NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
Dec 4, 2025
LeBron James' 1,297-Game 10+ Point Streak Finally Ends
Merlin sees LeBron James’ astonishing run of 1,297 straight games with 10+ points finally end — he scored six (4-of-17, 0-for-5 from three) in a 123-120 win at Toronto, while contributing 11 assists and creating the game-winning look. It matters because the streak was a measure of durability and elite consistency; its end highlights age, a recent sciatica layoff and a changing role. Merlin notes Austin Reaves’ 44 and the Lakers’ depth masked the scoring dip, and Los Angeles sits 16-5 despite the quieter box score from their legend. This reads less like a finale and more like evolution: LeBron’s scoring may ebb while his playmaking and leadership keep steering the ship. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds LeBron scores 10+ points in the next game: 75%.
Chris Paul Won't Retire After Clippers Split
Merlin sees the Clippers have parted ways with Chris Paul, but the veteran insists he won't retire midseason and still "plans to retire after the 2025-26 campaign." Paul, a 21-year NBA vet, struggled this year (2.9 PPG, 3.3 APG) as L.A. sits 6-16; he's been sent home and can't be traded until Dec. 15. Merlin notes the path forward is murky: teams' roster spots are scarce and one GM said, "I just don't have a roster spot for him." Paul signed to be near family, so a move away would be hard. Expect the Clippers and Paul to weigh waiving, a buyout, or waiting until trade eligibility opens before the next act. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Paul lands on another NBA roster this season: 25%.
Dec 4
NBA Slaps Cavaliers $250K Over Garland Rest
The NBA fined the Cleveland Cavaliers $250,000 for violating its "Player Participation Policy" after Darius Garland sat out the Nov. 24 game vs. Toronto despite playing the previous night against the Clippers. Cleveland already paid $100,000 earlier this year and faces a $1 million penalty for a third infraction; the policy bars resting stars in nationally televised games. The Cavs won with Garland vs. L.A. but lost without him to Toronto. Merlin sees the league drawing a line between player care and league optics. Garland is easing back from toe surgery and is shooting just 13.6 points in eight games, so caution makes sense — yet fines force hard choices. Cleveland (13-10) must juggle health, performance and financial consequences as the season unfolds. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Cavaliers incurring a third Player Participation Policy violation this season: 20%.
Dec 4
Giannis Insists He'll Stay With Bucks Amid Trade Rumors
Merlin sees the Bucks trying to steady the ship. Kevin Porter Jr. said, "There's a lot of outside noise" but added "that's my brother" and that Giannis "is wanting to be here with this group specifically." Still, ESPN's Shams Charania reports Giannis and his agent have "started conversations" with Milwaukee about whether his best fit is here; Doc Rivers confirmed Antetokounmpo hasn't asked to be traded. Merlin senses balance — a superstar publicly committed, while private talks and trade interest bubble beneath the surface. Milwaukee is 10-13, Giannis remains dominant (28.9/10.1/6.1 in 29.1 minutes), and the club needs clearer results to quiet the rumors. For now the locker room trusts him, but the oracle knows outcomes will bend rumors either toward peace or chaos. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis requesting a trade this season: 20%.
Dec 4
Clippers Keep Lawrence Frank After Chris Paul Exit
Merlin sees the Clippers steadying the ship at the top while making a change on the court. Despite parting ways with veteran point guard Chris Paul, multiple sources tell The Athletic that president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank is expected to remain and “on track to receive contract extensions,” with ownership stressing a commitment to continuity. Frank insisted, “We did not make this move because of our underperformance… I take full responsibility,” signaling the front office will absorb blame while keeping its core leadership. Merlin senses Ballmer prefers a slow, controlled fix rather than a panic purge. With Paul retiring and a veteran roster that hasn’t gelled at 6–16, expect targeted corrections and coaching adjustments more than blockbuster trades. Frank’s legacy will hinge on turning experience into cohesion — and quickly. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Lawrence Frank receiving a contract extension this season: 70%.
