Category: NBA

The top of the order in the 2026 NBA Draft offers hope for several franchises around the league who are looking to turn their trajectory around and there are a handful of prospects who can deliver that promise.

Most fans know the names Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and AJ Dybantsa if they have followed high school or college basketball to any degree. But other names are emerging as bona fide lottery locks, too, with a few breakout prospects such as Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler and Alabama freshman Amari Allen who are moving up big boards.

There are no wrong answers between Peterson, Boozer and Dybantsa as all offer special traits for their future pro franchise. But the rest of the first round has plenty of intrigue hiding in plain sight, too.

Our draft order is based on ESPN’s projected records and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.

1. Washington Wizards: Darryn Peterson

• TEAM: Kansas
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Ohio
• HEIGHT: 6-5
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Despite trading for Trae Young, the Washington Wizards could have one of the strongest backcourts in the Eastern Conference if they land the No. 1 overall pick and select Darryn Peterson. When healthy, the Kansas freshman looks like one of the most talented prospects in recent memory and so this would immediately change their trajectory as a franchise.

2. Brooklyn Nets: Cameron Boozer

• TEAM: Duke
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Florida
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• DRAFT AGE: 18

After the Nets took five bites at the apple in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft, they will likely have yet another opportunity to add a difference-maker in the lottery. Any of the players at the top of the draft will return tremendous value for Brooklyn, but Cameron Boozer should excite their front office. He isn’t a human highlight reel but his statistical profile jumps off the page as a prospect who offers a complete package to evaluators.

3. Sacramento Kings: AJ Dybantsa

• TEAM: BYU
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Massachusetts
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Sacramento Kings have had an utterly disappointing season and could use a new identity. Drafting a player like BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa would given them that. The young star recently became the youngest player in NCAA history with a 30-point triple-double against Eastern Washington on Dec. 22, then he had 43 dominant points against in-state rival Utah on Jan. 24.  

4. Indiana Pacers: Caleb Wilson 

• TEAM: North Carolina
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Georgia
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Just one year removed from an appearance in the NBA Finals, the Pacers are now in a position to add one of the top prospects to their rotation once Tyrese Haliburton returns from his Achilles tendon injury. Now that Myles Turner is no longer on the roster, North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson is a name they should consider. The double-double machine leads the nation in dunks, per Bart Torvik, and would bolster the frontcourt next to Pascal Siakam.  

5. Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans): Kingston Flemings

• TEAM: Houston
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Texas
• HEIGHT: 6-4
• DRAFT AGE: 19

With an unprotected pick acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans in the Derik Queen trade during the 2025 NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks will have a chance to find a great young player. Following a trade that sent former franchise guard Trae Young to the Wizards, the Hawks could build a strong defensive backcourt next to Dyson Daniels by selecting Kingston Flemings. This freshman recorded 42 points, six assists and two steals against No. 11 Texas Tech on Jan. 24. 

6. Utah Jazz: Keaton Wagler

• TEAM: Illinois
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Kansas
• HEIGHT: 6-6
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The highest riser in the 2026 NBA Draft cycle so far is Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler, who continues to exceed all expectations as a one-and-done breakout star. The 18-year-old guard scored 46 points while shooting 9-of-11 on 3-pointers against No. 12 Purdue on Jan. 24 and he is now shooting 43.5 percent from beyond the arc on 5.8 attempts per game. As a cerebral guard and secondary playmaker, he would make for a perfect counterpart to Keyonte George in the backcourt for the Jazz.

7. Milwaukee Bucks: Mikel Brown Jr.

• TEAM: Louisville
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Florida
• HEIGHT: 6-5
• DRAFT AGE: 20

If the Bucks decide to trade away Giannis Antetokounmpo, they are going to need to take some home run swings. Louisville freshman Mikel Brown Jr., a former McDonald’s All-American who was a standout for Team USA during the FIBA U-19 World Cup, represents exactly that. He isn’t scoring or shooting efficiently but he is a high-impact playmaker as a passer who could blossom into a promising lead guard.  

8. Charlotte Hornets: Jayden Quaintance

• TEAM: Kentucky
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Ohio
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• DRAFT AGE: 18

Jayden Quaintance has had a late start to the season as he recovers from a torn ACL, meniscus and fractured knee. But the sophomore big man showed immediate flashes once he debuted for Kentucky. Despite a slow start after his transfer from Arizona State, he is arguably the most talented defender in this draft class and could help a team that has struggled on defense like the Charlotte Hornets.

9. Dallas Mavericks: Darius Acuff Jr.

• TEAM: Arkansas
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Michigan
• HEIGHT: 6-3
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Mavericks should feel excited about Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr., who is sensational at creating a basket for himself and has become a fantastic playmaker for head coach John Calipari. He looks like one of the most promising lead guards in the 2026 NBA Draft, already thriving as a ball handler when operating in pick-and-roll for the Razorbacks. While he is a bit undersized, Acuff Jr. has now scored at least 15 points in 15 consecutive games for Arkansas. 

10. Chicago Bulls: Yaxel Lendeborg

• TEAM: Michigan
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: New Jersey
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• DRAFT AGE: 23

Chicago has two solid players with Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis both playing fairly well this season. They could add to their core by selecting Yaxel Lendeborg, who is perhaps the most NBA-ready player in this draft class. Lendeborg offers a bit of everything on both sides of the ball and has silenced skeptics who were unsure how his game would scale after transferring from mid-major UAB to high-major Michigan. 

11. Memphis Grizzlies: Labaron Philon

• TEAM: Alabama
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Alabama
• HEIGHT: 6-4
• DRAFT AGE: 20

Whether or not the Grizzlies decide to move on from Ja Morant, they could use some help in the backcourt and could find a fairly compelling player in Alabama sophomore Labaron Philon. The guard is now averaging 22.0 points per game and has improved his 3-point shooting from 31.5 percent as a freshman to 37.0 percent as a sophomore, also managing 5.1 assists per game in the process. 

