NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
Dec 28, 2025
Stephen Curry Rocks Drake Shoes vs Raptors
Merlin sees Stephen Curry arrive in Toronto wearing Drake’s Nike NOCTA Glide shoes and warming up in Kobe Bryant’s Kobe 11s in the Northern Lights colorway, the same pair Kobe wore in his final All Star Game in 2016. The moment is part of a larger pattern since Curry became a sneaker free agent after splitting with Under Armour. He has been rotating peers and legends shoes as tributes and as a way to enjoy new variety while exploring future partnerships. The Warriors are 16 15 and Curry will try to push them to a fourth straight win against the Raptors. Merlin senses more than style. These shoe choices are respectful nods to history and quiet business signals to brands watching. Wearing teammates and rivals shoes keeps Curry culturally current and gives him low risk ways to audition partners before a big deal next year. On court it is fuel and theater at once. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Curry signing with Nike next year: 70%.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Saga Leaves Bucks Cloudy
Giannis Antetokounmpo's long run of trade rumors remains unresolved after Sam Amick’s report that few obvious suitors exist and the Bucks appear focused on upgrading around him rather than listening to offers ahead of his 2027 28 option. Giannis, back from a calf injury, grew visibly annoyed by the questions, saying "I'm here. I'm here. I'm here" and calling the query "disrespectful." His clarity on the court and the market's reluctance leave Milwaukee in control for now. Merlin sees a ledger being written in secret. Few teams can match the Bucks demand for a generational talent and many potential partners bring complicated packages. If Giannis stays healthy and speaks firmly he will buy Milwaukee time to reshuffle pieces and chase contenders. The saga is far from over. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis requesting a trade this season: 20%.
Dec 28
Giannis Antetokounmpo Stuns Bulls, Fuels Bucks Trade Talk
The Bucks sit 13 and 19 and Giannis Antetokounmpo knows the calendar is not kind with the Feb. 5 trade deadline looming. He returned from an eight game absence and scored 29 points in a 112 103 win over the Bulls, but told reporters "This is real tough" and warned "We're fighting for our lives." ESPN reported Giannis and his agent have discussed "whether his best fit is staying or a move elsewhere." Merlin sees a team at a crossroads. General manager Jon Horst has hinted at adding talent while rival teams circle the franchise star. If Milwaukee finds an identity soon, small moves could suffice. If inconsistency continues, a major roster reshuffle is likely and Giannis may face a new supporting cast or even a new address before the deadline. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis requesting a trade this season: 20%.
Dec 28
Giannis Antetokounmpo Snaps at Trade Rumors Staying with Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo snapped at reporters after the Bucks beat the Bulls, insisting "I'm here. I'm here. I'm here" and telling them "Don't ask me that question." Back from a calf strain, he finished with 29 points and eight rebounds and said "I'm here, I'm putting on the jersey, and as long as I'm here, I'm gonna give everything I have." His words were a blunt public rejection of trade rumors. Merlin sees, young fan, a clear message. The MVP is protecting the locker room and the franchise while letting his play do the talking. A fiery quote and a late windmill dunk buy the Bucks time and quiet the headlines, but the season will decide if words hold. If Milwaukee stays in title conversation the noise fades. If not the old whispers will return. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis requesting a trade this season: 15%.
Dec 28
Suns Pelicans Brawl: Alvarado and Mark Williams Ejected
Merlin sees a brawl spark in Phoenix’s 123 114 win over New Orleans. In the third quarter Jose Alvarado picked up a foul trying to fight through a screen on Mark Williams, the two exchanged shoves and both were ejected. Phoenix led 87 83 at the time and held on for the nine point victory. Williams finished with 10 points and eight rebounds in 11 minutes. Alvarado had seven points, three assists and two steals. Merlin notes tension was high after the teams met the night before and that Alvarado carries a history of physical incidents, including a three game suspension in February. The league will likely review the tape. New Orleans can ill afford more player absences while Phoenix may get a short term momentum boost from the win. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Alvarado receiving a suspension this week: 60%.
