The Detroit Pistons are having a season we haven’t seen in over a decade.
They’re competitive, they’re exciting, and they’re legitimately one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. But with reports surfacing that Giannis Antetokounmpo is looking to leave the Milwaukee Bucks, Trajan Langdon needs to pick up the phone.
Giannis isn’t just an All-Star — he’s a future Hall of Famer in his prime. A two-time MVP and NBA champion. This isn’t a guy who could be a co-star for Cade Cunningham. It isn’t someone who might make the All-Star team.
When was the last time a player of this caliber became available? These opportunities are once-in-a-generation. The Pistons haven’t had a player of Giannis stature since Isiah Thomas, and even then, you’re comparing all-time greats.
Yes, I know, acquiring Giannis will require opening the vault and paying up. Whether it’s draft picks (not so important at the end of the first round) or young players (more important because they can be cheap + good), Milwaukee is going to want a lot because, well, it’s freakin’ Giannis.
If you’re Langdon, and you truly think this team is ready to compete for a championship with a move like this, you have to weigh everything. I love Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland. Are they going to give you more — even combined — over the next two seasons compared to what Giannis can give you on his own?
Probably not.
Sure, the fear of the player option in 2027-28 is valid. Giannis could, and probably should, opt out to get one more massive contract. That’s a legitimate concern.
But you’re also getting two guaranteed years of a Hall of Fame player in his prime. Two years to go try and win a championship — including this year in the most downtrodden Eastern Conference in recent memory.
It’s two years to prove to Giannis that Detroit is where he wants to finish his career. And if he does leave? You’ll have made your best players better, changed the culture and shown the league that Detroit is serious about winning.
The Thunder are the odds-on favorites to win their second-straight title, and for good reason. They’re young, talented, deep and they play like demons on both ends. The gap between the best team in the East and the best team in the West is real.
I’m not of the belief that the Pistons, as currently constructed, are living in the same air space as Oklahoma City. The Thunder have put together a better season without their ALL-NBA FORWARD in Jalen Williams for most of it. They’re that good.
Adding Giannis helps close that gap. Suddenly, you’re not just the best team in the East. You’re a legitimate threat to beat anyone in a seven-game series. You have two superstars who can match up with anyone AND you keep your elite defense because you have a guy in Giannis who can guard 3s, 4s and 5s.
With a few veteran moves on the margins to fill the holes that you’d deal away for Giannis, you can easily have the experience and the talent to win it all.
The Pistons championship window has just opened, and it’s understandable to not want to push all of your chips in this soon. But, those windows don’t stay open forever. Contracts and personalities and lapses in player development cause teams to fall off schedule all the time in the NBA.
The time to be aggressive is when you have a foundation worth building on — which the Pistons finally do. Maybe the Pistons can get him, maybe they can’t, but to simply sit back and watch your chief rivals work to acquire one of the generation’s best players would be irresponsible.
I’m not telling you the Pistons must trade for Giannis.
Talk around the league is heating up again about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future, with growing chatter that the Bucks star would prefer a trade before the deadline if things in Milwaukee continue to slide. The rumors are back, the speculation is loud, and familiar questions about how long this partnership can last are resurfacing.
Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is ready for a new home at the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline or in the offseason as several rival teams make aggressive offers to the Milwaukee Bucks for him, and the franchise is starting to listen, league sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/OejatbQjDy
Still, the betting markets aren’t buying the panic. Giannis Antetokounmpo next team odds continue to point strongly toward the "Greek Freak" staying in Milwaukee, signaling that bettors see far more smoke than fire when it comes to a midseason move.
Kalshi is a regulated financial exchange where you trade on real-world event outcomes. Instead of traditional odds, prices are listed as percentages (0–100%), representing the market’s estimated probability of an event occurring.
The favorites
Milwaukee Bucks or retires
This relationship is clearly strained, but it’s not breaking at the deadline unless someone blows the Milwaukee Bucks away with an offer. Giannis Antetokounmpo is frustrated, the roster is broken, and everyone involved knows this group isn’t close to contention.
Milwaukee is listening because it has to, not because it’s eager to move him. Trading Giannis midseason only makes sense if the return is massive, and if that deal doesn’t show up, the Bucks are fine dragging this into the summer when more teams and picks are on the table.
For now, the most likely outcome is Giannis staying put through the deadline, even if the long-term future feels shaky. This is tension, not a fire sale.
New York Knicks
The New York Knicks are no longer just a team being floated in rumor; they’re one Giannis has actually shown interest in if a deal could be made. That alone keeps New York near the top of this market.
The problem is cost. Milwaukee isn’t rushing into a deadline deal, and any trade for Giannis would require the Knicks to gut their depth and unload significant draft capital. This wouldn’t be a clean add-on next to Jalen Brunson — it would be a full-on roster reset.
New York makes sense, and the interest appears mutual. But unless the Bucks decide to move him now instead of waiting for the summer, the Knicks remain a long shot rather than a likely landing spot.