12. Portland Trail Blazers: Koa Peat

• TEAM: Arizona
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Arizona
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Portland Trail Blazers have drafted several prospects known for their athleticism, which means a player like Koa Peat will probably have some appeal. Add in that Trail Blazers assistant general manager Mike Schmitz went to college at Arizona, where Peat is currently thriving, and this seems like an ideal match given his versatility as a playmaking forward. He just needs a jumper to carve out regular minutes as a high-impact pro. 

13. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers): Hannes Steinbach

• TEAM: Washington
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Germany
• HEIGHT: 6-11
• DRAFT AGE: 20

After winning the 2025 NBA Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder are projected to somehow add even more lottery talent in the 2026 NBA Draft. They could use it to potentially replace Isaiah Hartenstein by drafting a younger German big man: Hannes Steinbach. He is an instinctive rebounder with great hands, especially on the offensive glass. He shined during the FIBA U19 World Cup and scouts love that he is a smart basketball player who can make great reads. 

14. San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks): Nate Ament

• TEAM: Tennessee
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Virginia
• HEIGHT: 6-10
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Scouts might feel divided about Tennessee freshman Nate Ament, who has struggled with his shooting efficiency in college so far and isn’t showing tremendous athleticism. But with his 6-foot-10 frame and a recent 29-point performance against No. 23 Alabama on Jan. 24, it only takes one team to fall in love with what he brings to the table. Maybe the San Antonio Spurs could use this pick from the Atlanta Hawks to swing for the fences on someone with his unique upside.   

15. Golden State Warriors: Cameron Carr

• TEAM: Baylor
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Minnesota
• HEIGHT: 6-5
• DRAFT AGE: 21

One of the players who has improved his draft stock the most since the season began is Baylor junior Cameron Carr. He is able to dunk and shoot from beyond the arc at a high clip and, per Bart Torvik, is the only player to reach 30 field goals that were dunks and 30 field goals that were 3-pointers so far this season. He also provides high-end value as a defender, too. His 7-foot-2 wingspan can help him find a role on any team. 

16. Memphis Grizzlies (via Magic): Joshua Jefferson

• TEAM: Iowa State
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Nevada
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• DRAFT AGE: 22

A few years ago, research indicated that the Grizzlies tend to value a few statistical similarities in their draftees: Efficient shot selection, added value beyond scoring and defensive playmaking. Iowa State do-it-all senior Joshua Jefferson is a dribble-pass-shoot forward who meets many of the qualifications that led Memphis to find players still on their roster including Brandon Clarke and John Konchar. He is someone who looks destined to have a sustainable NBA career.

17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via 76ers): Karim López

• TEAM: International (Australia)
• POSITION: Forward
• BORN: Mexico
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• DRAFT AGE: 19

The Thunder have drafted several players from Australia’s NBL, including Josh Giddey. They could dip into this well again by selecting Karim López with their pick from the Philadelphia 76ers. While the Mexican-born forward still needs some development, the physically gifted forward is widely seen as the top prospect from this class currently playing overseas. Even if he is a draft-and-stash player, that is ideal for a team with a rotation as crowded as the Thunder. 

18. Miami Heat: Thomas Haugh

• TEAM: Florida
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Pennsylvania
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• DRAFT AGE: 22

After winning a national championship with Florida last season, Thomas Haugh was instantly regarded as one of the most interesting players who elected to return to college. Haugh has one of the top motors in the NCAA and he is an incredibly skilled basketball player. He does not need the ball in his hands very often to make a difference on the floor for his team, and he can serve as a glue guy for a consistently competitive team such as the Heat.

19. Charlotte Hornets (via Suns): Brayden Burries

• TEAM: Arizona
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: California
• HEIGHT: 6-4
• DRAFT AGE: 20

Arizona freshman Brayden Burries had two breakout games in January: He recorded 28 points with nine rebounds, four assists, four steals and one block against Kansas State on Jan. 7, and then he had 29 points with five rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks against BYU on Jan. 26. Burries has shown genuine productivity and he is able to defend, cut, relocate, move the ball and make open 3-pointers.    

20. Los Angeles Lakers: Patrick Ngongba II

• TEAM: Duke
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Virginia
• HEIGHT: 6-11
• DRAFT AGE: 20

The Lakers could use a big man like Patrick Ngongba II, who is an above-average passer for his position. His assist rate is the highest among underclassmen listed at 6-foot-11 or taller, per Bart Torvik, and he is at the top of his game when passing to a cutting perimeter player. Ngongba is a big-bodied prospect who can carve out space and he is on an encouraging development track, displaying year-over-year improvement from his freshman to sophomore campaign.

21. Toronto Raptors: Bennett Stirtz

• TEAM: Iowa
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Missouri
• HEIGHT: 6-4
• DRAFT AGE: 22

The Raptors could use another guard and should have Bennett Stirtz on their priority list. Despite transferring from Division II to a mid-major and then to a high-major program, he is at the top of the class in creating his own shot off the dribble. Stirtz, however, struggled against highly-ranked teams like Iowa State, Illinois and Michigan State. But the Raptors play at a slow pace, which would translate well for Stirtz, who is doing the same at Iowa.

22. Minnesota Timberwolves: Christian Anderson

• TEAM: Texas Tech
• POSITION: Guard
• BORN: Georgia
• HEIGHT: 6-3
• DRAFT AGE: 20

Another notable breakout player on mock drafts and big boards right now is Texas Tech sophomore Christian Anderson. Now playing point guard, Anderson is recording more than twice as many assists per 100 possessions as a sophomore now compared to when he was a freshman. He has turned himself into one of the best scorers and most prolific 3-point shooters in the NCAA and his game should scale well to the next level.   

23. Atlanta Hawks (via Cavaliers): Tounde Yessoufou

• TEAM: Baylor
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Benin
• HEIGHT: 6-5
• DRAFT AGE: 20

Baylor freshman Tounde Yessoufou is a force of nature in transition and does not have that same polish in a half-court offense. Still raw but with a respected work ethic, there are a lot of traits to admire about what he might blossom into as he continues his development. Already, however, his athleticism and his defensive playmaking will at least intrigue teams looking to improve their wing depth like the Hawks.   

