After Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was arrested and federally indicted last October for allegedly participating in an illegal "insider trading" gambling scheme tied to organized crime, he was placed on leave from the Heat, and the money from his $26.6 million salary was placed in an escrow account until his case was resolved.
On Monday, an arbitrator ruled that the NBA could not withhold Rozier's money under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and to pay the man, the National Basketball Players Association confirmed Monday in a statement to media outlets.
"We are pleased with the arbitrator's ruling and remain committed to ensuring Terry's due process rights are protected and that he is afforded the presumption of innocence throughout this process," the NBPA said in a statement first given to ESPN (and then other outlets).
Under the terms of the CBA, players can only be put on unpaid leave in cases of domestic abuse or child abuse, sources told ESPN.
Rozier remains away from the Heat, but he and his salary remain on their books. His name has come up in trade rumors for Giannis Antetokounmpo and others, simply as salary ballast to make the trade work under the NBA's CBA.
Federal prosecutors alleged Rozier conspired with professional gamblers to help them win "prop bets" based on his statistical performance in a game. Prosecutors specifically pointed to a game on March 23, 2023, when Rozier, then playing for the Hornets, allegedly told his conspirators he planned to exit the game early with a supposed injury and that they should bet the under on his prop bets. Rozier allegedly was given a portion of the winnings by the conspirators, who are tied to organized crime.
Rozier has vehemently denied any involvement in such a plot. "Terry is not a gambler, but he is not afraid of a fight, and he looks forward to winning this fight," Rozier's attorney, Jim Trusty, had previously told NBC Sports.
Rozier remains away from the Heat while his case works its way through the courts.
UNIONDALE, NY - FEBRUARY 2: Malachi Smith #18 of the Long Island Nets and Nate Williams #19 of the Long Island Nets high five during the game against the Grand Rapids Gold on February 2, 2026 at The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, 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 Marcus Stevens/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It was eight years ago that E,J. Liddell and Malachi Smith combined to win an Illinois state championship for Belleville West High School. Liddell was also Illinois Mr. Basketball and the two went on to sterling college careers, ending up at Ohio State (Liddell) and Gonzaga (Smith.) Now, the two have been reunited in Long Island, both of them big contributors to the Nets G League affiliate’s success.
Last night was just another reason for the Nets to thank Belleville West as the two combined for 39 points in a 115-107 win over the Grand Rapids Gold at Nassau Coliseum which included a 25-0 run, the biggest in franchise history. Liddell, the Nets two-way, scored 14 and Smith 25 in starting roles, Liddell at power forward and Smith in a combo guard role. It was yet another big game for Smith who’s on a G League only deal.
The 6’4” 26-year-old hit 12 of his 18 shot attempts. Since getting the starting role, Smith has reached new heights in his G League career, his development took a right turn when he began starting with Long Island. He started putting up numbers that he always had potential to and has averaged 17.1 points over the past 10.
Smith came close to a triple-double, as he picked up seven rebounds and eight assists. Smith even had a block to his credit. Smith could become Long Island’s next big development project, similar to Tyson Etienne from last season.
Liddell, his fellow Maroon, made his return to Long Island in this one, after spending a week in Brooklyn and playing in Brooklyn’s big loss against the Detroit Pistons, putting up five points in 10 minutes. After the game, Liddell spoke to ND about his time in Brooklyn again, and playing against the East’s top team.
Brooklyn Nets two-way player, EJ Liddell, on the Brooklyn Nets tough loss against Detroit, learning under Jordi, his performance on Monday for Long Island, his play style, and his goal of a standard NBA deal.@NetsDaily#StrongIsland#NetsWorldpic.twitter.com/5Q4AAZo3MI
“We took a couple of tough losses,” Liddell tells ND of his time in Brooklyn. “But, just what Jordi (Fernandez) has been teaching all along, resilience. We have to play with grit and how we’re going to handle adversity as a team. You have to respond a certain way, and we responded when we went to Utah. We took a tough one, so hopefully they’ll respond tomorrow.”
When Liddell asked ND about playing in such a brutal loss, he said, “It’s basketball, I love playing basketball no matter where I’m at.”
After getting back to Long Island late Sunday night, he scored 14 points while shooting 40% for Long Island. Liddell also had three rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block. Despite his 6’7” height Liddell is one of the G League’s top shotblockers, averaging better than two a game. He also spoke to ND after the game about his performance and mindset coming out of a win like this.
“Coming into today, it’s honestly all about winning,” Liddell tells ND. “I got in late last night, so I tried to get as much sleep in as possible. But you know, come in and compete with these guys that have been here for it, so it’s good to always be back with the guys that welcome me back.”
Liddell proved once again to be one of the court’s most physical players on Monday in his 28 minutes. This is a part of his game that has grown exponentially this season. Whether he blocks the ball or makes tough shots in traffic, the physical part of his game is growing.
“Physicality,” Liddell says. “That’s what they preach. They said that it would be a big part of my game. I’ve even shedded a lot of weight, and I’m still just a broader guy. My dad’s a bigger guy, so that’s just my build. So, I got to use it to my advantage.”
Asked about possibly being elevated to a standard NBA contract, Liddell said he believes he’s an NBA player, adding that it’s not up to him.
“I’ll let the cards fall where they may,” Liddell said. “Obviously, I want to play in the NBA one day. I believe I’m an NBA player, true to heart. But, whatever happens, happens. I have to worry about where my feet are at now; I can’t really worry about what goes on with the politics and everything. I’m just a basketball player. I’m just EJ. If they want me around, I’m going to be around.”
The trade deadline is often a time when NBA teams make decisions on standard deals as well as two-ways with roster moves opening up spots. A few days ago, Grant Nelson, the 23-year-old 7-footer who’s started the last seven games for Long Island, discussed how his goal is a two-way deal, as it has been since he joined the Nets on an Exhibit 10 last summer. With Brooklyn’s Haywood Highsmith’s situation unsettled – he has yet this season and is on an expiring deal, it’s possible both could get their wish.
Nelson, however, remains on a minutes restriction. He broke 20 minutes for the first time Monday night, his eighth start and ninth game since returning from a seven-week layoff that he said had gone a long way towards correcting a knee issue that’s bothered him since he 18, five years ago.
He finished with 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting, including 1-of-2 from deep. It was his first three since his return. He also grabbed six boards. But his big contribution was what might be the dunk of the year for Long Island. The 7-foot Nelson took off down the lane and posterized 7’2” Moses Brown who’s had stints both with the Nets and Knicks.