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets show up in this market because they can. The Rockets have young talent, future draft capital, and the flexibility to make a serious offer if Milwaukee opens the door wider. From a pure assets standpoint, they’re one of the few teams that could meet the Bucks’ asking price.
What’s missing is momentum. There’s no reporting tying Giannis to Houston, and no indication the Rockets are actively pushing for a deal ahead of the deadline. Until that changes, they remain a theoretical option — a team with the means to get involved, not one driving the conversation.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
The NBA trade deadline is a week away, and the rumor mill hit critical mass after reports stated the Bucks are now entertaining offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is open to a new home in the league. New York has been linked to Antetokounmpo for years now, a droning constant that seemed to only exist by default – one of the NBA’s premier and star-hungry destinations naturally paired with one of its best players.
However, this connection appears to be taking a more tangible turn. SNY’s Ian Begley reported that the Knicks will be "aggressive" in pursuing Antetokounmpo, after previously exploring a deal this past August that went nowhere.
There are plenty of reasons to believe the Knicks won’t or can’t pull the trigger by the deadline. Midseason shake-ups are super risky and not Leon Rose’s forte; there are fit, age and cost concerns, and the Bucks could drag this out to the summer to increase the number of bidders.
But this time might be different, as New York is at a pivotal juncture, having to prove this core can win or pivot off it before Jalen Brunson’s prime runs out. With a real chance to secure a perennial Top 3 player, fans shouldn’t be surprised if Rose takes one final giant swing for the fences.
The key reason to believe the Knicks are gearing up for a move is that this is the best chance they’ve had to acquire Antetokounmpo, and may be the only one. Until now, Antetokounmpo wasn’t available, and even if he was, the Knicks had little to trade that would entice the Bucks or beat out the competition.
Let’s go issue-by-issue now.
After weeks of passive aggressiveness, either Antetokounmpo, the Bucks, or both have decided it’s time to move on. The Knicks can only send swaps on their first-round picks, but recent Marc Stein reporting suggested they could loop in a Mikal Bridges-for-picks trade to boost their offer, and maybe land former favorite teammate of Giannis, Jrue Holiday.
Much of this idea revolves around the Knicks actually pulling that trade, or something similar, off. If they can, they’ll be able to throw together a competitive package in an uncompetitive environment.
Antetokounmpo's realistic options are limited at the deadline, as teams have less cap flexibility, fewer picks to trade and are locked into the season in front of them, less likely to make a major change. The team that is aggressive enough to make a midseason Giannis trade would need to have the goods, be ready to compete now and convince Antetokounmpo to stay long-term regardless of short-term results.
That defines New York to a tee, and the only others that arguably have a case are Golden State, Miami, Toronto, Atlanta or Minnesota. Even then, the Warriors, Heat and Hawks wouldn’t be certified contenders, and the other two aren’t exactly top destinations, nor prime to make a big trade here.
Now, imagine you’re Rose with a one-week chance at acquiring Antetokounmpo and little risk of being outbid, do you really turn that chance down?
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles as New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) defends during the second half at Madison Square Garden / Vincent Carchietta - Imagn Images
Many will say wait for the summer, give this core another run at things and still give yourself a shot at Giannis with additional draft picks. Not only do you open yourself up to somebody else stealing him, but the opportunity cost may be too great.
Milwaukee may want to wait for the offseason to maximize its return, but it may not. Antetokounmpo’s distractions and a quicker pivot to rebuilding give them incentive to move now.
As for New York, blowing this season would be more detrimental than advertised. Some forgot that the East is without two major stars – Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum – that will return next season and give the conference a couple of extra threats to worry about.
Besides this playoff run looking cleaner than usual, another lost postseason would be losing a year of this not-so-young team’s prime, namely Brunson’s. Those fearful that such a monster midseason worsens their championship chances don’t appear to be factoring into the team’s current standing, or the fact that this move nets them Antetokounmpo.
While the Knicks looked dominant earlier in the season, cracks present in their squad opened into canyons during a brutal 2-9 stretch. They’ve since recovered, but those weaknesses remain ever-present.
There’s the defense, ranked 16th in the league, and even on its best days, it is limited by the pairing of Brunson and Karl-AnthonyTowns, two top scorers with big faults on that end. Towns himself is frustrating fans and coaches alike for the second straight season, this time looking uncomfortable on the offensive end, usually his safe zone.
Brunson desperately needs somebody else who can handle the ball and playmake. As a whole, the Knicks have looked softer and less athletic than their top competition.
On a positive note, New York has found recent success with the Brunson-plus-four-defenders configurations. Now contextualize the things that haven’t been working and the things that have, with Antetokounmpo in the picture - what do you see?
Yes, Antetokounmpo is 31 years old, has struggled to stay healthy (especially in recent years) and will demand a massive long-term extension. He’s also finished top-four in MVP voting for seven consecutive seasons, averages 28-10-5 on 65 percent shooting, plays with Defensive Player of the Year levels of impact on the other end and is an almost zero percent flight risk from the Knicks.
