NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
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Mar 27, 2026
Michael Porter Jr To Pistons As Hornets Land Ausar Thompson
Merlin sees a bold three-team proposal that would send Michael Porter Jr. to Detroit, Ausar Thompson and Paul Reed to Charlotte, and Miles Bridges, Duncan Robinson and a 2027 first to Brooklyn. The idea: move MPJ out of a stagnant Nets roster where he "wasted a career year" and plug his scoring and improved creation into the Pistons, while Charlotte upgrades a wing spot with elite on-ball defense to protect LaMelo and Brandon Miller, and Brooklyn collects an expiring contract, a shooter to flip, and a pick. Merlin senses fits and friction. MPJ in Tobias Harris’ role could unlock Detroit’s ceiling, Thompson would supply the defensive glue the Hornets lack, and Brooklyn gets tradeable pieces. Risks remain: MPJ’s expiring contract, Thompson’s shooting limits, and Charlotte surrendering a future first. The plan is tidy on paper and messy in real life. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: (“Odds of this three-team deal happening this summer: 12%.”)
Draft Lottery May Save Domantas Sabonis for Kings
Merlin sees Sacramento shopped Domantas Sabonis before the Feb. 5 deadline but may not be keen to try again this summer. Marc Stein says it is "not seen as a certainty" the Kings will move him. The decision will hinge on the May draft lottery and what pick they land. Sabonis was shut down for season-ending knee surgery and carries $94.1 million over the next two years. Merlin notes the balancing act. Sabonis is a three-time All-Star averaging 19.0 points, 13.1 rebounds and 6.9 assists in Sacramento, valuable on and off the court. If the Kings snag a top lottery pick they may keep him to pair with youth. If the lottery disappoints, expect them to press for a first-round pick as they did at the deadline. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Kings trade Sabonis this summer: 35%.
Mar 27
2026 Free Agency Biggest Flight Risks LeBron Harden Trae
Merlin sees the league turning an early eye to 2026 free agency, cataloguing each team’s biggest flight risk by both likeliness to leave and the damage their exit would cause. The list ranges from veteran shooters like CJ McCollum and Tobias Harris to breakout wings and bigs like Peyton Watson, Walker Kessler and Sandro Mamukelashvili, with Bird rights, cap space and injury history shaping who stays and who walks. Merlin notes the smallest contracts and the cleverest cap rooms will steal the show this summer. Restricted players without clear matching room and veterans seeking rings or one last payday are the real temptresses. Expect teams with heavy tax burdens or crowded cores to lose high-upside, affordable pieces while contenders add heat-check scorers and floor spacers. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Peyton Watson signs an offer sheet away from Denver this summer: 55%.
Mar 27
Khris Middleton Mulls Mavericks Buyout, Nuggets Interested
Khris Middleton is weighing his options ahead of Sunday's buyout deadline, telling Marc Stein he is "continuing to weigh his options." If he pursues a buyout he could sign with a playoff contender, and the Denver Nuggets have expressed interest. Stein reports the Mavs have "essentially left it up to" Middleton as Dallas sits 20-36 and cannot offer a realistic title chase this season. Merlin sees a veteran at a pivot point. At 34 Middleton still showed he can produce, leading Dallas with 25 points in a recent win. Staying would give the Mavericks a steady shooter and a mentor for rookie Cooper Flagg, while a buyout would likely send Middleton to a team that can chase a second championship this year. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Middleton signing with a playoff contender this week: 60%.
Mar 27
Anthony Edwards Raves About Heat Culture Sticks With Timberwolves
A video surfaced of Anthony Edwards chatting with Norman Powell at an All-Star media shoot and asking how Powell has settled in Miami. Edwards is clearly rooted in Minnesota after signing a five-year, $244.6 million rookie extension through 2028-29. He is a four-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA player, is averaging a career-high 29.5 points, and has driven the Timberwolves to back-to-back Western Conference Finals. He praised the Heat, saying "I see what they mean when they say Heat Culture," but there is no sign he wants to leave. Merlin sees a respectful fan of Heat Culture, not a restless star. At 24 and locked into a max deal, Edwards looks like the anchor of Minnesota’s future. A friendly conversation with a Heat veteran and admiration for Erik Spoelstra are natural, not a roadmap to Miami. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Anthony Edwards requesting a trade this season: 5%.