Dec 28
Bulls Vucevic Calls Out Giannis After Windmill Dunk
Merlin sees the moment: after the Bucks beat the Bulls 112 103, Giannis threw a windmill dunk with time expiring and a brief scuffle followed. Bulls center Nikola Vučević said, "I'm assuming Giannis was mad about that report that came out the Bulls didn't want to trade for him." ESPN reported Giannis and his agent "started conversations" with the Bucks about whether his best fit is here or elsewhere, and Chicago was later said to have been approached but not interested. Merlin knows a public dunk and a social post can feed a rumor fire. Milwaukee sitting 13 19 as the No 11 seed makes patience short. If Giannis wants change the market will heat by the trade deadline, but for now this feels like simmering unease more than an immediate earthquake. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis requesting a trade this season: 20%.
Dec 28
Anthony Edwards Says Timberwolves Fans Were Right
Merlin sees the Timberwolves stumble at home, losing 123 to 107 to the Nets while fans voiced their frustration. Anthony Edwards admitted "We got booed and s--t by the fans today. I'm with the fans. I would've booed us too, s--t" and blamed a "lack of energy." Edwards led with 28 points, but Minnesota was outshot 55 percent to 45 percent, outscored in the paint 66 to 46, and outrebounded. Cam Thomas torched them for 30 points in 20 minutes. Coach Chris Finch pointed to effort and positioning, saying "We didn't play with physicality. They got to the corner on us, and Rudy was too far down the floor." Merlin senses a team at a pivot. Eight days after beating the champions, the Wolves are again uneven, and Finch’s line "If you were really self aware, you would do something about it" sounds like the staff thinking trade deadline moves or lineup changes. Expect coaching fixes, defensive focus on the paint, and real talk in the locker room as the Wolves try to turn noise into action. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Minnesota making a significant trade before the Feb 5 deadline: 45%.
Dec 28
JJ Redick Issues Wake Up Call After Rockets Blowout
After a 119 96 loss to the Rockets, Lakers coach JJ Redick faced heat for saying the team "don't care enough" and then moved to own the moment. He met early with staff and players, warned that Saturday practice "is going to be uncomfortable," and pushed effort and execution after a slide that has the Lakers 4 6 in their last 10 and losers of three straight by 15 points or more. Austin Reaves will be reevaluated in four weeks, adding to the urgency. Merlin sees a crossroads for Los Angeles. Redick’s blunt talk and a listening session can snap a veteran group back to focus or reveal deeper issues with chemistry and depth. The upcoming four game homestand, starting with the Kings, will tell if uncomfortable work turns into cleaner play or more frustration. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Lakers winning at least three of their next four games: 40%.
Dec 27
Russell Westbrook Surpasses Magic Johnson on All Time Assists
Merlin sees Russell Westbrook climb past Magic Johnson into seventh on the NBA all time assist list. The 37 year old, in his 18th season and first with the Kings, becomes one of only eight players with 10,000 plus assists. Averaging 7.2 assists and with 52 games remaining, he is well positioned to move into the all time top five. Merlin notes Westbrook's career blends thunderous scoring with relentless playmaking. Four seasons averaging a triple double and three assist titles prove he can pile up helpers. If he keeps this pace he will likely pass Steve Nash and Mark Jackson, and the chase could redraw how fans and teams see his legacy while Sacramento leans on a veteran distributor. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Westbrook reaches the all time top five by season end: 85%.
Dec 27
Cavs Stand Firm: Darius Garland Not For Trade
Merlin sees that Darius Garland is not currently available for trade, per Jake Fischer. Fischer wrote, "I just haven't heard any credible rumblings about Garland's availability." Garland has been reliable this season, averaging 17.3 points and 7.1 assists, and the Cavs are skittish after a 17 wins and 15 losses start. Merlin notes the echo of past trade chatter tied to Klutch and San Antonio, and Fischer warns, "Maybe that changes as the Feb. 5 deadline draws closer." Cleveland carries the league's highest payroll and faces a brutal stretch, so pressure will build. For now Garland is playing well, with 23.0 points and 9.0 assists over his last four games. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Garland being traded before Feb 5: 20%.
