NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
Jan 16, 2026
Michael Jordan Only Approved Air With Viola Davis
Ben Affleck says Michael Jordan made one clear demand before signing off on Air: Viola Davis had to play his mother. Affleck told ALL THE SMOKE that Jordan “can only tell you what I was there for” and that he wanted a serious, respectful portrayal, saying “Viola Davis has gotta play my mom.” The film cast Davis and won Jordan’s blessing before its 2023 release, a small but telling detail about who controls the narrative. Merlin sees a keeper of his own story. Jordan’s insistence reads like a shield for the emotional center of his legend, and it taught filmmakers a simple rule: honor the family and you may earn the seal of approval. Filmmakers and stars take note; some figures guard their past with a force as fierce as their play. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Jordan will demand top-tier casting for any future portrayals of his family: 85%.
Jalen Brunson Ankle Injury, Knicks Lose to Warriors
Jalen Brunson’s absence after an ankle injury was laid bare Thursday as the Knicks fell 126-113 to the Warriors. New York lost back-to-back games and three of four without their leading scorer and primary playmaker. OG Anunoby and Miles McBride scored 25 apiece and Mikal Bridges had 21, but Brunson had been leading the team in scoring in their last eight games, and the offense visibly stalled without his ball handling and creation. Merlin sees a team suddenly asking role players to supply the missing spark. The upcoming matchup with the Suns on Saturday will be a quick test of depth and adjustments. If the Knicks move the ball better and share scoring, they can survive short absences. If not, the injury could mark a tougher stretch for New York. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Knicks beat the Suns on Saturday without Brunson: 30%.
Jan 16
Steve Kerr Shrugs Off Kuminga Trade Drama For Warriors
Steve Kerr said his relationship with Jonathan Kuminga "is fine," even as the young forward reportedly demanded a trade and has not played since Dec. 18. Kuminga was scratched Jan. 2 amid doubts about an injury, and reports say the situation "has grown so sour" that Golden State may not be able to move him before the deadline. Kuminga averages 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists. Merlin senses a locker room rift that is stalling a promising skill set. With one source calling it a "complete waste of everybody's time" and a teammate saying "it's clear the coach doesn't believe in him," the Warriors face three paths: repair the relationship, find a trade, or bury his minutes and decline the 2026-27 option. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Jonathan Kuminga being traded before the deadline: 40%.
Jan 15
Lakers Consider Deadline Shakeup Packaging Vincent Vanderbilt For Jonathan Kuminga
Merlin sees the Lakers weighing deadline packages that could include Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt while shopping their 2032 first for "two or three" later firsts. Los Angeles has scouted Pelicans' Herb Jones, Tre Murphy III and Golden State's Jonathan Kuminga, who reportedly "demanded a trade." Vincent’s expiring deal and Vanderbilt’s salary could match Kuminga’s cap hit, giving the Lakers a plausible path to add wing help. Merlin senses the roster urgency. The team wants a "true 3-and-D wing" to shore up perimeter defense, but Kuminga has not played since Dec. 18 and fell out of Golden State’s rotation. A fresh start could unlock his upside, yet the trade will hinge on how many tradable picks the Lakers can assemble and whether the Warriors accept the contract structure they prefer. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Lakers landing Kuminga before Feb. 5: 30%.
Jan 15
Jonathan Kuminga Trade Standoff Rattles Warriors
Merlin sees a breaking point in Golden State. Jonathan Kuminga has formally demanded a trade after a season of fits and starts, and ESPN sources called the situation a "complete waste of everybody's time." Inside the organization, "essentially every major figure" — including Kuminga and coach Steve Kerr — reportedly agrees a move is needed. Kuminga signed a two-year, $46.8 million deal this summer with the second year designed to be "ripped up," yet he has not played since Dec. 18 and the Warriors sit 22-19 and short on consistency. Merlin senses this is as much about player feeling as roster math. Kuminga "feels a little held hostage by the organization," and a fresh spot could reignite the promise he showed earlier. Trade value will hinge on teams buying his upside versus his limited recent minutes. Watch the Feb. 5 deadline for how quickly the chess pieces move. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Kuminga is traded before the Feb. 5 deadline: 65%.