Brown had started the game dominating the Nets bigs, but after Nelson’s jam, things turned around as coach Mfon Udofia assigned both Nelson and 6’11” David Muoka to him…
“Honestly, he’s a great player. For his size, he can move really well,” Muoka said of Brown. “I’ve had a couple of games against him in my previous two years in the league. For me, with guys like that, it’s just be as physical as I can be and do my work early. There was one or two times I didn’t, and he got the left hook over me. That kind of stuff is what I take pride in, being the guy that guys can’t really score on, whether that’s off-ball or on-ball, just being that defender that I know I can be.”
The game was big as well for Tyson Etienne who could also be in line for a standard deal, although the Nets are at the moment not in need for another guard. The Nets two-way had a game-leading 26 points. The 6’0” 26-year-old point guard entered this game as the all-time Long Island Nets scoring leader. He connected on nine of his 15 shots, including seven of 12 from 3-point range. Etienne also picked up four rebounds and six assists while turning the ball over only one time
Finally, Nate Williams finished with yet another double-double. He tallied 16 points and had 12 rebounds to his credit. The 6’6” wings who turns 27 next week has the most NBA experience on Long Island.
His is another name to watch, for a potential two-way deal, whether with Brooklyn,another NBA team or even overseas. Long Island has already lost two top players to international teams, Yuri Collins to the Israeli league and Jay Scrubb to the Mongolian league where he scored 43 points last week.
Morgan Tucker talks about her two hats
The game also marked Long Island’s big New York Liberty affiliation night which included Long Island playing in Liberty themed uniforms and fan giveaways. The new Liberty’s new head coach, Chris DeMarco, and Libs center Nyara Sabally were in attendance.
Before the game, NetsDaily got the chance to speak with the Vice President of Business Operations for both the Long Island Nets and the New York Liberty, Morgan Taylor. Taylor spoke on the partnership between Long Island and the Liberty and the importance of it all.
“It’s really important,” Taylor tells ND. “It started before I got my role with the Long Island Nets. It’s important to our whole company to celebrate what the Liberty means to Brooklyn, to Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. Once this partnership started, once the Liberty came over to Brooklyn and started their full season in 2021. It’s great because the players get to wear a jersey that’s similar to what the Liberty wear on court. It’s great to know that the players understand their relationship too. Now it’s even more fun because I work for both teams, so I’m happy that we’re able to cross-promote the night and the two teams.”
Nelson also picked up six rebounds and three assists. He also had one steal to round out his pretty complete game. While he wasn’t a scoring machine in this one, Nelson still showed a ton of progress in different aspects of the game, mainly his physicality and play in the paint. Nelson also hit his first three of the season, trying to expand his shooting out to three-point land. He connected on just one of his two tries.
The third and final Brooklyn two-way on hand in this one was Chaney Johnson. Johnson entered the game from the bench, tallying eight points for 100% day shooting the ball. He went three-for-three, including hitting both of his shots from deep. Johnson also had two rebounds and two steals. However, he had three turnovers, which were tied for the team lead.
David Muoka continued his impressive play as of late. After starting the season off slowly, Muoka has seemingly gotten back on track. He has looked like a force out on the court, and his physical play has seemingly helped him to turn the page. After the game, Muoka spoke to ND about his turnaround this season.
Long Island got off to a strong start from beyond the arc, shooting 55.6 percent (5-for-9) from deep in the opening quarter while limiting Grand Rapids to just one made triple, but the Gold held a 30-25 lead after the first frame. Grand Rapids went on a 27-9 run from 3:34 in the first quarter to 8:10 in the second. Long Island battled back to end the quarter on a 10-2 run and cut the deficit to 66-55 entering the break. Etienne led the Nets with 19 points on 77.8 percent (7-for-9) shooting from the field and 71.4 percent (5-for-7) shooting from downtown in the first half.
Long Island went on a 25-0 run marking the longest run of consecutive points in franchise history. The Nets erupted for 40 points in the third while holding Grand Rapids to just 12 points in the frame. The Gold fought back with an 11-0 run. Long Island held on for a 115-107 win. Long Island finished the game shooting 50 percent (43-for-86) from the field and 42.4 percent (14-for-33) from deep in the win.
Next Up
The Long Island Nets (10-7) return to the court on Friday, February 5th, as they travel to Chicago to take on Mac McClung and the Windy City Bulls. The game tips off at 7:00 p.m. EST and can be watched on the NBA G League and Long Island Nets respective websites.
March Madness is so ingrained as a national spectacle at this point the controversial selections and snubs are an inevitability, and even an expected part of the show when college basketball fans gather on Selection Sunday for the reveal of the bracket.
Bracketology sprouted from our collective thirst to know what teams must do to hear their name on Selection Sunday, and where those teams might be ranked. So too did a collection of rankings based on computer models and formulas and, like last year, seven of those metrics will be listed on the team sheets used by the selection committee as it meets heading into Selection Sunday to determine the field for the 2026 NCAA tournament.
Each ranking or rating is separated into two distinct categories — predictive metrics and results-based metrics. The NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET), KenPom, ESPN's BPI and the Torvik rankings are considered predictive rankings that measure how good a team is based on its offensive and defensive efficiency, adjusted for opponent strength and location. The KPI, ESPN's Strength of Record (SOR) and Wins Above Bubble (WAB) are results-based rankings that judge how hard it was for a team to attain its résumé.
For many teams, the two types of ratings largely converge by the end of the season. For others, however, there can be a wide swath of outcomes based on how a game was played and whether it was won or lost. These are the schools from major and mid-major conferences that could inspire the most robust conversation and debate among committee members, either over their selection into the 2026 NCAA tournament as an at-large and/or their potential seeding in the field, due to the differences between their ranking in predictive metrics and results-based metrics.
Here's an early look at 10 teams with polarizing profiles ahead of Selection Sunday based on the metrics used for the men's NCAA tournament:
How the NCAA tournament selection committee seeds the defending national champions is developing into a fascinating subplot for Selection Sunday after Florida didn't get wins in high-profile nonconference games against Arizona, Duke and UConn. But the Gators remain in the SEC driver's seat with a huge matchup against Texas A&M looming on Feb. 7. Predictive rankings have them already in contention for a top-two seed, but results-based metrics have Florida hovering just inside the top-20. Will committee members give the Gators the benefit of the doubt over teams with fewer losses?
The Cardinals are 11-2 when freshman Mikel Brown is in the lineup, with losses to only Duke and Arkansas, and look poised to return to the NCAA tournament in coach Pat Kelsey's second season. But Louisville is 4-4 without Brown, including three losses in four games last month as ACC play got underway. So the Cardinals are positioned as high as No. 11 in predictive metrics as a result of their ceiling with Brown, but their results-based rankings are as low as No. 32. If those dynamics remain the same over the next month, there will be lingering questions about how Louisville will be seeded by the selection committee.