Generational talent like Antetokounmpo’s doesn’t come around often, as those who have followed this team’s rebuild from the beginning must realize. The stage is set for New York to beat out the rest of the league to realize that talent. Let’s see if Rose makes it happen.
Atlanta Hawks (23-25) at Boston Celtics (29-17) Wednesday, January 28, 2026 7:30 PM ET Regular Season Game #47, Home Game #22 TV: NBCSB, FDSNSE, NBA-LP Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, 92.9 The Game, Sirius XM TD Garden
The Celtics continue their home stand after a win over the Trail Blazers on Monday. This is the 2nd of 4 games between these two teams this season. The Celtics won the first game 132-106 in Atlanta on January 17. They will meet again in Atlanta on March 30 and will play a second game in Boston on March 27. The Hawks won the series 2-1 last season with the Celtics winning one in Atlanta and the Hawks winning twice in Boston. The Celtics are 246-151 overall all time and they are 132-56 in games played in Boston.
The Hawks saw a lot of change in the off season. They were part of a 3 team trade That sent Georges Niang to Boston and Terance Mann to Brooklyn and brought back Kristaps Porzingis from Boston. They were also part of a 7 team trade involving Kevin Durant where they sent Clint Capela to Houston in return for David Roddy, who they cut. They got Nickeil Alexander-Walker in a sign and trade with Minnesota.
They traded Kobe Bufkin to Brooklyn for cash. Caris LeVert and Larry Nance, Jr both left in free agency and they cut Charles Bassey, who played for the Celtics Summer League team. They signed N’Faly Dante and Luke Kennard as free agents. They drafted Asa Newell with the 23rd pick in the draft. On January 5, they made the first big trade of the silly season when they sent Trae Young to Washington for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
The Celtics are 2nd in the East, 5 games behind 1st place Detroit. They are 1 game ahead of 3rd place Toronto and 1.5 games ahead of 4th place New York, 2 games ahead of 5th place Cleveland, 4.5 games ahead of 6th place Philadelphia and 7th place Miami. The Celtics are 21-11 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 14-7 at home and 6-4 in their last 10 games. They are coming off a win in their last game.
The Hawks are 10th in the East, 12 games behind first place Detroit, 2.5 games behind 6th place Philadelphia and 7th place Miami, 1.5 games behind 8th place Orlando, 1 game behind 9th place Chicago, and half a game behind 9th place Chicago. They are 3 games ahead of 11th place Milwaukee. They are 11-17 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 14-12 on the road and 6-4 in their last 10 games. They have won their last 3 games.
This game is the 2nd game of a 4 game home stand where they won over Portland on Monday and will face Sacramento and Milwaukee after this game. Then, they are on the road at Dallas and Houston before playing Miami, New York, and Chicago at home, taking them into the All Star Break. After the break, they will head out on a 4 game Western road trip through Golden State, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix, and Denver.
This is the first of a road/home back to back for the Hawks. They will return home to play Houston at home on Thursday. They will then play at Indiana and at Miami before home games against Utah and Charlotte. They then play at Minnesota and at Charlotte before the All Star break. After the break they will play at Philadephia and then they have a 5 game home stand where they will host Miami, Brooklyn, Washington twice, and Portland.
For the Celtics, Jayson Tatum remains out as he continues to rehab from the Achilles tear he suffered in last year’s playoffs. Josh Minott missed 11 games with a sprained ankle and is finally off the injury report. Neemias Queta has been battling an illness for the past 2 games but he played through it. He is listed as out for this game. Luka Garza was listed as questionable with an illness but is now expected to be available.
For the Hawks, former Celtic Kristaps Porzingis will miss his 10th straight game due to Achilles soreness. He missed the first game between these two teams and has played in just 17 games so far this season. Zaccharie Risacher will miss his 10th straight game due to a left knee bone bruise. N’Faly Dante is out for the season after season ending surgery to repair a torn ACL.
Probable Starting Matchups PG: Derrick White vs Nickeil Alexander-Walker
SG: Payton Pritchard vs Dyson Daniels
Payton Pritchard
SF: Jaylen Brown vs Corey Kispert
PF: Sam Hauser vs Jalen Johnson
C: Amari Williams vs Onyeka Okongwu
Amari Williams
Celtics Reserves Baylor Scheierman Xavier Tillman Hugo Gonzalez Luka Garza Chris Boucher Jordan Walsh Josh Minott
2-Way Players Ron Harper, Jr Max Shulga Amari Williams Injuries/Out Jayson Tatum (Achilles) out Neemias Queta (illness) out Luka Garza (illness) available
Head Coach Joe Mazzulla
Hawks Reserves Nikola Durisic Mouhamed Gueye Luke Kennard Vit Krejci CJ McCollum Asa Newell Keaton Wallace
2 way Players Rayj Dennis Caleb Houston Christian Koloko Injuries/Out N’Faly Dante (knee) out Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) out Zaccharie Risacher (knee) out
Head Coach Quin Snyder
Key Matchups Sam Hauser vs Jalen Johnson Johnson is averaging 23.0 points, 10.4 rebounds, 7.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He is shooting 50.5% from the field and 35.3% from beyond the arc. In the first game against the Celtics, he finished with 12 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal while shooting 28.6% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc. He will likely play much better in this game and the Celtics need to defend him well and keep him off the boards.