Jan 15
Golden State Not Pursuing Michael Porter Jr. Despite Kuminga Demand
Merlin sees the Warriors are not "super interested" in trading for Michael Porter Jr., according to Zach Lowe and reporting from Shams Charania and Anthony Slater. That stance holds even after Jonathan Kuminga demanded a trade Thursday following his fall out of Golden State’s rotation. The team hasn’t talked with Brooklyn in "more than a month" and never showed "real interest." Porter is having a career year, averaging 25.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists on 48.6/40.1/84.1 shooting, and would be an obvious offensive fit beside Stephen Curry. Merlin senses the road ahead is all about trade math. Golden State’s defense has struggled recently and Porter brings questions on that end, while Kuminga’s age and upside appeal to Brooklyn’s timeline. With the Feb. 5 deadline closing in, Golden State must choose between an immediate scoring boost and longer term roster balance. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Warriors trade for Michael Porter Jr. before Feb. 5: 12%.
Jan 15
Anthony Black Orlando Magic Dunk Over Four Stuns NBA
Merlin sees Anthony Black vaulting into highlight lore after a fast break in the NBA Berlin Games where he dunked on four defenders against the Grizzlies. Early reaction already calls it the "dunk of the year," possibly a first. The sequence spotlights a breakout third season for Black, who is averaging 15.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals. Merlin senses that a moment like this can change how a player and a team are viewed. Orlando sits 23-18 and sixth in the East, so the play could fuel confidence and deepen Black’s Most Improved Player case. The Magic still need consistency and depth, but sustained two-way production from Black could turn a highlight into real momentum. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Anthony Black winning Most Improved Player this season: 35%.
Jan 15
Toronto Raptors Eye Ja Morant Trade
Merlin sees Toronto quietly circling Ja Morant, per Jake Fischer, who noted the Raptors "are the only other known team beyond Washington to express any meaningful interest in Trae Young before he was dealt to the Wizards." Toronto has scouted big names and could pursue Morant, but Immanuel Quickley’s five-year, $162.5 million deal and the Raptors’ poor three-point shooting complicate any trade. Merlin notes Morant would add clear scoring and playmaking, yet his 31 percent career mark from deep and low attempt volume this season may not solve Toronto’s spacing problem. At 25-17 and vying for a top-six seed, the Raptors rely on trades for stars, but swapping for Morant could be risky rather than instantly transformative. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Toronto trading for Ja Morant before the deadline: 12%.
Jan 15
Victor Wembanyama Shaved Head Sparks Spurs Hope
Victor Wembanyama showed up with a freshly shaved head before the Spurs’ game vs Milwaukee, a look he first adopted after a Shaolin Temple retreat where he said the trip was meant to put "my body through things that it's not used to doing and allowing my range of movement and strength." The haircut is a small headline above bigger notes: his early-season peak (26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 3.6 blocks) gave way to a dip after a calf strain (22.1, 9.3, 1.9) with minutes carefully managed. San Antonio sits 27-13 but has lost six of 10 and enters on a two-game skid. Merlin sees ritual and reset, not panic. A shaved head can mark a mental reboot and Wembanyama’s physical plan matters more than aesthetics. If his body responds and the Spurs tighten rotations, tonight’s duel with Giannis will tell whether the reset sparks a revival. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Spurs win tonight against the Bucks: 52%.
Jan 15
Jonathan Kuminga Trade Teetering Between Warriors and Kings
Merlin sees a stalled trade between the Warriors and Kings over Jonathan Kuminga, with both sides saying a three-team deal is most likely if he lands in Sacramento. Golden State has been linked to Michael Porter Jr. in that structure, the Lakers hold some interest, and Kuminga has not played since Dec. 18 while averaging 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists. Warriors are now harder about taking on contracts and rejected Sacramento’s Malik Monk plus a 2030 top-12 protected pick. Teammates said, "then he has to play" if he stays, and he is "still well-liked in the locker room." Merlin senses a young player convinced he can be a star clashing with a team that has limited room for him, so the deadline could get messy. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Kuminga is traded before the Feb. 5 deadline: 40%.
