NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
Dec 22, 2025
Kenny Atkinson On Hot Seat With Cavaliers
Merlin sees Cleveland's coaching seat warming. ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported the Cavs' head man Kenny Atkinson "is starting to get a little warm," though Windhorst added the club prefers to "work through this, get healthy, and find ways to improve" and that "I don't think radical change or roster change is coming." Cleveland sits 15 14 after losing eight of 11, with poor three point shooting and key absences. Sam Merrill is set to return and Evan Mobley and Max Strus should follow, so the lineup could soon look very different. Merlin notes the other truth. The Cavs carry the league's largest payroll at about 231.1 million and sit well into the luxury tax, leaving little trade flexibility before the February deadline. That makes a midseason coaching move the simplest lever, yet firing less than a year after a 64 win season would smell of panic. Patience is the club's current spell, but results will decide the fate. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Atkinson being fired before the Feb 5 trade deadline: 25%.
Harden Declares LeBron James Uncatchable After Clippers Upset
After guiding the Clippers to a 103 88 upset of the Lakers, James Harden heaped praise on LeBron James, saying "nobody is ever catching" the 40 year old for the No. 1 spot. Harden moved into the top 10 by passing Carmelo Anthony and now has 28,359 career points. LeBron remains the all time leader with 42,406 points and is the only player over 40,000, with regular season and playoff scoring combined topping 50,000. The Clippers improved to 7 21 and will face the Rockets on Tuesday. Merlin sees respect as recognition of a near untouchable legacy. Kevin Durant is the only other active top 10 scorer, so the gap is vast. For Harden the chase adds lore, but team fortunes will define whether his scoring story becomes solo heroism or a footnote in a rocky season. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Harden ever passing LeBron for the all time scoring record in his career: 1%.
Dec 21
Chicago Bulls Shopping Coby White Before Deadline
The Bulls may be willing to trade Coby White after a 12 15 start to the season. Marc Stein reports the team "has left the impression with rival teams inquiring about White that they are more open to trading White than they've ever been." White is averaging a career high 21.2 points and 5.2 assists while on an expiring contract, but Chicago is just 5 6 in games since his return and the backcourt pairing with Josh Giddey raises defensive concerns. Merlin sees a clear crossroads. White’s scoring and cheap short term control make him attractive, but the Bulls must weigh potential returns against the price he could command in free agency. Expect calls for picks and young players as Chicago decides if it wants payroll flexibility or to keep chasing a fix now. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Chicago trading Coby White before Feb. 5: 45%.
Dec 21
Pressure Mounts on Kenny Atkinson as Cavaliers Struggle
Merlin sees growing heat around Kenny Atkinson after Cleveland’s 15 14 start. Marc Stein says he has heard "pressure is indeed mounting," though one source pushed back and owner Dan Gilbert had been the strongest voice backing Atkinson over James Borrego. The gap from last season’s 25 4 start and Coach of the Year finish is stark. Injuries to Darius Garland, who has played 13 games, and Jarrett Allen, who has missed 11, have left the Cavs without a settled lineup. Merlin senses a fragile calm. If health returns and the team steadies, Atkinson’s seat cools. If struggles linger, whispers could become decisions, especially with Gilbert reportedly "unhappy about what's going on." Expect the story to widen before it resolves. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Kenny Atkinson being fired this season: 20%.
Dec 21
Lakers' LeBron Shrugs Off Chris Paul Clippers Drama
Merlin sees LeBron James sitting out the Clippers drama, telling reporters, "It's not for me to comment on, to be honest. It's none of my business." He also has not spoken with Chris Paul after the Clippers sent Paul home as they move toward formalizing his exit. Reports from The Athletic and ESPN say the issue was not a single moment but a fit problem, with Ramona Shelburne noting "the Clippers seemed to recoil" when Paul tried to enact the vision he pitched. Merlin notes that chemistry can unravel faster than any trade rumor. Paul’s leadership style reportedly clashed with players and staff, and LeBron, even as a close friend, has only an outsider view. Expect more quiet maneuvering from the Clippers and a swift realignment around whichever direction they choose next. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds LeBron will publicly comment on the Clippers Paul situation this season: 20%.
