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There’s ‘rampant speculation’ that LeBron James could return to Cavs this summer

INGLEWOOD, CA - JANUARY 19: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers during the game against the LA Clippers on January 19, 2025 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The rumors about LeBron James returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers after this season have been somewhat non-stop since he played against his former team last month. Since then, there was a report that the Cavs would welcome James back, The Athletic said a return to Cleveland would be the “obvious destination,” veteran reporter Jason Lloyd said LeBron will be playing in Cleveland next season if anywhere, and Donovan Mitchell and James Harden are rumored to be recruiting him.

We have one more rumor to add to that list.

On Friday, ESPN’s Tim McMahon said on NBA Today that there’s “rampant speculation” around the league that James will sign with Cleveland for a potential retirement tour this summer.

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At this point, it feels like LeBron will be returning home to Cleveland unless he retires after this season. What that would look like from a salary perspective remains to be seen.

The Cavs are currently over the second apron. They would not have access to the full mid-level exception unless they got under both aprons and then cut additional salary to carve out a spot for that exception. There’s also the possibility of a sign-and-trade if the Cavs get below the first apron. Or, James could opt to sign for a minimum contract.

It’s pointless to speculate too much on the finances at this point. There’s numerous scenarios for making this work from a cap perspective. If both sides want James to play in Cleveland, they’ll find a way to make it happen as they did back in 2014.

Even though LeBron is 41 years old, he’s still playing at an exceptionally high level. He recorded a triple-double in his last outing in the Los Angeles Lakers‘ win over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday. On the season, James is averaging 22 points, 7.1 assists, and 5.8 rebounds on .502/.305/.746 shooting splits in a mostly supporting role alongside Luka Doncic.

We’ll see how this plays out. In the meantime, we can rest assured that there’s going to be plenty more rumors about James returning to Cleveland between now and July.

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Zach LaVine to undergo season-ending surgery in Kings crusher

Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine (8) looks on during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena.
Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine (8) looks on during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena.

The Kings’ season is only getting worse. 

Sacramento’s Zach LaVine is set to undergo season-ending surgery on his right hand after the All-Star break, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes. 

LaVine, who turns 31 in March, is the Kings’ leading scorer, averaging 19.2 points per game on 47.9 percent shooting and 39 percent from 3-point land.

The oft-injured scorer was limited to just 39 games this season before being shut down with his upcoming surgery.  

Zach LaVine of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 29, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NBAE via Getty Images

Coming off one of the best seasons of his career, having averaged 23.3 points per game on career-bests 44.9 percent from three and 51.1 percent overall, LaVine’s game took a step back this year. 

LaVine ends the 2025-26 season having averaged his fewest points per game since his fourth year in the league in 2017-18. 

His -8.0 plus-minus was also the worst of his career.  

LaVine was traded by the Bulls to the Kings before last year’s trade deadline in a three-team deal that sent De’Aaron Fox to the Spurs. 

The injury is the latest blow in what has been a disastrous season in Sacramento. 

The Kings went into the All-Star break at 12-44, the worst record in the NBA. 

Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine (8) looks on during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Imagn Images

They’re riding a 14-game losing streak heading into the festivities, tied for the longest such streak in the league this season. 

It’s the first full season under head coach Doug Christie, who replaced new Knicks head coach Mike Brown in December 2024.

Despite rumors that the team was shopping him, LaVine stayed in Sacramento through this year’s deadline. 

LaVine has a $48.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season.

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Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns joining Allan Houston for Knicks team in All-Star event revival

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks reacts on the court, Image 2 shows New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) putting up a shot during a basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Image 3 shows Allan Houston talks with Cassidy Hubbarth during New York Knicks practice
Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson and Allan Houston are forming a Knicks team at an All-Star Weekend event.

The Knicks won’t have any participants in either the Slam Dunk Contest or the 3-point shooting competition Saturday night at All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, but the organization will be represented in an event that is returning to the NBA showcase after a 10-year absence.

The Shooting Stars is back for the first time since 2015, and a Knicks squad featuring current All-Stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns will be joined by team executive and former All-Star Allan Houston among four teams competing in the returning event Saturday night at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif.

First introduced in 2004, the Shooting Stars features the three players on each team attempting shots of different difficulty and point levels at seven locations from around the court.

The top two of the four teams will advance beyond the opening round and square off in the championship round.

