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It’s time to come home Derrick, the Windy City is calling. 📞

Today’s Lineup

NBA News Roundup

Derrick Rose Released by Grizzlies

In the words of Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann, “I love Derrick Rose”.

The former MVP requested to be released from his contract with the Grizzlies, and they granted his wish. Now, Rose plans to update us on his future in basketball within the week. Whether that means signing with a new team or possibly calling it a career, we’ll have to wait and see.

From being the youngest MVP in NBA history to battling back from countless setbacks, Rose’s journey is a testament to resilience. Despite undergoing eight different surgeries, he kept coming back, refusing to let his career be defined by injuries. From comeback seasons with the Knicks and Timberwolves to being a veteran presence in Detroit and Memphis, Rose has shown time and again that his love for the game is unbreakable.

Wherever he ends up next, we’ll be rooting for him. But wouldn’t it be amazing if he took it back to Chicago, where it all started, for one last ride with the Bulls? Here’s to hoping for a storybook ending for one of the game’s most beloved players. 🙌🏀

Nassir Little Signs in Miami

It’s time for a fresh start in South Beach for Nassir Little! The former top high school recruit showed some serious flashes of potential during his time with the Trail Blazers but ended up buried on the Suns’ depth chart last season. Now, he’s headed to Miami, and it might just be the perfect fit.

The Heat are always in need of that classic hustle and intensity, and Little brings plenty of both. With Miami looking for some forward depth, this could be a golden opportunity for Nassir to prove himself again.

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Dark Horse Watch

The NBA is full of surprises, and every season there are a few teams and players who come out of nowhere to shock the world. This year, we've got our eyes on some serious underdogs who could make a lot of noise if things fall into place. 👀

Champion: Memphis Grizzlies

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the NBA, it’s that opinions change quicker than a Ja Morant fast break. Just two years ago, the Grizzlies were the talk of the West, snagging back-to-back two seeds. Now, after a season full of injuries, they’re being slept on with the same title odds as the Warriors, tied for 7th best in the conference.

But hold up—take a good look at this roster, and you’ll see why they’re still a serious threat. Starting with a downright nasty guard rotation led by the high-flying star power of Ja Morant and bolstered by a former DPOY in Marcus Smart and A+ shooting at the 2 from Desmond Bane and Luke Kennard, Memphis boasts Celtics-level depth up and down their roster that doesn’t have a lot of weak points.

And let’s not forget their secret weapon: Jaren Jackson Jr. is a world-class rim protector who makes this team click. His life should get a whole lot easier playing next to the human mountain, Zach Edey. Sprinkle in a bit of developing young talent with GG Jackson and Vince Williams Jr, and you have a squad that, at least on paper, can hang with just about anyone.

MVP: Tyrese Haliburton

Every year, only a handful of players manage to sustain MVP-level play for more than a month. Yet somehow, Tyrese Haliburton is barely cracking the top 15 in next season’s MVP odds? That’s crazy!

Tyrese is the engine driving one of the best offenses in the league, and before he got hit with that hamstring strain last season, he was putting up video game numbers: nearly 24 points and 13 assists per game while flirting with the legendary 50/40/90 club. He was basically playing like Steve Nash on turbo mode.

Even though he cooled off a bit after the injury, Haliburton showed for a solid chunk of the season that he can be the best offensive player in basketball. Now, with a full offseason to build chemistry with Pascal Siakam and more growth from young guns Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard, don’t be shocked if Haliburton has voters doing a double take come awards season.

ROTY: Kel’el Ware

In what might be the most wide-open Rookie of the Year race in recent memory, isn’t it crazy that a big man with the potential to contribute immediately on a playoff team isn’t even cracking the top ten in odds?

Kel’el Ware showed off tantalizing potential last season at Indiana that seamlessly carried over into the summer after being drafted by the Miami Heat. A center with an NBA-ready scoring repertoire, solid shot-blocking chops, and a jumper that could extend out to the three-point line , Ware might just be the answer to a problem the Heat have been trying to solve for the better part of half a decade, who to play next to Bam Adebayo?

Bam has without a doubt proven himself as one of the most switchable bigs in basketball, but Miami has always lacked someone who can protect the rim behind him while also holding it down on offense a play-finisher and occasional floor spacer. If the Heat decide to follow the Jarrett Allen-Evan Mobley model in Cleveland and dive deeper into being a defense-first squad, Ware could play a huge role on a playoff team, something that usually bodes well for ROTY winners.

Three in the Key

Signing Off

Thanks for hanging out with us today! Remember to take a moment to enjoy the little things this week, whether that’s a good game, a great highlight, or just a quiet cup of coffee. ☕

Until next time,

-Spencer Poole