NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
Jan 20, 2026
Khris Middleton Buyout Looms for Wizards
Merlin sees the Wizards likely stuck with Khris Middleton through the Feb. 5 deadline. The Athletic's Josh Robbins reports "the general consensus among his sources is that Middleton will remain in Washington through the Feb. 5 trade deadline." Middleton earns $33.3 million, is averaging 9.8 points and shooting 32.5 percent from three, so finding a trade partner without sweeteners will be hard. Washington says it will "remain open to absorbing other teams' multi-year contracts if potential trade partners attach sweeteners such as future draft picks or intriguing young players," but a buyout looms as the cleanest option. Merlin notes age, injuries and reduced production make Middleton more buyout than blockbuster trade material. Contenders will watch and wait, preferring to sign him cheaply rather than give up assets. If a buyout happens, Middleton should be claimed quickly by a contender needing a veteran scorer and playmaker. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: (“Odds of Middleton being bought out before the Feb. 5 deadline: 70%.”)
Wizards Eyeing Zion Williamson Trade With Pelicans
The Athletic’s Josh Robbins floated the Washington Wizards as a dark horse to pursue Zion Williamson before the Feb. 5 trade deadline, saying "league sources speculated... Williamson would be someone the Wizards would have to consider if the price is right." Robbins called the idea an "extreme long shot," noting Washington is unlikely to part with its own first rounders but controls less valuable picks and has expiring contracts like Khris Middleton’s $33.3 million deal to offer. Trae Young’s delayed debut and the team’s 10-32 record complicate the calculus. Merlin sees a team weighing two paths. Zion is a high-upside, injury-prone star on a big contract with two years left, and the Pelicans publicly said he "wouldn't be traded this season" though sources doubt that. The Wizards may instead absorb multi-year contracts for draft sweeteners or wait for a cleaner star acquisition when cap space opens. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Washington trading for Zion before Feb. 5: 8%.
Jan 20
New York Knicks Trade Whispers Surround Karl Anthony Towns
Merlin hears whispers that the New York Knicks could entertain trading Karl-Anthony Towns ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline, a notion relayed by Newsday’s Steve Popper. Popper wrote that "whispers around the league have begun to speculate about the possibility of the Knicks moving him," even as a source said "the Knicks have not shopped Towns or brought him up with any teams." The chatter tied to broader talk about a Giannis trade. Merlin notes pushback from insiders, including NBC Sports’ Chris Mannix who said "The answer, from what I'm told, is no" and that New York is not looking to break up its core. Still, a 25-18 mark and a four-game skid leave temptation for bold moves. For now the Knicks appear to prefer continuity and a chance to recapture last season’s chemistry. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Towns is traded before Feb. 5: 15%.
Jan 20
Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Risk for Contending Teams
Merlin sees Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the Bucks growing uncertain as Milwaukee sits outside the playoff and play-in picture. A 10-time All-Star and still the best player who could hit the trade market, he is 31 and showing a dip in production (28.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists) with troubling late‑season injuries that make contending teams think twice. Merlin remembers the 2021 title and the two MVPs, yet warns that limited shooting, durability questions and a likely massive extension through his mid 30s turn any deal into a calculated gamble. Like the Garnett and O'Neal moves, Giannis can still deliver title juice, but buyers should not pay like he is decades away from decline. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: "Odds of Giannis requesting a trade this season: 20%."
Jan 20
Warriors Eye Kuminga After Jimmy Butler ACL
Jimmy Butler tore his ACL when his knee buckled in Monday’s win over Miami, and that injury immediately reshapes Golden State’s plans. Jonathan Kuminga, who hasn’t played since Dec. 18 and reportedly "demanded" a trade on Jan. 15, was floated back into the conversation after coach Steve Kerr said Kuminga "absolutely" could become a factor. Yet Kuminga did not enter that game, leaving fans and front office alike weighing whether he is a buyback piece, a trade chip, or a roster question mark. Merlin sees a club at a crossroads. Kerr’s reluctance to trust Kuminga inside his system clashes with the urgency of replacing Butler’s production, so the young forward’s value is both real and fragile. Expect calls, offers, and auditions before Feb. 5 as the Warriors decide if they will repair the relationship or cash him in. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Kuminga being traded before the Feb. 5 deadline: 40%.