Each team will consist of two current NBA players and one league “legend,” with this year’s groups representing a specific NBA team (the Knicks), as well as All-Star connections, college affiliations and one with family ties.

Jalen Brunson attempts a shot during the Knicks’ Feb. 10 game against the Pacers. Robert Sabo for the NY Post

Interestingly, Houston also was part of the previous all-New York squad to win this competition, with then-Knicks guard Landry Fields and Cappie Pondexter of the Liberty in 2012.

In addition to the Brunson/Towns/Houston trio, wing Scottie Barnes of the Raptors will join forces with Chet Holmgren of the Thunder and Pistons great Richard Hamilton on Team All-Star.

The others will be Team Cameron with former Duke players Jalen Johnson (Hawks), Kon Knueppel (Hornets) and Corey Maggette and Team Harper featuring Dylan Harper (Spurs) and Ron Harper Jr. (Celtics) with their father, Ron Harper Sr.

Saturday’s other events include the annual Slam Dunk Contest, although Mac McClung will not be taking part after winning the event each of the previous three years.

Allan Houston is pictured Dec. 12. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

This year’s competitors will include Carter Bryant of the Spurs, Jaxson Hayes of the Lakers, Keshad Johnson of the Heat and Jase Richardson of the Magic.

Brunson had participated in the 3-point contest in each of the previous two years, getting knocked out in the first round both times, but the All-Star starter will not be in the eight-player field this weekend.

Karl-Anthony Towns reacts during the Knicks’ Feb. 1 game. Jason Szenes for the NY Post

The eight contestants will be Devin Booker (Suns), Damian Lillard (Trail Blazers), Knueppel (Hornets), Tyrese Maxey (76ers), Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers), Jamal Murray (Nuggets), Norman Powell (Heat) and Bobby Portis (Bucks).

Lillard, a two-time winner in 2023 and 2024, has not played this season for Portland after suffering a torn Achilles in the playoffs last spring with the Bucks. Tyler Herro of the Heat took the trophy one year ago.

The All-Star Game on Sunday also will come with a new format, with the players split into three teams: two rosters of American players and one “World” team.

Towns was born in New Jersey, but he will play for the World squad because he represents the Dominican Republic in international play.

Egor Dëmin dunks the ball during the Nets’ Feb. 7 game against the Wizards. Jason Szenes for the NY Post

The Nets were represented Friday night in the Rising Stars tournament by rookie lottery pick Egor Dëmin, the first of their record five first-round picks at No. 8 overall.

The 6-foot-8 Dëmin, who is averaging 10.8 points and 3.3 assists in 46 games (39 starts) for Brooklyn, scored four points in 12:28 over two games for Vince Carter’s team, which defeated Carmelo Anthony’s squad, 25-24, in the championship game.

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Zac Gallen returns to Diamondbacks on $22 million deal after turning down multiyear offers

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen (23) throws in the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Bronx, NY.
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen (23) throws in the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Bronx, NY.

Zac Gallen isn’t going to have to move.

The right-handed pitcher, arguably the best left on the free agent market, has agreed to a one-year contract worth about $22 million to return to the Diamondbacks, The Post’s Jon Heyman confirmed.

Per Heyman, the 30-year-old received multiyear offers but liked the idea of staying with Arizona.

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen (23) throws in the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Bronx, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

The Athletic reported that the deal contains about $14 million in deferred payments.

The deal ends a long free agency for the 2023 National League All-Star after he rejected a $22.025 million qualifying offer in November, which is, ironically, about how much he’ll make in 2026 anyway.

The qualifying offer attachment meant that if a different team had signed Gallen, it would have had to forfeit draft picks, with Arizona getting awarded draft compensation.

The Orioles, before signing Chris Bassitt earlier this week, were interested in Gallen, Heyman reported in January.

The Cubs, Padres and Angels were among the other teams interested in his services.

But it’s Arizona he goes back to, a place he’s pitched the last seven seasons.

On Feb. 3, Gallen expressed an interest in returning to the Diamondbacks.

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen throws during the first inning of a Game 2 of their National League wildcard baseball series against the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in Milwaukee. AP

“It’s been humbling,” Gallen told reporters at the WM Phoenix Open. “That’s kind of been the constant thing the last couple of weeks. People have been like, ‘Hey, we’d really love for you to come back.’ I think people understand what Phoenix means to me.