The Hoosiers are as high as No. 23 and as low as No. 49 among the seven metrics used by the NCAA tournament selection committee, with a weak schedule and lack of significant wins until recent triumphs over Purdue and UCLA leaving them in an interesting spot to start February. Indiana hasn't slipped up against inferior competition and had several metric-boosting blowouts to help juice its predictive metrics. The Hoosiers would likely make the NCAA tournament field as an at-large team if Selection Sunday were this week, but they're only a loss or two away from being on the wrong side of the bubble again.
The Knights' résumé won't be straightforward for selection committee members if UCF continues on its current trajectory, with the predictive metrics of a bubble team and results more in line with a top-six seed. The Knights didn't test themselves much in the nonconference schedule, but got a key road win over Texas A&M, already beat Kansas and Texas Tech in Big 12 play and have no bad losses. Coach Johnny Dawkins is having his best season since he last made the NCAA tournament in 2019.
The Longhorns could present challenges for the committee if they linger along the NCAA tournament bubble around Selection Sunday. Their predictive metrics rank among the top-40 after some impressive SEC wins over Vanderbilt and Alabama last month, but they've also got a Quad 3 loss at home to Mississippi State and only one nonconference win of note on their résumé. Texas still has chances to boost its profile with games looming against Florida, Texas A&M and Arkansas at the end of SEC play, but its profile can't withstand too many more setbacks.
The Huskies would be a fascinating test case if Selection Sunday were this week instead of next month as no Big Ten team has a wider gap between its metrics. The predictive rankings are all mostly the same, ranging from No. 43-47, and put Washington on the bubble. The results-based rankings are similar as well, only those range from No. 60-64 because of the team's 10 losses. That would put the Huskies in danger of missing the NCAA tournament. None of those defeats, however, are outside of the first two quadrants.
The predictive metrics haven't caught up to the results-based metrics after Cal knocked off UNC, Stanford and Miami to emerge from a three-game losing skid. The Golden Bears have played their way onto the NCAA tournament bubble and have no bad losses on their ledger. A few closer-than-expected results facing a weak nonconference schedule leaves them limited margin for error the next month.
The Cowboys look like they could provide a window into how the NCAA tournament selection committee judges a team that does well in nonconference play only to then stumble in conference action. Oklahoma State is considered the 12th-best team in the Big 12 by predictive metrics after it started league play with five losses in eight games. But it's nearly 22 spots higher nationally, on average, in results-based metrics thanks to early wins over Texas A&M, USF, Northwestern and Grand Canyon that have aged better than expected. The Cowboys still have a shot based on the strength of the Big 12.
This one-time Final Four phenomenon could be poised for another mid-major NCAA tournament run involving a borderline Selection Sunday résumé. The Patriots have won 20 of their first 22 games, but both losses came in rare Quad 1 or 2 opportunities. Their predictive metrics continue to lag significantly when compared to their results-based rankings. It doesn't help that George Mason won't face Atlantic-10 Conference favorite Saint Louis until its regular-season finale. The Patriots need more quality win opportunities.
The undefeated darlings of the MAC could present the NCAA tournament selection committee with a real issue to sort through if they were to get upset before claiming the league's automatic berth into March Madness. KenPom and ESPN's BPI have Miami rated outside the top 75 with no Quad 1 wins, but the RedHawks rank among the top 35 in ESPN's strength of record and the NCAA's wins above bubble metrics thanks to their unblemished record. Would Miami with one or two losses merit an at-large berth on Selection Sunday?
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 29: James Harden #1 of the Los Angeles Clippers looks on during the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Intuit Dome on November 29, 2025 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers and LA Clippers are in the final stages of agreeing to a deal that would swap 11-time All-Star James Harden and 26-year-old Darius Garland. Reports of the trade originally broke last night with Chris Haynes stating this morning that both sides are motivated to get a deal completed “relatively soon.”
Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers have ramped up conversations on a James Harden, Darius Garland package with both sides motivated to executing a deal relatively soon, league sources tell me.
It’s unclear what else would be included in this trade. Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix reported last night that the Cavs were asking for at least one draft pick to be included in the deal. That, at the time, was too much for the Clippers. Perhaps things have changed.
For as banged up as Garland has been this season, he’s still 10 years younger than his counterpart. He might not be having a better season than Harden up to this point, but the future is far brighter with DG than it is with Harden. It makes sense that the Cavs would want an additional sweetener added to the deal.
More so, the Cavs could very well be lining themselves up for another move after this. Blowing up the core four won’t be a half measure. If Garland is gone, the next step could be trading Jarrett Allen or even Evan Mobley in a swing for Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Cavs have reportedly discussed trading for any star player who is available, including Anthony Davis.
Of course, this is part of the chaos that happens during the trade deadline. Rumors swirl and madness ensues. It’s still possible that this deal with the Clippers falls through, and the subsequent moves stay locked in the chamber for the offseason.
All that being said, today is a bad day to be away from your phone if you’re a Cavs fan. The future of the franchise could be permanently altered within the next 60 hours. It certainly seems to be trending towards chaos. I’d get your takes ready.
Jan 31, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Saddiq Bey (41) shoots against Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) during the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Even before the Sixers learned they’d be without the services of Paul George for 25 games, depth on the wing was an issue.
Other than George, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Justin Edwards were the only true wing options on standard deals. Nick Nurse has experimented with three-guard and bigger lineups, but having a true wing was a need with this week’s trade deadline looming. George’s absence only makes it a greater need.
Well, Saddiq Bey made a strong case Saturday to be the wing the Sixers should acquire.
The Villanova product dropped 34 points in the New Orleans Pelicans’ 124-114 loss to the Sixers. He added six rebounds and three assists while looking like the Pelicans’ best player for most of the night.
Bey had a productive freshman season for the Wildcats, but really took off for Jay Wright and company as a sophomore, receiving the Julius Erving Award given to the nation’s best small forward. Bey, now 26, was selected 19th overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. He struggled with efficiency early on in his pro career, shooting below 40% from the field in his first two seasons. Playing for a then-tanking Pistons team didn’t help.
After a midseason trade to Atlanta in 2022-23, Bey finished the campaign strong, averaging 11.6 points and shooting over 40% from three in a mostly reserve role with the Hawks. He struggled with efficiency again in 2023-24 before tearing his ACL late in the season, causing him to miss all of 2024-25.
