NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
Oct 20, 2026
Knicks Unveil Gold Championship Jerseys
The Knicks will debut gold-accented uniforms Tuesday night against the Philadelphia 76ers to celebrate their NBA title. The jerseys have a championship patch above the names, gold letters and numbers, plus “Champs” stitched in script. New York won its first championship in 53 years after going 16-3 in the playoffs, capped by Jalen Brunson’s 45 points in Game 5 against San Antonio. New York brings back all five starters and most of its bench, but Mitchell Robinson left for Boston. Andre Drummond joins the rotation up front. The opener won’t be easy, with Philadelphia adding LeBron James and Jaylen Brown after reaching the second round last season. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Brunson gets the Garden rocking early, but this opener comes down to the final few minutes.
Knicks Raise NBA Cup Banner After Title
The Knicks will raise their 2025 NBA Cup banner before Tuesday’s opener against the Philadelphia 76ers, according to the New York Post’s Stefan Bondy. They skipped hanging it after beating the San Antonio Spurs in December because the focus was on an NBA title. They got that too, beating the Spurs in the NBA Finals in June. Madison Square Garden will also celebrate its first Knicks championship banner since 1973. Jalen Brunson won NBA Cup MVP, then NBA Finals MVP after dropping a franchise Finals record 45 points in the Game 5 clincher. The ceremony starts at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock, before LeBron James makes his Sixers debut at 7 p.m. ET. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Brunson gives the Garden another big moment before the night is over.
Oct 20
Pistons Rally Past Paul George Celtics Debut
Paul George scored a franchise-record total in his Celtics debut, but Detroit stormed back for a 121-113 win to open the 2026-27 season. Boston led by as many as 22 after George and Jayson Tatum sparked a 19-4 second-quarter run, but the Pistons flipped the game with a 23-0 run in the fourth. Cade Cunningham started hot, Ausar Thompson stood out on defense, and Javonte Green helped Detroit finish the comeback. George also moved into eighth all-time in made threes, per NBA.com’s Taylor Snow, while Mitchell Robinson scored his first Celtics points after an early ankle scare. Boston hosts the defending champion Knicks next, while Detroit heads to Miami. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: The Celtics bounce back at home, but Detroit’s young core keeps making noise.
Oct 20
Karl Anthony Towns Open to Knicks Pay Cut
Karl-Anthony Towns says he’ll take less money to stay with the champion Knicks. In an interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, Towns said, “I want this team to stay together.” He’s eligible for a four-year, $276 million extension, but ESPN’s Shams Charania reported New York’s latest offer was around four years and $200 million. The gap is still real. Towns has one guaranteed year left with a $57 million cap hit and a $61 million player option for 2027-28. The Knicks paused talks until later in the season, and James Dolan doesn’t want to go over the second apron. New York also has extension calls ahead with Miles McBride, Josh Hart, Tyler Kolek, and eventually Jalen Brunson. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Towns and the Knicks find a number that works before June 30.
Oct 20
Adam Silver Says NBA Expansion Is Years Away
Adam Silver said the NBA is still a few seasons away from adding teams, but Las Vegas and Seattle are the main cities in the conversation right now. Silver told the Pat McAfee Show that Vegas has major interest and possible new arena plans, while Seattle has a strong NBA history and a ready-made arena. Mick Akers reports Nancy Walton Laurie, Bill Laurie, and Egon Durban’s group is the favorite for a Las Vegas team. Vegas looks like the clear front-runner, but Seattle isn’t a lock. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst says the league is fully focused on Vegas and hasn’t loved the Seattle bids so far. Mexico City is also back in the mix, with ownership groups pitching a team and arena district there. The NBA last expanded in 2004, when the Charlotte Bobcats joined. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Las Vegas gets the next NBA team, with Seattle and Mexico City fighting for the other spot.
Oct 20
Adam Silver Clears LeBron Fanatics Travel
Adam Silver said there’s “no rules issue there whatsoever” with LeBron James using Fanatics-paid travel to commute to Philadelphia, as long as the deal is separate from the Philadelphia 76ers. Front Office Sports’ Daniel Roberts and TMZ Sports reported that Fanatics covers the trips through LeBron’s endorsement deal. Fanatics founder Michael Rubin sold his share of the Sixers in 2022, and LeBron’s relationship with Fanatics started before he joined Philadelphia. He signed an exclusive trading card deal with the company in 2024. Pablo Torre said some NBA owners asked about the setup, but Silver doesn’t see a reason for league action right now. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: This dies down unless new details tie the Sixers directly to LeBron’s travel.
