Kevin Pelton
@kpelton.bsky.social
NBA and WNBA writer for ESPN. Co-host of the Fabulous @peltoncast.bsky.social. Pocket square enthusiast. Using numbers to learn about the game.
As the NBA nears midseason, I checked in on the state of awards races, which have been thrown into flux by a variety of injuries threatening to disqualify favorites based on the NBA's misguided 65-game minimum: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
MVP, ROY, All-NBA teams and more: Predictions for all the league's highest honors
ESPN analyst Kevin Pelton projects the favorites to win each award and make the All-NBA teams, as well as other contenders and long shots.
www.espn.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:45 PM
As the NBA nears midseason, I checked in on the state of awards races, which have been thrown into flux by a variety of injuries threatening to disqualify favorites based on the NBA's misguided 65-game minimum: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
The Clippers threw everyone off the scent by immediately losing their next five games, but now since this post their opponents have shot 33% on 3s, second-lowest in the NBA. Someday people are going to believe me that defenses don't really have much control over opponent shot making.
The thing about the Clippers is they're the most obvious regression candidate in the league right now (especially before last night). Opponents have gone from 35% on 3s last year to 39% this season and basically every Clippers newcomer (including Chris Paul) is way below projected.
January 2, 2026 at 6:10 PM
The Clippers threw everyone off the scent by immediately losing their next five games, but now since this post their opponents have shot 33% on 3s, second-lowest in the NBA. Someday people are going to believe me that defenses don't really have much control over opponent shot making.
I would buy this CFP "layoff" argument a lot more if it involved more than one favored team losing a game.
January 1, 2026 at 7:47 PM
I would buy this CFP "layoff" argument a lot more if it involved more than one favored team losing a game.
Reposted by Kevin Pelton
The WNBA projects a recent proposal from the WNBPA, which would give players ~30% of gross revenue & is believed to feature a ~$10.5 million salary cap, would result in $700 million in losses over the course of the deal.
The union believes that projection is "absolutely false."
The union believes that projection is "absolutely false."
As negotiations over a new CBA near the Jan. 9 deadline, the WNBA and WNBPA remain far apart on several key issues: what a revenue sharing system should look like, what should be considered revenue & how to account for expenses.
More:
www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...
More:
www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...
Sources: WNBA, union far apart ahead of deadline
While sources said the WNBA is projecting that a recent proposal from the WNPBA would result in $700 million in losses over the course of the agreement, the union called that "absolutely false," citin...
www.espn.com
January 1, 2026 at 12:26 AM
The WNBA projects a recent proposal from the WNBPA, which would give players ~30% of gross revenue & is believed to feature a ~$10.5 million salary cap, would result in $700 million in losses over the course of the deal.
The union believes that projection is "absolutely false."
The union believes that projection is "absolutely false."
Reposted by Kevin Pelton
As another year ends, I'm not just reviewing the last year for ESPN—I'm reviewing the last 7 decades of NBA history, with a big project that answers the question: What moment defines every NBA season since 1954?
(h/t @sammillerbb.bsky.social for the original idea)
(h/t @sammillerbb.bsky.social for the original idea)
What NBA moment will define 2025? Looking back at the most memorable events since 1954
On the heels of the new year, ESPN analyst Zach Kram picks a moment from each basketball season that NBA fans will most likely learn about and remember for years to come.
www.espn.com
December 31, 2025 at 3:56 PM
As another year ends, I'm not just reviewing the last year for ESPN—I'm reviewing the last 7 decades of NBA history, with a big project that answers the question: What moment defines every NBA season since 1954?
(h/t @sammillerbb.bsky.social for the original idea)
(h/t @sammillerbb.bsky.social for the original idea)
Reposted by Kevin Pelton
Enjoying the athleticism of this guy wearing No. 12 for the Grizzlies. Reminds me of someone who used to be a star for Memphis a few years ago.
December 13, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Enjoying the athleticism of this guy wearing No. 12 for the Grizzlies. Reminds me of someone who used to be a star for Memphis a few years ago.
Against the backdrop of Nikola Jokic's untimely injury, I took a look back at the year in NBA basketball that was 2025 by handing out my annual Golden Basketball award for performance across all competitions in the calendar year: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
Which NBA star had the best year? The 2025 Golden Basketball goes to ...