Dec 4
Giannis Antetokounmpo Out 2–4 Weeks with Calf Strain — Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss two to four weeks with a right calf strain, another health hiccup after a November groin issue. The timing matters: ESPN’s Shams Charania reported his camp is talking with the Bucks about "whether his best fit is staying or a move elsewhere," and any trade suitor will want the superstar healthy before the playoff push. In the short term expect Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis to absorb more minutes and responsibility. Merlin sees durability as the central storyline now. Giannis remains elite — averaging 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists on 63.9% shooting — but lost time can shift Milwaukee’s seeding and chill trade momentum. The Bucks will lean on depth while suitors wait for clarity; patience could decide the next move. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis requesting a trade this season: 20%.
Dec 4
Clippers Fed Up: Chris Paul Ousted
Merlin sees Chris Paul was sent home after head coach Ty Lue and teammates grew tired of his leadership style. The Athletic reports Lue and staff were "at wit's end," and Paul was told to stop his "locker room lawyering." Paul posted he "just found out I'm being sent home." Signed as a veteran mentor, he averaged just 14.3 minutes in 16 games as L.A. sits 6-16. This matters because Paul's voice once steadied contenders; here it became a source of friction and the Clippers chose locker-room calm over tolerating a disruptive veteran. With James Harden and Kawhi Leonard now forced to carry the leadership load, Merlin senses the move buys peace but not points — smoothing chemistry is helpful, yet erasing a poor start remains a steep climb. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Clippers making the playoffs this season: 20%.
Dec 4
Thunder's Absurd 21-1; Pistons Roar — 30-Team Verdict
Merlin sees the NBA at the quarter mark and the pattern is taking shape: the author gives one-word portraits for every club — from Oklahoma City's absurd dominance and Detroit’s breakout to Denver’s defensive slide without Aaron Gordon, Sacramento’s spiraling roster, and the rising impact of rookies and role players. These early truths matter because injuries, youth development and front-office choices are already steering who will buy, sell or contend before the trade deadline. Merlin senses three clear currents: young cores asserting themselves (Cade, Kon, Wemby), veterans either crumbling or carrying teams, and roster gambles that could reshuffle the map — even the Jazz “they don't want to be down there with all the other tankers,” per Marc Stein. Expect trades, wake-up calls, and a trade season that will tell us which early stories were prophecy and which were mirage. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Oklahoma City Thunder repeat as champions this season: 55%.
Dec 4
Warriors' Hail‑Mary: Trade for Giannis, Save Curry
Merlin sees Golden State handed a rare chance: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future is in play — “are having conversations with the Milwaukee Bucks about the two-time NBA MVP’s future,” per Shams Charania — and the Warriors have tradable assets and a shrinking Curry window that make a push logical. If they pursue him, it would likely cost core players and multiple first-round picks, a move that would immediately reshape their championship odds. Merlin warns this is a crossroads. Rival suitors (OKC, San Antonio, Houston) can offer deeper futures, and the reported price — Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield and several future firsts — would trade stability for a single supernova. The choice is stark: seize one last title shot for Curry or protect the franchise’s long-term health. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Golden State landing Giannis this offseason: 18%.
Dec 4
End of the Road? Clippers Likely Release Chris Paul
The Clippers are moving on from Chris Paul, and David Aldridge reports L.A. "will probably seek to trade Paul after Dec. 15, when he can legally be moved," though rival clubs may prefer to wait and sign him if he's released so they don't surrender assets. Paul, set to retire after the season, has had little on-court impact (2.9 points, 3.3 assists in 14.3 minutes) but still offers veteran leadership, which keeps him attractive as a late-season pickup. Merlin sees a familiar end-of-journey script: teams covet Paul's voice more than his box score, so expect patience — a quiet release or buyout, then a short-term signing by a contender needing a floor general and mentor. This feels like a final chapter, not a blockbuster trade. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Clippers trade Chris Paul after Dec. 15: 20%.
