Posts

Posted on

So, which players should the Sixers call the Jazz, Grizzlies about?

MEMPHIS, TN - JANUARY 31: Jock Landale #31 of the Memphis Grizzlies dunks the ball during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 31, 2026 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

It’s the Tuesday ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline and we’ve already got a blockbuster. No, not Giannis Antetokounmpo or James Harden. This one involved a Memphis Grizzlies star … but not Ja Morant.

Jaren Jackson Jr. is shockingly being sent to the Utah Jazz. ESPN’s Shams Charania was the first to report the full trade.

With the Grizzlies now seemingly in tear-down mode and the Jazz likely still not trying to win this year (they owe their top-eight protected pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder), it begs the question: which players should Daryl Morey and the Sixers call on?

Santi Aldama

The Spanish forward is 25 and might not fit into Memphis’ new timeline. At 7-foot and highly skilled, he’d be a fantastic fit with the Sixers. He has sort of a do-it-all skillset offensively, while also offering strong rebounding and defensive versatility. The biggest questions will be what it would take to get Aldama and if the Sixers could even match his 2025-26 salary ($18.4 million). That could be tricky without adding Kelly Oubre Jr., who is the team’s only reliable wing with Paul George suspended, or Quentin Grimes, who has a no-trade clause after signing a qualifying offer this past summer.

Jock Landale

When talking about big men who would be cheaper and represent an upgrade over Andre Drummond, many point to the Indiana Pacers’ Jay Huff. To me, Landale is the better option. Though not much of a rim protector, Landale is a strong rebounder. While he’s built like a traditional center, he’s become a legitimate pick-and-pop threat the last couple seasons. If the cost is something like Drummond and a second-rounder or two, it’s worth a call. As a third center to push Adem Bona, you could do a whole lot worse.

Vince Williams Jr.

Williams is an interesting player. He’s a guard who can basically do everything but make threes. He has creation juice, both for himself and others, is an excellent rebounder for his size and is a dogged defender with a 7-foot-wingspan. His lack of shooting could hurt since the Sixers already feature a couple non-shooters in the rotation, but he’s not bad perimeter depth to have and the cost figures to be relatively low.

Brice Sensabaugh

Chances are the Jazz will hang on to Sensabaugh, but if they’re open for business, he’s worth a phone call. The 22-year-old forward can just flat out score. His three-point shooting has dipped a bit this year, but he dropped 43 points in a game a couple weeks ago. The Sixers could use a pure bucket-getter off the bench and more shooting while George is out. Again, not sure what it would take or if Utah would move him, but he’s an intriguing option.

Posted on

Jaylen Brown wins Player of the Month for the first time in his NBA career

Jaylen Brown | NBAE via Getty Images

DALLAS — Jaylen Brown has won Eastern Conference Player of the Month for the month of January, winning the honor for the first time in his career, the NBA announced on Tuesday.

Brown averaged 29.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game, headlined by a 50-point outing against the Los Angeles Clippers on January 3rd and a 40-point outing against the Atlanta Hawks on January 17th. The Celtics finished the month with a 10-6 record.

Brown’s efficiency declined from last month — he shot 44% from the field and 33% from three — but he excelled in other areas, such as leading the Celtics in rebounding in 7 of their last 8 games.

Jaylen Brown was awarded Player of the Month after being snubbed in December

Brown was openly frustrated when he was overlooked for the award in December, posting “Smh.”

He averaged 31.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.4 assists on 53.8 percent shooting, and the Celtics finished with a 9-3 record.

Instead, New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson won the award after averaging 30.6 points and 7.1 assists per game en route to a 10-4 Knicks record (and the NBA Cup).

“I think he should’ve got it and I hope he takes it out on our opponents for the next month,” Joe Mazzulla said after the award was announced, just hours before Brown exploded for 50 points in LA.

Now, Brown gets the honor for the first time in his NBA career.

For the season, Brown is averaging 29.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists — all career-highs — while shooting 48.5% from the field and 36.2% from the three-point line.

In the Western Conference, Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic won the award after leading his team to a 10-7 record. Doncic averaged 34 points, 9.1 assists, and 7.2 rebounds.

Other nominees in the East included Miami Heat players Bam Adebayo and Norman Powell, New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, Philadelphia 76ers forward Joel Embiid, Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, and Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam.

Posted on

Bulls vs Bucks Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

The rumours surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo are ramping up with the trade deadline approaching, but even that’s not enough to distract from the product on the court for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Without the Greek Freak on the floor, Milwaukee is in a free fall, and even a matchup with the Chicago Bulls looks daunting at the moment.

My Bulls vs. Bucks predictions and NBA picks break down why there’s value with Chicago as short road favorites for this Central Division showdown set to tipoff at 8:00 pm ET at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Tuesday, February 3.

Bulls vs Bucks prediction

Bulls vs Bucks best bet: Bulls -2.5 (-110)

Whether or not Giannis Antetokounmpo gets traded doesn’t change the fact that he’s not on the court for the Milwaukee Bucks.

They’ve lost eight of nine and are just 3-14 when Giannis doesn’t play. They also rank 26th in net rating since the start of December.

