Jimmy Butler is expected to return to the Heat, no matter how much chaos it may cause
Welcome to Layup Lines, For the Win's basketball newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Have feedback for the Layup Lines Crew? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey. Now, here's Bryan Kalbrosky on Jimmy Butler's return to the Heat.
After a prolonged absence and suspension following a public trade request, Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler is expected to return to the court tonight.
Even though his ongoing feud with Heat executive Pat Riley is still not resolved, Butler does not yet have a new home. While there are perhaps several suitors (including the Suns) with potential interest in the veteran, without a deal, Butler is still employed by the Heat and obligated to play.
How many more games will he have in Miami? That much is unclear. But at least for now, they will start with one.
Awkward though it may feel, this is indeed his job and there are certain duties that come with that. But are there potential ramifications that come with that? Here is more from Ramona Shelburne (via ESPN):
While Heat sources say they expect Butler to return Friday against the Nuggets and are fully prepared for him to play, there remains a palpable dread at what he might do and the environment the ongoing chaos might create. "I don't know how he can come back to this locker room," one source close to the team said. Said another, "We don't want him back."
Someone close to Shelburne added that Butler "hasn't even really started" trying to make things uncomfortable yet.
We have seen what happens when Butler does not want to play somewhere, and it has gotten intense before. If you need a refresher, just recall his famous practice incident when he played for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
It is unclear if Butler will try to make it awkward in Miami or if he does what feels best for the team. Either way, though, it is fascinating to follow.
An NBA competitor on the rise
There is no basketball league in the world that can compete with the NBA on a skill level or, for that matter, on a business level, Michael Sykes writes.
Apparently, someone is looking to change that.
A team of investors is looking to raise $5 billion to create an international basketball league that they hope would rival the NBA, Bloomberg reports. The group is being advised by Maverick Carter, LeBron James' business partner and close friend. Despite Carter's involvement, James isn't in on this deal.
Bloomberg says the group is looking to tap private equity funds and potential sovereign wealth funds to get the league off the ground. If it works, it'd hope to build itself into a direct competitor with the NBA just like, say, the ABA used to be back in the day or LIV Golf was for the PGA. We saw how that turned out.
READ MORE: The PGA's deal with LIV could be a precursor for what's to come in the NBA
This is fascinating. It certainly feels like a long shot, but so did LIV. Money changes a lot. If this group can raise the capital to swipe stars away from the NBA with humungous contracts the same way LIV did the PGA, then this could potentially work. We're a long way away from that, but it's possible.
This is a story for you to keep your eyes on moving forward over the next few years.
Shootaround
— Here's our 2025 Mock Draft 3.0. Cooper Flagg is still solidly the No. 1 pick here
— Charles Curtis argues that Ja Morant's poster dunk that didn't count should be in a museum. Hard to disagree there.
— In our previous edition of Layup Lines, Prince Grimes says that Jalen Williams' co-DPOY idea makes a ton of sense. It could also land him some hardware.
— Here's Meg Hall on how Unrivaled has already raised the bar for women's basketball.
That's a wrap, folks. Enjoy the weekend. Lots of basketball on Monday. Happy MLK Day to you and yours! Peace.
-Kalbroksy & Sykes ✌️