Latest Basketball News

📅January 10, 2026 at 1:00 AM
NBA trade drama, emerging stars’ performances, labor and ownership debates, major sponsorship deals, and key schedule/storyline updates dominate global basketball news.
1

Grizzlies Reportedly Entertain Trade Offers for Ja Morant

The Memphis Grizzlies are **listening to trade offers** for two-time All-Star guard **Ja Morant**, according to reporting cited by ESPN’s Shams Charania.Source 2 A move would end Morant’s seven-year run in Memphis, where elite on-court production has been overshadowed by injuries and off-court issues over the past three seasons.Source 2 Potential trade constructions discussed in analysis include packages from teams like the Bucks and Raptors built around salary relief and future draft capital.Source 2

2

Lakers’ Trade Deadline Flexibility Severely Limited by Cap and Asset Constraints

The Los Angeles Lakers are viewed as **unlikely to make a major move** at the upcoming trade deadline due to hard-cap restrictions and minimal remaining draft capital.Source 3 ESPN’s reporting notes the team is hard-capped near the first apron with only about $1 million in space and few tradable picks, pushing them toward only small “on the margins” upgrades.Source 3 Despite this, the core of Luka Dončić, LeBron James and Austin Reaves keeps them among the Western Conference’s top teams.Source 3

3

Trae Young Introduced as New Face of the Washington Wizards

Following a high-profile trade from the Atlanta Hawks, **Trae Young** held his **introductory press conference** as a member of the Washington Wizards.Source 3Source 9 Young discussed the transition and expectations as he joins a franchise reshaping its identity around his playmaking and scoring after the blockbuster move.Source 3Source 9 The trade has already sparked broader debate on Washington’s long-term roster strategy and Young’s fit in the Eastern Conference landscape.Source 3Source 9

4

Jazz Edge Mavericks Behind Lauri Markkanen and Rookie Star Cooper Flagg

The Utah Jazz defeated the Dallas Mavericks **116–114** in a tightly contested game in Salt Lake City.Source 1Source 5 Lauri Markkanen led Utah with **33 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists**, while standout rookie Cooper Flagg nearly posted a triple-double with **26 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists**.Source 1 The win moved the Jazz to 13–24 and dropped the Mavericks to 14–24 in the early-season standings.Source 1

5

NBA Nightly Recap Highlights Pacers, Cavaliers, Jazz and Heat Wins

The league’s official **nightly recap** showcased multiple matchups, including Pacers–Hornets, Cavaliers–Timberwolves, Mavericks–Jazz, and Heat–Bulls.Source 5 Key storylines included close finishes, standout individual scoring performances, and the top five plays of the night, emphasizing dunks and clutch shots.Source 5Source 10 The recap continues to serve as a global highlight package for fans tracking nightly NBA developments.Source 5

6

NBA’s Top 5 Plays of the Night Feature High-Flying Dunks and Clutch Moments

The NBA released its **Top 5 Plays of the Night** package, highlighting the most spectacular sequences from the latest slate of games.Source 10 The one-minute reel emphasizes athletic finishes at the rim, creative passes and decisive late-game plays, reflecting the league’s focus on globally shareable short-form content.Source 10Source 5 These compilations remain key to the NBA’s international engagement strategy across digital platforms.Source 10

7

Jaylen Brown Calls for Players to Have Equity Stakes Alongside NBA Owners

Boston Celtics forward **Jaylen Brown** publicly argued that NBA players should be allowed to **build equity alongside team owners**, challenging current labor rules.Source 6 Brown compared players to corporate executives who receive stock for years of service, saying athletes generate massive value but do not share in franchise appreciation.Source 6 He criticized current rules that largely bar direct team investment, despite allowing limited stakes in related public companies, and framed the issue within broader debates over inequality and player empowerment.Source 6

8

STARTRADER Becomes Official Partner of the NBA in New Global Sponsorship

Financial services firm **STARTRADER** announced it has become an **Official Partner of the NBA**, marking a new commercial alliance to start 2026.Source 8 The deal underscores the league’s ongoing strategy of expanding global corporate partnerships, particularly in finance and trading sectors.Source 8 Such agreements aim to deepen international brand exposure for both the NBA and its partners through co-branded marketing and activations.Source 8

9

Pelicans Prepare for Wizards Matchup as Zion Williamson Form Draws Attention

The New Orleans Pelicans issued a **gameday update** ahead of their matchup with the Washington Wizards, highlighting recent form from star forward **Zion Williamson**.Source 7 Team coverage featured Williamson’s standout performance against the Atlanta Hawks earlier in the week during the 2025–26 season, underlining his impact as a focal point of the Pelicans’ offense.Source 7 The game also intersects with Washington’s new era built around Trae Young, adding intrigue to the cross-conference meeting.Source 7Source 9

10

Busy NBA Slate Features 10 Games and Key Storylines Across the League

The NBA schedule includes **10 games** in one night, with coverage outlining tip-off times, major matchups and predicted winners.Source 4 Storylines span playoff positioning battles, form checks for emerging contenders, and performances from recently traded or newly featured players.Source 4 Such dense slates continue to shape early-season standings and fuel daily betting and analytical interest.Source 4