Mar 27
Knicks' Mitchell Robinson Signs Toenail on Instagram
Merlin sees Knicks center Mitchell Robinson turn a torn toenail into a headline after he revealed he kept it, signed it and offered it to followers on Instagram. The oddity is a sideshow to the larger picture: New York has managed his minutes for a left ankle, yet Robinson still averages 5.5 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks while shooting 72.2 percent. His 4.4 offensive rebounds per game rank second among players with 40 or more contests. Merlin smiles at the grit behind the gag. With just 19.5 minutes a night Robinson delivers rare rebounding punch and efficient finishes, making him a playoff weapon when healthy. The Knicks must balance his workload to preserve that edge, because his availability will shape how deep the team can go. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Robinson playing 65 or more regular season games this year: 60%.
Mar 26
Mac McClung Claims NBA Slam Dunk Contest Snub
Mac McClung says he skipped a bid for a four-peat at the 2026 Slam Dunk Contest because he felt organizers "didn't really want me in it this year." He claims conversations flipped back and forth and that some players would not commit if he were included. McClung had prepared new dunks and even recreated classic jams with Bleacher Report, but the contest went on without him, with Keshad Johnson taking the crown. Merlin sees a missed spectacle and a lesson in league theater. McClung would have been the event's biggest storyline, so his absence left the contest quieter and left fans guessing about behind-the-scenes deals. The NBA balances star power and locker-room chemistry, yet the louder the silence, the louder the rumor mill will grow. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Mac McClung returning to the Slam Dunk Contest next year: 70%.
Mar 26
Caitlin Clark Snaps LeBron Moments at Pacers Lakers Clash
Merlin sees Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark pick up a camera and wander into NBA life. She was credentialed to shoot Wednesday’s Pacers-Lakers game, posting four snaps of LeBron James after his 23 points, nine rebounds and nine assists while Luka Dončić poured in 43. Clark is enjoying the offseason after the new WNBA collective bargaining agreement, with the 2026 season set to tip May 8 and Indiana’s preseason opener April 25. Merlin smiles at the symbolism. Clark’s sideline photos do more than feed highlight reels. They broaden her profile, link the WNBA and NBA, and let her observe the coming off-season storm of expansion drafts and free agency from a safe distance. She is building influence without getting bogged down in front office chaos. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Clark will be credentialed for at least one NBA game next season: 85%.
Mar 26
NBA Panic Button: Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo
Merlin sees the league’s mood as equal parts hope and dread. With the playoffs and draft lottery looming, every team carries a clear fear: contract standoffs like Jonathan Kuminga’s in Atlanta, Jayson Tatum’s shaky return from a torn Achilles, teams regretting deadline moves such as Brooklyn with Michael Porter Jr., and rebuilds terrified of missing elite draft prospects. Health, money and timing are deciding factors as contenders juggle present runs and future control. Merlin notes patterns more than surprises. Depth and cap flexibility will decide who survives the postseason and who retools in summer. Keep an ear on reports like "there is some optimism that Cunningham will be back in time for the start of the playoffs" and on how teams protect or gamble away picks. The next few weeks will separate brave bets from costly mistakes. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Sacramento misses a top-4 draft pick and loses out on a generational prospect this summer: 70%.
Mar 26
Mock Expansion Draft: Ja Morant to Vegas, Kuminga to Seattle
Merlin sees the league's governors unanimously approve "exploring" new franchises in Seattle and Las Vegas, and insiders say it is "when, not if." That decision sets up an expansion draft where existing teams protect eight players and newcomers must juggle talent and strict cap limits. A simulation produced a veteran-leaning Las Vegas and a youth-centered Seattle as plausible opening rosters. Merlin whispers that this move will bend roster strategy across the league. Cap rules will force creative trades and contract juggling, making coaching hires and player development critical. Las Vegas could compete fast if a star stays steady, while Seattle's fate rests on prospects like Jonathan Kuminga growing into a true lead. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: ("Odds both teams join within three years: 80%.")
