NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
Feb 1, 2026
Joel Embiid Snub Rocks All Star Picks
The league released its All-Star Game reserves and the list sparked loud debate. Joel Embiid, despite averaging 26.2 points and 7.5 rebounds and scoring 30 or more in six of his last seven games, was left off. Michael Porter Jr. (25.6 PPG) and Western names like Alperen Şengün, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden also drew cries of snub. Those omissions shift narratives about the season and leave room for an injury replacement to reshape the rosters. Merlin sees a crowded West where worthy players go unrecognized and an East decision driven by games played as much as production. Fans will argue stats versus availability, and coaches will weigh optics and fit if a starter can not play. The late-season surge by Embiid keeps him in the conversation and makes any All-Star roster fluid. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Joel Embiid being named an injury replacement this All-Star break: 25%.
One Year After Luka Doncic Trade Are Lakers Closer?
One year after acquiring Luka Dončić, the Lakers are 29-19 and still searching for answers. After a 112-100 loss to the Knicks, LeBron said, "I can only speak to the group that we have here... Me speaking on anything other than that is not my pay grade." Los Angeles is 17-10 when LeBron and Dončić play together but is slightly outscored with them on the floor. The bigger issues are injuries, poor 3-point shooting and uneven defense, and the team’s shift to make Dončić the primary focal point has required adjustments. Merlin sees two generational talents learning to orbit the same constellation. Talent alone will not lift them over deeper, healthier Western foes. If the Lakers shore up spacing, defense and get Austin Reaves back healthy, they turn from promising to dangerous; without that, they remain a longshot. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Lakers winning the title this season: 18%.
Feb 1
Michael Jordan: Be You and Silence Madison Square Garden
Michael Jordan told young players how to handle Madison Square Garden: "Be you," he said, adding "You are you 365 days of the year." Merlin heard Jordan explain that MSG crowds try to pull opponents off their game, and that being an impactful player means shutting the noise out. He said he focused on playing so well the crowd either fell silent or began to cheer, a lesson forged in the Bulls Knick rivalry of the 1990s when Chicago dominated and won six titles. Merlin sees the lesson as timeless. MSG is a proving ground and a mirror. Young stars who learn to stay themselves will turn hostility into fuel, while those who bend will give the city power. The trick is confidence, practice, and a few clutch moments under bright lights. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds a young player silences Madison Square Garden and earns true respect this season: 30%.
Feb 1
Anthony Edwards Adidas All Star Ad Trolls Doncic Jokic
Anthony Edwards and adidas rolled out a playful but pointed ad after his All-Star nod that puts Edwards in a video game mocking characters that resemble Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić and Luka Dončić. The clips jab with lines like "weight room," "no swag," a player whose "favorite accessory was a whistle," and one suffering "late game fatigue." Edwards arrives at the taunt table with a loud resume: 29.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 40.9 percent from deep, and the Timberwolves sit 31-19 as West contenders. Merlin sees provocation as a kind of spell that either backfires or fuels greatness. Edwards has earned license to talk, but naming the giants guarantees added motivation. Expect extra heat when they share the court in the All-Star USA versus World setting and in future Timberwolves matchups. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds that one of the named stars responds with a standout on-court performance the next time they face Minnesota: 65%.
Feb 1
Giannis Trade Deadline Looms Over Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talk is heating up as Doc Rivers says he is waiting for the Feb. 5 deadline. Rivers noted, "Giannis has said everything that we need to hear, that he wants to be a Buck, he loves the city," and added, "My favorite day of the year this year will be the day after the trade deadline." Reporting says Giannis is "ready for a new home ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline" as the Bucks sit 18-28, have lost seven of eight, and Giannis is sidelined with a calf injury. Merlin sees Milwaukee at a crossroads. The club carries $22.5 million a year in dead cap after the Damian Lillard stretch and lacks clear trade assets, so the Bucks can ask for a big return now or wait and risk losing leverage this summer. Rivers wants calm, but the injury timeline and the standings make a move likely before long. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Giannis is traded before Feb. 5: 45%.
