NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
Jan 28, 2026
LeBron James Eyes Cavaliers Return Amid Free Agency
Merlin saw LeBron James visibly moved by a Cleveland Cavaliers tribute before Wednesday's game, and ESPN reports the Cavs would "gladly welcome" him back if he leaves the Lakers in 2026 free agency. LeBron spent 11 of his 23 seasons in Cleveland, tops many franchise leaderboards, won the 2016 title there, and has picked up a $52.6 million option for 2025-26. Merlin notes the pull of history versus practical choices. Los Angeles could pivot toward building around Luka Dončić, and reports that Lakers governor Jeanie Buss has privately grumbled about James add friction. Cleveland sits at 28-20 and remains competitive, but needs roster upgrades to become a title team. LeBron sounded unfazed by the rumors when speaking to reporters. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of LeBron returning to Cleveland in 2026: 22%.
Lakers' Redick Calls Rocket Arena Dangerous After Doncic Fall
Lakers coach JJ Redick warned that Cleveland’s raised court at Rocket Arena is “absolutely a safety hazard” after Luka Dončić fell off the edge and briefly left Wednesday’s 129-99 loss. The court sits about 10 inches above the floor because an ice rink lives beneath it. Dončić returned and still scored 29 points, but the incident echoes past dangers, including the season-ending knee injury to Dru Smith in 2023 that had Miami’s Erik Spoelstra calling the setup “a hazard.” Merlin sees a repeating pattern: when the floor bites, coaches speak up and players pay the price until something breaks. The league has been slow to intervene, so change will likely need more than near misses. Expect louder complaints and targeted fixes only if a star is seriously hurt. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the NBA mandates a change at Rocket Arena this season: 25%.
Jan 28
Lakers Dangle Rui Hachimura Gabe Vincent Maxi Kleber at Deadline
The Lakers are shopping for "3-and-D wing help" ahead of February’s trade deadline and have "dangled the expiring contracts of Rui Hachimura ($18.26 million), Gabe Vincent ($11.5 million), and Maxi Kleber ($11 million) on the trade market." Hachimura is the most valuable piece, averaging 12.6 points and 43.9 percent from three, while Vincent has struggled at 5.6 points and 1.4 assists and Kleber is a deep rotation option. Los Angeles appears willing to move salary to add shooting and perimeter defense around its stars. Merlin sees a front office choosing small, surgical fixes over a blockbuster. With limited assets, the Lakers will chase a reliable role wing who fits next to LeBron and Anthony Davis rather than trading for a new superstar. If Hachimura is traded, expect a clear signal that defense and spacing are the priority. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Lakers landing a useful 3-and-D wing by the February trade deadline: 40%.
Jan 28
Bucks Weigh Trading Kuzma Portis Amid Giannis Antetokounmpo Uncertainty
Merlin sees the Bucks have "gauged the trade value" of Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis as Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee hangs in the balance. Sources say Giannis "is ready for a new home" and rival teams have made aggressive offers, so Milwaukee has been cautious while exploring upgrades around the edges. Merlin notes the math and the mood. The Bucks are 18-27, 15-15 when Giannis plays and 3-12 without him. Kuzma’s $22.4 million cap hit and Portis’s efficient scoring make them useful trade pieces if Milwaukee keeps Giannis and chases help. If Giannis leaves, those two could fuel a broader reset. Merlin expects moves to be shaped by injury news and rival offers. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis being traded this season: 40%.
Jan 28
Crowder: Bucks Collapse Began When They Fired Adrian Griffin
Free agent Jae Crowder says the Bucks' "downfall began" when Milwaukee fired first-year coach Adrian Griffin after a 30-13 start in 2023-24. Griffin was replaced by Doc Rivers despite a roster upgrade that included Damian Lillard. Two seasons later the Bucks sit 18-27, Giannis Antetokounmpo is rehabbing and appears likely to be moved before the Feb. 5 deadline, and the franchise faces the real risk of a prolonged rebuild. Merlin notes The Athletic reporting that "players began to question Griffin's schemes" and that leadership felt Griffin's fit was unsustainable. The visible relief after his firing now reads like foreshadowing. With chemistry frayed, repeated early playoff exits, and uncertainty around Giannis, Milwaukee’s slide feels structural not accidental. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis being traded by Feb. 5: 65%.