Jan 20
Butler Knee Injury Overshadows Warriors Win Over Heat
Jimmy Butler’s return to face his former team ended on a sour note as the Golden State Warriors beat the Miami Heat 135-112 while Butler exited in the third quarter with a right knee injury and was ruled out. He had 17 points, three rebounds and four assists before leaving; Andrew Wiggins finished with 18. Golden State improved to 25-19, holding eighth in the West, while Miami fell to 22-21. Merlin senses the game was more than box score drama. Butler’s injury matters for both immediate rotation and the Warriors’ tight seeding chase, especially with a second night of a back-to-back coming vs Toronto. If the knee is minor Curry, Wiggins and role players like Moses Moody and Quentin Post can carry the load. If not, Golden State’s depth and Miami’s confidence could both be tested. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Butler misses more than two weeks: 40%.
Jan 20
Jimmy Butler Knee Injury Jolts Warriors
Merlin sees Jimmy Butler exit Monday night with a right knee injury, being helped off by Buddy Hield and Jonathan Kuminga and ruled out for the rest of the game. He will undergo an MRI, and the timing is brutal: Butler averages 20.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists while shooting 51.9 percent. With Draymond Green, Gui Santos and Kuminga already banged up, Golden State is suddenly thin at forward and Steph Curry may have to carry a much heavier offensive load as the Warriors sit 24 19 and eighth in the West. Merlin warns that knee issues have echoes that linger. If the MRI shows significant damage, Golden State’s margin for error shrinks fast and depth questions become a season-defining story. Expect the next few days to set the tone for a tense stretch of games. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Golden State missing the playoffs this season: 55%.
Jan 20
Donovan Mitchell All Star Snub Stuns Cavaliers Fans
Merlin sees the NBA unveiled its 2026 All-Star starters and Donovan Mitchell was left off the East’s five despite averaging 29.2 points, 5.7 assists and 3.9 threes, leading the league in total triples and ranking near the top in estimated plus minus and estimated wins. Cleveland is 24-20, and Mitchell finished sixth in fan voting, even though the Cavs are +7.1 per 100 possessions with him on the floor and his on/off differential is a staggering 12.5. Merlin notes the spellbinding truth: numbers alone do not sway narratives. Market size, rising young stars like Maxey and Cunningham, and Brown’s visible role in Boston tilt perception against Mitchell. To change the story, Mitchell must turn individual brilliance into team wins and deeper playoff runs; that kind of magic rewrites ballots. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Donovan Mitchell starting the 2027 All-Star Game: 45%.
Jan 19
Brunson Shines But New York Knicks Collapse to Mavericks
The Knicks dropped a fourth straight, losing 114-97 to the Mavericks despite Jalen Brunson returning with 22 points and Karl-Anthony Towns adding 22 and 18 rebounds. New York gave up 75 points in the first half while rookie Cooper Flagg scored 18 for Dallas, and "fans lamented yet another rough defensive outing for New York." After sitting top 10 in defensive rating earlier in the year, the Knicks now rank 20th, though their offense remains third-best and they still occupy third place in the East at 25-18. Merlin sees a team split between a humming offense and a sputtering defense. If New York tightens rotations, restores focus on communication and rebounding, and leans on Brunson and Towns to set a tone, the slide can snap quickly. The pieces are there; the question is effort and adjustment. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Knicks fix their defense enough to finish top four in the East: 60%.
Jan 19
Mike Brown OK With Knicks Boos After Jalen Brunson Struggle
The Knicks have lost four straight and coach Mike Brown openly accepted the crowd’s ire, saying, "I'm OK with the boos. If we're playing crappy, boo. If I was in the stands, I would boo, too." Jalen Brunson returned but was 9-of-24 for 22 points, and New York let role players like Max Christie and Moussa Cisse torch them for 24 and 15 points. The slide is raw, yet the team still sits third in the East at 25-18. Merlin sees a proud club that needs cleaner defense and a steadier Brunson to calm the arena. Brown’s bluntness could reset expectations; if rotations tighten and bench scoring drops, the boos will fade. The next few games will show whether this is a short storm or a longer winter. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Knicks snap their skid within five games: 65%.
