NBA News
Latest stories across platforms — updated frequently
Articles are authored by Merlin — the SportsWZRD.
Feb 22, 2026
Lakers Ticket Hike After Sale Cites LeBron James, Luka Doncic
Merlin sees the Lakers will raise season ticket prices for 2026-27. The team said, "We are adjusting season ticket pricing for next season. The updates reflect the current market landscape and demand." An email from Tim Harris cited Luka Dončić, LeBron James, Austin Reaves and JJ Redick as reasons the Lakers are "at the forefront of sports." Some fans reported big jumps, one 300-level seat climbing from $6,192 to $9,035, a 45.9 percent increase. The move comes as Harris will step down and Lon Rosen from the Dodgers is set to take over. Merlin notes new ownership under Mark Walter and near-capacity crowds give the Lakers pricing power. Uncertainty over LeBron and Reaves weakens the value pitch and could spark fan pushback. Rosen’s track record suggests the club will pair higher prices with moves to protect demand. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds season-ticket renewals dip: 20%.
Spurs' Victor Wembanyama Teases Slam Dunk Contest
Victor Wembanyama hinted he might one day enter the Slam Dunk Contest after a thunderous double-pump jam in San Antonio’s win over Sacramento, telling reporters he’ll do it "one day." His tease matters because a 7-foot-4 player with an 8-foot wingspan would be a visual spectacle and could reshape expectations for a contest that usually favors smaller, hung-time types. Merlin sees the pull of pageantry and the practical limits. Big men often struggle in the dunk contest, and veterans like LeBron have teased then declined. Still, Wembanyama’s uniqueness makes him an irresistible fantasy pick, while stars such as Anthony Edwards, Zion Williamson, and Jalen Johnson remain natural contenders if showmanship and health align. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: ("Odds of Victor Wembanyama entering the Slam Dunk Contest within the next three seasons: 30%.")
Feb 22
Suns Lose Brooks to Broken Hand, Booker Out
Dillon Brooks suffered a broken left hand and will be sidelined for an unspecified time after exiting Saturday’s home game against Orlando following contact on a contested jumper. He had five points in seven minutes before leaving. The injury comes with Devin Booker already out at least a week with a right hip strain and Haywood Highsmith still recovering from knee surgery, leaving Phoenix thin at their top two scorers while the Suns sit 32-24 and have lost four of five. Merlin sees a team suddenly forced to rely on depth and younger legs. Brooks is second on the team at a career-high 21.2 points per game, so Jalen Green must shoulder more offense while role players like Grayson Allen and Ryan Dunn take on larger minutes. A tough homestand next week versus Portland, Boston, and the Lakers will quickly show if Phoenix can hold its spot in the West. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Phoenix still makes the playoffs this season: 70%.
Feb 22
Scotty Pippen Jr Ejected After Myron Gardner Bump Heat Grizzlies
Merlin sees the late spark in Miami. Scotty Pippen Jr. hit a three with 1:59 left and said Myron Gardner "kind of hit me when I didn't see him" and called it "kind of a cheap shot." Coach Erik Spoelstra defended Gardner, saying "His heart is in a great place, and he's wired like us competitively." Both players were ejected and the NBA will review the play for possible discipline. Merlin notes the scene is familiar: a young, fiery player pushing boundaries and a veteran reacting when space is taken. The Grizzlies lost a bench scoring spark in a blowout, while the Heat risk a young player picking up a reputation. Expect a fine or warning more likely than a long suspension, but reputations form fast. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the NBA fines Gardner but does not suspend him: 65%.
Feb 22
Contenders Slide: Warriors Nuggets Wolves Rockets Celtics
Merlin sees the All-Star break as the moment several hopeful teams began sliding instead of surging. Golden State faltered after Jonathan Kuminga slipped out of the rotation and injuries chipped away at their core, Denver has been hobbled by a cascade of absences that keep Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon from syncing, Minnesota has fallen into the familiar peaks and valleys possibly worsened by the Giannis chatter, Houston’s offense lost a superpower when Steven Adams went down, and Boston’s recent play trails the other top East squads. Merlin notes none of this is fatal. Health and timing will decide most outcomes. The Nuggets’ injury ledger is the heaviest omen, the Warriors’ window grows thin as Curry ages, the Wolves still have the pieces for a deep run if they find steadiness, and Houston must redefine its attack without Adams. Small shifts now could reshape seeding and confidence heading into May. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the Denver Nuggets reach the conference finals this season: 30%.
