NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
Jan 27, 2026
LeBron James: Ditch the 65 Game Rule for MVPs
LeBron James is urging the league to ditch the 65-game rule, saying the "game is different" now with a faster pace and more possessions. The threshold, meant to curb load management, can end up punishing players for injuries. Nikola Jokić’s hyperextended knee and time missed has him teetering on awards eligibility, and stars like Giannis, Wembanyama and Curry face the same risk. Merlin sees the tempo spike as the root of the trouble. With 29 of 30 teams playing at least 100 possessions, soft-tissue injuries are more common and a rigid 65-game bar hands awards to who stays healthy more than who plays best. Expect intense debate and a likely compromise that protects marquee games while adding injury exceptions. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the NBA removes or modifies the 65-game rule this season: 30%.
Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets Sign With CeraVe After Ashy Trolls
Kevin Durant turned a long-running online jab about his "ashy" ankles into a sponsorship with CeraVe, even reading old posts as part of the reveal. The 15-time All-Star remains productive, averaging 26.4 points on 51.4 percent shooting with 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists through 42 games, but is deep into his 30s, so the clever marketing move keeps him visible off the court. Merlin sees Durant treating criticism like currency. The CeraVe deal shows sharp brand instincts and a knack for controlling the narrative. As his athletic profile evolves, Durant will continue to monetize moments and protect his legacy, reminding fans he is still one of the league’s premier figures both on and off the floor. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Durant lands another major non-basketball endorsement this season: 65%.
Jan 27
Lakers Hunting Picks Before Trade Deadline For LeBron
Merlin sees the Lakers quietly trying to turn a 2031 or 2032 first-rounder into multiple first-round picks, having "canvassed" teams to build tradable assets they can pair with expiring deals like Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent or Maxi Kleber before the Feb. 5 deadline. At 28-17 and only 1.5 games above seventh, Los Angeles is thin on depth while key players have missed time — LeBron James and Austin Reaves have played together in only eight games and Reaves remains sidelined — so a reliable 3-and-D wing or fourth scorer is the obvious target. Merlin notes mortgaging future draft capital signals real urgency. Turning a distant pick into immediate rotation help could nudge them out of play-in danger, but those expiring contracts are modest chips and finding a true difference maker will take creativity and good timing. Expect offers that prioritize perimeter defense and three-point shooting. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Lakers landing multiple first-rounders or a true 3-and-D upgrade by Feb. 5: 25%.
Jan 27
Jimmy Butler Torn ACL Could Keep Jonathan Kuminga With Warriors
Merlin sees Jonathan Kuminga’s trade market barely shifted after Jimmy Butler’s season ending torn ACL. ESPN’s Anthony Slater says "there have been no recent traction" between Golden State and Sacramento, and the Warriors prefer taking back expiring contracts instead of multiyear commitments. With people around the team calling it "less likely" Kuminga moves, coach Steve Kerr may have to play the 6-foot-7 forward more while Butler heals. Merlin notes the front office still values Kuminga. GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. reminded reporters, "As far as the demand, I'm aware of that," meaning the Warriors expect true market value before letting him go. If Kuminga shines in increased minutes his trade stock could rebound, letting Golden State flip him for a better return later. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Kuminga being traded before the deadline: 20%.
Jan 27
Tyrese Haliburton Thought Team USA Olympics Were Over
Merlin reports that Tyrese Haliburton laughed about realizing he would see little court time at the 2024 Olympics while chatting with LeBron on the "Mind the Game" podcast. He recalled thinking, "Oh, they talking about me," then later, "Damn, it's over. It's over, man." Haliburton totaled 26 minutes across three games, a small role after a season in which he carried the Pacers to Game 7 of the Finals before suffering a torn Achilles that will sideline him for the year. Merlin sees the scene as a lesson in patience. Haliburton showed he can swallow pride and still learn from elite teammates, and his playoff clutch work proves the talent is real. Recovery is the next quest. Expect careful rehab, guarded minutes when he returns, and a real chance to contend for a 2028 Olympic spot. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Haliburton makes Team USA in 2028: 60%.