ESPN analyst Kevin Pelton breaks down which NBA stars had the best year from January to December and crowns a winner.
www.espn.com
December 30, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Against the backdrop of Nikola Jokic's untimely injury, I took a look back at the year in NBA basketball that was 2025 by handing out my annual Golden Basketball award for performance across all competitions in the calendar year: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
Kawhi Leonard is playing so well tonight, Aspiration is going to be revived just to pay him some more money.
December 29, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Kawhi Leonard is playing so well tonight, Aspiration is going to be revived just to pay him some more money.
Caleb Love might lead the NBA in the difference between how good he looks in his best games and his worst games.
December 29, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Caleb Love might lead the NBA in the difference between how good he looks in his best games and his worst games.
It's remarkable how often losing streaks coincide with below-average 3-point shooting. (This is a Cleveland Cavaliers post.)
December 24, 2025 at 2:43 AM
It's remarkable how often losing streaks coincide with below-average 3-point shooting. (This is a Cleveland Cavaliers post.)
Reposted by Kevin Pelton
Why did the WNBA players authorize a strike vote? How and under what circumstances would the WNBPA executive committee vote on one? What do onlookers think about a strike?
More on the fallout from last week's strike authorization vote:
www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...
More on the fallout from last week's strike authorization vote:
www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...
WNBA CBA negotiations: Why and when the WNBPA executive committee might vote to strike
How and when would the WNBPA executive committee vote to strike? What would that entail? What benefits would be lost?
www.espn.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Why did the WNBA players authorize a strike vote? How and under what circumstances would the WNBPA executive committee vote on one? What do onlookers think about a strike?
More on the fallout from last week's strike authorization vote:
www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...
More on the fallout from last week's strike authorization vote:
www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...
My office for the evening:
bsky.app/profile/kpel...
bsky.app/profile/kpel...
December 21, 2025 at 2:04 AM
My office for the evening:
bsky.app/profile/kpel...
bsky.app/profile/kpel...
Joining @dlocke09.bsky.social and special guests including @deanolytics.bsky.social on tonight's JazzCast Nerd Edition against the Magic for Jazz+ subscribers. Our alternate broadcast is also available as a one-off purchase in qualifying markets here: www.segplus.com/utahjazzplus...
segplus.com
www.segplus.com
December 20, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Joining @dlocke09.bsky.social and special guests including @deanolytics.bsky.social on tonight's JazzCast Nerd Edition against the Magic for Jazz+ subscribers. Our alternate broadcast is also available as a one-off purchase in qualifying markets here: www.segplus.com/utahjazzplus...
Reposted by Kevin Pelton
Ogwumike said the league's proposed revenue sharing model is "not adequate, especially with the level of creativity & innovation from our side to try & meet them closer to their side of the table, b/c that hasn't been extended to us."
More on changes she wants to see:
www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...
More on changes she wants to see:
www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...
WNBAers on seeking 'fair' deal: 'Whatever it takes'
WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike told ESPN on Friday that despite the union's strike authorization vote amid their current negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement, the WNBA players still ...
www.espn.com
December 19, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Ogwumike said the league's proposed revenue sharing model is "not adequate, especially with the level of creativity & innovation from our side to try & meet them closer to their side of the table, b/c that hasn't been extended to us."
More on changes she wants to see:
www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...
More on changes she wants to see:
www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...
Wrote today about the "formula" to beat the 25-2 Oklahoma City Thunder, as well as which teams look best equipped to do it: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
Want to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder? This five-step guide tells you how
Using the Spurs' and Trail Blazers' wins over Oklahoma City as a blueprint, let's evaluate the most important factors of a Thunder loss.
www.espn.com
December 19, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Wrote today about the "formula" to beat the 25-2 Oklahoma City Thunder, as well as which teams look best equipped to do it: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
LaMelo Ball won't always shoot as well as he has in the first half tonight, but the way he's leveraged that threat to create easy looks for opponents is why I'm not ready to give up on him being a key piece on a winning team.
