NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
Oct 19, 2026
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.
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
Edwards Warns NBA the Wolves Will Foul
Anthony Edwards put a video on YouTube telling the league what this Timberwolves team is bringing. He said when Minnesota comes to town they are going to foul, and he told fans to get season tickets because they are turning it up. The Wolves added LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga. Naz Reid and Julius Randle are gone, so more of the scoring sits with Edwards. Ball can set him up and punish doubles from three. LaMelo's Minnesota debut is Oct. 21 against the Heat. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Edwards picks up a flagrant before November.
Oct 15
Knicks Expected to Waive Drew Eubanks
The Knicks are expected to waive Drew Eubanks after he tore his pectoral, ESPN's Shams Charania reported. He had been fighting for a roster spot. Tony Bradley was waived Thursday, and Kristian Winfield wrote that James Wiseman is now the favorite for the third center job behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond. Eubanks was on an Exhibit 9 deal, so the cap hit is $15,000, per Bobby Marks. He had eight points, two rebounds, two assists, and a block in 15 minutes against Toronto on Tuesday. Wiseman had 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting and 10 rebounds in that same game. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Wiseman makes the Knicks' opening roster.
Oct 15
NBA Teams Face Offseason Overreactions
The NBA offseason has been chaos, and this rundown hits every team with one early overreaction. The Hawks added Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins, the Heat landed Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Lakers paid Austin Reaves and traded for Walker Kessler, and the Sixers now have LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. There were also major moves involving LaMelo Ball, Ja Morant, Trae Young, Anthony Davis and more. A lot of these takes are way too final before training camp even starts. Boston can still build around Jayson Tatum. Nikola Jokić hasn’t asked out of Denver. Stephen Curry’s Warriors still have paths to improve. Summer League also doesn’t decide the future for prospects like Keaton Wagler, Darius Acuff Jr., Allen Graves or Darryn Peterson. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: At least a few of these “overreactions” will look pretty smart by the All-Star break.
Sep 13
Pelicans Sign Bennedict Mathurin For $16M
Bennedict Mathurin is headed to New Orleans on a two-year, $16 million deal, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports. The Clippers gave Mathurin a qualifying offer, but Jake Fischer says they’ll work with him to complete the move. Mathurin averaged 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 54 games last season. The 24-year-old was the No. 6 pick in 2022 and reached the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals and 2025 NBA Finals with Indiana. He joined the Clippers on Feb. 5, 2026, in the deal that sent Ivica Zubac to the Pacers, then averaged 17.4 points as their sixth man. New Orleans had been linked to Mathurin since July 28, and now gets another young scorer for its future. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Mathurin gets a bigger role in New Orleans and pushes for a starting spot.
Sep 13
Cam Whitmore Among Free Agents Worth Signing
A few useful free agents are still sitting out there as training camps get close. Ochai Agbaji, Bruce Brown Jr., Lindy Waters III, Cam Whitmore and Vince Williams Jr. all bring different upside, and none should cost more than a minimum deal. Some could even land non-guaranteed camp invites. Agbaji can defend guards, Brown does a little of everything, and Waters can really let threes fly. Whitmore is only 22 and can score, but his passing, defense and health are real questions. Williams is rehabbing a torn left ACL and could miss much of 2026-27, but his defense makes him an interesting long-term bet. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Whitmore gets a camp deal and turns it into a real rotation spot.
Sep 13
Stephen Curry Eligible for Warriors Extension
Stephen Curry becomes eligible Saturday to sign a two-year, $136.7 million extension with the Warriors. Nick Friedell of The Athletic reports Curry is still expected to sign, but waiting could leave Golden State dealing with questions all season. Steph is set to make $62.6 million in 2026-27 before free agency next summer. Mike Dunleavy said Aug. 11 he’s confident Curry will finish his career with Golden State. The Warriors went 37-45 last season, brought back Draymond Green, Kristaps Porziņģis, Al Horford, De'Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II, and reportedly tried to sign LeBron James before he joined Philadelphia. Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody are recovering from season-ending injuries, so Curry may want to see how the roster looks first. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Steph signs the extension, but Golden State’s start will tell everyone how good he feels about the plan.