Dec 21
Kerr Defends Kuminga Amid Warriors Trade Deadline Drama
Steve Kerr pushed back on the trade chatter around Jonathan Kuminga, stressing the real life impact on a player and his family and likening the situation to Andrew Wiggins last season. Kerr said, "He's got two little girls at home, and he's been here five years," while noting his duty to balance honesty with empathy. Kuminga has been in and out of the rotation, averaging 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 18 games after signing a two year 48.5 million dollar extension. Merlin sees Golden State walking a careful line as the Feb 5 deadline nears. Kuminga is young and tradable but also under a recent contract and not yet consistent, so his name will surface if the Warriors chase short term help. Watch his minutes and how Kerr frames the talk, because that will reveal whether the team leans toward keeping and developing or trading for proven depth. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: (Odds of Kuminga being traded by the Feb 5 deadline: 30%.)
Dec 21
Steve Kerr: I Will Never Leave Stephen Curry
Merlin sees Steve Kerr tell The Athletic Show plainly, "I will never leave Steph Curry." Kerr has an extension through this season yet insists he will stay as long as Curry plays. Curry answered in kind, saying "I don't want to" play for another coach. Their mutual loyalty lands while Golden State struggles on the court and has not gone past the Western Conference semifinals since 2022. Merlin hears more than loyalty. Kerr called Curry "one of the finest human beings I've ever been around in my life" and still treasures the Olympic night when LeBron and Durant deferred to him. That bond buys the Warriors time and shapes the franchise narrative. Kerr is likely to walk with his star rather than forge a separate path. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Steve Kerr leaves when Steph Curry retires: 85%.
Dec 21
Jaylen Brown Embraces Hairspray Residue as Celtics Champion
Merlin sees Boston guard Jaylen Brown shrugging off the fuss about hairspray residue left on opponents. Brown said he was "a little bit embarrassed" then "got mad at myself for being embarrassed at all" and joked that "Those dudes should be grateful. You have the residue of a champion on you. You're welcome." He also revealed he has had "hair issues" for "one or two years" and teamed with Nutrafol to address thinning, blaming part of it on the pressure of winning in 2024 and trying to defend the title. Merlin senses this is less scandal and more signal. Brown turned awkward attention into control of the story, mixing humor and a wellness move to destigmatize hair loss. It feels like a confidence ritual more than a court problem. Expect more playful provocation and maybe a new look, not a locker room crisis. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Jaylen Brown rubbing his hair on opponents again this season: 60%.
Dec 21
Warriors Hunt Gafford Claxton Robert Williams at Deadline
Merlin sees Golden State hunting a big man at the trade deadline, seeking "size and athleticism" per Chris Haynes. Targets linked are Daniel Gafford, Nic Claxton and Robert Williams. The need is clear. The Warriors rank 19th in rebounds, 22nd in blocks and last in points in the paint, so interior help feels urgent even as they sit with the third best defensive rating after a 13 15 start to the season. Merlin notes fit and price will decide which name moves. Gafford brings reliable rim scoring and shot blocking. Claxton is enjoying a career offensive start and adds mobility. Williams is the cheaper, injury risk option who still offers paint presence off the bench. A true interior anchor would reshape Golden State on both ends more than any wing tweak. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Warriors acquire one of those bigs by the deadline: 60%.
Dec 21
Draymond Green Ejected as Warriors Rally Past Suns
Merlin sees the scene: Draymond Green was ejected early after shoving Collin Gillespie and arguing with official Pat Fraher, drawing two technicals and his "first ejection this season." Golden State trailed by 10 at the time but rallied to win 119 116, showing the team can absorb a tempest and still prevail. Merlin notes that the storm is part habit and part worry. Green remains a defensive anchor with the Warriors sitting third in defensive rating and a 107.8 mark with him on the floor, yet he is "searching for more offensive consistency" while averaging a career high in turnovers. If his temper and sloppiness stay in check, the Warriors hum; if not, the oracle expects more fireworks. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: "Odds of Draymond being ejected again this season: 65%."
