If the Miami Heat desire strictly win-now pieces in return for star Jimmy Butler, a three-team deal is their best option. This way, the Heat trade Butler to a contender, which sends young players and draft assets to a third team while Miami receives competitive pieces from that third team in return.

A three-team trade idea would move Jimmy Butler out of Miami, Zach LaVine out of Chicago, and Michael Porter Jr. out of Denver.

NBA fans haven't forgotten about Ja Morant. Though he played only nine games in 2023-24, Morant is off to a strong start this season and earned plenty of support in the first returns of NBA All-Star voting that were released on Thursday afternoon.

In spite of the injuries, the Grizzlies (22-11) remain second in the Western Conference standings. They'll be without Zach Edey (concussion protocol), Ja Morant (shoulder sprain), Santi Aldama (ankle), Brandon Clarke (knee), GG Jackson (foot recovery), Vince Williams Jr. (ankle) and Marcus Smart (right index finger).

Ja Morant diagnosed with right AC joint sprain injury, which occurred during the Grizzlies' game against the Pelicans on December 27.

The Los Angeles Lakers recently acquired Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Melton in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets. Sending D’Angelo Russell back to Brooklyn where he spent two seasons, Los Angeles acquired Finney-Smith who was reportedly coveted by several teams around the league.

Finney-Smith will undoubtedly play a big part in the Lakers rotation going forward. The veteran forward has a three-and-D skillset that is rare on the Lakers roster. He can guard

D’Angelo Russell has come full circle, traded from the Lakers to the Nets for a second time. But this time not as a hotshot prospect but a mature leader. The point guard — acquired with Maxwell Lewis and three second-round picks for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton — met up with the Nets in Toronto before Wednesday’s game against the Raptors.