The New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks have competition for the biggest disaster in the Western Conference, with the Sacramento Kings spiralling out of control and Los Angeles Clippers lost for answers as their season slips away.
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Meanwhile, in the East, the race for supremacy is wide-open with the Detroit Pistons leading the way as Cade Cunningham puts his name squarely in the MVP conversation.
But could an all-in trade be what they need to go one step further?
Elsewhere, while there may have been talk that LeBron James could leave Los Angeles at the end of the season it may end up being the perfect marriage for the four-time NBA champion.
And one coach has a theory on the league’s injury crisis that has commissioner Adam Silver searching for answers.
Read on for the latest NBA Talking Points!
‘JUST SHOCKING’: NBA’S ‘HINDENBURG’ STUCK IN HORROR HOLE
The Sacramento Kings once again find themselves in NBA purgatory, and there’s no foreseeable light at the end of the tunnel.
And the dire state of affairs was compounded by the injury news for centre Domantas Sabonis, with the star big man set for at least three-to-four weeks on the sidelines after a meniscus tear in his left knee.
The Kings have managed just three wins from their first 16 games this season and appear destined for a return to the lottery.
In 2022-23, Sacramento had its best winning season in 18 years, recording 48 wins to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2005-06 campaign.
That season, the franchise was led by De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Malik Monk and Keegan Murray, who instilled winning hope in a success-starved fanbase.
But the team has fallen off a cliff since Mike Brown was dismissed as head coach after a 13-18 start last season and Fox was dealt to the San Antonio Spurs.
The Kings’ “disaster” circumstances were held in the same disenchanting regard to fellow strugglers the Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans on the Zach Lowe Show.
“The Kings are unwatchable … this is nothing I haven’t said before, including before the season when I called them the Hindenburg of the NBA and said they were headed for a disaster season,” renowned NBA writer-podcaster Zach Lowe said on his show.
“I’m (setting the line at) over-under two and a half weeks before the ‘Domantas Sabonis is unhappy with the Kings and wants out’ report comes out.”
The Kings are struggling. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
The Kings are struggling. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)Source: AP
To think the Kings once had their hands on both Fox and Tyrese Haliburton and are now starting 37-year-old Russell Westbrook — who’s still yet arguably their most engaged starter — is almost unfathomable.
They’ve also offloaded forward Harrison Barnes and guard Davion Mitchell in the past year.
On the other hand, Sacramento sought to trade for former Chicago Bulls pair DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine on lucrative deals in moves that, to put it very nicely, haven’t paid fruitful dividends.
Both LaVine and DeRozan have seen statistical dips year-on-year and have both never been plus players on the defensive side of the ball.
“To put together this collection of players … to go from (De’Aaron) Fox and (Tyrese) Haliburton to this is just shocking,” Lowe said.
“I have no idea what Doug Christie is as a coach, or if he has any hold over this roster. It seems like every game, only one of DeRozan or LaVine will be engaged in the game or playing well. Russ is, like, the most active player on the team.
“If I’m Scott Perry (Kings general manager), I’m like ‘none of this mess is mine, man. I didn’t do any of this, and if we do nothing, we are just going to tank organically, and that’s our only pathway back’.
“And yet, this team has done nothing but screw up the draft for the last 20 years.”
And while the appropriate subsequent thought process is to go on a trade bonanza and start afresh again, the Kings don’t have many appealing assets to deal.
“People all over the league have been saying ‘the Kings are going to blow it up’. Blow what up? What are you getting for any of these players?” Lowe posed.
“DeMar DeRozan — US$25 million this year, partially guaranteed, US$25 million next year — I don’t know what you’re getting for that.
“Zach LaVine — US$49 million player option for next season — I would guess he’s going to opt into that, it’s a lot of money. What are you getting for that (in a trade)?
“Sabonis gets 42, 45, 48 (US millions per season over the next three years) — he gets something (in terms of a trade return), but there’s no ‘four first-round picks, road map in one deal to relevancy’ when your best asset is a centre who doesn’t protect the rim or shoot threes. It’s just tough going.
“This collection of players is, like, I can’t watch it anymore. I’d rather watch the Wizards.”
With Sabonis out of the line-up on Friday (AEDT), the Kings were thumped by 41 points by Memphis — ironically and brutally one of the other four teams also classified as “disaster” situations by Lowe.
The Kings are going nowhere. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
The Kings are going nowhere. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)Source: AP
LEBRON REALITY AS BIG CALL ON FUTURE LOOMS
After a hot start to the season for the LA Lakers, largely without LeBron James, there’s been questions around how the 40-year old superstar will fit in and his future with the team at large.
With Luka Doncic and Austin Reave leading the show, the Lakers are 11-4 – despite having played nine games on the road – to sit half a game behind the Denver Nuggets in the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.