Feb 1
NBA All Star 2026: LeBron In, Embiid Snubbed
Starters were revealed Jan. 19 and the full All-Star rosters were announced Sunday ahead of NBC’s doubleheader, setting the stage for Feb. 15 at the Intuit Dome. The league debuts a USA vs World format with two U.S. teams and one international team in a round-robin of four 12-minute games, each squad carrying at least eight players. The top two advance and point differential is the tiebreaker. Selections sparked debate, with LeBron James’ pick for his 22nd All-Star game said to have "raised some eyebrows" and notable snubs including Joel Embiid, Kawhi Leonard, Derrick White, Michael Porter Jr., and others. Merlin sees fresh drama ahead. Short games and national lines should tighten competition and force players to care more than in past exhibitions. Dividing 24 stars into three squads will create tactical decisions, storyline fuel for snubbed players, and a real chance for international talent to steal the spotlight. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the revamped All-Star format being retained next season: 60%.
Feb 1
Dillon Brooks Says He Has Victor Wembanyama's Number
Dillon Brooks loudly claims he “has his number” on Victor Wembanyama, telling YouTuber N3on "Go check that up, and he knows it too." Brooks laid out his plan: "You never guard him with a big. You got to put a guard on him," crowd him, deny dribbles and keep him away from the rim. The words have weight. Wembanyama averages just 16.7 points against Brooks, and Brooks has won five of seven matchups. Brooks is also in form at 21.1 points per game while the Suns sit 30-19, so his confidence shapes a real on-court matchup story. Merlin sees the truth in the hustle. Brooks’ relentless, in-your-space approach can disrupt even generational talents, but Wembanyama adapts with spacing, touch and team counters. If Brooks avoids foul trouble and Phoenix builds the right cover, the blueprint can work. If not, the young star will carve out new answers. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Brooks holds Wembanyama under 20 points in their next meeting: 60%.
Feb 1
Mavericks Eye Trades for Davis and D'Angelo Russell
The trade deadline looms and the Mavericks are a focus. Marc Stein says Dallas "will continue to welcome any trade interest that surfaces for Davis," though the 32-year-old prefers to stay. The Mavs are not moving Naji Marshall or Max Christie, but remain open on Daniel Gafford, Klay Thompson and D'Angelo Russell. Milwaukee's brief interest in Russell faded after asking him to waive a $6 million option, and Dallas insists "'Rich Paul is not going to bully us.'" Merlin sees a club at a crossroads. Injuries, bench shuffles and a 19-30 record make big moves tempting, yet preserving assets around Cooper Flagg has value. Expect the Mavs to test the market but keep firm price and patience as their guiding charm. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Davis being traded before the deadline: 25%.
Feb 1
Dallas Mavericks Hunt GM Before June Draft for Cooper Flagg
The Mavericks are racing to name a new general manager after firing Nico Harrison earlier this season. League sources told Marc Stein the Mavs' "clear goal" is to "have their new lead decision-maker in the front office hired before the June draft." Dallas sits 19-30 and looks headed for the lottery again despite landing Cooper Flagg with the 2025 No. 1 pick, so a steadier front office is now urgent. Merlin sees a club eager to rebuild around youth but haunted by the chaos left behind. Owner Patrick Dumont wants someone with real NBA experience to clean up and set a long term plan. The search is only beginning, yet the clock before June nudges teams to act quickly. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Mavericks hire a new GM before the June draft: 65%.
Feb 1
Knicks Could Trade Karl Anthony Towns Before Giannis Deal
Merlin sees the Knicks circling options as the trade deadline nears. The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III reports Karl-Anthony Towns may not be untouchable, but New York lacks the young assets and draft capital to land a star like Giannis now. Edwards writes "the Knicks have played some of their best basketball as of late without Towns on the floor," and any Towns return would likely be salary-matching pieces and maybe small draft compensation. A blockbuster deal looks unlikely before Thursday. Merlin notes roster value has slipped — Towns and Mikal Bridges "aren't believed to have the same value today" — and moving Guerschon Yabusele remains stalled because "nothing has changed." Sitting second in the East, the Knicks can afford to wait for the offseason; expect tweaks, not fireworks, in the short term. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Karl-Anthony Towns being traded before the deadline: 20%.
