NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
Feb 9, 2026
Mark Cuban Eyes Mavericks Buyback After Luka Doncic Trade
An unidentified investor group is reportedly looking to pair with Mark Cuban to buy the Mavericks from Patrick Dumont, a development that would reshape Dallas ownership. Cuban still holds 27 percent of the team and has been an adviser since Nico Harrison’s dismissal, and his past comment that "Nothing's really changed except my bank account" reads differently now after he publicly questioned the Luka Dončić trade, telling reporters, "If the Mavs are going to trade Luka, that's one thing. Just get a better deal." Merlin senses more than nostalgia. The Dumont family says they are "excited about the future of the franchise and the Cooper Flagg era," but fan fury over the Dončić move and internal shakeups left Cuban sidelined. If Cuban feels the franchise drifted, teaming with buyers could be a way back to influence. The story could pivot fast. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Mark Cuban partners with a buyer to regain control of the Mavericks within two years: 25%.
Paul Pierce Defends Doc Rivers: Not Overrated
Paul Pierce leapt to Doc Rivers' defense as critics label the coach overrated, telling the No Fouls Given podcast, "I think he's great at motivating" and "I think he's great out of timeouts." Pierce placed Rivers' high-profile 3-1 losses on the players, arguing superstars must win games without coaching. Rivers still owns a title and two Finals with Boston, but his runs with the Clippers, 76ers and Bucks failed to clear the second round and sparked the current debate. Merlin sees the story as more than headlines. Coaching is part craft and part roster alchemy. Rivers' strengths in motivation and late-game craft are real, yet injuries, superstar availability and front office moves often decide series. Give Rivers a clear star and steady roster and he can still guide deep runs; without that, the coach takes the blame. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Doc Rivers returning to the NBA Finals as a head coach within three seasons: 20%.
Feb 9
Kon Knueppel Sparks Hornets Rookie of the Year Run
Kon Knueppel has been a revelation for the Hornets, averaging 18.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 48.6 percent from the field and 42.8 percent from three. He set Charlotte’s rookie record for three-pointers and sits second in Rookie of the Year odds at +546 behind Cooper Flagg. Coach Charles Lee praised him, saying "He has this bravado... He stays even keeled," and "He’s a f--king killer," while Knueppel admitted, "I didn't think I'd play in the NBA." Charlotte’s nine-game win streak has lifted them to 25-28. Merlin sees a calm young star whose cool mask hides a deadly scorer. Knueppel’s range and efficiency give the rebuild a needed spark, and his Three-Point Contest invite will only boost his profile. Experience and defense remain the true exams, but if confidence holds, the Hornets could be more than a surprise. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Knueppel winning Rookie of the Year this season: 30%.
Feb 9
Clippers Shakeup Sparks Kawhi Leonard Trade Frenzy
Merlin sees the Clippers shook the league at the deadline by trading James Harden and Ivica Zubac, moves that triggered rival clubs to circle Kawhi Leonard. Marc Stein reported the Clippers "were hit with multiple" trade inquiries in the final hour, though they "ultimately resisted the inbound interest." Leonard has answered on the court, chewing up defenses with a 41-point night. Merlin senses the roster shift turns Leonard into L.A.'s clear focal point while the Clippers collect youth and draft capital. Leonard admitted "Obviously, you need luck in this league" and that he "wanted to give it another run." If the team fails to contend, the summer could bring another test for the franchise and for Kawhi's future. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Kawhi Leonard being traded this summer: 30%.
Feb 9
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Giannis Playing Final Games With Bucks
Merlin sees the 2026 trade deadline rewrite the map. A record 28 deals involving 73 players sharpened playoff races and left stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James facing big decisions. San Antonio kept its core and now threatens to overtake an injury-plagued Oklahoma City for the West, while Detroit and Cade Cunningham sit atop the East. Merlin notes youth and chemistry are the current magic. Golden State looks shaky, Charlotte’s surge and Coby White push them into play-in contention, and Cunningham has the narrative voters love for MVP. If Milwaukee misses again, Giannis will likely seek a new home this summer and close a long chapter in Milwaukee. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis requesting a trade this season: 25%.