Jan 19
Tyler Herro Likely Out Again for Heat Road Trip
Tyler Herro will miss the Heat’s five-game road trip after an MRI found a costochondral issue with his ribs, and he is "unlikely to join the team" on the trip. Herro has played just 11 of Miami’s 42 games this season after surgery and averages 21.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists when he’s on the floor. Miami sits 22-20, eighth in the East and one game behind sixth, so losing another primary scorer tightens an already small margin for error. Merlin sees Miami as a disciplined crew that can grind through short slumps, but recurring injuries to a go-to scorer are a real test. Norman Powell will need to shoulder more offensive load and the bench must step up if the Heat want to keep climbing. Health, as ever, will be the true barometer of their fate. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Herro playing during the five-game road trip: 15%.
Jan 19
Bronny James, Isaac Jones Receive NBA All Star Votes
A few NBA players treated All-Star voting like a joke, with two voting for Bronny James and four for Isaac Jones, who has five points this season. Bronny averages 6.9 minutes and 35 total points for the Lakers. Because players were "just 25 percent of the vote," those six ballots did not change the official starters that the league announced. Merlin sees this as a locker room wink more than a power play. The episode highlights the gap between headline names and on-court impact and reminds fans that the final roster is driven mostly by fan and media votes. With LeBron out of the starters list due to injury, the league still rewarded production over novelty. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Bronny making an All-Star roster this season: 1%.
Jan 19
Donovan Mitchell All Star, Anthony Edwards Snub, LeBron Missing
Merlin sees the first 10 All-Star starters revealed Monday, and fans pounced on who was left out. Donovan Mitchell earned a starter spot in the East, averaging 29.2 points on 48.9 percent shooting while carrying a Cleveland team that sits fifth. In the West, Anthony Edwards was a surprising omission despite 29.6 points and career highs in efficiency, and the absences of LeBron James and Kevin Durant drew the loudest reactions. The coaches now pick the reserves. Merlin knows the All-Star story rarely ends with the starters. Coaches and injury replacements often right perceived snubs, and the league even has the option to nudge a veteran back in. Expect veiled drama, strategic coach votes, and at least one headline-making addition before the rosters are final. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Anthony Edwards makes the All-Star roster as a reserve: 85%.
Jan 19
Giannis Antetokounmpo Locked In Bucks Stand Firm
Merlin sees a clash between public vows and private curiosity. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been blunt: "I am not (going anywhere). I am invested in this team," and Milwaukee’s messaging matches. Still, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst says the biggest question in league circles is whether the Bucks will move him before the Feb. 5 deadline, while Tim Bontemps adds he does not anticipate a trade and expects Milwaukee to be "very aggressive" to improve. Merlin notes reality beats rumor. A team rarely parts with a two-time MVP without a blockbuster return, and time for rival offers is dwindling. Only a seismic proposal or a sudden breakdown would change course, so expect noise to grow but motion to stay limited unless the market delivers something extraordinary. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: (“Odds Bucks trade Giannis before the Feb. 5 deadline: 8%.”)
Jan 19
Atlanta Hawks Bring Back Beloved MLK City Jerseys
The Atlanta Hawks announced they will bring back their MLK City Edition uniforms next season, telling fans "You asked, we listened." Maria Taylor revealed the news during Peacock coverage of Atlanta’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day game, and supporters welcomed the return of the jerseys honoring Dr. King. Merlin sees more than a costume change. Reviving the MLK kit restores a symbol of community and should spark retail demand and goodwill, reminding fans that the franchise hears its base. If the reception is strong, the Hawks may keep these uniforms as an annual tradition tied to the MLK Day schedule. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the MLK City Edition jerseys sell out this season: 80%.
Jan 19
Memphis Trade Drama: Ja Morant or Jaren Jackson Jr?