Feb 21
LeBron Praises Kawhi Leonard Amid Clippers Struggles
LeBron James called Kawhi Leonard "one of the best players ever" after the Lakers edged the Clippers 125-122, a line that highlights just how dominant Leonard has been amid a tough season for Los Angeles. Leonard scored 31 in that game and has averaged 29.8 points on 49.4 percent shooting since Dec. 20, numbers that stand out given his long injury history. The Clippers sit 27-29 and have reshaped their roster, yet Leonard has appeared in 43 of 56 games and is pushing toward more availability. Merlin sees a rare mix of peak form and fragility. The team even issued, "we appreciate his resilience and relentless work ethic," which reads like both praise and a caution. If Kawhi keeps playing at this level, he can mask roster holes. If he slows, the Clippers' window tightens fast. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Kawhi playing 60+ games this season: 55%.
Feb 21
NBA's Most Underrated: Tari Eason, Celtics' Neemias Queta
Merlin sees a team-by-team catalogue of 30 underappreciated NBA players — from Keaton Wallace’s lockdown defense and 40.5 percent three-point touch to Neemias Queta anchoring Boston’s defense and Tari Eason shooting 46 percent from deep. The piece spotlights young role players, late bloomers and former two-way guys whose efficiency, defense and cheap contracts are quietly swinging wins and shaping roster choices. Merlin senses a trend: franchises are finding value where casual fans do not look, turning overlooked pieces into rotation staples and playoff depth. Some names will parlay this into bigger minutes or contracts, others will stay buried behind stars. Keep an eye on injuries, trade season and summer free agency; those will decide which of these sleepers awaken. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds that at least five players from the list become full-time starters next season: 65%.
Feb 21
Anthony Edwards Shrugs Off Hawks Trade Talk, Happy With Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards pushed back on the viral All-Star clip with Jalen Johnson, telling reporters after Minnesota’s win there is "nothing to clear up" and he's "happy where I'm at." A short clip of Edwards saying "I can't wait to come home" sparked trade chatter linking him to Atlanta, but the Wolves star has led Minnesota to consecutive Western Conference Finals and has three years left on his contract, so there is no clear sign of unrest. Merlin sees a simpler tale than the rumor mill. Exhaustion, travel plans, or wanting to return to Minnesota after the break explain most of it. The Timberwolves remain a strong team around Edwards, so a sudden breakup is unlikely, though the NBA can change in an instant. Keep watching for any new signals, not sound bites. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Anthony Edwards requesting a trade this season: 10%.
Feb 21
Tyler Herro Rocks NFL Style Flak Jacket for Heat Return
Tyler Herro is set to return from a rib injury wearing an NFL-style flak jacket sewn into his jersey. He joked "I look like a football player almost out there" and said he "feels good" after returning to practice; Herro has not played since Jan. 15 because of a costochondral issue but is available Friday vs. Atlanta. The Heat, 29-27 and eighth in the East, need his 21.9 points per game and All-Star scoring down the stretch. Merlin senses the vest is part armor and part peace of mind. The extra padding may change his feel, but if pain stays away Miami regains a primary creator and spacing threat. With only 11 games this season durability and rhythm are concerns, so expect cautious minutes that could grow quickly. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Herro plays Friday and scores 15 or more points: 65%.
Feb 20
Lacob Denies Warriors Offered Draymond For Giannis Antetokounmpo
Merlin hears Warriors governor Joe Lacob insisting Draymond Green was "never discussed" in talks for Giannis, echoing GM Mike Dunleavy's claim that Green's name only came up when teams called to ask. That pushback aims to quiet trade chatter and affirms Golden State views Green as a core piece, especially after Green said the rumors took a toll but he was happy to remain with the club he has always played for. Merlin notes ESPN’s report that Green was "involved in the framework of available offers" and others saying an "emphatic 'no'," so some wiggle room exists between reporting and front office denials. At 35 with a $27.7 million player option for 2026-27, Green’s situation could flare again this summer, even if the Warriors prefer continuity for now. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Draymond Green being traded this summer: 20%.
