The two-time NBA All-Star is calling for help in locating a friend, 23-year-old Elijah Hoard, who was reported missing over the weekend in Chicago after his family stated he did not board a flight back to France.
“Our friend Elijah has been missing from Chicago O’Hare since February 27. If you have any information please reach out to local authorities,” Wembanayama wrote Monday on an Instagram Story, where he tagged notable Bulls stars such as Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, as well as the Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard.
Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the game against the New York Knicks on March 1, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NBAE via Getty Images
Hoard was last seen on Friday at O’Hare Airport, according to a missing person bulletin shared Sunday by Chicago police, which added he was dressed in a “brown hooded sweatshirt, black sweatpants, and cream colored shoes.” Authorities stated Hoard “may be in need of medical attention.”
Hoard’s father, Antwon, spoke about his son’s 10-day trip with a local outlet and how things shifted as the stay came to a close.
“Everything seemed pretty normal the first eight days, but the last two days his whole mood had swung, and he was really adamant about not going back home, and he didn’t want to go home,” Antwon said.
Hoard never checked in for his flight, according to his father, who theorized, “He could possibly be floating around the airport or something.”
Wembanyama will not return to Chicago this season with the Spurs.
Victor Wembanyama’s friend Elijah Hoard, who went missing. Chicago Police DepartmentThe FAA air traffic control tower at O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago, Illinois, US, on Friday Oct. 10, 2025 Bloomberg via Getty Images
The team’s 11-game hot streak was ended by the Knicks Sunday with a 114-89 loss.
The Spurs’ first chance to get back on track comes Tuesday in Philadelphia against the Sixers.
San Antonio is second in the Western Conference at 43-17.
This Minnesota Timberwolves era started with a frustrating first-round loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, hinting at a budding rivalry.
Instead, Memphis has reshaped its roster, leaving Minnesota as a two-touchdown favorite tonight.
My Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves predictions expect Minnesota to excel at the rim, a conscious roster-building decision sparked by that playoff loss four years ago.
Find out more in my NBA picks for Tuesday, March 3.
Grizzlies vs Timberwolves prediction
Grizzlies vs Timberwolves best bet: Rudy Gobert Over 11.5 points (-112)
And more often than not, Gobert's rebounding leads to putback opportunities.
Against an undermanned and undersized Memphis Grizzlies’ lineup, the Timberwolves should feed Gobert early and often.
Grizzlies vs Timberwolves same-game parlay
Gobert has grabbed at least 13 rebounds in each of his last four games, and against such a depleted Grizzlies’ front line, more of the same should be anticipated.
Meanwhile, not much should be expected from the 7-foot Santi Aldama in his first game since Feb. 4.
Grizzlies vs Timberwolves SGP
Rudy Gobert Over 11.5 points
Rudy Gobert Over 12.5 rebounds
Santi Aldama Under 5.5 rebounds
Our "from downtown" SGP: Shooting Into Consistency
Jaden McDaniels’s shooting from deep has yo-yo’ed a bit lately, but he has still shot 44.3% from beyond the arc this season.
A looming blowout should be an opportunity for him to put up four or five 3-pointers to regain his rhythm.
Over/Under: Over 237.5 (-110) | Under 237.5 (-110)
Grizzlies vs Timberwolves betting trend to know
Minnesota is 20-11 SU at home this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves.
How to watch Grizzlies vs Timberwolves
Location
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Date
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN SE-Memphis, FDSN North
Grizzlies vs Timberwolves latest injuries
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DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Max Scherzer says the note his daughter composed asking the Toronto Blue Jays to re-sign the three-time Cy Young Award winner arose as his kids were writing letters to Santa Claus in December.
After Scherzer agreed last week to a $3 million, one-year contract to return to the Blue Jays, his wife posted on Instagram the handwritten note from their 8-year-old daughter, Brooke.
“It’s the cutest thing you can possibly imagine when you read that, how much it meant to her to be in Toronto,” Scherzer told reporters Tuesday after his deal was finalized.
Scherzer said his kids were writing letters expressing what they wanted from Santa when Brooke approached him and his wife, Erica May-Scherzer. The 8-year-old asked for a stamp and then put it on a sealed envelope that she handed to her parents.
After Brooke went to bed, her parents opened the letter to see what she had written.
“Dear Blue Jays,” the note began, “I am so sorry that you didn’t win the World Series. I hope that you win next time. I hope my dad is back on the team. My whole family loves spending time in Toronto with our dad. We loved the aquarium, the (CN) Tower and of course the stadium. I am looking forward to come back next season. Love, Max Scherzer daughter."
Scherzer noted he and his wife didn’t send the letter to the Blue Jays.
“That’s a bad negotiating tactic,” Scherzer said with a laugh.
Scherzer, 41, wanted to return to Toronto after the Blue Jays came so close to winning the World Series last season. The Blue Jays led in the ninth inning of Game 7 before falling 5-4 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 11th.
“Obviously we came as close as you possibly can to winning the whole thing - something you can never get over, forget or anything of that nature,” said Scherzer, who won World Series rings with Washington in 2019 and Texas in 2023. “That was a huge reason why I wanted to come back. This team can win. I wanted to be a part of it.”
Scherzer said he’s right on schedule for the start of the season after dealing with a thumb injury for much of last year.
“I feel healthy,” Scherzer said.