Derrick White vs Nickeil Alexander-Walker Alexander-Walker is averaging 20.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 44.1% from the field and 38.2% from beyond the arc. In the first game against the Celtics, he finished with 18 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 block and 1 steal while shooting 37.5% from the field and 44.4% from beyond the arc. He is a good 3 point shooter and the Celtics need to defend him on the perimeter. Honorable Mention Amari Williams vs Onyeka Okongwu Okongwu is averaging 16.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 1 block per game. He is shooting 48.2% from the field and 36.8% from beyond the arc. In the first game against the Celtics he finished with 21 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal while shooting 57.1% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. The Celtics need to guard Okongwu both inside the paint and on the perimeter because he shoots well from both. With Queta doubtful and Garza questionable, I’m guessing that Amari Williams will get another start here.
Keys to the Game Defense – Defense is always a key to winning games. The Celtics have an offensive rating of 120.8 (2nd) while the Hawks have an offensive rating of 113.5, which is 21st. The Celtics have a defensive rating of 113.6 which is 11th while the Hawks have a defensive rating of 114.4, which is 16th. The Celtics have been hot and cold on defense this season. Sometimes they can shut down the other team and sometimes they allow them to score at will. The Celtics need to defend the perimeter because the Hawks are 5th, shooting 37% on threes. They also have to defend the paint as the Hawks are 11th with 51.6 points in the paint per game. The Celtics must make defense a priority in this game and they have to play that tough defense for 48 minutes and not let up.
Rebound – Next to defense, rebounding is the key to winning. When the Celtics put out the extra effort on the boards, it usually carries through to the rest of their game. The Hawks are averaging 42.2 rebounds per game (25th) while the Celtics are averaging 44.8 rebounds per game (13th). The Celtics need to aggressively go after every rebound. They can’t afford to give the Hawks extra possessions and 2nd chance points by allowing them to beat them to rebounds.
Move the Ball Carefully – When the Celtics move the ball and find the open man, they are tough to beat. When they hold the ball and try to play iso ball, they become predictable and struggle. When the Celtics have more assists than their opponents they are 13-0 and when their opponents have more assists than the Celtics, they are just 14-16. The Celtics need to move the ball, but they have to make careful passes because the Hawks are 6th in the league with 19.9 points off turnovers per game.
Effort and Focus for 48 Minutes– The Celtics have to play with extra effort overall for all 4 quarters. In most of their losses and even in some of their wins, they have allowed their opponents to play with more energy than them for periods of time during the game. They play well for stretches but let up and allow their opponents to surge ahead, especially down the stretch. They have to stay focused for all 48 minutes and be ready for their opponents to play harder in the second half and they need to match that effort. They also have to come out with more effort and energy to start the game and dig themselves into a hole.
X-Factors Home Game and Revenge– They call it home court advantage for a reason and the Celtics need to take advantage of playing on their home court. The Celtics need to get motivation from the home crowd, which should be loud and doing everything in their power to support the Celtics and rattle the Hawks. The Hawks have the distractions of travel and an unfamiliar arena and a hostile crowd and hopefully that will give the Celtics an advantage. The Hawks were also embarrassed by the Celtics on their home court 10 days ago and will be looking for some revenge on them. The Celtics need to be ready for the Hawks to give it their best effort in this one.
Officiating – Officiating is always an x-factor in every game. Every crew officiates differently. Some call it tight, others let them play. The Celtics need to adjust to how the refs are calling the game and not allow bad calls or no calls to take away their focus from playing the game the right way. We have recently seen how much of an x-factor officiating can be. The Celtics have to play so well all game that the officiating, no matter how bad, can’t influence the outcome.
Joao Pedro’s two goals were enough to take Chelsea into the top eight and dump out Antonio Conte’s team
Liam Rosenior spoke to TNT ahead of kick-off: ““It’s been a positive start. Firstly the players and their engagement and attitude and willingness to learn, I think they have enjoyed it as well. Tonight is another big test for us and if we manage to come through it , it gives us a great chance of being in the top eight.”
“They are very good on transition. They are very organised in their press. From what I’ve seen they will press us really, really high, whether that is from a 3-4-3 or a 5-4-1. They have outstanding players. They build well from the back. It is going to be a difficult game and we are prepared for it.”
Let me paint you a picture of basketball karma that’s almost too perfect to be real.
