NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
Dec 27, 2025
Jonathan Kuminga Likely Traded by Golden State Warriors
Merlin sees Jonathan Kuminga slipping from Steve Kerr's rotation after "numerous meetings" failed to resolve their issues. Rival teams expect the 23 year old to be movable once he becomes tradable on Jan. 15, making him a name to watch before the Feb. 5 deadline. The potential split would alter Golden State's depth and force a recalibration of Kuminga's path. Once a promising leap, Kuminga started hot then stalled, and has been "very frustrated" amid limited minutes and missed games. He signed a two year $48.5 million deal and waived his no trade clause, which eases a move, but slumping production lowers his market value. Merlin senses the club and the player may both benefit from a fresh start unless chemistry and minutes return fast. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Kuminga is traded before the Feb. 5 deadline: 70%.
Ace Bailey Hip Flexor Injury Sidelines Jazz Starter
Ace Bailey exited and missed the entire second half after the Jazz announced he suffered a "strained left hip flexor" during Utah's 131 129 win over the Pistons. There is no timeline for his return. Brice Sensabaugh filled Bailey’s spot, pouring in 15 of his 20 points after the break, and Utah snapped a four game skid. Bailey had been hitting his stride since becoming a starter, averaging 12.9 points on 46.8 percent shooting and 38.3 percent from three in 20 starts. Merlin sees a small test of the Jazz depth ahead. A hip flexor can be nagging, and the schedule gets tight with a second night of a back to back Saturday, a Dec 30 date with Boston and a long road trip to start the year. Sensabaugh’s burst soothes worries, but Bailey’s development and the team’s second unit will be under a microscope. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Ace Bailey missing Saturday’s game against the Spurs: 65%.
Dec 27
Warriors Eye Anthony Davis Trade From Mavericks
Merlin sees Golden State eyeing Anthony Davis as the kind of big man that could lift them back into title talk. Chris Haynes says the Warriors are "contemplating" a pitch, but Dallas is "not that fascinated" and would likely want a third team or better assets. GM Mike Dunleavy Jr said they are being "more protective" of picks through 2032. Merlin notes Davis brings star power and mismatch solving but also age, injury history and a heavy contract after playing just 25 of 65 games since the trade. The Mavericks will want draft capital and clarity on salary. Expect the Warriors to probe the market while guarding their future, likely chasing a creative three team solution rather than surrendering long term draft insurance. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Golden State landing Anthony Davis this season: 18%.
Dec 27
Kon Knueppel Ankle Scare Puts Hornets Playoff Hopes at Risk
Merlin sees Charlotte ruled rookie Kon Knueppel out after he rolled his right ankle late in the second quarter against Orlando. Coach Charles Lee said "X rays on Knueppel's ankle were negative" and the team will do more testing back in Charlotte. Knueppel had been scorching, 16 points in 15 minutes on 5 for 7 shooting and 4 for 4 from deep, and is averaging 19.4 points through 30 games while the Hornets sit 10 and 20 and 12th in the East. Merlin senses the ripple. Knueppel logs heavy minutes and his scoring lift matters to a team clinging to play in hope. An extended absence would change Charlotte's rhythm and could nudge roster decisions before Feb 5, especially with the club only "open to business to a degree" on trades. Watch the test results and how the rotation adapts. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: (Odds Knueppel misses more than two games: 30%.)
Dec 26
Austin Reaves Out Four Weeks With Calf Strain
Merlin sees the Lakers will be without Austin Reaves for at least a month after an MRI revealed a grade 2 left gastrocnemius strain. Reaves left the Christmas Day game with what the team called "left calf soreness" and will be reevaluated in four weeks. The team says this is "a separate strain" from the earlier mild calf issue that cost him three games. Losing Reaves removes a top scorer and playmaker from a 19 10 Lakers team. Merlin notes the timing stings. LeBron James and Luka Dončić will shoulder more scoring and Marcus Smart could see expanded minutes as the backcourt is reshuffled. The club will "monitor" Reaves closely, and how the Lakers cope over the next two weeks will tell whether this is a hiccup or a longer derailment. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Lakers staying a top four seed in the West while Reaves is out: 55%.
