Day: January 17, 2025

Joel Embiid will be reevaluated in seven to 10 days as he receives treatment to address swelling in his left knee. Embiid participated in a workout on Thursday after missing the previous six games due to a left foot sprain. The sprain has healed, but the knee swelled up following Embiid’s workout.

Embiid has played in only 13 games this season and is averring 24.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 29.4 minutes.

In September, the Sixers and Embiid agreed to a three-year, $193 million extension, which was the maximum he could sign for. Embiid entered the 24-25 season with just under $300 million in guaranteed money over five seasons through 2029.

Jimmy Butler is set to return from suspension for the Miami Heat’s home game against the Denver Nuggets on Friday. Butler isn’t listed on the injury report, which indicates that he’s expected to play. However, it’s clear Butler has no interest in playing for Miami any longer.

In his last two games before being suspended, Butler played with what the Heat deemed to be an unacceptable effort level. That’s made his return to the team interesting, as Butler has shown in the past how uncomfortable he can make things when he’s unhappy.

“Jimmy hasn’t even really started,” said one source close to Butler about how much more uncomfortable he can make things with Miami.

On the flip side, those close to the Heat aren’t sure they even want to see their star player back with the team.

“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.”

Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson was tabbed by NBA executives as the player most likely to be traded ahead of the February 6 trade deadline. Johnson’s Nets teammate Nic Claxton also received mention, as Brooklyn leans into a rebuild.

However, Brooklyn wants a real return for both Johnson and Claxton.

“The Nets asking price is high,” one league executive said, referring to both Johnson and Claxton, “and they [have made] it known they don’t feel like they have to trade them now. But if they’re helping them win games, they’ll trade them or put them on the bench.”

Nets GM Sean Marks has already traded Dennis Schroder and Dorian Finney-Smith this season. Marks also reacquired Brooklyn’s own 2025 first-round pick from the Houston Rockets ahead of the season. The Nets are expected to continue to move veterans to prioritize their lottery position for the 2025 NBA Draft.