Mar 26
Kawhi Leonard, Clippers: 65 Game Rule Won't Stop Injuries
Kawhi Leonard weighed in on the NBA's 65-game award rule, praising its push to keep stars on the floor but warning "I don't think that rule is changing anybody to play if they're really hurt." Leonard has appeared in 57 games and needs eight of the Clippers' final nine to qualify, while the NBPA is already asking for exceptions after Cade Cunningham missed time with a collapsed lung. Merlin sees the tug of war between league optics and team care. Leonard is scoring at a career-best clip, yet the Clippers may protect him for the play-in rather than chase honors. The rule nudges availability but cannot erase prudent load management, and fixes like fewer games or fewer back-to-backs remain unlikely because money shapes the schedule. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Kawhi reaches 65 games this season: 30%.
Mar 26
Summer Shakeup: Giannis to Heat? Kawhi to Suns?
Merlin sees a summer of seismic trade ideas: Miami chasing Giannis, Phoenix courting Kawhi, Brooklyn linked to Zion and Detroit eyeing Zach LaVine. Proposed packages lean on young talent and unprotected picks, with Giannis headed to Miami for Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and future firsts. The piece notes a fractured Bucks relationship after the public ultimatum "extend or you're getting traded" and Giannis praising "Heat culture." Merlin warns these offers swap longevity and medical risk for immediate star power. Kawhi and Giannis are game changers when healthy but bring short windows and big salaries. Teams such as Milwaukee and New Orleans must choose between holding stars and rebuilding with picks and youth. The market will hinge on playoff outcomes and medical reports, so expect phone calls to heat up as June approaches. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis landing in Miami this offseason: 20%.
Mar 26
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AJ Dybantsa Boozer Peterson Jockey For NBA Draft No 1
Sixteen teams remain and nine projected lottery picks are still alive, so scouts are feverishly recalibrating their boards. Merlin sees AJ Dybantsa as the cleanest case — a 6'9" freshman with a 60.0 true shooting, elite touch and playmaking that reduce fit questions. Cameron Boozer offers polish and shooting but raises athleticism doubts, while Darryn Peterson mixes elite range and defensive upside with spotty decision making. Guards like Darius Acuff Jr., Keaton Wagler and Kingston Flemings have also surged. Merlin senses a draft in motion. If underclassmen chase NIL or a weaker 2027, several first-round names could stay in college and reshuffle picks. GMs will balance proven production versus long term upside. Expect a close race for the top three where team philosophy, not tape alone, decides the winner. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: (“Odds of AJ Dybantsa going No. 1: 40%.”)
Mar 26
Kings and Heat Tepid on Ja Morant Trade
Memphis found almost no real market for Ja Morant before the trade deadline, with only Sacramento and Miami showing modest interest and neither making serious offers, Jake Fischer reports. Miami’s inquiry was described as “asset-light,” while the Heat shifted focus to Giannis. Morant is injured and under contract through 2027-28, and Memphis appears set on a rebuild after moving Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. Merlin sees a star with flash and risk. Teams respect Morant’s peak production but worry about injuries and off-court history, so only cautious suitors surfaced. Milwaukee is an intriguing summer candidate if front offices believe a Giannis and Ja pairing can work. The market could widen as teams clear cap space, but price and durability will decide the outcome. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Ja Morant being traded this summer: 40%.
Mar 26
Timberwolves Star Anthony Edwards Shocked By $426000 Card Sale
Merlin sees Minnesota star Anthony Edwards was stunned to learn his highest-priced trading card sold for $426,000. Edwards guessed cards went for $100,000 or $200,000 and told reporters, "Man, I appreciate it... That's crazy. I don't know what message I got for them, but that's crazy." The surprising sale is a sign of how quickly his market value is climbing as he cements himself among the league's brightest young talents. Merlin notes collectors behave like fortune tellers, buying not just a card but a bet on future greatness. Big six-figure sales show confidence in Edwards' trajectory. As his highlights and awards grow, so will memorabilia demand, with each big game echoing through the trading card market. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Edwards' top card reaching $1 million within three years: 40%.