Oct 20
LeBron Sixers Patches Become Topps Cards
LeBron James will wear a patch marking his 24th NBA season in every game with the Philadelphia 76ers, Topps announced Tuesday. The patch will debut when LeBron makes his regular-season Sixers debut Tuesday night against the New York Knicks at 7 p.m. ET. After each game, the patch will be removed from his jersey. Topps says some will end up in 1-of-1 trading cards, turning pieces of LeBron’s record-setting 24th season into collectibles. He passed the old mark by playing his 23rd season with the Los Angeles Lakers. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: The patch from LeBron’s Sixers debut will be one of the biggest cards in the set.
Oct 20
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Victor Wembanyama Headlines Bold NBA Predictions
Victor Wembanyama is the pick to flip the MVP script in 2026-27. The bet is that he wins it with defense leading the way while pushing the San Antonio Spurs to the NBA's best record. Other bold calls: Philadelphia's main lineup plays fewer than 20 games together, rookie Yaxel Lendeborg becomes Golden State's most important player, Tyrese Haliburton returns to All-NBA form, and Toronto finishes first in defensive efficiency. Wembanyama topped 25.0 points per game last season, but his defense could be the real separator. Philadelphia will need to manage Joel Embiid and LeBron James carefully. Haliburton looked healthy in an Oct. 13 preseason game against Oklahoma City, about 16 months after his right Achilles tear in the 2025 Finals. Scottie Barnes, Kawhi Leonard and Collin Murray-Boyles give Toronto a real case on that end. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Wembanyama wins MVP, but Toronto's defense ends up being the biggest surprise.
Oct 20
Spurs, Thunder Lead 2026 NBA Rankings
The 2026-27 NBA season is here, and San Antonio opens as the No. 1 team in these preseason power rankings with +270 championship odds. Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper give the Spurs a scary young core. Oklahoma City sits right behind them at +240, while the Knicks, Celtics, Sixers and Timberwolves are also near the top. Big offseason moves reshaped the league. Giannis Antetokounmpo is in Miami, Kawhi Leonard is back in Toronto, Kevin Durant is in Houston, LeBron James is in Philadelphia and Luka Dončić now has the Lakers to himself. Health will decide plenty, especially for Wemby, Joel Embiid, LeBron, Kawhi and the older contenders. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: San Antonio and Oklahoma City meet in the Western Conference Finals.
Oct 20
Jaden McDaniels Gets $40M Wolves Extension
Jaden McDaniels agreed to a one-year, $40 million extension with the Timberwolves, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports. The deal keeps him in Minnesota through 2029-30, with four years and $124 million left on his contract. McDaniels averaged 14.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals and one block last season while shooting 51.5 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from three. McDaniels started all 73 games he played as Minnesota went 49-33 and reached its third straight conference semifinal. His defense alongside Rudy Gobert helped the Wolves finish with a top-10 defense. With Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball also locked in through at least 2028-29, Minnesota has its core set for another run at the West. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: McDaniels will make another All-Defensive team before this extension is over.
Oct 20
Kyrie Irving Does Not See NBA Past 40
Kyrie Irving said Monday he doesn’t see himself playing in the NBA at 42 or 43. The Mavericks guard told Christian Clark of The Athletic that the schedule, lifting, media work, social media, and gambling have made the league feel “less human” and “more robotic” than when he entered as the No. 1 pick in 2011. Irving missed all of 2025-26 while recovering from a torn ACL after playing 50 games the season before. He hasn’t played 70 games in a season since 2016-17. Dallas opens Wednesday against the Houston Rockets, and Kyrie sounds like he’s thinking more about life beyond basketball than chasing a long run into his 40s. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Kyrie still has a few big moments left in Dallas, but he won’t try to match LeBron James’ longevity.
Oct 19
Stephen Curry Extension Pressures Butler, Green
Stephen Curry agreed to a two-year, $116 million extension with the Warriors, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported. Curry can opt out after the 2027-28 season. He reportedly left about $20 million on the table, but he’ll still make $62.6 million next season and average $58 million over the two years after that. Curry’s deal gives Mike Dunleavy Jr. a clearer picture as Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green head toward expiring contracts. The Athletic’s Nick Friedell reported both players “have expressed interest in retiring with the Warriors,” but they may need smaller deals to stay. Butler is set to make $56.8 million and is coming off a torn ACL, while Green will make $27.7 million and has declined from his peak. Golden State has already moved on from Klay Thompson to keep chasing another title with Curry. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Curry finishes this new deal in Golden State, but at least one of Butler or Green is wearing a different jersey in 2027.