24. New York Knicks: Henri Veesaar

• TEAM: North Carolina
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Estonia
• HEIGHT: 7-0
• DRAFT AGE: 22

After transferring from Arizona to North Carolina, we have seen a remarkable improvement from Henri Veesaar. The 7-foot big man from Estonia has an excellent shot diet on offense. He is scoring efficiently at the rim and on 3-pointers, while also holding his own as a rebounder and passer. Any team looking for a big man who can provide NBA minutes on an expedited timeline, like the Knicks, will have him high on their priority list.

25. Boston Celtics: Aday Mara

• TEAM: Michigan
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Spain
• HEIGHT: 7-3
• DRAFT AGE: 21

As the Celtics continue to exceed expectations, they do have some holes to fill in their frontcourt after losing both Kristaps Porziņģis and Al Horford. After selecting Hugo González from Spain in the draft last season, they could potentially target his former FIBA U18 European Championship tournament teammate Aday Mara. The giant 7-foot-3 big man is a fantastic rim protector and he can pass well, finding some awesome outlet looks in transition. 

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Spurs): Braylon Mullins

• TEAM: Connecticut
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Indiana
• HEIGHT: 6-6
• DRAFT AGE: 19

Braylon Mullins, a five-star recruit and former McDonald's All-American, missed the start of the season due to an ankle injury. But he has returned to action for the Huskies and has shown what makes him such an appealing player. He is a useful off-ball threat, which gives him an immediately practical role at the next level. Mullins is already shooting over 40 percent on 3-pointers since moving into the starting lineup. 

27. Denver Nuggets: JT Toppin

• TEAM: Texas Tech
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Texas
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• DRAFT AGE: 21

Texas Tech junior JT Toppin has somehow become underrated this season despite averaging 22.1 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. Despite going up against one of the best defenses in the country vs. Houston on Jan. 24, he had 31 points with 12 rebounds and three assists. It was his fifth game with at least 30 points and his 13th double-double out of 19 appearances. 

28. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Rockets): Amari Allen

• TEAM: Alabama
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Wisconsin
• HEIGHT: 6-7
• DRAFT AGE: 20

Alabama freshman Amari Allen is a 6-foot-7 freshman who averaged 14.4 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists with 2.2 stocks (steals and blocks) per game for the Crimson Tide during SEC conference play in January. He also shot 42.1 percent on 3-pointers while attempting 3.8 shots per game beyond the arc. Allen is a good connective piece who plays hard and knows how to make the right play. 

29. Detroit Pistons: Milan Momcilovic

• TEAM: Iowa State
• POSITION: Wing
• BORN: Wisconsin
• HEIGHT: 6-8
• DRAFT AGE: 21

While they are surprisingly one of the best teams in the league this season, the Pistons are still struggling from the perimeter and could use more talented 3-point shooters on their roster. A simple fix would be drafting Iowa State's Milan Momcilovic, who is having one of the most statistically dominant shooting seasons, both from beyond the arc and from mid-range, among any prospect in the nation.

30. Washington Wizards (via Thunder): Morez Johnson Jr.

• TEAM: Michigan
• POSITION: Big
• BORN: Illinois
• HEIGHT: 6-9
• DRAFT AGE: 20

Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best, most underrated two-way players in the NCAA. He is a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois. Johnson's shooting form at the free throw line looks good, and he scores well near the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout is a trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should find minutes at the next level.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NBA mock draft predictions for AJ Dybantsa and top prospects

We're into the second half of the NBA season, which means that in addition to the race for each conference's top spot and the battle for the basement... the race for NBA Play-In Tournament odds is again a discussion.

The Atlanta Hawks are the only team that looks firmly destined for the pre-playoffs playoffs... while the Blazers, Clippers, and Warriors are near-locks to participate in the West's four-team mini tourney.

NBA Play-In Tournament odds

Eastern Conference play-in tournament odds

Here are the NBA Play-In Tournament odds for the Eastern Conference.

Western Conference play-in tournament odds

Here are the Western Conference NBA Play-In Tournament odds:

NBA Play-In Tournament schedule

The schedule for the SoFI NBA Play-In Tournament, which runs from Tuesday, April 14 to Friday, April 17, will be released when the regular season ends.

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What is the NBA Play-In Tournament?

The NBA Play-In Tournament is a relatively new wrinkle in the league's playoff format. Instead of the Top 8 teams all being guaranteed playoff spots, the 7-through-10 seeds in each conference are entered into a mini-tournament, taking place shortly after the regular season's conclusion, determining the East and West's final two playoff spots. 

NBA Play-In Tournament format

Here's how the Play-In Tournament works:

For each conference, the 7 and 8 seeds earn double-elimination status and play each other, while the 9 and 10 seeds play in a single-elimination game. The winner of the 7-8 game earns the No. 7 seed, while the loser of the 7-8 game then plays the winner of the 9-10 games for the No. 8 seed.

From there, the playoffs begin in earnest, following the traditional bracket format. 

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When was the NBA Play-In Tournament introduced?

The Play-In Tournament was introduced, in a beta concept form, for the 2020 season as part of the league's plans for a bubble re-launch during the heights of the COVID-19 pandemic — originally just with the 8 and 9 seeds playing. 

After positive initial impressions from both fans and media, the Play-In Tournament was expanded to its current format and introduced, however unideal the timing, for a 2020-21 season that was already marred by pandemic absences and injuries.

NBA Play-In Tournament trends

• 2023 marked the first upsets in the opening round of games, with the lower seed taking three of the four games.
  
  
• 2023 was fruitful for the eventual success of play-in teams, with the 7-seed Los Angeles Lakers going on a run to the Western Conference Finals, and the 8-seed Miami Heat making it all the way to the NBA Finals. 

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

The Denver Nuggets deserve more praise. Despite injuries to every single one of its starters, Denver sits just a game out of the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. The Brooklyn Nets deserve no such praise.

My Nets vs. Nuggets predictions heap Denver’s praise largely on Jamal Murray.

Find out why in my NBA picks for January 29.

Nets vs Nuggets prediction

Nets vs Nuggets best bet: Jamal Murray Over 24.5 points (-112)

Jamal Murray has scored 24 points in back-to-back games, just the hook short of notching this modest prop. 

