One of those is the defending champion Boston Celtics, who — at full health — dropped a disappointing game Wednesday night against a Toronto Raptors team that entered the night with only nine victories. Boston still has elite talent, but it has one glaring issue it seemingly can’t shed.

On an episode of the Road Trippin' podcast which aired Jan. 23, former NBA player and LeBron James ' teammate Channing Frye claimed that Jimmy Butler was suspended for two games because he allegedly held up the team for multiple hours on the tarmac, only to notify them that he would meet the team at their destination.

The Miami Heat feud with Jimmy Butler has brewed for a long time. A local Miami Heat media personality believes it began last summer when team president Pat Ri

As always, the NBA trade deadline provides ample storylines, with marquee names potentially on the move, contenders looking to bolster their respective rosters for a playoff push and some organizations fully committing to a second-half tank. The major storylines currently captivating the NBA community are:

A Jimmy Butler trade is complicated for the Suns and Heat. That is why the Bucks could finish the deal with Khris Middleton and Bradley Beal.

Miami Heat star forward Jimmy Butler was reportedly upset at the team's front office for not being more aggressive in improving the team's roster, per

Jackson specifically cites the Boston Celtics' trades for center Kristaps Porzingis and guard Jrue Holiday which resulted in an instant title, and the Milwaukee Bucks' deal for All-Star point guard Damian Lillard, moves that Jackson observes were far bolder than the Heat's summer signings of center Thomas Bryant and shooting guard Josh Richardson.

Probably not, though Celtics president Brad Stevens should strongly consider forking over more draft capital for another big to absorb some of these Luke Kornet minutes. But this is still the same team that went 16–3 in the playoffs last season.

The latest development is that, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Heat failed to pay Butler for a period during the summer.

Jimmy Butler's ongoing dispute with the Miami Heat deepened this week, as the star forward faced his second suspension. NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal has now weighed in, delivering strong criticism of Butler's conduct.

The defending NBA Champions are back in action on Friday, Jan. 17 when the Boston Celtics host the Orlando Magic at TD Garden in Boston.