Scherzer went 5-5 with a 5.19 ERA in 17 regular-season starts last year. He also was the winning pitcher in Game 4 of the AL Championship Series with Seattle and made two starts in the World Series.
He wanted to return to Toronto but understood the uncertainty that comes with being a free agent. His deal with the Jays includes $10 million in available performance bonuses for innings,
“Free agency is a weird animal,” Scherzer said. “I’ve been through it many times. You think it’s going to go one way and it goes another way. I kind of knew not to get my hopes up, but like I said, I was going to be picky about where I went. I wasn’t just going to sign with anybody. There was only a couple of teams I’d sign with at this point in time, and obviously Toronto was one of them.”
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 02: Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball against Ryan Rollins #13 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the third quarter at Fiserv Forum on March 02, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Despite being shorthanded without Jaylen Brown and Neemias Queta, the Boston Celtics marched into Milwaukee on the night of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return and delivered a resounding statement, dismantling the Bucks in a dominant 108–81 triumph.
The manner in which this roster continues to uphold the standard of Celtics basketball, regardless of who is available on any given night, serves as a compelling testament to the staff of the year, led by head coach Joe Mazzulla. A prime example of sustaining that unmistakable Celtics edge is rookie Hugo González, whose approach and poise reflect the culture instilled from the top down.
Hugo González earned the third start of his young NBA career last night and delivered his most complete performance to date. The rookie erupted for career highs in points (18), rebounds (16), and steals (three), showcasing his two-way impact as Boston improved to 41–20 on the season.
After the game, González reflected on the team’s resilience in navigating injuries without compromising its identity. “We’ve got our standard, and we want to maintain it every single game. We don’t like to make excuses,” he explained, a succinct encapsulation of the mindset that continues to define the Boston Celtics.
The defense, hustle, and difference in shot margin definitely highlighted last night’s win. Boston again held the Bucks to just 81 points as they shot an abysmal 36 percent from the field. The glass told a similarly decisive story. Milwaukee was overwhelmed in the rebounding battle, 54–41, including surrendering 19 offensive boards that fueled repeated second-chance opportunities. Perhaps most telling was the shot differential: a staggering +21 advantage in favor of the Celtics, a statistical embodiment of their control on both ends of the floor.
While those numbers tell a compelling story, what I found also to be great in real time was the fluidity of the player and ball movement. Watching live, the offense felt purposeful and connected; each cut, swing, and extra pass carrying intent.
That impression only strengthened upon rewatch. The film validated the eye test, revealing a series of possessions that embodied the unselfishness and precision driving this performance. Here are the ones that stood out to me.
For years now, the Celtics have treated their opening offensive possession as something of a thesis statement, an early indicator of the themes they intend to establish. More often than not, that first trip down the floor offers a glimpse into the tactical priorities for the night.
In this instance, they opened with “Horns Chest,” immediately signaling that constant movement would anchor the game plan.
Here Boston does some slight window dressing before getting into the main action. Baylor Scheierman hands it back off to Derrick White, and Sam Hauser starts in the corner. Horns alignment can be easily identified by two players at or near the elbows of the free throw line.
When Hauser flashes up to the elbow and Scheierman relocates to the corner, it creates a momentary disruption in the switch between Giannis and Aj Green, leaving Giannis a step behind Hauser. Hauser then flows into the “Chest” action, which is when someone sets an on-ball screen then receives a Flare screen.
The on-ball screen can take multiple forms, including a traditional pick or a “Ghost” screen, as Hauser, the Ghost screen sows additional confusion for the Bucks, causing yet another defender to lose his assignment and creating an exploitable advantage for the offense.
After this, the Flare screen from Nikola Vucevic makes sure Hauser’s defender can’t get back to him, and now, we have a small switched onto Vuc.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed that Vuc just immediately goes under the rim when he gets a mismatch. This forces Ousmane Dieng to attempt a scram switch in the middle of the possession but in doing so, he leaves Hugo Gonzalez open in the corner.
The shot didn’t fall, but the process was great.
Next, the Celtics go to “Flex” action for Vuc.
Flex action is fundamentally a two-part sequence. The first element involves a player setting a Flex screen for a teammate positioned in the corner or short corner, creating the opportunity, usually, for that teammate to execute a baseline cut. This initial screen sets the stage for the second phase of the play.
After that the screener receives a pin down screen.
Vuc hasn’t been flawless, but having a center capable of operating as an off-screen shooter adds a whole new layer of unpredictability to the Celtics offense. As the 7-footer curls off the pin-down set by the point guard, he draws a switch on a smaller defender and calmly converts a hook shot.
Here Boston uses a simple “Flare” screen to get Hauser an open look.
A Flare screen is an off-ball screen set between the passer and the recipient.
Hauser missed this one, but the Celtics made good use of Flare screens all game.
Next, Boston goes to the famous “Spain” Pick and Roll.
Spain or “Stack” Pick and roll is an on-ball screen followed by a back screen on the on-ball screeners man.
As Payton Pritchard turns the corner after the screen, four(!) bucks collapse into the paint, leaving a number of Celtics open.
Ron Harper Jr. gets the pass and knocks it down.
For the next play, Boston goes to “Blind Pig” action.
Blind Pig is a dribble handoff under a denying or high playing defender. After the handoff to Harper Jr, the ball is supposed to go to Pritchard as you see Luka Garza pointing to him.
The problem is, Ryan Rollins is playing very close to Pritchard, denying the pass.
