Kelly Iko

Should we be concerned about Cade Cunningham and the Pistons in the postseason? Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs highlighted Detroit's limitations in a changing environment, routing the Pistons 121-106 Thursday night.

This week, on Y!

Cade Cunningham’s greatest strength might be Detroit’s fatal flaw: sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...

On the new, old Marcus Smart: sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...

Reed Sheppard is peaking at the right time for Houston, but what is his true role?: sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...

2025 NBA trade season: Should the Pistons and Spurs go all in at the deadline? With the trade deadline approaching, we ponder the teams and situations that could be active.

The GREAT @kellyiko.bsky.social and I went back and forth on the upcoming NBA Trade Deadline which is a mere fortnight and change away.

Ideas floated around included new addresses for Lauri Markkanen, Ja Morant, Zion Williamson, and.... Deni Avdija?

What the Thunder exposed about the Rockets — and why their slump can't be ignored ahead of trade deadline Thursday night's offensive fiasco was a microcosm of the issues surrounding this talented Rockets team as of late.

Houston’s anemic showing vs. OKC wasn’t just an isolated incident on national TV. On the gulfs in class, the cracks starting to show for a team without a quarterback and why a pivot before the trade deadline might be necessary.

For Y! Sports: sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...

Sources: Miami Heat have quickly emerged as an attractive option to Ja Morant and his camp Disappointed by reported trade talks, Morant plans to meet with his camp about his future during Grizzlies’ trip in Europe, sources say.

With Memphis recently making Ja Morant available via trade, the Miami Heat have emerged as an attractive landing spot to the Grizzlies guard and his camp, sources tell Y! Sports

sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...

Behind the Hawks' interest in Anthony Davis and the hurdles that exist in a deal with Dallas The Hawks could attempt to pair Davis with breakout star Jalen Johnson before the Feb. 5 trade deadline.

On the departure of Trae Young, the dichotomy of Anthony Davis and what Atlanta’s lingering gaze says about their now-and-later organizational intentions.

New for Y! Sports

sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...

Gap year? Behind the Celtics' surge in the East with Jaylen Brown playing quarterback Boston's rise in the standings is forcing a recalibration of the Eastern Conference hierarchy.

On Jaylen Brown, the new quarterback of the No. 1 offense in the NBA doing the little things for the Celtics making a world of a difference.

New words for @yahoosports.bsky.social

sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...

Gap year? Behind the Celtics' surge in the East with Jaylen Brown playing quarterback Boston's rise in the standings is forcing a recalibration of the Eastern Conference hierarchy.

On Jaylen Brown, the new quarterback of the No. 1 offense in the NBA doing the little things for the Celtics making a world of a difference.

New words for @yahoosports.bsky.social

sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...

'He's the ultimate vet:' How Kevin Durant is embracing his role as a leader of the Rockets Durant is making an immediate impact in his new home with Houston off to a red-hot start.

“I always wanted to be a guy that does sh— instead of says sh—”

For @yahoosports.bsky.social, a sitdown with Kevin Durant on evolution, setting an example, finding his voice and the hybrid balancing act that leadership entails for the surging Rockets.

sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...

The IkoSystem: Jonathan Kuminga's two-way maturation, John Collins cutting and baby steps in Houston Our first regular season installment of The IkoSystem takes things out West, looking at the Warriors, Clippers and Rockets.

The first week of NBA action is officially in the books ‼️

The IkoSystem, live on @yahoosports.bsky.social

• Jonathan Kuminga’s two-way maturation

• Alperen Şengün and inverted PnRS

• John Collins’ cutting consolidation

sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...

Why are some NBA teams content with being monsters of the middle? Kelly Iko and Morten Stig Jensen discuss how teams like the Bulls and Kings seem all too happy to remain in a recurring nightmare of mediocrity.

Something new!

The great @kellyiko.bsky.social and I will be chopping it up on Yahoo Sports this season, as we go back and forth on multiple topics throughout the year.

First up, Kelly and I discuss the willing mid-tier teams.

sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...

Orlando Magic 2025-26 season preview: A new powerhouse in the East? Why a surprise Finals run isn't far-fetched Breaking down the biggest question, best- and worst-case scenarios, and win projection for the Magic in 2025-26.

Next up:

I wrote about the Magic, who paid a heavy price in pursuit of a championship-caliber offense: yhoo.it/4hcoFxz

And @kellyiko.bsky.social (!) popped in to write about the Rockets, and whether they really were just a Kevin Durant away from a title: yhoo.it/3W4uAev

NBA preseason: Devin Booker’s distribution, Lakers’ rim protection hopes and Houston's spacing solution A look at Phoenix’s playmaking plan, buying stock in Ayton-Hayes Island and a spacing fix in Houston’s land of bigs.

Excited to announce The IkoSystem is back on @yahoosports.bsky.social !

Our first preseason edition takes a look at Alperen Şengün's spacing solvent in Houston', the Devin Booker/Jordan Ott distribution relationship and hope for the Lakers' rim protection.

sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/...

KD to the Rockets is a perfect fit, says @kellyiko.bsky.social in our latest Athletic Spotlight video.

Watch the full video here. www.nytimes.com/athletic/646...

The Rockets intend to sign F Jabari Smith Jr. to a five-year, $122 million extension that contains no team or player options, sources tell @kellyiko.bsky.social.

