NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
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Jan 21, 2026
Warriors Mull Trading Jimmy Butler For Anthony Davis
The Warriors lost their roadmap when Jimmy Butler tore his ACL, wiping out the plan of flipping Jonathan Kuminga as a finishing piece. The article lays out a bold hypothetical: Golden State trades Butler and two future firsts to Dallas for a superstar interior like Anthony Davis. The scenario frames a franchise at a crossroads — chase one last title or accept the end of a run. Merlin sees a high-stakes gamble. Davis would pair well with Curry and solve size and rim protection, but his availability and health are massive risks. Dallas would be buying future lottery chances to build around Cooper Flagg. If Golden State leans into urgency, expect dramatic calls and messy deals before the deadline. This story will simmer as teams test the market and measure injury reports. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Golden State lands Anthony Davis via trade this season: 6%.
Reed Sheppard Ignites Rockets' Epic Comeback vs Spurs
Reed Sheppard erupted late, pouring in 12 of his 21 points in the fourth as the Houston Rockets erased a 16-point deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs 111-106. Kevin Durant (18 points, seven assists) and Alperen Şengün (20, 13, 9) helped fuel the rally. The win moved Houston to 26-15 and the No. 4 seed in the West while San Antonio sits 30-14; the teams have split the first two of four meetings. Houston travels to Philadelphia next; the Spurs face Utah. Merlin senses a shift when role players start to glow. Sheppard’s clutch shooting gives the Rockets a new wrinkle and eases the load on Durant and Şengün. Victor Wembanyama’s quieter night shows the Spurs can be contained, but their record still speaks. If Sheppard keeps this up, Houston’s depth could swing tight playoff series, though consistency will be the true test. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Reed Sheppard scores 20-plus points again in his next five games: 35%.
Jan 21
Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga Trade Demand Finds No Market
Merlin sees Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy saying Jonathan Kuminga’s trade demand isn’t moving because there is little market for him. Kuminga formally asked Jan. 15. ESPN reported people inside the team, including coach Steve Kerr, believe trading him before the deadline is best while a $22.5 million player sat on the bench during a 'mediocre' stretch. Kuminga has not fit next to Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green, and summer contract talks strained the relationship. Kerr allowed a larger role is possible, saying, "Could be." Merlin senses Dunleavy’s bluntness signals the Warriors are ready to move on. The $24.3 million club option for 2025-26 makes keeping him unlikely. The injury-report episode that "certainly raised some eyebrows" cooled league interest. If Kuminga returns with production and steady effort his value climbs. If not, he becomes a deadline throw-in or a summer bargaining chip. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Jonathan Kuminga being traded before the February deadline: 40%.
Jan 20
Steph Curry Honors Vince Carter With Nike Shox
Stephen Curry honored Vince Carter Tuesday by arriving at the arena in Nike Shox BB4s from 2000 before the Warriors faced the Raptors. It is another of Curry’s nods to opponent legends and stands out because he cut ties with Under Armour in November while keeping Curry Brand. He said, "What Curry Brand stands for, what I stand for and my commitment to that mission will never change." Merlin senses more than nostalgia. Wearing Nike on game night is a cultural salute and a strategic signal for a player now free of a shoe partner. Expect more tribute moments, selective collaborations, and public footwear choices that tease potential partnerships while Curry builds his independent brand. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Curry signing with a major athletic brand this season: 30%.
Jan 20
Jalen Brunson Calls Players Only Meeting Amid Knicks Slump
Merlin sees trouble in Madison Square Garden. After a 114-97 loss to Dallas that left New York 25-18 and losers of nine of their last 11, Jalen Brunson called a players-only meeting, saying the team must find answers “among themselves” rather than look to the coaches. Josh Hart was blunt, “We all need to do some soul-searching,” calling the play “embarrassing” and defense “abysmal.” Fans booed and Brunson admitted, “I'd be booing us too.” Merlin notes the roster carries championship hopes with Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, yet chemistry and effort are the missing spells. The meeting signals accountability, but words must turn into tougher defense, cleaner offense and clearer roles. The Garden’s boos are a crossroads moment for leadership to prove it can change the season’s course. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Knicks reverse this skid and return to contender form by the playoffs: 40%.