Expectations have risen for JJ Redick’s team, which went into the season as a bit of a wildcard.
And it’s clear this is Doncic’s team now, while Reaves has emerged as a long-term No. 2 option alongside the Slovenian superstar in a breakout season.
So where does that leave James? And is the writing on the wall that this will be last season in purple and gold? Assuming he keeps playing.
The four-time MVP and four-time champion began his record 23rd season with a double-double (11 points, 12 assists) in a win over Utah after returning from a sciatica injury.
It’ll be fascinating to see exactly what role James plays moving forward. Given he’s always been the No. 1 option throughout his legendary career, though largely letting Doncic play the alpha after last season’s shock trade.
Especially when you consider the Lakers are on a roll and look a genuine threat in the West under JJ Redick. Even if OKC is the clear benchmark and Denver and Houston also look ominous.
It’s probably the first time in James’ career where we don’t know exactly where he fits into his team given the roster and responsibilities around him have shifted. Not that there’s any question marks around the 21-time All-Star, who turns 41 next month, still being a high-level player. Presuming this sciatica issue doesn’t linger
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers helps Luka Doncic #77 up from the floor after a Minnesota Timberwolves foul during a 111-102 Lakers win at Crypto.com Arena on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers helps Luka Doncic #77 up from the floor after a Minnesota Timberwolves foul during a 111-102 Lakers win at Crypto.com Arena on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
According to the man himself, he’s confident he can fit in anywhere and in any way required.
And James reminded everyone that he’s made a legendary career out of being arguably the most well-rounded superstar of all-time that can play multiple positions.
“Don’t matter, I’m a ball player,” James said when asked how his role for LA would compare to last season.
“Best thing about me and the way I’ve been built my whole life is that I’ve never had a position.
“There’s not one team, one club, in the world that I can’t fit in and play for. I can do everything on the floor. Whatever this team needs me to do, and more, I can do it.”
That sort of buy in is sure encouraging to hear.
Then there’s the bigger picture conversation of what’s next for James after this season, when his $52 million contract expires and he’s due to become a free agent.
It’s currently uncertain and perhaps James himself doesn’t know his next move.
There’s always going to be discussion around finishing his career in Cleveland. If not, you’d expect he’d only want to play for a contender and chase another ring.
Off-season remarks from his agent, Rich Paul, didn’t fill you with a heap of confidence James planned to stay in LA.
In fact, it almost hinted that a split could be on the horizon.
“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,“ Paul told ESPN in June.
“He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie (Buss) and Rob (Pelinka) and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.
“We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what’s best for him.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Utah Jazz during the second quarter at Crypto.com Arena on November 18, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Utah Jazz during the second quarter at Crypto.com Arena on November 18, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
That implied the Lakers weren’t going to be contenders…
Yet fast forward five months and it suddenly appears LA might be the best spot for James to compete after all.
It’s unlikely James, who has a no-trade clause, would get moved in season, even if both parties wanted to go their separate ways long term.
So we’re fast forwarding a bit here, but it’s more about where he’d sign for next season.
Hard to see the Lakers offering him another max-level deal like the one he’s currently on. No other contenders – or any team, for that matter - are currently projected to have that kind of cap space either.
If James is willing to play on a minimum contract, he’ll have a litany of options for just about any team.
Otherwise, it’d be difficult to find a side with a superstar on Doncic’s level.
In saying that, James might want to get out of the West and an OKC juggernaut that appears destined to perennially come out of the conference and compete for several more championships.
Unless, of course, James joined the Thunder.
But there’s a lot to like about the Lakers. And there mightn’t be better options for James as he weighs up his future.
LeBron makes debut for 23rd season | 00:49
“Ever since Rich Paul put out the passive aggressive statement over the summer ... there’s been this sort of search for what’s going to happen next for LeBron. Whether Los Angeles is the final chapter of his career, or if he continues playing, if there’s another place for him,” NBA insider Zach Lowe said on his podcast.
“The presumption has been, if there is another place for him, it’s going to be a mix of sentimentality and winning, wherever that is. Cleveland would be the most obvious sentimental plus winning example.
“And he could go anywhere, if he wants to sign for the minimum. He could go to Oklahoma City. I don’t see that ever happening, but he could.
“He could get to a better team if he’s willing to sign for any amount of money ... he could sign with whoever wins the championship.
“But I do look at this Lakers team … if he wants to get paid even like a mid-level exception or some commensurate salary, I’m not sure how many places are going to be better than this. This is a good team.
“Its biggest disadvantage is they play in the wrong conference, with a young juggernaut in Oklahoma City and Denver, who’s about been Oklahoma City’s peer in every measure so far this year.”
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons also thinks LA and continuing to play alongside Doncic and Reaves might be the best spot for James.
