NBA News: Davis’ injury. Lakers trade imminent? Expansion coming? More

Hello Hoops Heads! Here’s the latest NBA news from around the league.

NBA News: Anthony Davis’s injury, Lakers forced to make a trade?

The news that Lakers forward Anthony Davis will miss at least a month isn’t surprising, but it is unfortunate. Davis was having a career year and had managed to stay relatively healthy this season.

Now, he’ll miss around 15 games as his team tries to claw its way back into playoff contention. They’re currently 12-16, and his injury could jeopardize their chances of making the playoffs, possibly forcing them to make a trade sooner rather than later. Hoops Habit contributor Dalton Sell believes they have an ideal trade partner, and they do have several players that they are willing to move.

The Davis injury means that they won’t be at full strength until late January, and they’ll need reinforcements to help keep them afloat in the meantime. Therefore, I wouldn’t be surprised if a trade happens by around New Year’s.

NBA News: Is expansion coming?

It should come as no surprise that the NBA will eventually expand beyond the current 30 teams. However, commissioner Adam Silver has previously downplayed the idea. Now, it seems both he and the league will look to expand following a new collective bargaining agreement and television contract.

Both will be in place in 2025, meaning formal news about expansion could come in the same year. That is far away, but most agree that Seattle and Las Vegas are the likely candidates with Mexico City also having a chance. There are others, however, and we won’t know officially until 2025. Still, it’s exciting to think about two new teams to watch.

NBA News: The red-hot Magic and the slumping Raptors, Bulls, and Wizards.

The Orlando Magic are one of the hottest teams in the NBA at the moment, winning six straight games, including two against the Boston Celtics, who had the best record in the league. The surprising turn comes after the Magic started the season with a 5-20 record. Now, they sit at 11-20 and have a real chance of making the play-in tournament considering their hot play comes as the three teams ahead of them in the standings are imploding.

The Raptors have dropped five straight, and their lack of shooting is weighing down their offense. The Bulls have also suffered five straight losses, including giving up 150 points to the Timberwolves in their most recent game. Last but not least are the Wizards, who’ve lost 10 straight. Those three teams’ failures mean that the Magic are now just 3.5 games back of 10th place, thanks in large part to the play of number one overall pick Paolo Banchero.

NBA News: Knicks

The New York Knicks, yes, those Knicks, are on a roll. They’ve won seven straight games and are suddenly looking… competent. The turnaround has come as the Knicks have shortened their rotation, and Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett, and a resurgent Julius Randle have helped carry the team.

Still, changes could be coming to the Knicks, with at least four players rumored to be available. Fortunately, that shouldn’t impact their recent success and should help them going forward. That’s all for now Hoops Heads.