Oct 19
Joel Embiid Denies LeBron Practice Spat
Joel Embiid says the rumored practice spat with LeBron James never happened. After the Sixers' preseason game against the Nets, Embiid called it “not true” and said he feels like an “easy target.” LeBron also posted “stop the lies” on Instagram, saying Embiid hasn’t been late to practice. Nick Nurse backed that up, saying Embiid has been on the floor and is in great shape. Mike Breen originally mentioned the story during a preseason broadcast, then apologized after the pushback. Embiid had six points and eight turnovers in 24 minutes Thursday, while LeBron scored 10 in 18 minutes. Philly has two preseason games left before opening Oct. 20 against the defending champion Knicks at Madison Square Garden. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: This blows over fast if Embiid and LeBron look connected when the games count.
Oct 19
Brandon Miller Could Land Huge Hornets Extension
Brandon Miller could be next up for a huge rookie extension in Charlotte. Marc Stein and Jake Fischer report that league observers expect Miller and the Hornets to reach a deal that could top Amen Thompson’s new five-year, $200 million contract with Houston. Miller averaged 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 65 games last season, while shooting 38.3 percent from three. With LaMelo Bell now in Minnesota, Brandon is one of Charlotte’s main building blocks alongside Kon Knueppel. Stein and Fischer also say Cason Wallace and Oklahoma City are discussing an extension worth about $25 million per season, though the final number could climb. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Miller’s next deal lands north of $200 million.
Oct 19
Dalton Knecht Fighting For Lakers Spot
Dalton Knecht could be fighting for his Lakers spot less than two years after Los Angeles drafted him 17th overall in 2024. Khobi Price of the California Post reported multiple rival executives expect Knecht to be the odd man out as the Lakers cut from 16 standard contracts to the 15-player limit. Jaden Hardy is his main competition. Hardy joined the Lakers in the Deandre Ayton trade and averaged 9.2 points last season. JJ Redick said Knecht has had a “good three days of practice” and is “hungry to earn a spot in the rotation.” The preseason opener is Monday at Sacramento, with Opening Day rosters due Oct. 19 at 5 p.m. ET. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Knecht gets a real preseason chance, but Hardy enters camp with the edge.
Oct 19
Nikola Jokic Tops NBA Creators List
Nikola Jokić tops this ranking of the NBA’s best creators heading into 2026-27. He averaged 10.7 assists last season and remains the rare center who can run an entire offense. Tyrese Haliburton, Luka Dončić, Trae Young and Cade Cunningham round out the top group, while LeBron James, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Brunson stay among the league’s best table-setters. The list also gives love to bigger creators like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Scottie Barnes, Jalen Johnson and Alperen Sengün. Young guards like Stephon Castle, Isaiah Collier and Jalen Suggs are climbing too. It’s not just about assist totals, it’s about who bends a defense and gets teammates clean looks. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Cade Cunningham cracks the top five next season if Detroit’s new shooting gives him room to work.
Oct 19
Stephen Curry Open to Warriors Pay Cut
Stephen Curry told ESPN’s Anthony Slater he’s open to taking less than a max contract if it gives the Warriors more room to build a contender. Curry is set to make $62.6 million in 2026-27, and Golden State has offered options ranging from a max deal to smaller pay cuts. He hasn’t made a decision heading into preseason practice next week. Curry said winning is the priority as he weighs the deal. He averaged 26.6 points in 43 games last season, and the Warriors could have more than $100 million in cap space next summer, per Spotrac. Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns and Kyrie Irving could be in the 2027 free-agent class. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Curry takes a team-friendly deal, and Golden State makes a real run at a star next summer.
Oct 19
Nick Nurse Defends Joel Embiid Practice Habits
Nick Nurse shut down the rumor that LeBron James called out Joel Embiid for being late to practice. After Mike Breen shared the story during Monday’s preseason game against the Knicks, LeBron called it a lie on social media. Nurse said Embiid has been “excellent,” in great shape and working hard in practice. That’s good news for Philadelphia heading into 2026-27. Embiid has played fewer than 40 games in each of the last three seasons, so his health is still the big question. But Nurse says Joel was a full participant early in camp and looks ready to chase the playoff run that’s escaped him so far. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Embiid starts the season strong, but Philadelphia’s real test will be keeping him healthy into the playoffs.
