Zach Kram
@zachkram.bsky.social
NBA at ESPN | formerly at The Ringer
My favorite anti-tanking idea is to set aside $1.23 billion of annual league revenue. Instead of an even 30-way split, teams get that money at a rate of $1 million per win.
Want to tank for better lottery odds? Fine. But you have to convince your owner that's worth ~$15 million.
Want to tank for better lottery odds? Fine. But you have to convince your owner that's worth ~$15 million.
February 11, 2026 at 8:35 PM
My favorite anti-tanking idea is to set aside $1.23 billion of annual league revenue. Instead of an even 30-way split, teams get that money at a rate of $1 million per win.
Want to tank for better lottery odds? Fine. But you have to convince your owner that's worth ~$15 million.
Want to tank for better lottery odds? Fine. But you have to convince your owner that's worth ~$15 million.
Pistons-Hornets just had the biggest NBA fight in a while—especially notable because this is a very plausible first-round playoff series
February 10, 2026 at 1:39 AM
Pistons-Hornets just had the biggest NBA fight in a while—especially notable because this is a very plausible first-round playoff series
The Cavs! The Thunder! Surprise star destinations!
Here are the biggest winners, losers, and trends of the trade deadline:
Here are the biggest winners, losers, and trends of the trade deadline:
NBA trade deadline: The biggest winners and losers of a busy week
After a wild week of superstar movement, Zach Kram unveils his winners and losers of the NBA trade deadline.
www.espn.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:14 PM
The Cavs! The Thunder! Surprise star destinations!
Here are the biggest winners, losers, and trends of the trade deadline:
Here are the biggest winners, losers, and trends of the trade deadline:
Between the Clippers getting worse, the Jazz getting better, and the other top teams in the West not getting much better—plus a shrewd trade of their own—the Thunder are the big winners of the deadline with 40 minutes to go
February 5, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Between the Clippers getting worse, the Jazz getting better, and the other top teams in the West not getting much better—plus a shrewd trade of their own—the Thunder are the big winners of the deadline with 40 minutes to go
Pretty wild that the two biggest buyers of the trade deadline so far are the Jazz and Wizards, with a combined record of 29-71 (and two top-8-protected picks they're both desperate to keep)
February 4, 2026 at 6:46 PM
Pretty wild that the two biggest buyers of the trade deadline so far are the Jazz and Wizards, with a combined record of 29-71 (and two top-8-protected picks they're both desperate to keep)
I read the Washington Post sports section every day growing up. My hands and elbows often turned purple from so much time pressed against the newspaper ink.
To close the sports department is shameful.
To close the sports department is shameful.
February 4, 2026 at 1:49 PM
I read the Washington Post sports section every day growing up. My hands and elbows often turned purple from so much time pressed against the newspaper ink.
To close the sports department is shameful.
To close the sports department is shameful.
Over the last three seasons, 47 players are averaging at least 20 ppg.
Fewest assists among that group:
47. Lauri Markkanen (1.9 per game)
46. Jaren Jackson Jr. (2.1 per game)
Nobody else is below 3 assists per game.
Fewest assists among that group:
47. Lauri Markkanen (1.9 per game)
46. Jaren Jackson Jr. (2.1 per game)
Nobody else is below 3 assists per game.
February 3, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Over the last three seasons, 47 players are averaging at least 20 ppg.
Fewest assists among that group:
47. Lauri Markkanen (1.9 per game)
46. Jaren Jackson Jr. (2.1 per game)
Nobody else is below 3 assists per game.
Fewest assists among that group:
47. Lauri Markkanen (1.9 per game)
46. Jaren Jackson Jr. (2.1 per game)
Nobody else is below 3 assists per game.
This news hit me like a strong zinc pull from a Rioter. I'm bursting with excitement.
Apple has landed the rights to Brandon Sanderson's 'Cosmere' universe
• ‘Mistborn' will be a film franchise
• 'The Stormlight Archive' will be a TV series
• Sanderson will have creative control of the projects
(via THR)
• ‘Mistborn' will be a film franchise
• 'The Stormlight Archive' will be a TV series
• Sanderson will have creative control of the projects
(via THR)
January 28, 2026 at 9:46 PM
This news hit me like a strong zinc pull from a Rioter. I'm bursting with excitement.
The Rockets have a plus-11.8 net rating with Adams on the floor this season—the best mark on the team.
This is a massive loss for a championship contender, and a huge bummer for a fun, unique player.
This is a massive loss for a championship contender, and a huge bummer for a fun, unique player.
Shams: Steven Adams underwent season-ending ankle surgery.
January 28, 2026 at 8:33 PM
The Rockets have a plus-11.8 net rating with Adams on the floor this season—the best mark on the team.
This is a massive loss for a championship contender, and a huge bummer for a fun, unique player.