But before that, he was playing some of the best basketball of his career, including clearing this prop in four of five games while shooting 56% from the field.

With Aaron Gordon sidelined tonight, expect Murray to return to that form, though he barely actually left it.

The Denver Nuggets need this from Murray. The West is crowded below the Thunder, with the next six teams within four games of each other. If Murray were not playing this well, Denver very well may be considering the Play-In Tournament as we approach the trade deadline.

Instead, the Nuggets can expect home-court advantage in the playoffs thanks to Murray shooting 43.9% from deep, averaging 7.5 assists, and scoring 25.9 points per game.

Nets vs Nuggets same-game parlay

Before his 0 of 6 showing from deep on Tuesday, Murray had hit at least three 3-pointers in 24 of 41 games. As the Nets continue to scuffle, look for Murray’s shooting to propel the Nuggets to their fourth straight win against the spread.

Nets vs Nuggets SGP

• Jamal Murray Over 24.5 points
• Jamal Murray Over 2.5 threes
• Nuggets -6.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Revenge of MPJ

While this is asking a lot of Jamal Murray, he is Denver's only remaining genuine starter. A lot will be asked of him. The one thing that will not be asked of Murray is defending Michael Porter Jr., who has plenty of reason to want to inflict some pain on his old team.

Nets vs Nuggets SGP

• Jamal Murray Over 24.5 points
• Jamal Murray Over 2.5 threes
• Jamal Murray Over 8.5 assists
• Nuggets -6.5
• Michael Porter Jr. Over 25.5 points

Nets vs Nuggets odds

• Spread: Nets +6.5 | Nuggets -6.5
• Moneyline: Nets +220 | Nuggets -270
• Over/Under: Over 209.5 | Under 209.5

Nets vs Nuggets betting trend to know

Brooklyn is 1-5 against the spread in its last six games on the road. Find more NBA betting trends for Nets vs. Nuggets.

How to watch Nets vs Nuggets

Nets vs Nuggets latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

The Denver Nuggets have been ravaged by injuries this season. Nikola Jokić and Cameron Johnson have both been out since late December due to knee injuries. Christian Braun has been out for a few weeks due to an ankle injury. And Aaron Gordon recently aggravated the hamstring strain that sidelined him for more than a month earlier this year.

Those injuries couldn’t have come at a better time for Peyton Watson. In their absence, the fourth-year wing is averaging a career-high 14.4 points, 5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.5 threes, 1.2 blocks and 1 steal in 30.1 minutes per game. He’s also shooting a career-best 49.9% overall and 41.1% from deep.

According to longtime NBA insider Jake Fischer, rival executives have become “increasingly curious” about Denver’s “likely struggles” to re-sign Watson this summer when he becomes a restricted free agent. Fischer mentioned that teams “projected to have cap space—notably such as the Lakers—are already preparing interest.”

In early January, Spotrac’s Keith Smith projected the Lakers to have roughly $55 million in cap space this offseason. To get to that figure, they’d have to renounce all of their free agents other than Austin Reaves, but including LeBron James. If Marcus Smart turns down his $5.4 million player option, they could get north of $60 million.

Either way, the Lakers are poised to be one of the offseason’s biggest spenders. And with the free-agent class getting increasingly whittled down, restricted free agency may be their best path forward.

That should put Watson firmly on their radar, particularly given the Nuggets’ upcoming financial outlook.

Why the Nuggets might not be able to keep Watson

Between Jokić ($59.0 million), Jamal Murray ($50.1 million), Gordon ($32.0 million), Johnson ($23.1 million) and Bruan ($21.6 million), the Nuggets already have roughly $185.7 million tied up in those five alone. The 2026-27 salary cap is currently projected to be $166 million, so the Nuggets will be well over that figure if they keep that core in place.

Add in Zeke Nnaji ($7.5 million), Julian Strawther ($4.8 million), DaRon Holmes II ($3.4 million), Jalen Pickett ($2.4 million) and Hunter Tyson ($2.4 million), and the Nuggets could already have $206.2 million in salary on their books for next season. That’s not counting Jonas Valančiūnas, whose $10 million salary is fully non-guaranteed.

The first apron is projected to be $210.7 million next season, while the second apron is projected to be $223.7 million. The Nuggets could re-sign Watson and go blasting over the second apron, but that would result in some harsh team-building restrictions, including the inability to aggregate contracts in trades.

The question for the Lakers or any other interested Watson suitors is how much the Nuggets would be willing to match in an offer sheet.

Over the past month, Watson has averaged 21.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.1 threes, 1.4 blocks, and 1.3 steals in 35.9 minutes per game while shooting 49% overall and 42% from three. If that level of production was sustainable moving forward, he’d likely be looking at offers in the $30-plus million range.

However, a small sample size of star-caliber output isn’t always enough for a restricted free agent to break the bank. Just ask Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes, who wound up settling for his one-year, $8.7 million qualifying offer this past offseason.

Since Watson played somewhat sparingly over his first three seasons, teams might not be swayed by his recent performance meriting high-end starter money. If anything, Nickeil-Alexander Walker might be the template other teams try to follow.

The Atlanta Hawks acquired Alexander-Walker via sign-and-trade this offseason by handing him their full $14.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception. He’s rewarded them by averaging a career-high 20.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 32.9 minutes per game.

Like Watson, Alexander-Walker primarily came off the bench during the first few years of his NBA career. He had started 68 games across six seasons prior to his arrival in Atlanta, but he never had a sustained stretch of production like Watson is having right now.

The non-taxpayer MLE is projected to be $15.1 million next season. Unless the Nuggets trim salary, a contract in that range alone would push them dangerously close to the second apron. Anything worth $20 million or more would cause them to go over it.

Other suitors who are below the first apron could also offer Watson the non-taxpayer MLE, so the Lakers might have to offer him slightly more to entice him to sign with them. Even if they went into the $17-18 million range to start, they still could have north of $35 million to spend on other free agents before they re-sign Reaves.

Watson might not be the type of splashy star signing whom Lakers fans are hoping for, but the Lakers could do far worse than signing a 23-year-old forward who’s showing flashes of significant upside.

