SURPRISE, AZ - NOVEMBER 12: Andrew Painter #47 of the Glendale Desert Dogs pitches during the game between the Glendale Desert Dogs and the Surprise Saguaros at Surprise Stadium on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Yesterday we opened the discussion about the Phillies impending youth movement by asking what your expectations were for Justin Crawford. Today, we’ll discuss another one of the Phillies top prospects poised to make a major impact on the big-league club in 2026.
It’s been an unconventional path to the Majors for Andrew Painter to say the least. Once a near consensus top five prospect in all of baseball, Painter was on the verge of a Major League debut when he suffered a tear to his UCL in the spring of 2023. After originally opting to rehab the elbow, Painter eventually was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery that kept him out of all of the 2023 season and limited him to just six starts in 2024.
Painter returned in 2025 and spent the year in Triple-A while slowly rehabbing and working his way fully back from the long layoff. The results at Lehigh Valley were not pretty, as Painter had a 5.40 ERA across 106.2 IP in 22 starts. His stuff eventually began to resemble what it was prior to his injury, but his command was erratic and his fastball shape was drastically different. The velocity was there, but his arm slot was different, which caused the once elite pitch to become much more hittable as it had less movement. It’s to be determined if some more time removed from rehab and a full, normal offseason for the first time in three years will help Painter’s heater fully recapture its preinjury form or at least something close to it. For more on Painter’s fastball, make sure to read Matt Winkelman’s scouting report and breakdown of the problems Painter faces.
Nevertheless, there is an open rotation spot this spring that is Painter’s to lose. It feels as though his spot is all but guaranteed, providing he ends the spring healthy and doesn’t come out flat in spring training. The question will perhaps be revisited when Zack Wheeler is ready, but that timeline is still unknown. Regardless, Painter will be the favorite to occupy the fifth starter role as long as he is able to perform adequately.
FanGraphs’ ZIPS projection for Painter is a 4.80 ERA in 108 IP across 24 starts with 0.9 WAR. So again, using those projections as a barometer, what are your realistic expectations for Andrew Painter in 2026? Will more time off help him get back to something close to his old form? Or is he a fundamentally different pitcher now?
The Baltimore Orioles enter 2026 with plenty of questions, most notably in a starting rotation that lacks the depth and dominance it showed in 2024. With uncertainty on the mound, the offense will need to carry more of the load. That makes Jordan Westburg’s health and production pivotal to the team’s success.
After a 2025 season marred by injury, Westburg is poised for a bounceback. His return to full health should provide exactly what the Orioles need: steady, reliable production in the middle of the lineup that can help compensate for whatever inconsistency emerges from a pitching staff not necessarily in its finished form.
Westburg’s 2025 was frustrating precisely because of what he’d shown in 2024. After a debut slashline of .260/.311/.404 in 68 games as a rookie in 2023, he seized the everyday second base job and delivered a .264/.312/.481 slash line with 18 home runs in 107 games the following year.
Then came 2025, and there the injuries. The specifics varied (a hamstring in May, a jammed finger in June, a sprained ankle in August) but they amounted to the same: extended absences that prevented Westburg from building any momentum. When he was on the field, he was still productive in flashes, but the continuity simply wasn’t there. He had a monster July, and a nice August, but he limped to the finish line, and ended the year with just 85 games played.
The good news is that none of this should be concerning long-term. This wasn’t a degenerative issue or something that required major surgery with a lengthy rehab. It was bad luck, plain and simple.
When Westburg is right, he’s exactly the kind of hitter the Orioles need in their lineup. Like his old scouting report said, Westburg takes a mature approach at the plate, boasts solid contact skills, can drive the ball to all fields, and has over-the-fence pop (albeit more on his pull side).
His 2024 numbers showed a hitter with developing power who could handle both righties and lefties. He posted an ISO over .216, demonstrating legitimate gap-to-gap pop that occasionally turned into home runs. More importantly, he made consistent contact, striking out at a reasonable rate while showing enough discipline to avoid expanding the zone too often. That’s the profile of a player who can hit anywhere from fifth to seventh in a good lineup and provide real value.
