NBA · Big Mike's Desk
NBA news & betting intel.
Rotations, injury reports, and where the value hides on the hardwood, tracked by Big Mike's Desk.
From the desk
NBAWhat I'm Eyeing
NBA Betting News Today: What I'm Eyeing Before Anything Clears
The only thing that crossed my desk is ESPN's 2026-27 top-100 and how much of it is Thunder. Four things I'm tracking, one soft lean, and zero numbers good enough to act on.
NBA
ESPN FPI College Football Rankings Land After a Week 4 That Broke the Board
NBA
College Football Rankings Week 5: The Top 25 Gets Torn Down to Studs
NBA
Hornets Land Rob Dillingham, Bulls Get Buddy Hield: Charlotte Hornets News Betting Impact
The wire
Injuries only →- NBAESPN 2026-27 top-100 NBA players rankings: Who made it from OKC Thunder?ESPN 2026-27 top-100 NBA players rankings: Who made it from Oklahoma City Thunder?
- NBABulls trade Rob Dillingham to Hornets for Buddy Hield, cashThe Bulls have traded Rob Dillingham to the Hornets for Buddy Hield and cash.
- NBASnubbed? The Hawks players who missed ESPN’s Top 100 listSome made the list, some didn’t.
- NBAHost Jalen Brunson gets assist from Knicks on 'SNL' premiereJalen Brunson had four of his Knicks teammates -- Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart -- in the audience for his monologue Saturday night, in his role as host of "SNL."
- NBAHost Jalen Brunson gets assist from Knicks on 'SNL' premiereJalen Brunson had four of his Knicks teammates -- Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart -- in the audience for his monologue Saturday night, in his role as host of "SNL."
- NBAHost Jalen Brunson gets assist from Knicks on 'SNL' premiereJalen Brunson had four of his Knicks teammates -- Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart -- in the audience for his monologue Saturday night, in his role as host of "SNL."
- NBAHost Jalen Brunson gets assist from Knicks on 'SNL' premiereJalen Brunson had four of his Knicks teammates -- Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart -- in the audience for his monologue Saturday night, in his role as host of "SNL."
- NBAJalen Brunson Gets Disrespected as ESPN Analyst Calls Him 25th Best Player in NBANew York Knicks star and reigning Finals MVP Jalen Brunson gets disrespected as ESPN analyst calls him the 25th best player in NBA
- NBAESPN's Top 100 NBA Players List Has Two Glaring Omissions From The Atlanta HawksRanking the top 100 players in the NBA is, admittedly, not an easy feat. The talent level in the league has never been higher and the apron era has further puni
- NBABulls trade Rob Dillingham to Hornets for Buddy Hield, cashThe Bulls have traded Rob Dillingham to the Hornets for Buddy Hield and cash.
- NBASources: Bulls to trade Dillingham to Hornets for Buddy HieldThe Chicago Bulls are trading Rob Dillingham to the Charlotte Hornets for Buddy Hield and cash, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania on Saturday.
- NBALeBron James lands in an unexpected position on ESPN’s 2026 NBA player rankingsLeBron James drops to No. 18 in ESPN’s 2026 NBA rankings as age, durability, and his new Philadelphia role reshape his outlook.
- NBA2026 NBA free agency: Grades for offseason signings, extensionsWe're grading the biggest free agent signings and extensions, including Steph's new two-year deal.
- NBA2026 NBA free agency: Grades for offseason signings, extensionsWe're grading the biggest free agent signings and extensions, including Steph's new two-year deal.
- NBA2026 NBA buzz: Latest free agency and trade updatesWe're tracking deals, trades and buzz across the NBA, including Steph Curry's new extension with the Warriors.
- NBACurry's Extension: Smart Money or Risky Bet?The Curry Contract: A High-Stakes Gamble The Deal Stephen Curry just locked in a $215M extension—keeping him in Golden State through 2028. At 38 years old, he’ll be collecting $53M+ in his final season. The Warriors are betting big on legacy over logic. The Numbers $215M/3 years (2026-2028) $53.8M in 2028-29 (age 40 season) $62.6M luxury tax hit next year alone (per @BobbyMarks42) Big Mike’s Take "Look, I love Chef Curry—dude’s a walking highlight reel. But this ain’t about basketball anymore. It’s about brand value. The Warriors are selling nostalgia, not championships. The real question: Can he stay healthy? If he drops 20+ at 39, it’s a steal. If he’s riding the pine? That tax bill’s gonna haunt them. The Sharp Angle Upside: Curry’s off-court empire (Under Armour, investments) makes him a net positive even if he’s limited. Downside: Golden State’s already paying $500M+ in tax over the next 3 years. Another injury-prone season? That’s a $100M mistake. Verdict: 6/10—Too rich
- NBAESPN Offers Notable Kyrie Irving Ranking After Year-Long Absence
- NBAESPN Offers Notable Kyrie Irving Ranking After Year-Long AbsenceDallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving returned to ESPN's NBA Rank at No. 39 after missing all of last season while recovering from a torn ACL.