Jan 28
Raptors Eye Domantas Sabonis As Kings Demand First Round Pick
Merlin sees Sacramento demanding a first-round pick for Domantas Sabonis, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The Kings told at least one team that "they'd like a first-round pick in return." Toronto appears likeliest, with Washington, Phoenix and Chicago also linked. Sabonis, 30, is owed $94.08 million over the next two seasons and is averaging 15.5 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists since returning from a partially torn meniscus. Merlin senses the ask and long contract make a deal tricky. The Kings have rejected offers that included Jakob Poeltl for back concerns and Immanuel Quickley for contract reasons. Talks have mentioned RJ Barrett and Ochai Agbaji as possible pieces for Toronto. With the Feb. 5 deadline looming, "Sabonis is still worth monitoring in the weeks ahead." Sacramento must choose between firming a rebuild with picks or keeping a proven All-Star and hoping chemistry heals. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Sabonis is traded by Feb. 5: 60%.
Jan 28
Warriors Offer Butler Kuminga Picks For Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Warriors are reportedly ready to mortgage their future to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo, offering Jimmy Butler, Jonathan Kuminga and "a cache of draft picks," per Chris Mannix. ESPN’s Shams Charania adds Giannis "is ready for a new home ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline," and the Bucks may be more open than ever to offers. Butler’s recovery from a torn ACL and age, Kuminga’s still-developing ceiling, and Golden State’s likely mid-to-late first round picks all complicate the Warriors’ ability to assemble a winning bid. Merlin senses a risky, cinematic pursuit. Giannis holds real leverage if he narrows his preferred destinations, and a Bucks decision to rebuild would change the math overnight. Golden State’s charm and assets may not overcome richer, cleaner offers if a bidding war erupts. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis landing in Golden State by the deadline: 18%.
Jan 28
Giannis Trade Looming Knicks Heat Eye Three Team Deal
Merlin sees the league moving toward more multi-team deals as salary cap limits tighten ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline. Insider Jake Fischer reports "lots of front offices" expect "three- or four-team deals," with the Nets, Hornets and Jazz saying they will "help grease trades in exchange for draft capital." Many clubs are hard-capped at the first apron, and high-profile names like Giannis Antetokounmpo are suddenly in play as the Bucks "are starting to listen." Merlin notes that when doors close on straight one-for-one trades, clever teams build hallways through third parties. Teams with little cap room or few picks, like the Knicks and Heat, could use brokers to reroute salary and draft assets to land a star. Expect a flurry of creative swaps rather than simple trades. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis being traded before Feb. 5: 30%.
Jan 28
Warriors Seek Andrew Wiggins Return As Heat Eyes Giannis Antetokounmpo
Merlin sees Golden State has held talks with Miami about sending Jonathan Kuminga for former Warrior Andrew Wiggins. Jake Fischer says the teams "have indeed engaged in discussions." But Shams Charania reported Giannis is "ready for a new home ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline," and Miami could prefer to use Wiggins' $28.2 million to help land a superstar like Antetokounmpo. Milwaukee has long eyed Wiggins as a complementary piece. With the Feb. 5 deadline looming, Golden State’s window to find Kuminga a trade narrows. Merlin senses Miami chasing a bigger star would make a Wiggins reunion unlikely, forcing the Warriors to pivot to other options. Expect late deadline maneuvering as teams package salaries and chase headline talent. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Wiggins returning to Golden State before Feb. 5: 20%.
Jan 28
Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Deadline Drama Bucks Knicks Heat
Merlin sees a real shift in the winds: Giannis Antetokounmpo "is ready for a new home at the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline or in the offseason," and ESPN reports "The franchise is starting to listen." The Knicks and Heat are among teams making aggressive offers as Milwaukee sits 18-27 and Giannis rehabs a right calf injury while coach Doc Rivers says there is "really no timetable" for his return. The oracle notes rising friction. Giannis complained about "selfish" play after a blowout and sources called that moment "the writing is on the wall." Milwaukee could wait for a haul that includes a blue-chip young talent or many picks, and salary limits make Knicks and Heat trades tricky. Expect loud talks now and quieter maneuvering in the spring. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis being traded by Feb. 5: 35%.