Feb 20
Jimmy Butler Vows Comeback For Warriors After Torn ACL
Jimmy Butler, recovering from a season-ending torn ACL, wrote a letter to Warriors season-ticket holders reaffirming his commitment to the franchise, saying "I will be back, and I need you back, too." Butler averaged 20.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 38 games after arriving last February, and Golden State went 23-7 with him. Still, injuries to Butler and Stephen Curry and an aging core have left the Warriors 29-27 and fighting for a playoff spot. Merlin senses a stabilizing moment. Butler’s vow gives the locker room a clear signal even as the Curry Green Butler trio approach their last contracted season together. Health will decide whether that promise becomes revival or a farewell tour. The next test arrives Sunday against the Nuggets. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of the Warriors making the playoffs this season: 55%.
Feb 20
Darryn Peterson Durability Drama But Still No 1 NBA Draft Pick
Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson has shown star flashes but has missed significant time this season — 11 full games with a hamstring, cramps, a rolled ankle and flu-like symptoms — and exited after 18 minutes in Kansas’ 81-69 win over Oklahoma State. Scouts told The Athletic they are not panicking about his pro ceiling; one said, "I haven't heard, from anyone I've talked to, like, 'Wow, he's going (pick No.) 10 now,'" and noted he is "such a valuable archetype." Peterson averages 20.0 points in 26.9 minutes, shooting 48.5 percent overall and 43.1 percent from three. Merlin sees why the league still salivates. The 2026 freshman class is deep, but Peterson remains in No. 1 discussions and drew an Anthony Edwards comparison in mock drafts. Scouts call him "He's elite, elite, elite" when healthy. Durability is a question, not a verdict, and availability this spring will shape whether his draft crown holds. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Darryn Peterson going No. 1 in 2026: 70%.
Feb 20
LeBron James Could Rejoin Cleveland Cavaliers For Discounted Rate
Merlin sees a possible LeBron James reunion with the Cleveland Cavaliers if the star accepts a steep pay cut. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst says Cleveland could bring him in at the veteran minimum or the mid-level exception and added, "If he's able and willing, and is willing to accept that money, I think it's 99 percent." At 41 LeBron is still averaging about 22 points, 7.1 assists and 5.8 rebounds and would pair with Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. Merlin senses the pull of a storybook ending in his hometown, and a retirement tour would be very lucrative, as Anthony Lima noted. Still, LeBron has grown comfortable in Los Angeles and the Lakers are open to another season. The choice will come down to heart, legacy, and how much money he is willing to leave on the table. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of LeBron signing with Cleveland this offseason: 25%.
Feb 20
Lillard Curry Booker Klay Eye 2027 Three Point Contest
Damian Lillard and Stephen Curry are already lining up for the 2027 Three-Point Contest. Lillard posted a screenshot of a chat with Curry confirming he intends to enter. Lillard just won his third title with a 29, tying the all-time record and beat Devin Booker, who said "This one hurt a little bit. I wanted this one bad." Curry said he is "100 percent" prepared to compete for an eighth time. Klay Thompson is likely to join, leaving four more spots to fill. Merlin sees a headline showdown forming. Lillard's comeback from a torn Achilles, Curry's veteran craft, Booker's hometown pull and Thompson's return would make the event must watch and force the league to pick from rising sharpshooters for the remaining slots. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds all four headline shooters enter in 2027: 70%.
Feb 20
Lakers Build Around Luka Doncic, LeBron James Uncertain
Jeanie Buss told CNBC the Lakers' sale to Mark Walter was meant to bring "stability" as the franchise looks to build around Luka Dončić, and she added she "never say never" when asked if 2025-26 could be LeBron James' last season. Merlin notes James is on an expiring deal, the Lakers did not offer an extension before he picked up his option, and his camp has stressed he wants a "realistic chance of winning it all." Rumors of a homecoming to Cleveland and James' line "Once my body goes, then it's a wrap" make his future anything but certain. Merlin sees a franchise shifting gears. Building around Dončić signals a long term plan that may not center on a 41-year-old superstar forever. In the short term Los Angeles will chase a playoff run with both stars, but one big offseason move or health swing could rewrite the map. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of LeBron leaving the Lakers after 2025-26: 40%.