Dec 27
Chris Paul Free Agent Future Fades After Clippers Release
Merlin sees veteran point guard Chris Paul seeking a final landing spot after the Clippers cut him loose. Jake Fischer reports the Lakers are "not considering" the 40 year old as they chase youth, and the Rockets are constrained by roughly $1.2 million beneath the first apron so they "aren't really weighing changes" until late January. Paul was averaging 2.9 points in 14.3 minutes and told Chris Haynes he is "staying ready" while admitting "I don't [know] what's next. I'm still scarred by it all. Still processing everything." Merlin senses the market is tight. Teams value veteran smarts, but cap limits and roster priorities make a late season fit difficult. A contender with an urgent backcourt need could call, yet a hometown farewell with the Lakers seems unlikely given current plans. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Chris Paul signing with the Lakers this season: 10%.
Dec 27
Lakers Pursue Herb Jones After Christmas Meltdown
The Lakers’ defense has been a liability all season, capped by a 119 96 loss to Houston and a public rant from coach JJ Redick about effort. Front office work has turned to upgrades and Brett Siegel reports that, "Jones has remained a top trade target for Western Conference contenders like the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors, sources said." Los Angeles has few useful tradable contracts but does hold future first round picks that could be used to pursue New Orleans defender Herb Jones. Merlin sees the fit clearly. Jones brings elite on ball pressure, steals and the defensive heart the Lakers lack around LeBron, Luka and Reaves. He will not fix everything, but he would make mismatches harder for opponents and buy time for roster balance. The front office must decide if they spend picks now or risk more public frustration. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Lakers landing Herb Jones this season: 30%.
Dec 27
Hawks Target Anthony Davis Trae Young Off Limits
Merlin sees Atlanta quietly circling Anthony Davis as a trade target. Chris Haynes says the Hawks "remain very intrigued" but any deal "would not involve" Trae Young. The Mavericks would seek young assets, draft picks and expiring contracts, and Davis health plus the Feb 5 deadline will shape whether talks go anywhere. Merlin hears skepticism around the league that Atlanta "would sacrifice the assets and (Kristaps) Porziņģis' expiring deal for Davis." Young’s recent scoring and playmaking make him valuable if the Hawks want to protect their core, while injuries to Young and Porziņģis leave a tempting gap at big man. Over the next six weeks Atlanta will weigh a bold splash against staying patient. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Atlanta acquiring Anthony Davis by Feb 5: 25%.
Dec 27
Jonathan Kuminga Likely Traded by Golden State Warriors
Merlin sees Jonathan Kuminga slipping from Steve Kerr's rotation after "numerous meetings" failed to resolve their issues. Rival teams expect the 23 year old to be movable once he becomes tradable on Jan. 15, making him a name to watch before the Feb. 5 deadline. The potential split would alter Golden State's depth and force a recalibration of Kuminga's path. Once a promising leap, Kuminga started hot then stalled, and has been "very frustrated" amid limited minutes and missed games. He signed a two year $48.5 million deal and waived his no trade clause, which eases a move, but slumping production lowers his market value. Merlin senses the club and the player may both benefit from a fresh start unless chemistry and minutes return fast. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Kuminga is traded before the Feb. 5 deadline: 70%.
Dec 27
Ace Bailey Hip Flexor Injury Sidelines Jazz Starter
Ace Bailey exited and missed the entire second half after the Jazz announced he suffered a "strained left hip flexor" during Utah's 131 129 win over the Pistons. There is no timeline for his return. Brice Sensabaugh filled Bailey’s spot, pouring in 15 of his 20 points after the break, and Utah snapped a four game skid. Bailey had been hitting his stride since becoming a starter, averaging 12.9 points on 46.8 percent shooting and 38.3 percent from three in 20 starts. Merlin sees a small test of the Jazz depth ahead. A hip flexor can be nagging, and the schedule gets tight with a second night of a back to back Saturday, a Dec 30 date with Boston and a long road trip to start the year. Sensabaugh’s burst soothes worries, but Bailey’s development and the team’s second unit will be under a microscope. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Ace Bailey missing Saturday’s game against the Spurs: 65%.