The Chicago Bulls have their own issues, but have been shooting the ball better. The Bulls rank third in eFG% over the last 10 games, while the Bucks have the fourth-worst defense rating over that same stretch.

Milwaukee is just 1-8 ATS in its last nine games. Chicago wins and covers this short spread.

Bulls vs Bucks same-game parlay

The Bucks do a lot of things poorly. So, let’s use that to our advantage in this SGP.

It’s hard to imagine a team with Giannis being bad at rebounding, but here we are. Milwaukee ranks next-to-last in rebounding rate.

So, take Matas Buzelis to go Over 6.5 rebounds, something he’s done in four of his last six games.

Next, it’s Coby White to go Over 5.5 assists. He’s hit the Over on that number in four of his last seven. The Bucks rank 27th in opponent assists per possession since the start of January.

Bulls vs Bucks SGP

  • Bulls -2.5
  • Matas Buzelis Over 6.5 rebounds
  • Coby White Over 5.5 assists

Our "from downtown" SGP: Bad luck Bucks

This is the "everything that can go wrong, will" for the Bucks parlay.

Bulls vs Bucks SGP

  • Matas Buzelis Over 6.5 rebounds
  • Coby White Over 5.5 assists
  • Ayo Dosunmu Over 17.5 points
  • Nikola Vucevic Over 1.5 threes

Bulls vs Bucks odds

  • Spread: Bulls -2.5 | Bucks +2.5
  • Moneyline: Bulls -140 | Bucks +120
  • Over/Under: Over 223 | Under 223

Bulls vs Bucks betting trend to know

The Bucks have only covered the 1H Spread in 11 of their last 40 games at home for -22.35 Units and a-48% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Bulls vs. Bucks.

How to watch Bulls vs Bucks

LocationFiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
DateTuesday, February 3, 2026
Tip-off8:00 p.m. ET
TVCHSN, FDSN Wisconsin

Bulls vs Bucks latest injuries

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

Posted on

Detroit Pistons trade longtime guard to get a 3-point shooting threat

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 20: Jaden Ivey #23 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles the ball up court against Kevin Huerter #9 of the Sacramento Kings in the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center on November 20, 2022 in Sacramento, California. 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. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Detroit Pistons are giving Jaden Ivey a fresh start, sending the beleaguered guard to the Chicago Bulls in a multi-team trade that will net the Pistons Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric from the Chicago Bulls.

The full details of the trade are as follows, according to Shams Charania of ESPN:

Detroit Pistons receive:

  • Dario Saric
  • Kevin Huerter
  • 2026 first-round protected swap from Minnesota

Chicago Bulls receive:

  • Jaden Ivey
  • Mike Conley Jr.

Minnesota Timberwolves receive:

  • Huge trade exception and flexibility to chase Giannis (my editorializing)

It’s a relatively sad end to the brief tenure of Jaden Ivey, which also must have felt interminably long from his point of view. The Purdue product was thrust into primary playmaking duties in Year 1 after Cade went down early in the season. Year 2 was the Monty Williams torture chamber. Year 3 was a brief breakout campaign cut short by a gruesome leg injury. Year 4 has been Ivey, finally healthy enough to play, while his young teammates have all gelled in his absence. He’s also clearly not 100% back, and might not be for another season.

Ivey was clearly not 100%, clearly on the outside looking in on how this young team was establishing its identity, and clearly not in the long-term plans entering what will be restricted free agency this summer. The Pistons didn’t need a great return and, well, they certainly didn’t get one.

Kevin Heurter is a career 37% three-point shooter, and he’s three inches taller than Ivey. That is about the long and short of Detroit’s motivations for this deal. But he’s down to 31% on the Bulls this season, shot 30% in 43 games with Sacramento last season before rebounding in a short stint with the Bulls after the trade deadline.

Dario Saric is just salary ballast and might never actually play for the Pistons, and likely gets waived if still on the roster by the end of NBA Trade Deadline day.

Trajan Langdon needed to trade for a shooter, and he’s banking on Heurter being that guy, provided he’s getting clean looks courtesy of Cade Cunningham and not a Bulls team whose only point guard (Josh Giddy) has missed huge chunks of the season.

Then there is the pick swap. Because of the absolute buzzsaw out West and Detroit’s comfortable position in the East, it is likely this is a pick swap that actually conveys. As of today, it would allow Detroit to move up six spots from 29 to 23 in the NBA Draft. We will see where is lands by the end of the season.

If this move by Minnesota is a precursor to a huge Giannis or Giannis-like move, then both these teams could find themselves picking in the low 20s by season’s end.

As with most deals near the NBA trade deadline, this could morph into something bigger. With huge salaries and three teams already involved, it’s the kind that can grow pretty easily and suck more teams into its orbit. As of now, the Pistons would need to cut a player to execute the trade.

They could cut or ship out Isaac Jones easily, and then cut Saric in an effort to create a permanent roster spot for two-way player Daniss Jenkins, which is near the top of Detroit’s priority list this week. We will have more if the story develops.

Posted on

Jazz reportedly acquire Jaren Jackson Jr.: Roster fallout and fantasy impact

While most of the chatter ahead of Thursday's trade deadline has focused on Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden, neither was involved in Tuesday's significant transaction.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Grizzlies traded Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar, Jock Landale and Vince Williams Jr. to the Jazz in exchange for Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang and three future first-round picks.