Jan 15
Kuminga Trade Demand Sparks Warriors Shakeup
Thursday unlocked a wave of trade eligibility: 11 players who re-signed for raises of at least 20 percent can now be moved, giving teams more flexibility before the Feb. 5 trade deadline at 3 p.m. ET. The standout is Jonathan Kuminga, who reportedly "demanded" a trade and has played just once since Dec. 7. Coach Steve Kerr called the situation "difficult," and Kuminga's contract and slipping value make a return haul murky for Golden State. Merlin sees a crowded market with few clean answers. Some names are unlikely to move because teams treat them as core pieces, and Quentin Grimes has veto power. Players like Naz Reid, Ryan Rollins and Davion Mitchell could become useful trade chips for contenders such as Miami or Milwaukee. With nearly every player now movable, the next three weeks could get lively. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Jonathan Kuminga being traded before Feb. 5: 65%.
Jan 15
Luka Doncic LeBron Untouchable Before NBA Trade Deadline
A wave of NBA players became eligible to be traded Thursday, but many stars remain off limits until early February or the Feb. 5 deadline. Untouchable names include Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero and Dyson Daniels, while LeBron James can move only if he waives his restriction. Narrow windows open Feb. 1 to Feb. 4 for Mikal Bridges, Dončić and De'Aaron Fox. Merlin sees the calendar as the true puppet master. Contenders like the Lakers and Thunder are unlikely to break core chemistry now, yet those short eligibility windows make the deadline a live wire. One injury or a tempting offer could flip plans in a single phone call, so front offices will be watching clocks and whispers. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Luka Dončić being traded before the deadline: 5%.
Jan 15
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Jonathan Kuminga Demands Trade, Warriors Mock Up Deals
Jonathan Kuminga officially demanded a trade on Jan. 15 after a long restricted free agency pause, and he "is now eligible to be traded," per reporting. Golden State appears ready to deal if the price is right, even saying it "would be willing to move multiple first-round draft picks." The article lays out three practical packages that match Kuminga to teams chasing scoring, size, or a cheaper young upside while showing how his market value has slipped. Merlin sees a young player and a veteran core at a crossroads. The Warriors can convert a stalled experiment into real assets, but offers will reflect Kuminga’s uneven production and contract. Expect quick calls, cautious bids, and a trade that rewards patience more than promise. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Jonathan Kuminga being traded before the deadline this season: 70%.
Jan 15
Knicks Celtics 76ers Race For Frontcourt Help Before Trade Deadline
With the Feb. 5 trade deadline approaching, contenders in the East are quietly sizing up upgrades. Jake Fischer reports the Knicks want "a depth piece" and hope to move Guerschon Yabusele's $5.5 million to free space, while Boston is hunting a big man and could dangle "Anfernee Simons' $27.6 million expiring salary." The Magic seek second-rounders for Tyus Jones, and the 76ers have discussed "around-the-edges roster matters" with Memphis. Merlin sees a chess match of small, surgical moves rather than blockbuster swaps. Teams are hunting frontcourt answers to counter Joel Embiid and insurance for injuries. Expect veterans, expiring deals and second-round picks to change hands as contenders tweak rotations; Detroit’s surprising lead makes the rest of the East more urgent and creative. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of at least one of the Knicks or Celtics adding a frontcourt piece before Feb. 5: 65%.
Jan 15
Michael Jordan Mostly Benched on NBA on NBC
Michael Jordan’s on-air role with NBA on NBC is likely to stay limited for the rest of the season. Mike Tirico told the SI Media podcast there is "nothing scheduled as of now" beyond the single long interview NBC has been using in its "MJ: Insights to Excellence" segments. Tirico said he spent two days with Jordan, recording about one hour and 45 minutes, and called him "awesome." Merlin sees a tidy move by NBC: bring back a legend to add instant prestige while keeping expectations modest. The reused clips suggest Jordan prefers few, polished appearances rather than a full-time booth job. NBC gets headline value; Jordan keeps his distance. Expect occasional jewel-like segments, not daily analysis. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Jordan will record at least one new NBC segment this season: 25%.