Andrew Wiggins gets traded to Miami for Jimmy Butler. The Warriors throw a tribute video for Wiggins that damn near made me tear up. Then, in what feels like a cosmic joke, Jimmy Butler tears his ACL against his former team in Miami. Meanwhile, Jonathan Kuminga (who requested a trade and fell completely out of Steve Kerr’s rotation) suddenly has value again because the Warriors desperately need a wing with Butler down.
And where’s Wiggins? Out in South Beach playing solid two-way basketball like he never left the Bay Area. So here’s the question that’s got Dub Nation’s head spinning: What if the Warriors just… brought Wiggins back? What if they traded Kuminga to Miami for the guy they shipped out about a year ago?
The Warriors and Heat have been discussing a trade that would send Andrew Wiggins back to Golden State and Jonathan Kuminga to Miami, per @JakeLFischer
“There’s absolutely some type of framework that’s being discussed—and has been discussed” pic.twitter.com/9JhmEdFAkj
Before you laugh this off as fantasy, remember: the Warriors have done this before.
They traded James Wiseman—the #2 overall pick from 2020—to get back Gary Payton II, a player they’d literally let walk. When you realize you were wrong, or when circumstances change the equation, Golden State has shown they’re not too proud to hit the undo button. That’s not weakness. That’s organizational wisdom.
The basketball fit makes sense in ways that should scare us. Wiggins knows this system inside and out. He knows the defensive rotations, the offensive flow, the culture. There’s zero learning curve. He’s already proven he can be the second-best player on a championship team while guarding the opponent’s best wing every night.
What does #DubNation think about the rumored trade return of the Heat’s Andrew Wiggins back to the Warriors for Kuminga? Such a trade would require the Warriors on including at least Buddy Hield or Moses Moody.
Kuminga, for all his athletic gifts and potential, has been maddeningly inconsistent. He wanted out. Kerr clearly doesn’t trust him in big moments. And although I want every Warriors pick to dominate here in the Bay, Miami’s developmental track record with young wings could be helpful for him. Maybe a change of scenery unlocks something in JK that Golden State couldn’t?
But here’s where it gets complicated, and why I’m not saying I want this to happen; I’m just saying I’m fascinated that it could happen. The return of Wiggins after the Warriors traded him for something better in Butler would be absolutely hilarious. I spent years defending Wiggins when the entire basketball world called him a bust. I wrote Dub Nation a love letter about his play when he left. I celebrated that 2022 championship harder than anyone because it vindicated everything I believed about Maple Jordan. So yeah, part of me would love to see #22 back in blue and gold.
pic.twitter.com/zPynZ7xseE Here's the Warriors' full tribute video for Andrew Wiggins in his first game back at Chase Center
But the other part of me wonders if the circumstances that made Wiggins great here were lightning in a bottle. That nostalgia is a hell of a drug, especially when you’re watching Steph’s window close in real-time. The Warriors are shuffling their deck before the trade deadline, trying to give Curry the best hand possible. Whether that includes a Wiggins return is anyone’s guess.
All I know is this: if it happens, Wiggins Island is about to experience a real estate boom.
What do you think, Dub Nation? Am I crazy for even entertaining this? Drop your thoughts below.
Wednesday’s Celtics-Hawks game feels like a fresh coat of paint on an old car. Boston is competing for the top of the East, while the Hawks take their appointed place in the play-in tournament. An offseason full of attrition for the Celtics (that directly helped the Hawks) seemingly changed nothing. Funny sport we have here.
When these two teams met a couple of weeks ago, it was an utter blowout in the C’s favor. What do they have to do this time for a similar result? Let’s break down the key matchups and set plays.
Jalen, May We Have This Dance?
Jalen Johnson’s breakout season has been the one thing keeping the Hawks from disaster. As they navigated the end of the Trae Young era, it has been Johnson’s offensive play that keeps their heads above water. But he sure has his flaws.
Atlanta has maintained a 78th percentile defensive rating with Johnson on the floor, according to Cleaning the Glass. But that’s not much of a credit to JJ; outside of his defensive rebounding, which is excellent, he’s not bringing a lot to the table defensively. And the Celtics know that.
There wasn’t much complexity to the Boston gameplan in the first matchup. See Jalen, put Jalen in action, profit. His penchant for giving up soft switches and getting lost in rotation is a huge boon for a team that wants to attack mismatches and shoot as many threes as possible.
Putting Jalen Johnson in direct action led to Jaylen Brown feasting in the first Hawks-Celtics matchup of the season. Count on more of the same tonight pic.twitter.com/UtOmnYNpfC
Perhaps this time around, Boston will up the complexity, adding some Spain/Stack PNRs and double-drag actions. Those extra layers of communication will put extra strain on Atlanta’s defense to cover for Johnson. But the most likely scenario is that they keep it simple and bring whoever he is guarding into a direct ball screen. As you saw above, it sure does work.