Feb 1
Luka Doncic to Lakers Stuns Mavericks Nation
Merlin sees the blockbuster that still stuns the league: Dallas shipped Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Lakers in a three-team deal that landed Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first round pick for the Mavericks. GM Nico Harrison kept repeating, "I believe that defense wins championships," and sources cited conditioning concerns with Dončić. Luka is putting up 33.7 points in Los Angeles while Davis has battled injuries, and Dallas used a lucky No. 1 pick on Cooper Flagg but fired Harrison amid an 11th place mark. Merlin senses a clash of philosophies. The deal is a wager on defense and culture over a generational scorer. Dončić called leaving "really hard moments" and said he is excited to play for "the greatest club in the world." If Davis gets healthy and the Lakers hold together, the trade looks brilliant. If not, both teams face long seasons. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Lakers winning the title this season: 28%.
Feb 1
One Year Later Luka Doncic Trade Proves Brilliant
Merlin sees the trade that shook the league: in Feb. 2025 Dallas sent Luka Dončić to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and future picks, with Utah getting Jalen Hood-Schifino and two second-rounders. One year on, Dončić is leading the NBA at 33.7 points per game in Los Angeles, Davis has been a strong two-way force for Dallas when healthy but has battled injuries, and Christie has emerged as an elite corner shooter for the Mavericks. Merlin notes the long ripple effects: Dallas fired GM Nico Harrison, drafted Cooper Flagg, and still hunts stability. The Lakers clearly grabbed a superstar at age 26 and saw immediate offensive payoff. Dallas gained defense, shooting and youth, yet Davis’s availability makes the balance fragile. Expect more role changes and roster tinkering before the next deadline. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Lakers winning the title this season: 40%.
Feb 1
Luka Doncic Blockbuster Targets Shai Gilgeous Alexander Anthony Edwards
Merlin sees a new trade fever swirling around Luka Dončić. A year after a shocking deal changed the market, writers now sketch hypothetical swaps like "Luka for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander" or packages sending Anthony Edwards or Tyrese Maxey the other way. The piece runs several realistic offers, from pick-heavy bids to player-for-player swaps, and asks what it would take to pry Luka from Los Angeles. Merlin notes the obvious truth: the Lakers are unlikely sellers, but any serious bid would need young stars and deep draft capital. Teams mentioned — Oklahoma City, Minnesota, San Antonio, Philadelphia — each bring a different fit and risk. A Luka move would reshape title races and force roster reinventions. The question is not could teams make offers, but would the Lakers accept a price worthy of a superstar. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Lakers trading Luka this season: 8%.
Feb 1
Giannis or Davis? Bucks Mavericks Deadline Drama
The NBA trade deadline hits at 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 5, and salary rules are pushing more three‑ and four‑team deals that lean on cap‑friendly clubs like Brooklyn, Charlotte and Utah. The biggest dominoes are Milwaukee and Dallas — the Bucks have been "starting to listen" on Giannis and Anthony Davis has surfaced in rumors — while buyers such as New York and Golden State wait to see who moves. Sacramento started the week by acquiring De'Andre Hunter in a multi‑team swap. Merlin sees a marketplace built for clever engineering rather than pure blockbuster swaps. If a superstar flips, rosters shift dramatically; if not, expect depth pieces, draft assets and salary fillers to change hands. The Hunter deal is a reminder: the deadline often reshapes playoff depth more than it crowns a new king. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Giannis is traded by Feb. 5: 20%.
Feb 1
Fisher: Ja Morant Lakers Fit With Luka Doncic Doubtful
Former Laker Derek Fisher called being traded a "traumatic experience" and used that hard-won perspective while weighing the heavy talk around Ja Morant. Fisher said, "Sometimes change is needed or required and it might not be a bad thing," but he questioned Morant's long-term fit alongside Luka Dončić and raised the obvious presence of LeBron James. With the trade deadline Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, an answer is imminent. Merlin sees weight behind Fisher’s words after 18 years on the floor and time as NBPA president and coach. Los Angeles will always be linked to stars, yet fit and locker room balance matter more than headlines. If Morant stays past Thursday, the quiet may be temporary; the rumor winds often circle back in the summer. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Ja Morant is traded before Thursday’s deadline: 35%.
