NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
Dec 24, 2025
Ben Simmons Buys Into South Florida Sails Eyes NBA Return
Ben Simmons quietly bought a stake in the South Florida Sails Angling Club as he treads the waters toward a possible NBA return. He said, "I have always believed that investing in what you love means you have a responsibility to help move it forward." The move comes after a 2024 25 season split between Brooklyn and Los Angeles, lingering back issues and low counting numbers, and his comment that he hopes to be on a roster "maybe halfway through this year, if not next season." Merlin sees more than a fishing hobby. Ownership signals planning beyond the court and a desire to control the narrative while rehabbing. Teams weighing his talent and health might view this as maturity or as evidence he is diversifying away from a playing first focus. Either way the oracle expects interest to materialize if his body and timing align. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Ben Simmons signing with an NBA roster by midseason this year: 45%.
Luka Doncic Out Vs Suns Could Play Christmas Vs Rockets
Merlin sees Luka Dončić ruled out for Tuesday’s game vs the Phoenix Suns with a left calf contusion, though ESPN’s Dave McMenamin says there is still “a very real possibility” he will play Thursday on Christmas against the Houston Rockets. The Lakers plan “some sort of wrap or perhaps padding” to protect his leg. Dončić leads the NBA at 35.2 points per game and his absence deepens a roster already missing Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura. Saturday he left the Clippers game after being “visibly limping” and finished with 12 points in 20 minutes after starting 0 for 16. Merlin notes this echoes a similar October contusion that cost him time. If he returns on Christmas expect limited minutes and cautionary protection while the Lakers try to get healthier around him. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Luka Dončić suits up on Christmas vs the Rockets: 65%.
Dec 23
Draymond Green Walks Out on Steve Kerr No Discipline
Merlin sees a spark between Draymond Green and coach Steve Kerr that boiled over during a third quarter timeout, sending Green to the locker room. He did not play the final 20 minutes of Golden State’s 120 to 97 win over Orlando. ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported Green spoke with GM Mike Dunleavy Jr and "I don't expect there to be any further discipline." Kerr said Green "had it out a little bit" and "made his decision to go back to the locker room to cool off." Green called it about basketball, saying "Tempers spilled over" and he wants to "move forward." Merlin notes Green, now in his 14th season, remains a key voice as the Warriors sit at 15 wins and 15 losses. Kerr said the team "need Draymond" on the court. This felt like a familiar flare of intensity rather than a full rupture. If managed calmly it will likely pass, but repeated flashes could strain a team already searching for consistency. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Draymond being suspended this season: 10%.
Dec 23
Jerami Grant Trade Watch: Lakers Bucks Cavaliers
Merlin sees Portland wing Jerami Grant drawing steady trade interest as the Feb 5 deadline nears. Jake Fischer reports "external curiosity persists about Portland's willingness to part with" Grant. After a bounce back year he is averaging 20.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists while hitting 38.9 percent from three. The Lakers, Bucks and Cavaliers are all mentioned as likely landing spots. Merlin notes Portland is 12 17 and still in rebuild mode, so moving a veteran for future assets fits the club story. Grant is a two way minded wing who helps on both ends of the floor and would boost a title chase or shore up injured contenders. If he keeps producing and stays healthy, the heat around him will grow as teams sharpen offers. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Jerami Grant being traded by Feb 5: 60%.
Dec 23
Clippers Won't Trade James Harden or Kawhi Leonard
Merlin sees Los Angeles faltering. The Clippers began 7 wins and 21 losses, yet sources tell Jake Fischer the team is not planning to make James Harden or Kawhi Leonard available right now. Harden is producing 25.8 points 8.2 assists and 5.2 rebounds after signing a two year 81.5 million deal; Leonard is at 25.2 points but has missed 10 games and is signed through 2027. Still, one executive expects Harden "to wind up in trade play at some point this winter" and talk of accelerating cap plans persists. Merlin knows roster stories are written in both box scores and balance sheets. A scout calls Harden "maybe a neutral value" and Leonard "negative value." Age and injury history complicate any market. The Clippers can cling to veterans and hope chemistry heals or turn toward youth and cap flexibility. The calm now feels fragile. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Clippers trade either Harden or Leonard this season: 30%.