Dec 26
Nikola Jokic 56 Point Triple Double Stuns Timberwolves
Merlin sees Nikola Jokić deliver perhaps the greatest Christmas Day game ever, a 142 138 overtime win over the Timberwolves. Jokić finished with a triple double of 56 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists, added two blocks and set a record with 18 overtime points. His performance overshadowed Anthony Edwards, who scored 44 and forced overtime with a last second three but was ejected with 20 seconds left. Denver clinched the season series and sits 22 8 in the West. Merlin knows a single night does not create a champion, but nights like this change a season. Teammate Peyton Watson called it a "different level." The win gives Denver a tiebreaker edge and proof that when Jokić turns mystical, the Nuggets can outgun any contender, though Minnesota remains a real threat. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Denver reaching the Western Conference Finals this season: 60%.
Dec 26
JJ Redick Roasts Lakers After Rockets Rout
JJ Redick turned family discipline into a locker room anecdote. He had his sons write "persuasive essays" to earn big gifts, praised nine year old Kai for "really knocked it out of the park," and marveled as 11 year old Knox used his new Apple Watch to call friends. Then came the blunt coaching assessment after a 119 96 loss to Houston: "We don't care enough right now" and "We don't care enough to be a professional." The Lakers sit 19 10 and fourth in the West but have dropped three straight games by double digits, so accountability is now front and center. Merlin sees a coach testing boundaries. Public rebukes signal a shift from patience to consequence. If Redick follows his kids advice and demands written apologies or explanations, rotations and minutes could change fast. The team can still course correct, but the mood must change before talent alone carries them. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Los Angeles makes the Western Conference Finals this season: 30%.
Dec 26
Anthony Davis Injury Update Fuels Mavericks Trade Talk
Merlin sees Anthony Davis escaped a scare six weeks before the trade deadline. The groin problem from the Christmas Day loss was a minor strain and he should miss only a few games after the Mavericks called it "right groin spasms," Shams Charania reports. That matters because Davis is a "significant trade target" but has played just 25 of 65 games since arriving in Dallas, and teams like Toronto, Atlanta and Detroit are cautious given his contract and recent injury history. Merlin knows talent when he sees it. Davis is an impact two way player at his best, but durability and a large contract make him a hard sell. With Dallas at 12 20 and Cooper Flagg emerging, the club must choose between waiting on Davis or turning him into pieces that fit Flagg's timeline. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Anthony Davis being traded by Feb 5: 30%.
Dec 26
Peterson Dybantsa Boozer Battle for 2026 NBA Draft No 1
Merlin sees a three way tug of war for the 2026 draft crown. Scouts are split between Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer, with each offering a different profile. Boozer draws believers for his winning track record and expanding offense — "I have Cam at 1" — while critics fret about his lack of explosion and rim protection. Dybantsa is riding a persuasive, efficient stretch and high level finishing that eases translation questions. Peterson remains the ceiling pick for some because of his creator instincts and control, though a hamstring and just four games make his case partly a memory for now. One scout summed it plainly, "It's still gotta be Peterson due to how he can run a team and control it." Merlin notes teams will choose by need and patience. Some will take the safe looking scorer, others will gamble on fit and upside. Watch Peterson getting fully healthy, Dybantsa versus tougher opponents, and Boozer against athletic frontcourt tests to see who climbs. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Darryn Peterson goes No. 1: 45%.
Dec 26
Stephen Curry Wears Klay Shoes on Christmas in Warriors Win
Stephen Curry, now a sneaker free agent, honored former teammate Klay Thompson by wearing Thompson's signature shoes on Christmas as the Warriors beat the Mavericks 126 116. Thompson called it "great" and "really cool" and joked "Wish he didn't get a win in 'em, but it was awesome. A lot of respect." Curry said the choice was coincidental, one more tribute in a stretch where he has laced up shoes for Kobe, Allen Iverson, Devin Booker and Jimmy Butler. Merlin sees a small ritual with big meaning. The gesture reminds fans of the trio that delivered four titles and softens the edge of a new rivalry now that Thompson plays for Dallas. With five meetings since his move, Thompson and Curry keep weaving the past into the present, and Curry's sneaker free agency has become its own storyline. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Curry signing a new sneaker deal this season: 70%.