- NBAESPN's NBA Rank proves there's nothing SGA can do to get the respect he deservesOklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to be disrespected and downplayed as the odd man out in best in the world discussions.
- NBAESPN Analyst Makes Shocking Jalen Brunson Claim: Around 25th-Best Player In NBA In 2026-27Jalen Brunson clearly isn't an analytics darling.
- NBAThere are 8 players better than Jayson Tatum? No chance.Tatum is arguably the most versatile player in the NBA after Victor Wembanaya. He deserves to be higher.
- NBASources: Warriors, Curry reach 2-year extension worth $116 millionWarriors star Stephen Curry agreed to a two-year, $116 million contract extension, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania on Friday, ultimately opting for a pay cut and security over a max contract.
- NBASVP reflects on Steph Curry's longevity with the Warriors after contract extension
- NBANBA Swing: Surprises from ESPN’s Top 100 Players List
- NBASteph Curry's Warriors contract extension falls short of potential supermax dealThe Warriors and Steph Curry have finally agreed to a contract extension. According to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, Curry has agreed to a two-year, $116 million extension that includes a player...
- NBASources: Warriors, Curry reach 2-year extension worth $116 millionWarriors star Stephen Curry has agreed on a two-year, $116 million contract extension with the franchise, with a player option in 2028-29, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
- NBASources: Warriors, Curry reach 2-year extension worth $116 millionWarriors star Stephen Curry agreed to a two-year, $116 million contract extension, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania on Friday, ultimately opting for a pay cut and security over a max contract.
- NBAAltman: Cavs built for 'sustainable run' despite missing on LeBronCavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman said he wasn't fazed when LeBron James chose to sign with the Sixers, saying, "We're built for a sustainable run here regardless of one outcome."
- NBAESPN ranks Victor Wembanyama as the second-best player in the NBAWembanyama has become a consensus top-three player in the league and will only get better.
- NBAESPN ranks Victor Wembanyama as the second-best player in the NBAWembanyama has become a consensus top-three player in the league and will only get better.
- NBAAltman: Cavs built for 'sustainable run' despite missing on LeBronCavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman said he wasn't fazed when LeBron James chose to sign with the Sixers, saying, "We're built for a sustainable run here regardless of one outcome."
- NBAWarriors' Podziemski Could Crack ESPN's NBA Top 100 Next SeasonAccording to ESPN's Zach Kram, Brandin Podziemski could crack ESPN's top-100 players next season, if he can make some improvements to his game.
- NBAWarriors' Podziemski Could Crack ESPN's NBA Top 100 Next SeasonAccording to ESPN's Zach Kram, Brandin Podziemski could crack ESPN's top-100 players next season, if he can make some improvements to his game.
- NBAHornets star Kon Knueppel sidelined with hamstring injuryThe Charlotte Hornets will be without Kon Knueppel for at least the entire preseason due to a left hamstring injury, the team announced Friday.
- NBAHornets star Kon Knueppel sidelined with hamstring injuryThe Charlotte Hornets will be without Kon Knueppel for at least the entire preseason due to a left hamstring injury, the team announced Friday.
- NBA‘Rage Bait,’ ‘Anything for Clicks’ – Outrage Erupts As ESPN Metrics Place Jalen Brunson ‘Around No. 25 Range’ in NBA RankingsThe New York Knicks finally ended a 53-year championship drought last season, and Jalen Brunson was at the heart of the historic run. The Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in the 2026 NBA Finals, with Brunson earning Finals MVP after repeatedly delivering in the biggest moments.
- NBA‘Rage Bait,’ ‘Anything for Clicks’ – Outrage Erupts As ESPN Metrics Place Jalen Brunson ‘Around No. 25 Range’ in NBA RankingsThe New York Knicks finally ended a 53-year championship drought last season, and Jalen Brunson was at the heart of the historic run. The Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in the 2026 NBA Finals, with Brunson earning Finals MVP after repeatedly delivering in the biggest moments.
- NBAGrizzlies waive veteran point guard D'Angelo RussellThe Memphis Grizzlies waived veteran D'Angelo Russell and signed undrafted guard Brendan Hausen.
- NBABucks Have Just One Top-100 NBA Player Following Giannis Trade
- NBAGrizzlies waive veteran point guard D'Angelo RussellThe Memphis Grizzlies waived veteran D'Angelo Russell and signed undrafted guard Brendan Hausen.
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