Dec 23
Guard Carousel Brewing: Morant Young Ball Garland Harden
Multiple star point guards are drawing serious trade chatter as the deadline approaches. Jake Fischer reports Ja Morant, Trae Young, LaMelo Ball, Darius Garland and James Harden "all are being monitored in various front offices." Morant has been the flashpoint after a suspension and saying he "did not have joy playing basketball," while Cleveland’s heavy payroll makes Garland a candidate to move. Merlin senses a slow burn, not a whirlwind. Ball brings upside but carries injury risk, Young looks unlikely to be shopped according to Michael Scotto, Harden may stay put in Los Angeles, and Morant’s form and recent calf time lower his market value. Expect targeted calls rather than blockbuster panic. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of at least one of these five point guards being traded by the deadline: 45%.
Dec 23
Ben Simmons Targets Midseason NBA Comeback
Ben Simmons remains unsigned but intends to keep playing. He told Marc J. Spears that "the original time we were just approaching a lot of my rehab wrong," citing mobility and a nerve running from his back into his leg. He hopes to return "maybe halfway through this year, if not next season." Simmons says he can play now but wants to thrive, not merely occupy a roster spot. Merlin sees a talented veteran at a fork in the road. At 29 years old Simmons still carries All Star and All Defensive cachet and could help teams needing size and playmaking. The real test is whether a new rehab approach turns availability into impact. If he nails that, the league will take notice; if not, questions will remain. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Ben Simmons signing with an NBA team this season: 45%.
Dec 23
Celtics Could Flip Anfernee Simons At Deadline
The Celtics are weighing what to do with guard Anfernee Simons ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline, with Jake Fischer reporting Boston "could very well elect to keep Simons." His $27.7 million expiring salary gives flexibility, and the team would ideally flip him for a rotational upgrade that also lowers the luxury tax. Simons has not raised his stock, averaging 13 points and shooting 36.9 percent from three. Merlin sees a club caught between prudence and ambition. Boston trimmed payroll and tax exposure and sits third in the East, so Brad Stevens will not accept a weak offer just to clear salary. If a true frontcourt upgrade shows up at fair cost, the move will come. Otherwise Simons remains useful now and as cap relief later. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Celtics trading Simons before Feb 5: 30%.
Dec 23
Jonathan Kuminga On The Trade Block For Warriors
Merlin sees Jonathan Kuminga at the center of new trade talk after a recent benching by Steve Kerr. NBA insider Jake Fischer quoted execs saying "I polled various executives on the subject and none of them indicated that Kuminga's play over the next few weeks would change their current evaluation of him as an NBA player." Golden State gave him a two year $48.5 million deal with a club option, yet Marc Stein says the team is "increasingly expected" to move him once he is trade eligible on Jan. 15. The Bulls, Pelicans and Kings have shown interest while Kuminga has struggled this month, averaging 5.8 points on 24.3 percent shooting. Merlin predicts a market driven by potential more than recent box score. The Warriors are willing to trade if the price fits and they covet wings like Trey Murphy III. For teams like New Orleans, Kuminga is a high upside gamble. He must deliver soon to avoid being dealt for minimal return. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Kuminga being traded by Feb 1: 60%.
Dec 23
Brooklyn Nets Could Trade Michael Porter Jr Before Deadline
Merlin sees the Nets quietly signaling a roster reset. Sources say Brooklyn is "willing to listen to pitches on the bulk of their veteran players" and could put Michael Porter Jr. on the block to convert cap space into draft capital. Porter is averaging a career high 25.6 points per game while shooting 49.3 percent from the floor and 40 percent from three, but he carries about a 38.3 million cap hit with one season and 40.8 million left on his deal. Trading him would speed a rebuild but is complicated because few teams can match that salary without complex deals. Merlin remembers Porter as a title contributor in Denver and knows the Nets already took a first round pick to get him. Owner Joe Tsai has said, "We have one pick in 2026, and we hope to get a good pick." Brooklyn may try to act as a facilitator in multi team swaps to turn salary into future assets, but finding willing partners will be the true test. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Michael Porter Jr. being traded before the Feb 5 deadline: 45%.