SOURCES: The Rockets maintained a firm stance in their refusal to include these young players in the Kevin Durant trade:

◽️ Reed Sheppard
◽️ Jabari Smith Jr.
◽️ Tari Eason

H/T @samamick.bsky.social, @kellyiko.bsky.social

Kevin Durant trade latest: Why Timberwolves should be considered dark-horse fit Minnesota does not want to make a seismic change if Durant isn't on board. The question is whether there’s any chance he comes around to it.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/643... Kevin Durant trade latest: Why Timberwolves can’t be completely ruled out just yet. Reporting with @samamick.bsky.social and @kellyiko.bsky.social

Isaiah Hartenstein provides the key to unlock the Thunder offense in Game 5 win Hartenstein's impact went beyond the box score, as his screening and decision-making played a huge role in giving OKC a 3-2 series lead.

Good read from @kellyiko.bsky.social on how, even in curtailed minutes and with a shifting role, Isaiah Hartenstein has made a major impact for the Thunder in these Finals: www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...

Kevin Durant potential trade destinations, and the obstacles that exist Durant is widely expected to be traded from the Suns soon. But for as great as he is, it’s easy to see why a deal is tough to get done here.

In contrast to the trade deadline, Durant's preference won’t likely be a deciding factor in a trade.

This makes a deal with the Rockets and Spurs unlikely for now.

Full intel from @samamick.bsky.social, @jonkrawczynski.bsky.social and @kellyiko.bsky.social ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/642...

SOURCES: The Suns have been aggressive in recent efforts to trade Kevin Durant, per @kellyiko.bsky.social.

Phoenix has reached out to the Houston Rockets to discuss a deal, with the Suns looking to regain full control of their draft capital.

The true measure of the Nuggets’ greatness is amplified when Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray are working in tandem.

But Sunday in Denver, Lu Dort won the Murray matchup — pivotal to Oklahoma City taking Game 4.

More, from @kellyiko.bsky.social ⤵️

www.nytimes.com/athletic/634...

Rockets, Ime Udoka put playoff disappointment aside to focus on critical offseason "Everyone’s goal is to be better and come back better," Rockets coach Ime Udoka said of the offseason.

Diving into the Rockets offseason, with intel on all of the star player scenarios that might be in play if they take a swing, at @theathletic.bsky.social (yes, including that Giannis guy)

W/ @kellyiko.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/634...

Rockets feed off Dillon Brooks' composure, force Game 6 in emphatic fashion

Great stuff here from our @kellyiko.bsky.social on Dillon Brooks and the Rockets

www.nytimes.com/athletic/632...

Steve Kerr pulled the plug with 18 minutes still left in Game 5.

The Rockets' defense was stifling Golden State's stars. Meanwhile the Warriors didn't bring the proper level of defensive focus.

@kellyiko.bsky.social and @anthonyvslater.bsky.social have more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/632...

Amen Thompson can be counterpunch Rockets need vs. Warriors in Game 2 Putting the ball in Thompson's hands and encouraging him to attack the core of the Warriors' defense is intriguing.

In Game 1, Amen Thompson’s usage (16.8) was less than it had been all season long.

Putting the ball back in his hands, playing off his drives and finding easier shots for his teammates is a smart counterpunch for Game 2.

New for @theathletic.bsky.social

shorturl.at/MtTAA

Analyzing Rockets' cap situation, re-signing Fred VanVleet and leverage over Suns

For @theathletic.bsky.social w/ @dannyleroux.bsky.social — Examining Houston’s cap structure in the short and longterm: Fred VanVleet’s future, looming extensions, Suns leverage and much more.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/620...

Rockets takeaways vs. Thunder: Jabari Smith Jr.'s rhythm, Cam Whitmore's case for minutes

When the Rockets announced that 4 of their starters would be out vs. OKC, the intrigue of the matchup dissipated — or so I thought.

On Jabari Smith Jr.’s 2-way glue, Jalen Green’s playmaking, the case for Cam and a Reed sighting.

For @theathletic.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/617...

The Cade Cunningham-Jalen Green rivalry is a beef that goes back years, long before both parties declined a pregame handshake on Monday afternoon.

On celebrating competition and everything it entails

For @theathletic.bsky.social —

Jimmy Butler? De’Aaron Fox? Who Rockets could be targeting at NBA trade deadline

New for @theathletic.bsky.social - teamed up with our @kellyiko.bsky.social to talk about Houston's trade options heading into the deadline.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/606...

Spurs’ defensive shell game can’t stop Giannis, but it’s a good growth opportunity “I think this was just a deviation from what we’ve been doing," says Harrison Barnes of the Spurs' lapses against the Bucks.

Karma from the basketball gods, the Spurs’ three-point Achilles’ heel and how the Bucks — and Brook Lopez — repeatedly broke San Antonio’s typically solid “defensive shell” in front of a national audience.

New for @theathletic.bsky.social

shorturl.at/xZvv3

Taking stock of Spurs’ Stephon Castle, Rockets’ Reed Sheppard and other NBA rookies Kelly Iko and Sam Vecenie discuss how the rookies on the Spurs, Rockets and Grizzlies have performed so far this season.

As the calendar flips to 2025, what does the new year look like for some members of the 2024 rookie class?

A look at Reed Sheppard, Stephon Castle, Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells — with draft guru @samvecenie.bsky.social

New for @theathletic.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/602...