Memphis' decision to move on from Jackson, a two-time All-Star and three-time All-Defensive Team member, signals that they're embracing a rebuild. And with Tuesday's transaction, the Grizzlies have control over 13 first-round picks over the next seven drafts, equal to Brooklyn and Oklahoma City. And with the Jazz rebuilding to ensure that their 2026 first-round pick doesn't go to the Thunder, Tuesday may not be a good day for fantasy managers who have Jackson on their rosters.

Let's look at the trade specifics and how the transaction affects fantasy basketball.

→ Watch the NBA Coast 2 Coast Tuesday on NBC and Peacock! The Celtics and Mavericks get things started at 8 p.m. before the Suns play the Trail Blazers at 11 p.m. ET. Both games are available on Peacock. Check your local listings for the NBC game in your area.

Utah receives:

Jaren Jackson Jr.

John Konchar

Jock Landale

Vince Williams Jr.

Jackson, who most recently went off for 30 points in Monday's win over the Timberwolves, is the headliner in this trade. In 45 appearances this season, he's averaged 19.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.5 blocks and 1.8 three-pointers in 30.7 minutes, shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 79.7 percent from the foul line. With his scoring average decreasing by three points, Jackson's fantasy value took a hit. Given the lackluster rebounding production, there isn't as much margin for error.

For the rest of this season, there should be concerns about availability. As noted above, if Utah's first-round pick falls outside of the top eight, it becomes property of the Thunder. With Jackson being a player who can clearly impact willing, get ready for him to get some "injury management" days off, as has been the case with Lauri Markkanen, Jusuf Nurkić and Kevin Love. So, those who took the step of stashing Kyle Filipowski in anticipation of the "silly season" should not panic. He should still get his opportunities.

As for the other three players headed to Utah, their fantasy prospects aren't great. Konchar has been a non-factor this season, in part because of the time he missed due to injury. Landale is on a one-year deal worth just under $2.3 million, so it's fair to wonder if he'll be a buyout candidate. If not, there may be a role for him, especially if the Jazz move Nurkić or Love before the deadline or limit their availability. Landale isn't a player worth rostering in most leagues, but he should not be entirely off the radar, given his production this season.

Williams is an interesting choice in that he lands in a spot similar to that of Walter Clayton Jr., who's headed to Memphis in this deal. With Keyonte George showing throughout this season that he's ready to run a team, and Isaiah Collier also in the mix, there won't be much room for Williams to showcase what he can do. And after a lackluster run in Memphis, even dynasty league managers will have to wonder if he's worth holding onto.

NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves at Memphis Grizzlies
Fantasy Basketball Stock Up Stock Down: Ty Jerome starting off strong
Jerome is producing for the Grizzlies after missing the start of the season with a calf strain.

Memphis receives:

Walter Clayton Jr.

Kyle Anderson

Taylor Hendricks

Georges Niang

Three future first-round picks

For Memphis, the draft capital is the key to this trade, as they now go fully into rebuild mode. The question now is what happens with Ja Morant: does he get traded by Thursday, or will the team wait until the offseason to do something? The franchise is familiar with Anderson, as he played four seasons in Memphis from 2018 to 2022, but he's unlikely to get the opportunities needed to affect fantasy basketball. As for Niang, he's yet to appear in a game this season after undergoing surgery to address a stress fracture in his left fifth metatarsal. He's on a one-year deal, so there may be questions as to whether he remains in Memphis after this trade becomes official.

Clayton and Hendricks are the players of interest here, especially for those competing in dynasty leagues, since both are still on rookie deals. Clayton was the 18th overall pick in last summer's draft, but his path to fantasy relevance in Utah became blocked because of George's emergence after two subpar seasons, and Collier also being in the rotation. Clayton has appeared in 45 games, averaging 6.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.0 three-pointers in 18.0 minutes. Even with Morant currently injured, Memphis still has Ty Jerome, Cam Spencer and Scotty Pippen Jr. on the roster. While dynasty league managers should hold onto Clayton, there won't be much of a change for those competing in redraft leagues.

Hendricks' first two seasons were marred by injuries, including a fractured leg suffered three games into the 2024-25 campaign. The return from that injury made it challenging for him to regain a place in the starting lineup, with Hendricks averaging 14.9 minutes in 33 appearances this season. With the Grizzlies trading Jackson and Konchar, there should be opportunities for Hendricks to earn rotation minutes. He doesn't need to be added immediately after this trade, but Hendricks is worth keeping an eye on once he arrives in Memphis.

The players currently on the Grizzlies' roster suddenly become more appealing after the front office moved one of its remaining stars, leaving the other still injured. While his fantasy outlook has taken a hit with Jerome joining the mix after missing the first 46 games with a strained calf, deep-league managers shouldn't give up on Spencer yet. He still played 25 minutes in both games Jerome has been available for, most recently recording 16 points, five assists and three three-pointers in Monday's win over the Timberwolves.

Young wings Cedric Coward and Jaylen Wells will be worth the risk during the silly season, and the same can be said for GG Jackson. Each may be a guy who gets added by fantasy managers ahead of Wednesday's game in Sacramento for availability reasons, and they'll likely be worth holding onto after that.

