers’ draft strategy in his mailbag column.
Sixers let Jimmy go. Cause he went against coach culture. A culture of losing. Now they let coach go. And are wondering how did they get swept. How doe Brand still have a job. Butler instead of Harris. DAngelo instead of Horford. The are still playing. And building a contender.
Yea Brand should be fired for that Tobias and Horford contract alone.
You have no idea what you are talking about. Butler was a FA and the Sixers made him an offer. Butler decided he wanted to be The Man and that wasn’t going to happen in Philly. In order to make the numbers fit, the teams did a sign and trade.
Funny how a guy with Knickerbocker in his name can criticize other teams for having a losing culture. Does NY still have a professional basketball team, other than the Nets?
Brand should be held accountable for the Horford signing. What I would want to know is how much input Brett Brown had in bringing Horford in.
Forget writer Fedor. CLE GM Altman is probably unfirable, since his mantra is youth development, and yes there are young improving Cavs players, as there easily can be if they’re designated as the shooters and winning is not a team goal. But he has done little to inspire confidence in being the smartest in the room among GMs, so if he could please just follow consensus in the draft. Using free agency to addressing defense & toughness does not have a great track record but that is needed too.
Apparently the Cavs are done trying out Osman as a starter but he is up to 38% on 3s and provided a fullcourt spark when a backup.
I wanted SGA over Sexton in the draft but Sexton’s growth on offense has swayed me a bit even though I think SGA will be the better player long term. Love the KPJ trade, but it’s still up in the air how good he’ll be. Tough to hate on him over Garland, no one drafted after him really inspire confidence. I do hope he doesn’t overthink it and stays away from Deni.
Shai was my value pick in 2018. (predraft) In 2017 it was Donovan Mitchell and it was just announced he is getting a max extension!
Shai looks so skinny at the wing. I kind of hope OKC trades Chris Paul now to get Shai in the middle. There was no hurry to trade Paul before the year… they needed someone to take Westbrook’s place as a leader and Shai, it is fun to say, is a bit shy. Actually he’s just Canadian lol.
Advija is an obvious choice for CLE but I’ve never been confident it will work out. He is so raw. He would block Porter some too. They could trade up.