Mar 26
Luka Doncic, LeBron James Ignite Lakers Past Pacers
Merlin sees the Lakers defeated the Pacers 137-130, moving to 47-26 and 10-1 in their last 11. Luka Dončić poured in 43 points with seven assists and six rebounds, LeBron James flirted with a triple-double at 23 points, nine assists and nine rebounds, and Jaxson Hayes added 21 and 10. Indiana slipped to 16-57 and 1-17. As the story began, "Los Angeles is rolling." Merlin notes this night was proof of momentum, not luck. Dončić’s 21-point first quarter set the tone and the veteran duo kept the offense humming. With the Nets coming to town Friday, the Lakers’ blend of star power and depth will test whether this surge is a playoff-caliber wave or a hot streak that fades. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Lakers beating the Nets on Friday: 70%.
Mar 26
Nikola Jokic Wrist Woes Jeopardize Nuggets MVP Run
Merlin sees Nikola Jokić playing at an MVP level while dealing with a right wrist, shooting-hand injury that began after the Feb. 19 Clippers game. Marc J. Spears reported Jokić has been "certainly not quite himself" and warned "if he misses a couple more games, he's not going to be available for awards." League rules require 65 games for award eligibility; Jokić has missed 16 of Denver's 58 and now has a one-game cushion. Merlin notes the Joker remains brilliant on the stat sheet, with a 35-20-12 triple-double and a 32-9-7 outing with four steals recently, though turnovers are up to 4.33 and the wrist could be a factor. Denver sits in a crowded Western race where one absence could flip seeding or force the play-in. His availability will decide both MVP chances and the Nuggets' playoff path. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Nikola Jokić winning MVP this season: 55%.
Mar 26
Jusuf Nurkic Surgery Ends Season, Jazz Reeling
Jusuf Nurkic will undergo nose surgery and miss the rest of the 2025-26 season, league insider Chris Haynes reports. Nurkic averaged 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 41 games and is the third Jazz center lost this year after Walker Kessler and newly acquired Jaren Jackson Jr. Utah sits 18-39 and has already been fined $500,000 for alleged tanking, so losing Nurkic likely nudges the club toward protecting draft positioning. Merlin sees a battered camp turning inward. Kyle Filipowski is poised to start with Kevin Love as backup, turning remaining games into a development showcase and a shop window for future moves. If Filipowski or other youngsters flash, Utah gains tangible value; if not, the Jazz’s path to youth and picks only deepens. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Utah landing a top-3 pick this season: 70%.
Mar 26
Joel Embiid and Paul George Torch Bulls in 76ers Blowout
Merlin sees the 76ers get a giant shot of energy. Joel Embiid returned from an oblique injury and scored a game-high 35 on 12-of-17 shooting, while Paul George came back from a 25-game suspension to pour in 28 points with four steals. Philadelphia exploded for 51 points in the third and cruised to a 157-137 win, improving to 40-33, all while Tyrese Maxey sat out his 10th straight game. Merlin senses the return of Embiid and George changes the map. Neither showed rust, so Philly’s offense suddenly feels deeper and more dangerous. Still, chemistry, minutes and defense will be tested as the postseason nears. Expect Nurse to tinker and the East standings to shuffle. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the 76ers finishing top four in the East this season: 25%.
Mar 25
Adam Silver Targets Draft Lottery to End Tanking
Merlin sees Adam Silver summoning a special Board of Governors meeting in May to vote on draft lottery reforms that would take effect for the 2026-27 season and before this summer’s draft and free agency. Silver told reporters "We are going to fix it, full stop," said owners were "unanimous," and warned that "behavior... is worse this year," as multiple clubs jockey for top picks. Merlin senses the league has tried spells before and tanking keeps returning. Expect a mix of tightened participation rules, shuffled lottery odds, and stiffer penalties rather than a single silver bullet. The governors want action fast, so the May session will reveal whether they choose subtle tweaks or bolder change. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Board approves meaningful lottery changes before June: 80%.