Despite the injury, Bey signed a three-year deal with the Washington Wizards. Before playing a single game with the Wizards, he was traded to the Pelicans in the Jordan Poole deal. Though the Maryland native was surely disappointed to not suit up in D.C., the Sixers can now offer him another homecoming of sorts.
So, how can he help the Sixers?
Bey is listed at 6-foot-8 (with a near 7-foot wingspan) and 215 pounds. He has a strong and sturdy frame, and has the ability to play both the three and the four. The best thing about Bey is he can do a little bit of everything. He can start or come off the bench.
His shooting has been inconsistent at the NBA level, but he also hasn’t been in many good offensive ecosystems. This season, he’s hit 34.8% from deep on 5.2 attempts per game. In his last 10 games since coming back from an injury, he’s hitting 44.4% from three. He’s averaging 16.5 points in 30.2 minutes per game, with the ability to create his own shot, as he displayed against the Sixers. He can make things happen with the ball in his hands while also having success as an off-ball cutter. He typically makes good decisions, averaging 2.4 assists to 0.7 turnovers per game.
While he isn’t a lockdown defender by any means, he can be solid within a team structure. He’s also a strong rebounder off the wing, averaging 5.9 per game. His athleticism would also be a big help, as we’ve seen with the youth movement the Sixers have gone to this season.
His current head coach James Borrego gave a glowing endorsement ahead of Saturday’s game:
“He’s just a pro on both sides of the ball. The physicality defensively — we’re bigger, stronger, we’ve got more presence defensively. But offensively, he’s so versatile for us right now. He’s a catch-and-shoot guy, he’s a drive guy downhill, we post him some, he’s on the offensive boards, he’s closed out games for us, he’s made big shots for us. So, he covers a number of things for us offensively … He’s been a real settler for us offensively. When we’ve gone dry offensively, he’s someone we throw the ball to and we know something good is going to happen — either get a good shot [for himself] or find somebody open on the perimeter.”
What would it cost?
It’s hard to say. Matching his 2025-26 salary ($6.1 million) would be the easy part.
He’s signed through next season at a very reasonable number. Combine that with his production and you’re talking about more than just a couple of second-rounders. It could cost the Sixers a first — obviously, not the LA Clippers’ unprotected 2028 first, but one of the team’s own. New Orleans could potentially ask for someone like Jared McCain, though it’s fair to wonder if McCain is a fit with rookie Jeremiah Fears moving forward.
Bey would be an intriguing addition, the kind Joel Embiid seemed to hope the team would make. We’ll see what Daryl Morey and company have in store soon enough.
Jan 19, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) reacts after dunking the ball in the second half against the Boston Celtics at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Jalen Duren is representing the Detroit Pistons in the 2026 Slam Dunk Contest. He joins Los Angeles Lakers big Jaxon Hayes and San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant in the infamous contest.
Duren was already named an All-Star this season. The dominant big is averaging an 18-point, ~11-rebound double-double. His team defense has improved, he’s creating off the bounce, and his effort as a whole is through the roof.
The casual fan who begins to pay attention to the NBA after the Super Bowl will be seeing a lot of Duren in Los Angeles in the middle of February.
The Dunk Contest has been “dead” for a while now. Mac McClung has won the event three years in a row, and he’s not a standard NBA player. His dunks were pretty cool, but the star power in the dunk contest hasn’t been there.
John Wall was the last All-Star to win the contest in 2014 as he won with Team East. Jaylen Brown was an All-Star when he participated in the 2024 contest, but we aren’t usually getting the brightest stars these days.
Duren has a chance to stamp himself on another national stage. We see his skyscraping jams on a nightly basis, but the world’s about to see how he floats. Duren is fourth in the league with 111 dunks this year. A high dunk count doesn’t necessarily mean one can be an entertaining dunker, but Duren can fly and has some wiggle.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he pulls some tricks out of his bag. It’s hard coming up with dunks that have never been done, but Duren putting his name in this hat can be good for his notoriety. Being the All-Star that delivers at the dunk contest is a cool footnote for his already phenomenal season.
CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 28: Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers throws chalk in the air before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 28, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images CLEVELAND, OH – JANUARY 28: Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers throws chalk in the air before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 28, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Finally home. The Brooklyn Nets closed out their five game road trip with a Sunday night tilt against the Eastern Conference leading Detroit Pistons. The Nets were never in it and got stomped out by the Pistons 130-77. A loss is a loss, I guess?
The opponent tonight is trying to break into that contenders tier. The Los Angeles Lakers are the center of attention in the NBA, but they aren’t where they really want to be yet. They’ve been on the road the past few weeks thanks to the Grammys and tonight is the last night of their eight game road trip. Fortunately for them, they’ve been in New York the past few days so they won’t experience any jet lag tonight. They took on the Knicks Sunday night at the Garden and lost 112-100. Getaway day is the best day.
Where to follow the game
YES Network on TV. Gotham Sports on streaming. WFAN on radio. Tip after 7:30 PM.
🤕 Injuries
No Haywood Highsmith. Ziaire Williams and Noah Clowney are questionable. All three two-ways are in Long Island and Ben Saraf is still with Brooklyn.
Adou Thiero is out. Austin Reaves is close to returning, and is listed as questionable. Bronny James is questionable as well.
🏀 The game
Two days away. The trade deadline is fast approaching and teams need to figure out what to do. The Lakers are always in the market, but two players they reportedly had in mind were traded for each other over the weekend. A valuable lesson you can take going forward: NEVER trust the Sacramento Kings to make good decisions.
If the Lakers want to make it back to the Finals for the first time since 2020, they’re going to have to start defending at a higher level. LA is 25th in defensive rating, allowing 117.1 points per 100 possessions. I can’t think of any contender with a defense this porous. JJ Redick has a lot to work on before the season is out, and if the Lakers fall short once again, they’ll enter the off-season with a lot of uncertainty facing them.
At the very least, they have the franchise star in tow for the foreseeable future. Luka Doncic is still one of the game’s brightest stars. He’s an engine that controls the offense in a few that few people ever have in basketball history. Doncic can do just about everything imaginable on that side of the ball and is someone you trust to make the right play every time he has the ball in his hands. However, his efforts on defense leave a lot to be desired and if he can’t give you a C+ effort on that end, things get troublesome.
Feel like we’ve been saying it a lot recently, but how will the Nets respond after a 50 point beatdown? They can’t afford to fall behind in the ways that they have been due to their talent discrepancy. And on a night where there will be a lot of purple and gold in the building, falling behind by a bunch early will make for a LONG night in Brooklyn.