Dec 23
Stephen Curry's Christmas Curse vs Mavericks
Stephen Curry says he "doesn’t have a favorite" Christmas Day memory and admits he has "traditionally not played great on Christmas Day." He shot 29.3 percent through his first eight Christmas contests, though he did pour in 38 points and six assists in last year’s close loss to the Lakers. Curry still calls the game "a blessing" because being one of the 10 teams that play shows marketability, and Golden State now faces a struggling Mavericks team that gives the Warriors a clear chance to climb above .500. Merlin sees ritual more than curse. Tough holiday matchups and playoff level opponents have often cooled Curry on Dec 25, but matchups shift fortunes. Against an 11 and 19 Dallas club with a minus 3.5 net rating, the stars favor Golden State finding rhythm rather than repeating old woes. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Warriors beat the Mavericks on Christmas Day: 75%.
Dec 23
Draymond Green, Steve Kerr Clash As Warriors Win
Merlin sees a hiccup on Golden State's bench. Draymond Green did not play the final 20 minutes after a tense third quarter exchange with Steve Kerr. Kerr said they "had it out a little bit" and that Green "made his decision to go back to the locker room to cool off." Kerr added "He wasn't going back in. No" but stressed the team still won and that the Warriors "need Draymond." Merlin notes the pair have been together 12 seasons, so rough patches are part of long partnerships. Green said "Tempers spilled over" and that they will "move forward." Stephen Curry was annoyed the blowup got more attention than the 120 97 win. A couple days off before Dallas should let tempers cool, but repeat scenes would test Golden State more than a single exit. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of another on court argument that leads to Green leaving a game this season: 25%.
Dec 23
Stephen Curry Rocks Li Ning JB 3 in Warriors Win
Stephen Curry turned his sneaker free agency into a visible headline by wearing the Li Ning JB 3 "Snake Spirit" in Monday night s 120 97 win over the Orlando Magic. Curry scored a game high 26 points as the Warriors improved to 15 15. He parted ways with Under Armour on Nov. 13 and can wear other brands while his Curry Brand moves forward and his signature shoes still release through Under Armour in 2026. Merlin sees a star sampling new cloaks before choosing a long term one. Wearing Jimmy Butler s Li Ning model is a quiet signal that Curry is open to exploring deals and styles on the court without rushing a decision. Teams and brands will watch how these choices fit his play and public image. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Curry signs with Li Ning this year: 20%.
Dec 23
NBA Considers Anti Tanking Rules After Hawks Mavericks
Merlin sees the NBA exploring rule changes to deter tanking, reports Shams Charania. Governors discussed tweaks to draft pick protections, the lottery and other measures aimed at teams that "deliberately manipulate their rosters down the stretch of a season in order to land a higher pick or a protection range." If adopted, the ideas would change late season lineup choices and trade calculus and try to keep regular season games meaningful. Merlin recalls tanking grew after the 2019 lottery change, when the three worst teams now share 14 percent odds at No. 1 and outsiders like Atlanta and Dallas still landed top picks. The league must help true rebuilds while removing clear incentives to lose, so expect targeted rules that protect genuine reconstruction but penalize obvious roster manipulation. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the NBA adopts at least one anti tanking rule before the 2026 draft: 65%.
Dec 23
Derik Queen Pelicans Rally to Stun Cooper Flagg Mavericks
Merlin sees Dallas collapse late, falling 119 113 in New Orleans after surrendering a fourth quarter lead. Cooper Flagg and Derik Queen, both Montverde class of 2024, squared off with Flagg finishing 16 points, six rebounds and six assists while Queen posted 19, 11 and six. Zion Williamson added 24 and nine and Klay Thompson scored 20. Dallas led 63 57 at the half but could not close, slipping to 11 19 as the Pelicans improved to 8 22. Merlin notes the game highlights rookie promise and veteran inconsistency. Flagg looks calm for a top pick but Dallas needs better late game defense and energy, especially on a back to back. New Orleans may be ugly to watch but their grit could lift them out of the muck if Queen and Williamson keep producing. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: ("Odds of Dallas beating Denver on Tuesday night: 20%.")