The Celtics see they can’t get the ball to Pritchard how they intended, so Garza flashes under Rollins and Pritchard is able to get the ball with a head of steam, and it results in a layup.
Here the Celtics go to “Stagger Spain” and get a three off it.
Stagger, named after Staggered screens, are two of the same off-ball screens set with some space between them.
Boston leverages this action to free Payton Pritchard at the top of the key, flowing back into its Spain PnR. Before White even establishes the back screen for Vuc on Bobby Portis, he comes open on the roll. Pritchard delivers the pass on time, and White’s subsequent screen, set immediately after the catch, forces yet another defensive switch.
Portis sees the mismatch and tries to go back to his matchup but is unable to because White runs to the three-point line after he screened.
They eventually get the ball to Vuc in the post, and a cut by Gonzalez draws Cam Thomas off of Hauser, and Vuc hits him for a no dip three.
The Flare screen returns and great pass placement by Pritchard leads White to an open three.
After a foul, Mazzulla calls “Double Get” for the next offensive possession.
Double refers to the two screens on the play. The first being from Hauser and the next from Garza after the handoff.
“Get” is when a player passes the ball to someone and immediately goes to *get* it back as Pritchard does.
The screen by Garza creates mismatches for him and Pritchard that are pivotal to the possession. Hauser eventually gets it back to Pritchard with the big on him, and he’s able to drive past him. He misses the layup, but the mismatch Garza has allowed him to get the putback.
Another good play ran for Vuc here as they go to “Stagger Hawk” to get him a mid-range.
As we saw on a previous play, Boston uses the Staggered screens to get a player to the top of the key. This time they use it to flow into a “Hawk” cut for Vuc as we see here.
The Nuggets have used this action a bunch in the past for another Nikola.
Having Pritchard set the screen is pivotal to the action’s success. If he makes solid contact, the defense is forced into a difficult choice: switch a smaller defender onto Vuc or hesitate on the exchange. A clean switch creates an immediate size mismatch in the post, while any reluctance to switch leaves Vuc uncovered on the cut, which is precisely what unfolds on this possession.
And to cap it off we have the Flare screen return.
In the end, it’s not just about the play itself, but the precision and intentionality behind how Boston deploys it. By using personnel creatively, putting shooters like Pritchard and White into screening actions and flowing seamlessly between counters, the Celtics force defenses into layered decisions where every option carries consequences. The brilliance lies in the details: timing, spacing, and the ability to manipulate matchups before the defense can react. It’s a reminder that at the highest level, advantage isn’t accidental, it’s engineered.
Monday night, before ever playing a game for the team, Young got ejected.
Everything started late in the third quarter with a confrontation between Houston's Tari Eason and Washington's Jamir Watkins. Young, in street clothes on the bench and walked out on the court to complain to the officials about the play (Eason was ejected as well). Walking onto the court violates the league rules and Young was shown the door.
College basketball might take the spotlight in March, but the idea that NBA teams aren’t playing hard in the run up to the playoffs has always been a fallacy. Look no further than the Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz game on Monday night. The Jazz are playing out the string in another lost season, and their main objective at this point is to protect their draft pick. The Nuggets have been hit with the injury bug all year, but they’re still fighting for seeding in the Western Conference. What could have been an afterthought matchup turned into a super hard-fought, dramatic finish that also included a controversial play from the game’s best player.
The Nuggets beat the Jazz, 128-125. The most memorable moment of the game happened in the first quarter, when Utah guard Keyonte George tried to box out Nikola Jokic for a rebound, and ended up having the NBA’s heaviest player resting entirely on his back.
George is listed at 185 pounds. Jokic is listed at 284 pounds, with only Zach Edey and Jusuf Nurkic (who are both out for the season with injury) listed heavier. Watch Jokic and George fight for the rebound here.
This is a dangerous play. Jokic is a joy to watch, but the stress of this season is clearly getting to him. Jokic is sick of teams taking cheap shots against him, and we all saw how he reacted to Lu Dort’s dirty play against the Thunder last week.
To me, this is a clean box out by George. He’s keeping Jokic away from the rebound exactly how you’re taught: get low, stick your butt into the offensive player’s mid-section, and control the leverage game as you wait for the rebound. Jokic falling on his back is not the right way to handle this, and it could have resulted in injury.
George looked just fine on the night, scoring 15 of his team-high 36 points in the fourth quarter. George almost out-dueled Jokic and Jamal Murray (who dropped 45 points in the win), but the Nuggets are just too good. Maybe next year, Utah.
In fairness to Jokic, he gets hit harder than anyone in part because he’s bigger than everyone. The Thunder played extremely physical defense on Jokic in last year’s playoffs led by Alex Caruso defending him in Game 7. Caruso was giving up so much size in that matchup that he essentially fouled Jokic every time down the floor and dared the refs to call it. They’re only going to call it so many times.
The 2026 playoffs are going to be so good, but let’s make sure it’s a safe, fair game for everyone.
The Pistons take on the Cavaliers again after a thrilling win over them at home on Friday. This time the Pistons will have reinforcements as Isaiah Stewart returns from his 7-game suspension from the fight against the Charlotte Hornets before the All Star Break. During that time, the Pistons went 6-1 with their only loss against the San Antonio Spurs, but they will definitely welcome him back with open arms.
