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NBA Rumors: Nets, Jimmy Butler, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Suns, Bradley Beal

Originally posted on Hoops Wire | By Sam Amico | Last updated Jan 12, 2025 6:48 PM ET

With maximum salary-cap room projected for the 2025 offseason, the Brooklyn Nets are in a prime position financially. However, per NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line, they have no immediate plans to pursue a major star like Heat forward Jimmy Butler.

Despite the appealing cap space and a growing stash of future draft assets, the Nets are reportedly not locked into the idea of aggressively pursuing a star player, either via trade or free agency.

Instead, Brooklyn may choose to stay patient, building through the draft, unless an irresistible opportunity comes their way.

This is a far cry from what many expected when the team found itself in a favorable financial situation. The Nets may bide their time and stick with their current trajectory of development.

However, as Stein notes, if Giannis Antetokounmpo were to become available, that would undoubtedly change the game for Brooklyn.

Antetokounmpo is reportedly the Nets’ “dream target,” and while the chances of him being dealt this offseason are slim — especially with no signs that the Bucks would consider trading him unless he requested it — the Nets would certainly pounce if the opportunity arose.

As for Butler, while the Suns have a strong interest in acquiring the Heat forward, their path to a trade is currently blocked by the need to move Bradley Beal, who has yet to approve any trade destinations.

But once that situation gets sorted, it sounds like Phoenix will be gunning for Butler in a major way.

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Stein is the latest reporter to confirm that there’s strong mutual interest between the Suns and Butler. “I’ve heard they want him bad,” one league source told Stein. Still, until Phoenix can find a taker for Beal and get Beal to sign off on that destination, the Suns don’t have a clear path to a trade with the Heat.
Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard would be an ideal target for a team facing apron restrictions due to his $2.02MM cap hit, long-term team control, and lack of poison pill restrictions following his extension. However, Stein notes that the Pacers guard is viewed as one of Indiana’s most valuable assets and is essentially “off-limits” in trade talks.
As for Coach of the Year, Stein lists Kenny Atkinson of the Cavaliers as the clear favorite, with Jamahl Mosley of the Magic in second and J.B. Bickerstaff of the Pistons in third. Rockets head coach Ime Udoka earns an honorable mention.