DHO Danger
Atlanta has no problem stacking overlapping skill sets. They view that as a strength, not a weakness. One skillset they have in spades is pull-up shooting, especially coming out of dribble handoffs. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, CJ McCollum, Corey Kispert, Luke Kennard, and Vit Krejci are all capable PU3 shooters off the dribble. Atlanta also has plenty of capable DHO operators: Onyeka Okongwu, Mo Gueye, and the aforementioned Jalen Johnson.
If you’re not active, denying the pull-up shots over these dribble handoffs, Atlanta can bury you in a hurry. They generated a whole bunch of looks in the first matchup.
Hawks had six PU3 attempts directly out of dribble handoffs in the first Celtics matchup, making two of those shots. C's did a great job containing the first go-around, and have to be on point tonight once again pic.twitter.com/MEVGaVitzl
Luckily for the Celtics, a lot of those shots came up wanting. They were able to play in drop and let the screen navigation dictate the shot. If they’re less lucky in this game, I’m curious whether or not Mazzulla adjusts the game plan to blitz these dribble handoffs and run them off the line
Prepare For Trouble
A key to this Atlanta team has been the development of Mouhamed Gueye. The young big is a defensive wizard, and his ability to survive on the perimeter on both ends of the floor makes him ideal for double-big pairings. So far, the Gueye-Onyeka Okongwu duo has been on the floor for 15.7% of Atlanta’s total possessions this season. It’s a combination that is becoming integral to their lineups.
That has not been a fruitful pairing so far, with a -8.3 net rating. They have weaknesses to exploit, and the Celtics will have to be wise to take advantage. Both players are young, and while they are great defenders, they can be thrown off when making unconventional rotations.
Cool in-game adjustment for the Celtics. Facing ATL's double bigs, they get blitzed on the first PNR, and Mo Gueye rotates to break it up. One minute later, same coverage, but this time they "short" the PNR with a wing pass to confuse Gueye and then hit the roller pic.twitter.com/CHLJAiEHaY
If the Celtics are crisp in their ball movement and relocations, there are plenty of threes and layups to be had against this lineup. But you also have to account for the size concerns; Okongwu is good at posting up mismatches, and those two can hit the glass hard against smaller competition. Sam Hauser is the key here as an excellent floor spacer with size; it’s no coincidence that his 30-point, 10/21 three-point shooting night came against these Hawks.
I hope you feel a bit more prepared for this game. Now kick back and bask in some Celtics excellence.
The Golden State Warriors are still adjusting to life without Jimmy Butler. Luckily for the Dubs, they get another cupcake matchup to work things out as they visit the Utah Jazz as 9.5-point road favorites.
My Warriors vs. Jazz predictions expect De’Anthony Melton to step up in Butler’s absence, with tip-off set for 9:00 p.m. ET in Salt Lake City.
Read more in my NBA picks for Wednesday, January 28.
Warriors vs Jazz prediction
Warriors vs Jazz best bet: De'Anthony Melton Over 2.5 assists (+150)
The Golden State Warriors guard has averaged 16 points and 3.5 assists per game in the four contests since Butler’s injury, and I like him to deliver another productive night against the Utah Jazz.
Utah is arguably the worst defensive team in the NBA, ranking last in both defensive rating and opponent points per game. The Jazz also sit at the bottom in opponent assists per possession, and oddsmakers have seemingly overlooked Melton’s improved assist numbers with Butler out.
Warriors vs Jazz same-game parlay
Utah surrenders the most 3-point attempts and makes per game in the Association, and the Jazz have allowed Steph Curry to score 31 points in both previous meetings.
Another player who could step up with Butler out is Moses Moody. He’s been cleaning lately, averaging 4.8 rebounds over his last five contests.
Warriors vs Jazz SGP
De'Anthony Melton Over 2.5 assists
Steph Curry Over 29.5 points
Moses Moody Over 3.5 rebounds
Our "from downtown" SGP: Road Warriors
If the first three legs of this SGP hit, the Dubs likely cover this number as well.
Warriors vs Jazz SGP
De'Anthony Melton Over 2.5 assists
Steph Curry Over 29.5 points
Moses Moody Over 3.5 rebounds
Warriors -9
Warriors vs Jazz odds
Spread: Warriors -9 (-110) | Jazz +9 (-110)
Moneyline: Warriors -310 | Jazz +250
Over/Under: Over 240.5 (-110) | Under 240.5 (-110)
Warriors vs Jazz betting trend to know
The Jazz have hit the game total Over in 32 of their last 45 home games (+17.70 Units / 36% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Jazz.
How to watch Warriors vs Jazz
Location
Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Date
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBCS-Bay Area, KJZZ
Warriors vs Jazz latest injuries
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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
After six long games, injured Philadelphia Flyers goalie Dan Vladar is expected to make his return to the ice and reclaim his place as the club's starter.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Flyers announced that Vladar, 28, was activated from injured reserve, signaling his official return.