When these two teams squared off last time, the Pistons got very lucky. They faced a short-handed Cavaliers team who were very much up for the challenge. It looked like the Pistons had no shot at winning until a couple of lucky bounces late in the 4th and then a heady play by Daniss Jenkins to draw a 3-point shooting foul on an intentional foul led to overtime where the Pistons were able to seal the deal.
There were some reports that came out after the game about how the Cavaliers are not afraid of the Pistons come playoff time, so it will be interesting to see how the Pistons respond if at all.
Game Vitals
Where: Rocket Arena in Cleveland, OH When: Tuesday, March 3 at 7 pm EST Watch: Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit Odds: Pistons (-2.5)
Analysis
In the last matchup, the Pistons were able to avoid facing James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, as both players were out with an injury. Harden is back, but Mitchell will still be out, so the Pistons luck out a little bit once again. However, as the Cavs proved in the last game, their backups are ready for the test and are more than capable of keeping them in the game against the best team in the East.
Their guards did a great job of creating dribble penetration which led to some easy baskets for Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, although a lot of his shots came from the perimeter. Luckily for the Pistons, they will have Isaiah Stewart to help with protecting the rim. Paul Reed has done a more than admirable job filling in for Stewart during his suspension, but he isn’t quite the rim presence that Isaiah Stewart is. That will be important, with James Harden being back, as he loves to create space off the dribble and then throw lobs to his big men.
With Harden back, the Cavs now have the offensive punch that they need to hold a lead if they build one like last game, so the Pistons will need to have a better 2nd half than they did on Friday.
One players that did not struggle in the 2nd half is the newest Eastern Conference Player of the Week, Jalen Duren, who the Cavaliers had no answer for. He didn’t have an answer for Jarrett Allen either, but Duren ended the game with 33 point and 16 rebounds, but more importantly, carried the team after Cade Cunningham fouled out with a few minutes left in the 4th.
Ausar Thompson was also fantastic in that game with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. The Pistons will need him today to slow down James Harden, unless they opt to put him on Sam Merrill, who the Pistons didn’t really have an answer for until late in Friday’s game.
It would not surprise me if JB Bickerstaff opts to put Ausar Thompson on Merrill since he is the best at fighting through screens and chasing players off-ball while Cade Cunningham can at least stay in front of James Harden and match his size. With Donovan Mitchell out, the Pistons have the luxury of being able to matchup this way since they would not be able to get away with if Mitchell was playing.
One more thing to watch out for will be Jaylon Tyson on Cade Cunningham. He didn’t really shutdown Cade or anything, but he did do a good job of pressuring him and baiting him into some fouls which ultimately led to him fouling out of the game. I would not be surprised if he does more of the same tonight.
This will be the last matchup between these two teams, but they very well could matchup in the 2nd round of the playoffs if both teams do what they are supposed to do. This will now be the 2nd game of the season for the Pistons against this version of the Cleveland Cavaliers, but they were not at full strength in either matchup, so it won’t determine much about how these two teams potentially matchup.
Lineups
Cleveland Cavaliers (38-24): James Harden, Jaylon Tyson, Sam Merrill, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Washington Wizards player Trae Young, center, watches from the bench during a game against the Houston Rockets on March 2 at Capital One Arena. (Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)
The four-time All Star has, however, already been ejected from a game as a member of the team.
That happened Monday night, three days before Young's expected debut for the team that acquired him in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks on Jan. 7. He has not played in an NBA game since Dec. 27 because of knee and quadriceps injuries.
Earlier on Monday, Young posted a video on Instagram that showed him in Wizards gear and ended with "3/5" on the screen, indicating the date Washington hosts the Utah Jazz later this week. Before his team's game against the Houston Rockets on Monday night, Wizards coach Brian Keefe said Young was trending toward being able to play in the Utah game.
Still, Young was in street clothes and watching the Rockets-Wizards game on the bench at Capital One Arena. During the third quarter, Houston’s Tari Eason shoved Washington’s Jamir Watkins to the floor, an incident that did not draw a whistle from the referees.
A few seconds later, after a foul was called on Eason for a different incident involving Watkins, Young stepped onto the court while yelling at referee Jacyn Goble apparently over the previous no-call against Eason. Goble called a technical foul on Young, then spoke with crew chief Tony Brothers and umpire Marat Kogut.
Brothers then announced that the technical foul had been called on Young for running onto the court and that Young had been ejected from the game. Eason also was ejected.
Young gave high fives to fans as he left toward the locker room. He did not speak to reporters after the Wizards' 123-118 loss but joked about his ejection on X.
"Don’t expect me to get ejected too many more times D.C.," Young wrote, adding a crying-with-laughter emoji, "but I’m definitely bringing that energy & competitiveness when I’m back for my brothers!"
After the game, Keefe praised Young for having his fellow player's back.
“I think he was just sticking up for his teammates, which I thought was great," Keefe told reporters. "Obviously, the refs missed a call in which our guy got knocked down, and I loved how our teammates stuck with him. So, whatever happened in that moment, I was actually proud of him because he stuck up for his teammates and I really care about that type of stuff.”
Keefe added that it's an example of the type of engagement Young has shown since he's joined the team.
“It’s nothing that he’s not been doing the whole time since he’s been here," Keefe said. "He’s talking to everybody in every timeout. He sees so much. He has so much stuff to share. He’s completely engaged in the whole game. So I am not surprised that he stood up [for] his teammates. That’s the type of guy he is, and we’re lucky to have him.”
