February 12, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The NBA has been chaotic recently, with injuries, trades, and unexpected roster moves creating a tense atmosphere. As the playoff race intensifies, teams are looking for any advantage. Let’s dive into three of the league’s biggest headlines.

Lakers-Knicks Trade That Almost Happened

The Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks entered the trade deadline with contrasting goals: New York wanted to strengthen its bench, while the Lakers sought a dependable big man to fortify their frontcourt. Surprisingly, they almost completed a trade that could have addressed each team’s needs.

ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that the Lakers had considered acquiring Knicks center Jericho Sims before he was ultimately traded to Milwaukee. With Mitchell Robinson sidelined, the Knicks were actively shopping Sims, leaving many to wonder what the Lakers would have offered in return.

For the Lakers, this deal made sense. Their center position has been a major weakness, with Jaxson Hayes and Alex Len not performing well. While Sims is not a game-changer, he would have provided athleticism and rim protection.

Since joining Milwaukee, Sims has yet to make an impact, playing no minutes under Doc Rivers. Meanwhile, the Knicks are awaiting Robinson’s return (expected by March 1st) as the Lakers continue to rely on Len. Will this missed opportunity hurt L.A. in the long run? Only time will tell.

Kings Sign Former No. 1 Pick Markelle Fultz

The Sacramento Kings made a low-risk, high-reward move by signing former No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz, according to Shams Charania.

Fultz, 26, remained a free agent all season due to injury concerns, with his last stint at the Orlando Magic, where he averaged 7.8 points, 2.8 assists, and 1.0 steals in 21.2 minutes per game.

This signing makes sense for Sacramento. After trading De’Aaron Fox, the Kings have relied on Malik Monk as their primary ball handler, a role he’s not used to. While the team is on a three-game win streak, Fultz provides added depth and size as they prepare for a playoff push. Despite his injury history, if Fultz stays healthy, he could be a valuable asset for a Kings team aiming to secure a postseason spot.

Paul George’s Excuse for Struggles Isn’t Convincing

The Philadelphia 76ers’ season has taken a drastic turn. With Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, and Joel Embiid all dealing with injuries, the Sixers are now 11th in the Eastern Conference—an unexpected fall for a team with championship hopes. While Maxey has been impressive when healthy, Embiid’s persistent injury issues and George’s poor play have left fans stunned.

George hit a new low in the Sixers’ loss to the Brooklyn Nets, scoring just two points on 1-of-7 shooting in 37 minutes. When asked about playing without Embiid, his answer didn’t provide much comfort: “It’s still a work in progress. Still learning, figuring him out, figuring out spacing. I’m optimistic we’ll get it.”

However, the numbers paint a different picture. In his last five games, George is averaging only 10.2 points on 39.6% shooting—unsatisfactory for a player on a four-year, $212 million contract.

To make matters worse, George is now attributing his struggles to an extensor tendon injury in his left pinky finger, claiming it’s affecting both his shooting and ball-handling. If that’s true, the Sixers might be better off shutting down both George and Embiid because right now, this “process” seems more broken than ever.