Hawks Hot, Nets Tanking: NBA Temperature Check

Merlin sees the NBA as a midseason temperature check full of motion. The piece snapshots every team from Atlanta’s post All-Star surge to Charlotte’s full-scale turnaround, Brooklyn’s deliberate tanking, and Detroit holding the East’s top seed despite big injuries. It highlights deadline swings like Cleveland adding James Harden and Golden State’s cautious return plan, quoting Steve Kerr, "We're not bringing him back for the Play-In game," and Brian Lewis, "The Nets intend to flip the switch and try to compete as soon as next season." Merlin senses today’s labels may not last. Hot streaks, trades, and injuries will rewrite several stories before May, so watch the Cavs, Spurs, Sixers and the brewing Giannis-Bucks drama. Summer moves promise another reshuffle.