SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 27: Logan Evans #73 of the Seattle Mariners pitches during the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on Saturday, September 27, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Olivia Vanni/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Mariners’ starting pitching depth took a hit today, as the Mariners announced starter Logan Evans had UCL reconstruction surgery with the internal brace procedure. The surgery was performed by Dr. Keith Meister in Texas.
Evans, 24, made his debut last year and pitched in 16 games for the Mariners, accruing 81.1 innings. He started 15 of those 16 games, filling in for a Mariners rotation that suffered a spate of injuries. While Evans didn’t pitch in the playoff run, his contributions down the stretch helped the Mariners patch together a workable rotation while the regular starters healed, allowing the team to go on a deep playoff run.
The highlight of Evans’ season was a May 27th start against Washington where he went eight innings, the longest start by any Mariners pitcher all season. He surrendered just one run over those eight innings, a solo home run to James Wood. That game was also remarkable because the Nationals ran out an Oops! All Lefties! lineup against the righty Evans, who became the first Mariners pitcher in decades to face an all-lefty lineup.
Evans did spend some time on the IL this past season with right elbow inflammation, missing a month starting in mid-August after being diagnosed with VEO, or “pitcher’s elbow.” However, imaging at the time did not show structural damage. Evans first felt the pain on an August 14th start against Baltimore; he was moved to the IL and underwent a treatment plan of rest and cortisone injections. Evans returned to the club late in the season and threw three innings in a game on September 27th against the Dodgers, but was left off the playoff roster as the team progressed into October.
The timeline for recovery for an internal brace procedure is closer to 12 months than the 18 months of traditional Tommy John surgery, so if all goes well in recovery Evans could return as soon as spring training 2027. That doesn’t ease the sting of losing him for this year, though; Ryan just did Evans’s 40 in 40, dissecting the curious nature of Evans the first time vs. second time through the order, and what adjustments could be made to bridge the two performances. Now we will have to wait an extra year to find out the answer to that question.
The Mariners have done an admirable job building depth so far this season, with the addition of Cooper Criswell as well as some stalwart minor-league signings like Dane Dunning and Randy Dobnak. But Evans was a known quantity and proven performer, and the loss stings. This shifts pressure to Emerson Hancock to continue figuring it out at the big-league level, and also turns up the temperature somewhat on top prospect Kade Anderson, who is yet to throw a professional pitch but is almost certain to be a quick mover once he does. In the meantime, we wish Logan Evans well in his recovery, and hope to be back to two Big Logans soon.
Just 13 months after its precursor officially emerged from bankruptcy, time is running out for Main Street Sports. A cash crunch and the flight of nine MLB partners has put the owner/operator of the FanDuel-branded RSNs on a collision course with insolvency.
As Main Street execs scramble for a financial lifeline, it appears increasingly unlikely the company will be able to secure a game-saving infusion of cash before an in-house deadline of Feb. 1. While the date isn’t necessarily binding—the discretionary target may present an opportunity for Main Street to continue its fundraising efforts into next week—the situation is a source of great concern for the 29 MLB, NBA and NHL franchises whose local TV rights are tied to the RSN group.
While there’s been some chatter about the possibility of a zero-hour reprieve, as talks with potential investors are ongoing, the recent cancellation of the nine MLB contracts is said to have made the unmistakable sound of the other shoe dropping. On Jan. 8, the Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays terminated their legacy deals with Main Street, a split precipitated by a series of missed payments.
Some of the teams are said to have entertained the notion of reuniting with Main Street in the event it can cut a deal with an investor/buyer, but with pitchers and catchers due to report for the first of their spring workouts in three weeks, time is tight. On the most quotidian level, advertising commitments must be procured ahead of the 2026 MLB campaign, and while many sponsors have multiyear deals in place, the RSNs cannot afford to stagger into the coming baseball season with anything less than a 90% sell-through rate.
Earlier this month, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said the league would backstop the teams that elected to cut ties with their RSNs. “We are prepared,” Manfred said. “Even if all nine end up without an alternative, MLB will have them. They will be available on cable in the markets, and there will be a digital alternative.”