Dec 4
Giannis Trade Talks Heat Up — Knicks, Bucks Alert
Teams around the league quietly began drawing up trade plans for Giannis Antetokounmpo after reports that he and his agent are again meeting with the Bucks to “contemplate his future,” sources told Shams Charania. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst added that other clubs “immediately scheduled meetings” to discuss possible offers. Doc Rivers still insists — “for the 50th time” — Giannis hasn’t asked for a trade, but with Milwaukee 10-13 and limited roster flexibility, these talks matter: they could reshape the title picture before the Feb. 5 deadline. Merlin sees a franchise at a crossroads. Jon Horst burned flexibility chasing help already, so the Bucks must either extract maximum value or accept a painful reset. If Giannis prioritizes rings, staying looks shaky; if talks stall, expect more noise. The next few weeks will spell whether this becomes a quiet reconciliation or a seismic trade. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis being traded before Feb. 5: 40%.
Dec 4
Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Frenzy: Bucks on Notice
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee is suddenly in play: teams are already “meeting soon” to craft trade offers and target Dec. 15, while sources say Giannis and his agent are “having conversations” with the Bucks and “a resolution to these talks is expected in the coming weeks.” The timing matters because Giannis has been the face of the franchise since the 2021 title, but a 10-13 start, a calf strain that will sideline him, and early playoff exits have made both sides anxious. Merlin sees the chessboard shifting. With Giannis watching the first 25 games and rival GMs circling, the injury and poor record accelerate pressure on Milwaukee. This feels less like a rumor and more like the opening chapter of a roster-altering saga — one that could reshape the East before the calendar turns. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis requesting a trade this season: 55%.
Dec 4
Lakers Eye Giannis: Dončić Superteam Trade
Merlin sees the latest tremor: Giannis Antetokounmpo wiped Bucks content and, per reports, is talking with Milwaukee and his agent about "whether his best fit is staying or elsewhere." That rumble matters because a viable blueprint exists to pair him with Luka Dončić in Los Angeles — but it would cost Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, future picks and much of L.A.’s depth, while testing tough cap and roster rules. Merlin warns the path is steep. Milwaukee is unlikely to jettison a 30-year-old franchise star, Giannis reportedly favors New York, and the Lakers would trade shooting and cohesion for elite rim defense and a new title window. If Giannis pushes, Los Angeles must choose between prudent continuity or bold upheaval that could remake the West. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis requesting a trade this season: 25%.
Dec 4
Clippers Move On From Chris Paul — Harden, Kawhi Shocked
Merlin sees the Clippers abruptly moving on from Chris Paul — confirmed Wednesday — while stars James Harden and Kawhi Leonard said they "woke up and saw it on social media" and were "shocked." Reports say Paul and coach Ty Lue were not "on speaking terms" for weeks; Lue admitted the signing "just didn't work out like we thought" and called Paul "not a good fit." At 6-16, the move matters because it exposes deeper chemistry and leadership issues the front office says it must address. Merlin suspects this is an attempt to reset a fraying locker room. Harden and Kawhi now must carry leadership as rotations are rewritten; if the change sparks cohesion, waiving or trading Paul could be addition by subtraction. The oracle warns fixes won't be instant — expect more roster tinkering before clarity. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: (“Odds of the Clippers making the playoffs this season: 25%.”)
Dec 4
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks: Rivers Denies Trade Talk
Doc Rivers pushed back on the latest trade chatter, insisting Giannis “has never asked to be traded. Ever.” That rebuttal arrives amid renewed reports — Shams Charania and Brian Windhorst among them — that Giannis and his agent "have started conversations" about whether he belongs in Milwaukee. Giannis scrubbed Bucks references from social media while averaging 30.6/10.7/6.4, but the team sits 9-13 and has lost eight of its last nine games, so the noise matters. Merlin sees a franchise at a crossroads: a 2021 champion with no series wins since 2022 and a superstar growing impatient. This is less a sudden betrayal than a slow boil — public calm now, private pressure behind closed doors. If the Bucks don’t show clear direction soon, whispers could become demands. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis requesting a trade this season: 30%.
Dec 3
Chris Paul Cut By Clippers, Retirement Tour Ends
Chris Paul was released by the Los Angeles Clippers after being sent home from a road trip, ending what he hoped would be a farewell tour with the team. He posted an Instagram Story FaceTiming Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan and appeared to be laughing, but ESPN’s Shams Charania reports Paul’s leadership “clashed” with coach Ty Lue — “he has been vocal in holding management, coaches and players accountable, which the team felt became disruptive.” Merlin senses a chapter closing, not a final curtain. At 40, Paul’s numbers have faded, yet his court IQ and voice remain valuable for a club that welcomes frank leadership. His next stop will hinge on fit: a contender in need of a mentor could use him, but any team that fears internal friction will steer clear. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: (“Odds Chris Paul signs with a playoff contender this season: 45%.”)