Merlin sees the Grizzlies at a crossroads. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reports that Jaren Jackson Jr. "just wants to understand what the plan is," and he may not be asking to leave even as trade chatter swirls around Ja Morant. Memphis is 18-23 and sitting in the 10 seed, and the front office could opt for a step-by-step teardown to turn contracts into young assets and picks. Morant insists his loyalty with "a logo on my back," but durability and limited playoff success cloud the picture. Merlin senses a quiet reckoning. With both stars under team control, Memphis can wait or accelerate a rebuild, and the decision could ignore player preference. If leadership chooses future pieces over present flashes, Jackson is likeliest to move first. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Jaren Jackson Jr. being traded before Feb. 5: 50%.
Jan 19
Kuminga Gone? Warriors Target De'Andre Hunter
Three-team chatter would send Jonathan Kuminga from Golden State to Phoenix, bring De'Andre Hunter to the Warriors, and send Royce O'Neale, Ryan Dunn and Nick Richards to Cleveland. Sources said "agree that the best resolution is to trade Kuminga prior to the deadline," and the swap would end Golden State's Kuminga saga while preserving its four tradeable first round picks and cutting Cavs payroll. Merlin sees neat logic here. Hunter's 6'8 frame and recent 15.9 points with 37.1 percent from three would steady Golden State beside Curry and Draymond. Kuminga lands in Phoenix, which made the "most lucrative push" for him, under coach Jordan Ott who develops young wings. Cleveland gains defense and expiring salary to appease Donovan Mitchell. The Warriors keep draft capital to chase a summer star, but chemistry and Kuminga's fresh start are unknowns. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Kuminga being traded before the deadline: 85%.
Jan 19
Ja Morant Trade Rumors Fizzle for Grizzlies
Ja Morant's 24 points and 13 assists in Sunday’s 126-109 win over Orlando did little to change the trade calculus, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon and Tim Bontemps said. MacMahon called a trade "extremely unpopular" in Memphis and Bontemps said "there's very limited interest" around the league. Morant has reaffirmed his commitment to the Grizzlies, but dipping shooting numbers, repeated injuries and an 18-23 club record have reduced his market value. Merlin sees a delicate balance. A bright performance soothes fans but cannot erase missed time or falling efficiency. For a small-market team, the PR hit of moving its cornerstone plus the likelihood of a weak return makes the front office wary. Sunday’s win is a hopeful turn, not a decisive shift. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Ja Morant being traded this season: 15%.
Jan 19
Rich Paul Floats Lakers Reaves to Grizzlies for Jaren Jackson
Rich Paul suggested on his podcast that the Lakers explore sending Austin Reaves to the Grizzlies for Jaren Jackson Jr., saying "Memphis would definitely pay Austin" and that "he would become their leading scorer and point guard." The article sketches a no-first-round-picks swap, shows the Lakers taking Jackson and Vince Williams Jr. while Memphis would get Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Maxi Kleber and a small trade exception, and then unpacks the salary, roster and cap math that would make the move messy. Merlin sees the deal as tempting but tangled. Jackson is a two-time All Star and former Defensive Player of the Year on a roughly $240 million commitment, while Reaves is chasing a big new contract. Memphis may prefer draft assets in a rebuild, and the Lakers must weigh defense over Reaves’ playmaking and future cap flexibility. Making the idea public could cool talks as much as it heats them. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Lakers complete a trade for Jaren Jackson Jr. by the deadline: 12%.
Jan 19
Miami Heat Must Choose Between Ja Morant and Giannis Antetokounmpo
Merlin sees a shakeup brewing in Miami’s trade plans. A source told Marc Stein Miami "should be scratched as a Morant suitor" if that move would jeopardize a bid for Giannis. Stein also wrote that "all indications are that Antetokounmpo will not be in trade play before the Feb. 5 deadline." Meanwhile Memphis is reportedly entertaining offers for Ja Morant, who has played just 18 games this season. Merlin notes the choice reveals Miami’s priorities. Morant is more affordable and could help now, but he is not the needle mover Giannis would be. If Miami keeps even a sliver of hope for a late-season Giannis pursuit, patience could rule their board and reshape who becomes available around the deadline. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis requesting a trade this season: 10%.