Jan 27
Dallas Mavericks Not Moving Anthony Davis Before Trade Deadline
Merlin sees Dallas in no rush to move Anthony Davis before the Feb. 5 deadline. Though reports say Rich Paul is "working tirelessly to force a trade" and the Mavs had "renewed trade talks," team voices were blunt: "Rich Paul is not going to bully us" and they "are not going to sign off on a deal just to do a deal." Davis has been out since Jan. 8 with a left‑hand ligament injury, which shrinks offers and lowers urgency. Merlin notes the sense of calm is strategic. Dallas can wait to watch a healthy Davis alongside Kyrie and rookie Cooper Flagg, or flip him as a future asset like past teams have done with injured stars. The choice will hinge on what value returns and whether ownership prefers clarity over a quick move. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Davis being traded by Feb. 5: 30%.
Jan 27
JJ Redick: Luka Doncic Tests Lakers Patience
Merlin sees JJ Redick praising and prodding Luka Dončić after the Lakers’ 129-118 win over the Bulls. Redick said Luka will "test your patience at times" and called him "an engine that's fully on," after Dončić poured in 46 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds, doing most damage in the second half. The win capped back-to-back road victories, with Dončić totaling 79 points and 23 assists over two games while LeBron and Rui Hachimura also chipped in. Merlin senses a push for balance. Redick has openly challenged the team to be better defensively and urged Luka "to trust the pass" more. If Luka keeps producing and the Lakers tighten up on defense, the offense will carry them far. If not, the magic will be uneven. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Lakers beat the Cavaliers Wednesday: 65%.
Jan 27
.jpg)
Could LeBron Return to Cavaliers via Three Team Deal
Reports sketch a three-team deal that would send LeBron James back to Cleveland, give the Lakers a younger All-Star in Lauri Markkanen, and load the Jazz with picks, expiring salary and veteran wings. The wrinkle is financial engineering: Cleveland must shed salary to escape the second apron, Utah would absorb contracts and picks, and the Lakers would pivot toward building around Luka Dončić. Merlin sees the trade as a plausible short-term script rather than an inevitable ending. Cleveland would gain championship experience without losing Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley or Darius Garland, but depth and roster flexibility would take a hit. Utah gains draft positioning and cap space, while the Lakers get a long-term fit. The move trades certainty for a real shot at a title in LeBron’s home state. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of LeBron landing in Cleveland before the deadline: 18%.
Jan 27
Dallas Mavericks Could Keep Anthony Davis as Kyrie Irving Waits
Merlin sees a clear pivot in Dallas. After last February’s shock move, Anthony Davis "would prefer to stay put for the rest of this season," and Marc Stein reports little trade momentum ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline after ligament damage in Davis’ left hand reduced interest. There are "whispers" the Mavs want to see Davis, Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving together before deciding, but Irving "remains unknown whether Irving will play at all this season" as he recovers and has not returned to practice. Dallas sits 11th at 19-27, so rushing a comeback seems unwise. Merlin predicts caution. Holding Davis buys time to evaluate chemistry and waiting may preserve value while injuries heal. If the Mavs climb the standings or Irving nears return, talks could restart. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Anthony Davis being traded before Feb. 5: 20%.
Jan 27
Knicks Trade Deadline: Flip Karl Anthony Towns For Jrue Holiday
Merlin sees the Knicks as a team stirring the pot before Feb. 5. Marc Stein reports "a belief persists among some rival teams that" New York could put Karl-Anthony Towns "in play to some degree" and has "explored pathways" to pursue Jrue Holiday. Holiday's championship experience and defense would relieve Jalen Brunson and make New York more attractive to stars like Giannis. Merlin notes that trading Towns would be seismic; his scoring and shooting have dipped and the Knicks are 4-9 in their last 13, so some shake up makes sense. New York could also chase smaller moves built around Guerschon Yabusele's $5.5 million salary. The deadline promises intrigue as the Knicks try to sharpen a playoff-ready roster. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: 30% chance the Knicks acquire Jrue Holiday by the Feb. 5 deadline.