Sep 13
Lakers Miss Jonathan Kuminga to Timberwolves
Jonathan Kuminga picked the Minnesota Timberwolves over the Lakers, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports. Los Angeles offered him a starting role and more than $12 million per year. Now the Lakers are looking at other options, including PJ Washington, De’Andre Hunter, and free agent Bruce Brown. Washington would bring size and versatility, plus he already has chemistry with Luka Dončić from Dallas’ 2024 Finals run. Hunter offers wing shooting but carries a $24.9 million cap hit. Brown could be the cheaper fit, giving the Lakers defense and shooting behind Austin Reaves. Los Angeles could also wait and see what the roster needs closer to the trade deadline. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: The Lakers make at least one smaller move before deciding whether a bigger trade is worth it.
Sep 13
LeBron, Giannis, Kawhi Could Switch Teams
Marc Stein reports that LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Kawhi Leonard could be on new teams next season. LeBron is the only one headed for free agency after the season, while Giannis and Kawhi drew interest from other teams before the Feb. 5 trade deadline. LeBron is expected to return for a 24th NBA season, but it’s unclear if he’ll finish his career with the Lakers after eight years in Los Angeles. Giannis has been publicly feuding with the Bucks, which could push Milwaukee toward a deal. Kawhi has kept the Clippers in playoff position after James Harden left, but a split could make sense if they can’t build a real title path around him. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Giannis is the most likely of the three to be wearing a new jersey next season.
Apr 15
Steve Kerr Expected Back With Warriors
Steve Kerr’s contract expires after the season, but The Athletic’s Nick Friedell reports there’s been “no indication of a split” between Kerr and the Warriors. Golden State faces the Los Angeles Clippers in Wednesday’s play-in game, and a loss would end its season. Kerr and general manager Mike Dunleavy have said they’ll talk about the future after the season. The Warriors went 37-45, with Stephen Curry missing major time because of a knee injury and Jimmy Butler out for the year with a torn ACL. If Golden State beats the Clippers, it’ll need one more play-in win to reach the playoffs. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Kerr and the Warriors work out a new deal after the season, even if this play-in run ends fast.
Apr 15
Joel Embiid Tops NBA What Ifs List
Joel Embiid’s appendectomy has him headed into the 2026 playoffs with another health question hanging over the 76ers. He’s missed 476 career games and played 490, even while putting up MVP-level numbers when he’s available. The injury history has put Embiid alongside NBA’s biggest what-ifs, including Bill Walton, Grant Hill, Penny Hardaway, Derrick Rose, Brandon Roy, Yao Ming, Greg Oden, Ralph Sampson and Tracy McGrady. Embiid has still done plenty, with five All-NBA selections and the 2022-23 MVP. But he’s played 66 games in a season only twice, and finished top two in MVP voting both times. Philadelphia knows the deal now: its playoff ceiling depends on whether Joel can actually be on the floor and close to himself. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Embiid will be the biggest swing factor in the East, but the Sixers can’t count on a full playoff run until he proves he can finish one.
Apr 15
Austin Reaves Expected Back With Lakers
The regular season ended Sunday, and 10 teams are already focused on the 2026 offseason. The Lakers could have big calls coming if Luka Dončić’s hamstring and Austin Reaves’ oblique injuries lead to an early exit. Jovan Buha says Reaves is likely “to prioritize getting a four to five-year deal and will push for a longer deal.” LeBron James is also headed for unrestricted free agency. Golden State wants Kristaps Porziņģis back after trading for him from Atlanta. Brett Siegel reports the Warriors are “fully committed” to getting a deal done quickly. In Atlanta, Jake Fischer says there’s mutual interest for the Hawks to decline Jonathan Kuminga’s $24.3 million team option and work out a longer deal instead. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Reaves stays with the Lakers on a five-year deal, Porziņģis re-signs with the Warriors, and Kuminga gets a new three-year contract in Atlanta.
Apr 15