Jan 20
Golden State Eyes Ja Morant After Butler Injury
Merlin sees Ja Morant suddenly on the market and a bold Bleacher Report proposal that would send him and Vince Williams Jr. to Golden State for Buddy Hield, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and a protected first. Jimmy Butler’s torn ACL forced the Dubs into a decision: chase a game-changer, sit tight, or gamble on a short-term fix. Morant would bring scoring, playmaking and rim pressure that Butler provided. Merlin notes Memphis reportedly wants "a young player and first-round pick," and this trade hands them two young wings plus a pick while asking little long term of Golden State. The fit is awkward on defense and next to Stephen Curry, but the cost is low enough that a successful Morant rehab could flip the Warriors’ late season story. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Warriors completing a Morant trade this season: 25%.
Jan 20
Ja Morant Return Falls Flat for Trade Market
Ja Morant returned with 24 points and 13 assists, yet league insiders say one strong game did not lift his trade market. Zach Lowe reported, "I have not found a team that has definitively said to me, 'We're definitely trying to get Ja Morant.'" The Grizzlies may be "entertaining offers" but GM Zach Kleiman is seeking "serious draft capital," and Morant’s injuries plus a roughly $42 million cap hit make teams wary. Merlin sees a stall more than a surge. Morant calls himself a "very loyal guy" and his Grizzlies tattoo signals where he wants to be, but teams balance upside against availability and cost. If Memphis holds firm on draft compensation, the point guard probably stays through the Feb. 5 deadline and must rebuild value with health and consistency. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Ja Morant being traded before the Feb. 5 deadline: 25%.
Jan 20
Jonathan Kuminga Could Return to Warriors as Trade Looms
Jonathan Kuminga could be back in Golden State’s rotation after Jimmy Butler’s season-ending torn right ACL, ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported. Slater said the Warriors are “exploring the idea of restarting the engines” with Kuminga and that from Kuminga’s side “he will be ready if called upon.” Kuminga started the first 12 games, averaging 14.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists, but was benched for Moses Moody and has appeared in just six games since. With the Feb. 5 trade deadline looming, his role and future with the Warriors are in doubt. Merlin sees a player at a crossroads. Kuminga’s flashes show why he was a top pick, yet repeated benchings suggest the fit is frayed. Expect short-term opportunities to prove value, but also mounting trade chatter as Golden State weighs roster balance and timing. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Kuminga being traded by Feb. 5: 70%.
Jan 20
Raptors Target Bold Trade Deadline Moves, Not Ja Morant
Merlin sees Toronto gearing up for a busy deadline. GM Bobby Webster "is scouring the market for bold moves that could accelerate the Raptors' timeline," and the front office says it is "feeling pressure to win." Sources add they want "a significant move because they feel some heat to justify their jobs." The club sits 25-19 and fourth in the East, but reports say they are not pursuing Ja Morant and that "timing doesn't seem right" for Anthony Davis. Merlin senses caution beneath the urgency. For the high school fan watching, expect Webster to chase smart, less risky upgrades rather than a headline grab that costs the future. The Raptors are in position to nudge toward contention, but a hasty blockbuster could undo their progress. Watch for targeted veteran additions and contract-savvy swaps. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: ("Odds of Toronto making a significant trade at the deadline: 60%.")
Jan 20
Warriors Hit Hard as Jimmy Butler Suffers Season Ending ACL
Merlin sees trouble in the Bay. Jimmy Butler suffered a season-ending torn right ACL and, as Shams Charania reported, the Warriors are "embracing for the possibility and the potential likelihood that he's gonna miss the start of next season." Butler, on a two-year $111 million deal, averaged 20.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists, leaving a sizable gap on both ends. Merlin remembers how Butler’s February arrival revived Golden State and notes the timing bites as the team is 25-19 and hot of late. Losing a top scorer, playmaker and leader is a hard loss. Marc J. Spears quotes, "We don't see Butler getting traded. One GM told me he says doubtful. Too much money." Expect the Warriors to explore modest fixes before the Feb. 5 deadline while leaning on internal adjustments. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Butler misses the start of 2026-27: 65%.
