NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
Oct 18, 2025
LeBron James' "Second Decision" Tease: Lakers, Retirement?
LeBron James has teased "The Second Decision," a social-media event set for Oct. 7 at 12 p.m. ET, reviving memories of his 2010 televised "The Decision." The timing matters: James is entering year 23 and has spoken about nearing the end of his career, telling hosts, "I'm not hinting at anything" and "I'm definitely gearing up to where the end is, I'm not there yet." Fans and the league are bracing for news that could touch retirement, a business move, or another high-profile reveal. Merlin sees strategy in the spectacle. Invoking that old moment — one James later said he regretted — is a controlled test of the court of public opinion. Whatever emerges will shape Lakers planning and the offseason narrative. Expect a mix of showmanship and careful wording; LeBron rarely hands the plot to others. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of LeBron announcing his retirement on Oct. 7: 20%.
Steph Curry Open to Playing into His 40s
Stephen Curry says he wants the option to play into his 40s — “All I'll say is that I just want the option and if I'm at a legitimate ability to be able to play,” he told Mark Medina. The 11-time All-Star, four-time champ and lifelong Warrior is signed through 2026-27 but would be 40 during the 2027-28 season; he’s coming off a 24.5/4.4/6.0 campaign on efficient splits. That matters for Golden State’s planning, cap flexibility and the franchise’s pursuit of more championships if Curry can still deliver at a high level. Merlin sees longevity as part talent, part workload wizardry. If Curry maintains elite shooting and smart minutes, the Warriors can adapt around him with youth and defense. Health will be the deciding rune, not desire — but the desire is loud and clear. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Curry playing into his 40s: 45%.
Oct 18
Giannis, Jaylen Brown Headline 30 NBA Trade Targets
As the 2025-26 season approaches, teams are actively scouting bold, plausible trades — one proposed target per franchise in a sweeping take that stretches from Jaylen Brown and Giannis Antetokounmpo to Walker Kessler, Jonathan Kuminga and Lauri Markkanen. It matters because unsettled stars, expiring deals and roster mismatches mean a few well-timed moves could remake the title picture in both conferences. Merlin sees a market shaped by math and patience: contenders hunt complementary pieces (Boston eyeing Kessler, Atlanta dreaming of Brown) while asset-rich clubs ready to sell or wait. As the piece notes, "There's another reason why the Warriors don't want to give (Jonathan) Kuminga away for less than his full trade value" — teams will hoard young talent and picks until the right giant emerges. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis being traded this season: 20%.
Oct 18
October Deadline Chaos: Giannis, Trae, Zion Trades
Merlin sees a what-if: move the trade deadline to Oct. 20 and every front office suddenly shops or shops hard. The piece lays out realistic deals for every team — from Giannis packages and Joel Embiid gambles to salary dumps and draft-heavy rebuilds — showing how clubs might balance contending windows, luxury-tax math, and roster fit. Merlin notes these scenarios illuminate league truths: contenders will trade futures for stars, tax-minded clubs will jettison salary, and some players (like Kuminga) may be movable — "Now, both sides understand the likelihood of exploring trades when Kuminga is eligible to be moved in mid-January." Most blockbuster ideas are heavy on picks and risk; only a few will clear the real-world hurdles of contracts, player desire, and timing. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis being traded before the end of this season: 25%.
Oct 18
Spoelstra Takes Reins of Team USA for LA 2028
Erik Spoelstra will be named head coach of USA men’s basketball for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after serving as a lead assistant on Steve Kerr’s 2024 staff. This matters because he inherits a program at a crossroads: Paris was led by LeBron, Curry and Kevin Durant, who may be making their final Olympic runs, and Spoelstra must shepherd a transition from proven veterans to rising talent. Merlin notes the hire continues USA Basketball’s internal pipeline — even the report said, “Spoelstra will be named the next head coach of USA men’s Basketball” — and pairs him with managing director Grant Hill to evaluate pieces at the 2027 FIBA World Cup. With names like Cooper Flagg and Paolo Banchero emerging alongside Booker, Adebayo and Edwards, Spoelstra’s system and polish help, but passing the torch without breaking the spell is the true test. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Team USA winning gold in 2028: 65%.