Jan 27
Cooper Flagg to Headline NBA Rising Stars for Mavericks
Cooper Flagg will headline the Rising Stars competition at NBA All-Star 2026 in Los Angeles after the league revealed the four-team draft pool. The single elimination event is Feb. 13 at the Intuit Dome, with three NBA teams coached by Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady and a G League squad led by Austin Rivers. Flagg, the 2025 No. 1 pick, is averaging 18.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists and poured in 42 points against Utah while carrying the Mavericks with Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving sidelined. Merlin sees Flagg as a young star ready to own a short showcase. Thrown into a starring role early, his rim attack and playmaking make him perfect for a game that rewards boldness. Whichever Hall of Famer drafts him will start with a clear advantage and a highlight reel waiting to happen. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Cooper Flagg winning Rising Stars MVP: 65%.
Jan 26
Giannis May Have Played Final Milwaukee Bucks Game
Merlin sees a major turning point: ESPN’s Marc Spears declared, "I think he's played his last game in a Bucks uniform." Marc Stein says multiple teams are "trying to engage" Milwaukee, yet there is "no clear-cut indication" the Bucks will move him before the draft. Giannis is out with a calf issue projected at four to six weeks and Doc Rivers said "there's no timetable" and that the team has "no thought" about resting him. Milwaukee sits 11th at 18-26, so how they handle his availability reshapes draft leverage and trade chatter. Merlin predicts a fork in the road. If the Bucks want a top pick or a pre-deadline haul they may keep Giannis off the floor to protect value; if they chase wins they will play him and limit trade returns. Either way, the next weeks will reveal Milwaukee’s appetite to rebuild or contend. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Giannis plays another game for the Bucks this season: 30%.
Jan 26
Giannis to Knicks Trade Would Shake Bucks
Merlin sees the rumor mill swirling again. "The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors aren't going away any time soon." A viral three-team mock would send Giannis to the Knicks for Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Miles McBride and heavy draft capital, a deal that would instantly remake New York and push Milwaukee into a quick rebuild. Merlin notes the package is messy but credible if Giannis privately prefers New York. Milwaukee would collect controllable picks and movable veterans, Portland could swap Jerami Grant for Bridges to speed Deni Avdija's rise, and New York would face real fit questions pairing Giannis with Jalen Brunson. Expect more elaborate hypotheticals; real movement likely waits on Giannis' next public signal. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis landing with the Knicks by the trade deadline: 10%.
Jan 26
Grizzlies Deny Ja Morant Trade Talks With Pelicans
Merlin sees the Morant to Pelicans rumor cooling. Marc Stein reports "One source close to the process said that there are no discussions between the Pelicans and the Grizzlies on a potential Morant deal... despite persistent speculation to the contrary." Fans should hold off buying a Pelicans Ja Morant jersey for now. Merlin notes trade talk often outpaces reality. On paper New Orleans makes sense, but Memphis has shown no signs of engaging and true talks would be loud and messy. For now roster plans in both cities should be treated as provisional until concrete conversations or offers surface. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Ja Morant being traded to the Pelicans this season: 10%.
Jan 26
Sixers May Trade Kelly Oubre Jr To Dodge Luxury Tax
Merlin sees Philadelphia likely to move before Feb. 5 to slip under the luxury-tax. Keith Pompey reports "based on [the Sixers] recent history of trading to get under the luxury-tax threshold, there's an expectation that they'll make at least one trade ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline." The club sits about $7 million over the line and roughly $1 million from first-apron penalties. The names most often floated are Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andre Drummond. Oubre is averaging 14.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals while shooting 38 percent from three. Drummond provides 7.1 points and nine rebounds as Embiid’s backup. Merlin warns the likely moves will be financial, not grand upgrades. Shipping Oubre would dent wing scoring and defense when Paul George is out. Moving Drummond would push the Sixers to trust Aden Bona, Dominick Barlow or rookie Johni Broome as backup center. Fans want the band kept together, but payroll rules often steer front offices toward sacrifice. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Sixers make at least one salary-shedding trade before Feb. 5: 75%.