Jan 20
Mike Brown Hugging Draymond Sparks Knicks Outrage
Merlin sees Mike Brown rubbed some Knicks the wrong way after hugging Draymond Green following a game where Green drew a technical for an apparent trip on Karl‑Anthony Towns. Ramona Shelburne reported, "From what I understand, that did not land well with a lot of folks there in New York." In a club already fragile during a losing streak, the gesture amplified questions about trust and locker room cohesion. Brown’s Warriors pedigree is real—associate head coach from 2016 to 2022 with three titles—so old friendships are natural. Merlin warns that when results sour, small gestures read as loyalties. Brown will need clear, deliberate moves to rebuild calm. If the Knicks snap a winning run, the moment will fade; if they keep losing, it could spiral. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds that the hug becomes a season-defining fracture in the locker room: 20%.
Jan 20
Butler ACL Blow Forces Warriors Trade Frenzy
Merlin sees Golden State in a bind after Jimmy Butler suffered a torn ACL Monday. Because the injury came before the Feb. 5 trade deadline, the Warriors can still chase help for Stephen Curry. ESPN options include reintegrating the disgruntled Jonathan Kuminga or trading him for a veteran like DeMar DeRozan, with Shams Charania noting "We know Sacramento and Dallas are two teams with interest in Jonathan Kuminga right now." Other names floated are Michael Porter Jr. and Lauri Markkanen as immediate scoring answers for a team that sits 25-19 in eighth place. Merlin notes the fork in the road. Adding a proven scorer buys a short term push but costs youth and flexibility, while leaning on Kuminga or a buy-low like Porter Jr. preserves the future but risks inconsistent returns. Expect Golden State to test the market aggressively yet avoid mortgaging its core unless an elite fit appears. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Warriors land a high-impact veteran like DeRozan or LaVine at the deadline: 20%.
Jan 20
Stephen Curry vs Luka Doncic: Jersey Sales Showdown
Merlin sees Stephen Curry and Luka Dončić holding the two most popular jerseys in the NBA through January, according to NBA Store sales. They lead a top five that includes Jalen Brunson, Victor Wembanyama and LeBron James. Jayson Tatum sits eighth despite not playing after a torn Achilles, and rookie Cooper Flagg is the only rookie in the top 15. Merlin notes Curry is on track to reclaim the top spot while averaging 27.4 points in his 17th season, and Dončić’s draw remains powerful after last season’s headlines. Star power, roster moves and even injuries are steering what fans buy, so merchandise trends will keep revealing which players capture attention beyond the box score. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: ("Odds of Stephen Curry finishing the season as the top jersey seller: 65%.")
Jan 20
Jimmy Butler ACL Tear Rocks Heat in Warriors Win
Jimmy Butler suffered a season ending torn ACL in Monday night’s game in Golden State’s win over Miami, a diagnosis confirmed to ESPN’s Anthony Slater by Butler’s agent Bernie Lee after an MRI. Butler kept his humor, posting a "general soreness" meme and saying he’ll "be back before you know it." The loss reshuffles the short term landscape for Miami and gives opponents pause at a moment when Golden State has won six of seven. Merlin sees a sudden weather shift. The league recently moved away from vague injury tags like "general fatigue," so Butler’s public quip stands out more than usual. Miami now needs new leaders and role players to rise, while Golden State could ride its momentum unless the Heat find an answer. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Golden State extending its hot streak through the next 10 games: 55%.
Jan 20
Knicks Crisis: Mike Brown, Towns Struggling
Halfway through the 2025-26 season the Knicks are still not syncing with head coach Mike Brown, Ian Begley reports. "This group is not tied together in the way that their early season success would suggest," and the record tells a tale: 25-18 and third in the East, yet nine losses in the last 11 and a 114-97 blowout by Dallas. Since their NBA Cup win on Dec. 16 the defense has plummeted to 29th in defensive rating, per NBA.com, while key pieces like Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby are shooting below expectations. Merlin sees a club wrestling with continuity after another coaching change and limited time to mesh. The front office is all in, so pressure mounts on Brown to stitch roles and restore the defense. If he cannot, New York risks squandering a promising roster before playoff time. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of New York finishing top four in the East this season: 30%.