Defensively, Westburg gives the Orioles flexibility. While second base is his primary position, he’s shown the ability to handle third base and has even gotten reps at shortstop. That versatility matters for a team that likes to carry an extra reliever and may need its infielders to move around depending on matchups or injuries. It’s not flashy, but it’s valuable—especially over the course of a 162-game season.
The key to a Westburg bounceback isn’t complicated: health plus opportunity equals production. He’ll enter spring training fully healthy for the first time since his debut season, with a full offseason of normal training behind him. That matters more than people might think. After an injury-plagued year, getting back into a regular routine—working on specific aspects of your game, building strength, refining your swing—makes a huge difference.
Westburg also benefits from knowing what’s expected of him. In 2024, he was still establishing himself, proving he belonged in the everyday lineup. In 2026, he’ll arrive as an established piece of the offense, with the confidence that comes from already having succeeded at this level. That mental aspect shouldn’t be underestimated. Players who’ve proven themselves once often take another step forward when they get a clean slate.
The lineup context also sets up well for Westburg. With Henderson, Rutschman, and Pete Alonso anchoring the top of the order, and Colton Cowser continuing to develop, Westburg won’t be asked to carry the offense. He just needs to be steady—get on base, drive in runs when opportunities arise, and provide consistent at-bats that keep the lineup moving. That’s exactly what he did in 2024, and there’s no reason he can’t do it again.
A return to his 2024 form—something like .270/.320/.450 with 20-plus home runs and strong defense—would be exactly what the Orioles need from him. It would stabilize the middle infield, provide protection in the lineup, and give manager Craig Albernaz another versatile piece to deploy. More importantly, it would give the Orioles the depth they need to withstand whatever challenges emerge over a long season.
I know this is a site devoted to college sports, but forgive me as I pay tribute to a childhood hero who, nearly 60 years after his greatest act, is still top of mind to a generation (or more) of Detroit sports fans.
The death of a childhood sports hero is never easy. It often hits harder than you would expect. You may not have known them personally, but you grew up with them. They became a part of your life. And they forever remain a part of your memories.
Like most sports fans, the deaths of some of my childhood sports heroes have hit me hard. None, however, have hit as hard as that of former Detroit Tiger Mickey Lolich. Lolich was my first favorite player, and a fellow lefty at that. That’s enough to make him special to me. But it’s what he meant to a franchise and a city that made Lolich special to so many others.
Lolich didn’t have the career of players like Ty Cobb, Charlie Gehringer, Hal Newhauser or Al Kaline. He didn’t have that one shining season like Hank Greenberg, Denny McClain, Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera or Tarik Skubal. But he was as instrumental as any player has ever been in bringing a championship to Detroit.
The 1968 baseball season remains one of the greatest seasons in Detroit Tigers history. A seminal memory for a generation of fans. A 103-win season that culminated with a game seven victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, giving the Tigers their third world championship and first in a generation.
The Tigers won the 1968 World Series for many reasons. They won because four-time gold glove centerfielder Mickey Stanley made the unprecedented move to shortstop so Detroit could find a place in its lineup for a 33-year-old Al Kaline. They won because Kaline, in his only World Series appearance, hit .379 with two home runs and eight RBIs. They won because Bill Freehan tagged out St. Louis speedster Lou Brock at the plate, saving the series and the season. But more than anything, the Tigers won because of Mickey Lolich – who authored the greatest pitching performance in World Series history.
With the lights their brightest and his team in desperate need of a lift, Lolich pitched three complete game victories for the Tigers in the 1968 Fall Classic – outdueling Hall of Famer Bob Gibson in the decisive game seven. And if that weren’t enough, Lolich also batted .250 and hit the only home run of his career.
If there’s been a greater performance by any athlete in any sport when so much was on the line, there can’t have been many. And for that performance, Lolich earned his place as one of the most consequential and beloved players to ever don the Olde English D.
