NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
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Mar 25, 2026
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%.
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
Oklahoma City Thunder Score Continental Coliseum Deal for 2028
The Thunder revealed Continental Resources as the naming rights partner for their $900 million arena opening in 2028. The venue will be called Continental Coliseum for 15 years starting in 2028-29. Merlin notes the move locks in a local sponsor and follows voter-approved public funding meant to keep the team in Oklahoma City through at least 2050. As chairman Clay Bennett put it, "We really wanted an Oklahoma partner for this transitional moment in the history of our city." Merlin sees more than a new logo on a building. A hometown energy company as sponsor deepens civic ties, helps sell the downtown redevelopment story, and makes the franchise’s long-term stay feel real. Yet public money and big corporate names mean the arena will carry political and economic expectations as it opens. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Thunder stay in Oklahoma City through 2050: 90%.
Mar 24
Warriors rocked as Moses Moody suffers knee scare
Merlin sees another blow for the Warriors as Moses Moody left Monday’s overtime win after his left knee buckled on a fast break and he was stretchered off. Coach Steve Kerr said, "it sure looked bad," and Moody will have an MRI Tuesday after X-rays. Moody had just returned from a wrist sprain and led the team with 23 points, a crucial lift while Golden State fights through a long injury list. Merlin senses the timing is cruel. Draymond Green called it "brutal" and said Moody "changed the game for us tonight." The Warriors sit 10th with a healthy cushion, but a serious knee issue could force quick rotation changes before Wednesday’s game versus Brooklyn and in the final 10 regular season contests. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Moody missing the rest of the regular season: 30%.
Mar 24
Spurs' Victor Wembanyama Demands MVP Crown
Victor Wembanyama made a strong MVP pitch after San Antonio’s win over Miami, laying out three points: "defense is 50 percent of the game," his head-to-head dominance of OKC, and that "offensive impact is not just points." He leads the league with 3.0 blocks per game and a 4.0 combined steals and blocks mark, while scoring 24.3 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 34.6 points and OKC’s likely best record keep the race close. Merlin sees a shift in what voters must weigh. At 22, Wembanyama already alters shots and spacing just by being on the floor, a kind of unseen value beyond the box score. Voters often favor scoring and team record, but Wemby’s head-to-head wins and elite defense make the outcome uncertain. "My goal is to make sure that there is no debate," he said. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Victor Wembanyama winning MVP this season: 40%.
Mar 24
Pistons Stun Lakers Despite LeBron James, Luka Doncic
Merlin sees the Lakers’ nine-game win streak snapped 113-110 in Detroit after Daniss Jenkins hit the go-ahead bucket. The box score felt odd and dramatic: LeBron was held to "zero points in the first half" but finished with 12 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, while Luka Dončić poured in 32 points. The Pistons played without Cade Cunningham, who is sidelined with a collapsed lung. Merlin senses this as a small stumble more than a collapse. Los Angeles climbed to third in the West on a hot run powered by Dončić’s March scoring surge and LeBron’s veteran steadiness. Defensive lapses and an early slowdown from James cost them, yet a friendlier stretch versus the Pacers, Nets and Wizards gives the team a clear path back to form. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Lakers win their next three games: 75%.
Mar 24
Anthony Edwards Shrugs Off Hawks Trade Rumors
Merlin sees Anthony Edwards calmly dismissing the fuss around a viral All-Star clip. After Minnesota’s win, Edwards told reporters there is "nothing to clear up" and that he’s "happy where I'm at." The short video captured him saying "I can't wait to come home" to Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, which some spun into trade talk. Edwards is under contract for three more years and has led the Wolves to consecutive Western Conference Finals, so there is no obvious sign of unrest. Merlin notes simpler paths for the remark: a trip to Atlanta, a desire to return to Minnesota, or just offhand All-Star banter. The team looks built for another deep run, so stability is likeliest. Still, NBA stories shift fast when star names and short clips collide, so keep an eye on contract timing and roster moves. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Anthony Edwards requesting a trade this season: 10%.
Mar 24
NBA Cap $165M Tightens Free Agency for LeBron Harden
The NBA told teams the projected 2026-27 salary cap is $165 million, $1 million lower than expected because of "a reduction in local media revenue." That slight cut tightens already slim room for maneuver; only the Grizzlies and Nets currently show positive estimated cap space, and upcoming free agents like Jalen Duren, Austin Reaves and James Harden will feel the squeeze. Merlin sees a modest rise from this season’s $154.6 million, yet front offices must rethink bids, trades and sign-and-trade creativity. A one million dollar shift is small on paper but can reshape offers when most teams are maxed out. The LeBron question adds a final twist to what could be a cautious, deal-heavy offseason. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of a top-tier free agent signing a new max via cap space this offseason: 30%.
Mar 23
LeBron James Could Take Pay Cut To Stay With Lakers
LeBron looks likely to play another season, but his destination is unclear. Ramona Shelburne said "the sense I have is that this idea of playing for $50 million anywhere is probably gone, but if he's willing to play for less, if that fits with what they're trying to do, I think that door is open." At 41 he is still averaging 21.1 points, 6.8 assists and 5.8 rebounds while on a $52.6 million player option. The Lakers have cap space, but may be wiser to use it to extend rising Austin Reaves than to keep LeBron at full pay. Merlin senses a classic crossroads. LeBron brings Finals upside and leadership, so Cleveland or Golden State are possible suitors, but the smoothest path is a Los Angeles return on a reduced deal that preserves roster flexibility. Watch LeBron’s decision and the Lakers’ moves around Reaves; those signs will decide the summer. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: (“Odds LeBron returns to the Lakers on a pay cut: 70%.”)