MLB’s in-house media arm currently handles local TV and streaming distribution for seven clubs: the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, Colorado Rockies, Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners and Washington Nationals. While the prospect of taking responsibility for another nine teams isn’t necessarily ideal, MLB has the infrastructure in place to provide a seamless transition. (Any such emergency measures would be temporary, as Manfred plans to bring MLB’s local rights to market ahead of the expiration of its national deals in 2028.)
“No matter what happens, Major League Baseball is in a position to put all of the games on locally and to make a digital streaming product available in-market for those fans,” Manfred said a few weeks ago. “They will never miss a game.”
Barring a last-minute reprieve, Main Street could find itself in full-on liquidation mode as early as next week—or well into the second halves of the current NBA and NHL seasons. The NBA is said to have begun war-gaming for such a scenario even before Main Street missed payments to a number of its teams at the top of the year, while the NHL also has fleshed out a backup plan. Both leagues are eyeing a mix of in-market TV arrangements with local station owners and streaming via their respective subscription platforms.
Unlike the Diamond Sports Group bankruptcy saga, which spanned 20 months and erased more than $9 billion in debt, another drawn-out reorganization effort isn’t in the cards for Main Street. Should the company fail to find a buyer, the next stop is Chapter 7.
Unfortunately for the RSNs and the teams under contract to Main Street, the endemic conditions that derailed Diamond haven’t abated. Subscribers continue to flee the legacy pay-TV bundle, and at last count the total number of U.S. homes paying for a traditional cable/satellite package had fallen to 43.2 million, bringing penetration down to just 34%. Even when virtual MVPDs are thrown in along with the old-school providers, the overall tally (64.8 million subs) represents just 51% of homes that use television.
As it happens, the Diamond court proceedings made it clear that a post-reorg cash crunch was all but inevitable. In one projection, Diamond estimated that total linear TV revenue would decline 19% in 2025 from $2.17 billion to $1.75 billion, while this year’s haul was expected to drop to $1.65 billion. According to an unaudited projected income statement filed in April 2024 with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Houston, Diamond anticipated that carriage fees would plummet 28% in the next two years, resulting in a net loss of $498 million in distribution revenue.
In spite of that steady drumbeat of subscriber churn, the FanDuel RSNs in 2025 saw their MLB ratings improve by 18%, with in-game coverage averaging 1.5 million viewers across all platforms. Per internal Main Street estimates, MLB games last season accounted for more than 2.8 billion minutes of consumption, good for twice the engagement earned in 2024.
The fact that MLB deliveries grew in the face of the steady exodus from the pay-TV model certainly would seem to indicate that sports fans are keeping the bundle from disintegrating altogether, but that and $3 gets you a ride on the F train. When cable was at the height of its powers in 2010, approximately 105 million Americans bought into the bundle. But for ESPN, the RSNs commanded the highest carriage fees on the dial; thus, tens of millions of consumers who only flipped past their local RSN while on their way to a non-sports destination were passively subsidizing the channels they never watched.
But that was 16 years ago, an eternity in media time. Unless a deep-pocketed savior arrives within the next couple of days, the Main Street RSNs are about to go the way of the infield shift.
The Buffalo Sabres continue to be the hottest club in the NHL, winning 4-1 over the Los Angeles Kings for their fifth victory in a row on Thursday. The Sabres are now eight points up on the Florida Panthers in the race for a playoff spot, and tied with Boston and Montreal for third place in the Atlantic Division, but winger Alex Tuch, who scored a hat trick in the win, was thinking of higher goals after the game.
"We're coming in with a lot of confidence. "Everybody's coming in trying to prove themselves, and we're trying to prove as a team that we're legit. We're not just going to go for the playoffs. We're going to go for the Cup," Tuch said. "That's our goal, to get better each and every day. That's it. That's the end goal. We're not in here just to squeak in. We're here to try to keep winning."
While it is understandable that Buffalo is brimming with confidence after going 20-3-1 in the last 24 games and rising like a phoenix from the ashes, that has to be balanced with the fact that they were in last place in the Eastern Conference in mid-December after firing GM Kevyn Adams and that everything is going right since.
Could Rasmus Dahlin win a Norris Trophy?
Are the real Sabres the team that struggled through the first third of the season, or the one that has been arguably the best club in the league in the middle third? One thing is for certain, this confident young squad and head coach Lindy Ruff wishes they could keep playing based on how hot they are.