Dec 21
Denver Nuggets Tease Nikola Jokic With Taco Bell Quesarito Shirts
Merlin sees the Nuggets handing out Taco Bell Quesarito shirts at Ball Arena, a wink at the old draft night ad that played when Denver picked Nikola Jokić. The shirts nudged him to try the returning Quesarito, but Jokić laughed it off, saying, "No way. That's funny. I'm not gonna do it. Not gonna do it." He still refuses Taco Bell and keeps doing work on the court, averaging 29.6 points, 12.3 rebounds and 10.9 assists while shooting 61.2/42.6/84.0. Merlin reads this as a bit of theater that does no harm and a lot of charm. Merch stunts like this humanize a quiet superstar and give fans a shared joke while Denver pursues another title. The real story remains Jokic the player, not Jokic the eater, but the tease will stick around. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Jokić trying the Quesarito this season: 20%.
Dec 20
Kevin Durant Tells Bruce Brown Learn to Talk and Play
Merlin sees Houston star Kevin Durant telling reporters Bruce Brown needs to "learn how to talk and play" after a heated third quarter exchange in Denver's 115 101 game. Brown said Durant crossed a line and said he wished fighting were allowed without fines. Durant, who scored 31 points, said he enjoys the intensity and that sometimes things "might go cross the line." Neither player would repeat the exact words. The teams meet again in Denver on March 11. Merlin notes the two are former Nets teammates so the heat has history. When familiarity fuels barbs, games sharpen and the league notices. Durant is setting a tone for his team and Brown is answering. Expect edge and extra physicality in the rematch, with coaches and officials working to keep sparks from becoming fires. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of another fiery exchange in the March 11 rematch: 70%.
Dec 20
Lakers Marcus Smart Fined 35K for Flipping Off Refs
Merlin sees Marcus Smart was hit with a $35,000 fine for making an obscene gesture at an official during halftime of the Lakers 143 135 win over the Jazz. The league cited him for "flipping off the refs." Smart scored 17 points and grabbed four rebounds as Los Angeles improved to 19 7. After a buyout with Washington he signed a two year 11 million dollar deal with the Lakers and is averaging 10.6 points on 43.1 percent shooting, 2.9 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks over 17 games. His trademark is defense, with three All Defensive First Teams and a Defensive Player of the Year award in 2022. Merlin notes the fine is a spark not a conflagration. Smart’s edge fuels the Lakers at both ends and will draw extra referee attention, but the bigger story is whether his intensity lifts Los Angeles in tight games. The Clippers matchup for win number 20 is the next true measure. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Marcus Smart being suspended this season: 5%.
Dec 20
Michael Jordan Kobe Bryant One of One Card Fetches $3.17M
A one of one Michael Jordan Kobe Bryant card sold for $3.17 million at auction Friday, per ESPN's Dan Hajducky. The 2003 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection dual Logoman was sold by Heritage Auctions and the price includes the buyer's premium. It received a PSA 6, described as having "visible surface wear or a printing defect that doesn't detract from the overall appeal." Card Ladder lists it as the seventh most expensive basketball card ever sold and the second most expensive Bryant card. Merlin sees the sale as proof that rarity and the names involved carry more weight than a perfect grade. Even below top condition, a unique Jordan Bryant pairing commands massive sums, and the $12.9 million autographed version shows how high the ceiling can be. Collectors are chasing story and scarcity, so other dual signature Logoman pieces will draw fierce bids. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds a Jordan Bryant card sells above $4 million in the next 12 months: 12%.
Dec 20
Anthony Edwards Backs Finch After Fiery Ejection Timberwolves Win
Chris Finch was ejected six minutes into Friday's game after confronting officials over a no call on Julius Randle. Anthony Edwards loved the fire, saying "I'm f--king with that" and that the team "fed off Finchy's energy." Minnesota rallied to win 112 107 as Edwards finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds, handing Oklahoma City just its third loss of the season. Merlin sees a coach's flare becoming a tool and a risk. Finch's second career ejection jolted the Wolves and showed how much the players respond to visible passion. Edwards offering to pay the fine and backing his coach is a sign of unity. If Finch channels intensity into smart leadership, Minnesota gains late game bite; if not, emotion could cost them. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Chris Finch being ejected again this season: 40%.