“My wife is from here, I’m calling this home base now, so for us to be here would be awesome.”

Acquired by the Diamondbacks at the 2019 trade deadline from the Marlins for Jazz Chisholm Jr., he quickly established himself as a reliable arm at the top of the rotation, receiving Cy Young votes in three different seasons.

He had a strong three-year stretch from 2022-24 with a 3.20 ERA and 568 strikeouts over 542 innings.

But 2025 saw a dip in production with a career-worst 4.83 ERA.

Gallen’s peripherals weren’t great either, with his strikeout rate dropping from 25.1 percent in 2025 to 21.5 percent in ’25.

Still, he’s pitched over 180 innings three times over the last four years and should help solidify Arizona’s rotation as it tries to keep pace in the NL West.

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Jasson Dominguez facing uphill battle to make Yankees’ roster in crowded outfield

New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Domínguez (24) on the field at Yankee Stadium after hitting a ground-rule double.
Jasson Domínguez hits a ground-rule double during the Yankees' Aug. 27 game.

TAMPA — When Jasson Domínguez was squeezed out of playing time late last season, the Yankees could have sent him to Triple-A.

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But Brian Cashman “didn’t think that was right to do,” he acknowledged over the winter, because there was still a role for the outfielder to play off the bench in a playoff chase.

Now the Yankees are entering a spring in which they have another crowded outfield, with even more dollars committed to Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger, and Domínguez on the outside looking in.

Might the new year and new situation change the equation for whether Domínguez will be optioned to Triple-A once camp breaks?

“If everything stays the same, we’ll be forced to determine what’s our best course of action to help this team be impactful,” Cashman said Friday from Steinbrenner Field.

“I would concede it’s in his best interest to be getting everyday reps.”

Jasson Domínguez hits a ground-rule double during the Yankees’ Aug. 27 game. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post

Realistically, barring injuries, the only place for that to happen would appear to be at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Domínguez just turned 23 and the Yankees, through some of his growing pains last year, often pointed to the fact that he did not play a whole lot during his rise through the minors because of injuries and having a season wiped out by COVID.

So there is value in giving him a chance to go play every day in the minor leagues, even after spending all of last season in The Bronx and providing some production in 429 plate appearances.

That case is only bolstered by the fact that there is not a clear lane for Domínguez to play off the bench, other than pinch-running.

He is a switch-hitter who is stronger from the left side, but Grisham and Bellinger also hit left-handed.

The last spot on the Yankees’ bench — especially after they re-signed Paul Goldschmidt — may be better used for a right-handed hitting outfielder, and/or an above-average defensive left fielder, which Domínguez was not last season.

Jasson Domínguez makes a catch during the Yankees’ July 28 game. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post

“Domínguez is an extremely talented player,” Cashman said. “He’s one of our best runners. So having him as a choice for our manager to use coming off the bench at times as a pinch-runner to steal a bag or first to third, second to home, what have you, definitely improves our chances of success because of his pure athleticism.

“We’ll just have to wait and see how the spring shakes out, who’s standing and then we’ll make the appropriate decisions when we have our meetings closer to the end of camp.”

It would only take one injury for Domínguez to jump back in the mix, though Spencer Jones — the center fielder with thunderous power but high strikeout rates — will also try to make his case to be the next man up this spring.

“Depth chart, in theory, you’d have him behind Domínguez going in because Domínguez has had more experience than he does,” Cashman said. “But that’s not going to stop him in competition.”

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Cavs add 6’7” sharpshooter to final two-way spot

BIRMINGHAM, AL JANUARY 24: Riley Minix #22 of the Cleveland Charge drives to the basket during the game against the Birmingham Squadron on January 24, 2026 at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL. 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 GettyImages License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mercedes Oliver/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers filled their last roster spot when they added Nae’Qwan Tomlin to a standard contract. Now, they’ve found someone for their final two-way spot. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, that slot is going to Riley Minix.

Minix went undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft. He was invited to training camp with the San Antonio Spurs and ended up making the team on a two-way deal. He played just one game with the Spurs in his rookie season and spent most of his time with their G League affiliate, the Austin Spurs.

Minix started this season on a two-way contract as well, but was waived on Dec. 12. Overall, he played just four NBA games with San Antonio over two seasons.