Dec 3
Zion Williamson Out Long — Trade Value Plummets
Merlin sees New Orleans’ star Zion Williamson sidelined again and set to miss "extended time," a development that deepens a troubling season for a team already 3-19. The injury run has crushed his market — as Brian Windhorst put it, "Zion has next to no value right now for the Pelicans" — and the club’s lack of control over this year’s first-round pick (swap to Atlanta) limits a clear rebuild path. Merlin remembers the peak — 2023-24, when Zion played 70 games and averaged 24.6/7.2/5.3 — and knows that version appears too seldom. His contract’s non-guaranteed final years lower financial risk for suitors, but durability and a poor start make finding real return difficult. New Orleans stands at a crossroads: gamble on recovery or accept a long, uncertain reset. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of New Orleans trading Zion before the deadline: 20%.
Dec 3
Trae Young's Trade Stock Falls as Hawks Thrive
Insiders are split on Trae Young’s trade value versus LaMelo Ball or Ja Morant — some call him "just small and doesn't play any defense," while others nod that he "might just be the ultimate floor raiser, which has its value." The timing matters: Young is on the last guaranteed year of his deal, sidelined with a sprained MCL, and Atlanta’s 12-5 run without him has intensified rumors he could be shopped before February. Merlin senses a market in flux. Teams crave Young’s offensive spark, but a near-$46M cap hit, defensive questions and Atlanta’s recent success without him soften offers. If he returns and reasserts his offensive dominance his value rebounds; if the Hawks keep winning, the asking price may prove unattainable. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Trae Young being traded before the Feb. deadline: 30%.
Dec 3
Giannis Trade Looms: Bucks, Knicks in Deadline Talks
Merlin sees the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo and his agent Alex Saratsis in active talks about his future — stay in Milwaukee or be moved — with a "resolution" expected in the coming weeks and the Feb. 5 trade deadline looming. Reports say there was an exclusive negotiating window with the New York Knicks in August and Giannis was open to playing in New York, but that exclusivity ends now. This matters because a generational star who wants to play for a contender can reshape the league overnight. Merlin remembers the signs: Giannis is still elite (about 30.6 points, 10.7 rebounds) but the Bucks have stumbled — a brutal 1-8 stretch and exits in three straight first rounds. He stated it would be "human to change his mind," and sources warned "the writing is on the wall" if Milwaukee can’t flip the script. New York looms as a logical suitor, but many kingdoms will bid. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis being traded before the Feb. 5 deadline: 30%.
Dec 3
Giannis Trade Talks Heat Up: Bucks, Knicks, Thunder
Merlin sees Giannis Antetokounmpo and his agent, Alex Saratsis, have begun talks with the Milwaukee Bucks about whether “his best fit is staying or elsewhere,” per Shams Charania, and a resolution is “expected in the coming weeks.” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst also reported Giannis “already asked to be traded.” This matters because a 9-13 Bucks team looks short on clear championship-building paths, and whatever Giannis chooses will reshape the Eastern Conference. Merlin notes the obvious suitors — the Knicks were linked in early talks and the asset-rich Oklahoma City Thunder are natural contenders to probe — but most clubs will call and proposals will fly. Giannis still holds significant control; the next few weeks will reveal if Milwaukee can regroup around him or must pivot to a new chapter. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis requesting a trade this season: 60%.