Posted on

Timberwolves, Pistons, Bulls pull off intriguing 3-team NBA trade

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the Pistons receiving a 2026 first-round pick swap.

The Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls have reportedly agreed to pull off an intriguing deal ahead of the 2026 NBA trade deadline.

There's an impending three-team trade, as reported by ESPN, which sends Pistons guard Jaden Ivey and Timberwolves veteran Mike Conley to Chicago, while guard Kevin Huerter and forward Dario Saric of the Bulls are re-routed back to Detroit.

Detroit also gets a 2026 first-round pick swap. The trade moves Minnesota under the first apron of the league's salary cap, with speculation that it's a contender to potentially land Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.

NBA TRADE RUMORS: Latest trade deadline updates, Grizzlies pull off big trade

Ivey, 23, was the No. 5 overall pick by the Pistons in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Purdue, but was limited by injuries last season. He was logging a career-low 16.8 minutes per game this season as Detroit emerged atop the Eastern Conference standings.

Ivey, the son of Notre Dame women's basketball coach Niele Ivey, will be a restricted free agent this offseason. Conley, Huerter and Saric are each on expiring contracts.

Bulls, Timberwolves, Pistons trade details

  • Bulls get: Jaden Ivey, Mike Conley
  • Pistons get: Kevin Huerter, Dario Saric
  • Timberwolves get: 2026 first-round pick swap

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Timberwolves, Bulls, Pistons 3-team NBA trade could help move Giannis

Posted on

Memphis agrees to trade Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah for three-first rounders in blockbuster move

In 2022, the Memphis Grizzlies looked like a team on the rise, falling to the eventual champion Warriors behind an impressive young core of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks. That turned out to be the peak of that core group, which due to injuries, suspensions and drama, never lived up to the hype.

Tuesday, that era officially came to an end in Memphis — and it may start a new era in Utah.

The Memphis Grizzlies are trading former Defensive Player of the Year and All-Star Jackson Jr., as well as John Konchar, Jock Landale and Vince Williams Jr. to the Utah Jazz for three first-round picks, Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks and Georges Niang, a trade broken by Shams Charania of ESPN.

This makes a Ja Morant trade inevitable, although, because of the lack of a market for him, it remains more likely to happen in the offseason than the summer. League sources told NBC Sports that, in the wake of this deal, the Grizzlies are still looking for a potential Morant trade before the deadline
.
This trade also signals the start of a major rebuild in Memphis, which now controls 12 first-round picks in the next seven years (which includes their pick this year — you can bet they are tanking the rest of the way). Those three first-round picks in this trade are good ones: Utah's best 2027 first-round pick (between Cleveland/Minnesota/Utah), the Lakers' 2027 first-round pick, and Phoenix's 2031 first-round pick, reports Jake Fischer.

Memphis also creates a $28.8 million trade exception with this deal, the largest trade exception in NBA history (they will have one year to use it).

Utah had signaled to anyone who would listen that this was going to be the final season that they were thinking lottery and rebuilding, they wanted to start winning next season.

Now they have an impressive front line when healthy: Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen (who they refused to trade despite plenty of interest and calls from other teams). Utah also has Walker Kessler (who is out injured for the season), who could start at the five and form a massive front line, or back them up off the bench. Keyonte George has emerged as an All-Star-level point guard who can run the show for this team, and they have No. 5 pick Ace Bailey on the wing, who has started to find his footing. That can be an impressive starting core that will win some games.

The big question now: How many games will Jackson play the rest of this season? The Jazz may want to keep this potentially impressive new starting five under wraps the rest of this season and continue its tanking mission. The Jazz owe their 2026 first-round pick to the Knicks, but it's top-eight protected. The Jazz would currently enter the NBA Draft Lottery with the sixth-worst record in the league and a better-than-75 % chance of keeping their pick, but if this team starts winning more, those numbers change in the Knicks' favor.

If Utah can add a high lottery pick to pair with this group and develop that player, they're pretty far down the road to becoming a dangerous team in the West.

The wildest stat in all of this: Every lottery pick except one from the impressive 2018 draft class has been traded: Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Trae Young, Jackson Jr., Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, and Michael Porter Jr. included (the only one who hasn't is Charlotte's Miles Bridges).

Posted on

Draymond Green faces ‘very real’ trade possibility amid Warriors’ pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo

Draymond Green (23) defends against Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the second half as the Golden State Warriors played the Milwaukee Bucks at Chase Center in San Francisco, on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (Photo by Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

In today’s Dub Hub:

Trade season is officially underway ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, and in a league where franchise players can be moved at a moment’s notice, no one is completely untouchable. That reality now extends to Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green, who, according to The Athletic, understands there is a “very real” chance he could be on the move amid the team’s pursuit of Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Via The Athletic:

To that point, league sources say Green and his camp are well aware that the prospect of him being sent to Milwaukee is very real. As our Nick Friedell reported on Monday, Jimmy Butler has been given strong indications that the Warriors plan to “stick by him as he begins a year-long rehab” from his recently torn ACL. And if Butler isn’t in the proposed deal — based on the economics and league rules — then Green is.