Feb 9
Jaylen Brown: Celtics Still Adjusting After Vucevic Trade
The Celtics reshaped their roster at the deadline, trading for Nikola Vučević and sending out role players while Jaylen Brown called the group a "work in progress." Brown said, "We got to figure out the chemistry... We want Vuc to be a little bit more aggressive." Vučević scored 11 points with six rebounds but was 1-of-6 from three in his early games, and coach Joe Mazzulla continues to tinker with lineups as Boston sits 34-19. Merlin sees Boston as a hungry team nudged toward a win-now blend that can also unsettle its flow. Mazzulla noted "The same as we've done... we've tinkered," and Derrick White admitted they are "playing a little different" and "not as crisp." If film, minutes, and confidence click, Vučević could unlock new looks; if not, the regular season will expose the seams. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Boston reaching the Eastern Conference Finals this season: 35%.
Feb 9
Giannis and Bucks Delay Extension Drama Until Offseason
The trade deadline passed with Giannis Antetokounmpo still a Buck, and both sides will wait until summer to chart the next step, ESPN’s Jamal Collier reported. Giannis can sign a four year, $275 million extension on Oct. 1, but a trade would force a six month wait to sign a max with a new team, per Bobby Marks. Giannis expects his calf to take "four to six weeks" to heal, and Doc Rivers said the team has given "no thought" to shutting him down. Milwaukee sits 21-29 and is fighting for a play-in spot while holding mid lottery odds. Merlin sees a standoff shaped by timing and leverage. If Giannis signals willingness to extend, Milwaukee can rebuild around him. If not, suitors will circle early in the summer. Health, the Oct. 1 deadline, and his "intentions" will decide whether the saga ends or deepens. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Giannis signs an extension with Milwaukee this offseason: 30%.
Feb 9
Knicks' Jalen Brunson Shrugs Off Josh Hart Roast
Jalen Brunson brushed off questions about a playful social-media spat with teammate Josh Hart, saying "Nothing. I don't want to talk about it" and joking, "He's a f--king a--hole man. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." The exchange fits a long pattern: the two were Villanova teammates, cohost the Roommates Show, and regularly poke fun at one another. On the court the duo is steady—Brunson is a third straight All-Star at 27.1 points and 6.1 assists, while Hart chips in 12.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and a career 40.4 percent from three—helping the Knicks sit 34-19 and second in the East. Merlin sees banter as glue, not gasoline. Chemistry born of history often survives jokes, and with both players producing at a high level the chatter is more clubhouse color than crisis. Still, the true test will arrive when stakes rise and minutes tighten. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Brunson-Hart banter becoming a real chemistry problem by the playoffs: 10%.
Feb 9
Warriors Deny Giannis Trade Involving Jimmy Butler
Merlin sees Golden State’s GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. close the book on deadline specifics about talks with Milwaukee for Giannis, saying, "You're putting words in my mouth," and refusing to name trade pieces. Media had floated Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green as fits; Butler, recovering from a torn ACL, will stay with the Warriors while they sit eighth at 28-25. Merlin senses stability over spectacle. Keeping Butler preserves a high-value, expiring salary the front office can wield in the summer, while Dunleavy’s insistence that Green "was not in conversations" aims to calm a restless room. If the Warriors falter, expect the staff to convert expiring contracts into draft assets. If they rally, those same contracts become insurance for a playoff push. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Warriors trade Jimmy Butler this offseason: 35%.
Feb 8
Houston Rockets' Kevin Durant Campaigns for CeraVe Super Bowl Ad
Kevin Durant is quietly campaigning for a Super Bowl LXI spot with CeraVe after becoming the face of its "Moisturize Like a Derm" push. Boardroom explained that "KD just turned a long-running internet joke into a brand move," turning a viral "mean tweets" teaser about his dry ankles into dermatologist-backed messaging, complete with paparazzi-style gym photos, influencer reactions, and expert explainers. Durant is also having a strong season, averaging 25.9 points on 51.0 percent shooting, plus 5.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists, and he made his 16th All-Star Game. Merlin sees the logic: a top-tier star, a social-first campaign, and in-house business ties make a Super Bowl buy plausible. Meme culture turned educational gives CeraVe headline value and Durant familiar territory as both athlete and businessman. If the Rockets keep him in the spotlight and the campaign keeps trending, an ad in the big game is a likely next act. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Kevin Durant landing a Super Bowl LXI ad with CeraVe this season: 55%.