Oct 18
Myles Turner to Bucks: "Go Where You're Celebrated" Angers Pacers
Myles Turner leaving the Indiana Pacers after 10 seasons to join the Milwaukee Bucks is the headline — and he didn’t hide his reason: "I'm in a city now that wants to celebrate me. There's a great quote that says 'go where you're celebrated'. I feel like that's here." That line, his social-media clarification that it wasn't aimed at Pacers fans, Bennedict Mathurin's IG dunk post and Pacers president Kevin Pritchard saying he was "shocked" make this more than a roster move — it deepens an already heated Bucks–Pacers rivalry and reshapes both teams' identities. Merlin sees a fresh spark and a sting. Milwaukee gains rim protection and swagger; Indiana loses a beloved anchor during a fragile stretch with Tyrese Haliburton injured. The arena will be loud, feelings will simmer, and time may soften the boos — but not this season. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Myles Turner gets booed loudly in Indianapolis this season: 80%.
Oct 18
Porzingis Playing Coy on Hawks Extension
Kristaps Porziņģis remains extension-free after joining the Hawks, with his contract expiring after 2025-26. He told Fred Katz he “doesn't wanna rush anything” and wants to “take it one day at a time,” adding he’d “see how the year goes” as he aims to prove his health after playing just 42 games last season and battling an illness. This matters because Atlanta must decide whether to lock in a prime two-way stretch big or let him test the market. Merlin sees a high-upside piece whose availability will set his value — a floor-spacing, rim-presence who can swing playoff matchups if healthy. The Hawks face a classic wager: pay now for certainty or wait and risk a pricier return. Porziņģis’s next season will write the contract’s fate. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Porziņģis signs an extension with Atlanta this season: 30%.
Oct 18
Kevin Durant to Rockets — Blockbuster NBA Shakeup
Merlin sees a summer of seismic moves: Kevin Durant landed in Houston, Orlando pulled off a blockbuster for Desmond Bane, and dozens of signings and extensions reshuffled rosters from coast to coast. Big-picture shifts — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s supermax, Devin Booker and Chet Holmgren’s huge extensions, plus veteran buys like Deandre Ayton to the Lakers — mean title windows moved and depth charts look very different. Merlin notes front offices are dancing around the CBA, trading future picks for immediate firepower and locking young stars to max deals. Chemistry and cap flexibility will decide who prospers; as LeBron’s camp put it, he “knows the Lakers are building for the future ... but he values a realistic chance of winning it all.” 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Houston Rockets reach the Western Conference Finals next season: 30%.
Oct 18
Giannis Preferred Knicks — Bucks Held Firm
Giannis Antetokounmpo has privately named the New York Knicks his "only" preferred destination and the Bucks held trade talks with New York in August, though the discussions produced no deal. Milwaukee insisted it preferred not to move its superstar and felt the Knicks "did not make a strong enough offer." With limited Knicks assets and Giannis having raised "serious questions" about Milwaukee’s title chances, the early part of this season carries extra weight. Merlin sees a tense balance: the Bucks tried to show commitment by waiving Damian Lillard to sign Myles Turner, but that may only buy time. New York being on Giannis’s radar matters — it keeps a Knicks-Bucks bridge open if things sour. Expect leverage, hard bargaining, and a season-opening stretch that could determine whether whispers become a storm. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis requesting a trade this season: 30%.
Oct 18
Giannis Antetokounmpo: Bucks Star Will Finish in Greece
Giannis Antetokounmpo told ANT1 he plans to finish his playing days in Greece, saying he "can play in the NBA until I'm 36-38" and "I don't want to live in the United States." He’s "locked in" with the Bucks for 2025-26 but left room to "change my mind," and previously identified the Knicks as a team he'd like if a move came. That timeline matters: 18–20 NBA seasons would put him in range of rare career milestones (30,000 points, 15,000 rebounds) and reframes his long-term story as a planned return rather than an abrupt exit. Merlin sees neat symmetry: Giannis began at Filathlitikos and now mentions Olympiacos, Panathinaikos or Aris as potential final stops. His MVPs and the 2021 title give him leverage — likely to stay if Milwaukee remains a contender, but ready to flirt with other suitors before he walks home. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Giannis requests a trade this season: 20%.