Golden State has long held interest in Antetokounmpo, and with recent reports suggesting that the former NBA champion and two-time league MVP may be ready for a new chapter away from Milwaukee, conversations about bringing him to the Bay — and pairing him with Stephen Curry — have intensified.

From a salary-matching standpoint, the Warriors have limited options. In addition to surrendering most of their remaining draft capital, they would either need to include Jimmy Butler’s $54.1 million salary in a near one-for-one deal for Antetokounmpo or construct a multi-player package centered around Green’s $25.8 million salary and Jonathan Kuminga’s $22.5 million contract. With The Athletic reporting that Golden State is reluctant to trade Butler following his season-ending ACL injury — and with Milwaukee prioritizing healthy players who can help immediately — a Green-led package appears to be the most realistic path to completing a deal.

Beyond the numbers, there is an undeniable human element at play. Green has spent his entire 14-year career with the Warriors, and the organization has long prided itself on how it treats its players. Green recently spoke about the personal toll of the trade deadline on an episode of The Draymond Green Show, touching on how life-altering these moments can be for players and their families.

It’s also no secret that Curry wants Green to remain in Golden State. Moving him would signal the definitive end of an era — one that already saw Klay Thompson depart two years ago. Whether the Warriors are truly willing to take that step as they chase another championship remains to be seen, but much will be revealed by how they navigate Thursday’s deadline.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Tuesday, February 3rd:

Warriors News:

Inside Warriors’ all-in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade pursuit before deadline | ClutchPoints

One rival executive who has dealt with the Warriors before in trade talks spoke with ClutchPoints on Sunday and brought up the interesting scenario where Green himself could be on board with such a maneuver, where he could be traded and return next season alongside Curry, Butler, and Antetokounmpo, since he owns a $27.6 million player option.

“Look, without Jimmy, the Warriors aren’t getting to the NBA Finals, even if they added Giannis right now,” the executive told ClutchPoints. “If you leverage Draymond and get more assets, you can pull off the biggest blockbuster and leave these other teams wanting Giannis scrambling for answers. There is no doubt in my mind there are those who would immediately offer a first-round pick for Draymond to make a title push right now.

Diminished roster leaves Warriors facing harsh reality before trade deadline | NBC Sports Bay Area

“You’re going to be surprised when I tell you the No. 1 thing you can do to negate another team’s speed,” Kerr said, resorting to sarcasm. “I know this is going to shock you. If we take care of the ball, that will be very helpful, too. I don’t think I’ve ever said that before.”

The Warriors, with no idea when Curry will return, have five games remaining before the All-Star break. Going 3-2 would be a triumph. Doing so without Curry would be extraordinary.

Steph Curry out vs. 76ers due to right knee pain

NBA News:

Sources: Clippers, Harden exploring trade; Cavaliers interested | ESPN

The LA Clippers and guard James Harden are working through whether the sides can find a deal by Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Monday night.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the teams expressing serious interest in Harden, with the sides discussing a Harden for Darius Garland swap, sources told Charania. The 26-year-old Garland, a two-time All-Star averaging 18.0 points and 6.9 assists in 26 games this season, is dealing with a right foot injury and has not played since Jan. 14.

Grizzlies trade former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Jazz

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Seth Curry making good progress in injury recovery

Per the Golden State Warriors’ official PR account on X (formerly Twitter), Seth Curry, brother of Stephen Curry, is making good progress in his rehabilitation from what is deemed as a “Sciatic nerve-related injury. Seth has missed the last 18 games. His last appearance was on December 4, 2025, during the Warriors’ game against the 76ers in Philadelphia.

Seth has progressed to various on-court workouts in addition to his rehab work, and will be re-evaluated again in two weeks.

Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.

Posted on

Magic vs Thunder Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

It was a bumpy January for the Oklahoma City Thunder, but that’s in the rearview mirror now, and the defending champs are big favorites to pick up their 40th win of the season tonight as they host the Orlando Magic.

There was a lot to like about OKC’s statement win in Denver over the weekend, and my Magic vs. Thunder predictions expect another full-force effort here against an Orlando team still missing Franz Wagner.

Take a closer look at this February 3 battle with my free NBA picks.

Magic vs Thunder prediction

Magic vs Thunder best bet: Thunder -8 (-110)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made his MVP case on Sunday as the Oklahoma City Thunder out-dueled Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets, and I’m riding with a banged-up OKC team as long as SGA can shake off a finger issue to keep running the show.

It could be a solo act at times tonight against the Orlando Magic, but the Thunder have beaten the Magic in four straight meetings and they’re 21-4 SU at home this season. That’s enough for me to lay the points.

The hosts relish the kind of physicality that comes when these two teams collide, and OKC’s perimeter hounds are a nightmare for an Orlando team that ranks 27th in the NBA in 3-point percentage.

While Chet Holmgren’s back spasms are a concern for this pick, we’ve seen the Thunder depth step up time and again this year, and Mark Daigneault has become an expert in piecing together rotations on the fly. It’s also worth noting that each of the hosts’ last six wins have come by a margin of 9+ points.

I can’t trust an erratic Magic squad that’s 2-5 ATS in its past seven contests and 8-15 ATS on the road this season. OKC is allowing just 108 ppg, the best mark in the league, so look for the champs’ defensive intensity to gradually wear down the visitors.