“I don’t know what would be a better situation for a guy his age, than to have two awesome offensive players … this is a nice team,” Simmons said on his podcast.
“By the way, I think it’s good, if you’re 40-41 years old, to have Luka Doncic handle most of the day-to-day stuff.
“LeBron is one of the smartest players of all time and he knows he can fit into wherever they need him.”
THE EAST IS WIDE-OPEN... COULD THIS ALL-IN TRADE COME NEXT?
OK, put your hand up if 15 games into the season you had the Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors as the top-two teams in the Eastern Conference.
Sure, the Pistons were candidates to take the next step from frisky playoff team to genuine title contender if Cade Cunningham made the leap to superstardom, but an injury to Jaden Ivey before the season tipped off somewhat eased expectations of them early.
Instead, they have now won 11 games in a row for the first time in 18 years.
As for the Raptors, this was a talented roster and while not exactly the same as what is going on in Sacramento, there were real questions as to how it would all fit together and whether Toronto had the kind of difference-maker to go all the way.
Now, those questions still remain and won’t really be answered until the post-season but for the time being, both the Pistons and Raptors are putting Eastern Conference favourites Cleveland and New York on notice.
Rockets withstand Cavs late surge | 01:15
The Knicks and Cavaliers closely trail the Raptors in third and fourth place respectively, and beyond them the East remains wide-open as was expected with Boston and Indiana injury-ravaged and entering gap years.
The Hawks sit in seventh as they await Trae Young’s return, while the Bulls were early surprise packets and even if they have regressed recently, Coby White is back on the court and with Nikola Vucevic firing, Chicago could even be buyers at the trade deadline instead of sellers.
The highly-rated Magic, meanwhile, are starting to find their identity on offence and the Bucks, even sitting in 11th, remain a threat if Giannis Antetokounmpo can get back healthy.
Then you have the Heat and 76ers in sixth and seventh, with Tyler Herro expected to return soon for a Miami team that never folds while Tyrese Maxey and rookie V.J. Edgecombe have Philadelphia fans optimistic about both the present and future.
So, where does that leave the Raptors and Pistons?
In the Raptors’ case, it obviously helps that they have largely stayed healthy to open the year but their depth was always going to be a strength and in a 82-game season that is already testing teams, Toronto is built for the long haul.
As for the Pistons, well it’s been quite the turnaround for the team that only a few years ago snapped a historic 28-game losing skid against the Raptors.
Cunningham is in the MVP conversation while Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart have formed a nasty frontcourt that is making opposition teams fight for every point they can get in the paint.
Like Toronto, the depth is there for Detroit to make some serious noise in the playoffs but could the Pistons still be one major piece away from really challenging the heavyweights of the West?
Cade Cunningham is an MVP candidate. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images/AFP
Cade Cunningham is an MVP candidate. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP
Zach Lowe floated the possibility of a trade for Utah superstar Lauri Markkanen in a recent episode of his podcast, although he conceded it will come at a serious cost.
“The price is going to be everything,” Lowe said.
“It’s going to be (Tobias) Harris, (Jaden) Ivey, (Ron) Holland, every pick and swap you have.
“If you want to keep Ausar Thompson, which you do; if you want to keep Jalen Duren... then the price is Holland, plus Ivey, plus Harris, plus four picks, plus four swaps.”
The dilemma for Detroit is similar to that Oklahoma City faced before the Josh Giddey trade.
This is a young team that is currently ahead of schedule but there is no rush to necessarily go all-in at once. Instead, the Pistons could be well-served by seeing how this current group fares in a deep playoff run and if they fall short, can then make a decision on where to go next.
For the Thunder, seeing Giddey be played off the court helped clarify that he wasn’t the right fit and that a defensive-minded, shooting wing like Alex Caruso was the better bet, while they also eased the pressure on Chet Holmgren by signing Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency.
As for the Pistons, Lowe wondered whether Detroit’s lack of shooting would be exposed in the playoffs and highlight why a player like Markkanen could be the right target.
“I do think in the playoffs the lack of shooting is going to be a bigger detriment than it is in the regular season and Markkanen is the perfect player for them,” Lowe said.
Markkanen is currently in the first season of a four-year, $195.9 million ($A304m) deal for a Jazz team that sits 10th with a 5-9 record in the Western Conference.
Bulls lose in 2OT despite Triple Double | 01:02
‘THEY ARE COOKED’: THE ‘STAGGERING’ REALITY FOR CLIPPERS LAID BARE
The fact that the Clippers had an ageing roster was widely known entering the season. It just wasn’t expected to be this much of a problem.
After all, while Kawhi Leonard’s health was always going to be a concern along with the overall age of the squad, the depth was there to cover for any potential absences.
But that depth is already being tested and the result has been a slow, lethargic offence that is being burned by much younger, more athletic teams in transition and is overly reliant on James Harden, who at 36 years old is hardly in a position to shoulder this much responsibility.