"It's hard to say (whether the break will be a good or bad thing)," Ruff said earlier in the week. "I think we've pushed hard. I think you've got to use that break to get refreshed, but at the same time, you've got to use it to be ready from day one as soon as it starts right afterwards."
Buffalo has two more home games against Montreal on Saturday and Pittsburgh next Thursday, with back-to-back road games in Florida against the Panthers on Monday and Lightning on Tuesday sandwiched in between before breaking for the Olympics for nearly three weeks.
LENS, France (AP) — Lens bounced back from a defeat to Marseille by beating Le Havre 1-0 and retaking the lead of Ligue 1 on Friday.
Ruben Aguilar volleyed the winner in first-half stoppage time. Adrien Thomasson had a goal disallowed in the second half after a video review due to a foul.
Paris Saint-Germain can return to the top at Strasbourg on Sunday.
Le Havre was unbeaten in its previous three games and remained 15th in the table.
The St. Louis Blues have recalled winger Matt Luff from the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds for the second time in as many days.
The recall is once again on an emergency basis as the Blues have several players who are considered game-time decisions but will likely play on Saturday.
Neighbours and Jimmy Snuggerud were absent from practice today due to maintenance, and both are game-time decisions on Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Pius Suter is also a game-time decision.
Luff will most likely be sent back down to the Thunderbirds prior to puck drop, like he and McGing were yesterday, but if a spot in the lineup opens up because several players aren’t able to play, the Blues will have the insurance that Luff can slide into the lineup.
The 28-year-old Luff has scored one goal in five games in the NHL this season, while pouring in 13 goals and 33 points in 33 AHL games.
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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Keon Ellis #23 of the Sacramento Kings shoots a three-point shot over Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics in the first half at Golden 1 Center on January 01, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Sacramento Kings (12-37) at Boston Celtics (29-18) Friday, January 30, 2026 7:30 PM ET Regular Season Game #48, Home Game #23 TV: NBCSB, NBCSCA, NBA League Pass Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, 1140 AM Sactown Sports, Sirius XM TD Garden
The Celtics continue their home stand after a win over the Trail Blazers on Monday and a loss to the Hawks on Wednesday. This is the 2nd, and final, game between these two teams this season. The Celtics won 120-106 in Sacramento on January 1. hey split the series 1-1 last season with each team winning on the road. The Celtics are 194-120 overall all time against the Kings and 104-34 in games played in Boston.
The Kings have made a few moves since last season. They traded Jonas Valanciunas to Denver for Dario Saric in what is likely a salary move. They lost Jake LaRavia as a free agent to the Lakers. They signed Drew Eubanks, Dennis Schroder, Precious Achiuwa, and Russell Westbrook as free agents. They drafted Nique Clifford with the 24th pick in the 2025 draft that they acquired from OKC for a 2027 protected first round pick. They also drafted Maxime Raynaud with the 42nd pick.
The Celtics have slipped back to 3rd in the East, 5.5 games behind 1st place Detroit. They are tied with 2nd place New York, 1 game ahead of 4th place Toronto and 5th place Cleveland, 3 games ahead of 6th place Philadelphia and 4 games ahead of 7th place Miami. The Celtics are 8-6 against Western Conference opponents. They are 14-8 at home and 5-5 in their last 10 games. They are coming off a loss in their last game.
The Kings are 14th in the West, 26 games behind 1st place Oklahoma City, 11.5 games behind 10th place Los Angeles Clippers, and 7.5 games behind 12th place Dallas. They are tied with 15th place New Orleans. They are 4-12 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 3-21 on the road and 3-7 in their last 10 games. They have lost their last 7 games.
This game is the 3rd game of a 4 game home stand where they won over Portland on Monday and lost to the Hawks on Wednesday. They will face Milwaukee on Sunday to close out the home stand. Then, they are on the road at Dallas and Houston before playing Miami, New York, and Chicago at home, taking them into the All Star Break. After the break, they will head out on a 4 game Western road trip through Golden State, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix, and Denver.