Feb 1
Mavericks Trade Luka Doncic To Lakers Rated Among 50 Worst
Bleacher Report revisits the Luka Dončić-to-Lakers trade as part of a project ranking the 50 worst NBA trades. The site built a new metric called LUKA, short for "Lost Utility" and "Known Aftermath," which pairs a five-year wins-over-replacement-player gap with accolade points for All-Star, All-NBA, MVP and Finals MVP honors. Sixty high-profile deals were scored, then blended with thousands of fan votes to produce a final list that will be revealed Monday. Merlin sees a calm algebra mixed with fan fury. The five-year window and added weight for major awards give the exercise both measurable bite and historical reach, so famous swaps from Kobe to Kareem sit alongside modern shocks like Shai and Luka. Expect the Luka-to-L.A. deal to draw heat when hard numbers meet public opinion. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: (“Odds of the Luka-to-L.A. trade ranking in the top five worst trades: 80%.”)
Feb 1
Suns' Dillon Brooks Slams LeBron James Overrated
Dillon Brooks called LeBron James the NBA’s most overrated player on a Twitch stream, saying "I would probably say LeBron right now" and "I feel like he overrated right now, his time is coming to an end." The barb rekindles a yearslong feud that flared in the 2023 playoffs and again during L.A.'s 116-114 win over Phoenix. At 41, LeBron is still averaging 21.9 points, 6.6 assists and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 50.2 percent, so the comment turns the upcoming Feb. 26 meeting into more than a regular season game. Merlin sees a classic provocateur move. Brooks feeds headlines and seeks to unsettle a veteran, while LeBron supplies steady production that contradicts the label. The matchup will be a chess game of matchups and emotions. If LeBron answers on the court, the taunt fades. If Brooks gets under his skin, sparks will fly. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds LeBron outplays Dillon Brooks on Feb. 26: 75%.
Feb 1
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Cavs Upgrade: Schroder Ellis for DeAndre Hunter
Late Saturday, Shams Charania reported the three-team deal: "The Cleveland Cavaliers are trading De'Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings for Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis," with the Chicago Bulls getting Dario Saric and two future second-round picks. Cleveland walks away with clearer backcourt depth and about $50 million in salary and tax relief, an immediate upgrade. Chicago quietly turned a roster move into future assets. Sacramento took a risky, win-now swing by adding Hunter to a veteran group that many think should be collecting youth and picks. Merlin sees a tidy victor in Cleveland. Ellis brings defense and shooting, Schroder brings veteran juice, and the cap savings matter as much as minutes. Hunter’s contract and fit make him a fragile chess piece for Sacramento; he must adapt to keep value. The Bulls played the long game and gained cheap odds on the future. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Cleveland reaching the Eastern Conference finals this season: 40%.
Feb 1
Jason Kidd Stands By Cooper Flagg As Mavericks Point Guard
Merlin sees Dallas coach Jason Kidd shrugging off outside noise after leaning on rookie Cooper Flagg at point guard. Kidd told reporters, "Criticism? That's your opinion. You guys write that bulls--t," and added, "I know what the f--k I'm doing." His defense comes after Flagg scored an NBA record 49 points as a teenager, then followed with 34 points and 12 rebounds, showing clear improvement in ball handling even as the Mavericks dropped a fourth straight game. Merlin notes Kidd speaks like a teacher who has graded many young stars. Flagg’s back-to-back bursts suggest real upside as a lead guard, but team defense and rotations will decide whether those flashes turn into consistent wins. Trust from a veteran coach can speed maturity, yet results must follow for the peace to last. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Cooper Flagg remains Dallas’ primary point guard through season end: 65%.
Feb 1
DeAndre Hunter To Kings, Lakers Scramble Before Trade Deadline
Merlin sees the Lakers forced to pivot after De'Andre Hunter landed in Sacramento. The Kings got Hunter in a three-team swap that sent Dennis Schröder and Keon Ellis to Cleveland and Dario Šarić plus two second-rounders to Chicago. Los Angeles had "discussed a general framework" with Cleveland for Hunter, so his departure leaves the Lakers short on wing depth with five days until the deadline. Merlin notes Los Angeles is circling several fits: versatile two-way wings like Josh Marshall and Donte DiVincenzo, and the more coveted Herbert Jones or Trey Murphy III. Marshall even said he missed Luka "dearly," showing familiarity with winning roles. The Pelicans are reportedly resistant to deals, so the Lakers’ path likely runs through cheaper, tradeable wings rather than a blockbuster swap. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Lakers land a meaningful wing before Feb. 5: 45%.