Jan 26
Giannis Calf Strain Leaves Bucks Without Timetable
Giannis Antetokounmpo remains sidelined with a calf strain and, per coach Doc Rivers, has "no timetable" to return. Rivers said the Bucks have given "no thought" to resting him for the season. Giannis expected an MRI and told reporters a typical protocol could be "four to six weeks," noting he played through the pain and "was feeling it majority of the game but did not want to stop playing." Milwaukee is 15-15 with him and 3-11 without him, so his availability shapes their playoff hopes. Merlin sees the long view. This is a familiar injury pattern after a December calf issue, and Giannis has still been elite when on court. The team must balance short term competitiveness with protecting a two-time MVP and franchise cornerstone. Expect cautious rehab and constant updates as the MRI and doctors set the pace. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Giannis returns by March 1: 40%.
Jan 26
Lakers Honor Kobe Bryant and Gigi Six Years Later
Merlin sees the Lakers and the wider sports world pausing on social media to honor Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi, six years after the helicopter crash that took their lives. Kobe and Gigi were among nine killed in 2020 after leaving John Wayne Airport for a game at Mamba Sports Academy. Kobe’s Hall of Fame résumé—five championships, 18 All-Star nods and the 2008 MVP—keeps his place among basketball’s all time greats. Merlin senses these moments of remembrance do more than mourn. They keep Kobe’s lessons alive for players and fans, folding his competitive spirit and mentorship into the league’s culture. The tributes remind everyone that legacy is both memory and influence on future generations. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Lakers hold a moment of silence at a home game this season: 95%.
Jan 26
Clippers' 15 3 Run Forces Robert Flom to Eat Tweet
Merlin sees the Clippers pushed a 213 Hoops blogger into a literal promise. Robert Flom wrote he "will print and eat this tweet" if L.A. put together a 15-3 run. After Sunday’s 126-89 win over Brooklyn the Clippers hit that mark, and Flom says he will be a man of his word. The run signals a sudden burst of consistency from a team often written off. Merlin smiles at the theater of fandom. A hot stretch like this rewrites headlines and buys the Clippers breathing room, but streaks fade without steady defense and bench production. Expect more drama on social feeds and on the court as opponentsadjust and L.A. tests whether this roll is a turning point or a brief enchantment. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Clippers sustaining a 15-3 pace over the next 18 games: 12%.
Jan 26
Mavericks Hold Firm on Anthony Davis Ahead of Deadline
Merlin sees Dallas shifting into seller mode as the Feb. 5 deadline nears. The Mavericks sit 12th at 19-27 and are unlikely to move their 19-year-old cornerstone Cooper Flagg, labeled "untouchable." Forward Naji Marshall draws interest—"half the league is interested in [Marshall]"—but Dallas plans to keep him unless "something extraordinary" arrives. The club has "established high trade thresholds" for both Marshall and Max Christie, even as they weigh ways to recoup draft capital and gain salary flexibility. Merlin notes the timeline matters more than tonight’s score. Marshall’s efficient 13.8 points on a manageable deal makes him the most plausible chip, yet Dallas is protecting its long view around Flagg. Davis’ market is muted given contract and injury concerns, so any big move would need to be obvious and rare. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Mavericks trade Naji Marshall before Feb. 5: 35%.
Jan 26
.jpg)
Bulls Chase Bennedict Mathurin and Missi
Merlin sees Chicago circling the Feb. 5 trade deadline, hunting young, athletic pieces to pair with Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis. Flush with expiring contracts, draft assets and the ability to open nearly $70 million in July, the Bulls have leverage. A proposed four-team swap would send Bennedict Mathurin and center Missi to Chicago while moving Gafford to Indiana and routing picks and role players to New Orleans and Dallas, using trade exceptions to make salaries fit. This plan fills two clear needs without surrendering heavy future assets. Mathurin brings scoring punch, Missi offers a low-cost young center, and Indiana gains veteran size while New Orleans and Dallas manage tax and roster headaches. Merlin notes the danger of overpaying a restricted free agent or losing cap flexibility if Chicago misreads the market. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Chicago completes a Mathurin-Missi multi-team trade before Feb 5: 45%.