On Jan. 13, the Cleveland Charge — G League affiliate of the Cavs — acquired his returning player rights from the Austin Spurs. He’s appeared in 12 games with the Charge since.

On the season, the 6’7”, 25-year-old forward has averaged 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game on .512/.426/.767 shooting splits in the G League.

The three-point shot is the obvious weapon for Minix. Last season, he connected on 41.4% of his three-point looks with Austin on 7.4 threes per contest. If he’s going to make a lasting impact in the NBA, presumably, it will be because of the outside shot.

Minix has had an unconventional journey to professional basketball. He played four collegiate seasons at Southeastern University, a smaller school that competes in the NAIA. After having the advantage of the COVID season, he played one season at Morehead State, averaging 20.9 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.

Minnix joins Tristian Enaruna and Emanuel Miller on two-way deals with the Cavs.

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A healthy Shohei Ohtani eyes the one major award he hasn’t won — a Cy Young Award

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Shohei Ohtani is a five-time All-Star, a four-time Most Valuable Player, a two-time World Series winner and a World Baseball Classic champion, giving him a sparkling baseball resume that no current player can touch.

The only major honor he hasn’t won? A Cy Young Award.

Given his track record, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the two-way Japanese star add that trophy to his collection in 2026.

“I think it’s fair to say he expects to be in the Cy Young conversation,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday. “We just want him to be healthy, make starts, and all the numbers and statistics will take care of themselves.

“But, man, this guy is such a disciplined worker and expects the most from himself.”

Just 105 days after the Dodgers became MLB’s first back-to-back champs in a quarter century — beating the Toronto Blue Jays in a thrilling Game 7 — Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the rest of the team’s pitchers and catchers went through their first spring training workout at Camelback Ranch on Friday.

Ohtani is expecting to be a full-time, two-way player for the first time since 2023. An elbow injury kept him off the mound for the 2024 season and he returned to pitching midway though last year, going 3-0 with a 4.43 ERA in the postseason to help the Dodgers capture their second straight World Series title.

Roberts said an injury-free offseason — where he could focus on rest, recovery and strength — should make him even more formidable on the mound this season.

“He just looks strong, but not too much mass,” Roberts said. “Watching him throw, watching him run, his body is moving well. I think he’s in a sweet spot.”

The 31-year-old Ohtani munched on breakfast and laughed with teammates in the clubhouse before his bullpen session, fully comfortable in what are now familiar surroundings. He’s entering his third season with the franchise that has helped him blossom into the biggest baseball phenomenon in decades.

“I was finally able to have a normal offseason,” Ohtani said. “Although the offseason was pretty short, I thought it was a good thing.”

Ohtani said he arrived at Camelback Ranch at the beginning of the month and Friday’s bullpen — which he said went well — was his third of the spring. The goal is to throw live batting practice next week before he leaves to join Team Japan in Tokyo, where it will be playing in the World Baseball Classic.

He won’t be pitching for Japan in the WBC — focusing solely on his work at the plate.

Roberts said keeping Ohtani off the mound in the WBC was a collaborative decision that focused on his long-term health.

“As much as people think that he’s not human, he’s still a human being who has had two major surgeries,” Roberts said. “He’s got a long career ahead of him.”

The timeline and schedule of the WBC — Team Japan could be playing from March 6-17 on two different continents — makes Ohtani’s preparation for the Dodgers’ opening day game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 26 a challenge. Neither Roberts or Ohtani were sure what his throwing schedule would look like in Japan.

Roberts said he’s sure Ohtani will want to be ready to pitch at the beginning of the season, but the team would be flexible.

“It’s delicate,” Roberts said. “We’ll know more in the next couple weeks and see where the progression is at. But for us, there’s not going to be any timeline or endline or finish line where he has to be ready.”

The Dodgers enter the season as World Series favorites. They were big spenders on the free agent market once again, landing four-time All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker on a $240 million, four-year deal that further exacerbated the divide between baseball’s haves and have nots. Los Angeles also nabbed star reliever Edwin Díaz on a $69 million, three-year deal.

Díaz also threw a bullpen on Friday. He had a 1.63 ERA and 28 saves for the New York Mets last season.

“Guys are anxious,” Roberts said. “We’ve got a long camp, longer than we’ve had in recent years. We’re trying to get guys to start slow and be intentional and methodical. That’s kind of the message.”