Magic vs Thunder same-game parlay

Cason Wallace is coming off a career-high 27 points in Denver, and there will be ample scoring opportunities again here with all the Thunder’s injury concerns. He’s nailed this Over in three of his last four games.

If any Magic player is going to crack the OKC defensive code, it’s Desmond Bane, who’s been on a tear lately. He drilled seven three-pointers to sink the Toronto Raptors on Friday, and he’s dropped in 2+ triples in four of his past five outings.

Magic vs Thunder SGP

  • Thunder -8
  • Cason Wallace Over 9.5 points
  • Desmond Bane Over 1.5 three-pointers

Our "from downtown" SGP: Black the playmaker

Anthony Black’s breakout has been one of the few real highlights for Orlando this season, and his playmaking will be key against the swarming Thunder. He’s dished 5+ dimes in four of his last five contests.

Magic vs Thunder SGP

  • Thunder -8
  • Cason Wallace Over 9.5 points
  • Desmond Bane Over 1.5 three-pointers
  • Anthony Black Over 4.5 assists

Magic vs Thunder odds

  • Spread: Orlando +8 (-110) | Oklahoma City -8 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Orlando +240 | Oklahoma City -300
  • Over/Under: Over 220.5 (-110) | Under 220.5 (-110)

Magic vs Thunder betting trend to know

The Thunder are 7-1-1 ATS in the last nine meetings between these teams. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Thunder.

How to watch Magic vs Thunder

LocationPaycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
DateTuesday, February 3, 2026
Tip-off8:00 p.m. ET
TVFDSN Florida, FDSN Oklahoma

Magic vs Thunder latest injuries

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

Posted on

Red Wings Still Involved in Artemi Panarin Sweepstakes As Deal is Expected Wednesday

The Detroit Red Wings have emerged as a leading candidate to acquire New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin as the NHL trade deadline approaches, sources say.

The Russian forward, an over point-per-game scorer for much of his career, is reportedly looking to move before the March 6 deadline, potentially with an extension included. Multiple outlets, including TSN’s Chris Johnston, suggest a deal could be completed as early as Wednesday, ahead of the Olympic trade freeze.

Panarin has captured significant attention this season after Rangers management announced they would not be looking to re-sign him. Rumors swirled for weeks about potential landing spots, but Johnston noted that speculation has begun to simmer as New York decides its next move. 

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently listed the top teams in the mix: the Washington Capitals, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, and the Detroit Red Wings.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Friedman highlighted that Panarin’s desired contract could range around $50 million, with some teams considering short-term, high-cap deals while others may emulate the structure of Brad Marchand’s six-year, $31.5 million deal with Florida. The Panthers remain in the mix, partly due to Panarin’s close friendship with goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.

Detroit stands out among the contenders for several reasons as they possess significant cap flexibility, a deep prospect pool, and draft capital appealing to the Rangers.

Panarin could slot immediately onto Detroit’s top line alongside stars Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond, providing a major boost to a team looking to accelerate its rebuild. The Red Wings also have relatively few long-term contract commitments outside of key re-signings like Simon Edvinsson, making a sizable contract for Panarin feasible.

However, the decision is not without risk. Panarin, 34, is enjoying another productive season with 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points in 52 games, but a lengthy extension could be a gamble if his performance declines in the coming years.

For the Red Wings, the question is no longer whether they could acquire Panarin, it’s whether they want to make a bold move now to potentially shorten the timeline toward contention. With a deal potentially coming as early as Wednesday, fans could see the superstar in a winged wheel jersey very soon.

Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!

Image

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

Posted on

Mets News: Carlos Beltrán to wear Mets cap on HOF plaque

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 01: Carlos Beltran #15 of the New York Mets at bat against the New York Yankees at Citi Field on July 1, 2011 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Carlos Beltrán will officially wear a Mets cap on his Baseball Hall of Fame plaque, according to a Tuesday afternoon announcement. Beltrán, who was elected by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America on January 20 with 84.2% of votes, will be just the third Hall of Famer to wear a Mets cap in Cooperstown along with Tom Seaver and Mike Piazza.

Over the course of his twenty-year career, Beltrán tallied 435 homers and 312 stolen bases, becoming one of just five players in baseball history with 400+ homers and 300+ stolen bases. Beltrán played for seven different teams, winning a Rookie of the Year Award with the Royals and a controversial World Series with the Astros in 2017, but he spent the bulk of his prime (from ages 27 to 34) in Queens. During his six and a half seasons in New York, Beltrán hit 149 homers, recorded 559 RBI, and stole 100 bases, while earning three All-Star selections, three Gold Glove Awards, and a pair of Silver Slugger Awards. In 2006, Beltrán helped lead the Mets to a division title with a stellar 8.2 bWAR, matching a Mets record at the time with 41 home runs.

Beltrán will be inducted at Cooperstown alongside fellow players Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent on July 26. Beltrán will also be inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame alongside Lee Mazzilli and Bobby Valentine at Citi Field sometime this summer.