December 19, 2025 at 12:53 AM
LaMelo Ball won't always shoot as well as he has in the first half tonight, but the way he's leveraged that threat to create easy looks for opponents is why I'm not ready to give up on him being a key piece on a winning team.
Initial news story on the WNBPA voting to authorize a strike "when necessary": www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...
WNBPA members vote to strike 'when necessary'
The WNBPA announced Thursday that its members have voted overwhelmingly to authorize calling a strike "when necessary" during the ongoing negotiations between the players association and the WNBA on a...
www.espn.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Initial news story on the WNBPA voting to authorize a strike "when necessary": www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...
Took a look at the possibility of the Spurs and Magic using their NBA Cup runs to gain valuable experience in playoff-like situations as the Pacers did in reaching the 2023 final 18 months before playing in the NBA Finals: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
Can the NBA Cup's surprise finalists make a Finals run? Why there's already a road map
ESPN analyst Kevin Pelton breaks down how the finalist Spurs and semifinalist Magic can use their cup experience for the postseason.
www.espn.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Took a look at the possibility of the Spurs and Magic using their NBA Cup runs to gain valuable experience in playoff-like situations as the Pacers did in reaching the 2023 final 18 months before playing in the NBA Finals: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
Jason Kidd calling his last timeout with 53.6 seconds left in a three-point game because he's angry about the Mavericks' transition defense is a choice.
December 16, 2025 at 4:34 AM
Jason Kidd calling his last timeout with 53.6 seconds left in a three-point game because he's angry about the Mavericks' transition defense is a choice.
The Nuggets merely adopted the double-big lineups. Houston was born in them, molded by them.
December 16, 2025 at 3:04 AM
The Nuggets merely adopted the double-big lineups. Houston was born in them, molded by them.
Reposted by Kevin Pelton
I'm looking for a Full Stack or Frontend Software Engineer for close to full-time help with a project for a few months. Requires skills in Vue (Typescript) and Laravel (PHP). Data engineering experience and past work with NBA stats preferred but not required. Please email duncdonprime@gmail.com.
December 14, 2025 at 4:37 PM
I'm looking for a Full Stack or Frontend Software Engineer for close to full-time help with a project for a few months. Requires skills in Vue (Typescript) and Laravel (PHP). Data engineering experience and past work with NBA stats preferred but not required. Please email duncdonprime@gmail.com.
As a reminder, the rule is the *transition* take foul, so an intentional foul like the Magic took to get Jalen Suggs out of the game only qualifies if there's an actual transition opportunity.
December 14, 2025 at 12:49 AM
As a reminder, the rule is the *transition* take foul, so an intentional foul like the Magic took to get Jalen Suggs out of the game only qualifies if there's an actual transition opportunity.
Enjoying the athleticism of this guy wearing No. 12 for the Grizzlies. Reminds me of someone who used to be a star for Memphis a few years ago.
December 13, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Enjoying the athleticism of this guy wearing No. 12 for the Grizzlies. Reminds me of someone who used to be a star for Memphis a few years ago.
Teamed up with @timbontemps.bsky.social, @zachkram.bsky.social, @jeremywoo.bsky.social and Bobby Marks for the latest installment of our NBA top 25 under 25 rankings: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
NBA 25 under 25 rankings: Where Wemby, Ant, Flagg and more young stars check in
Which youngsters are among the next class of superstars? Which are already there? Our NBA experts rank their top 25 under 25.
www.espn.com
December 12, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Teamed up with @timbontemps.bsky.social, @zachkram.bsky.social, @jeremywoo.bsky.social and Bobby Marks for the latest installment of our NBA top 25 under 25 rankings: www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
We don't need more replay, but the Clippers-Rockets game highlighted a blind spot. A review of a Houston shot-clock violation would have likely revealed a proximate foul on the Clippers, but a shot-clock violation can't be challenged and only made shots/called fouls are subject to shot-clock review.
December 12, 2025 at 1:56 AM
We don't need more replay, but the Clippers-Rockets game highlighted a blind spot. A review of a Houston shot-clock violation would have likely revealed a proximate foul on the Clippers, but a shot-clock violation can't be challenged and only made shots/called fouls are subject to shot-clock review.