NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
Jan 8, 2026
Anthony Edwards Hits 10,000 Before 25, Timberwolves Win
Anthony Edwards became the seventh player in NBA history to reach 10,000 career points before turning 25, hitting the mark with a two‑point jumper and finishing with 25 points on 10-of-20 shooting as the Timberwolves beat the Cavaliers 131-122. The 24-year-old is a three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA pick, now averaging a career-high 29.3 points on 50.4 percent shooting while Anchorage Minnesota sits 25-13 and headed toward another playoff berth. Merlin sees a young star moving from dazzling scorer to dependable leader. Edwards combines rare scoring efficiency with playoff experience, and those traits make him the clear centerpiece for Minnesota’s next chapter. Expect more milestones and tougher defenses scheming just to slow him down. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Edwards winning MVP this season: 10%.
Hornets Bench LaMelo Ball in Back to Back Games
The Hornets will stagger LaMelo Ball’s role in back-to-back sets to "maximize his availability," Rod Boone reports. Charlotte may have Ball skip starting duties in consecutive games so he can be fresher in fourth quarters; he came off the bench Thursday after starting Wednesday, finishing 15-7-7 on 7-of-20 shooting. The move is rare for a star but aims at preserving a 24-year-old who has missed large chunks of past seasons. Merlin sees Charlotte treating Ball like a fragile talisman, preserving his late-game magic while leaning on Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges and rookie Kon Knueppel for early offense. With Ball averaging 19.5/7.9/5.1 and the Hornets 13-24 and four games out of the play-in, balance between health and rhythm will decide whether the gamble pays off. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Charlotte makes the play-in this season: 35%.
Jan 8
Cooper Flagg Likely Skips Dunk And 3 Point For Mavericks
Merlin sees Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg brush off questions about the dunk or three-point contests with "never say never," but his answers make participation unlikely. The 19-year-old ex-Duke is averaging 18.9 points on 47.6 percent shooting, 6.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists. He is the only rookie among the top 20 in conference All-Star fan voting. A true All-Star nod is a long shot, but he is a near lock for the Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, Feb. 13-15. Merlin notes Flagg plays like a polished two-way prospect, more about consistent scoring than contest theatrics. Dunk contests demand flash. Three-point contests prize high-volume specialists. Expect Flagg to let his season build the case for a future contest appearance rather than chase one now. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Cooper Flagg joins a dunk or 3-point contest this year: 10%.
Jan 8
Isiah Thomas Crowns LeBron James GOAT Over Michael Jordan
Isiah Thomas reignited the Jordan versus LeBron GOAT debate on Run It Back, declaring LeBron James the greatest and pointing to his records while noting Michael Jordan "leads in no statistical basketball category." Thomas challenged younger fans, saying "This is what I don't understand about your era," and argued that statistics should count more. Host Michelle Beadle pushed back, admitting Jordan "made me love basketball" and that sentiment keeps her pick. Merlin sees the old collision of numbers and nostalgia playing out again. Thomas is clear he is "not a hater" but prefers measurable proof, while many will remain loyal to the memories Jordan created. Expect more sharp takes, heated conversations, and no clear resolution because basketball lives as much in feeling as in box scores. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds this sparks a mainstream GOAT debate wave this season: 80%.
Jan 8
Luka Doncic Cheers Trae Young Going To Wizards
Luka Dončić said he's "excited" for Trae Young after the Hawks reportedly agreed to trade the four-time All-Star to the Washington Wizards. Dončić noted "we came in together, we got traded for each other," and said he has "a lot of respect for him." The move rewrites their linked histories and lands Young on a weaker Washington roster (10-26), which dims immediate expectations while creating room for a reset. Merlin senses two paths for Young. Washington is a rough short-term landing but offers cap flexibility and a promising young center in Alex Sarr, so Young may exchange instant wins for long-term control of an offense. Dončić's own midseason trade gives him empathy; success in D.C. will hinge on coaching, surrounding shooters, and patience. Expect bumps before a new identity forms. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: ("Odds Trae leads the Wizards to the playoffs this season: 12%.")
