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10 dramatic NBA predictions: Who's dreaming of Lakers in Finals?
The NBA is always full of drama, and this season is no different. We’ve seen stunning trades of Luka Doncic, Anthony Davis and Jimmy Butler. Heck, a coach — recent Coach of the Year candidate Taylor Jenkins — got fired by the playoff-bound Memphis Grizzlies (44-32).
What other drama could be in store for the rest of the season and beyond? Here are 10 dramatic NBA predictions. (All statistics and records are through Wednesday's play.)
1. The Suns will miss the play-In ...
The Suns (35–41) have climbed their way back into the play-in picture, but they remain one game behind the Kings for the 10th and final spot. But the Suns are in huge trouble because Kevin Durant is out with an ankle injury, and their remaining schedule is brutal (at Celtics, at Knicks, vs. Warriors, vs. Thunder, vs. Spurs, at Kings). They’ll miss the playoffs and go down as one of the biggest failures in recent NBA history. Which will lead to...
2. ... and Phoenix will blow it up this summer
After nearly being traded at the deadline, Durant will almost certainly be dealt this summer. But the return won’t be enough to vault Phoenix into contention or jump-start a rebuild. So they’ll trade Devin Booker (25.5 PPG) as well — possibly at his request — and hope to rebuild through the draft. Keep an eye on the Houston Rockets and OKC Thunder as possible trade partners. Both have an abundance of first-round picks and young talent to offer.
3. The Mavericks will lose in the play-in and move on from GM Nico Harrison and head coach Jason Kidd
The Mavericks (38-39), who are 18-26 since the start of the year, made one of the worst trades in sports history with the Luka Doncic–for–Anthony Davis deal on Feb. 2. Dallas is 12-16 since the deal, per StatMuse.
The minute Kyrie Irving went down with a torn ACL, it all but guaranteed the Mavericks wouldn’t be contenders this season or next. Everyone in the organization who was part of this deal — especially Harrison — is now a lame duck.
4. The rumored rival basketball league will be announced sometime between now and start of next season.
As reported earlier this year, a group of investors — working with LeBron James’ longtime business partner, Maverick Carter — is trying to raise $5B for a rival basketball league that would operate similarly to Formula 1, traveling internationally from city to city. Like LIV Golf, it would offer higher pay for top players, bypassing the NBA’s maximum salary structure. In other words, players will leave the NBA for this league. More money, less work. The Clippers' Kawhi Leonard is going to love this!
5. The Thunder will set all-time record for best net rating in NBA history
Per StatMuse, they’re tied with the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls for the best net rating per 100 possessions at +13.4. That’s right — they’re tied with arguably the best team in NBA history. Their final two games are against the Utah Jazz (16–61) and New Orleans Pelicans (21–55) — the Pels recently shut down Zion Williamson for the season — so expect them to run up the score if they’re within range.
6. But OKC will be taken out again by Luka Doncic, prompting it to open its war chest of assets
Last season, the Thunder (64-12) lost a six-game conference semifinals series to Doncic, Irving and the Mavericks. This season, they’ll fall to Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves in a another hard-fought second-round series.
It’ll be incredible hoops, and OKC will have nothing to be ashamed of, but the loss will push GM Sam Presti to re-evaluate his roster construction strategy. With five first-round draft picks in 2025 alone (h/t: SI.com) and loads of young talent, OKC has the goods to pair nearly every star in the NBA with MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
7. Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo will have a historic first-round series versus the Knicks
Remember Giannis’ series against the Celtics in 2022, when he averaged 33.9 points, 14.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists? Expect similar numbers as his sixth-seeded Bucks (41-34) upset the Knicks (48-28) in a low-scoring, first-round thriller.
8. But Boston's Jayson Tatum will outplay him in the second round
Tatum (27 PPG, 8.7 RPG) is likely having the best season of his career, with improved playmaking and a career-high 5.9 APG. He’s clearly in his prime, and as a defending champion, he plays with added swagger every time he shares the court with another superstar. He’ll go toe-to-toe with Giannis and lead the Celtics (56-20) to a decisive win, sparking debates over whether Tatum is now the NBA’s alpha dog
9. But that talk will simmer down after the top-seeded Cavaliers dethrone the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals
In a battle of attrition, the Cavaliers (61-15) will prevail and limp across the finish line, thanks to their depth and home-court advantage. And...