Jan 19
Rockets' Kevin Durant Passes Dirk Nowitzki For Sixth All Time
Kevin Durant passed Dirk Nowitzki to move into sixth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list in Sunday’s win over New Orleans, joining the tier behind LeBron, Kareem, Karl Malone, Kobe, and Michael Jordan. Durant called the moment "means a lot" and said he wants "to continue to keep stacking, keep climbing up the charts," signaling he plans to keep chasing milestones at age 37. Merlin sees a veteran still in love with the craft. Durant praised Dirk — "I idolized, I competed against" — and the path ahead is clear: Jordan and Kobe are within reach, Malone looks like a taller mountain that might require playing into his 40s, and LeBron’s longevity offers a blueprint. Expect more counting of points and quiet accumulation. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Durant finishing his career ahead of Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan: 75%.
Jan 19
Ja Morant Declares Loyalty Amid Trade Rumors
Ja Morant poured in 24 points, 13 assists and five rebounds to lift the Grizzlies to a 126-109 win in London, then pushed back on trade talk by saying, "If anybody here knows me, I'm a very loyal guy," and pointing to the Grizzlies tattoo on his back. Memphis has reportedly shopped him for picks and young players, but league interest has been called tepid, and some teams see limited market demand. Merlin senses a tug of war between talent and risk. Morant’s flashes show why teams would pay a price, yet missed time from suspensions and injuries dims his trade value. He sounds rooted in Memphis, and the Grizzlies will likely hold out for serious offers. Expect more headlines if he strings together sustained dominance. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Ja Morant being traded before the deadline: 20%.
Jan 18
Anthony Edwards Wants To Dunk On Victor Wembanyama
Anthony Edwards loved the matchup with Victor Wembanyama after Minnesota’s 126-123 loss, saying "I loved it" and "I wish we could've just moved everybody out of the way and just checked up and me versus him." Edwards scored 55 points and boldly claimed he would win a one-on-one and wants to dunk over the 7'4" Frenchman, who said he will try to block him. Merlin senses this is more than bravado. A real Edwards and Wembanyama rivalry pairs fearless scoring with towering length, and every duel feeds the league’s story of who might become the next global face. On the court the battles will decide bragging rights, off the court they will sell tickets and headlines. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Edwards and Wembanyama rivalry becomes a defining playoff storyline this season: 30%.
Jan 18
Mavericks Court Dirk Nowitzki After Luka Trade
Merlin sees the Mavericks courting Dirk Nowitzki after his recent jumbotron appearance. ESPN's Tim MacMahon called it an olive branch from new leader Patrick Dumont, saying "The Luka trade was the absolute last straw" and that Dirk would not be part of the club while Nico Harrison ran basketball operations. Dirk's presence and his son Max in a Cooper Flagg jersey signaled openness, and he reportedly wants "some input in the team's decision-making" rather than a formal front-office job. Merlin senses that bringing Dallas' greatest player back into the fold would steady the franchise as it hands the torch to No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg. An informal advisory role could fast-track Flagg's growth and soothe a jittery fanbase, but real influence will take trust and patient work from both sides. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Dirk taking an advisory role within the next year: 60%.
Jan 18
Edwards 55 Sparks Timberwolves, Wembanyama Clutch Lifts Spurs
Merlin saw a star-studded clash as Anthony Edwards exploded for a season-high 55 points, including 26 in the fourth, while Victor Wembanyama added 39 points and nine rebounds and snagged a late board to help the Spurs prevail 126-123. Wembanyama called it "an honor" and said "It's the best case to have the best players go as hard as they can." Edwards said "I loved it. I wish we could've just moved everybody out of the way... me versus him." The result nudged the Spurs to 29-13 and left the Wolves 27-16. Merlin senses more than a single game here. Edwards delivers pure scoring fireworks and Wembanyama brings unique two-way gravity. Nights like this shape narratives and set the stage for playoff theater. If both stay healthy, their contrasting talents could drive one of the league's next great rivalries. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Edwards and Wembanyama meeting in the playoffs this season: 45%.
Jan 18