Dec 27
Warriors Eye Anthony Davis Trade From Mavericks
Merlin sees Golden State eyeing Anthony Davis as the kind of big man that could lift them back into title talk. Chris Haynes says the Warriors are "contemplating" a pitch, but Dallas is "not that fascinated" and would likely want a third team or better assets. GM Mike Dunleavy Jr said they are being "more protective" of picks through 2032. Merlin notes Davis brings star power and mismatch solving but also age, injury history and a heavy contract after playing just 25 of 65 games since the trade. The Mavericks will want draft capital and clarity on salary. Expect the Warriors to probe the market while guarding their future, likely chasing a creative three team solution rather than surrendering long term draft insurance. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Golden State landing Anthony Davis this season: 18%.
Dec 27
Kon Knueppel Ankle Scare Puts Hornets Playoff Hopes at Risk
Merlin sees Charlotte ruled rookie Kon Knueppel out after he rolled his right ankle late in the second quarter against Orlando. Coach Charles Lee said "X rays on Knueppel's ankle were negative" and the team will do more testing back in Charlotte. Knueppel had been scorching, 16 points in 15 minutes on 5 for 7 shooting and 4 for 4 from deep, and is averaging 19.4 points through 30 games while the Hornets sit 10 and 20 and 12th in the East. Merlin senses the ripple. Knueppel logs heavy minutes and his scoring lift matters to a team clinging to play in hope. An extended absence would change Charlotte's rhythm and could nudge roster decisions before Feb 5, especially with the club only "open to business to a degree" on trades. Watch the test results and how the rotation adapts. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: (Odds Knueppel misses more than two games: 30%.)
Dec 26
Austin Reaves Out Four Weeks With Calf Strain
Merlin sees the Lakers will be without Austin Reaves for at least a month after an MRI revealed a grade 2 left gastrocnemius strain. Reaves left the Christmas Day game with what the team called "left calf soreness" and will be reevaluated in four weeks. The team says this is "a separate strain" from the earlier mild calf issue that cost him three games. Losing Reaves removes a top scorer and playmaker from a 19 10 Lakers team. Merlin notes the timing stings. LeBron James and Luka Dončić will shoulder more scoring and Marcus Smart could see expanded minutes as the backcourt is reshuffled. The club will "monitor" Reaves closely, and how the Lakers cope over the next two weeks will tell whether this is a hiccup or a longer derailment. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Lakers staying a top four seed in the West while Reaves is out: 55%.
Dec 26
Nikola Jokic 56 Point Triple Double Stuns Timberwolves
Merlin sees Nikola Jokić deliver perhaps the greatest Christmas Day game ever, a 142 138 overtime win over the Timberwolves. Jokić finished with a triple double of 56 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists, added two blocks and set a record with 18 overtime points. His performance overshadowed Anthony Edwards, who scored 44 and forced overtime with a last second three but was ejected with 20 seconds left. Denver clinched the season series and sits 22 8 in the West. Merlin knows a single night does not create a champion, but nights like this change a season. Teammate Peyton Watson called it a "different level." The win gives Denver a tiebreaker edge and proof that when Jokić turns mystical, the Nuggets can outgun any contender, though Minnesota remains a real threat. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Denver reaching the Western Conference Finals this season: 60%.
Dec 26
JJ Redick Roasts Lakers After Rockets Rout
JJ Redick turned family discipline into a locker room anecdote. He had his sons write "persuasive essays" to earn big gifts, praised nine year old Kai for "really knocked it out of the park," and marveled as 11 year old Knox used his new Apple Watch to call friends. Then came the blunt coaching assessment after a 119 96 loss to Houston: "We don't care enough right now" and "We don't care enough to be a professional." The Lakers sit 19 10 and fourth in the West but have dropped three straight games by double digits, so accountability is now front and center. Merlin sees a coach testing boundaries. Public rebukes signal a shift from patience to consequence. If Redick follows his kids advice and demands written apologies or explanations, rotations and minutes could change fast. The team can still course correct, but the mood must change before talent alone carries them. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Los Angeles makes the Western Conference Finals this season: 30%.