Jan 26
Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Deadline Drama Engulfs Bucks
Merlin sees a tug of war in Milwaukee. "Multiple teams continue to try to engage the Bucks on a Giannis deal that they would like to consummate before the Feb. 5 deadline," even as Antetokounmpo is sidelined 4-to-6 weeks with a calf injury. Marc Stein says there is "still no clear-cut indication that the Bucks are willing" to move him, while Jake Fischer reports "numerous NBA front offices" believe he will be made available. Shams Charania adds Giannis's frustration "is at an all-time high." Merlin senses the moment is being probed now and may stretch into spring. The injury and Milwaukee’s caution make an early February blockbuster unlikely unless an irresistible package appears. Expect teams to press quietly and for the real bargaining to intensify if the Bucks hold firm through the deadline. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis being traded before Feb. 8: 25%.
Jan 25
NBA Postpones Warriors Timberwolves After Alex Pretti Killing
Merlin sees the NBPA released a statement after federal agents fatally shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday, the second U.S. citizen killed by federal agents there this month following the Jan. 10 death of Renee Good. The NBA postponed the Warriors-Timberwolves game while the league said, "The decision was made to prioritize the safety and security of the Minneapolis community." That pause turned a local tragedy into a national sports moment. Merlin notes multiple Minnesota teams and leagues joined businesses in an open letter calling for "an immediate deescalation of tensions" and asking leaders to "work together to find real solutions." Sports organizations are acting as civic actors now, and the pressure on officials to respond and on leagues to protect fans and players will shape the next days. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of another major Minnesota sports postponement this week: 35%.
Jan 25
Phoenix Suns Lose Devin Booker To Ankle Sprain
Merlin sees trouble in Phoenix. Devin Booker suffered a right ankle sprain Friday and the Suns say he will be re-evaluated in one week. Booker had 31 points in 28 minutes before the injury, leads Phoenix with 25.4 points and 6.2 assists, and was seen leaving on crutches. Coach Jordan Ott called the play “Pretty unlucky.” With the Suns 27-18 and riding an early surge, losing their best player and the re-aggravation of Jalen Green’s hamstring forces others to fill a big void. Merlin whispers that surprise seasons are fragile. Phoenix has already cycled through three head coaches in three years, so depth and chemistry will be tested now. Role players must carry scoring and playmaking while lineups reset; short absences could tilt tight Western games against teams like Miami. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Devin Booker plays vs. Miami tonight: 20%.
Jan 25
Mavericks Plane Trouble Puts Bucks Game On Ice
Merlin sees the Dallas Mavericks were set to face the Milwaukee Bucks Sunday at 7 p.m. ET, but the Mavs’ team plane is in Dallas and "still being de-iced." A major winter storm prompted an "extreme cold warning" for Dallas Fort Worth through 9 a.m. CT with windchills near minus 10 degrees and almost 1,000 flights canceled. The NBA already postponed Nuggets vs Grizzlies, so another delay is possible. Merlin notes the schedule gives wiggle room. Dallas does not play again until Wednesday and Milwaukee has Monday off before a Tuesday trip to Philadelphia. The simplest fix is moving the game a day, yet arena availability and travel windows could make rescheduling a real logistical headache. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Mavericks-Bucks game is postponed tonight: 65%.
Jan 25
LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges Hope To Stay Before Trade Deadline
Merlin sees the Hornets trying to hang onto their young core as the Feb. 5 trade deadline approaches and LaMelo Ball surfaces as a top trade candidate. Teammates pushed back on the chatter, with Miles Bridges saying, "I feel like everybody else wants everybody to stay together," and Brandon Miller adding, "That's the goal, to have everybody stay here." Charlotte sits 18-28 and has won three of four, feeding hope that the group might be worth keeping intact. Merlin notes the players are locked on the court and tell reporters, "We only can control what we can control," while Bridges says he is ready for any outcome but would rather stay. The front office will balance short term momentum against long term strategy, so unity helps now but may not stop a move. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of LaMelo Ball being traded before Feb. 5: 30%.
Jan 25