Dec 23
Snoop Dogg Joins Peacock for Clippers Warriors Showdown
Merlin sees Snoop Dogg stepping into the broadcast booth for Peacock as a game analyst on the Los Angeles Clippers vs Golden State Warriors on Jan. 5. He will watch the first half then join the second half alongside Terry Gannon and Reggie Miller, after taking part in pregame meetings. Snoop is no stranger to TV sports, saying "I am excited to be back with my main man Mike Tirico for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina." The timing is vivid: the Clippers sit 7 21 amid injuries and the Chris Paul episode, while Golden State is 14 15. Merlin senses this is more about tone than tactics. Snoop will likely bring personality, calm the noise around the Clippers, and lift viewer energy more than deeply analyze schemes. Expect a ratings bump and a different kind of halftime narrative that could soften the heat on a troubled LA club. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Snoop steals the show and becomes the top story of the broadcast: 65%.
Dec 22
LeBron James, Lakers Head To 20th Christmas Game
Merlin sees LeBron James treating record breaking as routine as he slides through a historic 23rd season. Teammates joke, "Welp, it's gonna be another LeBron record tonight," even as he already became the first player to appear in 23 NBA seasons and saw a 1,297 game streak of double digit scores end on Dec 4. He is set to become the first to play in 20 Christmas Day games, though he admitted he would "rather be at home with his family." Merlin notes the levity masks a deeper balance between legacy and rest. Longevity brings milestones and new limits, and the Lakers may manage his minutes more than in past years. Family and load management look likely to influence whether LeBron chases another holiday mark or sits to stay fresh. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: ("Odds LeBron rests on Christmas Day: 60%.")
Dec 22
Knicks Might Move Guerschon Yabusele Before Trade Deadline
The Knicks might shop veteran center Guerschon Yabusele before the Feb 5 trade deadline. The French big was one of New York's only free agent additions last summer and has underperformed, slipping to 3 points in 9.6 minutes and 39.4 percent shooting. As The Athletic's James L. Edwards III reported, "Multiple league executives believe the Knicks would have to attach something to Yabusele" and the team "can't afford to get nothing out of that salary slot." Merlin senses trade winds and a roster math problem. With payroll near $210.1 million and only $148,358 from the second apron, New York cannot waste that contract slot. Yabusele signed a two year, $11.3 million deal and his Olympic and 76ers form helps his market, but he is most likely trade filler unless the Knicks add a sweetener for a rotation player. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of New York moving Yabusele before the trade deadline: 65%.
Dec 22
Jaylen Brown Celtics Star Streams to Control Narrative
Merlin sees Jaylen Brown taking his story into his own hands. On the White Noise Podcast Brown said "The media is... is very lazy" and argued "controversy is what sells," explaining he started live streaming to be candid because headlines and quick hits often miss the full story. Brown is averaging 29.3 points and Boston sits at 17 11, so how he is seen matters for the team as the season unfolds. Merlin notes streaming gives Brown a direct channel to fans and a way to push back on sloppy narratives, but the market for clicks will not vanish overnight. If Brown keeps delivering on the court, his words will carry more weight. Monday’s game vs Indiana is a simple chance to let performance quiet the noise. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds that Brown’s streaming will improve his public image this season: 65%.
Dec 22
Kenny Atkinson On Hot Seat With Cavaliers
Merlin sees Cleveland's coaching seat warming. ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported the Cavs' head man Kenny Atkinson "is starting to get a little warm," though Windhorst added the club prefers to "work through this, get healthy, and find ways to improve" and that "I don't think radical change or roster change is coming." Cleveland sits 15 14 after losing eight of 11, with poor three point shooting and key absences. Sam Merrill is set to return and Evan Mobley and Max Strus should follow, so the lineup could soon look very different. Merlin notes the other truth. The Cavs carry the league's largest payroll at about 231.1 million and sit well into the luxury tax, leaving little trade flexibility before the February deadline. That makes a midseason coaching move the simplest lever, yet firing less than a year after a 64 win season would smell of panic. Patience is the club's current spell, but results will decide the fate. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Atkinson being fired before the Feb 5 trade deadline: 25%.