Having Noah Clowney back should help the Nets on the glass. LA is 11th in the league in rebounding while the Nets are near the bottom of the ranks. The Nets will try to keep Jaxson Hayes and DeAndre Ayton off the boards as best as they can. Ayton’s numbers look nice, but he’s generally been ok from everything I’ve read from Lakers reporters I keep up with. Considering so many people wanted Ayton out the NBA not too long ago, that’s not too bad!
So will this be Cam Thomas’ last home game as a member of the Nets? The Milwaukee Bucks reportedly have interest in him, but no moves have been made as of yet. If he does go, Steve Lichtenstein has a nice synopsis of where CT is at this point in his career:
“Of course, any new club should know what they’re getting with Thomas, whose shot selection and defense have been the source of endless criticism. The fact is that he has yet to show he can be a winning player—the Nets’ best stretch of basketball this season occurred while he was out of the lineup in December. He has the team’s lowest defensive rating and fourth-worst net rating.
But Thomas can get buckets. The Nets don’t beat the Jazz without Thomas’ 14 points on seven field goal attempts in the second quarter. Few players have his ability to create looks on his own and then make the high-degree-of-difficulty shots. Don’t discount his knack for drawing fouls, a useful skill for playoff basketball.“
A good showing against a playoff team could impress any last minute suitors out there.
👀 Player to watch: LeBron James
Time waits for no man. We’re starting to draw closer to the end of a historical, genre defining career. And when you start to zoom out and look at the scope of everything, it really puts things into perspective
Wow.
This is year 23 for LeBron James, and the legend is doing his best to stay in the game. He’s at career lows in minutes per game and usage rate as JJ Redick and the Lakers coaching staff do their best to nurse him through the regular season. The hope is he’s as close to full strength as possible when the playoffs begin so he can play with no restrictions. Before we get there, we’re going to get nights where he’s non-existent on defense or just playing at an average level. However, when the moment calls for it, he can still dial it up and deliver a vintage performance. And who knows, maybe this is the last time James plays in Brooklyn. Enjoy these moments while you still can.
Michael Porter Jr is expected back tonight. MPJ missed Sunday’s game due to a death in the family, and we send our condolences to him and his loved ones. He’ll get a chance to match up with James and build a case to be an All-Star injury replacement. He had a chance to make the team outright, but NBA coaches went in a different direction. Either way, an opportunity to compete against an all time great is always worth getting up for, so look for Porter Jr to be locked in early.
📺 From the Vault
I was in Philadelphia for Unrivaled over the weekend, and before I left town, I got a chance to check out the Ruth E. Carter “Afrofuturism in Costume Design” exhibit at the African American Museum in Philly. Two films Ruth worked on were Malcolm X and Black Panther, so let’s take two trips back in time
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 16: Coby White #0 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 16, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The byzantine mechanics of the NBA salary cap makes some trades almost impossible to complete. I wanted to come up with a trade that sent Zach LaVine to the shooting-deprived Toronto Raptors for Jakob Poeltl and a first-round pick, but the salaries just don’t work out. I tried it as a three-team deal and still couldn’t figure it out.
There are a few teams with the right mix of draft picks, expiring contracts, and veterans looking for a new home who are uniquely suited to make deadline deals. This includes two teams hunting the championship in the Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons, plus play-in tier clubs like the Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers. Here are three deals we’d like to see.
The Thunder get aggressive for Michael Porter Jr.
The Thunder are the favorites to win the championship this season, but their lack of shooting around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander threatens to doom their back-to-back bid. In this deal, the Thunder trade Lu Dort and two first-round picks to Brooklyn for Michael Porter Jr. MPJ is one of the best shooters in the NBA by draining 40 percent of his threes on nearly 10 attempts per game. Dort has been a foundational figure for the Thunder, but the team already has multiple gritty perimeter defenders who could fill his void with Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace remaining. The Thunder are sending Philly’s pick in this draft which is currently slated to be No. 18 overall, plus Denver’s first-round pick next year. The Nets could probably flip Dort this summer for even more draft capital. OKC hasn’t looked all that dominant since their 24-1 start, but this trade would give them even better odds of repeating as champions.
The Blazers push for playoffs with Ayo Dosunmu
The Blazers are already buyers at the deadline after adding Vít Krejčí from the Hawks. They also already owe the Bulls a lottery-protected first-round draft pick from the Lauri Markkanen-Larry Nance Jr. three-team trade from 2021. In this deal, Portland lowers the protections on the pick to top-4 to get Ayo Dosunmu from Chicago. Dosunmu is having a career-year with 45 percent three-point shooting and solid on-ball defense as he gets ready to enter unrestricted free agency this summer. The Blazers need a guard right now to push for the playoffs. The guard rotation next year could get crowded with Damian Lillard and Scoot Henderson returning from injury and Jrue Holiday still around, but Dosunmu’s quick-hit driving ability and newfound three-point stroke works in almost any lineup. The Bulls get back a likely mid first-round pick in this scenario, and Portland still covers itself if it misses the playoffs and gets lottery luck. A tip of the hat to Blog-a-Bull for coming up with this one.
The Pistons buy low on Coby White
What can the Bulls get for Coby White on the brink of free agency? The Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly interested, but I’m skeptical Minnesota would accept on a deal that sends Joan Beringer and Rob Dillingham to Chicago for White. Chicago should prefer that Minnesota deal over this Pistons offer if it has it on the table, but if not, I still think this package from Detroit is acceptable. The Pistons need another ball handler and shooter next to Cade Cunningham, and White can be instant offense when he’s at his best. This trade returns Paul Reed to Chicago, a DePaul alum, who is on a cheap $5.5 million deal next year and can provide big man depth. It also gives the Bulls four second-round picks that have a chance to be in the top half of that round. If the Bulls aren’t going to sign White in free agency, getting a haul for him now makes sense even if they can’t land a first-rounder.
James Harden returns to the Rockets
James Harden wants out from the Clippers, and his former team the Houston Rockets make a lot of sense. The Rockets and Clippers can haggle over the protections on this 2028 first-round pick, but deal essentially sends three of Houston’s non-contributors this season to Los Angeles for a near All-Star level point guard. Harden is still pretty damn good at age-36, and he could give the Rockets the shooting and playmaking juice they need for a playoff run.
The Charlotte Hornets were by far the best team in the NBA during January. This team has an extremely bright future if LaMelo Ball can stay healthy next to Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel, but they still need a big man who can block shots and stretch the floor as a shooter. Those players are extremely hard to come by, but Jaren Jackson Jr. fits the bill. I debated whether there should be two or three future first-round picks going back to Memphis in this deal, but it makes sense for both sides either way. The Hornets really could be poised to contend in the East next year, especially if they land a player like JJJ. Memphis would be leaning fully into a rebuild.