Feb 8
James Harden Praises Clippers After Big Cavs Debut
James Harden debuted for the Cleveland Cavaliers after his trade from the Los Angeles Clippers, scoring 23 points and eight assists in a 132-126 win over Sacramento. He spoke warmly of his former team, calling the Clippers "one of the best organizations that I've been in from top to bottom." The Cavaliers sit 32-21 and have won 10 of their last 12, and Harden now turns his focus toward an elusive championship in Cleveland. Merlin sees a player who closed a Los Angeles chapter with grace and arrived ready to contribute. The debut proved Harden can still move the needle, but the real magic will be chemistry with Cleveland’s core and how coach and rotation shape around him. His veteran savvy makes the Cavs more dangerous, yet questions of fit and longevity remain. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Cleveland winning the NBA title this season with Harden: 18%.
Feb 8
Damian Lillard, Devin Booker, Tyrese Maxey Headline Three Point Contest
Merlin sees Damian Lillard entering the three-point contest even though he has not played this season while recovering from a torn Achilles. It will be the only chance high school fans get to see Lillard in 2025-26 after he was ruled out for the year. He lines up against Tyrese Maxey, Devin Booker and Donovan Mitchell among others. Merlin notes Lillard’s pedigree: 2,804 career threes, fifth all time, and a two-time contest champion (2023, 2024). Rust is possible after no game action, but experience counts in a timed shooting gauntlet. The field is deep with Jamal Murray, Bobby Portis, Norman Powell and rookie Kon Knueppel, and last year’s winner Tyler Herro is sidelined with a rib injury. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Lillard winning the three-point contest: 18%.
Feb 8
Lakers' Jaxson Hayes Apologizes After Mascot Shove
Jaxson Hayes apologized to teammates and to the Wizards mascot after a one-game suspension for shoving G-Wiz before the Jan. 30 game. Hayes admitted he "let his emotions get the better of him" and said the mascot had interrupted his pregame preparations. He missed the Lakers’ suspension game, returned to start against Golden State (six points, 20 minutes), and Los Angeles pushed a three-game winning streak while sitting 32-19 and fifth in the Western Conference. Merlin sees a young player learning the cost of heat of the moment. The punishment was short and the team kept winning, so the episode is more warning than crisis. If Hayes channels that fire into consistent play and keeps his cool, the Lakers gain energy without drama. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Hayes drawing another suspension this season: 12%.
Feb 8
D'Angelo Russell Won't Report to Washington Wizards
D'Angelo Russell was sent to Washington in the Anthony Davis deal, but he will not report, GM Will Dawkins said: "At the time, he's not going to report as we try to figure out what's best for him and us in our future." Russell is on a two-year, $11.6 million deal with a $6 million player option for 2026-27. He averaged 10.2 points and 4.0 assists and has not played since Jan. 10. Contenders seeking backcourt depth tracked him before the deadline. Merlin sees the player option as leverage. When Milwaukee wanted Russell to drop the option he "balked at the idea," per Marc Stein. Washington can trade him for picks or vets, seek a buyout, or hold while weighing roster needs. Recent benching and illness dent his value, but teams chasing guard depth will circle. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Russell is traded again before the end of the season: 70%.
Feb 8
Lakers Sign G League Star Kobe Bufkin
Merlin sees the Lakers signed guard Kobe Bufkin to a two-year contract with a team option for 2026-27 after his G League explosion. The 22-year-old former Michigan star and 2023 No. 15 pick struggled for minutes in Atlanta but averaged 27.7 points, 3.4 made threes and shot 52.2 percent with South Bay. With a roster spot open after the trade deadline, Los Angeles added him as the 15th man following a 10-day stint. Merlin notes the fit is natural. Los Angeles needs shooting and depth for a playoff push, and Bufkin’s scoring and perimeter touch are real. He is not Kobe Bryant reincarnated, despite the name, but he offers cheap upside. If his hot shooting translates in regular minutes, the Lakers get a low-risk, high-reward boost. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Bufkin earns regular rotation minutes this season: 40%.