The Brooklyn Nets will try to break an eight-game losing streak as they visit the Miami Heat tonight.
Miami is playing better since the return of one of its star players, which is why I’m taking the home team to cover in my Nets vs. Heat predictions.
Let’s break down this matchup and see how bettors should approach it with my free NBA picks for Tuesday, March 3.
Nets vs Heat prediction
Nets vs Heat best bet: Heat -13 (-110)
The Miami Heat have won four of their last six games and are 6-3 against the spread in their last nine.
That’s more than enough to give them a leg up on the hapless Brooklyn Nets, who have lost eight in a row and only covered once in that span, losing five games by double figures.
The Heat have Tyler Herro (21.0 points per game) back in the lineup, further widening the talent gap between these teams. Brooklyn is by far the lowest-scoring team in the league (107.0 PPG) and won’t be able to keep up with Miami tonight.
Nets vs Heat same-game parlay
One reason I like the Heat to win in a blowout tonight is Herro's recent return, who should play a big role for Miami tonight. I’ll take Herro to hit the Over on both his points and assists totals, as he’s averaging 21 PPG and has dished out at least six assists in three of his last four games.
Nets vs Heat SGP
Heat -13
Tyler Herro Over 20.5 points
Tyler Herro Over 3.5 assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: The Heat Go Big
Along with my bets on Herro, I’m going to target two other Miami players to hit their props to bring in a long-shot SGP. That means taking Bam Adebayo to record his third straight double-double, along with picking Kel’el Ware to hit at least one 3-pointer, something the big man has done in eight straight games.
Nets vs Heat SGP
Heat -13
Tyler Herro Over 20.5 points
Tyler Herro Over 3.5 assists
Bam Adebayo double-double
Kel'el Ware Over 0.5 made threes
Nets vs Heat odds
Spread: Nets +13 (-110) | Heat -13 (-110)
Moneyline: Nets +525 | Heat -750
Over/Under: Over 226 (-110) | Under 226 (-110)
Nets vs Heat betting trend to know
Brooklyn is 1-7 ATS in its last eight games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Nets vs. Heat.
How to watch Nets vs Heat
Location
Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
Date
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
YES, FDSN Sun
Nets vs Heat latest injuries
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DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 28: Johann Grünloh #17 and Thijs de Ridder #28 of the Virginia Cavaliers defend Cameron Boozer #12 of the Duke Blue Devils during the first half of the game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As the Brooklyn Nets inch closer to finishing their season with one of their season objectives — top-three NBA Draft lottery odds — it’s time to put on our wishful-thinking cap and look ahead.
Assuming Brooklyn lands near the top of the board, there will be no shortage of intriguing prospects.
But the Nets already have intriguing prospects.
What they need is a franchise changer, someone who can lead them out of the league’s bottom tier and make becoming a Net feel appealing to an available star for the first time since the Big Three era.
“Identity” is a common cliché tossed around when discussing young teams trying to establish themselves. But even if teams don’t formally sit down and define it, having a strong organizational culture has an impact on everything.
That’s why, depending on where the Nets land, the highest-rated player available might not automatically be the best fit for a rebuilding team still figuring itself out. Sean Marks & co. take high character very, very seriously when assessing prospects.
An unhappy star can derail a takeoff before the seatbelt sign even turns off. And after the time this franchise has invested in starting over, Marks cannot afford to miss.
At this stage of the process, you’d have to think Brooklyn’s guy has to be Duke’s Cameron Boozer, a two-time Gatorade National Player of the Year who is having one of the best analytical collegiate seasons of all time and checks other boxes as well.
He leads the country in Player Efficiency Rating, Offensive Box Plus/Minus, Box Plus/Minus, Win Shares per 40 minutes and total Win Shares. His 19.82 BPM and 13.31 OBPM are the second-highest marks posted since 2010-11, trailing only Zion Williamson’s 2018-19 run, which is about as elite a comparison as it gets.
Through 29 games, the freshman power forward is averaging 22.5 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and 1.8 steals.
Drafting four guards and a forward who operates like one in the 2025 NBA Draft doesn’t lock Brooklyn into targeting the frontcourt. The Nets will tell you it’s always about BPA, best player available. But it does matter when you’re sketching out the future.
At 6’10” and 250 pounds, with an uncanny playmaking ability from the 4, the 18-year-old offers size that creates offense instead of slowing it down.
He plays advanced for his age, physically and mentally, like someone who already knows exactly what he’s good at and how to lean into it.
“Cam is never satisfied, I think that’s the great thing about him,” Duke head coach Jon Scheyer said. “He’ll find something from tonight’s game, I’m sure, where he’s pissed at, he didn’t do as well, even though he had 32 (points), nine (rebounds) and four (assists). That’s what makes him special. I think when your best player is that way, it becomes contagious and have a big effect on the rest of the group.”
While his skillset should translate quickly to the NBA, some of the bully-ball stuff, lowering a shoulder into a defender’s chest and carving out space at the rim, probably won’t be as easy against grown men.
Still, that doesn’t mean he’s limited. He’s just taking what’s easiest right now. He can get downhill and finish with either hand, score on the block, face up and knock down a jumper, and even slide into catch-and-shoot threes off movement. The foundation is all there.