Mar 23
GM Picks AJ Dybantsa, Wilson, Acuff Over Peterson, Boozer
Merlin sees an NBA GM telling ESPN that BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson and Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr. are the current top three in this draft, a view that nudges Kansas’ Darryn Peterson and Duke’s Cameron Boozer down the board. The GM warned that "Peterson might be going back down a little bit." Dybantsa led the nation with 25.5 points and showed out in the NCAA game with 35 and 10. Wilson averaged 19.8 and 9.4 before injury, and Acuff was the SEC Player of the Year at 23.3 points. Merlin notes the tale is not set in stone. Dybantsa’s scoring and burst make him the safest bet for teams chasing instant offense, while Wilson’s injury and Peterson’s cramps raise durability questions. Expect workouts, medical checks and late interviews to tilt the board as scouts hunt for fit and longevity. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of AJ Dybantsa going No. 1 overall: 70%.
Mar 23
Cam Thomas Waived Again by Milwaukee Bucks
Cam Thomas was waived by the Milwaukee Bucks, his second release in under two months after joining them Feb. 8. Once a 24 points per game scorer in limited action last season, Thomas saw his role shrink to 15.6 points with Brooklyn and 10.7 with Milwaukee as the Nets leaned into a younger core. Brooklyn tried to trade him but could not, and Thomas told Marc J. Spears he was "super excited and ready to actually help and contribute to another team." Merlin sees this as a stumble, not a vanishing act. Teams like the Knicks, Magic or Mavericks could use instant scoring off the bench, but Thomas needs steady minutes and cleaner defense to restore his value. A short-term signing is likely, and if he finds rhythm he can still be a useful scoring spark. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Cam Thomas signs with another NBA team before the season ends: 70%.
Mar 23
Markelle Fultz Signs 10 Day Lifeline With Raptors
Markelle Fultz is back on an NBA roster for the first time in nearly a year, "signing a 10-day contract" with the Toronto Raptors, per Shams Charania. The former No. 1 pick arrives after six G League games and a nine-year run of injuries and uneven chances. With Toronto 39-31 and only 2.5 games clear of 10th, Fultz’s short audition could sway the playoff chase. Merlin sees a player at a crossroads. Fultz flashed in Orlando, averaging 12.1 points and 5.1 assists in one season and a 14.0 PPG high in 2022-23, but injuries and long gaps stalled his arc. At 27, a clean, steady stretch of playmaking, defense, and health could buy him more time. If he falters, the door likely closes. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Fultz earning a second contract with the Raptors this season: 30%.
Mar 23
NBA Draft Defense Worries for Acuff Jr and Boozer
Scouts are raising red flags about defense for two of college basketball’s biggest names, Darius Acuff Jr. and Cameron Boozer. Sam Vecenie reported that "Defense does matter in the NBA, which is why teams have some trepidation about Acuff," noting Acuff was repeatedly beaten on ball screens despite a 36-point outing. Vecenie also wrote that "It has become apparent that Boozer is a four-man who needs to play next to a legitimate five because of his lack of vertical athleticism," with concerns about rim protection and lateral quickness. Merlin sees a familiar fork in the road. Both players bring high-end offense and boards, but their early role and ceiling will depend on fit and defensive development. Expect teams to take one if they love the scoring, then hunt for a defensive mate to hide weaknesses while development proceeds. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Boozer goes top 5: 85%.
Mar 23
Karim Lopez Breakers Forward Declares for 2026 NBA Draft
Karim Lopez, an 18-year-old forward for the New Zealand Breakers, announced he is entering the 2026 NBA draft. He told ESPN, "It's been my dream and my goal my whole life to play in the NBA," and comes into the draft after averaging 11.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks in 31 games while shooting 50.2 percent overall and 32.6 percent from three. Mock drafts peg him around No. 12, and if he goes in the first round he would be the first Mexican-born first-rounder in NBA history. Merlin sees a player scouts like for modern lineups. Jonathan Wasserman compared Lopez to Franz Wagner, noting strength inside the arc, ball skills and flashes of playmaking that make him a versatile power forward. Beyond rankings, Lopez carries real international value and the potential to grow basketball in Mexico, even as the draft’s top end remains focused on three elite prospects. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Lopez being a first-round pick: 75%.
Mar 23
Scottie Pippen Shades Michael Jordan In Mr Pibb Ad
Scottie Pippen once again stirs the pot in a new Mr. Pibb ad that echoes The Last Dance interview backdrop. He quips, "When something has been considered second-best for so long, we just blindly accept that it's gospel," as a narrator cites a "decades-long plot built on marketing, social media" and Pippen adds "multi-part documentaries." The spot recalls Pippen’s memoir lines that he was "nothing more than a prop" and that Jordan calling him "best teammate of all time" felt condescending. Nearly six years after the documentary, Pippen keeps pushing his side of the story. Merlin sees a familiar spell at work. These gestures are small but sharp, designed to nudge public memory and keep debate alive. It will reignite conversations about role players and storytelling, even if Michael Jordan’s legend remains intact. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Jordan responding publicly in the next 12 months: 10%.
Mar 23