Oct 18
Rockets Won’t Panic After Fred VanVleet ACL
Fred VanVleet suffered a torn ACL right before camp, but Houston isn’t rushing to replace him — Jake Fischer says the Rockets won’t make any “reactionary moves.” Apron cap rules limit veteran signings unless they clear space, so Houston plans to lean on internal options (No. 3 pick Reed Sheppard, Aaron Holiday, Amen Thompson) to handle playmaking alongside Kevin Durant. VanVleet posted a video vowing to “knock out his rehab,” yet the loss still complicates a roster built to chase a title after a 52-win season. Merlin sees a patient club testing its young pieces in real time. Dec. 15, when offseason movers become trade-eligible, is the faint portal that could change plans; if Sheppard and company steady Durant, the Rockets keep their path, but if they don’t, the front office may rearrange the constellation once rules allow. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Houston winning the title this season: 15%.
Oct 17
Miami Heat Saving Cap for 2027 — Giannis, Jokic?
The Heat are deliberately keeping their cap sheet light to chase the 2027 megaclass — names being floated include Giannis, Nikola Jokić, Donovan Mitchell, Anthony Davis, Trae Young, Karl‑Anthony Towns and Kyrie Irving. ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst report Miami hasn’t had any “substantive talks” with Tyler Herro about a new deal; Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins look unlikely for extensions. Only Nikola Jović got a meaningful, trade‑friendly four‑year, $62.4M extension, signaling flexibility over commitment. Merlin sees Miami playing patient chess: sacrificing immediate upgrades for the slim chance of a transformative move in 2027. Yet free agency lately favors staying put (Jokić skipped a huge extension and said his “plan is to be a Nugget forever”), and rivals like the Knicks could outmuscle Miami in trades. Still, the Heat’s restraint keeps them in the hunt without burning bridges. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Miami landing a true max superstar in 2027: 12%.
Oct 17
Anthony Edwards' Timberwolves Warning: Career-High Mission
Anthony Edwards told reporters his goal this season is "to set a new career-high in points" whenever he faces lower-tier teams. Coming off a 27.6-point season with a career-best 39.5% from three, Edwards still had scoring lapses — so this plan matters: greater consistency could push him toward MVP-level status and finally carry the Timberwolves past their Western Conference ceiling. Merlin sees a focused star sharpening his blade. Edwards has already led Minnesota to back-to-back Conference Finals and sounds determined to "break through." Piling up big nights against weaker foes will boost numbers, but the true test will be turning that habit into late-game and playoff dominance. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Anthony Edwards averages 30+ PPG this season: 25%.
Oct 17
Silver: All-Star Stays at Clippers' Intuit Dome Despite Kawhi Probe
The NBA will not move the 2026 All-Star Game from the Clippers’ Intuit Dome while it investigates whether the team skirted the salary cap over Kawhi Leonard’s reported $28 million endorsement with Aspiration. Adam Silver said, “There's no contemplation of moving the All-Star Game,” and league planning for the Feb. 15 showcase continues — a key point, since potential penalties range from a $7.5 million fine to voided contracts or lost draft picks. Merlin senses the league is keeping the spectacle separate from the slow work of enforcement. With Steve Ballmer’s $50 million investment in Aspiration and a $300 million partnership on the books, the probe could reshape how teams use outside deals — but the outcome will unfold quietly, not theatrically. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Clippers lose future draft picks as a penalty: 25%.
Oct 17
Jared McCain Thumb Surgery: 76ers Hit New Setback
Merlin sees the setback: second‑year guard Jared McCain suffered a UCL tear in his right thumb, will undergo surgery and is expected to miss four to six weeks, per Shams Charania. That timing stings — the 2025-26 season is under a month away and McCain was a clear breakout candidate after averaging 15.3 points in 23 games and earning an early Rookie of the Month nod. Philadelphia loses a key young scorer and playmaker just as it tries to rebound from a 24–58 year. Merlin notes the pattern: another injury after last season’s meniscus tear raises durability questions and forces the Sixers to reshuffle rotations, lean on veterans and open a window for reserves. If McCain heals cleanly, he still projects as a core piece; if not, Philadelphia’s margins in the East grow thinner. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Jared McCain being available for Opening Night: 20%.