Cam Thomas to the Raptors
The Raptors need a little more offensive firepower for the playoff push, so why not take a chance on Thomas for some end-of-bench guys? Thomas clearly isn’t in Brooklyn’s long-term plans, but maybe someone like Jonathan Mogbo could find a home there. Toronto would get to test run Thomas to see if they’re interested in re-signing him. With the East wide open, it makes sense for the Raptors to add another guard with some shooting ability.
The Golden State Warriors are running thin on star power when the Philadelphia 76ers come to town on Tuesday.
Golden State will be without Stephen Curry for the foreseeable future and with Jimmy Butler gone for the year and Jonathan Kuminga sidelined, veteran forward Draymond Green is left to hold down the fort.
My 76ers vs. Warriors predictions see the Dubs’ offense running through Green, prompting plenty of assists from the “point forward”.
He'll get a surge in ball possession and potential assists against the Philadelphia 76ers tonight. On the season, Green averages 5.3 dimes on 10.0 potential assists with a team-high 69.4 touches per game.
He logged 33 minutes against the Detroit Pistons on January 30 – the first time he’s played 30+ minutes since Jan. 5 – after Curry left the game with knee soreness. Green finished with six assists in the loss.
The Sixers are a middle-tier defense and give up their share of assists, with foes averaging 27.5 helpers per contests. Philly is also 25th in defensive assist-to-FGM rate, watching opponents record an assist on more than 65% of their buckets.
Projections for Green range from 5.4 to 6.8 assists with my number landing at 6.3 dimes from Draymond tonight. That should have the Over 5.5 assists priced around -145 but we’re getting plus-money on this prop.
76ers vs Warriors same-game parlay
The Sixers may be missing Paul George but this Warriors roster is running short on star power with Curry, Jonathan Kuminga and Jimmy Butler all out of action.
Green’s going to log more minutes and touches, with projections closer to seven dimes.
Draymond will also have to crash the glass, with his forecasts as high as eight boards.
76ers vs Warriors SGP
Philadelphia 76ers moneyline
Draymond Green Over 5.5 assists
Draymond Green Over 5.5 rebounds
Our "from downtown" SGP: Golden State of Emergency
While the 76ers take down Draymond and the Dubs, Tyrese Maxey might not have to go off to do so. His scoring projections come in short of his points prop.
76ers vs Warriors SGP
Philadelphia 76ers moneyline
Draymond Green Over 5.5 assists
Draymond Green Over 5.5 rebounds
Tyrese Maxey Under 28.5 points
76ers vs Warriors odds
Spread: 76ers +3 | Warriors -3
Moneyline: 76ers +130 | Warriors -155
Over/Under: Over 221.5 | Under 221.5
76ers vs Warriors betting trend to know
The 76ers are 9-4 SU in non-conference games this season, including 3-1 SU when visiting Western Conference competition. Find more NBA betting trends for 76ers vs. Warriors.
How to watch 76ers vs Warriors
Location
Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
Date
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBC Sports Philadelphia+, NBC Sports Bay Area
76ers vs Warriors latest injuries
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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
EL SEGUNDO, CA - SEPTEMBER 29: Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka during Los Angeles Lakers media day on September 29, 2025, at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Lakers are a flawed team.
That’s not even a hot take. After an early exit out of the playoffs last season, this team looks headed for a similar, perhaps even identical, path.
In theory, the trade deadline should offer a perfect solution to their problems. However, the Lakers do not sound like a team particularly close to a deal based on the reporting so far this week.
While the move is largely due to the lack of assets the Lakers have and how few solutions to their weaknesses exist on the market, it could also signal the front office’s hesitance toward making a deal.
In a vacuum, there is logic to the idea. This is a transition year, the Lakers are not one move away from contending for a title and they will have more cap space and draft picks this summer to build a team around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
But we’re not operating in a vacuum, and the history of this front office — and specifically President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka — kicking the can down the road from transaction cycle to transaction cycle is at the forefront of fans’ minds. Obviously, the best answer is threading the needle by finding someone who can help now and in the future, like a Herb Jones.
What the Lakers can afford is spending a first round pick on a player like Naji Marshall, who the Mavs are holding out for a first round pick for. He would address a big need as a wing defender, but he comes at a steep price and would cost the team future flexibility this summer. He also has the same flaw so many other current Lakers do in an ability to knock down perimeter shots.
And therein lies the problem with so many players available. There is no perfect solution to the Lakers’ problems and no one they can afford that will push them over the hump.
Again, the argument can be that they should be interested in those deals, but they clearly aren’t. Restrictions placed on them by both the league as to what draft picks they can trade and by themselves as to what contracts they want back place them in a weird spot where they likely stand pat, yet again, at the deadline.
On today’s episode, Ryan Eichten and Leo Sun take a look at the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 137-128 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade landscape, and much more:
— The Timberwolves four-game winning streak came to an end Monday night in another disappointing defensive performance. It was another example of the Wolves playing at a different level depending on who they are facing that night.
— The Timberwolves have enough talent and injury luck with that talent to finish as a top-three team in the Western Conference, but inconsistent play might prevent them from reaching their ceiling as a team.
— Julius Ranlde struggled to score efficiently as he put up 19 points on 5-14 shooting with Jaren Jackson Jr. providing the defensive resistance. Anthony Edwards scored 39 points, but like most of the Wolves’ roster, did not defend well enough for much of the game.
— On Thursday, the Wolves took down the Oklahoma City Thunder for the second time this season, leading the game from start to finish. The Wolves’ defense played with the right amount of physicality, while the offense rained down 3-pointers.
— Jaden McDaniels has been sensational for the Wolves of late inluding 29 points on 11-14 shooting in Monday’s loss to the Grizzlies. Naz Reid has also had an outstanding week, providing exactly what the Timberwolves needed off the bench.
— With Thursday’s trade deadline looming, all eyes turn to Giannis and the Milwaukee Bucks. It is still to be seen if the Bucks decide to trade Giannis now or wait until the offseason, but the rumblings have been that the Wolves have been one of the most active in pursuit of the two-time MVP.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 03: James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers looks to pass against Onyeka Okongwu #17 of the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on December 03, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We are just a little over 48 hours from the trade deadline on Thursday at 3 PM EST, and the Hawks are rumored to be active in the market.