In a corresponding transaction, top goalie prospect Aleksei Kolosov was returned to the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Vladar hasn't played for the Flyers since a 5-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Jan. 14; the Czech netminder saved four of the six shots he faced before departing with a lower-body injury at the end of the first period.
Kolosov started only one game for the Flyers in Vladar's absence, ceding three goals on three shots in a 6-3 loss to the New York Rangers.
The Belarusian's other appearance with Vladar on the shelf came in relief of Ersson, when Kolosov made 13 saves on 16 shots in a 6-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Ersson, who retains his hold on the Flyers' backup goalie job with Kolosov failing to impress in limited action, went 2-2-1 over the last six games, allowing 19 goals, making 130 saves on 149 shots, and posting a 3.61 GAA and .872 save percentage.
Those numbers are far from ideal, regardless of how the Flyers performed in front of him, and now Vladar, who is now fully healthy and ready to go, will jump back into the driver's seat with Philadelphia's season on the line.
Just a day after I wrote about the Brewers notably inviting two catchers to spring training, they’ve tacked on another catcher to that group.
Veteran catcher Reese McGuire, who spent last season with the Cubs, has agreed to a minor league deal with Milwaukee with an invite to major league spring training, per Curt Hogg.
McGuire, 31 in March, was a first-round pick by the Pirates back in 2013. He’s appeared in parts of eight MLB seasons with four different teams, including the Blue Jays, White Sox, Red Sox, and Cubs. His best season came back in 2019, when he appeared in 30 games for Toronto and totaled 1.0 bWAR, hitting .299/.346/.526 with five homers and 11 RBIs.
He appeared in 44 with Chicago in 2025, functioning as the primary backup to Carson Kelly. He hit .226/.245/.444 with nine homers, 24 RBIs, and 17 runs scored. He’s also considered an above-average catcher in terms of framing, blocking, and his throwing arm, catching eight of 31 would-be stealers in 2025 (25.9%) and sporting a career caught-stealing rate of 27.1%.
While William Contreras is the clear starter behind the plate for Milwaukee, McGuire will compete with Jeferson Quero and a few other minor leaguers for the backup job this spring. If the coaching staff feels that Quero needs a little more time to develop, it isn’t inconceivable that McGuire breaks camp with the major league squad at the end of March.
McGuire also doesn’t have any minor league options remaining, so if he enters the season on the Brewers’ MLB roster, the team won’t be able to option him whenever Quero is ready.
With the trade deadline a week away, Giannis Antetokounmpo has become the biggest name to watch on the market, and the Knicks have hovered around the center of the conversation all season.
From a salary standpoint, a one-for-one deal centered on Karl-Anthony Towns is the cleanest match for both teams. But if you’re talking purely basketball, a straight swap tells a different story, with Towns coming up just a tier below Giannis.
Across 13 seasons, Antetokounmpo has posted career averages of 24 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists per game, along with a steal and a block on a nightly basis.
Towns, over 11 seasons with two franchises, has put up similar numbers, 23 points and 11 rebounds per game, but with less playmaking and defensive impact, averaging three assists and fewer than one steal and block per game.
Karl-Anthony Towns and Giannis Antetokounmpo have built markedly different résumés that reflect their contrasting career arcs. Towns burst into the league as the 2016 NBA Rookie of the Year and has since developed into a perennial All-Star, earning one All-NBA Third Team selection while redefining what is possible offensively for a center. A 2022 NBA Three-Point Contest champion, Towns is widely regarded as the greatest shooting big man in league history, combining volume, efficiency, and range in a way few frontcourt players ever have. Giannis, meanwhile, has authored one of the most decorated careers of his era. The two-time NBA MVP, 2021 NBA champion, and Finals MVP has also captured a Defensive Player of the Year award, made multiple All-NBA First Teams and All-Defensive First Teams, and cemented his legacy with a historic 50-point performance in the championship-clinching game of the 2021 NBA Finals.
At the end of the day, Giannis’s résumé clearly outweighs Towns’s, and if the Bucks balk at a deal centered on him, there are plenty of other scenarios the Knicks could explore. According to ESPN’s Trade Machine, alternative packages could be constructed using nearly any combination of players on the roster, including the possibility of a blockbuster deal built around Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges.
A straight-up Giannis-for-Brunson trade isn’t possible, but with other pieces, the captain could, on paper, be moved.
Comparing 1:1, the notion would heavily favor the Knicks in terms of overall talent. Giannis is a generational star, an NBA champion who is capable of dominating every aspect of the game, while Brunson, though an elite point guard and floor leader, can’t match that same level of impact. The Knicks would instantly upgrade their ceiling with a two-time MVP on the roster. The Bucks, meanwhile, would gain a steady, reliable playmaker who can run an offense and score efficiently, but they’d be losing the centerpiece of their franchise.
In pure talent terms, the edge goes to New York, though salary considerations and roster balance, from a long-term strategy, fit, and roster balance perspective, the Bucks could argue they’re getting pieces to rebuild or diversify.