Jan 28
Giannis Antetokounmpo Ready to Leave Bucks Knicks and Heat Emerge
Merlin sees the great shift. Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is reportedly "ready for a new home," with rival teams already making aggressive offers and the trade deadline looming on Feb. 5. New York and Miami are top suitors in the chatter, but talks with the Knicks stalled and pick restrictions complicate any swap. Giannis is also sidelined with a calf strain and "expects to be out at least four to six weeks," which clouds immediate plans. Merlin notes the chessboard: Miami has usable firsts and looks like the "likeliest" landing spot, while New York’s limited tradable picks are a hurdle. The Bucks could wait for summer cap openings to widen the market. Expect noise, posturing, and a possible slow-motion breakup that may finish after the deadline. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis being traded before Feb. 5: 25%.
Jan 28
Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors Rock Bucks, Fans Blame Durant LeBron
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Giannis Antetokounmpo is "open to a trade" and the Bucks are starting to listen to offers, sparking online debate. A fan blamed LeBron James and Kevin Durant for a trend of superstars leaving, and a Houston Rockets star called that "fake outrage." The comparison stumbles because neither LeBron nor Durant asked out of their original teams, and Giannis has spent 13 seasons in Milwaukee, delivering nine All-Star nods, two MVPs and the 2020-21 title. Merlin sees a champion balancing loyalty and ambition. After more than a decade and a ring, Giannis looking around is less drama and more market math. Expect calls, probing offers and a summer that could reshape the East. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis requesting a trade this season: 40%.
Jan 28
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Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Sweepstakes Sends Bucks Scrambling
Giannis Antetokounmpo remains in a semi-active trade situation with the Bucks, and whispers that began in December have turned into full blown proposals. With Milwaukee under .500 and league teams lining up, several blockbuster packages have been sketched for clubs like the Lakers, Knicks, Spurs, Blazers, Heat and Warriors, each offering mixes of stars, young talent and heavy draft capital that could reshape contenders and rebuilders alike. Merlin sees the board as clear glass and shifting pieces. Pairing Giannis with Luka, LeBron, or Wembanyama would bend the league’s geometry; Milwaukee could turn a superstar exit into years of flexibility. Few trades are simple, but the deadline or the summer may force a choice that changes playoff maps. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis being traded before the deadline: 30%.
Jan 28
Lakers Eye Donte DiVincenzo, De'Andre Hunter Before Deadline
The Lakers are circling several 3-and-D wings with the Feb. 5 deadline looming. Reported names include De'Andre Hunter, Donte DiVincenzo, Naji Marshall and Keon Ellis, while interest in Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones is tempered by steep asking prices. Los Angeles sits 28-17 and atop the Pacific, but trails higher in the West standings, so front office work is expected to shore up spacing and perimeter defense. The article notes Rui Hachimura "is a name that comes up often as a tradeable player" thanks to his expiring $18 million deal, though his recent scoring surge has made him more valuable to the team. Merlin sees a pragmatic Lakers move, not a blockbuster. They want a reliable wing who can guard and space the floor, and using an expiring contract as bait makes sense. If prices stay high for Murphy or Jones, expect a cheaper, immediately useful target rather than a splashy gamble. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Lakers acquire a 3-and-D wing by the Feb. 5 deadline: 60%.
Jan 28
LeBron James May Leave Lakers For Cavaliers
Merlin sees the Cavaliers ready to roll out a red carpet if LeBron James opts to leave the Lakers in free agency. Sources say Cleveland would "gladly welcome" their prodigal son back, and the timing has drama around L.A. owner Jeanie Buss, who reportedly "grumbled" about an "outsized ego" and once floated trading him. LeBron pushed back publicly, saying, "Don't make something out of it that it's not. It's always been mutual, it's always been respect, it's always been a great partnership." Merlin notes the fit is tempting. Adding LeBron to Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen would vault Cleveland into immediate title contention and offer an easier path than the Western gauntlet. Age, legacy and LeBron’s own retirement thinking will steer the final choice, but the door in Cleveland stands wide. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of LeBron returning to the Cavaliers next offseason: 30%.