Unless otherwise noted, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball Reference. All salary information via Spotrac and salary-cap information via RealGM.

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We're well into the second half of the NBA season, with the latest NBA win totals markets coming into a much sharper focus.

The Oklahoma City Thunder — despite some recent stumbles — still have the highest projected win total (and are the only team projected North of 60 wins), followed by the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs, while the Washington Wizards, Sacramento Kings, and Indiana Pacers are expected to finish in the basement. 

Here are the latest NBA win totals odds for every team over the remainder of the season.

2025-26 NBA win totals odds

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Popular NBA futures markets

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NBA win totals betting trends

• 2022-23 was the first time in the past 18 regulation-length NBA seasons that a team failed to win 60 games. The Celtics won 64 last year to start the trend anew.
  
  
• A team from the Western Conference has had the NBA's best record in nine of the last 13 seasons.
  
  
• Recent trends suggest that the West produces more 50-win teams than the East, at an average of 5.0 over the past 13 regulation-length seasons, compared to 3.15.

Top 5 NBA single-season win-loss records

The Golden State Warriors made history twice during the 2015-16 season when they became the first team to win 73 regular-season games — and the first team to lose an NBA Finals after taking a 3-1 lead.

How to bet NBA regular season wins totals

Season win totals are self-explanatory: betting on how many wins a team will have that regular season. 

Oddsmakers set a projected number of wins for each team — based on past success, returning personnel and a variety of intangible factors — and offer Over/Under betting options, allowing you to wager on if a team will exceed that win total (Over) or fall short of it (Under). This total includes regular-season games only.

For example, if oddsmakers calculate the Charlotte Hornets to win around 35 games this upcoming season, they would set the Over/Under at 35.5. Thus, if Charlotte wins 35 or fewer games, they cash the Under. If Charlotte wins 36 or more games in the given season, they cash the Over.

Over 35.5 wins (-110)
Under 35.5 wins (-110)

On top of the season win total itself, some oddsmakers may set an assigned cost to the Over and Under bets — also known as vig or juice — depending on the implied probability of the team winning more or less than that total.

Season win totals are considered futures betting odds, and sportsbooks will take action on season win totals from the time they post the odds until the start of the season. Futures bets are then graded at the end of the season when all results are final. 

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

Last Sunday’s matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and Milwaukee Bucks was postponed after Dallas’ team plane couldn’t take off at Love Field on Sunday afternoon.

On Thursday, the NBA announced the makeup date of the game, which will occur nearly a month after predicted. Local reporters predicted the game could be made up during the extended break of the All-Star Game. Instead, the game will be played Tuesday, March 31 at 8 p.m. EST.

The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/MVR9q1rZjQ

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 29, 2026

Additionally, the NBA announced a change to Dallas’ matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies, originally scheduled for April 1. Since Dallas plays March 30 and, now, March 31, the NBA prevented a ‘three games in three nights’ scenario by moving Dallas’ game against the Grizzlies up three weeks. The game will now be played Thursday, March 12, at 8 p.m. EST.

Dallas plays in Atlanta on the 10th, will head to Memphis on the 12th, and will come home to play the Cleveland Cavaliers on the second night of a back-to-back.

On the back end, Dallas will now get an extra day off between games in early April, returning to Dallas to play the Orlando Magic on April 3 and a nationally televised game against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 5.

The team will likely look very different when they face the Bucks in late March. Kyrie Irving is expected to be back sometime after the All-Star Break and Anthony Davis could be back from his thumb injury, assuming he’s still on the team. Milwaukee could also look different as recent reporting has suggested Giannis Antetokounmpo’s time with the Bucks may be coming to an end as he is “ready for a new home,” according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

So while fans may have bought tickets for an exciting rematch of the Giannis-Flagg duel we saw in November, they could be seeing two very different teams.

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA has announced new dates for four games as a result of the winter storm’s impact on the Memphis and Dallas areas.

Poor weather last weekend forced the postponement of two scheduled Sunday games: Dallas at Milwaukee and Detroit at Memphis.

The Nuggets-Grizzlies game has been rescheduled for March 18, while the Mavericks-Bucks game now will take place March 31.

The dates have been changed for two other upcoming games to accommodate the weather-related schedule shifts. Memphis will host Dallas on March 12 rather than April 1. A Grizzlies home game with the New York Knicks will be April 1 instead of March 18.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

The 2026 NBA Rookie of the Year odds race is hitting the stretch run, and, well, it's that much of a race right now.

No. 1-overall pick Cooper Flagg remains the clear odds-on favorite, sitting at -400 (an implied probability of 80%), with Charlotte's Kon Knueppel — his teammate at Duke last season — the only other player within striking distance.

NBA Rookie of the Year odds

Latest NBA Rookie of the Year betting splits

Highest ticket percentage
•   V.J. Edgecombe 21.2%
•   Kon Knueppel 13.5%
•   Cooper Flagg 11.2%

Highest handle percentage
•   V.J. Edgecombe 26.4%
•   Kon Knueppel 21.6%
•   Cooper Flagg 18.1%

Biggest liability
•   V.J. Edgecombe

Data courtesy of BetMGM.

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NBA ROY betting trends

Here are some trends to keep in mind when betting on NBA Rookie of the Year:

• The No. 1 pick has won Rookie of the Year four times in the past 10 seasons.
  
  
• Bigs (PF/C) haven't had much success in ROY recently, with just four wins in the last 20 seasons.
  
  
• Only one ROY winner this century (Malcolm Brogdon, 36th, 2016) was drafted outside of the lottery.
  
  
• The Rookie of the Year has been drafted in the Top 5 in 16 of the past 20 seasons.

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NBA Rookie of the Year history

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

The Charlotte Hornets are creating quite the buzz, riding a four-game winning streak heading into tonight’s matchup against the banged-up Dallas Mavericks.

My Hornets vs. Mavericks predictions and NBA picks break down why Buzz City still isn’t getting enough respect in this matchup, set to tip off at the American Airlines Center in Dallas at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 29.