Then, there’s the intangible: Boozer is the son of Carlos Boozer who played for four teams in a 15-year NBA career, twice being named to the NBA All-Star team and once to an All-NBA berth. He also won gold as part of the 2008 USA dream team in the Olympics and an NCAA championship. That has to matter. Cameron has a unique resource in pursuing his NBA dream.
What about the others at the top of everyone’s draft board. Darryn Peterson has seen his stock drop because of concerns related to nagging injuries and reliability and one decision-maker told ND this week that A.J. Dybantsa may not be the guy to “set your culture” because of maturity issues. As has been reported, the player the Nets take in the draft will likely be a big part of the draw for a superstar.
Brooklyn’s two most promising young pieces this season have come from backcourt backgrounds — Egor Demin and Nolan Traoré. Demin has already emerged as one of the top young 3-point shooters in the NBA, while Traoré is learning how to properly channel his explosiveness and use his speed to control tempo instead of just playing fast.
With two rising young talents in their backcourt, Boozer can slide in and form a dynamic two-man game with either to carve up defenses for the near future.
Whether lottery luck puts Brooklyn in a chance to immediately draft him, the Nets have options.
They control 10 first-round picks over the next five years, the second-largest asset pool in the league, 13 over the next seven. If they decide to move up, unlike last year, they have enough draft capital to make another rebuilding team at least pick up the phone.
Sitting around and waiting for a player of his caliber to fall into their lap isn’t a safe bet by any means.
If this rebuild is really about getting the plane off the ground and keeping it there, then this is the pick.
BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 1: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 1, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
After feeling like Jarrett Allen was being wasted with the Cleveland Cavaliers at the start of the season, Allen saw an uptick of involvement around the trade deadline. This turned into a whole month of Allen seizing opportunities and showing a level of aggression we haven’t seen since his All-Star campaign in 2021-22.
It only feels right that in this first edition of Fear the Sword’s player of the week, we celebrate the fro and praise the campaign he is putting together.
Average player grade last week: A
Stats last week: 22.8 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists in four games last week.
Standout performance: 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists in OT loss to the Detroit Pistons on 2/27/2026.
Frankly, when I was thinking of other players in contention for this award, there was no argument for anyone other than Allen. He’s been on a different level for the better part of a month plus.
Does anybody realize Jarrett Allen was maybe quite literally the best player in the NBA for February?https://t.co/00PY3dPtb1 has their catchall player value stat stat — PIE or Player Impact Estimate.
Last week he quelled any concerns regarding whether the month of February was going to be a fleeting memory or something of substance.
Allen’s peaks in his career have come frequently enough that fans aren’t surprised but more disappointed that they don’t translate to sustained aggression and success. While the arrival of James Harden has certainly gotten Allen more involved, his production came about before the Harden addition.
It was almost a month ago that Allen posted a 40-point game against the Portland Trail Blazers. From there, it was a different Allen for the Cavaliers. The level of involvement from Allen is tied to a winning formula as the Cavaliers are 11-2 when Allen scores 20+ points in this season.
This is because when Allen is active and engaged, he is about as dynamic of a pick-and-roll player as there is in the league. When active in the restricted area, he can also put his touch and vision on display as well.
Against Detroit, it felt like the full display of what a difference an engaged Allen does for Cleveland. The Cavaliers entered that game against Detroit without their star backcourt of Harden and Donovan Mitchell. In the past, this would have been a death knell for the offense. However, Allen stepped up to the call against the Pistons.
Allen played well against one of the best defensive bigs in the league, Jalen Duran. He was the tone setter for the Cavaliers. Allen was getting to the rack early and often against Detroit to the point where when Allen had the ball Detroit’s defense was crashing to meet him around the rim.
Allen was unfazed by the extra defensive attention as he finished 9-10 inside the paint, scoring 25 points, shooting overall 10-12 on the night. That level of scoring, combined with nine rebounds and four assists, would have led the Cavaliers to an impressive victory if not for the team making poor decisions down the stretch.
The talent for Allen has always been there; the level of engagement and enforcement has been what has waivered at times.
The attitude shift in Allen changes the identity of the Cavaliers as much as the acquisition of Harden. Allen has had multiple narratives in the past dangled over his head questioning his toughness. If this version of Allen comes with the Cavaliers into the postseason that is a game-changer for this team.
On behalf of Fear the Sword, Jarrett Allen, your award is in the mail.
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 1: Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 1, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
At the NBA trade deadline, the Sixers only subtracted from their roster. They moved Jared McCain and Eric Gordon and received no NBA player in return.
Daryl Morey was asked at his post-deadline presser if he believed in his team’s depth:
“We feel like we’re a deep team. Again, people might not agree, but we do feel like a deep team. In fact, there are many people who are writing that we’re a deep team, so it wasn’t just our opinion. … You for sure always want more good players than bad players. We still have two roster spots. We’ll see what those are still to come.”
The team used the open roster spots and luxury tax savings to sign Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker — two guys who were already here — and plucked Cameron Payne back from overseas. Nobody expected the team to add a star at the deadline, but any upgrade would’ve been welcomed — especially by the team’s franchise player of the last decade.
Instead, the Sixers’ lack of depth, scoring, shooting and rebounding have haunted them time and time again. It might be what ultimately costs them a guaranteed playoff spot.
Coming into the season, nobody knew what to expect from Joel Embiid and Paul George. Their absences were already been baked into any team-building designs this past offseason. At this very website, we essentially said we thought anything Embiid and/or George would provide this season would be gravy.