Dec 26
JJ Redick Blasts Lakers After Christmas Loss
The Lakers hit a rough patch after a 119 to 96 loss to the Rockets on Christmas, their third straight defeat and a fall from a 15 and 4 start to 4 wins and 6 losses in their last 10. Coach JJ Redick blasted the effort, saying "we don't care enough" and promising practice will be "uncomfortable" because "I'm not doing another 53 games like this." Their defense sits 25th while the offense is seventh, leaving little room for error. Merlin sees a team of bright pieces held together by thin glue. LeBron is showing his age and Austin Reaves matters more than ever. The roster can still be an elite offense when everyone is healthy and locked in, but Redick's public rebuke is a test of leadership and chemistry. The next practices will tell whether this wakes them up or widens the crack. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Lakers making the playoffs this season: 70%.
Dec 26
Cooper Flagg Dazzles as Warriors Down Mavericks
Merlin sees Cooper Flagg’s first Christmas Day showcase as a clear coming out party even in a 126 116 loss to Stephen Curry and the Warriors. The rookie poured in 27 points on 13 of 21 shooting with six rebounds and five assists in 36 minutes, his second straight 25 plus game and sixth overall. He joins LeBron James as the only teenagers to score 25 on Christmas Day. Dallas was shorthanded after Anthony Davis left in the second quarter and was ruled out with what the team called "right groin spasms." Merlin notes the contest was messy. Curry was off but hit a late clutch three and eclipsed 26,000 career points, while Golden State’s bench and Al Horford supplied a big lift. Dallas sits 1 1 in the mini stretch and Flagg is validating the draft hype. With the trade deadline looming and Davis uncertain, Flagg may become the Mavericks best reason for patience. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Cooper Flagg averaging at least 20 points per game this season: 30%.
Dec 26
Steve Kerr Wants Klay Thompson Back to Warriors
Merlin sees Steve Kerr admit after Golden State beat Dallas that he misses Klay Thompson in the Bay Area. Thompson left in 2024 on a three year, 50 million dollar deal and is struggling this season at 11.0 points on 36.9 percent shooting. With ESPN reporting Dallas is "expected to explore his trade market," his status matters to both locker rooms. Merlin notes Thompson insisting "I'm playing to win and nothing's changed," while Stephen Curry said "I wish he was still here." Dallas has shifted since the signing and owes him 17 million next season, a payroll knot that could slow moves. The Feb 5 trade deadline will reveal whether sentiment or dollars decide his next stop. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Klay Thompson returning to Golden State before the Feb 5 trade deadline: 18%.
Dec 26
Stephen Curry Wears Klay Thompson Shoes vs Mavericks
Stephen Curry honored Klay Thompson by wearing Thompson's Anta KT 11 "Christmas" shoes during the Warriors game against the Mavericks. Curry, now a sneaker free agent after parting ways with Under Armour on Nov. 13, has made a habit of wearing signature shoes tied to opponents and peers, from Anthony Edwards to Devin Booker and even Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway. The gesture was a clear nod to the pair who played together from 2011 to 2024 and won four championships. Merlin sees the moment as more than a fashion stunt. It reads like a public thank you and a gentle reminder of a special bond that shaped an era for Golden State. With Curry free to choose his footwear, expect more curated salutes that double as storytelling and brand signals for a player who knows how to command attention without saying much. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Curry will wear Klay sneakers again this season: 40%.
Dec 25
Jimmy Butler: Kerr and Green Heated Exchange Ignited Warriors
A tense sideline spat between Steve Kerr and Draymond Green during a 120 97 win over the Magic seemed to wake the Warriors. Golden State followed with a third straight victory, beating the Mavericks 126 116, and Jimmy Butler weighed in after the game. The splashy trade for Butler and last season's late surge still loom large, but offensive inconsistency has left the team hovering around .500 while the defense ranks third in the league. Merlin sees a club with habit and hope tangled together. Curry and Butler still carry most of the scoring load, so the true test is whether role players can sustain the scoring nights. A three game Eastern road trip beginning in Toronto will reveal if this spark is a flame or a flicker. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Warriors finish above .500 this season: 60%.
