The trade nobody saw coming and the chaos that followed, how 2025 turned the NBA upside down
According to NBC Sports and reporting by Kurt Helin, the past season produced several moments that will continue shaping the NBA well beyond the final buzzer of December.
The deal that broke disbelief across the league
According to NBC Sports, league executives and fans alike were stunned on February 1 when reports surfaced that Luka Doncic had been traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Many initially dismissed the news as false.
It was not. Dallas sent away a 25 year old superstar entering his prime, triggering immediate backlash and long term consequences. By season’s end, Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison had lost his job, the roster had unraveled amid injuries, and Dallas slipped into the draft lottery.
Against overwhelming odds, the franchise landed the top pick and selected Cooper Flagg, a turn of fortune that softened, but did not erase, the shock of losing one of the league’s defining players.
Read also: Sudan’s unlikely football joy as war tears the country apart
Gambling investigations pull the league into courtrooms
Federal authorities arrested Miami guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups in separate illegal gambling cases, according to NBC Sports. Former NBA player Damon Jones was also charged in connection with the investigations.
Court filings alleged Rozier exited a game early under the guise of injury to influence player prop bets. In a separate case, Billups was described as the public draw for fixed poker games tied to organized crime.
Both men pleaded not guilty and were placed on unpaid leave as the NBA reopened its own inquiries. The cases raised uncomfortable questions as the league continued to promote legalized sports betting partnerships.
Oklahoma city’s title signals a possible power shift
The Thunder did more than win a championship. They announced themselves as a potential long term force.
Read also: Aubameyang shock, Gabon icon reportedly banned after AFCON humiliation
Oklahoma City finished the regular season with 68 wins behind MVP Shai Gilgeous Alexander, then captured the first NBA title in the city’s history. Jalen Williams played through wrist pain, Chet Holmgren emerged as a two way anchor, and a deep rotation overwhelmed opponents.
According to NBC Sports, the combination of youth, financial flexibility, and draft capital gives Oklahoma City a rare chance to thrive despite league rules designed to prevent dynasties.
Achilles injuries that changed the season’s outcome
The most haunting question of the year came in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles tendon early in the game, abruptly ending the Pacers’ improbable run.
Weeks later, Boston suffered a similar blow when Jayson Tatum sustained the same injury during the Eastern Conference semifinals. The loss effectively ended the Celtics’ title defense and forced a broader roster and financial reset.
Read also: Dolphins turn to broadcasting legend in surprising front office move
NBC Sports reported that Tatum is expected to return in early 2026, keeping Boston competitive in an Eastern Conference without a clear dominant team.
Dallas finds a new face after the fallout
Winning the draft lottery gave Dallas a rare opportunity to reset its direction. Cooper Flagg, now averaging 19.4 points per game according to NBC Sports, emerged as the franchise’s new centerpiece after an uneven early stretch.
The shift marked a clear break from the Doncic era, offering fans a different kind of hope built on development rather than contention.
New york’s revival and a league still in motion
New York’s run to the Eastern Conference finals reignited Madison Square Garden and reminded the league how influential the Knicks can be when competitive.
Read also: The day politics hijacked the pitch, how Trump turned global sport into his biggest power play
Beyond the playoffs, ownership changes in Los Angeles, ongoing league investigations, and unresolved trade rumors ensured the NBA entered the new year with momentum and uncertainty intertwined.
If 2025 proved anything, it was that stability remains a luxury in a league defined by sudden turns.
Sources: NBC Sports, Kurt Helin
Read also: The 30 Greatest Goalkeepers in Football History - Ranked from Lowest to Highest
