Zach Kram
@zachkram.bsky.social
NBA at ESPN | formerly at The Ringer
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.
The four best players in the NBA are off to four of the best statistical starts to a season in league history. Read about Jokic, SGA, Giannis, and Luka here:
Jokic, SGA, Giannis and Luka are off to historic starts: Why this MVP race could be epic
Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic are off to scorching starts. What does it mean for the MVP race?
www.espn.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:13 PM
The four best players in the NBA are off to four of the best statistical starts to a season in league history. Read about Jokic, SGA, Giannis, and Luka here:
My real estate holdings on Peyton Watson Island are spiking in value, as he's now 13/25 on 3-pointers in his last four games
November 25, 2025 at 2:51 AM
My real estate holdings on Peyton Watson Island are spiking in value, as he's now 13/25 on 3-pointers in his last four games
The first edition of ESPN's 2025-26 NBA Rookie Rankings features not one, not two, but *three* Charlotte Hornets, plus a surprising player at no. 1
NBA rookie rankings: Where do Flagg, Edgecombe and more land early this season?
From top-10 picks to late first-round draft steals, who are the top rookies that have impressed early this season?
www.espn.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:30 PM
The first edition of ESPN's 2025-26 NBA Rookie Rankings features not one, not two, but *three* Charlotte Hornets, plus a surprising player at no. 1
There's a ton of really exciting NBA action tonight, but watching Victor Wembanyama in person in this 4th quarter has been a religious experience
November 11, 2025 at 3:16 AM
There's a ton of really exciting NBA action tonight, but watching Victor Wembanyama in person in this 4th quarter has been a religious experience
Nikola Vucevic posted career-best efficiency numbers last season, and he's been even better to start 2025-26. He just hit a corner 3-pointer with 3 seconds left to complete a Bulls comeback from a 24-point deficit against the 76ers.
Pretty cool story for the 35-year-old center.
Pretty cool story for the 35-year-old center.
November 5, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Nikola Vucevic posted career-best efficiency numbers last season, and he's been even better to start 2025-26. He just hit a corner 3-pointer with 3 seconds left to complete a Bulls comeback from a 24-point deficit against the 76ers.
Pretty cool story for the 35-year-old center.
Pretty cool story for the 35-year-old center.
I teamed up with @kpelton.bsky.social to debate some early-season storylines, including:
- Are the Spurs true contenders?
- Magic or Hawks?
- Is Austin Reaves the Lou Gehrig to LeBron's Wally Pipp?
- Are the Spurs true contenders?
- Magic or Hawks?
- Is Austin Reaves the Lou Gehrig to LeBron's Wally Pipp?
Are the Spurs actually a contender? Debating four early-season storylines
ESPN national analysts Zach Kram and Kevin Pelton debate the biggest early-season questions about Victor Wembanyama, Austin Reaves, Cooper Flagg and more.
www.espn.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:24 PM
I teamed up with @kpelton.bsky.social to debate some early-season storylines, including:
- Are the Spurs true contenders?
- Magic or Hawks?
- Is Austin Reaves the Lou Gehrig to LeBron's Wally Pipp?
- Are the Spurs true contenders?
- Magic or Hawks?
- Is Austin Reaves the Lou Gehrig to LeBron's Wally Pipp?
Sports are amazing because our great-great-grandchildren are going to know Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s name because of what he did this week
November 2, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Sports are amazing because our great-great-grandchildren are going to know Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s name because of what he did this week
Important analytical question: Do the Thunder keep playing overtimes because Oklahoma Thunder abbreviates as OT?
October 24, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Important analytical question: Do the Thunder keep playing overtimes because Oklahoma Thunder abbreviates as OT?
It's my last big 30-team preview as the season begins: the Now or Later rankings, which measure each team's urgency to win now
Is your NBA team built to win a title now or later? Where all 30 teams stack up
ESPN analyst Zach Kram analyzes our Now or Later rankings, where the first-place team is the most desperate to win now and the 30th-place franchise is the most content to win later.
www.espn.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:35 PM
It's my last big 30-team preview as the season begins: the Now or Later rankings, which measure each team's urgency to win now
Overtime between two title contenders in the opener seems like a good omen for this NBA season
October 22, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Overtime between two title contenders in the opener seems like a good omen for this NBA season