Dec 25
Shai Frustrated as Spurs Beat Thunder Again
Merlin sees the Thunder stumble again. Oklahoma City lost three straight to the Spurs after a 117 to 102 home defeat on Christmas, their fourth loss in six games after a 24 to 1 start. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander told teammates to "look in the mirror" following another cold shooting night as San Antonio scored 69 first half points and shot 54 percent while the Thunder were 39 percent and 25 percent from three. DeAaron Fox led the Spurs with 29. Merlin notes San Antonio is surging, on an eight game win streak and sitting 23 and 8 as their motion offense clicks and Victor Wembanyama returns in limited minutes. The Spurs have tortured OKC in three meetings so far and could pose real trouble in a playoff matchup unless the Thunder fix their rhythm and shotmaking before visits on January 13 and February 4. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Spurs winning at least one of the final two regular season games against OKC: 75%.
Dec 25
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Dybantsa Boozer Peterson Heat Up 2026 NBA Draft
Merlin sees the 2026 draft board heating up. Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer are staking claims while Jayden Quaintance made a promising return from an ACL tear with 10 points and eight boards in 17 minutes. A deep point guard class led by Darius Acuff Jr. and Christian Anderson adds more intrigue, and picks owned by Atlanta and Oklahoma City could leap into the top five. Merlin senses teams weighing upside against availability. Peterson is the clearest No 1 if he proves healthy, but Boozer’s all around polish and Dybantsa’s wing power make the race tight. Quaintance nudges big man priority toward rim protection. Expect the board to stay fluid as medical reports and March showings reshape consensus. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Darryn Peterson going No 1 in 2026: 40%.
Dec 25
Tyler Kolek Blocks Donovan Mitchell Windmill, Knicks Top Cavaliers
Tyler Kolek sprinted back to block Donovan Mitchell’s windmill dunk late in the Knicks 126 to 124 win, a play that stood after New York’s challenge and helped flip the finish. Kolek finished with 16 points, 11 in the fourth, and nine assists as the Knicks improved to 21 to 9. He admitted, "He wanted to do some windmill s--t, he slowed down," explaining how the chance to recover arrived. Merlin sees more than luck here. Kolek’s burst of defense and playmaking hints at real bench trust and late game utility for the Knicks, while Mitchell’s 34 points and a ferocious one handed slam remind everyone Cleveland still has juice. If Kolek keeps closing games like this, New York’s depth becomes a championship ingredient. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Kolek wins regular late game minutes and more closing chances this month: 65%.
Dec 25
Karl Anthony Towns Engaged To Jordyn Woods After Knicks Win
Karl Anthony Towns had more to celebrate than a 126 124 Knicks win over the Cavaliers on Christmas Day. He and Jordyn Woods announced their engagement on Instagram with the caption "Marry Christmas." The pair dated for five years after years of friendship and Woods recently gave Towns a car like the one his mother had as a child. On the court Towns posted 11 points and 14 rebounds while Jalen Brunson led with 34 as New York rallied from a double digit fourth quarter hole to move to 21 9 and hold second place in the East. Merlin sees harmony off the court feeding confidence on it. A settled Towns and a hot Brunson make the Knicks a deeper threat, but true magic will depend on bench play and health. Love bought a ring tonight, but the true test comes in April. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Knicks reaching the Eastern Conference finals this season: 40%.
Dec 25
Warriors Star Stephen Curry Flaunts Sneakers Amid Free Agency
Stephen Curry is treating sneaker free agency like a showcase, arriving at Chase Center in Kobe Bryant's "Yellow Toe" PE of Allen Iverson's Reebok Question, warming up in 2010 Nike Hyperdunks and even playing in teammate Jimmy Butler's "Snake Spirit" Li Ning JB 3. He and Under Armour parted ways last month while Curry Brand continues independently with UA releases through 2026. On court he averages 28.7 points and remains a Christmas Day draw. Merlin senses a careful audition. Wearing nostalgic icons and a rival signature shoe sends signals to Nike Li Ning and others that Curry can shape the market. With on court brilliance and control of Curry Brand he has rare leverage. Expect more eclectic footwear choices and a big performance against Dallas. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Curry signs a new sneaker deal before season end: 65%.
