Dec 18, 2025
NBA Solution Season: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Trae Young, Luka Doncic Exposed
Dec 15 began solution season, when most offseason signees became trade eligible and teams finally widened their roster options. The piece pokes at every franchise to find the central flaw, from Atlanta's turnover spike without Trae Young and Boston's three heavy, free throw light offense to Giannis Antetokounmpo's strained calf that now clouds any blockbuster trade plan. Merlin sees a league at a crossroads. Some teams will sell assets while they can, others will overvalue short term heaters, and a few will trade spasms into long term pain. Watch the Suns and Bucks closest: Phoenix must decide whether to turn hot starts into future pieces, and Milwaukee waits for Giannis to show his true status before the market moves.
🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction
"Odds the Phoenix Suns trade Dillon Brooks before the February deadline: 60%."
