NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
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Mar 26, 2026
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%.”)
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
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Jalen Johnson All NBA? Hawks Surge Sparks Debate
Merlin sees a cornucopia of bold late-season forecasts that could rewrite narratives before the playoffs. The piece pegs players for award pushes and role bumps: Jalen Johnson for All-NBA, Traoré rising in Brooklyn, Kon Knueppel and Ryan Kalkbrenner on All-Rookie lists, and Jayson Tatum admitting "I'm not Superman" as he warms back up. Victor Wembanyama throws down a challenge in the MVP conversation, saying "I think right now, there is a debate. There should be, even though I think I should lead the race." Merlin thinks the final weeks will reward teams that win and managers who manage minutes well. Young players can vault into cornerstone roles, and small lineup moves or a single scoring outburst could flip award ballots and playoff seeding. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Victor Wembanyama winning MVP this season: 35%.
Mar 25
NBA Expansion Heats Up Las Vegas and Seattle
Merlin sees the NBA taking a real step toward expansion. The Board of Governors has "approved a vote to explore bids and applicants" for two new franchises, limited to Las Vegas and Seattle, with offers expected in the $7 to $10 billion range. New teams would shift markets, money, and the balance of power across the league. Merlin notes the signs are ancient and modern at once. Seattle brings a ready fanbase after the Sonics era. Las Vegas has grown into a major sports city. Big valuations make ownership hungry, but arenas, broadcast deals, and scheduling puzzles remain. Expect a tug of war among deep-pocketed bidders before the league casts its final spell. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds both Las Vegas and Seattle each land a franchise within five years: 65%.
Mar 25
Ja Morant Elbow Injury Ends Season for Grizzlies
Merlin reports that Ja Morant will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season after the Grizzlies said he "continues to progress in his rehabilitation of a UCL sprain in his left elbow." Follow up imaging showed "incomplete healing," and he received a platelet-rich plasma injection to help recovery. Morant has missed 20 games this season and is averaging 19.5 points and 8.1 assists in 20 outings. Merlin sees a talented player stuck in a rocky spell. Once an All-Star and a franchise cornerstone, Morant has battled injuries, suspensions, and surgery that clipped his momentum. Memphis now must adjust without its primary playmaker while the team hopes PRP and rehab set the stage for a full return before 2026-27. Consistent health will be the true test. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Ja Morant playing 70 or more games in 2026-27: 60%.
Mar 25
Lakers Ticket Prices Surge, LeBron James and Luka Doncic Cited
The Lakers told season-ticket holders that "We are adjusting season ticket pricing for next season. The updates reflect the current market landscape and demand." Reported boosts include a 45.9 percent jump for one 300-level holder and a new 3 percent payment-plan fee. The move follows Mark Walter's purchase of the team and comes as president Tim Harris prepares to step down for Lon Rosen. Merlin sees Los Angeles leaning on star power — the team email even name-checked Luka Dončić, LeBron James, Austin Reaves and JJ Redick — and a Dodgers-style playbook to squeeze more revenue while seats remain near capacity. It is a clever, risky spell: revenue may rise now, but patience from casual fans and season-ticket holders is not endless, and losing a star would weaken the argument for higher prices. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of a notable drop in season-ticket renewals next year: 30%.
Mar 25
Giannis Antetokounmpo Expected To Leave Bucks
Merlin sees the saga continuing. Despite the Bucks holding Giannis at the trade deadline, Jake Fischer says "four sources close to the situation" still expect a move to a true title contender, with the Lakers, Nets, Heat, Spurs and Rockets emerging as possible destinations. Fischer adds the Bucks "did entertain and discuss Giannis trade frameworks like never before" in the final week, even as one exec claimed they "were never serious." Giannis told ESPN, "As of today, I'm committed to the Milwaukee Bucks," but whispers of a summer shift grow louder. Merlin senses a chess match ahead. Teams with cap space and draft capital will scheme to build around Giannis if Milwaukee seeks a maximal return. If ring pursuit drives the decision, expect aggressive offers and roster rearrangements. The next act will be played in summer negotiations and the playoffs that follow. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis being traded this offseason: 65%.
Mar 25
LeBron James Praises Jaylen Brown But Remembers Bronny James Dig
LeBron James praised Jaylen Brown’s play while reminding everyone he has not forgotten Brown’s alleged Summer League jab about Bronny. After Boston’s 111-89 win LeBron said their “relationship has been pretty respectful” and added, “Besides the s--t he said about Bronny at Summer League.” He smiled, repeated “We’ll be alright,” and also noted that “JB is playing great basketball.” Brown is averaging 29.2 points, seven rebounds and 4.8 assists and has helped Boston to a surprising 37-19 mark despite Jayson Tatum’s recovery. Merlin sees a seasoned diplomat in LeBron. He gives public respect but keeps the slight on file, which preserves rivalry without drama. Brown’s scoring has forced him into MVP conversation, yet Nikola Jokić’s historic triple double season makes the title a steep climb. Expect polite words and intense play when they meet next. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Jaylen Brown wins MVP this season: 12%.