Jan 28
Giannis Trade Deadline Drama Bucks Heat
Merlin sees trade winds circling Giannis Antetokounmpo as the Feb. 5 deadline nears. Some league reps think a deal is possible, though one is "convinced" the Bucks will wait until the offseason. Multiple executives name the Miami Heat as the likeliest landing spot while the Rockets are "not in play." Giannis has played 30 games and remains elite, but a calf strain that could sideline him "four to six weeks" complicates any immediate move. Merlin senses Milwaukee holds the leverage. The Bucks sit 18-27 and face no pressure to accept less than full value, and as Brian Windhorst noted teams "all believe" a move could come. Waiting until Giannis is healthy should boost return, yet a bold Heat package now would instantly reshape the Eastern landscape. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: "Odds of Giannis being traded before Feb. 5: 30%."
Jan 28
Spurs' Jeremy Sochan Seeks Trade, Pelicans Want Desmond Bane Return
San Antonio has allowed Jeremy Sochan to seek a trade after falling out of coach Mitch Johnson's rotation. Sochan has played in 11 of the Spurs' last 24 games, is 22, and earns $7.1 million in the final year of his rookie deal, making him a cheap, efficient deadline target. The Pelicans, meanwhile, say they would only consider "a Desmond Bane-type offer" for Herb Jones or Trey Murphy III, which makes both players largely untouchable given most contenders' limited draft capital. Merlin sees front offices circling for affordable help, not headline swaps. Sochan is a tidy, low-risk depth piece contenders can plug in quickly. Jones and Murphy remain premium three-and-D assets whose steep price and New Orleans' lack of early picks through 2027 will slow any deal. Expect a busy market for role players instead of blockbuster moves. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Jeremy Sochan is traded before Feb. 5: 65%.
Jan 28
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Could Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday Join Knicks?
Rumors have swirled that the Knicks could reunite Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday in New York via a blockbuster three-team trade, a "wild rumor" Zach Lowe noted after reporting from Jake Fischer and Marc Stein. Proposed sketches would send Mikal Bridges and Karl Anthony Towns to Portland, unload picks and swap rights to Milwaukee, and use New Orleans as a delay valve on a swap, all so the Knicks can grab two proven stars at the cost of major future assets. Merlin sees the chess board: Milwaukee would regain draft control and a clearer rebuild, Portland would add spacing and size, and the Pelicans would collect timing flexibility. Giannis’ contract situation and reported desire to play in New York give the rumor weight, but the price in picks and young pieces makes this more fairy tale than immediate trade. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Knicks acquire Giannis and Jrue this season: 10%.
Jan 28
Paolo Banchero Mosley Tension Threatens Magic Season
Rumors of a rift between Paolo Banchero and coach Jamahl Mosley have surfaced, with Tim MacMahon saying there's "a lot of talk around the league" they "might not be seeing eye to eye." Grant Afseth reported "strained communication and noticeable tension during games and timeouts." Orlando has underperformed after trading for Desmond Bane, sitting 23-22, 20th in offense and 15th in defense. Banchero averages 21.6 points and a career-low 29.1 percent from three. The projected starting five is +18 in 117 minutes, but injuries to Franz Wagner have kept them apart. Merlin sees a roster built for a leap stuck between chemistry and health. The four first-round picks for Bane bought time, but the defensive slide and reported tension could force a move before Feb. 5. If communication is fixed and the core gets healthy, Orlando still has clear upside. If not, the season could unravel. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Magic make a major roster move before the Feb. 5 trade deadline: 60%.
Jan 28
Lawrence Frank Gets Extension After Kawhi Leonard James Harden Surge
The Clippers have given president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank a multiyear extension, believed to be a four-year deal, per The Athletic. Frank, with the organization since 2014 and promoted in 2017, was the 2020 Executive of the Year. After a 6-21 start Los Angeles has ripped off a 15-3 run to sit 21-24, led by Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, and reporters say Frank and his senior staff "were on track for contract extensions" even during the rough stretch. Merlin sees ownership choosing stability over panic. The extension buys time to repair the flaws that have led to three straight first-round exits; health, depth, and whether Leonard and Harden can keep this level will decide if continuity becomes a championship bridge or just another season of promise. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Clippers making the playoffs this season: 65%.