Posted on

Game Preview: Knicks at Wizards, February 3, 2026

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 03: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Mohamed Diawara #51 of the New York Knicks in action against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden on November 03, 2025 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Wizards 119-102. 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. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Tonight the Knicks (31*-18) are away on business, facing the Wizards (13-35) in Washington, D.C. A win tonight would extend New York’s winning streak to seven games, preserve their grip on second place, and avoid the embarrassment of losing to the Wizards.

When these teams last met on Nov. 3, 2025, the Knicks won 119-102. Karl-Anthony Towns led the victors with 33 points and 13 rebounds, Jalen Brunson added 16 points and nine assists, and OG Anunoby scored 16. For the ‘Zards, Alex Sarr scored 19.

Washington’s season has turned the Capital One Arena into a hall of sadness. Most nights, the answer to What’s in your wallet? is A big fat L. The cellar dwellers score 112.3 points per game (26th) and allow 122.5 (29th). Perhaps things are looking up, though; after nine straight losses, they’ve won three of their last four. Prepare the parade floats.

Sophomore Alex Sarr (17.6 PPG) is their primary weapon, but the boy from Bordeaux is more like a slingshot than a FAMAS. In their backcourt, Kyshawn George (15.7 PPG, 5 APG) has become a high-usage playmaker. Bilal Coulibaly (9.9 PPG) shoots a dreadful 26% from deep, and veteran Khris Middleton (10.3 PPG) is making plans for retirement, logging career-lows for shooting and scoring. That lovable scamp Bub Carrington (10 PPG, 4.7 APG) and Marvin Bagley II (10.1 PPG, 5.7 RPG) are the team’s biggest threats from range. Any one of these fellas could be a Sacramento King by Thursday night.

The injury report lists Mitchell Robinson (ankle), Miles McBride (ankle), and Kevin McCullar Jr. (calf) as OUT for the visitors. For Washington, Anthony Gill (hand) is GTD while Tre Johnson (ankle), Tristan Vukcevic (hamstring), and Trae Young (knee) are all OUT.

Prediction

ESPN.com gives New York an 86% chance to win. You betcha! New York just needs to take it nice and steady, own the glass, make some shots, and limit the silly stuff, like those pesky turnovers and stupid fouls that bedevil them on occasion. A wise plan would be to pile up a huge lead by intermission, then let Kolek and Diawara handle the second half en route to an easy peasy win while Jalen and the starters sneak out of the stadium and take an early flight back to NYC.

Coulibaly is our pick to have the game of his life, as rando players are wont to do. Usually rims and nets are safe as babies when he’s around, but tonight he’ll drill 6-of-7 because it’s the Knicks. Or maybe we’ll see the spirit once again move Justin Champagnie, who shot 13-of-15 in a late December 2024 game against New York for a career-high 31 points because it’s the Knicks. Regardless, this should be a glorified scrimmage that our heroes win by 15. Seven in a row, can you imagine?

Game Details

Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Time: 7 PM ET
Place: Capital One Arena, Washington D.C.
TV: MSG
Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky

* Should be one more, but the Cup final doesn’t count.

Posted on

LIV Golf tour hits out at decision to only award ranking points to top-10 finishers

  • Ranking points to be awarded at LIV events for first time

  • Saudi-backed tour attacks ‘unprecedented restriction’

The Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf Tour has hit out at what it regards as victimisation from those presiding over the sport’s world rankings process, despite seeing their wait of nearly four years for recognition by the system finally end.

It was confirmed on Tuesday that those competing in LIV tournaments will receive official world golf ranking points but only when finishing in the top 10. A statement from the OWGR board said this “recognises there are a number of areas where LIV Golf does not meet the eligibility standards set out”.

Continue reading...
Posted on

The Kings Shouldn’t Be Happy About Breaking This NHL Record

The Los Angeles Kings are one overtime loss away from putting their names into the NHL record book for most overtime losses in history, and it's not the kind of milestone that a team wants to celebrate over. 

With 14 overtime losses on the season, the most in the NHL, with only the Vegas Golden Knights having the same amount, who sit in first place right now in the Pacific Division, the Kings have turned close games into costly missed opportunities, losing out on critical points in a Western Conference playoff race that has no margin for error.

A Record That Hurts More Than It Helps

This has been a recurring rollercoaster for the Kings this season; it's been the one issue they haven't been able to escape. The inability to close out close games and dig themselves out of a win in overtime or regulation when it becomes a one-possession game. 

Los Angeles also has the most overtime games played, with 23, and a below-average record: 9-14, tying for the most goals against (67) in the NHL with the Golden Knights and Minnesota Wild.

But with all this going on, Los Angeles is still very much alive in the West playoff picture. Despite all the struggles and heartbreaking losses they've gone through, it's still a very tight race. 

The Pacific Division has been very inconsistent this season, with no team you can look at and say is running away with the conference or a clear contender. Only three teams are either exactly .500 or above .500 in the conference: the Edmonton Oilers, San Jose Sharks, and Anaheim Ducks. Not even the number one seed, the Golden Knights, are above .500, with a record of 25-16-14. 

Three-on-Three Is Exposing the Kings' Weaknesses

Three-on-three is designed to reward speed, skill, shot-making, and execution. While the Kings have had solid shot-making and speed, they have struggled this season to score in the 3-on-3 format. 