Mar 25
Cade Cunningham Could Lose Awards Over 65 Game Rule
The NBPA is pushing to change the 65-game requirement after Cade Cunningham’s collapsed lung could leave him short of award eligibility. Cunningham, averaging 24.5 points and 9.9 assists and leading the Pistons, has played 61 games and will miss at least eight. The union called his potential ineligibility "a clear indictment of the 65-game rule." Commissioner Adam Silver said, "I'm not ready to say it's not working." Merlin sees a tug of war between protecting award integrity and handling serious injuries. The rule was meant to reward durability and curb rest games, but it can be blunt when stars suffer bad luck. Silver wants more time; the union wants a medical exception. If Cunningham misses awards, pressure for reform will grow and the league may add a discretionary medical carve out. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the NBA adopts a limited medical exception for awards this season: 40%.
Mar 25
Jayson Tatum Battling Back From Torn Achilles for Celtics
Jayson Tatum is back after missing 62 games with a torn Achilles but is still working toward his old form. He has scored in double figures in eight games with five 20-point outings, yet admitted, "I ain't know how this s--t was going to be," and an Eastern Conference assistant likened the slow midseason climb to the "45 Jordan year." Boston remains one of the East favorites and now faces the Thunder in a possible Finals preview. Merlin sees the comparison as about timing more than outcome. Rebuilding rhythm after an Achilles injury is different from returning from baseball, but the Celtics’ depth and playoff experience give Tatum room to peak late. His frank talk is a good sign; healing the body and mind will decide whether Boston leans on him or leans on its supporting cast. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Tatum is near full form by the playoffs: 45%.
Mar 25
Mac McClung Breaks G League Scoring Record With 59
Mac McClung became the G League's all-time leading scorer Tuesday, pouring in 59 points for the Windy City Bulls in a 134-133 loss and surpassing Renaldo Major’s 5,299 mark. He reached the milestone in just 253 games across the tip-off tournament, regular season and playoffs. The 27-year-old is averaging 31.8 points in 29 starts this season and is on a two-way deal with Chicago, briefly appearing against Toronto after signing Feb. 5. Merlin sees a familiar story turned brighter. A three-time Slam Dunk Contest champion and cult favorite, McClung pairs highlight-reel offense with real scoring consistency. Still, age, size and defense will shape how teams value him. Expect interest and short-term NBA looks; a full roster spot is earned, not given. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: (“Odds of McClung earning a standard NBA contract this season: 40%.”)
Mar 25
76ers Tyrese Maxey Assembles NBA Avengers Luka Doncic, LeBron
Tyrese Maxey turned late-night TV into a playground for his imagination, naming an NBA Avengers squad on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. He pegged himself or Donovan Mitchell as Spider-Man, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as Iron Man, Isaiah Stewart as the Hulk, LeBron James as Captain America and Luka Dončić as Thor, calling Spider-Man a "normal, genuine person behind his mask" and Dončić "magical." The bit was lighthearted but underscores how Maxey sees himself among the league’s top personalities. Merlin sees more than a clever analogy. Even sidelined with a finger injury, Maxey is having a career year — 29.0 points, 6.7 assists and 3.3 threes over 61 games — and has grown from a No. 21 pick into a bona fide star. Expect more national moments and comparisons as he returns and the 76ers lean on his scoring and swagger. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Maxey making All-NBA this season: 40%.
Mar 25
Celtics President Brad Stevens Rules Out UNC Job
Brad Stevens has taken himself out of the running for the North Carolina head coaching job, with CBS writer Matt Norlander reporting he "removed his name from consideration." Stevens, long admired for his college and NBA coaching stints and now the Celtics’ president of basketball operations, helped build Boston’s 2024 title team and was the 2024 NBA Executive of the Year. UNC will now pursue other candidates like Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd, Michigan’s Dusty May, Iowa State’s T.J. Otzelberger and Chicago’s Billy Donovan. Merlin sees a classic crossroads for a royal program. North Carolina still has the prestige to attract top names, but recent back-to-back early NCAA exits and last week’s blown first-round lead mean they need a steady recruiter who can calm the room. Expect the Tar Heels to favor a proven college coach who can sell elite recruits and restore consistency. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Brad Stevens accepting the UNC job this offseason: 10%.
Mar 25