Mar 25
Pacers' Major Blow: Tyrese Haliburton Out For Season With Shingles
Tyrese Haliburton will miss the entire 2025-26 season recovering from the Achilles injury he suffered in Game 7 of the Finals and is now away from the team for two to three weeks after being diagnosed with shingles, coach Rick Carlisle said. Carlisle added, "He will likely make a full recovery" and noted Haliburton had been helping in a player coach role while sidelined. For now the Pacers, 15-42, must navigate the stretch without their floor general. Merlin senses both worry and a longer arc of hope. Shingles is short term, Achilles rehab is long term, and Haliburton’s presence is the keystone for Indiana’s next chapter with Ivica Zubac and Pascal Siakam in place. The coming months will reveal whether the recovery is smooth or full of detours. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Haliburton is fully healthy and Indiana finishes top four in the East next season: 30%.
Mar 25
Pat Riley Statue Moment: He Wanted LeBron James in Miami
Merlin sees the Lakers honoring Pat Riley with a statue, the first coach in franchise history so remembered. At the ceremony Riley looked back on building Miami’s Big Three, saying it "was. I mean, four trips to the finals in a row, two world championships," and added, "I'm going to be selfish here and say I wish I had him for another 6-8 years." LeBron answered calmly that "It's human nature to look back" and noted he "wouldn't have [predicted I'd be playing] this game another 12 years either." Merlin smells both pride and rue. Riley imagined an 8 to 10 year dynasty; LeBron remembers great times and ripple effects that shaped his career. Legends often trade certainty for legacy. Keep an eye on how this moment colors Lakers lore and LeBron’s late-career choices. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds LeBron would have stayed in Miami for another 6-8 years: 20%.
Mar 25
Netflix Untold Revisits Infamous Portland Jail Blazers Era
Merlin sees Netflix dropping an Untold episode on the "Jail Blazers" on April 14, a deep dive into Portland’s late 1990s and early 2000s stretch. The story tracks on-court highs led by Rasheed Wallace and Damon Stoudamire, the run to the 2000 Western Conference Finals, and the off-court chaos that earned the nickname "Jail Blazers." It also follows players like Zach Randolph and Jermaine O'Neal as they found success elsewhere and revisits Bob Whitsitt's controversial tenure. Merlin feels the doc will stir fresh debate. Like a spell that unmasks old mistakes, the show could soften some judgments of Whitsitt and explain how a talented core unraveled and reassembled across the league. Younger fans may see how close Portland once was to lasting greatness. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the documentary sparks a serious reappraisal of that era and sympathy toward Whitsitt: 60%.
Mar 24
NBPA Demands 65 Game Exception for Cade Cunningham
The NBPA is urging a change to the NBA’s 65-game award rule after Detroit’s Cade Cunningham was diagnosed with a collapsed lung and will miss at least eight games. Cunningham has played 61 games, averages 24.5 points and 9.9 assists, and helped the Pistons to 50 wins. His agent said, "Cade has delivered a first-team All-NBA season." Merlin sees the old rule clashing with real life. The 65-game limit was meant to curb load management, but it can freeze out players who earn recognition while sidelined by injury. Joel Embiid’s 2023-24 example looms large. The NBPA’s push will raise pressure, yet a midseason rule rewrite is unlikely; still, the debate now has real momentum. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Cade Cunningham making All-NBA this season: 25%.
Mar 24
AJ Dybantsa Pulls Ahead for 2026 No 1 Pick
Merlin sees the draft leaderboard shifting. Cameron Boozer is the only one still alive in the NCAA tournament, but NBA chatter has tilted toward AJ Dybantsa as the "most likely choice" for No. 1 after a 35-point, 10-rebound outing. Darryn Peterson flashed dominance at times but "questions that have emerged around Peterson" — namely recent shooting woes — have given teams pause, while Dybantsa remains the "simplest choice in the minds of many around the NBA." Merlin notes fit will decide the fate of the trio. Scouts admire Boozer’s winning pedigree — the "strongest winning résumé" — even as they fret about foot speed and rim defense; teams rebuilding may favor Dybantsa or Peterson for upside, while contenders like Indiana could pick for immediate fit. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of AJ Dybantsa going No. 1 overall: 55%.
Mar 24
Cade Cunningham Stephen Curry Jayson Tatum Could Shake Playoff Seeds
Bleacher Report sorts the chaotic final weeks into a list of swing players who can tilt playoff seeding. Names from Cade Cunningham and Steph Curry to Franz Wagner, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Darius Garland, Aaron Gordon, Marcus Smart, Ayo Dosunmu and Jakob Poeltl get singled out. The piece warns that "Single-star lineups won't suffice," so injuries, small role changes, and hot streaks from these non-superstars could decide who avoids the play-in and who draws a favorable first-round matchup. Merlin sees a league balanced on razor edges. A healthy Cade or Curry can steady a contender, Dosunmu and Poeltl provide stabilizing glue, and Gordon’s defense keeps Denver elite. Expect a few quiet heroes to rewrite brackets and leave bettors squinting at what once looked settled. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds that at least four of these swing players change their team’s final seed by two or more spots: 65%.
Mar 24