This is a massive loss for a championship contender, and a huge bummer for a fun, unique player.
New rookie rankings!
- How high did Cooper Flagg rise since his early-season struggles?
- Which new rookies are in the top 10?
- Who are Kon Knueppel's outrageous statistical comps?
- How high did Cooper Flagg rise since his early-season struggles?
- Which new rookies are in the top 10?
- Who are Kon Knueppel's outrageous statistical comps?
NBA rookie rankings: Who takes No. 1 spot at midseason mark?
With the NBA now at the midpoint of its season, ESPN analyst Zach Kram ranks the top 10 rookies based on their performance.
www.espn.com
January 22, 2026 at 5:35 PM
New rookie rankings!
- How high did Cooper Flagg rise since his early-season struggles?
- Which new rookies are in the top 10?
- Who are Kon Knueppel's outrageous statistical comps?
- How high did Cooper Flagg rise since his early-season struggles?
- Which new rookies are in the top 10?
- Who are Kon Knueppel's outrageous statistical comps?
Took a spin with @kpelton.bsky.social through four of the NBA's biggest questions at the midway point of the season, discussing slumps in OKC and NYC, the surging Clippers, and comps for Paolo Banchero
NBA midseason trends: Four storylines to watch amid playoff race
ESPN analysts Zach Kram and Kevin Pelton break down the league's biggest storylines from leading challengers to surprise contenders.
www.espn.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Took a spin with @kpelton.bsky.social through four of the NBA's biggest questions at the midway point of the season, discussing slumps in OKC and NYC, the surging Clippers, and comps for Paolo Banchero
With reporters suggesting that NBA teams are starting to shy away from all-in blockbuster trades, I analyzed the trades with the most draft picks in league history to see if they're worth it, or if in fact they should be avoided
Are blockbuster NBA trades actually worth it? We evaluated 14 big deals since 2013
As teams shy away from dealing first-rounders for stars, which trades have been the biggest successes and utter failures?
www.espn.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:54 PM
With reporters suggesting that NBA teams are starting to shy away from all-in blockbuster trades, I analyzed the trades with the most draft picks in league history to see if they're worth it, or if in fact they should be avoided
Quick story from an unusual scene in Chicago, where Bulls-Heat was postponed due to condensation on the court
Heat-Bulls PPD due to condensation on court
The scheduled game between the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat was postponed due to condensation on the court in Chicago on Thursday night.
www.espn.com
January 9, 2026 at 3:43 AM
Quick story from an unusual scene in Chicago, where Bulls-Heat was postponed due to condensation on the court
In case you missed it last week:
Go for a drive down memory lane, as I wrote about the defining moment of every basketball season since 1954.
Go for a drive down memory lane, as I wrote about the defining moment of every basketball season since 1954.
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
January 5, 2026 at 7:07 PM
In case you missed it last week:
Go for a drive down memory lane, as I wrote about the defining moment of every basketball season since 1954.
Go for a drive down memory lane, as I wrote about the defining moment of every basketball season since 1954.
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)
Jokic has finished 1st or 2nd in MVP voting for the last five years. But if he doesn't return within 31 days, he won't be eligible for MVP voting (or All-NBA or other postseason awards) this year.
Just in: Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic has been diagnosed with a hyperextension in his left knee and will miss at least four weeks. An immense sigh of relief as tests show the three-time NBA MVP's knee ligaments are intact.
December 30, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Jokic has finished 1st or 2nd in MVP voting for the last five years. But if he doesn't return within 31 days, he won't be eligible for MVP voting (or All-NBA or other postseason awards) this year.
I wrote about the hopes and concerns for the 10 teams that played on Christmas, featuring:
- OKC's imbalanced schedule
- the Nuggets without Jokic
- shaky young shooters
- the Lakers in and out of clutch time
And much more!
- OKC's imbalanced schedule
- the Nuggets without Jokic
- shaky young shooters
- the Lakers in and out of clutch time
And much more!
Reasons for optimism and pessimism for all 10 NBA teams that played on Christmas
ESPN analyst Zach Kram picks two stats for the teams that played on Dec. 25, and breaks down why fans should be happy and worried about their title aspirations.
www.espn.com
December 26, 2025 at 4:34 PM
I wrote about the hopes and concerns for the 10 teams that played on Christmas, featuring:
- OKC's imbalanced schedule
- the Nuggets without Jokic
- shaky young shooters
- the Lakers in and out of clutch time
And much more!
- OKC's imbalanced schedule
- the Nuggets without Jokic
- shaky young shooters
- the Lakers in and out of clutch time
And much more!
The Thunder are now 3-3 with a +1.8 point differential against the other teams in the West's top six.
For comparison, they're 23-1 with a +18.2 differential against all other opponents.
For comparison, they're 23-1 with a +18.2 differential against all other opponents.