Feb 8
Cam Thomas Joins Milwaukee Bucks To Ignite Offense
Merlin notes the Bucks signed free agent guard Cam Thomas after Brooklyn waived him. The 24-year-old is a proven scorer who averaged 22.5 and 24.0 points in past seasons but has battled hamstring problems and mixed playmaking and defensive impact. Milwaukee, sitting 21-29, is betting Thomas can add a scoring punch to the rotation while Giannis recovers and beyond. Merlin sees a classic high-reward, high-risk fit. If Thomas stays healthy and settles into a role as a heat-check scorer and floor spacer, he can spark the second unit and relieve the starters. If weaknesses on defense and passing persist, his minutes will be matchup driven and volatile. The Bucks must manage his load to unlock value. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Cam Thomas averages 12+ points per game with the Bucks this season: 60%.
Feb 8
LeBron, Hachimura Power Lakers Past Warriors
LeBron James and Rui Hachimura combined for 38 points to lift the Lakers past the Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday, a game played without Stephen Curry, who has been sidelined with patellofemoral pain syndrome commonly called "runner's knee," and Luka Dončić, out with a left hamstring strain. James finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists while Hachimura shot 70 percent for 18. The Lakers improved to 32-19 and kept pace with Houston for fourth in the West; Golden State slipped to 28-25. Merlin sees a clear lesson: availability and role players decide nights like this. Moses Moody led Golden State with 25, but the Warriors missed a true go-to without Curry. Los Angeles got timely production from Marcus Smart and Austin Reaves and a steady hand from LeBron. Upcoming matchups — Golden State’s homestand and LA’s test against top-seeded OKC — will reveal whether this was a statement or a single bright night. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Lakers hold the fourth seed at season’s end: 55%.
Feb 8
Warriors Reveal Curry and Porzingis Return Timelines, Hope Rises
Merlin sees Golden State’s latest health check. Coach Steve Kerr said Stephen Curry, out since Jan. 30 with what the team calls "patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner's knee)," and newly acquired Kristaps Porziņģis, who "hasn't played since Jan. 7" with left Achilles tendinitis, should return soon. The timing is urgent. The Warriors are 28-24 and sliding after losing Jimmy Butler for the season and dealing key pieces in the trade that brought Porziņģis. Merlin notes the immediate stretch is brutal: three games before the All-Star break and a Feb. 19 rematch with the Celtics. If Curry and Porziņģis return healthy and minutes are managed, Golden State can climb the West. If not, their window could shrink fast as chemistry and depth remain thin. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds both are ready for the Feb. 19 game vs. Boston: 50%.
Feb 7
Stephon Castle 40 Triple Double Lifts Spurs Over Mavericks
Merlin reports: Cooper Flagg and the Mavericks dropped a seventh straight, falling 138-125 to the Spurs as Stephon Castle erupted for a 40-point triple double with 12 assists and 12 rebounds. Victor Wembanyama added 16 points and 11 boards as San Antonio improved to 36-16 and extended their streak to four wins. Dallas fell to 19-33 in just their second game since the eight-player deal that sent Anthony Davis to Washington and brought back a reshaped roster, leaving the Mavericks outside the Western Conference top 10. Merlin sees a clear momentum swing in San Antonio. Castle’s star turn and Wembanyama’s steady rim work make the Spurs a real threat in the chase for Oklahoma City, while Dallas still looks like a work in progress after the blockbuster swap. Cooper Flagg showed flashes, but the new pieces need time to gel if the Mavericks hope to stop the slide. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Dallas reaching the playoffs this season: 12%.
Feb 7
Lakers Seize Luke Kennard To Boost LeBron
Merlin sees the Lakers took a careful, not desperate, route at the trade deadline. Los Angeles traded Gabe Vincent and a second-round pick for sharpshooter Luke Kennard. GM Rob Pelinka said "I would say we were aggressive" and called Kennard "the best shooter in the game," pointing to his league-leading 49.7 percent from three and his ability to "create gravity and space" next to LeBron and Luka. The move kept the Lakers at 31-19 and fifth in the West. Merlin senses the front office chose spacing and flexibility over a risky short-term patch. Kennard offers lineup versatility with Rui Hachimura, LeBron, Dončić and Austin Reaves, while the team stays ready to chase buyout pieces like Haywood Highsmith or Cam Thomas. The upgrade sharpens offense and playoff shooting but does little to fix defense or rebounding, so health and bench depth will decide how far this spell carries them. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Lakers reaching the Western Conference Finals this season: 35%.