Hornets vs Mavericks prediction

Hornets vs Mavericks best bet: Hornets -4.5 (-110)

The Charlotte Hornets have won four in a row and have been playing excellent basketball for the better part of a month, going 7–3 over their last 10 games.

They’re doing it at both ends of the floor, leading the NBA in offensive rating and ranking fourth in defensive rating over that span.

I’m not concerned about Charlotte playing the second half of a back-to-back. The Dallas Mavericks — who rank 27th in offensive rating this season — are in the same spot and are also dealing with a lengthy injury list.

Buzz City wins its fifth straight, covering the spread along the way.

Hornets vs Mavericks same-game parlay

The Hornets are finding success in part because of their balance. All five starters scored double figures in the last game.

On top of that, Brandon Miller is starting to flash his potential. The 23-year-old is averaging 24.8 points per game over his last eight contests, eclipsing 20.5 points seven times during that span.

Another area where the Hornets can exploit the Mavs is on the glass. Dallas is surrendering the fourth-most opponent rebounds per game, so give me Collin Sexton to grab a pair of boards — something he’s done in five of his last seven outings.

Hornets vs Mavericks SGP

• Hornets -4.5
• Brandon Miller Over 20.5 points
• Collin Sexton Over 1.5 rebounds

Our "from downtown" SGP: Blue Devil Bromance

Wouldn't it be fun to watch former Duke teammates go back-and-forth tonight?

Hornets vs Mavericks SGP

• Cooper Flagg Over 18.5 points
• Cooper Flagg Over 5.5 rebounds
• Kon Knueppel Over 16.5 points
• Kon Kneuppel Over 5.5 rebounds

Hornets vs Mavericks odds

• Spread: Hornets -4.5 (-110) | Mavericks +4.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Hornets -170 | Mavericks +145
• Over/Under: Over 226.5 (-110) | Under 226.5 (-110)

Hornets vs Mavericks betting trend to know

The Hornets have cashed the moneyline in 10 of their last 15 road games (+17.50 Units / 104% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. Mavericks.

How to watch Hornets vs Mavericks

Hornets vs Mavericks latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

The Minnesota Timberwolves have had an ugly January, but much of that consternation would be wiped away with an upset of the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight.

While Minnesota is at a scheduling disadvantage, OKC is a bit shorthanded.

My Thunder vs. Timberwolves predictions see a path for Minnesota’s best player to attack.

Let's break down my NBA picks for Thursday, January 29.

Tip-off is set for 9:30 p.m. ET from the Target Center in Minneapolis, with the game airing on Prime Video. 

Thunder vs Timberwolves prediction

Thunder vs Timberwolves best bet: Anthony Edwards Over 25.5 points (-125)

Even though Anthony Edwards has been managing some foot pain, he has cleared this prop in three of his last five games.

Frankly, this prop is at least a bucket lower than usual for Edwards, a nod to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s defense. But he has still scored at least 30 points in three of his last six games against OKC and cleared this prop in a fourth.

Edwards often finds things tougher against Alex Caruso, whose disciplined on-ball pressure disrupts drives without sending opponents to the line, a Thunder staple.

But with Caruso ruled out due to a right adductor strain, Edwards should see a few more clear paths to the basket. And a few more clear paths to the basket should get Edwards into a rhythm that should clear 30 points tonight.

Thunder vs Timberwolves same-game parlay

The Minnesota Timberwolves have covered the spread in both meetings against Oklahoma City this season, partly because both those games fell short of their totals.

Thunder vs Timberwolves SGP

• Anthony Edwards Over 25.5 points
• Timberwolves +6.5
• Under 224.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: SGA erratic from the perimeter

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is 1-of-8 from long range in his last three games, part of falling short of this modest prop in 13 of his last 18 games.

Thunder vs Timberwolves SGP

• Anthony Edwards Over 25.5 points
• Timberwolves +6.5
• Under 224.5
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Under 1.5 three-pointers

Thunder vs Timberwolves odds

• Spread: Thunder -6.5 | Timberwolves +6.5
• Moneyline: Thunder -240 | Timberwolves +195
• Over/Under: Over 224.5 | Under 224.5

Thunder vs Timberwolves betting trend to know

The Timberwolves are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games against the Thunder. Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Timberwolves.

How to watch Thunder vs Timberwolves

Thunder vs Timberwolves latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are on the verge of a breakup after months of intense speculation about his future, and it is the potential move that looms over the entire NBA trade deadline this year. The Bucks are finally listening to offers for the two-time MVP, according to multiple reports, as the team's hopes of being an Eastern Conference contender again dwindle and Antetokounmpo is on the shelf with a calf injury.

Teams are lining up their best assets to try to pry Antetokounmpo away from Milwaukee before the Feb. 4 NBA trade deadline, with front offices willing to part with players and assets not previously mentioned as available with a superstar still in the back-end of his prime on the market. But that could also slow trade talks for other players over the next week, as everybody holds off until Antetokounmpo's situation is resolved. The Bucks also may wait until the offseason to move Antetokounmpo, when draft picks are settled.

It nonetheless adds another layer to this year's NBA trade deadline and the list of notable players who could be on the move keeps growing. What happens in the coming days may shake up the playoff race and, in Antetokounmpo's case, change the trajectory of the only NBA franchise he's called home.

Here's a breakdown of the top candidates potentially available at the 2026 NBA trade deadline and how they rank:

GIANNIS LANDING SPOTS: Best trade partners for Bucks

Other players to monitor: Ochai Agbaji, Jose Alvarado, Lonzo Ball, Nic Claxton, DeMar DeRozan, Ayo Dosunmu, Keon Ellis, Daniel Gafford, Jerami Grant, Jrue Holiday, De'Andre Hunter, Tyus Jones, Kyle Kuzma, Zach LaVine, Naji Marshall, Bennedict Mathurin, Khris Middleton, Malik Monk, Jusuf Nurkic, Immanuel Quickley, Chris Paul, Jakob Poeltl, Jordan Poole, Bobby Portis, Kristaps Porzingis, Collin Sexton, Dennis Schroder, Anfernee Simons, Jeremy Sochan, Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, Guerschon Yabusele

10. Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors

Golden State's situation at the NBA trade deadline changed when Jimmy Butler suffered a season-ending knee injury, but Kuminga is still a player who could be traded. He filled in well for Butler in one game before suffering his own knee injury that has him currently sidelined. Now, with Antetokounmpo talks heating up, the Warriors are being mentioned as a prime candidate to land the Bucks' superstar. That potential deal would likely include Kuminga's contract, which has a team option for next season.

9. RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors

The Raptors are reportedly looking to upgrade their roster after a strong start to the 2025-26 season and their No. 3 overall pick from the 2019 NBA Draft could be the piece Toronto is willing to part with to find another player to team with Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram. Jakob Poeltl and Ochai Agbaji have also been mentioned as possible trade chips.

8. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings

Sabonis has returned from a knee injury just as the Kings appear ready to move on from most of the veterans on their roster, including Zach Lavine and DeMar DeRozan. Sabonis is more intriguing because he's younger and more accomplished. But he has two more years left on his contract and serious defensive limitations that have muted his effectiveness in the playoffs. Sabonis is just a year removed from consecutive all-NBA nods and could help a playoff contender with a need at center. A trade involving Barrett has been mentioned as a possibility.

7. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies are listening to trade offers for Morant, though it's unclear exactly what his trade value is after several years marred by durability issues, off-court concerns and declining production. Morant indicated publicly he wants to remain in Memphis. He's injured again and unlikely to return before the trade deadline, complicating any potential deal. When properly motivated, the 26-year-old point guard can still impact NBA games in a major way.

6. Tyler Herro, Miami Heat

Herro is having an injury-riddled season, but he was an all-star last season and continues to be an effective offensive threat from multiple levels when he does play. The Heat have long been rumored as a team that would go all-in to get Antetokounmpo if he were made available, and they would certainly part with Herro to get a deal done.

5. Julius Randle, Minnesota Timberwolves

Randle has performed well with the Timberwolves since coming over in the Karl-Anthony Towns trade before the 2024-25 season and agreed to a 3-year, $100-million extension with Minnesota less than a year ago. But like Herro, Randle is on this list now because of recent developments surrounding Antetokounmpo. The Timberwolves are among the teams pursuing the Bucks' star and Randle (and perhaps Naz Reid and/or Jaden McDaniels) would likely have to be part of a potential deal to make it work.

4. Michael Porter, Jr., Brooklyn Nets

Porter has turned into a potential trade-deadline asset after taking on a leading role and producing a career year in Brooklyn following an offseason trade from the Nuggets. Porter's combination of size and shooting would help any contender, much like he did as a role player in Denver during its 2023 NBA title run.

3. Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks

Trading Davis is complicated due to his ongoing hand injury, but he could be available for the postseason and remains a dominant two-way player when he's available. His lengthy injury history and contract, with two years and more than $120 million remaining after this season, will limit his options. But he could nonetheless alter the postseason picture if he goes to the right contender.

2. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks

There have been conflicting reports about Towns' potential availability at the NBA trade deadline over the past week, but Antetokounmpo's status change in Milwaukee means speculation about Towns' future with the Knicks will persist. If New York were to pull off an Antetokounmpo trade ‒ the Knicks reportedly held trade talks with the Bucks this past offseason – Towns would likely be the major salary in the deal. His transition under new Knicks coach Mike Brown hasn't gone as smoothly as hoped.

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

There is little doubt at this point that Antetokounmpo is the biggest prize at this trade deadline and reports this week suggest he and the team have reached a breaking point after 13 seasons together. But it still remains to be seen if the Bucks can get the kind of haul they want, like a young star and a plethora of first-round picks. The Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors are considered serious suitors, according to ESPN, but the Bucks might be able to extract more by waiting to trade Antetokounmpo.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA trade deadline power rankings 2026: Ranking best players available

Coming off a disappointing loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, the Spurs took two days off before traveling to Houston to take on the Rockets. What followed was a tale of two halves. The first half consisted of the Rockets shooting the lights out and the Spurs bricking their shots with a side of turnovers. The Spurs trailed by 10 after the first quarter, and trailed by as much as 16 in the second. However, they made a small run to cut the deficit to eight at halftime. The second half flipped the script. The Spurs started to crawl their way back, and Keldon Johnson and Dylan Harper kick-started it. After outscoring the Rockets 30-24 in the third, the Spurs dominated the fourth. They started the quarter on an 11-0 run and shut down Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant. From the 3:41 mark to 40 seconds remaining, the Rockets could not score. The Spurs outscored them 27-13 in the quarter, and ultimately won 111-99.

Victor Wembanyama led the way with a double-double: 28 points (8-15 FG, 12-15 FT) and 16 rebounds to go along with five blocks, three assists, and two steals. Vic battled with multiple defenders all game. The Rockets were rough and physical, so Wemby drew contact almost every time he touched the ball in the paint. As far as his defense, Wemby showed up and showed out. After not blocking a single shot against the Rockets on the 20th, Wemby swatted five- a truly dominant performance in a rivalry game.

TWO-WAY PLAYER! After Wemby comes up with the steal, Stephon Castle lobs it back to him on the fastbreak, and he posterizes Amen Thompson!

OH MAMAAAAA 🤯 👽

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/z1dLN6V30F

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 29, 2026

Here’s another angle!

⚠️ ENTERING AREA 51 ⚠️

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/YdBEpd04Hy

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 29, 2026

ANOTHER POSTER! After Vic secures the rebound, De’Aaron Fox throws a nice bounce pass to a cutting Vic, who spins for a reverse poster over Josh Okogie!

VICTOR. AGAIN. 😤

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/GmB5l1Fi9g

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 29, 2026

LOCKDOWN DEFENSE! After Castle bodies up Durant, Wemby helps out with a rejection that forces a Rockets shot-clock violation!

Locked down 🔒

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/AlvMeOFcn8

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 29, 2026

De’Aaron Fox dropped 18 points (6-11 FG), eight assists, five rebounds, and a block. After struggling to take care of the ball in the first half, D-Fox’s scoring climbed up as the Spurs inched their way back in the second half. His craftiness allowed him to get into the paint and create easy shots for himself and his teammates. Swipa continues to be the scorer San Antonio needs.