Already, the Hawks have turned Trae Young and Vit Krejci into CJ McCollum, Corey Kispert, Duop Reath, and two second rounders. But clearly, the decision-makers see an opportunity to try to set the franchise up for more success either in the short term or the long term (or ideally both).
Sources say that Harden, through various stretches of this season, has also eyed Minnesota and Atlanta as teams that appeal to him as potential landing spots, but neither the Timberwolves nor the Hawks are expected to pursue such a deal. The Wolves have been focused intently on their pursuit of Antetokounmpo as the deadline draws near. The Hawks, meanwhile, only ever seemed to be a plausible trade partner when they had Trae Young on the roster. Young, of course, was dealt to Washington on Jan. 9 and the Clippers, for that matter, did not show interest in a Harden-for-Young exchange. Sources say Atlanta, for its part, has largely abandoned searching for aggressive moves in the wake of shipping Young to the Wizards … such as the Hawks’ well-chronicled pursuit earlier this season of Dallas’ Anthony Davis.
It’s possible that Harden no longer sees Atlanta as a possible destination like he reportedly did “through various stretches this season,” but with the Hawks not expected to pursue a trade here (and for reasons I outlined this morning), this sounds like much ado over nothing.
As for Anthony Davis, that link remains there — although his most recent hand injury complicates things. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype brought us info in this regard last week, as well as the Indiana Pacers’ possible pursuit of Onyeka Okongwu:
While trade talk surrounding Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis and the Atlanta Hawks has subsided following his hand injury, there’s other trade news surrounding Atlanta to discuss.
Despite interest from the Indiana Pacers and other teams who’ve checked in on Onyeka Okongwu, the Hawks have been resistant to moving their 25-year-old center, league sources told HoopsHype. Meanwhile, Atlanta has been open to adding frontcourt depth if the right fit presents itself.
Okongwu has shown improved confidence in his 3-point shot and is one of only four centers who’ve made over two 3-pointers per game, along with Nikola Jokic (2.1), Myles Turner (2.2), and Naz Reid (2.4). As a starter, Okongwu has shown a growing all-around game, averaging 16.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.1 blocks.
Conversely, Kristaps Porzingis ($30.73 million) and Luke Kennard ($11 million) are considered potential trade candidates due to their expiring contracts leading up to the trade deadline, as discussed previously on HoopsHype.
The Hawks also have nearly $7 million in room under the luxury tax and have signalled a willingness to help other teams duck the tax for second-round pick draft compensation, HoopsHype has learned.
It’s worth noting that Atlanta still has a $13.1 million traded player exception from the Bogdan Bogdanovic trade, which can be utilized. In addition, Atlanta center N’Faly Dante suffered a season-ending torn ACL and has a non-guaranteed contract for next season, which makes him a potential cut candidate if Atlanta needs another roster spot at the trade deadline to complete a trade.
Should the Hawks chase James Harden? Could Okongwu be on the block? Please let us know in the comments.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 27: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles past Ryan Rollins #13 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at the United Center on December 27, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Recall that, despite all the off-court noise, actual professional basketball is still being played (you can debate the quality, but the fact is they’re still being paid!) by the Milwaukee Bucks, who return home tonight to face the Chicago Bulls. The Bucks are actually up 2-0 in the season series, taking them down pretty convincingly in early November and late December (Giannis’ first game back from his initial calf injury). Of course, Milwaukee had Giannis suited up in both contests and will not tonight.
Where We’re At
You know what everyone is talking about regarding the Bucks, and it’s not exactly their current on-court product, which remains bad. They’ve lost eight of their last nine and enter the day on a five-game losing streak—three of those Ls have occurred since Giannis’ second calf injury. Myles Turner and Ryan Rollins have looked good at times after assuming command of the sinking ship, but the only things that will stop Milwaukee from taking on water start with a healthy Giannis and a Doc Rivers firing. Neither seems likely to happen in the coming weeks, and if the Bucks want a high lottery pick, maybe that’s not a bad thing in the short term.
Chicago is still doing their thing: toiling around just under .500 and at the back of the play-in race. It’s what the Bulls do. They’re coming off an odd scheduling quirk that had them face the Heat for three consecutive games, thanks to a rescheduling necessitated by damp court conditions at the United Center on January 8; Miami took two of the three, including a 43-point blowout on Sunday. The Bulls have see-sawed recently: a four-game win streak crested them above .500 for the first time since Thanksgiving, but dropping four of their ensuing five has them essentially right back where they started. The Miami “series” came without leading scorer Josh Giddey, who the Bucks won’t see tonight either.
Injury Report
Milwaukee remains without Giannis (calf strain) and Kevin Porter Jr. (oblique strain), both out indefinitely. Taurean Prince is still out, perhaps for the season, after neck surgery. They’re joined by Gary Harris, who will sit with a hamstring strain.
Chicago has a laundry list of injuries. The following Bulls are out: Zach Collins (toe sprain), Noah Essengue (shoulder surgery), Josh Giddey (hamstring strain), Tre Jones (ditto), and recently-acquired Dario Saric (hasn’t gotten in yet). Kevin Huerter (back spasms), Julian Phillips (wrist sprain), and Jalen Smith (calf injury management) are questionable.
Player To Watch
After a mid-January swoon, Ryan Rollins is back to normal with 66 points in his last three, to go with a beautiful .565/.615/.667 (just 6/9, though) shooting line. He’s also racked up 19 assists to just four turnovers in that span, with five steals. He had 20 in each of his other outings against Chicago this season, hitting some big shots and making a few key plays late to secure that December victory. Maybe he likes playing the Bulls? Watching him play is one of our few joys this year.
How To Watch
FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin at 7:00 p.m. CST.
The road trip continues, as the Jazz are welcomed by our fellow bottom-of-the-league dwellers in Indiana. Viewers have been warned: This game will contain a substantial amount of unethical tanking. Utah is slowly sinking into what they were always meant to become, currently sitting 13th in the West with a 15-35 record. Whilst our fellow tank connosiours in Indiana are slightly ahead (or behind?) with a 13-37 record, dead last in the Eastern Conference. The Jazz won the first meeting between the two teams back in November, previously covered by our gorgeous, handsome staff writer Kato Parina.
The Jazz are going to squeeze as much juice out of this Keyonte injury as they possibly can; he’s out yet again, along with Jusuf Nurkic and the rest of the regulars.