Jan 15
Steve Kerr Preferred Franz Wagner Over Kuminga
Merlin sees a quiet draft-day split resurfacing. Reports from The Athletic say head coach Steve Kerr had Franz Wagner "atop his wishlist" in 2021, while team governor Joe Lacob was described as "a driving force" behind picking Jonathan Kuminga. The revelation matters because those early choices shaped the Warriors’ young core and ongoing debates about fit, development, and roster balance. Merlin notes the story is less about blame and more about vision. Wagner is a polished two-way wing and Kuminga a high-upside athlete, so the split reveals contrasting priorities between coaching and ownership. If Kuminga becomes a consistent floor spacer and defender, the decision will look wise. If not, the whisper of what might have been will grow louder and could influence future draft philosophy. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Warriors regret passing on Franz Wagner within three seasons: 35%.
Jan 15
Chris Paul Mulls Return After Messy Clippers Exit
Chris Paul does not want his messy exit from the Clippers to be the last image of his career. On Good Sports he said, "I just love this game so much that I don't want it to end like that," and revealed he is training daily and undecided about a return this season. Paul had announced 2025-26 would be his final year, but the Clippers released him midseason after a rocky start. Merlin sees a proud veteran with value beyond scoring, a floor general who can steady a young locker room even at age 40. Paul smiled, "Man, if I knew, I'd tell you," and that fits the uncertainty ahead. A contender needing leadership could give him a short contract, but roster fit and minutes will decide if he gets one last run. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Chris Paul signs with a contender this season: 25%.
Jan 15
Jalen Brunson Sprained Ankle, Knicks Crumble to Kings
The Knicks fell 112-101 to the Kings and lost Jalen Brunson to a sprained right ankle after just five minutes, with New York offering no update postgame. Coach Mike Brown called it "one of the worst, if not the worst, games we've played the entire year," and added "We didn't respond. We didn't respond at all." Sacramento rode a balanced attack — DeMar DeRozan led with 27 and all five starters scored in double figures — while no Knick reached 20 points. The loss drops New York to 25-15 and raises immediate concern about their floor general as they head into a tough road date with Golden State. Merlin sees a familiar pattern: a short injury can expose thin depth and stall rhythm. Brunson sprained the same ankle in November and missed two games then; if sidelined again, the Knicks' offense could become predictable and fragile. Short term, this game matters as much for tone as for the standings. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Brunson misses Friday’s game vs. Golden State: 60%.
Jan 15
Pistons Could Shop Jaden Ivey Before Deadline
Merlin hears the Pistons leading the East but leaning toward restraint at the Feb. 5 deadline. Insider Jake Fischer says the team "aren't in any hurry to sacrifice prime draft capital or significant trade equity to make a major in-season addition." With Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson nearing new deals, Detroit is keeping its cap sheet clean while quietly "gauging the market for fourth-year guard Jaden Ivey." Merlin sees the reasoning. A 28-10 surprise season makes preserving the young core wiser than a risky splash move. Ivey, just 23, has battled a fibula injury and knee surgery and is averaging 8.3 points in limited minutes, so he is the likeliest movable piece to fetch role players or picks without endangering the future. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Detroit trades Jaden Ivey before Feb. 5: 60%.
Jan 15
Jonathan Kuminga Demands Trade From Warriors
Merlin sees a ripple in Golden State: Jonathan Kuminga has requested a trade after becoming eligible following his extension, and teams like the Kings and Mavericks have shown interest. League sources say the Warriors are "prioritizing expiring contracts" in return and have declined long-term deals unless they view them as "no-brainer positive value." That request and the Warriors' stance could reshape the team's depth and salary flexibility before the Feb. 5 deadline. Merlin notes Kuminga's youth and two-way upside make him tempting for contenders that need athletic wing scoring. Trading him for expiring pieces or picks would give Golden State roster room without long-term baggage. Sacramento and Dallas are logical fits because both can offer immediate minutes, but the quick demand hints at impatience and could stir locker-room tension if talks drag. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Kuminga being traded by Feb. 5: 60%.