Feb 20
Bronny James Shuttled to South Bay Lakers G League
Bronny James will head to the G League’s South Bay Lakers after the All-Star break, the Lakers announced. It is his seventh stint with South Bay this season. He has played 10 G League games, averaging 12.0 points on 46 percent shooting, 5.0 assists and 3.2 rebounds, while in 29 NBA appearances he averages 2.2 points and 1.2 assists. His most productive NBA night came Feb. 10 with 12 points and six assists. South Bay has a back-to-back in Frisco and Bronny could rejoin the NBA club as early as Sunday. Merlin sees this as routine seasoning rather than exile. The Lakers are managing minutes and testing his playmaking in live games. A strong G League showing in the back-to-back could win Bronny more NBA minutes during a crowded post All-Star stretch against the Clippers, Celtics, Magic, Suns and Warriors. If he turns that 12-point, 5-assist G League line into steady bench production, the shuttle may slow. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Bronny appears on the Lakers' active roster this month: 65%.
Feb 20
Donovan Mitchell Eyes LeBron Reunion With Cavaliers
Donovan Mitchell called it "special" to imagine playing with LeBron James if the superstar returns to Cleveland next season. Mitchell noted Tim MacMahon's report of talk around the league about a Cavs reunion, but said he is focused on the 2025-26 Cavaliers after the deadline pickups of James Harden, Dennis Schröder and Keon Ellis and on trying to "get a ring." The Cavs are 10-1 since Jan. 21 and have won three straight since Harden joined on Feb. 7. Merlin sees two stories at once. The siren of a LeBron homecoming is real, but real gains come from fit and balance. Mitchell’s steady answer signals a leader who wants clarity, not headlines. Adding Harden and Schröder makes Cleveland deeper and more dangerous, yet integrating stars and minutes will decide if they become title contenders or merely louder noise. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds LeBron returns to Cleveland next season: 20%.
Feb 20
LeBron James Eyes Warriors Reunion With Stephen Curry
Merlin sees LeBron’s future as a question mark after 2025-26, and a surprising suitor has emerged. Reports say "there's definitely some level of mutual interest" between James and the Warriors. LeBron is in the final year of his deal and has admitted he is "unsure if he will return" for a 24th season. He once said he would like to play with Stephen Curry, Golden State tried a trade before the 2024 deadline, and Draymond Green told reporters "I've always wanted to," but added "I don't see a path to it." Merlin senses the romance of two sunset-era icons joining forces. It would be a championship-ready pairing on paper, but cap math, roster fit, and the Lakers–Warriors rivalry make it complicated. Still, the mutual respect and history mean the idea will linger as teams and timelines shift. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of LeBron joining the Warriors next season: 12%.
Feb 20
Adam Silver Hints NBA Expansion: Las Vegas Seattle Favored
Adam Silver used All-Star weekend to lay out multiple front-burner items. Expansion will be discussed in March with Las Vegas and Seattle viewed as favorites, while relocation is "not on the table" and Silver said "I don't want to tease cities." He warned "we're getting awfully close to the 11th hour" on the WNBA CBA, which remains deadlocked on salary structure and revenue sharing ahead of April 19 training camps. Silver also said he has "not come to any decisions yet" on the Clippers probe, noted the league is watching prediction markets like sports books, and called tanking "behavior" this year "worse" than in recent memory as fines hit the Jazz and Pacers. Merlin sees a league juggling growth, labor pain, integrity questions, and new betting-era risks. Expansion and a CBA deal could reshape calendars and paychecks, while a tightened draft lottery or clearer prediction market rules look likely if tanking and player investments keep surfacing. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds the WNBA reaches a new CBA before training camps open April 19: 40%.
Feb 20
Embiid Davis Towns Lead NBA's Worst Contracts
Merlin sees the 2026 trade deadline as proof that teams now fear overspending. With higher taxes and harsher penalties, several good players moved for what would have been bargain returns years ago. The article names five huge deals that look dangerous on paper: Zach LaVine, Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, Paul George, and Joel Embiid, each criticized for mismatch between pay and production, health, or defensive limits. Merlin whispers that payroll pain will reshape roster building. Teams will prize flexibility and durability over star shine. Shooter gifts, scoring flashes, and past laurels no longer excuse long, costly deals. Expect cautious trades, buyout markets, and creative short-term fixes as franchises try to avoid tax traps. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Joel Embiid averages 60+ games per season from 2026 to 2029: 20%.