This is the 5th game of a 6 game road trip for the Kings. They lost to Cleveland, Detroit, New York, and Philadelphia in the first 4 and will complete the trip at Washington. They return home to host Memphis, LA Clippers, and Cleveland before heading on the road to play at New Orleans and at Utah before the All Star break.
For the Celtics, Neemias Queta missed Wednesdays game with an illness. He has been upgraded to available for this game. Jaylen Brown is listed as out due to a right knee contusion and left hamstring tightness. Jayson Tatum remains out as he continues to rehab his torn Achilles.
For the Kings, Zach LaVine missed the last 2 games as he was dealing with back issues but came off the bench against the 76ers on Thursday. I’m guessing that he returns to the starting lineup for this game. If he once again comes off the bench, Nique Clifford will likely start once again in his place.
Russell Westbrook missed Thursday’s game with a foot injury and is out for this game. I’m guessing that Dennis Schroder will likely start in his place. Malik Monk missed Thursday’s game and is off the injury list for this game at this time. Keegan Murray is out with an ankle injury.
Probable Starting Matchups PG: Derrick White vs Dennis Schroder
Derrick White | NBAE via Getty ImagesDennis Schroder | Getty Images
Celtics Reserves Anfernee Simons Hugo Gonzalez Xavier Tillman Josh Minott Jordan Walsh Luka Garza Chris Boucher 2-Way Players Ron Harper, Jr Max Shulga Amari Williams Injuries/Out Jayson Tatum (Achilles) out Jaylen Brown (knee/hamstring) out Neemias Queta (illness) available
Head Coach Joe Mazzulla
Kings Reserves Devin Carter Nique Clifford Keon Ellis Drew Eubanks Doug McDermott Malik Monk Dario Saric
2-Way Players Dylan Cardwell Daeqwon Plowden Isaiah Stevens Injuries/Out Domantas Sabonis (knee) Keegan Murray (ankle) out Russell Westbrook (foot) out
Head Coach Doug Christie
Key Matchups Payton Pritchard vs Zach LaVine LaVine is averaging 19.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. He is shooting 48.6% from the field and 39.9% from beyond the arc. He missed the first game against the Celtics and came off the bench for the Kings on Thursday after missing the previous 2 games. I’m guessing that he will return to the starting lineup for this game. If he doesn’t, Nique Clifford will likely get the start.
Baylor Scheierman vs DeMar DeRozan DeRozan is averaging 19.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 50.5% from the field and 33.7% from beyond the arc. Over his career against the Celtics, he has averaged 21.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists. In the first game against the Celtics, he finished with 25 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal while shooting 56.3% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc. DeRozan especially needs to be defended for mid-range shots where he excels.
Honorable Mention Derrick White vs Dennis Schroder Schroder is averaging 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. He is shooting 41.6% from the field and 35.2% from beyond the arc. Against the Celtics this season, he finished with 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists while shooting 58.3% from the field and 37.5% from beyond the arc. With Westbrook out, I’m guessing that Schroder gets the start and he is likely to give a little extra effort to beat his former team.
Keys to the Game Defense – Defense is always the key to winning every game. The Kings have a defensive rating of 119.5 (28th). The Celtics defensive rating is 113.7, 12th in the league. The Celtics need to defend the paint as the Kings average 48.5 points in the paint per game. The Kings average 30.1 three pointers attempted per game, which is 30th in the league and they are last with 10.5 3 pointers made per game. The Celtics need to play tough lock down defense both inside and out.
Rebound – The Celtics have to put out extra effort to grab the rebounds on both ends of the court. By doing so, they limit the second chance points and fast breaks for the Kings and also give themselves extra possessions. The Celtics are averaging 44.9 rebounds per game to 40.9 rebounds per game for the Kings. The Celtics have to beat the Kings to rebounds and not allow them to get second chance points and extra possessions.
Don’t Underestimate – Once again, the Celtics are facing a team that is under .500. It would be easy for the Celtics to underestimate the Kings and expect an easy win against a 12 win team. That would be a mistake because this Kings team has beaten Denver, Minnesota, Miami and Houston so they aren’t an easy team to beat if you don’t bring the effort. The Celtics have to come out strong from the start and play hard right up until the final buzzer. The Kings are very capable of beating them if they don’t play their best.