Dec 22
Harden Declares LeBron James Uncatchable After Clippers Upset
After guiding the Clippers to a 103 88 upset of the Lakers, James Harden heaped praise on LeBron James, saying "nobody is ever catching" the 40 year old for the No. 1 spot. Harden moved into the top 10 by passing Carmelo Anthony and now has 28,359 career points. LeBron remains the all time leader with 42,406 points and is the only player over 40,000, with regular season and playoff scoring combined topping 50,000. The Clippers improved to 7 21 and will face the Rockets on Tuesday. Merlin sees respect as recognition of a near untouchable legacy. Kevin Durant is the only other active top 10 scorer, so the gap is vast. For Harden the chase adds lore, but team fortunes will define whether his scoring story becomes solo heroism or a footnote in a rocky season. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Harden ever passing LeBron for the all time scoring record in his career: 1%.
Dec 21
Chicago Bulls Shopping Coby White Before Deadline
The Bulls may be willing to trade Coby White after a 12 15 start to the season. Marc Stein reports the team "has left the impression with rival teams inquiring about White that they are more open to trading White than they've ever been." White is averaging a career high 21.2 points and 5.2 assists while on an expiring contract, but Chicago is just 5 6 in games since his return and the backcourt pairing with Josh Giddey raises defensive concerns. Merlin sees a clear crossroads. White’s scoring and cheap short term control make him attractive, but the Bulls must weigh potential returns against the price he could command in free agency. Expect calls for picks and young players as Chicago decides if it wants payroll flexibility or to keep chasing a fix now. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Chicago trading Coby White before Feb. 5: 45%.
Dec 21
Pressure Mounts on Kenny Atkinson as Cavaliers Struggle
Merlin sees growing heat around Kenny Atkinson after Cleveland’s 15 14 start. Marc Stein says he has heard "pressure is indeed mounting," though one source pushed back and owner Dan Gilbert had been the strongest voice backing Atkinson over James Borrego. The gap from last season’s 25 4 start and Coach of the Year finish is stark. Injuries to Darius Garland, who has played 13 games, and Jarrett Allen, who has missed 11, have left the Cavs without a settled lineup. Merlin senses a fragile calm. If health returns and the team steadies, Atkinson’s seat cools. If struggles linger, whispers could become decisions, especially with Gilbert reportedly "unhappy about what's going on." Expect the story to widen before it resolves. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Kenny Atkinson being fired this season: 20%.
Dec 21
Lakers' LeBron Shrugs Off Chris Paul Clippers Drama
Merlin sees LeBron James sitting out the Clippers drama, telling reporters, "It's not for me to comment on, to be honest. It's none of my business." He also has not spoken with Chris Paul after the Clippers sent Paul home as they move toward formalizing his exit. Reports from The Athletic and ESPN say the issue was not a single moment but a fit problem, with Ramona Shelburne noting "the Clippers seemed to recoil" when Paul tried to enact the vision he pitched. Merlin notes that chemistry can unravel faster than any trade rumor. Paul’s leadership style reportedly clashed with players and staff, and LeBron, even as a close friend, has only an outsider view. Expect more quiet maneuvering from the Clippers and a swift realignment around whichever direction they choose next. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds LeBron will publicly comment on the Clippers Paul situation this season: 20%.
Dec 21
Kerr Defends Kuminga Amid Warriors Trade Deadline Drama
Steve Kerr pushed back on the trade chatter around Jonathan Kuminga, stressing the real life impact on a player and his family and likening the situation to Andrew Wiggins last season. Kerr said, "He's got two little girls at home, and he's been here five years," while noting his duty to balance honesty with empathy. Kuminga has been in and out of the rotation, averaging 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 18 games after signing a two year 48.5 million dollar extension. Merlin sees Golden State walking a careful line as the Feb 5 deadline nears. Kuminga is young and tradable but also under a recent contract and not yet consistent, so his name will surface if the Warriors chase short term help. Watch his minutes and how Kerr frames the talk, because that will reveal whether the team leans toward keeping and developing or trading for proven depth. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: (Odds of Kuminga being traded by the Feb 5 deadline: 30%.)
Dec 21