Dec 3
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Explosive Giannis Trade Packages: Bucks, Lakers, Hawks, Knicks
Merlin sees the rumor mill near a breaking point: ESPN reports Giannis “asked to be moved” before recommitting, and with the Bucks under .500 the article lays out five trade packages that could send him elsewhere before February. Offers to the Lakers, Hawks, Knicks, Spurs and Blazers mix stars, young pieces and heavy draft capital — the proposals show Milwaukee chasing youth, flexibility and future picks while contenders eye an instant title tilt. This matters because moving a generational talent would reshape the East and rewrite championship math. Merlin senses the Spurs and Hawks packages balance present power with future upside, while the Knicks carry Giannis’s preferred-city pull — “Knicks emerged as the only team that Giannis…expressed an interest in.” Milwaukee will demand long-term value, so expect intense courting, loud leaks, and real trade talk heating up toward the deadline. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis being traded before the February deadline: 40%.
Dec 3
Clippers Back Tyronn Lue Despite Chris Paul Drama
Chris Paul was sent home amid a brutal start for the Clippers, but Tyronn Lue’s job is safe — president Lawrence Frank took responsibility for assembling the roster and said Lue “will be the coach” going forward. Paul, who returned on a one‑year deal, fell out of the rotation (14.3 minutes in 16 of 21 games) as his leadership style “clashed” with the team and, per Shams Charania, Lue was “not on speaking terms with Paul for several weeks.” Los Angeles sits 5–16 and 24th in net rating, the clear scoreboard of internal dysfunction. Merlin sees that history and contract protect Lue: five straight winning seasons, 239 franchise wins and an extension through 2028–29 buy him time. Still, the oracle warns the core problem is roster fit and construction — Frank’s admission is balm now, but continued losses or injuries will quickly sharpen scrutiny. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Tyronn Lue is fired this season: 15%.
Dec 3
Giannis Trade Looms: Bucks' Window Closing
Merlin sees the Giannis era at a crossroads. Fans noticed the superstar pulling away on social media, and ESPN’s Brian Windhorst suggested “he asked to be traded already.” The Bucks are 9-13, haven’t won a playoff series since 2022, and years of aggressive trades and coach changes haven’t fixed the roster — so the question of movement before Feb. 5 or in the summer matters more than ever. Merlin remembers Damian Lillard’s slow unraveling in Portland and smells a similar pattern: spectacular peak, then diminishing returns as trade capital disappears. Giannis still carries Milwaukee (minus-11.0 net rating off the floor), but with a $22.4M stretch hit and few easy upgrades, time is short. The franchise must choose urgency over patience — or face a parting of ways. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Giannis is traded before the Feb. 5 deadline: 30%.
Dec 3
Chris Paul Eyes Lakers, LeBron Reunion After Clippers Split
Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Clippers have mutually parted ways — a move Lawrence Frank framed plainly: "We are parting ways with Chris and he will no longer be with the team," adding that "No one is blaming Chris for our underperformance." ESPN’s Bobby Marks reported the Los Angeles Lakers "have an open roster spot and could be an option," but they cannot add a 15th player until Jan. 19. Paul, who has said 2025–26 will be his final season, is close to LeBron James and could help cover for Marcus Smart’s injury while chasing his long-sought first title. Merlin sees a veteran choosing timing over drama. The Clippers’ 5–16 record and five-game skid made the split almost inevitable; Los Angeles offers the fastest championship window, but only with patience and the right chemistry. Expect discreet negotiations and a late January test of whether playoff hunger or mere convenience will guide Paul’s last run. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Chris Paul signs with the Lakers this season: 40%.
Dec 3
LaMelo Ball's "Unserious" Tag Haunts Hornets
LaMelo Ball remains a dazzling talent in Charlotte, but league insiders are openly skeptical about his seriousness and playoff reliability — one exec said, "Nobody has ever questioned the talent, but he's just so unserious." Injuries have limited him since 2022, the Hornets have never made the playoffs with him, and despite his 20.9/7.5/6.0 career averages he shoots just 41.9% and turns it over 3.3 times per game. Trade whispers surfaced after reports he was "frustrated," though Ball pushed back: "I love being here... I'm just trying to win." Merlin sees a bright star tangled in knots. Durability, loose shot selection and inconsistent defense have depressed his trade value despite elite upside; Charlotte isn't forced to move him while he’s under contract, but a 6‑15 start shortens the leash. The next act will hinge on sustained health and whether LaMelo tightens his focus when the games truly matter. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: ("Odds of Charlotte trading LaMelo Ball this season: 20%.")
Dec 3