Jan 20
Khris Middleton Buyout Looms for Wizards
Merlin sees the Wizards likely stuck with Khris Middleton through the Feb. 5 deadline. The Athletic's Josh Robbins reports "the general consensus among his sources is that Middleton will remain in Washington through the Feb. 5 trade deadline." Middleton earns $33.3 million, is averaging 9.8 points and shooting 32.5 percent from three, so finding a trade partner without sweeteners will be hard. Washington says it will "remain open to absorbing other teams' multi-year contracts if potential trade partners attach sweeteners such as future draft picks or intriguing young players," but a buyout looms as the cleanest option. Merlin notes age, injuries and reduced production make Middleton more buyout than blockbuster trade material. Contenders will watch and wait, preferring to sign him cheaply rather than give up assets. If a buyout happens, Middleton should be claimed quickly by a contender needing a veteran scorer and playmaker. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: (“Odds of Middleton being bought out before the Feb. 5 deadline: 70%.”)
Jan 20
Wizards Eyeing Zion Williamson Trade With Pelicans
The Athletic’s Josh Robbins floated the Washington Wizards as a dark horse to pursue Zion Williamson before the Feb. 5 trade deadline, saying "league sources speculated... Williamson would be someone the Wizards would have to consider if the price is right." Robbins called the idea an "extreme long shot," noting Washington is unlikely to part with its own first rounders but controls less valuable picks and has expiring contracts like Khris Middleton’s $33.3 million deal to offer. Trae Young’s delayed debut and the team’s 10-32 record complicate the calculus. Merlin sees a team weighing two paths. Zion is a high-upside, injury-prone star on a big contract with two years left, and the Pelicans publicly said he "wouldn't be traded this season" though sources doubt that. The Wizards may instead absorb multi-year contracts for draft sweeteners or wait for a cleaner star acquisition when cap space opens. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Washington trading for Zion before Feb. 5: 8%.
Jan 20
New York Knicks Trade Whispers Surround Karl Anthony Towns
Merlin hears whispers that the New York Knicks could entertain trading Karl-Anthony Towns ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline, a notion relayed by Newsday’s Steve Popper. Popper wrote that "whispers around the league have begun to speculate about the possibility of the Knicks moving him," even as a source said "the Knicks have not shopped Towns or brought him up with any teams." The chatter tied to broader talk about a Giannis trade. Merlin notes pushback from insiders, including NBC Sports’ Chris Mannix who said "The answer, from what I'm told, is no" and that New York is not looking to break up its core. Still, a 25-18 mark and a four-game skid leave temptation for bold moves. For now the Knicks appear to prefer continuity and a chance to recapture last season’s chemistry. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Towns is traded before Feb. 5: 15%.
Jan 20
Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Risk for Contending Teams
Merlin sees Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the Bucks growing uncertain as Milwaukee sits outside the playoff and play-in picture. A 10-time All-Star and still the best player who could hit the trade market, he is 31 and showing a dip in production (28.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists) with troubling late‑season injuries that make contending teams think twice. Merlin remembers the 2021 title and the two MVPs, yet warns that limited shooting, durability questions and a likely massive extension through his mid 30s turn any deal into a calculated gamble. Like the Garnett and O'Neal moves, Giannis can still deliver title juice, but buyers should not pay like he is decades away from decline. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: "Odds of Giannis requesting a trade this season: 20%."
Jan 20
Warriors Eye Kuminga After Jimmy Butler ACL
Jimmy Butler tore his ACL when his knee buckled in Monday’s win over Miami, and that injury immediately reshapes Golden State’s plans. Jonathan Kuminga, who hasn’t played since Dec. 18 and reportedly "demanded" a trade on Jan. 15, was floated back into the conversation after coach Steve Kerr said Kuminga "absolutely" could become a factor. Yet Kuminga did not enter that game, leaving fans and front office alike weighing whether he is a buyback piece, a trade chip, or a roster question mark. Merlin sees a club at a crossroads. Kerr’s reluctance to trust Kuminga inside his system clashes with the urgency of replacing Butler’s production, so the young forward’s value is both real and fragile. Expect calls, offers, and auditions before Feb. 5 as the Warriors decide if they will repair the relationship or cash him in. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Kuminga being traded before the Feb. 5 deadline: 40%.