To 3 or Not to 3 – The Celtics are 2nd in the league, attempting 42.3 threes a game. When they fall, the Celtics are tough to beat. But, when they aren’t falling, the Celtics struggle. Against the Hawks, the Celtics shot just 26.5% on threes. If the Celtics aren’t hitting their 3s, they have to go to Plan B and take the ball to the basket or shoot from midrange. If the 3s are falling, great!! If not, go to Plan B. Most of all, they need to focus on taking good shots and making them.
X-Factors Home Court Advantage – The Celtics are at home and need to use that to their advantage. They are playing in front of their own fans and on their own familiar court while the Kings are playing on the road and have travel and a hostile crowd and road fatigue to distract them. The Celtics need to bounce back from their loss at home against the Hawks and start a home win streak with a win here.
Officiating – Officiating can always be an x-factor. Every crew will call the game differently. Some will call every little thing and the game will have no flow. Others will let a lot go and let them play. Some crews favor the home team while others call it evenly or have a personal agenda. The Celtics need to adjust to how the game is called and not let the officials take away their focus.
BROOKLYN, NY - JANUARY 23: The sneakers worn by Chris Boucher #25 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 23, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The roar of the crowd at Dodger Stadium returns this weekend, albeit briefly.
On Saturday, the third-oldest stadium in Major League Baseball will open its gates and let the noise spill out for DodgerFest 2026 — the annual, unapologetic love letter between the Dodgers and the city that lives and dies with them.
The festivities kick off at 9 a.m. until the afternoon as the historic stadium transforms into a giant playground for fans. MediaNews Group via Getty ImagesOn Saturday, Dodger Stadium will open its gates for DodgerFest 2026. MediaNews Group via Getty Images
But this year’s rendition isn’t a pep rally. It’s a victory lap.
Fresh off back-to-back World Series championships in 2024 and 2025, the Dodgers are hosting DodgerFest presented by Budweiser as both a celebration of dominance and a warning shot aimed at the rest of baseball. The past will be honored. The future will be stared down. All in one sun-soaked day in Chavez Ravine.
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The festivities kick off at 9 a.m. until the early afternoon as the historic stadium transforms into a giant playground for fans that bleed Dodger Blue. Fans will be able to roam the Field and Reserve Levels, purchase tickets for autograph sessions, meet and greets, selfies, live chats with players, and VIP experiences that will last a lifetime.
The annual DodgerFest is an unapologetic love letter between the Dodgers and the city that lives and dies with them. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
VIP experiences run from 9:20 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., offering clubhouse tours, Vin Scully Press Box access, Jackie Robinson legacy tours, and photos with the 2024 and 2025 World Series trophies. Yes, both of them.
Additionally, there will be interactive games, sponsor activations, ballpark food, live music, and exclusive merchandise.
At 12:30 p.m., the centerpiece arrives. Hosted by Joe Davis and Stephen Nelson, the 90-minute seated stage show brings out the heavy hitters — literally and figuratively. MVPs Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani. World Series Game 7 heroes Max Muncy, Miguel Rojas, and Will Smith. Manager Dave Roberts and architects Andrew Friedman and Brandon Gomes, all peering ahead at a three-peat that suddenly feels very real.
VIP experiences offer clubhouse tours, Vin Scully Press Box access, Jackie Robinson legacy tours, and photos with the 2024 and 2025 World Series trophies. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Tickets are more expensive this year, but that’s the price you pay for the highest payroll in MLB after the back-to-back champs added All-Star closer Edwin Diaz and slugger Kyle Tucker to their already vaunted roster.
Auto gates open at 8:30 a.m. Stadium entry follows at 9. Parking is separate. Tickets are available at dodgers.com/dodgerfest.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 3: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks talks to= Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers after the game on April 3, 2025 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know the Milwaukee Bucks are actively listening to trade offers for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo with the NBA trade deadline less than a week away.
League sources say Philadelphia, furthermore, has not contacted Milwaukee about a possible Antetokounmpo deal in the wake of a better-than-expected first half, but The Stein Line has learned that the prospect of teaming up with Tyrese Maxey — who, like Giannis, works with prominent NBA trainer Drew Hanlen — does have the 76ers on Antetokounmpo’s radar.
That’s a hell of a nugget.