1968 wasn’t Lolich’s greatest statistical season. In 1971, he finished runner-up in Cy Young voting, with 25 victories, more than 300 strikeouts and an almost unfathomable 376 innings pitched. But it’s what he did in 1968 that makes Lolich a Detroit legend. Delivering a championship to a city that was in desperate need of some good news.
There’s a case to be made for Lolich being in the Hall of Fame. And with 217 victories and 2,832 strikeouts (fifth most among left handers), you could argue that it’s a strong case. But Hall of Fame or not, Lolich’s legacy is cemented. And his passing is mourned.
Mickey Lolich brought me to tears twice in my life. Once as a young child, when I learned that the Tigers had traded him to the New York Mets. And a second time earlier this week, when as a not-so-young man, I learned of his passing. I doubt I was the only one who reacted in such a way.
TORONTO, ON - June 18 Isiah Kiner-Falefa (7) of the Toronto Blue Jays gets the out at second on Rafael Devers (11) of the Boston Red Sox but his throw to first for the double play is too late in the 4th. The batter Masataka Yoshida (7) of the Boston Red Sox was safe. The Toronto Blue Jays took on the Boston Red Sox at the Rogers Centre. June 18 2024 Richard Lautens/Toronto Star (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images) | Toronto Star via Getty Images
Wednesday was a busy one for the Red Sox: the 40-man roster is full once more (IKF and Mickey Gasper) and the team is, presumably, set. There are question marks remaining, like where Marcelo Mayer will play or what level Triston Casas begins the season at, or if, at this late stage, they trade an outfielder.
In the meantime, we have a new player to talk, think, and write about: Isiah Kiner-Falefa. I’d been saving “where did you come from, where did you go, why’d Breslow sign you, Connor Joe” all winter and that didn’t happen, so let’s break down the frivolities of IKF.
Consistency
Kiner-Falefa has player in eight big league seasons. His career slash line is .262/.311/.349. He’s hit between .261 and .271 five times. His highest batting average was .280 and his lowest .238. He’s never posted an OPS of .700 or more in a full season (when traded, he has done so during parts of seasons).
He’s stolen double-digit bases in each of the last five seasons.
He’s never hit more than eight home runs, which he’s done twice.
He’s had at least one triple ever year except 2022 when he played 142 games — the second highest total of his career.
He spent four years with the Texas Rangers and then (parts of) two seasons with the Yankees, Pirates, and Blue Jays.
Palindrome transactions
In December 2023, Kiner-Falefa signed with the Toronto Blue Jays.
At the deadline in 2024, the Jays traded him to the Pirates for a minor league infielder (Charles McAdoo) who plays second and third plus some right field. IKF has played mostly shortstop, third, and second but you get the point.
On August 31, 2025 the Blue Jays claimed him off waivers and he got 60 plate appearances in the postseason including 18 in the 2025 World Series.
He can pitch, I guess
Over three seasons (6.2 innings), IKF has a 1:2 K:B and an ERA of 2.70.
The key is locating the eephus and fastball in the same area of the box.
Will he become Alex Cora’s default position player pitcher? If Marcelo Mayer and Romy Gonzalez are healthy and effective, that’s one more reason to hang onto a roster spot. Defensive flexibility being the primary one.
Red Sox history
Against the Red Sox he’s been just about as average to himself as he can be: .254/.305/.387 over 54 games.
At Fenway Park specifically he’s struggled: .228/.282/.304. Although a sample of just 23 games, like his history facing Boston, is relatively meaningless.
What else?
He won a Gold Glove in 2020 at third base. Some of that infield defense Craig Breslow was talking about!
He was born in Hawaii. The Red Sox signed a guy from Hawaii before…it went well.
It’s a battle at the top of the East tonight, as the No. 1 Detroit Pistons host the surging New York Knicks, who are tied with Boston for the second-best record in the conference.
While New York seeks its ninth straight win, my Knicks vs. Pistons predictions and NBA picks for Friday, February 6 target the total in what should be a high-scoring affair.
Knicks vs Pistons prediction
Knicks vs Pistons best bet: Over 222.5 (-110)
This game features two teams in the Top 8 in scoring in the NBA.