10. The final game of the season will be Game 7: LeBron James, Luka Doncic and the Lakers on the road against the Cleveland Cavaliers
It is written. But it’s too fun to try to predict. Jump ball!
More must-reads:
- JJ Redick criticizes NBA Most Improved Player Award, dismisses Austin Reaves’ chances
- NBA-best Thunder have a chance to get even better
- The 'NBA minutes leaders by season' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Celtics Facing Trade Decision After $290 Million Move
While Jayson Tatum's Achilles tear made their decision easier, the Boston Celtics' offseason was always about saving as much money as possible. The NBA enforces harsh penalties on teams that are above the NBA's second tax apron for three straight seasons, so moves were coming no matter what Tatum's health status was. While Boston technically didn't have to confront this problem until the trade deadline at the latest, doing so would have risked giving up more assets to get under the second tax apron, so their moves this offseason have undoubtedly hinted that they wanted to get it done now. The Celtics have done just that. Trading Jrue Holiday for Anfernee Simons helped them save a few million, but trading Kristaps Porzingis for Georges Niang helped them save over $20 million. The team saved even more money when they swapped Niang for RJ Luis Jr. These trades not only helped the Celtics get under the NBA's second tax apron while cutting down on their luxury tax bill, but the team as a whole saved hundreds of millions on their payroll. Cap expert Yossi Gozlan explained the Celtics' financial situation in a nutshell. "The Celtics entered the offseason at the eight luxury tax level, which gave them a floor of $237 million in tax penalties," Gozlan wrote. "They are now slightly above the third level, leaving their current projected penalty at just under $40 million. As a result, they’ve saved nearly $290 million in roster expenses since the start of the offseason." For that same reason, Gozlan also explained why the Celtics may not be finished making moves this offseason. "While the Celtics have reduced their tax penalty to a reasonable amount, they’re likely not done," Gozlan wrote. "They are just $4 million above the first apron. Getting below it would free them of several roster-building restrictions. For example, they’d be able to take in more salaries than they’re sending out in a trade and open up to $14.1 million non-tax mid-level exception." This Could Explain Why Anfernee Simons is Available Since the Celtics first acquired him, Simons has reportedly been available in trade talks. This is still the case, as Jake Fischer reported that Boston has made him available to acquire in a trade on Sunday. "The expectation persists, furthermore, that Boston will continue to invite trade discussion involving Anfernee Simons from now through next season's trade deadline on Feb. 5 at 3 PM ET," Stein wrote. Simons is owed nearly $27.7 million for the 2025-26 season. While he is a quality player, if Boston can get under the first tax apron and repeater tax by trading him, the team might just take it.
Jon Gruden 'looking forward to having the truth come out' amid lawsuit against NFL
Jon Gruden sent another warning shot toward the NFL after scoring a major win in court. On Tuesday, Gruden welcomed a ruling that will force the NFL to litigate the circumstances of his firing in court rather than closed-door arbitration. The former Las Vegas Raiders coach made clear that he intends to continue his legal challenge to the NFL to ensure that they are held accountable. “I’m looking forward to having the truth come out, and I want to make sure what happened to me doesn’t happen to anyone else,” Gruden said in a statement provided to ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr. “The league’s actions disrupted the whole season. We were leading the division at the time and they completely blindsided me and the team.” The Raiders were 3-1 in 2021 when Gruden was forced to resign after some offensive emails that he sent between 2011 and 2018 were leaked. Gruden has alleged that the NFL leaked the emails to force him out of a job after obtaining them during an investigation into the Washington Commanders. The NFL is set to appeal Monday’s ruling, but if that appeal fails, the league may be forced into public discovery. One alternative would be to offer Gruden a settlement, but he has not said whether or not he would be interested in such a resolution. Gruden has not held an NFL coaching job since the Raiders forced him out. He has recently spoken about possibly making a return to coaching at the college level.
Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger Makes Direct Statement About Mason Rudolph's Spot On QB Depth Chart
Former crew chief frustrated by the 'ridiculous' racing at Watkins Glen
It is no secret that NASCAR's current road-course package has not been very good. Aside from the mile-and-a-half tracks that were once the least competitive and exciting in the series, those races are the rare bright spot for the Next Gen Car since its inception in 2022. Shane van Gisbergen drove away to an 11.1-second win over Christopher Bell in Sunday's race at Watkins Glen and set multiple records in the process. While the racing was not particularly exciting, that was not what left former crew chief and current analyst Steve Letarte frustrated the most following the weekend. A recurring issue in each race over the weekend was drivers utilizing the runoff areas around the track and not staying on the traditional racing surface, which ultimately led to some crashes in Saturday's Xfinity race. "So, I hate track limits that have to be officiated," Letarte said on "Inside the Race." "Because I like tracks that you should just stay on the track. I didn't think it mattered. Now, I am team get-them-back-on-the-race-track-at-Watkins-Glen. I don't love the Watkins Glen that I see. ... I think Turn 1 is not as great of a corner with no exit respect or responsibility. You just blow the exit. I think the carousel is a much easier corner, being able to just go driver's left. "I also think Turn 6 is going — let me add, that I think the (Connor) Zilisch, SVG wreck between the last two corners (in the Xfinity Series race) happened because they left the track, and the Austin Hill wreck with Michael McDowell happened off the race track. Now, both could have been avoided, we can talk about who's at fault. What I'm saying is, I've never driven a lap at Watkins Glen. I can analyze what happens between the white lines." This comes one year after rumble strips were placed in Turn 1 to keep drivers from using the runoff area, and that clearly has not worked. As the field has got closer together, using up all the track has become a common way for drivers to establish momentum, especially as they prepare for the right-hander going into The Esses at Watkins Glen. The bottom line is NASCAR's road-racing product needs to get better and Letarte wants to see race cars "stay on the race track because I think it will be a better race." Van Gisbergen's historic dominance certainly does not help, but the overall road course product is not great. Whether NASCAR makes some changes to the runoff areas and enforces track limits remains to be seen, but that still may not be the biggest issue if the racing does not improve.
Lady Gaga's Heartbreak Over Ozzy Osbourne's Death Revealed After Lavish Gift To Sharon
Lady Gaga is reportedly "heartbroken" about the loss of Ozzy Osbourne, a big name in music who she said was one of her first big influences. The 76-year-old musician fought Parkinson's disease and other health problems for a long time. According to Radar Online, Gaga marked the loss by sending Sharon Osbourne, 72, a luxury bouquet of flowers worth several hundred dollars, the insider said. Gaga also honored the Prince of Darkness during her Mayhem Ball tour stop in San Francisco with a performance of "Crazy Train." Before leaving the stage, she told the crowd, "I'll miss you, Ozzy." The tribute carried extra weight for Gaga, who had shared her admiration for him years before her own rise to stardom. "She used to strip to Black Sabbath at her early shows," the source said, adding that she once told Ozzy the story and he "found it hilarious." A Public Tribute Hours After His Death Gaga's onstage tribute came July 22, hours after Ozzy's family confirmed his death in the UK. Fans at the Chase Center watched her and her dancers headbang offstage to "Crazy Train" while wearing shirts bearing his name. "I got goosebumps," one fan commented on a TikTok video from the show. Another wrote on Instagram, "Everyone is celebrating Ozzy's death the way he would have wanted... eventually turning up the volume and rocking out to Ozzy." Her grief follows years of mutual respect between her and the Osbourne family, despite a public clash with Sharon in 2013. The feud began after Sharon's daughter Kelly criticized Gaga's weight on E!'s "Fashion Police," prompting Gaga to write an open letter calling for more compassion. Sharon accused Gaga of hypocrisy for not telling her fans to stop sending threats to Kelly. From Feud to Reconciliation Tensions got calmer when Gaga later went on "The X Factor UK," where she hugged Sharon and gave Kelly a cake for her birthday. This public reconciliation made way for a nicer time between them in years to come. Gaga knew Ozzy in a personal and professional way. She met him and Sharon on a red carpet in 2014, at the MusiCares Person of the Year eventk. There, they hugged, took photos, and chatted. Ozzy reportedly left a big mark on Gaga's work. The "Poker Face" hitmaker would say the heavy metal icon was a big push behind her style, mixing her pop look with a love for hard rock and metal. His death hit her hard, the source shared. "She's been a huge fan of Ozzy and the Osbournes for years," the insider said. "This was personal for her."
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