The idea of Maxey and Giannis playing together is tantalizing, but it might not be realistic without the Greek Freak demanding to come to Philly. Let’s break it down a bit.
No. 3 overall pick VJ Edgecombe will be the absolute first player the Bucks bring up — as well they should. It’s not that Edgecombe is untouchable, but you have to look at the whole picture here.
Antetokounmpo, who is still one of the best players on earth, is 31 and now dealing with his second calf injury of the season. If Edgecombe is the centerpiece of that trade, you’d also have to include Paul George for salary matching purposes.
So, you’re trading away two starters for a team that already lacks depth, while also hoping for the health and fit of Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid to be pristine. There’s an argument to be made it’s worth the gamble. The other argument is it’s a little reckless, especially for the Sixers.
PHLY’s Kyle Neubeck already threw a bit of cold water on the idea of the Sixers moving Edgecombe for Giannis — or anybody.
Spoke to a league source this morning who completely shot down the idea that the Sixers would trade VJ Edgecombe in any move, including in speculative deals people are talking about for Giannis.
Should go without saying, but he’s part of the foundation in Philly
Going into this season, you weren’t even counting on Embiid and George to be healthy. It was all about the growth of Maxey and the team’s young core. Given Embiid’s injury history, it always made more sense to see how the young guys could do while anything Embiid and George gave you was gravy. There’s been more than expected, but it’s still gravy.
And as we saw with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers last season, depth matters. Both those teams were able to reach the Finals throwing waves of athletic players at their opponents. With the struggles of Quentin Grimes and Jared McCain — who hopefully is turning a corner — no real wing options off the bench and an unproven backup center in Adem Bona, how can the Sixers contend with such unreliable depth?
Could a Giannis-for-Embiid (plus other assets) swap work? It’s hard to see how. If Milwaukee takes back Embiid, there’s so much risk involved. If Embiid can’t stay healthy enough to keep the Bucks relevant, that’s a lot of money for a lot of years to eat. For as good as Embiid has looked recently, it’s hard to imagine a team wanting to take on that extension, which doesn’t even kick in until next season.
The other path is something like George, McCain and all the picks they can muster. It’s a not terrible return, especially when you consider the LA Clippers’ unprotected 2028 first-rounder and 2029 pick swap, but would it be the best offer out there? The fact that this feels like a no-brainer for the Sixers makes it hard to believe it would be something Milwaukee accepts … unless Giannis forces them to.
For what it’s worth, Fischer added this:
“They’re asking for the moon,” one general manager told me on Thursday morning. “All of your young players and all of your draft picks.”
ESPN’s Shams Charania, who broke the initial report, listed the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors as “serious suitors.” Fischer and Marc Stein narrowed that down to Miami and Minnesota. The Timberwolves have a couple valuable players on their roster in Jaden McDaniels, Joan Beringer, Terrance Shannon, Jr. and Rob Dillingham.
There’s also the very real possibility that Milwaukee simply holds off and reconvenes with teams after the season, where the return could possibly be greater. But Pandora appear to already be out of the box.
So, the question becomes, how badly does Antetokounmpo want to be a Sixer? We’ll see.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 31: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket around Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns during the third quarter at Rocket Arena on December 31, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Suns 129-113. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Who: Phoenix Suns (29-19) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (29-20)
When: 7:00 pm Arizona Time
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center – Phoenix, Arizona
Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports
Listen: KMVP 98.7
The Suns look to keep the win streak going at home and secure back-to-back wins for the fans against another formidable Eastern Conference opponent. This time, it is Jordan Ott’s former club, the Cavaliers, coming to town, and they got the best of them earlier this year, 129-113.
In this game, the Suns struggled against the physicality and interior presence of the double big lineup their opponents were using. I’d expect to see some version of that used for the Suns in this match-up. Knowing how innovative Ott has been with his coaching and schematics this season, some changes will come for him to seek his redemption.
The Cavaliers themselves are on a five-game win streak and clicking at the right time. This will not be an easy game for the Suns, especially as Devin Booker remains out for this contest. Hopefully, with Jalen Green getting some rest on the front end of the back-to-back, we can see him back in action to take some off the offensive workload.