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Zac Gallen re-signing with Arizona Diamondbacks

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 09: Zac Gallen #23 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning at Oracle Park on September 09, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images

As first reported by Steve Gilbert, Zac Gallen is returning to the D-backs on a one-year deal. The amount involved is $22 million, which is basically the same amount as the qualifying offer Gallen declined at the start of the winter. However, Ken Rosenthal reports that approximately $14 million of that is deferred. It’s a stunning turnaround for both Gallen and the team. Zac was looking for a big payday, and MLB Trade Rumors projected a four year, $80 million contract for him. But coming off a poor year, with an 89 ERA+, the market for his services simply dried up.

For the Diamondbacks, even allowing for the deferred amount, this commits the team, one way or another, to more money that was expected to be available. The general belief was that Arizona would be looking to cut costs this winter, the team reportedly having run at a loss last year. But it looks like the payroll is going to be close to what it was in 2025. It also leaves the team with six starters, Gallen joining Merrill Kelly, Ryne Nelson, Brandon Pfaadt, Eduardo Rodriguez and Michael Soroka. It’s going to be very interesting to see how the team opts to fit all those pieces into their roster.

More to follow…

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Lakers fans were unsatisfied with trade deadline activity

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 9: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the Oklahoma City Thunder boxes out during the game on February 9, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

While the Lakers were buyers at the trade deadline, they did more window shopping than anything else.

Sure, there were rumors of trading for players like De’Andre Hunter and Keon Ellis, but LA only made one move, sending Gabe Vincent to Atlanta in exchange for Luke Kennard.

Considering the Lakers are currently eight games back of the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder, more is needed for LA to be a legitimate contender.

So, we asked fans in our latest SB Nation Reacts poll how pleased they were with what the team did at the trade deadline.

The results are in, and only 26% of fans are pleased with the moves made to bolster the roster.

Understandably, fans are displeased. Even LeBron James has admitted the Lakers aren’t a championship team, and with fans wanting a title, seeing the franchise unable to make a trade that makes that possible is unsatisfactory.

The counterargument Lakers President of Basketball Operations made that LA was aggressive by saying no to trades didn’t exactly help his case or ease frustrations with the fanbase either.

So while waiting for the summer, when a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo could become available might be the best move, it doesn’t mean fans will be happy with the current state of the purple and gold.

The only hope fans have now is that the Lakers’ roster can return from the All-Star break healthy.

The trio of LeBron, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves has only played 10 games together. So, if they will all be available the rest of the way, perhaps that will be enough to pull off a surprise run like LA did in 2023, when they made it to the Western Conference Finals.

Currently, the Lakers have +4500 odds to win the NBA title on FanDuel, so it seems there is little faith in LA making noise this season.

For now, Pelinka took a gamble and is betting that it’ll pay off this summer. For his sake, he better be right.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.


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NBA All-Star Rising Stars game: Live results, scores, rosters

The NBA Rising Stars Challenge will serve as the headline event for Friday’s All-Star Weekend festivities in the Los Angeles area.

Rookies Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets) and VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers) will be among the talent competing in the tournament.

Knueppel is averaging 18.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in 53 games played for Charlotte. He will play for Team T-Mac. Edgecombe has averaged 14.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 49 games played for Philly. He’ll play for Team Vince.

Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg was expected to compete, but was a late scratch due to injury. Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr was also scheduled to participate but will not play due to a hamstring injury.

Ace Bailey (Utah Jazz) and Bub Carrington (Washington Wizards) were named as their respective replacements.

How to watch NBA Rising Stars Game?

Where: Intuit Dome (Inglewood, California)

When: Friday, Feb. 13, 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT)

TV/Stream: Peacock

Who will play in NBA Rising Stars Game?

Team Melo: Ace Bailey, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, Jeremiah Fears, Donovan Clingan, Collin Murray-Boyles

Team T-Mac: Kon Knueppel, Kel’el Ware, Tre Johnson, Ajay Mitchell, Jaylon Tyson, Cam Spencer, Bub Carrington

Team Vince: VJ Edgecombe, Derik Queen, Kyshawn George, Matas Buzelis, Egor Demin, Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells

Team Austin: Sean East II, Ron Harper Jr., Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Alijah Martin, Tristen Newton, Yang Hansen, Mac McClung, David Jones Garcia

NBA Rising Stars game schedule

  • Game 1: Team Melo vs. Team Austin
  • Game 2: Team Vince vs. Team T-Mac
  • Rising Stars championship: (G1 winner vs. G2 winner)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA Rising Stars live results, rosters, scores, highlights

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Gerrit Cole looks like ‘Cy Young pitcher’ as he checks off another box for Yankees return

New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole throwing in the bullpen during Spring Training.
Gerrit Cole throws a pitch during his bullpen for the Yankees on Feb. 13.