Jan 27
Pacers Tyrese Haliburton Packs 30 Pounds in Achilles Recovery
Tyrese Haliburton told LeBron and Steve Nash on the Mind the Game podcast that he has put on 30 pounds while rehabbing his torn Achilles. He said some weight gain was deliberate to "be more physical at the rim" and "absorb contact" to get to the free-throw line, but admitted he has been "drowning my sorrows in cookie and ice cream." Haliburton, 25, averaged 18.6 points and 9.2 assists and led Indiana to the Finals before the Achilles injury in Game 7 against Oklahoma City ended his 2025-26 season. Merlin sees a deliberate metamorphosis. A stronger Haliburton could finish through contact and add a new layer to the Pacers offense, yet Achilles rehab and trimming the comfort-food pounds are delicate work. Coaches will balance strength, conditioning, and touch, and how he moves in training will tell the real story. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Haliburton returns to pre-injury form next season: 55%.
Jan 27
Cooper Flagg Headlines Carmelo Anthony's Rising Stars Team
The Rising Stars Tournament now has its four teams, with legends Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady making the picks and a G League roster set. "All eyes, of course, will be on Cooper Flagg," Anthony’s top overall pick, and for good reason. The Dallas rookie leads the Rookie of the Year race at 18.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.3 steals while Dallas struggles. Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel is right behind at 18.7 points and 5.5 boards while shooting 42.2 percent from three. V.J. Edgecombe is already starting for the 76ers and contributing 15.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Merlin sees a classic rising-star showdown. Flagg’s all-around game gives him star power, but Knueppel’s shooting and Edgecombe’s playoff-ready role keep the race close. The tournament will be a bright stage for clutch moments and scouting checks. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Cooper Flagg winning Rookie of the Year this season: 60%.
Jan 27
Dodgers Star Mookie Betts to Coach Celebrity Game
Merlin sees Los Angeles getting a familiar face for All-Star Weekend. The NBA named Dodgers star Mookie Betts as a coach for the Celebrity Game in LA, with ESPN insider Shams Charania also confirmed to take the court. Rapper GloRilla and producer Mustard are already pegged to play, and the game will tip off the weekend on Feb. 13 before Rising Stars and the HBCU Classic. Merlin senses this is more than a cameo. Betts is a local hero with competitive instincts and a knack for showmanship. Coaching a celebrity squad is about energy and moments as much as strategy, so expect Betts to bring leadership, boost the spotlight, and maybe hand out a few surprises. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Mookie Betts coaches his team to victory: 55%.
Jan 27
Knicks Could Acquire Jrue Holiday To Entice Giannis Antetokounmpo
Merlin sees contending teams quietly plotting. The idea is simple: acquire Jrue Holiday first to make a Giannis Antetokounmpo pursuit more appealing. Giannis reportedly wants to play with his former teammate; as Ian Begley noted, Holiday is "a guy he wants to play with." Moving Holiday would be a clear signal of intent and could nudge a club up Giannis’s list. Merlin warns the path is costly. Holiday is 35 and carries heavy salary commitments—$32.4 million this season, $34.8 million next, and a $37.2 million player option in 2027-28. Any team must match that money and accept the age risk. If Holiday is traded before February, expect a genuine run at Giannis, but the transaction hurdles remain steep. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Knicks land Giannis if they first acquire Holiday: 20%.
Jan 27
Jayson Tatum Feels Weight Of Celtics Legacy
Merlin sees Jayson Tatum admitting the weight of Celtic history on the team. Tatum told The Pivot Podcast, "We've definitely felt it," pointing out that legends like Rondo, KG and the '86 Celtics return and raise the bar. He even said, "if I had it with the Grizzlies, I would have a statue outside the arena." At 27 and coming back from an Achilles injury, Tatum has time but faces higher expectations in Boston. Merlin whispers that championships shape reputations in Boston more than raw stats. One ring helps, yet to climb alongside Bird or Russell Tatum needs health, playoff runs and perhaps another title. How the roster and coaching support him will decide whether he becomes a Celtic legend or a great who fell short. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Tatum wins another ring with the Celtics in the next three seasons: 45%.
Jan 27