lede_post_card_default

lede_post_card_stacked

lede_post_card_featured_post

lede_post_card_featured_post_3:2

lede_post_card_featured_post_1:1

lede_post_card_featured_posts_hero

lede_post_card_featured_posts_hero_3:2

lede_post_card_featured_posts_hero_1:1

lede_post_card_featured_posts_sidebar

lede_post_card_highlighted_post

lede_post_card_horizontal_a

lede_post_card_horizontal_c

lede_post_card_related_post

lede_post_card_square

lede_article_featured_16x9

lede_article_featured_16x9_full_width

lede_article_featured_3x2

lede_article_featured_3x2_full_width

lede_article_featured_1x1

lede_article_featured_1x1_full_width

lede_article_featured_flexible

lede_article_featured_flexible_full_width

lede_article_content

lede_article_content_wide_width

lede_article_content_full_width

lede_byline_avatar_post_card

lede_byline_avatar_highlight

lede_profile_coral_avatar

lede_logo

lede_logo_banner

lede_logo_footer_banner

lede_logo_simple_header

lede_sponsorship_logo

lede_sponsorship_logo_river_card

lede_sponsorship_homepage_card_logo

lede_sponsorship_homepage_card

lede_leaderboard

Footer Legal

Header - Categories

Header Menu

The last good website.

Topics

This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Giri Nathan

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts against the Chicago Bulls

Giannis Antetokounmpo Has Become Exhausting

Ray Ratto

Taylor Hendricks of the Utah Jazz talks with team owner Ryan Smith during warmups before their game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Delta Center on January 8, 2026. Smith has a backwards baseball cap on, as always.

The Utah Jazz Got Fined For Losing Too Oafishly

NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks during the pre-game press conference in Berlin.

The NBA Could Really Use A Break

Patrick Redford

CHONGQING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 8: In this photo illustration, a person holds a smartphone displaying the Kalshi app page on the Apple App Store, with the Kalshi branding visible in the background, on February 8, 2026, in Chongqing, China. Kalshi, a U.S.-regulated prediction market platform that allows users to trade on the outcomes of real-world events, has surged in popularity and recently climbed to second place on the Apple App Store’s U.S. free apps ranking, highlighting growing public interest in event-based financial markets and outcome forecasting. (Photo illustration by Cheng Xin/Getty Images)

Podcasts

On The Breathtakingly Cynical Giannis Antetokounmpo Kalshi Investment

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Miles Bridges, Moussa Diabate, and Jalen Duren brawl

Pistons Pissed, Hornets Stung, Beef Stew Beefs, Too

Giannis Antetokounmpo Jumps In Bed With Sleazy Prediction Market

Head coach Doug Christie of the Sacramento Kings looks on against the Washington Wizards in the first quarter at Golden 1 Center on January 16, 2026 in Sacramento, California.

The Sacramento Kings Are Dedicated To Dignified Losing

Jose Alvarado #15 of the New Orleans Pelicans stands on the court during a NBA game

Now That Jose Alvarado’s On The Knicks, Let’s Remember Him As A Queens High School Star

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 19: James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers looks on against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on January 19, 2026 in Washington, DC. 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)

James Harden’s Latest Trade Demand Isn’t About Basketball

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 28: Raymond Felton #20 and Gerald Wallace #3 of the Charlotte Bobcats react during a game with the Boston Celtics at the TD Banknorth Garden on October 28, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Into The Research Triangle Of Sadness, With Jacob Rosenberg

Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after the game against the Sacramento Kings at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 29, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Kings 113-111.

Sixers Enact Intentional, Then Unintentional Tribute To The Late Great Dan McQuade

In This House We Believe In Highlights, With Samer Kalaf

Tom Ley

Women's Basketball

“Disgusted” Breanna Stewart Holds Up “Abolish ICE” Sign Before Unrivaled Game

Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts during the first half of their game against the Brooklyn Nets at Intuit Dome on January 25, 2026 in Inglewood, California.

Clippers Win, Sentencing Blogger To Eat Words

Giannis Antetokounmpo looks bummed on the sideline.

Make Hay While The Sun Is Shining, By Losing In Earnest While Giannis Is Injured

Golden State Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga L competes during the 2025-2026 NBA regular season basketball game between Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors on January 20, 2026.

The Jonathan Kuminga Saga Swings Towards Tragicomedy

Michael Jordan #23 of the Washington Wizards on the court during the final NBA game of his career, played against the Philadelphia 76ers at First Union Center on March 30, 2003 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Sixers won 107-87. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Good Team Always Wins, With Jeremy Gordon

Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green blocks a shot by New York Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns in 4th quarter of 126-113 win

The Knicks Are Exuding Toilet Aromas

Jimmy Butler’s Injury Thrusts Steve Kerr And Jonathan Kuminga Once More Into The Hell Of Working Together

Jonathan Kuminga, at left, of the Golden State Warriors sit with fans before their game against the New York Knicks at Chase Center on January 15, 2026 in San Francisco, California.

Jonathan Kuminga Is In Basketball Purgatory

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: Rich Paul talks with LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on January 04, 2026 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)

Media Meltdowns

LeBron’s Agent Openly Suggests A Trade For The Lakers On His Podcast

Giannis Antetokounmpo Is Curdling

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 12: &lt;&gt;at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on January 12, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Joe Mazzulla Reacts To Celtics Loss By Only Repeating Two Words: “Illegal Screen”

Coach John McLendon showing and discussing play strategy to the players on the chalkboard doing basketball practice in the gym. (Photo by North Carolina Central University via Getty Images)

Convening The TrueHoop Ideas Summit, With Henry Abbott

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings is fouled while going up for a shot against Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets in the second half at Golden 1 Center on January 11, 2026 in Sacramento, 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

NBA