Oct 17
Windhorst: Kevin Durant Likely To Sign Extension With Rockets
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst says Durant’s camp has “very good optimism” that Kevin Durant will eventually sign an extension with the Houston Rockets. Durant himself told reporters, “I do see myself signing a contract extension. I can’t tell you exactly when that will happen,” pointing to Houston’s rapid turnaround under Ime Udoka and existing connections in the organization. He’s on an expiring $54.7M deal for 2025-26, so an extension would change Houston’s short-term plans and title hopes. Merlin sees more than wishful thinking—this is chemistry as much as contracts. The seven-team trade that brought Durant, the bond with Jabari Smith Jr., and back-to-back winning seasons under Udoka make the fit feel natural. Age and timing are the wild cards, but the stars are aligning. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Kevin Durant signing an extension with the Rockets this season: 70%.
Oct 17
Dončić-Ayton Start: Lakers Open Without LeBron
Merlin sees the Lakers unveil a clear opening-night look: Luka Dončić, Gabe Vincent, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton — a group JJ Redick says previews Tuesday’s opener vs. Golden State. It matters because LeBron James remains sidelined with sciatica and, per Shams Charania, will be “taking a patient approach,” leaving Ayton and Vincent to shoulder bigger roles immediately as Dončić and the new frontcourt try to find rhythm. Merlin senses a season shaped by chemistry and timing. Dončić admitted, “it’s probably just more (on) me,” about fitting Ayton into the offense; Vincent’s hot preseason and Ayton’s interior game give the Lakers a workable plan, but the spell only holds if communication and defense form quickly. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds LeBron is back by mid-November: 70%.
Oct 17
DeMar DeRozan: 'Last Year Was a S--tshow' for Kings
DeMar DeRozan didn’t mince words, calling the Kings’ 2024-25 campaign “Last year was a s--tshow,” and admitting he “wasn’t myself” mentally before using the summer to re-find his competitive self. That matters: a refocused DeRozan offers veteran leadership after a chaotic year that saw Mike Brown fired, De’Aaron Fox traded, Zach LaVine added, Doug Christie hired as head coach, and moves for Dennis Schröder and Dario Šarić. Merlin senses a club trying to turn chaos into coherence. Stability and DeRozan’s renewed edge could lift Sacramento, but chemistry and coaching will determine if this is a true revival or another near-miss. The pieces are clearer now — whether they fit together is the next spell to be cast. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Sacramento making the playoffs this season: 35%.
Oct 17
NBA Cleared $300M Clippers-Aspiration Deal Before Kawhi Probe
The NBA vetted and approved a $300 million sponsorship between the Los Angeles Clippers and Aspiration in 2021, months before Aspiration signed Kawhi Leonard to an alleged four-year, $28 million no-show deal that has sparked a league probe into possible salary-cap circumvention. Adam Silver initially said he "never heard of the company Aspiration before," though he later acknowledged awareness, and the Clippers had submitted the jersey-patch deal for league review — a form of vetting the NBA requires. Merlin sees the smoke and knows where fire can spread. With owner Steve Ballmer reportedly investing $50 million in Aspiration and Aspiration’s co‑founder Joe Sanberg pleading guilty to fraud, the optics are toxic. If the league concludes money was steered to skirt the cap, expect fines, roster penalties or draft sanctions — and a long appeals season ahead. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Clippers face significant cap-related punishment this offseason: 30%.
Oct 17
Austin Reaves Poised For $35M+ Lakers Contract
Austin Reaves is on track for a big payday — team and league sources expect he could earn more than $35 million a year on his next contract, with some guessing north of $40 million. Reaves can decline a $14.8M player option for 2026-27 to become an unrestricted free agent; the Lakers can outbid anyone, and he declined what he felt was a low extension, saying, "We didn't think that the number was the right number... I want to be in L.A." He enters that market after a career year (20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists) and rare all-around production. Merlin sees the logic: a steady, high-IQ guard who fits next to LeBron and Anthony Davis is premium real estate. If Reaves proves he can lift the Lakers in meaningful playoff moments, the market will reward him. If not, the price may cool. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Reaves signs a deal worth $35M+ per year next offseason: 70%.
