On Sunday night, we saw the Dwight Howard that the Lakers need to get into the playoffs and do something once they're there. He was an assertive, willing leader not shying away from a challenge. ...more

In the second night of a back-to-back, at age 34 and in his 17th season, Kobe Bryant unleashed a masterpiece Wednesday night with 47 points in 48 minutes to push the Lakers one step closer to the playoffs. ...more

In the wake of Kobe Bryant's injury, the Lakers face a difficult challenge in fending off three legitimate challengers for the eighth playoff spot in the Western Conference. ...more

The usual trade deadline frenzy might yet be upon us before 3 p.m. ET Thursday. But for now, team executives believe the new trade and financial rules have had a chilling effect on the discussions. ...more

Josh Smith's agent spoke with Hawks general manager Danny Ferry on Wednesday to discuss what he characterized as "a lot of frustration" with the team's recent spiral, but stopped short of making a trade request. ...more

Eric Gordon has not requested a trade as the New Orleans Hornets evaluate what course of action to take regarding his mysterious knee injury, a league source told CBSSports.com. Additional surgery has not been ruled out, and the team expects clarity on Gordon's future in the coming weeks. ...more

On media day Monday, Nets star Deron Williams asked -- but wouldn't answer -- the question on everyone's mind now that he's in Brooklyn with a playoff-ready roster: "Who has the best team in New York?" ...more

As the Orlando Magic grew more comfortable Monday with sending Dwight Howard to Brooklyn, a multi-team trade scenario became even more complicated with the Nets seeking a fourth team to funnel another first-round pick to the Magic, league sources told CBSSports.com. ...more

Four rival executives and a fifth person familiar with Deron Williams' thinking told CBSSports.com Tuesday that the Mavericks are becoming increasingly worried that the All-Star point guard will stay with the Nets when the free-agent floodgates open Sunday. ...more