Feb 1
Cavs Flip De'Andre Hunter to Kings, Land Dennis Schroder
Merlin sees Cleveland sending wing De'Andre Hunter to Sacramento for Dennis Schröder and Keon Ellis, while Chicago picks up Dario Saric and two future second-round picks. The move frees about $50 million in salary and tax space for the Cavaliers and gives the Kings a versatile scorer next to Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine as Sacramento tries to reverse a 12-38 slide. Merlin remembers Hunter as a 2019 No. 4 pick whose injuries stalled progress, yet he still averages about 14 points this season and shot 42.6 percent from three to close 2024-25 before cooling to 30.8 percent this year. The Kings hope a change of scenery and veteran leaders restore his stroke. Cleveland’s haul of cap relief points to a roster reset, while the Bulls add depth and future assets. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Hunter boosts his three-point percentage to 36% with Sacramento this season: 45%.
Feb 1
Giannis Trade a Coin Flip for Milwaukee Bucks
The trade deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m. ET and the league is watching whether the Bucks will move Giannis Antetokounmpo after 12 seasons. Insiders are split: Zach Lowe calls it a "coin flip" while Shams Charania says Giannis is "ready and prepared" for a trade and that Milwaukee is fielding "aggressive trade offers." The Bucks want a blue chip young player and/or a haul of picks even as Giannis rehabs a calf injury, after averaging 28.0 points on 64.5 percent shooting. Merlin senses a patient market now that may flip fast once teams feel pressure. Clubs with extra firsts or clever pick-churning moves hold leverage, and rumors can force deals sooner than planners expect. The deadline could pass quietly or become the pivot that reshapes the next decade. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Giannis is traded before Thursday’s deadline: 45%.
Jan 31
Giannis Antetokounmpo Wants Out Bucks Trade Deadline Chaos
Merlin sees the trade season sliding into complete chaos: Giannis Antetokounmpo "has informed the Bucks for months that he believes the moment has come to part ways," and Milwaukee is reportedly "more open than ever" to moving him. With Feb. 5 approaching, a long list of stars from Ja Morant to Anthony Davis and Domantas Sabonis could change addresses, forcing rapid, complicated moves leaguewide. Merlin senses teams are already circling—New York, Miami, San Antonio and others will test Milwaukee’s resolve while the Bucks try to reclaim first-round assets or chase elite prospects if Giannis departs. Expect multi-team creativity, cautious sellers protecting futures, and buyers balancing upside with financial realities as the deadline narrative shifts hour by hour. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Giannis is traded before Feb. 5: 55%.
Jan 31
Ja Morant's Cryptic Tweet Fuels Memphis Trade Speculation
Ja Morant stirred deadline drama with a cryptic X post saying "Time tells the truth" as the Grizzlies reportedly weigh offers, per Shams Charania. Months of tension with coaches, recent on-court struggles, and a UCL sprain have drained his trade value, leaving little interest as the deadline nears. The coming week should decide his fate. Merlin senses a tense crossroads. An injured star with public friction is a risky purchase for contenders, so Memphis may choose to wait for Morant to heal or accept a modest return. If he stays, expect a subdued finish while teams quietly gauge his status. If he moves, it will likely be for role players or draft assets rather than a blockbuster. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Morant being traded before the deadline: 20%.
Jan 31
Warriors Could Trade Draymond Green to Land Giannis
Merlin sees Golden State as one of the most serious suitors for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but any deal could require moving a beloved veteran. Insiders say a trade "is unlikely to involve Jimmy Butler's contract" after his ACL, which opens the door for Draymond Green to be the salary piece. That choice would force the Warriors to decide if breaking up core chemistry is worth adding a two-time MVP. Portland has also "expressed" interest, though getting Giannis to sign an extension there would be "an extreme longshot." Merlin notes the league could reshape around a multi-team chess match. Portland might act as a facilitator to "snag an impact veteran" while New York could use Jrue Holiday to sweeten offers. Talent fits, salary math, and Giannis's willingness to stay are the real spells to cast before any move materializes. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Warriors include Draymond in a Giannis trade this offseason: 20%.
Jan 31