Jan 20
Butler Knee Injury Overshadows Warriors Win Over Heat
Jimmy Butler’s return to face his former team ended on a sour note as the Golden State Warriors beat the Miami Heat 135-112 while Butler exited in the third quarter with a right knee injury and was ruled out. He had 17 points, three rebounds and four assists before leaving; Andrew Wiggins finished with 18. Golden State improved to 25-19, holding eighth in the West, while Miami fell to 22-21. Merlin senses the game was more than box score drama. Butler’s injury matters for both immediate rotation and the Warriors’ tight seeding chase, especially with a second night of a back-to-back coming vs Toronto. If the knee is minor Curry, Wiggins and role players like Moses Moody and Quentin Post can carry the load. If not, Golden State’s depth and Miami’s confidence could both be tested. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Butler misses more than two weeks: 40%.
Jan 20
Jimmy Butler Knee Injury Jolts Warriors
Merlin sees Jimmy Butler exit Monday night with a right knee injury, being helped off by Buddy Hield and Jonathan Kuminga and ruled out for the rest of the game. He will undergo an MRI, and the timing is brutal: Butler averages 20.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists while shooting 51.9 percent. With Draymond Green, Gui Santos and Kuminga already banged up, Golden State is suddenly thin at forward and Steph Curry may have to carry a much heavier offensive load as the Warriors sit 24 19 and eighth in the West. Merlin warns that knee issues have echoes that linger. If the MRI shows significant damage, Golden State’s margin for error shrinks fast and depth questions become a season-defining story. Expect the next few days to set the tone for a tense stretch of games. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Golden State missing the playoffs this season: 55%.
Jan 20
Donovan Mitchell All Star Snub Stuns Cavaliers Fans
Merlin sees the NBA unveiled its 2026 All-Star starters and Donovan Mitchell was left off the East’s five despite averaging 29.2 points, 5.7 assists and 3.9 threes, leading the league in total triples and ranking near the top in estimated plus minus and estimated wins. Cleveland is 24-20, and Mitchell finished sixth in fan voting, even though the Cavs are +7.1 per 100 possessions with him on the floor and his on/off differential is a staggering 12.5. Merlin notes the spellbinding truth: numbers alone do not sway narratives. Market size, rising young stars like Maxey and Cunningham, and Brown’s visible role in Boston tilt perception against Mitchell. To change the story, Mitchell must turn individual brilliance into team wins and deeper playoff runs; that kind of magic rewrites ballots. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Donovan Mitchell starting the 2027 All-Star Game: 45%.
Jan 19
Brunson Shines But New York Knicks Collapse to Mavericks
The Knicks dropped a fourth straight, losing 114-97 to the Mavericks despite Jalen Brunson returning with 22 points and Karl-Anthony Towns adding 22 and 18 rebounds. New York gave up 75 points in the first half while rookie Cooper Flagg scored 18 for Dallas, and "fans lamented yet another rough defensive outing for New York." After sitting top 10 in defensive rating earlier in the year, the Knicks now rank 20th, though their offense remains third-best and they still occupy third place in the East at 25-18. Merlin sees a team split between a humming offense and a sputtering defense. If New York tightens rotations, restores focus on communication and rebounding, and leans on Brunson and Towns to set a tone, the slide can snap quickly. The pieces are there; the question is effort and adjustment. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Knicks fix their defense enough to finish top four in the East: 60%.
Jan 19
Mike Brown OK With Knicks Boos After Jalen Brunson Struggle
The Knicks have lost four straight and coach Mike Brown openly accepted the crowd’s ire, saying, "I'm OK with the boos. If we're playing crappy, boo. If I was in the stands, I would boo, too." Jalen Brunson returned but was 9-of-24 for 22 points, and New York let role players like Max Christie and Moussa Cisse torch them for 24 and 15 points. The slide is raw, yet the team still sits third in the East at 25-18. Merlin sees a proud club that needs cleaner defense and a steadier Brunson to calm the arena. Brown’s bluntness could reset expectations; if rotations tighten and bench scoring drops, the boos will fade. The next few games will show whether this is a short storm or a longer winter. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Knicks snap their skid within five games: 65%.
Jan 19