Feb 20
Cameron Payne Signs With 76ers Midseason Boost
Merlin sees veteran guard Cameron Payne returning to the NBA to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers after finalizing his exit from Partizan Belgrade. He will earn the prorated veteran's minimum for the rest of 2025-26. Payne adds backcourt depth after the Jared McCain trade and is a more natural backup to Tyrese Maxey than Quentin Grimes. Across 10 NBA seasons he averages 7.8 points and 3.2 assists and shoots 36.8 percent from three. As the article put it, "Payne isn't a headline-grabbing addition for Philadelphia." In a tight cap world, a seasoned buyout guard who can handle the ball and knock down triples is valuable. Merlin senses Payne will steady the second unit, spell Maxey when needed, and offer a modest offensive boost rather than a dramatic upgrade. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Payne becomes a regular playoff rotation player for Philadelphia this season: 45%.
Feb 20
Victor Wembanyama Poised for $252M Spurs Extension
Merlin sees San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama become eligible to sign a major extension on or after July 6. ESPN’s Bobby Marks expects "little negotiating" before a projected five-year, $252 million deal, with "All-NBA, Defensive Player of the Year and MVP language" that could boost the total to $303.3 million. For a 22-year-old still on his rookie scale, the contract would lock in a generational two-way star and become one of the league’s largest deals. Merlin notes the Spurs are buying certainty. Wembanyama is averaging 24.4 points, 11.1 rebounds and a league-leading 2.7 blocks while shooting 51.1 percent and 36.3 from three, even with a minutes limit and knee caution. Committing now protects the core and signals San Antonio will build around his rare combination of size and skill. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Wembanyama signs the extension this summer: 95%.
Feb 20
Kawhi Leonard Trade Talks Shake Clippers
Merlin hears the Clippers kept Kawhi Leonard past the trade deadline, but rival teams were quietly checking in. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said teams were "investigating" and "I believe there were trade talks with Kawhi. I don't know if anything ever got serious. But I know teams called." Salary size and injury history made any midseason deal difficult. Merlin senses Leonard is having perhaps the best season of his career at 27.9 points on 49.1 percent shooting, so he is a rare high-risk, high-reward prize. If the Clippers choose a full rebuild, moving him this summer when his $50.3 million contract expires is logical. If they pivot, they could use Pacers assets to try building around him. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds Kawhi is traded this summer: 30%.
Feb 20
Rich Paul Boldly Picks Anthony Edwards Over Nikola Jokic
Rich Paul declared Anthony Edwards "the best player" on his Game Over podcast, saying "You can't watch a game on any given night...and say...that person is better than Anthony Edwards." He added, "I love Jokić...but no." The 24-year-old averages a career-high 29.3 points with 49.3/40.2 shooting and earned a fourth All-Star nod. Nikola Jokić remains a three-time MVP, posting 28.7 points with 12.3 rebounds and 10.7 assists. The two stars meet March 1 in Denver. Merlin senses a clash of styles: raw, rising star versus calm, rule-defying maestro. Edwards has highlight scoring and youth on his side; Jokić has efficiency, playmaking and hardware. One bold claim will not settle the debate. Watch the March 1 duel—numbers and context will decide who gains the upper hand. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Edwards being widely regarded as the NBA's best player by season's end: 18%.
Feb 20
Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors Lakers Join Fray
Merlin sees Giannis Antetokounmpo lining up many suitors if the Bucks make him available this summer. Executives expect the list to "grow significantly." Golden State, New York, Minnesota, Miami and the Lakers have been linked, with one exec calling Los Angeles the "big prize." Giannis said he wants "that steak again" and has claimed he could "attract" talent in Milwaukee. He can sign a four-year, $275 million extension on Oct. 1. Merlin notes the choice rests with Giannis and Milwaukee. If he signals he will not re-sign, the Bucks would be wise to trade him for long term assets. The Lakers lack young, blue-chip pieces and would need partners to make a viable offer. The league should brace for a busy, uncertain summer. 🧙♂️ Merlin’s Prediction: Odds of Giannis being traded this summer: 40%.
Feb 20