Oct 19
Bub Carrington Says Wizards Tanked for Dybantsa
Bub Carrington said the Wizards were held back last season while chasing AJ Dybantsa and the No. 1 pick. “We were trying to get AJ Dybantsa. That's no secret,” Carrington told WUSA9. Washington finished 17-65, then won the lottery and drafted the BYU forward first overall. The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Josh Robbins report the NBA isn’t expected to discipline Carrington or the Wizards. Washington has won 20 or fewer games three straight years, but Carrington says the team is done playing with “handcuffs” and ready to let guys go. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: The Wizards will be more fun next season, but turning 17 wins into real progress won’t happen overnight.
Oct 19
Lakers Talking Knecht Trade with Bucks
Jake Fischer says the Lakers and Bucks have talked about sending Dalton Knecht to Milwaukee, plus second-round picks, for Jericho Sims. Fischer has also heard pessimism that the deal actually happens. Rosters have to be at 15 players on Monday, and Los Angeles has 16 standard contracts, so Knecht could be waived if he is not moved. Knecht was the No. 17 pick in 2024. He averaged 9.1 points as a rookie, then 4.2 points last season. His minus 8.5 net rating was the worst among Lakers who played at least 30 games. Quentin Grimes, Jaden Hardy, and Matisse Thybulle have taken the wing minutes. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Knecht is off the Lakers by Monday, trade or waiver.
Oct 16
Kerr Tells Fans to Expect Curry Rest
Steve Kerr told Warriors fans to check the schedule before they buy tickets. Stephen Curry and the other vets are not going to play every back-to-back. "We'll start trying to map out, week by week, what's what," Kerr said Thursday. Curry played 74 games in 2023-24, 70 in 2024-25, and just 43 last season because of his knee. He is 38. Golden State opens against the Lakers, then plays Memphis and Phoenix on consecutive days. Kerr wants to sit Steph in spots like that so he is ready for the playoffs. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Curry sits one end of that Grizzlies and Suns turnaround.
Oct 15
Melo Says Knicks Mishandled Towns Talks
Carmelo Anthony says the Knicks were smart to stop extension talks with Karl-Anthony Towns, but not if Towns found out on Twitter. "You don't break up the family," he said on his 7PM in Brooklyn podcast. Towns had already called the pause "news to me" and said he was "disappointed." Towns can get an extension worth up to $276 million. New York offered $200 million over four years to stay out of the second apron. He turned that down, so the talks wait until after the season. He also has a $61 million player option this summer. The Knicks are still trying to repeat. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Towns keeps the $61 million option and stays.
Oct 15
Luka Shows Up to Practice in Bugatti
Luka Doncic showed up to Lakers practice Thursday in a Bugatti W16 Mistral, one of 99 ever made. Basket News said he had a 15-car collection as of November 2025, and this is the newest one. He talked about the cars in a Sports Illustrated interview that came out Oct. 8. Snoop Dogg looked the car over last November. Luka and the Lakers open Wednesday against the Warriors. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: That Mistral ends up in half the opener photos.
Oct 15
Curry Happy LeBron Chose the 76ers
Stephen Curry told SiriusXM NBA Radio he is "happy" LeBron James picked the 76ers, and that he still wanted the Warriors in the mix. "You want to be in the conversation for a guy like that who is picking his landing spot," Curry said. "As a friend and an Olympic teammate, I'm happy for him that he found somewhere he wants to be." Philadelphia now has LeBron next to Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, and Joel Embiid. Curry is trying to pull Golden State back after a play-in loss. The two of them still have not shared an NBA team. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Curry and LeBron never share an NBA roster.
Oct 15
Bulls and Clippers Lead for Towns
An anonymous executive told Stefan Bondy of the New York Post that the Bulls and Clippers are the cleanest fits if Karl-Anthony Towns leaves the Knicks. "The Nets can get there with the money, but that's not a good fit," the exec said. Golden State and Dallas could clear about $50 million with more moves. Towns has a $61 million player option. The Knicks offered four years and $200 million, and he can get up to $276 million. The team paused extension talks on Oct. 9. Towns said it was "news to me" and he was "very disappointed." New York opens its title defense Tuesday against the 76ers. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Towns is still in New York when that option comes due.
Oct 15