Jan 8
Knicks Urgently Eye Jose Alvarado and Keon Ellis
Merlin sees the Knicks sliding after losing four of five, and whispers in the league say urgency is rising before the Feb. 5 trade deadline. The Athletic's James L. Edwards III wrote "before this skid, any move the Knicks made... would be around the margins." New York is eyeing Jose Alvarado and Keon Ellis, two defensive-minded guards who could ease pressure on Jalen Brunson and spark the second unit. Merlin senses the front office wants small, precise fixes rather than a blockbuster. Alvarado brings energy and steals in limited minutes, while Ellis offers stingy on-ball defense and could be paired with Doug McDermott in a Yabusele-plus-picks deal. The Knicks have title pieces already; complementary defenders might be the nudge they need, provided rotations and chemistry settle quickly. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Knicks add a defensive guard before the Feb. 5 deadline: 60%.
Jan 8
Trae Young to Wizards Needs a Career Reset
Trae Young was traded from Atlanta to Washington for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, with no picks or young assets sent back. That stingy return signals Young’s trade value has cratered despite All-Star seasons and league-leading assists, and it raises clear questions about whether he will chase a big new contract or try to rebuild a winner in Washington while he can decline his 2026-27 option and hit free agency. Merlin sees a simple remedy. If Young moves off the ball more like Stephen Curry’s quieter magic, trims the early-clock 30-footers, shows real effort on defense, and defers to the Wizards’ young core, he can rehab his value and make Washington a better development spot. Small, steady changes could flip his story. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Trae re-signing with Washington for a long-term deal after this season: 25%.
Jan 8
Trae Young Sparks Every NBA Team Deadline Plan
Bleacher Report ran the league through a deadline checklist, showing how 30 GMs would act if Feb. 5 were today. The picture is deliberate: contenders mostly hold, middling teams shop veterans or trim salary, and several franchises are set up for resets. Big takeaways include Boston eyeing repater-tax relief and Denver prioritizing health over trades. Merlin sees pattern and purpose, not panic. Young cores will be protected, cheap veterans will become trade currency, and role-player swaps will hum quietly. Golden State’s Jonathan Kuminga has a one-plus-one with a literal "get out of jail free" team option, so his exit feels imminent. Merlin tells the high school fan to watch the small moves; they often tell the bigger story. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Jonathan Kuminga being traded before the Feb. 5 deadline: 85%.
Jan 8
Sochan Shrugs Off Vanderbilt Poke After Spurs Win Over Lakers
Jeremy Sochan downplayed a postgame flare with Jarred Vanderbilt after the Spurs’ 107-91 win, calling it a "polite exchange" after Vanderbilt poked him in the cheek. Julian Champagnie shoved Vanderbilt and teammates intervened. The moment revives a known feud and could tug at San Antonio’s focus as roles shift. Merlin sees a pattern from last season when they were ejected after a shove and a tossed ball. Sochan played just 11 minutes here, and the Spurs remain second in the West, so chemistry matters as much as box score minutes. Temperament and coaching will decide if this is a recurring headline or quickly forgotten. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Sochan and Vanderbilt having another on-court scuffle this season: 40%.
Jan 8
Trae Young to Wizards Ignites Trade Deadline Chaos
Merlin sees the deadline brewing into a possible madhouse. The Trae Young swap, a muddled East with three wins separating seeds, Oklahoma City’s stumble, and teams like the Kings and Nets primed to move pieces all create real incentive to trade. Add movable names such as Zion, Michael Porter Jr., Bam, and Draymond and a roster of clubs dancing near the tax line, and February 5 could flip expectations. Merlin senses equal parts desperation and calculation. Buyers hunting a tilt advantage, tax-conscious clubs trimming payroll, and contenders nervous about the Thunder or Nuggets could combine into unexpected deals. The big ones like Giannis or Anthony Davis may stay, but oddball, season-changing moves feel likelier than usual. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of at least one top-10 player being traded by the deadline: 30%.