Jan 15
LeBron James Reminds Critics in Lakers Back to Back
Merlin sees LeBron sending a pointed message after his first back-to-back of the season. The 41-year-old posted "No matter if you LOVE or HATE me you will REMEMBER me" after a 31-point, 10-assist, nine-rebound night vs Atlanta. Coming off a 14-game absence with sciatica, he has averaged 27.7 points, 7.8 assists and 7.7 rebounds in January, showing he can still carry heavy load when needed. Merlin notes the Lakers sit 24-14 and have lost three of four, so timing matters. LeBron says "Every back-to-back for the rest of the season is TBD" and has an elaborate recovery routine. He can lift this team, but minutes are a ledger. The smarter path is measured usage now to protect playoff availability, not nightly heroics at all costs. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds LeBron plays in every remaining back-to-back this season: 25%.
Jan 14
Ja Morant Miami House Sparks Heat Trade Buzz
Merlin sees Ja Morant quietly planting a flag in Miami. He was listed as an executor of a trust that bought a $3.2 million home on Dec. 23 about four miles from the Kaseya Center, and Yahoo Sports reported the Miami Heat have "quickly emerged as an attractive option to Morant and his camp." Anthony Chiang called talks "premature," but Memphis is entertaining offers for the first time, with Minnesota, Sacramento and Milwaukee also showing interest. Merlin senses the season’s turbulence pushed this move into the open. Morant has played 18 of 39 games amid a calf strain and a suspension after an argument with coach Tuomas Iisalo, and when available he averages 19.0 points and 7.6 assists. A fresh setting could reignite his peak form, yet any trade remains uncertain for now. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Ja Morant being traded to the Heat this season: 28%.
Jan 14
Mavericks Weigh Trades for Davis Gafford Marshall
Merlin sees the Mavericks quietly testing the market for two veterans. Reports say center Daniel Gafford has drawn interest from "various Eastern Conference teams" and swingman Naji Marshall has been "generating trade inquiries from rival teams," though Dallas "prefer not to move Marshall, who has routinely outperformed the three-year, $27 million deal" he signed. With the Mavs sitting 15-25 and Anthony Davis sidelined for at least six weeks, the club faces pressure to consider moves that create salary flexibility. Merlin senses a fork in the road. If Dallas commits to a teardown around rookie Cooper Flagg, costly veterans become movable assets. Gafford is more likely to be traded for cap relief or draft stock, while Marshall’s steady play makes him the keeper the front office prefers. Expect flirtations, not fireworks, until the deadline draws near. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Dallas trades Gafford before Feb. 5: 60%, Marshall: 25%.
Jan 14
Mavericks Raptors In Anthony Davis Trade Drama
The Mavericks have been shopping Anthony Davis but have not made a deal, with the Toronto Raptors among the teams showing interest, Marc Stein reports. Toronto would likely offer RJ Barrett plus either Immanuel Quickley or Jakob Poeltl. Davis "would welcome staying put for the rest of the season," and Dallas says it "doesn't feel like it must deal Davis before the deadline." He is expected to miss six to eight weeks with a left hand injury and will not play before the deadline. Merlin sees a chess match more than a panic move. Toronto gives Davis a clearer path to postseason minutes, but would surrender key rotation pieces and cap flexibility. Dallas may wait to see Davis and Kyrie on the court together after recovery. Availability and salary make Davis a high reward, high risk asset, and health updates will steer the market. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Anthony Davis being traded before Feb. 5: 60%.
Jan 14
Ja Morant Trade Drama: Grizzlies Listening
Merlin sees the Grizzlies quietly shopping Ja Morant while the star shrugs and says he will "live with it." He finds Morant amused by the buzz—"Yeah, I see it. It's cool. Funny." Reports say Morant was "deeply disappointed" and ESPN notes multiple teams are circling. Coach Tuomas Iisalo declined to expand, saying "We are not in the business of commenting on random internet reports" and that Morant is "progressing in the practices." Merlin notes the cracks that led here: a 17-22 team, Morant’s worst offensive season (19.0 points, 40.1 percent shooting, 50.6 true shooting), 21 missed games, and fallout from earlier roster moves like Desmond Bane’s exit. Trading him would be the next chapter, but the market could be muted. Expect tense negotiations and more signals before any curtain fall. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Ja Morant being traded before the deadline: 30%.
Jan 14