The NBA doesn't really have an "off" switch anymore. If you came here looking for a quiet, experimental preseason, you’re about a decade too late. Honestly, the nba preseason news today feels more like the trade deadline in February than a January mid-season stretch.
Wait, did I say January? Yeah. Because in 2026, the calendar is a mess, and the drama is worse.
The biggest story right now isn't even a box score. It's Jonathan Kuminga. After sitting out for nearly a month as a "Coach’s Decision," Kuminga finally hit the "nuclear" button on January 15, officially demanding a trade from the Golden State Warriors. Steve Kerr is calling it a "difficult situation," which is coach-speak for "the locker room is on fire."
The Kuminga Fallout and the Trade Market Heat
Everyone knew this was coming. You don't bench a young, high-ceiling wing for 13 straight games and expect him to just keep eating Gatorade and smiling. The Sacramento Kings are reportedly at the front of the line, trying to figure out how to bolster their frontline while Domantas Sabonis works his way back into a rhythm.
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It's not just the Warriors, though. Shams Charania and the crew at ESPN are reporting that the Memphis Grizzlies are actually—seriously—entertaining trades for Ja Morant. Just think about that. The face of the franchise might be on the move because the market is "slim pickings" and the team is struggling to find a identity.
- Sacramento's Aggression: They want Kuminga to fix their defensive versatility issues.
- The Ja Factor: Udonis Haslem recently roasted Morant for his bench attire, and while that seems petty, it's indicative of the "vibe check" Memphis is currently failing.
- The Bucks' Holding Pattern: Trade talks around the league are basically frozen because everyone is waiting to see if Giannis Antetokounmpo signs his extension. If he doesn't, the entire league resets.
Injury Reports: The Ankle Pandemic
If you're betting on games today, or just trying to set a fantasy lineup, the injury report looks like a CVS receipt.
In Dallas, the "Cooper Flagg Era" hit a speed bump. The rookie phenom is officially OUT for today’s game against the Jazz with an ankle sprain. He’s joined on the sidelines by Daniel Gafford and D'Angelo Russell. That leaves the Mavs incredibly thin, meaning we’re going to see a lot of Dwight Powell and maybe some Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.
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Over in New York, the Knicks are sweating over Jalen Brunson. He’s "questionable" for the Phoenix game at the Garden. He messed up his ankle against Sacramento on the 14th, and the Knicks have looked lost without him. They’ve lost seven of their last nine. Tom Thibodeau is being uncharacteristically cautious, saying they’ll wait until after warmups to make a call.
Key Absences to Watch Today
- Luka Doncic (Lakers): Still the focal point of every scouting report, but there are whispers about his usage rate as the Lakers prepare to face Portland.
- Victor Wembanyama (Spurs): He’s healthy, he’s bald (yes, he shaved his head), and he’s averaging 2.7 blocks. He faces Giannis tonight in a matchup that feels like a passing of the torch.
- Rudy Gobert (Timberwolves): Listed as questionable with a hip issue on the second night of a back-to-back. If he sits, Naz Reid is going to eat.
The Standings Are Upside Down
Look at the Eastern Conference. The Detroit Pistons are 29-10. No, that isn't a typo. Cade Cunningham is averaging nearly 10 assists a game, and the Pistons are currently sitting at the top of the East. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks are 17-24 and struggling to stay in the play-in conversation.
In the West, Oklahoma City is just a juggernaut. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was just named Sportsperson of the Year, and for good reason. They are 35-7. They are playing a brand of basketball that makes everyone else look like they’re stuck in 2015.
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What You Should Actually Do With This Information
If you're following the nba preseason news today to get an edge, stop looking at the veteran stars and start looking at the "10-day contract" guys.
The league is in a transitional phase. We’re seeing guys like Jaylon Tyson (Cavs) put up 39 points while the established stars are "managing" injuries.
- Watch the Nets: With Kyrie Irving potentially out for the rest of the season, their roster is going to look like a G-League All-Star team by next week.
- Monitor the Warriors' Twitter: The second a Kuminga trade breaks, the Western Conference power balance shifts.
- Check the Spurs' interior defense: With Wemby reaching his final form, San Antonio is the only team that looks capable of bothering OKC in a seven-game series.
The "preseason" vibe is gone. Every game right now is a referendum on whether a coach keeps his job or a star demands a plane ticket out of town. Keep an eye on the Mavs' depth tonight—without Flagg and Gafford, they are essentially a one-man show, and that rarely ends well in today's NBA.