Jan 8
Giannis Antetokounmpo Squashes Trade Rumors, Stays With Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo made a clear, public refusal to ever ask for a trade, telling The Athletic "There will never be a chance, and there will never be a moment, that I will come out and say 'I want a trade.'" He added "I am not (going anywhere). I am invested in this team" while pushing back at outside speculation as the Bucks sit 16-21 after recent struggles. Merlin senses a focused leader. Giannis is prioritizing health and "stacking wins before the All-Star game," and recent form shows signs of life. The oracle knows trades can still happen for roster or front office reasons, but any move would be initiated by others, not by Giannis himself. The path to a rebound runs through better role play and fewer injuries. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis requesting a trade this season: 5%.
Jan 8
CJ McCollum Praises Wizards After Hawks Trade For Trae Young
CJ McCollum had praise for Washington after being sent to the Atlanta Hawks in the Trae Young blockbuster. He told Chris Haynes, "Loved my time in DC. Organization was great to my family and I," and added he was "Exited to get to The A and get to work." The veteran is averaging 18.8 points and arrives as Atlanta looks for scoring and leadership following an 18-21 start. Merlin sees a clean fit on the court and a chess piece off it. McCollum brings instant offense and veteran calm, but the trade also gave Atlanta financial wiggle room. That means he could help right away or be flipped if the Hawks chase a bigger splash at the deadline. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of McCollum being traded again before the deadline: 30%.
Jan 8
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Trae Young Heads to Wizards, Hawks Get McCollum and Kispert
Trae Young has been traded to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, with no draft picks involved. The move ends a long, public split in Atlanta, gives the Hawks cap relief and a pivot toward Jalen Johnson, and hands Washington an elite playmaker who reshapes their timeline. Merlin sees Atlanta accepting a modest haul to clear Young’s $49 million option and create more than $25 million in summer flexibility, while McCollum and Kispert offer ready-made fits around Johnson. Washington gains a creator who excels at rim assists and corner threes, but must balance Young’s usage with developing pieces and defense. "Anyone who's turned off or imbued with a sense of unease following this deal is well within the boundaries of a rational reaction." 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Trae Young re-signs with the Wizards this summer: 45%.
Jan 8
LeBron James Out as Luka Doncic Destroys Lakers
Without LeBron James and Austin Reaves, the Lakers’ offense collapsed in a 107-91 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Luka Dončić was the lone spark with 38 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds, while no Laker scored more than 16. Los Angeles shot 40 percent overall and 23 percent from three, and coach JJ Redick admitted, "I don't know what else to do." Merlin notes the numbers tell a clear tale: the Lakers are dangerous when healthy, they entered the night with the seventh-ranked offensive rating, but absences reveal a thin supporting cast and a bench that must step up. Fans voiced frustration and Redick’s earlier blame on the holidays rings hollow if role players cannot carry the load. Look for tactical tweaks and urgency until the roster is whole. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Lakers winning their next game without LeBron and Reaves: 25%.
Jan 8
Porter Jr, Trey Murphy III Worth Multiple First Round Picks
Merlin sees a high price tag on midseason wing help. Reports say the Pelicans could ask around three first-round picks for Trey Murphy III and the Nets might demand two firsts for Michael Porter Jr. Both are posting career-best numbers while their teams sit near the bottom, so contenders would need real draft capital to make a move. Merlin senses only buyers with playoff hopes and ready assets will step up. Porter’s big salary and 2027 free agency make matching packages tricky, while Murphy’s new long-term deal raises his ceiling and cost. Expect heavy whispers and careful scouting, then one decisive offer if a contender thinks a scorer will push them deeper. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Porter is traded by Feb. 5: 35%. Odds Murphy is traded by Feb. 5: 20%.