Oct 17
Kyrie Irving CLEARED for Mavs Camp; Kidd Warns
Kyrie Irving has been cleared to take part in Mavericks training camp after tearing his ACL on March 3, but coach Jason Kidd pushed back on reports calling his comeback "ahead of schedule," calling that "bad reporting" and "unfair to him and to the Mavs." Irving himself kept it measured, saying, "I'm right on schedule." Dallas re‑signed him to a three‑year, $119 million deal and added D'Angelo Russell, though he likely won't be fully available at the season opener. Merlin sees encouraging signs — perfect jumpers in workouts and a team willing to wait — but knows ACL returns are a marathon, not a highlight reel. The Mavs have depth and youth coming, so patience is the strategy: hope tempered by caution. The true answer will come in contact drills and regular‑season minutes, not camp clips. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Kyrie is ready for opening night: 18%.
Oct 17
Durant Joins Rockets; Lillard Returns, Paul & Beal Join Clippers
Several high-profile stars changed addresses this offseason — Kevin Durant to Houston, Damian Lillard back to Portland, and Chris Paul and Bradley Beal to the Clippers — with House of Highlights showing them settling in as training camps open. Durant’s trade is the biggest headline: his veteran, three-level scoring paired with Houston’s young core gives the Rockets a real chance to challenge Oklahoma City, though Fred VanVleet’s season-ending torn ACL cools some expectations. Merlin sees a season shaped by chemistry and health. Durant can fast-track Houston’s rise, but fit, leadership and availability will decide if this is a leap or just highlight-reel moments. Training camp will be the first oracle reading — rotations and roles will tell the true tale. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Rockets finishing top-4 in the West this season: 30%.
Oct 17
LeBron James "Second Decision" Sparks Lakers Ticket Frenzy
LeBron James' tease of "The Second Decision" sent Lakers home-ticket prices soaring — single seats for the April 12 game jumped from about $82 to $580, and two-seat get-ins start at $760. Fans immediately read retirement into the hint, but James said any end-of-career choice would be "a decision between me and my wife and my daughter," adding, "I'm not waiting on Bryce." Merlin sees why the market moved: LeBron will turn 41, is entering the final year of his deal after opting in for $52.6 million, and still averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds to earn a 21st straight All‑NBA nod. That mix makes a farewell plausible, but Merlin suspects the reveal may be personal or symbolic rather than a sudden exit. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of LeBron retiring after the 2025-26 season: 45%.
Oct 17
Lakers Extend JJ Redick: $45M Through 2030
Merlin sees the Lakers making a clear bet on continuity: JJ Redick received a two-year extension that brings his deal to $45 million and keeps him under contract through 2029-30, announced as the team heads into 2025-26. As GM Rob Pelinka put it, "We think he's a special coach with a special voice that's really helping us define the culture of Lakers excellence." That matters because Redick steered a 50-32 season and a playoff berth amid major roster churn, so the extension signals patience and a long-term plan. Merlin senses this is as much about culture as Xs and Os. Redick’s rookie-year calm with stars and the new supporting cast around Luka Dončić and LeBron — Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia — buys time for chemistry to form. Experience is thin, but the foundation is set; the next season will show if the spell holds. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Lakers reaching the Western Conference Finals this season: 30%.
Oct 17
Bulls' Nikola Vučević Trade Buzz — Buyout Looming?
Merlin sees trade whispers around Nikola Vučević heating up before 2025–26. Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix notes Chicago has “settled on a direction” with youngsters Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey and Coby White, leaving the 34‑year‑old Vučević — owed nearly $21.5M on an expiring, “very tradeable” deal — as a likely roster pivot despite his 18.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Merlin notes there’s been little concrete market — Jake Fischer said “there hasn't been much of a market” — so a midseason buyout may be likelier than an offseason swap. Vučević is slated to start the season, but his shooting (40.2% from three) and veteran savvy make him attractive to contenders if injuries or needs emerge. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Vučević being traded this season: 35%.
Oct 17