SPLASH! D-Fox fakes out Thompson and then knocks down the open three!

SWIPA FOR THREE 🎯

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/z4LvoCL1p3

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 29, 2026

Keldon Johnson dropped 17 points (8-15 FG), seven rebounds, and five assists. If it wasn’t for KJ’s constant pressure getting the basket, the Spurs might not have completed their comeback. He was fearless posting up players like Sengun in the paint. He continues to be the Spurs’ savior off the bench, and his energy sparked the rest of the team as the comeback was completed. It has been said in almost every Spurs game this season: KJ deserves 6MOTY.

SPIN X2! KJ pulls out the double spin move on Thompson and converts a tough bucket!

KJ with the double spin 🌀🌀

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/HjkkcETw9p

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 29, 2026

KJ DAGGER! As the shot clock dwindled, KJ caught the Rockets falling asleep and slammed home the finishing touch on the game!

KJ THROW IT DOWN 😤

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/HyRGub61PZ

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 29, 2026

Stephon Castle dropped 16 points (7-12 FG), six assists, five rebounds, and two steals. Steph was an absolute game-changer on defense. Mitch Johnson had him guard Durant and Sengun, and he managed to hold his own against two near-seven-footers. His strength and balance are excellent for a second-year guard, and he frustrated the Rockets’ top scorers. Steph also managed to fill up the stat sheet on offense, and he continues to impress.

TOO SLOW! Steph catches Jabari Smith Jr. flat-footed and drives right past him for the easy jam!

Steph comin' through 😤

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/aE6mtbaVuC

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 29, 2026

SPIN AND-ONE! Steph spins off of KD and finishes through contact for the and-one!

TUFFFF 😤

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/ptmAzuNgEf

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 29, 2026

Dylan Harper dropped 16 points (8-11 FG), four rebounds, three assists, and a block. Dyl co-led the comeback team in the third with KJ and made quick work of the Rockets’ defenders in the paint. His confidence continues to grow as he slashes his way into the paint without fear. Games like these remind fans that his potential is limitless, and he will continue to shine off the bench for the silver and black.

A familiar sight! Dyl finds Devin Vassell on the sideline, and he drains the contested three!

D3V 🏹

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/kl3iXnTRCX

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 29, 2026

TOO FAST! Dyl takes it coast to coast, speeds past Reed Sheppard, and finishes over KD!

Rook goes all the way 🚗

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/xSAzhZTbpj

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 29, 2026

DEEP IN HIS BAG! Dyl drives on KD and finishes with the reverse layup off the glass! So smooth!

ROOK BIG TIME BUCKETS 💪

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/KpC175g4QA

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 29, 2026

All in all, this was an inspiring comeback win. After it looked like the Spurs were dead in the water during the second quarter, they continued to claw their way back and buckled down defensively. A key moment in the game came when Mitch decided to let Thompson shoot, and it completely derailed the Rockets’ offense. This is when this team is at its best. They put pressure on defense, and it resulted in key buckets. Defeating a playoff team is never easy, but when the Spurs play like this, they can beat anyone.

Finally, here are the full game highlights.

The Spurs travel to Charlotte this Saturday to take on the Hornets at 2:00 P.M. (CST) on Prime Video/KENS.

Shockwaves were felt across the NBA on Wednesday when ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Milwaukee Bucks were, for the first time, genuinely listening to trade offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo. A number of teams have since been linked to the former Finals MVP, with Miami, New York, Minnesota and Golden State emerging as the most frequently mentioned suitors. So far, however, the Sixers have not been connected to the superstar forward.

Jake Fischer and Marc Stein have been closely tracking the developing trade market and recently shed light on Philadelphia’s position. Their reporting suggests the Sixers’ level of interest, or lack thereof, while also offering an intriguing detail about how the situation is unfolding:

“League sources say Philadelphia, furthermore, has not contacted Milwaukee about a possible Antetokounmpo deal in the wake of a better-than-expected first half, but The Stein Line has learned that the prospect of teaming up with Tyrese Maxey — who, like Giannis, works with prominent NBA trainer Drew Hanlen — does have the 76ers on Antetokounmpo’s radar.“

Many will focus on the latter detail in the quote, but the more surprising revelation is that the Sixers have not contacted Milwaukee at all. I’m not arguing that they should trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, or that it would even make sense. Still, this is Daryl Morey we’re talking about. He’s a known star hunter, the executive who’s always willing to make a call about your best player. The fact that there hasn’t been even a preliminary inquiry is notable and reinforces the idea that the Sixers are operating on a longer timeline, one that likely centers on Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.

That said, it’s still interesting that Maxey was mentioned as a potential running mate for Antetokounmpo. That part isn’t much of a surprise, given how seamless the fit would be. Maxey has arguably been the best guard in the Eastern Conference, and Philadelphia would still have flexibility to build around those two. So far, the only other player reported as a possible partner alongside Antetokounmpo is Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.

Despite interest from Antetokounmpo’s side, the path to a Giannis-to-Philadelphia deal is murky at best, which likely explains why the Sixers haven’t shown much interest. For salary-matching purposes alone, Philadelphia would have to include at least one of Paul George or Joel Embiid. Embiid has been playing his best basketball in years, while George, despite some ups and downs, has done a solid job filling gaps on both ends of the floor.

And that’s before factoring in what Milwaukee would almost certainly demand on top of the contracts, likely a significant haul of draft capital and young players. When viewed through that lens, the lack of movement from the Sixers becomes far easier to understand.

Despite the overwhelming odds that nothing ultimately develops between the Sixers and Antetokounmpo, it’s worth noting that he singled out Maxey as one of just two players he’d be interested in playing alongside early in the process. That detail alone makes it difficult to completely dismiss the idea.

Still, unless there’s a significant shift in the Sixers’ stance, this appears more like an interesting footnote than a realistic outcome. For now, Philadelphia seems committed to a longer-term vision, one centered on Maxey and the pieces around him, rather than making a franchise-altering swing for a superstar whose fit, cost and timing don’t quite align.