Whether it's the lazy defense that gets tired in overtime or turnovers that the Kings give up a lot late in games, LA, for most of this season, always loses the same way in every game. 

A Warning Sign

There's also a psychological factor to this repeated outcome for the Kings. With Los Angeles constantly losing the same way, especially in overtime games, that chips away at their confidence, especially when the same mistakes keep surfacing.

A team that expects to compete in the Western Conference shouldn't be learning how to close games in February; it should already have it figured out, as we are well into the second half of the season and almost into the postseason.   

Now, none of this means the Kings are a bad team; in fact, it means the opposite: Los Angeles can compete with anyone on any given night and is competitive almost every night against the best teams in the league.

But being competitive without execution or clutch is how good teams become average or mediocre, and how playoff teams become first-round exits. 

Overtime Change 

Now, fans have argued that much of this inconsistency, not only in the Pacific Division but also in other divisions, has been due to overtime games. Fans have even argued that, from a competitive standpoint, ties would be preferable to the constant drift into 3-on-3 overtime matches, especially for several teams that haven't shown any ability to win in that format.  

The NHL used to have ties; the last season was 2004-05, before the controversial change in 2005-06 eliminated them and adopted 3-on-3 overtime and a shootout. But there have been no discussions in the NHL about changing the overtime rules again or going back to ties, as other professional leagues do in the NFL. 

Image

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

Posted on

Jaren Jackson Jr. trade grades for Jazz-Grizzlies mega deal

HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 26: Jaren Jackson Jr. #8 of the Memphis Grizzlies celebrates after the game against the Houston Rockets on January 26, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Memphis Grizzlies are officially rebuilding even as Ja Morant remains on the roster for now. After trading Desmond Bane to Orlando Magic over the summer, the Grizzlies sold high on Jaren Jackson Jr. two days before the trade deadline for a huge haul for picks and players to a surprising buyer.

The Utah Jazz have acquired Jackson Jr. along with three other players from Memphis in exchange for a package headlined by three first-round picks and four players. Here’s how it breaks down, via Shams Charania.

Jazz get: Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar, Jock Landale, and Vince Williams Jr

Grizzlies get: 3 first-round picks, Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang

The picks going to Memphis are their most favorable 2027 first-round pick between Cleveland, Minnesota, and Utah, the Lakers’ 2027 first-round pick, and the Suns 2031 first-round pick, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer.

We mentioned Jackson as a sneaky trade candidate for a haul of first-round picks earlier in the day, but it’s shocking to see the Jazz step up and complete the deal. Utah’s tank is officially over … at least after this season. Let’s grade this deal for both sides.

Jazz grade for Jaren Jackson Jr. deal

You can’t tank forever, and with a weaker 2027 draft looming, Utah decided it was time to accelerate their rebuild. The Jazz’s first-round pick is top-8 protected to OKC this year, so I’d expect the Jazz lose a lot of games to end this season to ensure they have one more bite at lottery luck in the draft. Landing Jackson is a long-term move to add another versatile big man to a core that already includes Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, Walker Kessler, and Ace Bailey. If the Jazz hit the lottery for a top-four pick in the loaded 2026 NBA Draft, they will suddenly have one of the best young cores in basketball.

Jackson is in his prime right now at age-26. A 6’10 forward/center, Jackson can shoot and handle like a wing while also being a stout rim protector. He struggles to rebound for a big man, and that will have to be something Utah works around. Jackson is averaging 19.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game this season on 57.4 percent true shooting and 36 percent shooting from three on 7.7 attempts per 100 possessions.

Jackson’s scoring efficiency is middling and his defense feels like it’s slipped from his 2023 Defensive Player of the Year season, but he’s still one of the better two-way bigs in the game. Utah has five-out spacing with Jackson and Markkanen, which gives George more room to operate as a driver and playmaker. Imagine if Utah adds Darryn Peterson or Cameron Boozer to this mix. The Jazz could be scary very quickly. Williams Jr. is a nice addition in this trade, too.

This is a ton to give up for Jackson, but I like the move for Utah. The Jazz have been trash since they traded Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert in the same offseason, and it was time to get serious. Utah has one more bite at the apple in the 2026 draft, then it’s time to start trying to win.

Grade: B+

Grizzlies grade for Jaren Jackson Jr. deal with Utah

Memphis is honest about its place in the Western Conference. Morant, Bane, and Jackson were once one of the most promising young cores in the NBA, but their rivals passed them by. This is the Grizzlies selling very high on Jackson just when his play started declining.

This trade is all about the picks for Memphis. While the 2027 draft might look weaker right now, getting the best pick of Utah, Cleveland, and Minnesota could be highly valuable. The 2031 Suns pick is an awesome future pick, and the 2027 Lakers’ pick could be juicy with an injury to Luka Doncic. Clayton is a nice flier to take during his rookie season, and maybe Taylor Hendricks can get healthy and finally give up to his lottery billing. Hendricks sounded like a poor man’s Jackson Jr. as a draft prospect, but his constant injury issues have derailed his development to this point.

The Grizzlies made this deal while being 19-29 on the season. Expect a Morant trade soon. This front office is one of the game’s best in the draft, and now they have tons of ammo to rebuild from the ground up.

Grade: A-