It isn’t like the Clippers have much choice. Bradley Beal has already been ruled out for the season with a fractured left hip. Leonard is sidelined with a right ankle sprain and foot sprain. Meanwhile, Derrick Jones Jr. — one of the few Clippers players who has the kind of athleticism to be an actual threat attacking in transition — was recently ruled out for at least six weeks with a PCL sprain.
Even the veteran depth pieces that are healthy aren’t producing to the level the Clippers need, with it looking like age may have finally caught up to 37-year-old Brook Lopez.
The result is a Clippers team that sits 12th in the Western Conference with a 4-11 record after a 129-101 loss to the Magic, in which Harden played 31 minutes and scored a team-high 31 points.
Ivica Zubac (14) was the next closest for Los Angeles.
Harden is carrying a heavy load. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images/AFP
Harden is carrying a heavy load. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP
“The level of usage that James Harden has to carry every single night on this team is kind of staggering,” The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie said on ‘The Game Theory Podcast’.
“When he is not on the court, this team is borderline catastrophic on offence... when he’s not on the court they have a 94 offensive rating this year. When he’s on the court they have a 121 offensive rating. He’s pretty good when he’s on the court.”
Harden needs help, but unfortunately it isn’t coming any time soon and according to Sports Illustrated’s Joey Linn, his 3,290 minutes played since last season are the third-most in the NBA.
Clippers coach Ty Lue said the team is desperate to avoid repeating last year’s usage, which saw Harden average 35.3 minutes per game as Leonard struggled to stay healthy.
But the problem is that when Harden is off the court, the Clippers just look that much worse on offence and for a team that owes their fully unprotected first-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder, if they can’t turn it around it will be the defending champions who benefit.
The same defending champions who are currently 15-1.
It doesn’t get any better from there given the Thunder also have the right to swap first-round picks with the Clippers in 2027, while L.A. also owes its fully unprotected 2028 first-round pick to the Philadelphia 76ers from the Harden trade.
The 76ers can also swap 2029 first-round picks with the Clippers as long as L.A.’s pick falls outside of the top three.
Not ideal for an ageing roster without many answers or easy buttons to turn it around.
L.A.’s 111 points per game is tied for fifth worst in the league while its offensive rating of 112.7 is ninth-worst.
The numbers also expose just how slow this Clippers roster is, ranking second-last in the league in pace with just 97.22 possessions per game and in a modern NBA that is only getting faster, the current roster construction just won’t get the job done.
“They are cooked,” an East executive said to ESPN of L.A.’s chances, while a West scout told the publication that “unless you can show me where the Fountain of Youth is, I don’t see (a path back)”.
“Kawhi (Leonard) has looked good when he’s played. But you can’t rely on him.”
De'Aaron Fox stars in Wemby's absence | 00:59
COACH’S THEORY ON NBA’S INJURY CRISIS
Steve Kerr has a theory as to why so many players have suffered soft tissue injuries this season.
The Warriors head coach told reporters Wednesday that the team’s medical staff “believes that the wear and tear, the speed, the pace, the mileage is factoring into these injuries.”
Kerr pointed the finger at the increased pace of play and a condensed schedule, which has already seen the Warriors on their fifth back-to-back with Golden State in Orlando on Wednesday and in Miami on Thursday.
ESPN Research indicated that the NBA is playing at its fastest average collective pace since the 1988-89 season, with the 2025-26 campaign already seeing Giannis Antetokounmpo suffer a groin strain and Victor Wembanyama dealing with a left calf strain.
Anthony Davis, Ty Jerome, Dylan Harper, Ja Morant and Jrue Holiday are also out with calf strains.
“Across the league, everyone understands that it’s easier to score if you beat the opponent down the floor, get out in transition,” Kerr said.
“But when everybody’s doing that, the games are much higher-paced. Everyone has to cover out to 25 feet because everybody can shoot 3s. We have all the data. Players are running faster and further [than] before. We’re trying to do the best we can, but we basically have a game every other night. It’s not an easy thing to do.”
The Golden State coach has been outspoken regarding his wish to see the NBA shorten its regular season, noting on Wednesday that “I bring it up a lot” and that “if we’re actually focused on the product, it would be great.”
However, he acknowledged that it would be unlikely to get everyone on the same page with shortening the NBA calendar, especially because that would also mean less revenue.
Kerr also said the NBA “has done a great job of trying to protect players by not overloading the schedule with four in five nights.”
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported earlier in the week that the NBA is launching a league-wide biomechanics assessment program to “optimise performance and reduce injuries moving forward”.
“More than 500 players have already undergone some level of testing,” Charania reported, with four rounds of biomechanics testing still to be completed this season.
— New York Post