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 23: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks boxes out during the game on December 23, 2023 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Another trade scenario that works within the trade machine is a 3-for-1 deal that would send OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, and Guerschon Yabusele to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
From Milwaukee’s side, bringing in Anunoby, Robinson, and Yabusele would add depth, positional balance, and manageable contracts, but it would come at the massive cost of losing their franchise player. Anunoby provides elite two-way wing play and perimeter defense, Robinson offers rim protection and rebounding, and Yabusele adds scoring versatility off the bench. While the Bucks would gain talent at multiple positions, they would be giving up the unique, game-changing impact that Giannis brings every night.
In the end, this type of move would be trading star power for depth and balance, which could put Milwaukee’s ability to contend for a title at risk. It would give the Knicks a true Big Three, even if the idea is extremely unrealistic. While this dream scenario would almost certainly never materialize, it highlights just how many different player combinations the Knicks can realistically explore.
That said, the bigger question remains: should New York explore every possible avenue to land the two-time MVP, even if it means considering moves that would once have seemed unthinkable? And if they do, is anyone, primarily Brunson, truly off limits when it comes to building a team capable of contending for a championship?
After being teased for years about his dry skin, NBA superstar and current Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant has teased a collaboration with the skincare company CeraVe.
"Y’all keep bringing up my legs…might be time to address it with @cerave? #ad," he captioned the post, tagging the company owned by L'Oréal.
In the video, Durant reads multiple X posts by random users begging him to put lotion on his legs. "No way KD can be that Ashy!!!!!!! No way lol. OMG," one user's post reads.
The other X posts shared in the video joke about Durant's dry legs being "highly flammable," and how fans sometimes chant "you need lotion" during NBA games.
The final X post Durant reads in the video says: "Going to be the first NBA player with a lotion deal." After reading this post, the 15-time NBA All-Star throws up his hands as a cash register sound is heard.
Obviously, the MacKenzie Gore trade is the biggest move the Nationals have made in the past week. However, there have been a few minor moves that you may have missed. I wanted to take a look at some of the news items that have been lost in the shuffle. Between minor league signings and spring training invites, there is plenty to talk about.
The first move I want to discuss actually happened today. It was reported that the Nats signed veteran infielder Sergio Alcantara to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite. The 29 year old has appeared in 193 MLB games, getting into one for the Giants last year.
Dominican infielder Sergio Alcántara signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals, per sources.
Alcántara, 29, appeared in one MLB game with the San Francisco Giants in 2025 season.
Alcantara is a sure handed switch hitting shortstop, who should provide solid organizational depth. He is pretty buried on the depth chart, but if injuries hit, there is a chance that Alcantara could be called up at some point this season.
Another move announced in the last day or so is that the Nats out-righted Andry Lara to Triple-A. Lara was DFA’d on January 20th, but cleared waivers. He will remain in the Nats organization, but is off of the 40-man roster.
RHP Andry Lara, who was DFA’d last week, cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Rochester.
This is good for both sides. Lara was clearly not ready for the MLB. Now that he is off the 40-man, the 23 year old can focus on sharpening his craft in the minors without worrying about being shuttled back and forth. It is nice to see that the Nats were able to keep him in the organization. While it has not been announced yet, he should get an invite to Spring Training.
Speaking of Spring Training, the Nats announced their internal non-roster invites. It is not a large list, but notable prospects like Seaver King and Caleb Lomavita will be invited. Interestingly, Travis Sykora and Jarlin Susana were also invited to MLB camp despite being injured.
Being in a big league camp should be a good learning experience for these youngsters. The full list of non-roster invites for minor league free agent signings has not been announced yet. We know players like Warming Bernabel and Matt Mervis will be there.
Some other players who will be there are Trevor Gott, Zach Penrod and Tres Barrera. The Nats announced the minor league signings of those three a few days ago. Gott and Barrera have been in the Nats organization before, and have both played for the big league team back in the day.
The Nationals have signed the following players to Minor League contracts with invitations to 2026 Major League Spring Training:
Out of the three, Penrod is probably the most interesting. He has real control problems, but has a 95 MPH heater with life from the left side. I do not think he will break camp with the team, but it would not be a surprise if we see him at some point.
One more arm the Nats signed to a minor league deal is Bryce Montes de Oca. The towering righty is coming back from his second Tommy John Surgery. Prior to the surgery, de Oca’s fastball lived in the upper 90’s. If he can show that sort of velocity again, he will have a chance to stick with the Nats.
The Nationals have signed right-handed pitcher Bryce Montes de Oca to a Minor League contract with an invitation to 2026 Major League Spring Training.
None of these moves are earth shattering, but they are worth going over. Maybe one of these arms has some sort of surprise breakout season. This year is going to be all about players showing what they have. The Nats are not going to be very competitive this year, so plenty of players will get chances. Hopefully a couple of these guys can stick and become pieces for the future.
Milwaukee Bucks or retires
New York Knicks
Houston Rockets