Jazz Injury Report:
OUT – Keyonte George (left ankle; sprain)
OUT – Elijah Harkless (G League – Two-Way)
OUT – Walker Kessler (left shoulder; injury recovery)
OUT – Georges Niang (left foot; fourth metatarsal stress reaction)
It’s almost a certainty that the Jazz are severely held back without Keyonte on the floor, falling to 0-3 when he’s absent. Isaiah Collier will likely receive the starting role once again if nothing changes, and we need to start seeing an impact. Of course, he’s not the type to lead an offense or turn into a dangerous scorer, but it’s hard to be a serviceable NBA role player if you can’t shoot the ball, make smart decisions and play with confidence. Though he’s a valuable transition facilitator and an unselfish player. But at what point does a player become too unselfish? Tonight’s Pacers are near the bottom of the NBA (24th) in conceding assists in mid-range, where Collier facilitates the majority of his offense. If Collier can set up his teammates while limiting mistakes in his aggressive, downhill style, that’s a job well done for me.
Now don’t be fooled by the Pacers’ measly record in 2026 — they’re still capable of winning games, backed by their Finals supporting cast. The team has struggled to establish a consistent rotation, with more players often on the injury report than in the lineup. Beyond the obvious catastrophic injury to Tyrese Haliburton, injuries throughout the season, including Pascal Siakam, Aaron Nesmith, Bennedict Mathurin, Obi Toppin, and Andrew Nembhard, have disrupted chemistry.
If you needed to look out for one player, you’re going to find it in recently named 2026 NBA All-Star Pascal Siakam; ignoring the Eastern selections is a hilariously worse talent range than the Western Conference. He remains a reliable self-creator that can score in isolations, post mismatches and attack closeouts. The Jazz key: Don’t give him downhill angles. Make him operate sideways. His efficiency spikes when defenses give him space to build momentum — that’s when the spins, euro-steps, and foul-drawing come out like we’re all familiar with. The Jazz cannot allow themselves to get out-hustled, which has accounted for historically awful rebounding performances as we’ve this season. Just over a week ago, they allowed Miami to corral 26 offensive rebounds, resulting in 22 second-chance points. Pacers rank 21st in offensive rebounds, sitting at 10.7 a game — meaning it shouldn’t be too gigantic an issue for the Jazz to cover, but it greatly weakens the effectiveness of Siakam from the floor.
DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 29: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks and Kon Knueppel #7 of the Charlotte Hornets talk after the game at American Airlines Center on January 29, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Mavericks were 0-3 this past week but remain in 12th place in the West. They lost to Minnesota (118-105) and Charlotte (123-121) at home, then traveled to Houston, where they lost to the Rockets (111-107). Cooper Flagg led the team in scoring with 33 points per game. P.J. Washington suffered a concussion in Houston and will miss tonight’s game against Boston. Kyrie Irving (knee) and Anthony Davis (finger) remain out.
Grade: B-
An 0-3 week may not usually warrant a solid grade, but Dallas played hard and had two incredible performances from Cooper Flagg in their last two losses. They were perfect games for the current state of the Mavericks: lose without lying down and get something inspiring from their top pick.
The battle between Flagg and his college roommate, Kon Knueppel, was a sight to behold. Flagg was just one point shy of a 50-point game, while Knueppel hit eight threes and the game-winning free throws. It was a display of two young players poised beyond their years, dueling it out until the final seconds. Truly, the highlights from this game are worth the 15-minute watch:
The Mavericks showed similar fight against Houston and nearly pulled off a 3-1 series win against them this year. But, as was their downfall against Charlotte, they could not execute in the last few possessions. The loss to Minnesota is not even worth discussing; it was one of the more boring games Dallas has played this season. They have an exciting week upcoming, however, where they play Boston in Dallas tonight on NBC and have a home-and-home with the Spurs this weekend. If they can play as they have over the last few days, there should be a lot of fun basketball to be had.
Straight A’s: Cooper Flagg
It is remarkable how much Flagg has improved in such a short period of time. In his first 15 games, he averaged 15.5 points on 45.5 percent shooting. He started the season at point guard and, because of that, had a steep learning curve before he got his feet under him. Since he adjusted (i.e., the last 30 games), he has put up 21.9 points on 49.5 percent shooting. The game has slowed down for him in real time, and this culminated in back-to-back masterpieces this week, where he had 49 points and 10 rebounds on Thursday and 34 points and 12 rebounds on Saturday. The kid has got serious game.
Out of high school, he was a defensive prospect. Now, it’s his offense that wows crowds and gives fans a reason to dream about what he can be. He has lived up to the hype on the defensive end as well. The Mavericks, as bad as they have been, still hold a top-10 spot in defensive rating, and Flagg is the anchor of that. He is an awesome, fun rookie, but he is also a unicorn of an asset. Having a player this good on a rookie deal (which lasts four seasons) speeds up the timeline quite a bit and makes it imperative that they build a solid core around him as quickly as they can.
Currently Failing: Trade Value
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JANUARY 8: Anthony Davis #3 of the Dallas Mavericks holds his left hand as he reacts to pain after injuring it against Lauri Markkanen during the second half of their game at the Delta Center on January 8, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Chris Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The trade deadline is this Thursday, February 5. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Dallas’ phone lines are “wide open”. This reeks of desperation from the Mavericks, which is disappointing but not surprising. Dallas’ main trade pieces (Daniel Gafford, Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson) have all had lackluster to mediocre seasons at best, and their best trade asset, Naji Marshall, seems to have a market value lower than the Mavericks’ asking price of a first-round pick.
It is not a good situation to be in. Dallas is a non-contender and a second apron team, an impossible combination of death sentences. As previously stated, with how good Flagg is already, increasing financial flexibility as soon as they can manage it is paramount. This starts with trading away their older players for expiring contracts and/or draft capital. If Dallas is unable to do this by Thursday’s deadline, it will be the second consecutive February of incompetence by the organization and could set them back more than they already are.
Extra Credit: Jason Kidd
Coach Kidd is not known for his demonstrative nature. In fact, he is notorious for his lack of emotion during games and in post-game press conferences. That’s why the internet went berserk when he lashed out after being asked about national criticism for playing Cooper Flagg at point guard:
Jason Kidd fined $35K for public criticism of officiating and using profane language during a media interview.pic.twitter.com/rR2e0xuHUa
This was refreshing to watch. I want my coach to stand up for himself and the players. I want Kidd to yell at referees. I want him to show that he cares. To this point, we have gotten virtually nothing of the sort. Whether you agree with fellow Mavs Moneyball staffer Brent Brooks and think Kidd has nothing to lose, or you have your tin foil hat on about the timing of the incident, this is a net good. I do not want the version of Kidd that says he’s “watching just like the rest” of us. I want this version who is passionate and fiery and defends his decisions, rather than leaving them up for interpretation. Plus, “I know what the f*** I’m doing” is great on a quote card.
