Chiefs capture AFC’s top seed as Steelers lose third straightChiefs capture AFC’s top seed as Steelers lose third straight
Patrick Mahomes threw three touchdown passes and a defense missing Chris Jones thwarted the Steelers.
Day: December 25, 2024
Nassir Little Expected To Soon Sign With NBA Team After Strong Play In G LeagueNassir Little Expected To Soon Sign With NBA Team After Strong Play In G League
Nassir Little is drawing attention from a number of teams following his performance in the G League Showcase. Little is still just 25 and one of the better wing defenders in the G League.
“He’s one of the better game-ready call-up guys,” said one veteran scout.
Little was on a $6.25 million contract last season with the Phoenix Suns and remains unsigned. Little turned down lucrative overseas opportunities to continue looking for an NBA contract. Sources say Little is expected to be signed by some team in the coming weeks.
In preseason with the Miami Heat, Little averaged 8.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 23.5 minutes over two games. Over 16 G League games with Sioux Falls, Little is averaging 16.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 33.8 minutes.
Teams Concerned By Competitive Advantage Not Playing In NBA Cup Knockout StageTeams Concerned By Competitive Advantage Not Playing In NBA Cup Knockout Stage
The NBA Cup affords teams who do not qualify for the knockout rounds additional time off and potentially games against weaker competition and therefore a competitive advantage the eight teams who advance do not receive.
The topic was one discussed amongst team executives at the G League Showcase.
“For a league that already has so little actual practice time, teams getting weaker opponents and then valuable days off and hours to practice develop their players and get better at basketball, that seems like a really beneficial advantage to me,” said one Eastern Conference scout.
The league office has made clear they want to receive as much feedback as possible in order to continue to fine-tune the tournament in its nascent stage.
LeBron James, for example, was able to stack an eight-day absence from the Los Angeles Lakers while only missing two games due to the spread out nature of the schedule running alongside the Cup. Last season, the Lakers won the NBA Cup and went on to struggle in the period following it.
Jimmy Butler Prefers Trade From Heat By DeadlineJimmy Butler Prefers Trade From Heat By Deadline
Jimmy Butler prefers a trade from the Miami Heat by the Feb. 6 trade deadline, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN. Butler, however, hasn’t requested a trade from the Heat at this point but is ready for his exit.
Butler has $49 million on his contract with the Heat for this season and a $52 million player option for 2025-26 after the two sides failed to reach an extension last summer.
Teams have been informed that Butler intends to decline his 2025-26 player option and become a free agent in July. Butler is open to trade destinations such as the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets.
The Heat have shown no urgency when engaging in trade talks on Butler.