TAMPA — He is 35 now, another year older, with some more facial hair, a slightly different windup and a surgically reconstructed ulnar collateral ligament.

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But Gerrit Cole stepped onto the bullpen mound Friday morning at Steinbrenner Field and, as much as one can over the course of two simulated innings without any hitters in the box, looked like Gerrit Cole.

There is still a long way to go — in a best-case scenario, three months, with more hurdles to clear along the way — before Cole might take the mound in a big league game.

But just over 11 months removed from undergoing Tommy John surgery and having the entirety of his 2025 season wiped out, the former AL Cy Young award winner gave the Yankees a tantalizing reminder of what could be waiting for them later this year.

Gerrit Cole throws a pitch during his bullpen for the Yankees on Feb. 13. Charles Wenzelberg

“He looked like a Cy Young pitcher,” catcher Austin Wells said. “He looked smooth and in control. Looked confident in his ability.”

Of course, it was just a bullpen session in February, one that checked another box on the way to potentially facing hitters in another week or two and possibly getting into a Grapefruit League game before camp ends.

In his conversations with the Yankees and the surgeon who repaired his elbow, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the target return date has always been 14-18 months, Cole said, and that remains on track.

He had the surgery last March 11, so 14 months would be May 11.

And exactly what version of Cole the Yankees get once he does return to game action remains to be seen.

For some pitchers coming back from Tommy John, it takes a full season to get their stuff back and feel like themselves.

For others, it comes quicker.

Cole knows this and is not getting ahead of himself for what to expect this season.

But to this point, every step of the rehab process that he described as “long and tedious” has gone well, giving him and the Yankees hope that there is some light at the end of the tunnel inching closer.

Gerrit Cole prepares to throw a pitch during his Feb. 13 bullpen. Charles Wenzelberg

“I’m a confident guy. I have high expectations for my execution internally,” Cole said. “But overall, in terms of performance and expectations, I don’t really have any set goals or numbers or things like that. It’s been working really well to just stay day to day and execute the task at hand. So I think the challenge is to continue to do that as things become more exciting and things start to get rolling more and more.”

In his throwing session Friday, Cole’s fastball hit 94-96 mph, the pop of Wells’ glove ringing throughout the bullpen with a crowd of interested Yankees personnel watching.

At this point in the rehab process, Cole acknowledged that it is important for him to pay close attention to the velocity, making sure he is staying within the suggested ranges to “load the new [elbow] tissue strategically.”

Gerrit Cole watches from the Yankees dugout during their Sept. 23 game. Jason Szenes for the NY Post

“When I’m told to push, I push,” he said. “When I’m told not to, I don’t. I really haven’t deviated hardly at all from our targets.”

Along those lines, the Yankees will not push Cole back too soon, regardless of how encouraged they may be at each next step.

There is no sense in bringing him back quickly just to have him pitch in early-season games at the expense of having him available later in the year when the stakes are higher.

“We want to make sure we give him the proper time to make sure he is good and ready to come back, built up in a smart way,” manager Aaron Boone said. “So we won’t rush that with him, even if it continues to go incredibly well.”

Cole, too, expressed a cautious optimism about how he was feeling.

His old elbow got him 2,000-plus innings in the big leagues, and the new one is feeling “different than it has been in quite some time,” he said.

Whether that could mean throwing harder when he returns, Cole pumped the brakes and said with a smile, “We’ll see.”

More than anything, Cole just seemed to be longing for things to get back to normal, for the day when he can finally rejoin what has the potential to be a high-end rotation with him a key part of it.

“I just miss playing,” he said. “I miss that outlet of working hard and feeling exhausted every five days.”