Feb 7
Chicago Bulls' Mac McClung Brings Dunk Show to Rising Stars
Merlin sees Mac McClung stepping into the Rising Stars after David Jones Garcia’s ankle injury, fresh off a two-way deal with the Chicago Bulls. He’s been electric in the G League, averaging 25.7 points and 7.5 assists in 25 games, and is a three-time Slam Dunk champion. The invite puts his scoring and athleticism on a national stage despite just 10 career NBA games. Merlin senses this is both reward and audition. Joined by a G League squad led by Austin Rivers, McClung can deliver the high-flying moments fans love and maybe turn them into more NBA chances. His track record says highlight plays are likely, sustained minutes are not guaranteed, and a standout All-Star weekend could shift that balance. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds McClung earns a standard NBA contract this season: 25%.
Feb 7
Dirk Calls Mavericks Anthony Davis Return Meager
Dirk Nowitzki said he was "a little disappointed" by Dallas' return in the Anthony Davis trade. The Mavericks got Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Tyus Jones, Marvin Bagley III, first-round picks in 2026 and 2030 and three second-rounders. With Davis limited to 20 games and likely to be shut down, his trade value was low, so Dallas accepted modest pieces as it pivots to build around rookie Cooper Flagg and close the chapter on the Luka Dončić era. Merlin sees a pragmatic if unspectacular move. As Dirk put it, "there's not a lot that came back." Middleton and Tyus Jones offer veteran steadiness and the picks could fuel a rebuild, but Dallas traded star juice for long term flexibility. The club prioritized clarity and a new plan, and now the front office must prove the vision. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Dallas makes the playoffs next season: 40%.
Feb 7
Sizzling NBA 2026 Free Agency Targets LeBron Porzingis Wiggins
Merlin sees a roadmap for 2026 free agency shaped by what just happened at the trade deadline. The article assigns a likely target for every team, noting who will chase the mid-level exception, who must use taxpayer exceptions, and who will treat cap space as trade currency. As the piece puts it, "free agency remains a massive deal," and it names fits from Collin Sexton in Atlanta to Peyton Watson in Denver and Robert Williams III for several suitors. Merlin knows the league well enough to say patterns matter more than names. Contenders will hunt short term fits and one year bargains, rebuilders will buy picks or absorb unwanted salaries, and restricted pieces like Watson or Kessler could decide several offseason narratives. Expect many middling deals and strategic holdouts rather than blockbuster splurges. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds teams will use cap space mainly to facilitate trades this offseason: 70%.
Feb 7
Draymond: Warriors Almost Traded Me For Giannis Antetokounmpo
Merlin sees Draymond Green said he and GM Mike Dunleavy "talked for quite a while" about a potential swap for Giannis Antetokounmpo before the trade deadline. Green relayed Dunleavy's line that "you or Jimmy would have to be in the trade," and took that to mean "it'll probably be me." ESPN reported Green was part of the framework of offers, but Milwaukee kept Giannis, so Green stays with the Warriors for now. Merlin notes how strange and telling it is when a team mulls moving a 14-year franchise pillar to chase a modern superstar. Giannis offers youth and elite production, and the Warriors were willing to sacrifice culture and defense to pair him with Stephen Curry. The moment passed, but the conversation reveals how fragile rosters and loyalties can be when titles and timelines collide. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Draymond Green being traded this offseason: 30%.
Feb 7
Emotional Jared McCain Leaves Sixers for Thunder
Jared McCain was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a 2026 first round pick and three second rounders, and he publicly thanked Philadelphia, saying he was "blessed to be part of the Thunder organization" and "I'll always love you, Philly." A 2024 16th overall pick, McCain showed rookie flashes (15.3 points per game before a torn meniscus) but saw minutes and efficiency fall this season to 16.8 minutes and 38.5 percent shooting. He now joins a crowded Thunder backcourt that includes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Alex Caruso. Merlin sees this as a smart reset. Landing on the defending champions with a 40-12 record gives McCain a learning lab and a clearer role to earn. With SGA out through the All-Star break there is a short window to prove he can shoot efficiently and defend. If he finds that form, he could carve out rotation minutes on a title contender. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds McCain cracks OKC’s rotation by season’s end: 40%.
Feb 7