Starting Lineups
Injury Report
Suns
Devin Booker — OUT (Ankle)
Jalen Green — QUESTIONABLE (Hamstring)
Cavaliers
Evan Mobley — OUT (Calf)
Darius Garland — OUT (Toe)
Max Strus — OUT (Foot)
What to Watch For
One thing to watch is how the Suns will stop Donovan Mitchell. Even if he is not an All-Star starter, he is having a fantastic year for the Cavs and is a significant reason they are not falling completely this season. Having key defenders like Jordan Goodwin and Dillon Brooks to throw on him late in the game will be crucial.
If the Suns can limit his ability to carry this offensive workload, they should have an easier time. Even if Evan Mobley is out, the Suns do need to win the paint battle and control the rebound game.
For the Cavs, it’s about seeing how well Jaylon Tyson performs in this matchup. He has been an underrated sophomore player who has found a significant role in this system. If he were to find his rhythm, it could cause some problems for this sun’s team, so trying to make sure he does not have a wonder story would be great.
Keys to a Suns Victory
One thing is for sure: They need to keep this streak of making threes from last night into tonight. After having some struggles early on this week, this is something that needs to shine through to match the Cavs’ scoring. Adding Collin Gillespie back made it easier for Grayson Allen to get going. With the possibility of adding Green and Jamaree Bouyea into this mix, the shot creation has to be efficient. Dillon Brooks cannot go off for 40 points every night (well, maybe he could lol).
Another key will be out-rebounding this Cavs team and making sure they can keep pressure on the glass. With no Mobley, a fun match between Allen and Williams could take place, and I’d very much enjoy that. We all know that if Williams gets his touches, he can get it going for this squad, and we saw that already this week vs. the Nets. Another screening of a Mark Williams special feature would definitely cap off a great week without Devin Booker.
Let’s hope for no egregious foul calls tonight!
Prediction Time
With no restrictions on Mark Williams in these back-to-backs anymore, the Suns continue to fuel the fire and get a big win for their coach against his former team.
The Winnipeg Jets were outmatched Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning and fell 4-1 in a decisive loss. The defeat adds to a string of struggles for the Jets, who have now lost five of their last seven games just as they were beginning to gain momentum.
Winnipeg's trajectory continues downward and could worsen with their challenging remaining schedule. The Jets currently hold a 21-25-7 record, tied with the St. Louis Blues for the third-worst record in the Western Conference.
They still face difficult matchups, including three more games against the Colorado Avalanche, two against the Dallas Stars, and single games against the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, and Tampa Bay Lightning, the team that just defeated them.
The Jets' road ahead will not get easier and their chances of climbing out of the league basement are diminishing. Time is also running short for the organization to make key decisions about the team’s direction.
According to insiders at TSN, the Jets are still trying to compete and see if they can make a playoff push. Meanwhile, the Olympic trade freeze begins next Wednesday, a period when many believe trades will start to take shape. Once the Olympics conclude, the trade deadline follows on March 6.
They must act quickly as the team can either make moves to strengthen the roster and attempt a turnaround or trade pending free agents and begin planning for next season. Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff faces a shrinking window to make decisions. Acting promptly would give him the ability to field trade offers and pursue players without being rushed.
The next two games before the trade freeze will provide insight into the team’s strategy, as the Jets face the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on the road followed by a matchup with one of the top teams in the conference, the Dallas Stars.
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Jokic has been out since Dec. 29, when he hyper-extended his right knee and suffered a bone bruise. The Nuggets went an impressive 10-5 in his absence, with Jamal Murray carrying the team (and looking like he should make his first All-Star team as a reserve, announced on Sunday).
Missing 15 games means Jokic can miss one more this season and still be eligible for postseason awards. Jokic was an MVP frontrunner when he was injured, averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 11 assists per game. His chance at a fourth MVP award is a long shot if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander plays 10 or more games than him, but Jokic certainly would still make an All-NBA team and be in consideration for other awards.
Getting Jokic back on the court is a big plus, but this is a Nuggets team still ravaged by injuries. The Nuggets are without starters Aaron Gordon (hamstring strain, out 4-6 weeks), Christian Braun (ankle) and Cameron Johnson (knee). Murray is day-to-day with a hamstring issue himself.