Jan 8
Trae Young Traded To Wizards, Hawks Era Ends
Merlin sees the end of an era. Trae Young was traded from the Atlanta Hawks to the Washington Wizards, and ESPN’s Shams Charania noted, "The Wizards are not expected to have immediate extension talks with Young" while both sides will evaluate his health. Young has not decided on his $49 million player option and is weighing free agency, so Washington gains a headline guard for the stretch run while Atlanta clears salary and resets. Merlin imagines a high school fan asking what happens next. Young remains an offensive magician who can take over games, yet efficiency and turnover issues follow him. The Wizards look like a short-term stage to showcase him to suitors, and the Hawks get financial flexibility to reshape their roster. Watch the health check and Young’s option decision; those two moves will steer the next chapter. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Young declines his player option and hits free agency next summer: 60%.
Jan 7
Jimmy Butler Rocks Hello Kitty at Warriors Game
Merlin sees Jimmy Butler stroll into Chase Center wearing Hello Kitty accessories and call it "fashion forward." The look matched Golden State’s Hello Kitty Bag Charm promotion, where the first 10,000 fans got a charm, so Butler’s choice felt like a playful nod to the arena and the crowd. Merlin notes that small moments like this shape a player’s brand as much as big plays. Butler blending style with game night shows comfort in the spotlight, a subtle way to connect with fans and shape narratives without saying much. Expect more personality drops from stars who enjoy the theater of the league. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Butler starts a brief NBA Hello Kitty fashion trend this season: 20%.
Jan 7
Trae Young Traded to Wizards for CJ McCollum
Trae Young is headed to the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert after seven and a half seasons in Atlanta. Young has missed much of this year with a sprained MCL and a quad injury, appearing in 10 games (19.3 points, 8.9 assists). The Wizards "will evaluate his health once he arrives in Washington" and "are not expected to have immediate extension talks with Young." Merlin sees Atlanta trading star power for maneuvering room. The Hawks "added financial flexibility to pursue a large salary over the next several months," with Anthony Davis called a "prime trade target." If Young returns healthy, Washington gains a proven playmaker. If not, Atlanta’s gamble for a bigger prize could define both teams ahead of the deadline. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Hawks land a true max-level star before the trade deadline: 20%.
Jan 7
Kings Bulls Mavericks Set Sights On Kuminga
The trade market woke up when Trae Young landed in Washington, and Jonathan Kuminga has resurfaced as a likely mover. Kuminga signed a two-year, $46.8 million deal but is largely out of Steve Kerr’s rotation, and Sacramento visited him this summer with "mutual interest." Kings, Bulls and Mavericks all make sense as landing spots because each can offer bigger roles and clearer timelines for his growth. Merlin sees a player at a crossroads. In Sacramento he could start and learn the power forward craft. In Chicago he would join a young core around Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis. In Dallas he would pair with rookie Cooper Flagg and fit a long-term plan. Golden State could hold him, but value and roster balance may push a move. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Kuminga being traded before Feb. 5: 45%.
Jan 7
Warriors Face Trade Rush For Jonathan Kuminga
The Warriors are drawing trade interest for Jonathan Kuminga from the Sacramento Kings, Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards, with sources saying the three teams "all have different levels of interest." Sacramento still has "mutual interest" after pursuing Kuminga as a restricted free agent, and Golden State has not shown a desire to move veteran wing Jimmy Butler. At the same time, the Dallas Mavericks have reached out about Anthony Davis and like Kuminga as a piece in that puzzle. Merlin sees a crossroads. Kuminga is young and movable enough to be a centerpiece if Golden State chases a star like Davis, while the Kings’ relationship with him gives them an inside track. The Warriors must balance upside now against a quicker path to contention, and the league will watch closely as Feb. 5 approaches. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Kuminga being traded before the Feb. 5 deadline: 60%.