December 24, 2025 at 3:50 AM
The Thunder are now 3-3 with a +1.8 point differential against the other teams in the West's top six.
For comparison, they're 23-1 with a +18.2 differential against all other opponents.
For comparison, they're 23-1 with a +18.2 differential against all other opponents.
Limiting pick protections to top-4 and 14+ wouldn't stop all tanking, but I've long thought the league should do it to curb the most egregious tanking examples.
Real hoopers remember the Mark Madsen game, among more recent examples.
Real hoopers remember the Mark Madsen game, among more recent examples.
Sources said multiple ideas were proposed Friday as a brainstorming measure, including:
•Limiting pick protections to either top four or 14 and higher
•No longer allowing a team to draft in the top four two years in a row
•Locking lottery positions after March 1
•Limiting pick protections to either top four or 14 and higher
•No longer allowing a team to draft in the top four two years in a row
•Locking lottery positions after March 1
December 23, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Limiting pick protections to top-4 and 14+ wouldn't stop all tanking, but I've long thought the league should do it to curb the most egregious tanking examples.
Real hoopers remember the Mark Madsen game, among more recent examples.
Real hoopers remember the Mark Madsen game, among more recent examples.
LeBron James is playing like he never has before—fewer points, lower usage, less time on the ball. What does this mean for the career scoring leader, and for the Lakers with LeBron, Luka, and Reaves?
LeBron vs. Father Time: How James has changed this season, by the numbers
LeBron James might be mortal. Zach Kram examines how the future Hall of Famer looks different compared to the past two decades.
www.espn.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:00 PM
LeBron James is playing like he never has before—fewer points, lower usage, less time on the ball. What does this mean for the career scoring leader, and for the Lakers with LeBron, Luka, and Reaves?
25 for 25 in '25!
Presenting ESPN's ranking of the NBA's best young players based on long-term potential:
Presenting ESPN's ranking of the NBA's best young players based on long-term potential:
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 5:41 PM
25 for 25 in '25!
Presenting ESPN's ranking of the NBA's best young players based on long-term potential:
Presenting ESPN's ranking of the NBA's best young players based on long-term potential:
Years after the NBA moved away from the post-up, this old-school strategy has quietly become the most efficient play in the league.
I talked to six All-Star scorers about why—and what this surprising trend says about analytics in sports.
I talked to six All-Star scorers about why—and what this surprising trend says about analytics in sports.
'It's an advantage': How post-ups became the NBA's most efficient play
In the tool belt of big men such as Porzingis and Wembanyama, the play has seen a resurgence that reflects how basketball has changed -- and will keep changing.
www.espn.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Years after the NBA moved away from the post-up, this old-school strategy has quietly become the most efficient play in the league.
I talked to six All-Star scorers about why—and what this surprising trend says about analytics in sports.
I talked to six All-Star scorers about why—and what this surprising trend says about analytics in sports.
LeBron James failed to score double-digit points in the regular season for the first time since January 5, 2007, breaking a record 1,297-game streak.
He had a chance to score on the last possession but made a kickout pass to Rui Hachimura for a game-winning 3.
He had a chance to score on the last possession but made a kickout pass to Rui Hachimura for a game-winning 3.
December 5, 2025 at 2:57 AM
LeBron James failed to score double-digit points in the regular season for the first time since January 5, 2007, breaking a record 1,297-game streak.
He had a chance to score on the last possession but made a kickout pass to Rui Hachimura for a game-winning 3.
He had a chance to score on the last possession but made a kickout pass to Rui Hachimura for a game-winning 3.
Highest true shooting percentage in a 50-point game in NBA history:
1. Aaron Gordon in October
2. Kyrie
3. VanVleet
4. Jamal Murray in 2021
5. Kyrie
6. Jamal Murray tonight
1. Aaron Gordon in October
2. Kyrie
3. VanVleet
4. Jamal Murray in 2021
5. Kyrie
6. Jamal Murray tonight
December 4, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Highest true shooting percentage in a 50-point game in NBA history:
1. Aaron Gordon in October
2. Kyrie
3. VanVleet
4. Jamal Murray in 2021
5. Kyrie
6. Jamal Murray tonight
1. Aaron Gordon in October
2. Kyrie
3. VanVleet
4. Jamal Murray in 2021
5. Kyrie
6. Jamal Murray tonight
I took an early look at the likely All-Star rosters for this year's US vs. World format. One big lesson: The Western Conference has too many qualified players for too few All-Star spots.
Early NBA All-Star predictions: Which stars will we see in USA vs. the World?
ESPN analyst Zach Kram examines which players are almost definitely in, who's on the bubble and who could miss out on another All-Star appearance.
www.espn.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:20 PM
I took an early look at the likely All-Star rosters for this year's US vs. World format. One big lesson: The Western Conference has too many qualified players for too few All-Star spots.