Dec 20
Golden State Eyes Trade for Claxton Gafford Williams
Merlin sees Golden State at 13 wins and 15 losses, sitting ninth in the West and exposed by a lack of paint presence. The Warriors are scouting Daniel Gafford, Robert Williams and Nic Claxton to boost rebounding and rim defense. Claxton is the clear star option at 13.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists while shooting 56.4 percent. Golden State ranks 24th in rebounds at 51.6 per game and last in points in the paint at 41.4, so a big man is a pressing need and could cost Jonathan Kuminga or Brandin Podziemski. Merlin notes the league’s giants Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, Zion Williamson and Kevin Durant expose the Warriors’ interior weakness. Claxton would change matchups immediately but demands value. Gafford or Williams bring athleticism and lower cost but less track record in heavy minutes. Expect movement before the deadline if Golden State intends to remain a true title threat. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Golden State trading for an impact center this season: 45%.
Dec 20
Milwaukee Bucks Chase Zach LaVine As Giannis Antetokounmpo Weighs Future
The Bucks are urgently hunting for a difference maker around Giannis Antetokounmpo, with Zach LaVine said to be on their radar. Giannis declined to get into details, saying "If my agent is talking to the Bucks about it, he is his own person," while reports say Milwaukee has done recent due diligence on LaVine. The team is low on draft assets and has slumped to 3 and 12 over its last 15 games, so any move must be creative and affordable. Merlin sees a tidy fit and a costly puzzle at once. LaVine would answer the shooting guard need and could thrive as a clear second option, but Sacramento will want compensation and Milwaukee can not offer first round picks until 2031. Expect salary swaps and veteran players like Kyle Kuzma to be part of any conversation as the Bucks chase stability. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Bucks land Zach LaVine this season: 35%.
Dec 20
Stephen Curry Wears Anthony Edwards Shoes After Timberwolves Win
Stephen Curry laced up a pair of Anthony Edwards signature shoes during Friday night’s loss to Minnesota, a moment Edwards loved while sidelined with right foot soreness. Edwards told Shams Charania he snapped photos and laughed, "Man, bump the rules," and recalled, "Ever since I was with Under Armour, since like eighth grade, I always wore Steph Curry's." Curry is currently a sneaker free agent and has been wearing shoes that honor other players. Merlin sees more than a fashion choice. It is a public nod from one star to another, a reminder of Team USA bonds and a soft drumbeat in Curry’s next branding chapter. Small shows of respect like this can turn into bigger collaborations or friendly rivalries, and they shape how fans and sponsors tell the story. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Curry will announce a sneaker collaboration with another current NBA star within 12 months: 30%.
Dec 20
NBA Cracks Down on Betting After Jontay Porter Ban
The NBA is tightening betting safeguards. Teams must resubmit injury listings between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. local on game day and update public reports every 15 minutes. The league is also pressing gaming companies to limit player prop bets, cap wager sizes and cut back on unders, while reviewing tanking rules, the draft lottery and pick protections. "Core to the NBA's position is that sports leagues should have control over the types of bets offered on their games," the memo said. Merlin sees a league responding to clear threats. After Jontay Porter was banned, Adam Silver said "There is nothing more important than protecting the integrity of NBA competition." Expect the NBA to lean on operators, regulators and lawmakers to reshape betting markets. Progress will come, but it will require negotiation and time. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the NBA gets operators to curb player prop bets this season: 60%.
Dec 19
Mavericks Keep Interim GMs After Luka Trade
The Mavericks will not rush to hire a full time general manager before the Feb. 5 trade deadline. Dallas expects Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi to stay running basketball operations through the deadline, and "The Mavericks, league sources said, are comfortable with that pairing in charge through the trade deadline." The team fired Nico Harrison after a 3 8 start and has since navigated roster upheaval, leaving decision making in place while eyeing upgrades around rookie Cooper Flagg. Merlin sees the logic in patience. Waiting lets Dallas cast the widest net for a successor while keeping short term moves under familiar hands, and governor Patrick Dumont still holds the final say. The club sits 11 17 but is close to the eighth seed, so the coming weeks will reveal whether the co interim duo trades for a push or simply preserves flexibility for a spring search. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Dallas naming a full time GM before Feb. 5: 10%.