Dec 26
Anthony Davis Injury Update Fuels Mavericks Trade Talk
Merlin sees Anthony Davis escaped a scare six weeks before the trade deadline. The groin problem from the Christmas Day loss was a minor strain and he should miss only a few games after the Mavericks called it "right groin spasms," Shams Charania reports. That matters because Davis is a "significant trade target" but has played just 25 of 65 games since arriving in Dallas, and teams like Toronto, Atlanta and Detroit are cautious given his contract and recent injury history. Merlin knows talent when he sees it. Davis is an impact two way player at his best, but durability and a large contract make him a hard sell. With Dallas at 12 20 and Cooper Flagg emerging, the club must choose between waiting on Davis or turning him into pieces that fit Flagg's timeline. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Anthony Davis being traded by Feb 5: 30%.
Dec 26
Peterson Dybantsa Boozer Battle for 2026 NBA Draft No 1
Merlin sees a three way tug of war for the 2026 draft crown. Scouts are split between Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer, with each offering a different profile. Boozer draws believers for his winning track record and expanding offense — "I have Cam at 1" — while critics fret about his lack of explosion and rim protection. Dybantsa is riding a persuasive, efficient stretch and high level finishing that eases translation questions. Peterson remains the ceiling pick for some because of his creator instincts and control, though a hamstring and just four games make his case partly a memory for now. One scout summed it plainly, "It's still gotta be Peterson due to how he can run a team and control it." Merlin notes teams will choose by need and patience. Some will take the safe looking scorer, others will gamble on fit and upside. Watch Peterson getting fully healthy, Dybantsa versus tougher opponents, and Boozer against athletic frontcourt tests to see who climbs. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Darryn Peterson goes No. 1: 45%.
Dec 26
Stephen Curry Wears Klay Shoes on Christmas in Warriors Win
Stephen Curry, now a sneaker free agent, honored former teammate Klay Thompson by wearing Thompson's signature shoes on Christmas as the Warriors beat the Mavericks 126 116. Thompson called it "great" and "really cool" and joked "Wish he didn't get a win in 'em, but it was awesome. A lot of respect." Curry said the choice was coincidental, one more tribute in a stretch where he has laced up shoes for Kobe, Allen Iverson, Devin Booker and Jimmy Butler. Merlin sees a small ritual with big meaning. The gesture reminds fans of the trio that delivered four titles and softens the edge of a new rivalry now that Thompson plays for Dallas. With five meetings since his move, Thompson and Curry keep weaving the past into the present, and Curry's sneaker free agency has become its own storyline. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Curry signing a new sneaker deal this season: 70%.
Dec 26
JJ Redick Blasts Lakers After Christmas Loss
The Lakers hit a rough patch after a 119 to 96 loss to the Rockets on Christmas, their third straight defeat and a fall from a 15 and 4 start to 4 wins and 6 losses in their last 10. Coach JJ Redick blasted the effort, saying "we don't care enough" and promising practice will be "uncomfortable" because "I'm not doing another 53 games like this." Their defense sits 25th while the offense is seventh, leaving little room for error. Merlin sees a team of bright pieces held together by thin glue. LeBron is showing his age and Austin Reaves matters more than ever. The roster can still be an elite offense when everyone is healthy and locked in, but Redick's public rebuke is a test of leadership and chemistry. The next practices will tell whether this wakes them up or widens the crack. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Lakers making the playoffs this season: 70%.
Dec 26
Cooper Flagg Dazzles as Warriors Down Mavericks
Merlin sees Cooper Flagg’s first Christmas Day showcase as a clear coming out party even in a 126 116 loss to Stephen Curry and the Warriors. The rookie poured in 27 points on 13 of 21 shooting with six rebounds and five assists in 36 minutes, his second straight 25 plus game and sixth overall. He joins LeBron James as the only teenagers to score 25 on Christmas Day. Dallas was shorthanded after Anthony Davis left in the second quarter and was ruled out with what the team called "right groin spasms." Merlin notes the contest was messy. Curry was off but hit a late clutch three and eclipsed 26,000 career points, while Golden State’s bench and Al Horford supplied a big lift. Dallas sits 1 1 in the mini stretch and Flagg is validating the draft hype. With the trade deadline looming and Davis uncertain, Flagg may become the Mavericks best reason for patience. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Cooper Flagg averaging at least 20 points per game this season: 30%.
Dec 26