Dec 25
Wembanyama and Fox Lead Spurs Sweep Thunder
San Antonio’s win in Oklahoma City 117 to 102 on Christmas completed a three game sweep of the Thunder in about two weeks and signaled that a new rivalry has arrived. Shai Gilgeous Alexander admitted respect, saying "They know how to play. They have talent. They play the right way." De Aaron Fox led the Spurs with 29 points and Victor Wembanyama added 19 and 11 off the bench as he rounds back from a calf issue, while Gilgeous Alexander struggled at 7 of 19 shooting. Merlin senses more than a hot streak. The Spurs are building a rugged defense and a balanced attack that can trouble elite teams, and Wembanyama’s return shifts them from rebuild toward real threat. Oklahoma City is not finished, but momentum is a fragile thing. Two more meetings will tell how deep this rivalry runs. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Spurs winning the Western Conference this season: 20%.
Dec 25
Draymond Green Calls Cooper Flagg Mavericks Breakout Star
Before their Christmas Day showdown, Warriors veteran Draymond Green praised Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg, saying "I think Cooper Flagg is a stud." Green pointed out that Flagg "does it on both ends of the floor," noting the 19 year old has found his offensive spots and become a defensive force. After starting the season as Dallas's primary ball handler and struggling, Flagg moved to his natural forward role and has averaged 25.1 points since November 29, a spark for a team with 12 wins and 19 losses. Merlin sees a young talent settling into his form. Opponents will try to make him the playmaker again, but if Flagg keeps scoring and guarding at a high level, he can accelerate Dallas's climb. The Christmas lights will reveal whether he performs under veteran pressure or still needs time to carry a roster. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Cooper Flagg finishes the season averaging 20 or more points per game: 65%.
Dec 25
Durant Declares Gravity Man as Curry Tops NBA Stat
Kevin Durant has dubbed himself "gravity man" after the NBA introduced a gravity stat and placed him second, behind Stephen Curry. The metric measures how much a player pulls defenders toward them. Curry leads Durant by 2.6 points, a bigger gap than between Durant and James Harden at fifth. Durant is averaging 25.2 points on 50.9 percent shooting and 42.9 percent from three. He faces LeBron James on Christmas Day. Merlin sees Durant still bending defenses with calm authority. That gravity fuels his scoring and opens looks for teammates. Curry remains in a class of his own, but Durant’s late career consistency feels like real sorcery. The Christmas duel will reveal how much attention Durant attracts when every defense tightens. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Durant finishes the season averaging 25 points and 50 percent shooting: 70%.
Dec 25
Warriors' Draymond Green, Steve Kerr Patch Up After Bench Exit
Merlin sees the moment between Draymond Green and Steve Kerr as a public reminder of how intense leadership looks inside a championship team. Green left the bench after a heated exchange, telling Inside the NBA "Things are great" and that stepping away let them "mitigate the damages" and move forward. Kerr owned the moment too, saying "Monday night was not my finest hour" and "I regret my actions in that exchange." Both apologized and the Warriors, now back at .500 with a 15 and 15 record, won the game and moved on. Merlin notes these clashes are part of a long shared history. Over 12 years they have weathered friction and forged titles. If Green and Kerr keep turning heat into lessons, Golden State can steady itself for the tougher tests ahead. The real question is whether patience holds when stakes rise. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: ("Odds Draymond Green retires as a Warrior within three seasons: 55%.")
Dec 25
Giannis to Raptors? Kawhi to Heat? Five Trades
Merlin sees a list of five bold trade blueprints that could rattle the NBA this season. Ideas include Golden State adding Michael Porter Jr, Detroit chasing Lauri Markkanen, San Antonio acquiring Trey Murphy III, Miami pursuing Kawhi Leonard James Harden and Chris Paul, and Toronto offering for Giannis Antetokounmpo. The piece even dubs it a "trade season to remember" as contenders would swap youth and picks for instant star power. Merlin warns these spells carry real costs. Stars can lift a team now but strain salary plans and break chemistry later. Miami betting culture on veterans is high risk. Toronto replaying a Kawhi style move invites pressure. Sellers could harvest picks and youth to reset. These pitches are imaginative and plausible, not promises. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of at least one of these five blockbusters landing before the deadline: 35%.
Dec 25