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Cavaliers Reacts Survey: James Harden is quickly winning over Cleveland

Feb 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) drives to the basket beside Washington Wizards guard Bub Carrington (7) in the third quarter 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 Cavaliers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Things change quickly in the NBA. Fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers know that better than anyone else. This past trade deadline came with many changes, from small moves like salary dumping Lonzo Ball to seismic changes like swapping Darius Garland for 11-time All-Star James Harden.

In our last fan survey, we focused on that big move.

Forgive the typo on our graphic. I didn’t want to bother our team with changing this on short notice. But we asked Cavs fans (not Rockets fans) to grade the Harden trade. Here are the results:

Roughly two-thirds of Cavs fans gave this move an A. Only 1% of fans gave it below a C, and zero fans thought this was an F.

We should clarify that the survey was held this week. So this isn’t an immediate reaction to the Harden trade. Seeing three straight wins with Harden dishing the ball has certainly raised our opinions of the deal.

For our second question, we wanted to know if this move raised Cleveland’s ceiling. To no surprise, the fans again showed that they are all-in on the beard.

A whopping 96% of Cavs fans believe their ceiling is higher now with Harden. That’s probably the highest percentage we’ve had on a survey yet. I can’t necessarily blame them. The Cavs have won five straight and hold the best record in the NBA since December 29th.

FanDuel has Cleveland with the sixth-highest odds to win the NBA Finals. They rank third in the East, behind the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons. I’d expect those numbers to improve if the Cavs keep rolling after the All-Star Break.

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2026 Rising Stars Challenge Thread

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 31: VJ Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on January 31, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

All-Star Weekend gets underway at the Intuit Dome, home of the Los Angeles Clippers, on Friday night! After the celebrity game tips off at 7 p.m. on ESPN, which I cannot fathom anyone on planet Earth caring about, the Rising Stars Challenge begins at 9 p.m. and streams on Peacock!

For clarity’s sake, the Rising Stars Challenge will once again feature four teams playing in a three-game tournament. It’ll feature three teams of young NBA talent and a team of G-League players going against one another. The Sixers’ own VJ Edgecombe will be on “Team Vince,” coached by NBA legend Vince Carter.

The first Rising Stars game will get going at 9 p.m. and feature Austin Rivers’ “Team Austin,” the G-League squad, facing off against Carmelo Anthony’s “Team Melo.” At 9:55 p.m., Edgecombe and Team Vince will face Tracy McGrady’s “Team T-Mac,” which features Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel. The winners of each respective game will face off in the championship round at 10:35 p.m.

For each semifinal game, the first team to reach or exceed 40 points wins. For the championship, the winning figure is 25 points. Got it? Well, I barely do, but All-Star Weekend goes on either way.

Feel free to chat about the All-Star festivities, Edgecombe, the Sixers or legitimately anything else in our open thread for the evening!

There will be a recap of Edgecombe’s performance after Team Vince finishes up as well, so stay tuned to Liberty Ballers for that too! Let’s hope he balls out.

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Chris Sale on his future with Braves, won’t challenge via ABS

There has been a big media presence around the Atlanta Braves during this first week of Spring Training which means lots of player availability. Earlier today, Alex Anthopoulos met with the media, and you can read those highlights here.

Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale made the media rounds as well, discussion a number of topics, two of which were most notable.

First, Sale said he will never challenge a pitch with MLB’s ABS system. Saying that he doesn’t want to take away a challenge and has dealt with missed pitched all his career, Sale stated he would leave it up to his catcher if the backstop wants to challenge a pitch. The full video of his answer is embedded below.

Second, and maybe more notable, was Sale discussing his pending free agency, noting that he hasn’t previously been in the position before of having uncertainty as to where he will play next season during his 15-year big league career.

When asked in a follow-up question if he’d like to retire as a Braves, he said that he would like to do so noting that Atlanta gave him a chance and helped get his career back on track.

You can watch his full comment in the embed below.

When on the mound, Sale has been arguably the best pitcher in the National League while with the Braves. Although he will pitch most of the 2026 season at age 37, Sale has compiled more than 10 fWAR across his two season with Atlanta, striking out more than 32-percent of the batters he has faced.

He won the 2024 National League Cy Young and if not for the freak broken rib suffered diving for a ball mid-season, he would have likely been at least a top five finisher for the 2025 award.

The Braves need Chris Sale to stay healthy and keep pitching like the future Hall of Famer that is likely is to contend this season. Whether the Braves offer him an extension prior to free agency or not will be an interesting item to watch as the year progresses.