NBA Week 10 Takeaways

What will happen in Miami?

No Team Wants to Face the Orlando Magic

In a year that seemed to be the perfect opportunity for the Magic to establish themselves as legitimate contenders, nothing has gone their way; they lost the former 1st overall pick in Week 2, only for their 2nd option, Franz Wagner, to step up and swiftly fall in Week 7, with his brother Moe suffering a season-ending torn ACL soon after. This team has faced setback after setback, and yet they sit in 4th place in the East with a 20-15 record.

Over the past two weeks, the Magic have struggled in the win column, winning only five of their last 12. However, two of these wins in particular — the win over the Boston Celtics and their 25-point comeback against the Miami Heat — are extremely telling of the grit and heart this team possesses.

The most enjoyable aspect of this team is the care they have for each other; every big play, every timeout, every momentum swing, they are huddling up, encouraging each other to take the opportunity. There is no clearer example of this than Tristan da Silva. In his last seven games, he has averaged 15/3/3 on 50% shooting and has been the spark that the Orlando Magic didn’t realise they had. Cole Anthony admitted his game-winner against Brooklyn was drawn up to go to da Silva before the Nets' defence shut him down. It shows the versatility of a young, experimental team like the Magic, who have no choice but to try new combinations and find unexpected ways to beat teams during this period without their two stars.

Paolo Banchero’s return is still in progress, with no firm timetable on his return. However, once back in action, the Magic will be one of the last teams you want to face, especially in the playoffs.

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The Futures of Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat

These past few weeks, the Miami Heat have been the centre of immense trade rumours surrounding their two long-term stars, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Since Butler indicated on Christmas Day that he would rather be traded, team president Pat Riley announced that this is not an option the Heat would consider.

However, this past week in a press conference, Butler was asked if he wants to stay with the Heat. His response: “That’s a good question, who knows?” Days later, he mentioned he “wants to see [himself] getting [his] joy back playing basketball” and further added that this will “probably not” be with the Heat.

Now, he has officially requested a trade from the Miami Heat, and in response, Pat Riley and the front office have suspended him for the next seven games. It is possible that this suspension will be extended indefinitely, allowing the Heat to effectively shut him down — at least for the foreseeable future. However, as the suspension was authorised by the team rather than the NBA, this extension can only occur if, following the start of his suspension, his ‘detrimental conduct’ is determined to have continued. Whether extended or reinstated, these next two weeks will be extremely interesting for Miami.

As for where Butler lands if he is traded, it’s difficult to predict. Butler is rapidly losing his value as a number-one option and, if placed in a new system, will likely be a third-option veteran presence. I would like to see Butler on a team like the Pacers, Grizzlies, or Kings, adding a Russell Westbrook-on-the-Nuggets-esque versatility — capable of starting or coming off the bench and contributing valuable minutes.

With the apparent resurgence of Tyler Herro — averaging 25/6/5 in his last 10 — coupled with the inevitable ageing and subsequent decline of Butler and Bam, questions emerge over the longevity of the Miami three. It leaves the front office with a decision over whether to trade both Butler and Bam and rebuild with Herro as their franchise guy.

Whatever path the front office chooses, things in Miami are coming to a climax within the next few weeks — get ready.

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Kawhi Leonard’s Return is Imminent

Since injuring his right knee against the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs last April, the two-time NBA Finals MVP is yet to see the court this season, and the Los Angeles Clippers are more than ready for his return.

Sitting in 7th place in the West at 19-15, the Clippers are off to a solid start for a team that lost one of their stars in the off-season in Paul George and have been without their long-term star the entire season up until now. The Clippers have an opportunity over the next few weeks to re-establish themselves as a comfortable playoff team.

However, my concern with the Clippers is that this is the exact position they have been in for the past four years — playoff hopefuls who can’t get over the hump due to injuries, discontent, and selfish basketball, ultimately resulting in a first- or second-round exit and another disappointing off-season.

The lingering concern with Kawhi Leonard is his reliability. If he can stay healthy, every fan is well aware of his capacity for domination and terrific level of play. However, this ‘if’ is more imposing for Leonard than arguably any other player in the league. Leonard is listed as questionable to play against the Atlanta Hawks this Saturday, but even if he doesn't make it out for this game, his return is imminent.

It also raises a key question about his longevity with the team. At 33, having suffered season-ending injuries in each of his past three seasons, how long has Kawhi got left in the league? Hopefully, this time’s the charm — he can bounce back, stay healthy, and lead his team into the playoffs. However, another season-ending injury could mark the end of a Hall of Fame career.