Still, the team came into the season with second-year big Adem Bona, veteran Andre Drummond and rookie second-rounder Johni Broome as the only true fives on the roster behind Embiid. Maybe the team believed Broome, who was a heavily experienced and accomplished college player, could contribute right away. And with the way Drummond started the season, the Sixers got away with it … until they didn’t.
No backup center is going to come close to matching Embiid’s production, but the Sixers are lacking stability at the position.
Drummond took a nasty fall in Brooklyn in late November. Prior to that, he’d been giving the Sixers almost starter-caliber minutes when Embiid was sidelined. Though he didn’t miss any time, Drummond’s play has declined. Since Nov. 29, his numbers are down across the board. He was clearly supplanted by Bona for the primary backup role. While Bona is plenty promising, he’s still inexperienced, which shows at times. As for Broome, he never came close to cracking the lineup and had surgery to repair a torn meniscus this past weekend.
Drummond’s inability to contain Neemias Queta, a nice player who looked like prime Dwight Howard Sunday night, was alarming. The veteran big is one of the best rebounders in NBA history, but Queta was able to get 10 offensive rebounds by himself. The Celtics had 19 as a team. It’s a season-long pattern as the Sixers sit 20th in the league in rebounding. Conversely, Boston is sixth.
Here’s another depressing stat: McCain scored more points Sunday than Quentin Grimes and Payne combined. Like Drummond, Grimes got off a tremendous start, but his production has fallen off a cliff. He showed signs of life coming out of the All-Star break, but scored just 14 points combined over his last two games. As for Payne, he’s coming into a difficult spot. He’s had to adjust to time differences, a different league and new teammates. We’ve yet to see him provide much, but that’s sort of to be expected, at least right away.
Some were quick to point to Tyrese Maxey jacking up 34 shots as a reason for the team’s loss to the Celtics. While it was clear Maxey was pressing and forcing things in the first half, the question becomes, who would you rather take the shots? VJ Edgecombe took 21. Kelly Oubre Jr., who didn’t have one of his best nights, took 10. Should they be running more actions to get Drummond threes? Should they let Barlow run point forward? With all due respect to those players, Maxey’s hyper-aggressiveness is sort of necessary on nights like that because of the roster construction. The common factor for most Sixers’ wins without Embiid has been big Maxey nights.
Of course, if you want to complain about the offensive sets the team is running, it’s hard to quibble with that.
Sure, Oubre can have the occasional 20-point night and Grimes has done it in the past, but there needs to be other options. Right now, the Sixers boast one of the worst benches in the NBA. They’re 28th in points and threes per game from their reserves.
Outside of Maxey and Edgecombe, the Sixers don’t take or make enough threes. It’s something Nurse has sort of brushed off here, but in the modern NBA, you have to take high-volume threes. They took 31 threes Sunday — 22 combined from Maxey and Edgecombe. Drummond was the only other guy to take at least four. The Celtics jacked up 49 triples with seven guys putting at least four up. The Sixers are 20th in the NBA in threes per game. Boston is second. Which team would you rather be?
The Celtics, despite missing Jayson Tatum all season, are second in the East with guys like Queta, Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh and Hugo Gonzalez giving them meaningful minutes while being on minimum contracts. They also acquired veteran big man Nikola Vucevic at the deadline.
The center position is an issue. The lack of scoring punch and shooting off the bench is an issue. Rebounding is an evergreen issue. With no reinforcements acquired at the deadline, the likely only way for the Sixers to remedy these problems is for Embiid and George to play.
Both should (hopefully) be ready to roll for the postseason. The issue could be getting there.
The 1995-96 NBA season was legendary — and NBC was right in the middle of it.
Tuesday night, NBC is bringing back that vibe when legendary sports broadcasters Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Mike "Czar of the Telestrator" Fratello, Jim Gray, Hannah Storm, Isiah Thomas and P.J. Carlesimo return to NBC Sports in a special edition "throwback" Coast 2 Coast Tuesday broadcast. That crew will be on hand when Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs visit Tyrese Maxey and the Philadelphia 76ers. Costas, Collins and Fratello will call the game alongside courtside reporter Gray, and the NBA Showtime that precedes the game will feature Storm as studio host and Thomas and Carlesimo as studio analysts.
What do we remember from that 1995-96 season? So very much, it was the peak of that NBA era.
72-win Chicago Bulls
The greatest team of all time.
No team in NBA history has won so many games (72-10) and capped it by winning an NBA championship. Nobody. (The 2015-16 Warriors won 73 games but blew a 3-1 Finals lead to LeBron James's Cavaliers.)
That Bulls team featured MVP Michael Jordan, who averaged 30.4 points per game capping off his comeback, as well as Scottie Pippen (fifth in MVP voting and second in Defensive Player of the. Year voting that season), Dennis Rodman (14.9 rebounds per game and elite defense), Tony Kukoc winning Sixth Man of the Year, plus a veteran and impressive group of role players, which included a young sharpshooter out of Southern California by way of Arizona, Steve Kerr.
June 16, 1996: Chicago's Dennis Rodman ignites the crowd with this uninterrupted series of 3rd quarter plays in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
Rodman had 19 REB/5 AST/3 STL and Michael Jordan had 22 PTS/9 REB/7 AST in the Bulls' 87-75 win over Seattle that clinched the Championship. pic.twitter.com/FgCII6nb8J
Chicago won the 1996 NBA championship on Father's Day, and this was Jordan's first championship after his father's death, which led to an iconic, tearful celebration on the locker room floor.