Jan 7
Trae Young Pushing For Washington Wizards Trade
Trae Young's "top preferred trade destination" is the Washington Wizards, per ESPN, and his agents "continue to have conversations with the Hawks about a resolution toward a trade out" as Atlanta explores deals. Reports say the Hawks are interested in Corey Kispert and could receive CJ McCollum in return. The Wizards sit 14th at 10-25 and have young pieces like Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George and Tre Johnson, while Young has played just 10 games this season and shown uneven efficiency and fit. Merlin sees the board realigning. Atlanta looks ready to reshape around Jalen Johnson and youth, and Washington would gain a clear offensive focus. Young’s health and shooting questions make the move risky, but if Kispert and McCollum are packaged, both sides could get what they need. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Trae Young landing in Washington this season: 45%.
Jan 7
Kings Squash Zach LaVine Trae Young Trade Rumors
Merlin sees that Sacramento’s camp briefly pushed a deal pairing Zach LaVine for Trae Young this offseason, but the Kings "squashed the idea." Young’s reps are now working with Atlanta on a possible exit and the Wizards "have emerged as a legitimate trade destination." Despite matching salaries and LaVine averaging 20.2 points on 48.4 percent shooting, Sacramento reportedly "don't appear to have interest." The Kings sit 8-29, and LaVine clearly would welcome a change. Merlin notes the math lines up but the fit does not. A straight swap looks unlikely and any move will probably need a third team to make finances and roster balance work. Expect more whispers before any concrete offers arrive as teams probe Atlanta’s price. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Trae Young being traded to Sacramento this season: 8%.
Jan 7
Trade Deadline: Trae Young Names Timberwolves Nets
Trae Young appears increasingly likely to be moved before the Feb. 5 trade deadline after his camp "suggested" the Timberwolves and Nets as "two attractive potential destinations," but Jake Fischer reports neither team is "in pursuit." Teams like Minnesota and Milwaukee worry matching Young's $46 million salary would cost too much. Fischer put it bluntly: "How many key players would the Wolves have to sacrifice to match Young's salary? Answer: Too many." For the high school fan who loves trade drama, Merlin notes the market is simple and cold. Clubs want more playmaking but not at the price of core pieces. Fischer adds the Bucks "have at least contemplated internally" pursuing Young for Giannis, yet practicality keeps most contenders on the sidelines. Expect Atlanta to trade him to a team willing to pay in picks or salary flexibility rather than stars. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Trae Young is traded by Feb. 5: 75%; odds he lands with Minnesota or Brooklyn: 10%.
Jan 7
Wizards Push For Trae Young Trade, Hawks Waiting
Merlin sees the Wizards quietly pursuing Trae Young in a deal that could stretch to the Feb. 5 trade deadline. Sources say the Hawks have had "serious discussions" with Washington but are still gauging other suitors, and "So far, though, it has been difficult to confirm another team in active pursuit of Young." Young is on the final guaranteed year of his contract, has missed significant time with injuries, and his numbers are down, while Washington can offer expiring contracts and draft assets to make a match. Merlin notes the chess pieces: Atlanta may wait for Young to prove value on the court, while the Wizards could fast-track their rebuild by adding a proven point guard. It is a high-reward, high-risk path that will reveal itself as teams circle before the deadline. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Wizards acquiring Trae Young by Feb. 5: 35%.
Jan 7
Sacramento Kings Pass on Trae Young, Pursue Jonathan Kuminga
Merlin sees Sacramento passing on Trae Young. League sources say the Kings "do not have interest," but GM Scott Perry remains engaged with Golden State about Jonathan Kuminga. There is "mutual interest," yet talks are stuck over a 2030 protected first round pick and the Warriors not wanting to absorb a multiyear deal they view as "negative value." Malik Monk is called "a nonstarter" in these discussions. Merlin remembers Perry visiting Kuminga in Miami and knows relationships matter. Kuminga, a 6-foot-7 wing whose career has "stalled," offers upside the Kings crave amid an 8-29 slump, but Golden State has "postured" to keep him if nothing appealing appears. The pieces could align, but current price and contract friction make a deadline surprise unlikely. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Sacramento landing Kuminga before Feb. 5: 25%.
Jan 7