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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.

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Defector

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

Profile Pic

Chris Thompson

Jaren Jackson Jr. And The Memphis Grizzlies Are Leveling Up

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Patrick Redford

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 01: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs and De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings go for a rebound in the first half at Golden 1 Center on December 01, 2024 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

San Antonio Spurs v Sacramento Kings

The De’Aaron Fox Trade Is A Bet On Victor Wembanyama

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Israel Daramola

Minnesota Timberwolves v Dallas Mavericks

No But Seriously, Why Did The Mavericks Trade Luka?

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Ray Ratto

of the Chicago Bulls looks on against the Golden State Warriors.

Chicago Bulls v Golden State Warriors

These Times Call For More Trade Chaos

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 31: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons looks to drive around Olivier-Maxence Prosper #8 of the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at Little Caesars Arena on January 31, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 117-102. 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. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Dallas Mavericks v Detroit Pistons

Cade Cunningham Will Beat You Up

Dave McKenna

A photo of Dallas Mavericks player Luka Doncic shurgging on court during a game

Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Clippers – Game Two

Mavericks Send Luka Doncic To The Lakers In Trade Best Described With Unhinged Obscenities

Terry Rozier dribbles a ball as a Charlotte Hornet.

terry-rozier-charlotte-hornets

Terry Rozier Is The Latest Player Implicated In Illegal Sports Betting Scheme

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Giri Nathan

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JANUARY 25: Isaiah Stewart #28 of the Detroit Pistons has words with Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic during the third quarter at Kia Center on January 25, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Rich Storry/Getty Images)

Detroit Pistons v Orlando Magic

Isaiah Stewart Beefs Incessantly

The Poor, Mostly Dead 76ers Are Once Again Groaning Back To Life

Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard look discouraged.

Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard

The Celtics Can Afford To Wait For Math To Come Back Around

A distraught-looking Kyle Kuzma ards looks on against the Sacramento Kings in the third quarter at Golden 1 Center on January 19, 2025 in Sacramento.

Washington Wizards v Sacramento Kings

The Washington Wizards Are Going All The Way Down

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Tom Ley

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 01: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on prior to a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Kaseya Center on January 01, 2025 in Miami, Florida. 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.

New Orleans Pelicans v Miami Heat

Jimmy Butler Suspended Again, If You Even Care

DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 21: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets throws a no-look alley-oop pass to Aaron Gordon #32 against the Philadelphia 76ers during the third quarter at Ball Arena on January 21, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. 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.

Philadelphia 76ers v Denver Nuggets

How The Hell Is Nikola Jokic Doing This?

Golden State Warriors v Detroit Pistons

Draymond Green Is Still Only Sorta Sorry About Punching Jordan Poole

Collin Sexton

The Utah Jazz Are Boldly Making Their Move Down The Standings

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - JANUARY 16: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers attempts to drive past Cason Wallace #22 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Paycom Center on January 16, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)

Cleveland Cavaliers v Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder Articulate A Philosophy Of Pressure

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket around Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.

Oklahoma City Thunder v Cleveland Cavaliers

What Could Possibly Be The Problem With More Cavaliers-Thunder?

SAN ANTONIO, TX - JANUARY 15: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies tries to dunk over Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs in the second half at Frost Bank Center on January 15, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)

Memphis Grizzlies v San Antonio Spurs

Ja Morant Summited Mount Wembanyama

Day'Ron Sharpe #20 of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket against Bones Hyland #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the fourth quarter at Intuit Dome on January 15, 2025.

Brooklyn Nets v Los Angeles Clippers

It Doesn’t Get Any Less Essential Than Nets-Clippers

Giannis Antetokounmpo waits for a free throw.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Jan. 2025

How Serious Are The Milwaukee Bucks?

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 13: Amen Thompson #1 of the Houston Rockets shoots the ball against Zach Edey #14 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at Toyota Center on January 13, 2025 in Houston, Texas. 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 Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

Memphis Grizzlies v Houston Rockets

The Basketball Is Really Good Right Now

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Kathryn Xu

The Philadelphia 76ers' home arena in South Philly.

Sixers arena

76ers Not Moving Across Town After All

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 10: Head coach Doug Christie of the Sacramento Kings reacts during the first half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on January 10, 2025 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 Billie Weiss/Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings v Boston Celtics

Doug Christie Gives The Surprising Kings The Freedom To Be Good

Isaiah Collier huddles with fellow Jazz players.

Isaiah Collier

Isaiah Collier Screws Up, Enrages Teammate, Forces Utah Jazz To Win A Basketball Game

DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 02: Russell Westbrook #4 of the Denver Nuggets passes the ball to Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the first half at Ball Arena on November 2, 2024, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. 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.

Utah Jazz v Denver Nuggets

Russell Westbrook Is Enjoying The Nikola Jokic School For Wayward Careers

NBA