Magic Johnson abruptly and shockingly retired from basketball in 1991 after contracting AIDS.
Four years later, for the 1995-96 season, Magic returned midseason and played 32 games for the Lakers, still averaging 14.6 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game, mostly coming off the bench.
MAGIC RETURNED 30 YEARS AGO TODAY
Magic Johnson came out of retirement on Jan. 30, 1996 and dropped...
Back in 1995-96, Seattle still had an NBA team — and a very good one. A 64-win SuperSonics team that reached the NBA Finals and pushed those 72-win Bulls harder than any other team in the postseason, taking them to six games.
Shawn Kemp led that team with 19.6 points a game, but we tuned in to see him dunk — no player in NBA history has been more of a highlight factory than Kemp.
May 20, 1996: Shawn Kemp dunks on Antoine Carr of the Jazz during Seattle's 91-87 win in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
Kemp finished with 15 PTS and Gary Payton had 18 PTS/8 AST/4 STL for the Sonics, who took a 2-0 series lead. Karl Malone had 32 PTS/13 REB for Utah. pic.twitter.com/GooxjQ3ldr
However, the player that really made this team go was The Glove, Gary Payton — 19.3 points a game while winning Defensive Player of the Year. He was locking people down on one end and was part of a high-flying offensive show on the other.
Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton put on a show in a blowout Finals Game 4 win against the Bulls! (1996)
The Toronto Raptors made their debut and started to win over what has become one of the largest and best fan bases in the NBA. Rookie of the Year Damon Stoudemire led that inaugural team.
On the West Coast, the Vancouver Grizzlies debuted, a team led in scoring by Greg Anthony and big men Benoit Benjamin and Bryant "Big Country" Reaves.
Unfortunately, the team would only spend six years in Vancouver, never making the playoffs, before a new owner, Michael Heisley, moved the team to Memphis, where there are no Grizzlies but the team has stayed.
Feb 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) reacts in the first quarter against the Washington Wizards at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cavs fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
It’s been nearly a month since the Cleveland Cavaliers traded for James Harden. He’s played in eight games with the team, and the Cavs are 7-1 in those contests.
Cleveland didn’t trade for Harden to be a good regular-season team. At the same time, that’s all we can base it on right now.
How would you grade the Harden experience so far?
Additionally, the Cavs rocketed up the standings after a strong month of February. However, they may not have much further they can climb, considering the teams in front of them.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 19: CJ McCollum #3 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after making a free throw during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on February 19, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Hawks are arguably the NBA’s least distinguished franchise. The Hawks’ one NBA championship happened way back in 1958, and otherwise the team hasn’t even won the Eastern Conference during their existence. The team’s 2021 conference finals run was a rare re-introduction to national relevance for the franchise, but they followed it with a .500 season and eventually punted on that era when they traded Trae Young to the Washington Wizards earlier this year.
The Hawks just seem like they’re permanently stuck in play-in tournament range, and not even a huge stroke of luck could help change that. Atlanta won the 2024 NBA Draft lottery from the No. 10 spot, but unfortunately it was a notoriously bad class at the top, and Atlanta ended up choosing a player we didn’t even have ranked in the top-10. Zaccharie Risacher has had a disappointing start to his career so far, and once again the Hawks are as mid as can be.
There was real optimism the Hawks could take a leap forward this year. The addition of Kristaps Porzingis, a star leap from Jalen Johnson, and the free agent signing of Nickeil Alexander-Walker had sharp analysts like The Ringer’s Zach Lowe on the Hawks bandwagon entering the season. Instead, Atlanta is 31-31 after 62 games, which shouldn’t really surprise anyone, because .500 is what this team has consistently been over the last 70 years.
The Hawks are almost perfectly average this season in terms of points scored and points allowed. Oh, but there’s so much more than that.
Atlanta’s mediocrity actually goes all the way back to the 1950s. The Hawks aren’t just .500 over their last 62 games, they’re actually .500 over their last 90 games, their last 134 games, their last 348 games, their last 420 games, their last 1,570 games …
You get the picture.
Hawks are not only 31-31 in their last 62 games but also…
45-45 in their last 90, 67-67 in their 134, 174-174 in their 348, 210-210 in their last 420, 785-785 in their last 1,570, 1,940-1,940 in their last 3,880, and 2,895-2,895 in their last 5,790 https://t.co/5SWcdEpDgA
This stat is cherry-picking a little bit, but it’s still remarkable. The Hawks have always been mid over the course of 70 years, despite playing in what’s been the league’s JV conference for the last 25 years.
There is some hope on the way for Hawks fans. The team made a brilliant trade for the New Orleans Pelicans’ unprotected 2026 first-round pick during the 2025 draft. The Pelicans are currently 19-43 and are the sixth-worst team in the NBA. The Hawks actually own the most favorable of the Pelicans’ and Milwaukee Bucks’ pick. The Bucks are 26-34, and would enter the lottery in the No. 10 spot if the season ended today. Atlanta is going to have outstanding odds at landing a top pick in an absolutely loaded draft class. Hawks fans, read our most recently 2026 NBA mock draft here.
Hey, there has to be some team that’s always losing to the Celtics and beating the Wizards in the East. Some teams are usually great, some teams are usually terrible. The Hawks are neither. They are simply pure mid.