Dec 19
Griffin and Amare Spark Hall of Fame Buzz
Blake Griffin and Amar'e Stoudemire are among the first time candidates named by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. The broader list also includes Jamal Crawford, Joe Johnson, Elena Delle Donne, Candace Parker, coaches Mike D'Antoni and Doc Rivers, college coaches Bruce Pearl and Kelvin Sampson, the 1996 USA womens national team, and broadcaster Marv Albert. The Hall said "Finalists chosen from the applicable Category Screening Committees for the Class of 2026 will be announced at a later date." Merlin notes both players left clear marks on their eras. Griffin brought star power and five All NBA nods as part of Lob City, while Stoudemire was a force in Phoenix and New York with six All Star appearances despite injuries that later dimmed his arc. Both have strong resumes, but a packed ballot and voting patterns will decide who makes the cut. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Blake Griffin making the Class of 2026: 70%.
Dec 19
Memphis Legend Marc Gasol Lands Naismith Nomination
Marc Gasol is a nominee for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame among the 2026 international candidates, a list Malika Andrews unveiled on ESPN. If elected he will join brother Pau in the Hall. Gasol’s résumé is clear: a long run with the Memphis Grizzlies, a 2019 title with the Toronto Raptors, three All Star nods, the 2012 13 Defensive Player of the Year, All NBA honors and career averages near 15.2 points 7.7 rebounds 3.4 assists and 1.5 blocks. Andrei Kirilenko and coach David Blatt are also on the international slate. Merlin sees a player whose defensive instincts and passing changed how teams built around a center. The championship and longevity bolster his case and make a twin sibling enshrinement feel poetic. Kirilenko’s versatility and Blatt’s coaching resume mean the ballot will be competitive, but Gasol’s mix of peak and impact stands tall. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Marc Gasol being elected to the Hall in 2026: 75%.
Dec 19
NBA Rethinks Tanking: Draft Lottery Odds Under Fire
Merlin sees the league quietly reopening its playbook on tanking. The NBA told teams it is reviewing "draft pick protections, revised draft lottery rules, and other approaches" after past changes in 2017 created equal 14 percent odds for the three worst teams and after the 2020 introduction of the play in tournament. The review could reshape how teams value losing versus competing. Merlin notes proposals already floating around, like limiting protections to top four protected lottery protected or unprotected and flattening lottery odds further. Such moves would reduce the payoff for deliberate losing and raise the trade value of picks. Expect heavy bargaining between owners and front offices before any change lands. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the NBA altering pick protections or lottery odds this offseason: 65%.
Dec 19
Keon Ellis Trade Interest Spikes For Kings
Merlin sees Sacramento shopping Keon Ellis as the trade deadline approaches. Sam Vecenie reports that "Ellis is the King who has received the most interest on the trade market to this point," largely because of "a combination of his contract and perceived value." At 25, on an expiring $2.3 million deal with Early Bird Rights and a reputation for defense, Ellis offers low cost and upside, though limited minutes mean his market looks like a couple of second rounders. Merlin knows a sinking team will trade the easiest asset, and the Kings are 6 and 21, so moving Ellis makes sense compared with costly veterans. Teams that want a cheap, retainable wing defender could treat multiple seconds as real value. His price will hinge on who shows him minutes and how buyers value those future picks. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Keon Ellis being traded by Feb 5 this season: 65%.
Dec 19
Curry Wears Devin Booker Nike Book 1, Suns Win
Merlin sees Stephen Curry using sneaker free agency to salute peers. After leaving Under Armour on Nov. 13 and becoming a "sneaker free agent", Curry wore Devin Booker’s "Nike Book 1" during Thursday’s game. Booker said he "sent Curry a few pairs" at Curry's request. Booker then led the Suns to a 99 98 win as Curry had 15 points on 3 of 13 shooting, seven assists and a season high nine rebounds. This is part theater and part leverage. Merlin senses Curry enjoys the freedom to honor players and stir nostalgia, like when he warmed up in the Kobe 6 Mambacita. It boosts his cultural value and could shift how stars use game nights to audition brands. Watch for more surprise tributes and headlines as deals evolve. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Curry wears another star’s signature shoe this season: 70%.
Dec 19