Basketball Intelligence For 2/8/25

Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis

Feb 08, 2025

∙ Paid

*FEATURE OF THE DAY*
PODCAST: Jimmy Butler Trade and the State of The Warriors with Sam Gordon
Aaron Bollwinkel, Unrestricted Area

TEAM NEWS

ATL: Hawks’ new additions bring versatility and shooting to the roster
Lauren Williams, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Hawks could likely use LeVert alongside Dyson Daniels when Young goes to the bench, while also providing backup for Daniels. He has some versatility, giving the Hawks the ability to slide him up the lineup to small forward if they shift to a smaller lineup.
Niang, like LeVert, has also shot over 40% and gives the Hawks another big body that can take up space and potentially slow opponents. He can also play multiple positions with previous teams utilizing him as a small-ball center.

ATL: Hawks down Bucks with big help from Mo Gueye
Lauren Williams, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

ATL: The Hawks aren't tanking
Brad Rowland, Fansided

ATL: Hawks make 'red flag' final decision on former 1st-round pick
Joshua Buckhalter, Soaring Down South

BKN: Nets’ Simmons Saga Reportedly Reaches The End Game
Steve Lichtenstein

BKN: Brooklyn Nets destroy Miami Heat in fourth quarter, win 102-86
Lucas Kaplan, NetsDaily

CHI: Arturas Karnisovas says Bulls in transition, but 'more to come'
Jamal Collier, ESPN

CLE: Inside the Cavs’ trade for De’Andre Hunter — an addition nearly six years in the making
Chris Fedor, Cleveland.com

CLE: With the De'Andre Hunter Trade, the Cleveland Cavaliers Have Entered a Championship Window
Danny Cunningham, The Inside Shot

CLE: Cavs dealing with mixed emotions following De’Andre Hunter trade
Chris Fedor, Cleveland.com

DAL: (PODCAST) HOT TAKE: Could Mavs Actually Be Better Post-Luka Doncic Trade For This Season?
Dalton Trigg, Mavs Step Back

DAL: Through trades, basketball allows Davis to be in a safe place
Dwain Price, Mavs.com

DET: How two new trade acquisitions fit into Pistons’ playoff push
Kyle Austin, MLive

DET: Malik Beasley has career night, Pistons 'phenomenal' in win vs. 76ers
Coty M. Davis, The Detroit News

GSW: From Wiggins Island, With Love: A Fond Farewell to Our Dude Andrew
Daniel Hardee, Dub Nation HQ

GSW: Dubs fall back below .500 with loss to Lakers
Danny Emerman, Mercury News

GSW: By trading for Jimmy Butler, Warriors picked a path
Danny Emerman, Mercury News

The fit might be clunky, at least at first. Butler is a high-IQ playmaker, passer and cutter and he’ll certainly play the non-Curry minutes. A ferocious competitor, Butler will assume the Wiggins role of point-of-attack defense. He finishes in the lane and gets to the foul line at an elite level — two qualities the Warriors have lacked. The question will be whether he can play alongside Green and Jonathan Kuminga.

GSW: Trade Deadline Analysis: After The Fire Is Gone
Daniel Hardee, Dub Nation HQ

GSW: How Butler fits in with Steph, Warriors' puzzling offense
Dalton Johnson, NBC Sports

IND: Pacers rally, then rally, again to beat Clippers, now finish roadie against Lakers
Tom Lewis, Indy Cornrows With Tom Lewis

IND: Explain One Play: How the Pacers put Pascal Siakam in "line" to fire
Caitlin Cooper, Basketball, She Wrote

MIA: 2 Heat trade deadline additions fix a weak spot and change goals for the season
Brennan Sims, All U Can Heat

MIA: What will Davion Mitchell & Kyle Anderson bring to the Heat
John Jablonka. Simply Ballin

NYK: Breaking down Knicks’ trade deadline decisions
David Vertsberger, SNY

OKC: The NBA should be terrified by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's inside-the-arc production
Braxton Reynolds, Thunderous Intentions

ORL: Denver Nuggets 112, Orlando Magic 90: Three Takeaways
Philip Rossman-Reich, World R Squared

PHI: 3 observations after Sixers blown out by Pistons team without Cunningham
Noah Levick, NBC Sports Philadelphia

POR: Toumani Camara and the Blazers Will Send You to Hell
Quinn Everts, The Broken Press

Remaining Team News, League News, and NBA Draft for paid subscribers