The New York Knicks are averaging 118.2 points per game on the year, but they’ve been even more potent during this win streak. Their 134-127 OT victory over Denver last time out was the third time in the last four games they’ve tallied at least 127 points.
The Detroit Pistons boast a Top 4 defense to go with scoring 117.5 points per game (T-8th), but they’ve been leaking of late. They were just dumped by the Wizards 126-117 Thursday night and have allowed at least 121 points in three of their last four.
Detroit might also be down big man Jalen Duren, who left the Wizards game with a knee injury. He’s listed as day-to-day.
The Pistons will be playing the second half of a back-to-back, and that usually means big points. They have gone Over the total in six of the eight games they’ve played on no rest this season, the best Over success rate in the NBA.
Knicks vs Pistons same-game parlay
Cade Cunningham scored 30 in the loss to Washington, making it three times in the last four games he’s topped the 26.5 scoring line set for Friday.
His counterpart Jalen Brunson dropped 42 in the 2OT win over Denver, and he generally lights up Detroit, going for at least 27 points in seven of the last nine games.
Knicks vs Pistons SGP
Over 222.5
Cade Cunningham Over 26.5 points
Jalen Brunson Over 26.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Anunoby comes up aces
OG Anunoby has quietly slid into New York’s premier secondary scorer behind Brunson. He’s got a 17.5-point scoring line Thursday, a figure he’s crossed five straight games, topping 20+ four times.
Karl-Anthony Towns is the league’s leading rebounder and has been on a tear recently, pulling down at least 12 boards in five straight games, including a pair of 20+ rebound outings.
Knicks vs Pistons SGP
Over 222.5
Cade Cunningham Over 26.5 points
Jalen Brunson Over 26.5 points
OG Anunoby Over 17.5 points
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 11.5 rebounds
Knicks vs Pistons odds
Spread: Knicks -1.5 | Pistons +1.5
Moneyline: Knicks -115 | Pistons -105
Over/Under: Over 222.5 | Under 222.5
Knicks vs Pistons betting trend to know
New York has covered the spread in eight straight games. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Pistons.
How to watch Knicks vs Pistons
Location
Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Date
Friday, February 6, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
Prime Video
Knicks vs Pistons latest injuries
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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
LOS ANGELES — Just as the Lakers started to get closer to being whole, and Austin Reaves took a significant step in looking like his pre-injury self, the team is now waiting to see what Luka Doncic’s status will be moving forward.
The Lakers ruled Doncic out in the third because of left leg soreness before coach JJ Redick said postgame that Doncic experienced soreness in his left hamstring and will undergo an MRI on Friday.
“He didn’t feel like it was good enough to go back in, neither did medical,” Redick said. “So, we held him out. Too early to say there’s an injury.”
Doncic appeared to suffer the injury on a drive late in the second quarter, but it wasn’t immediately clear how and when he hurt the hamstring.
He stayed in the game for a few possessions after initially grabbing his hamstring, hobbling up and down the court, before leaving the game during a timeout with close to three minutes left in the first half.
Doncic had 10 points on 3-of-10 shooting to go with four rebounds, two assists and five turnovers in 16 minutes before subbing out with 3:03 left in the second quarter.
He kicked the scorer’s table out of frustration on his way back to the locker room. Doncic didn’t rejoin the team on the bench during the second half.
“I don’t really know, I talked to him a little bit at halftime,” Reaves said. “I walked by him and asked him if he was OK. [He] kind of just looked at me, and I had to go play. Hopefully nothing major. We need him, He’s our best player. Hopefully we get good news [Friday], and I wish him nothing but the best.”
Luka Doncic during Thursday’s win over the 76ers. NBAE via Getty Images
While Doncic was in the locker room getting his leg tended to, Reaves led the Lakers to a comeback win in their first game at Crypto.com Arena in 2 ½ weeks.
Reaves scored all 35 points of his scoring total in the final three quarters, including 21 points in the second half, to lead the Lakers to the victory over the 76ers after they trailed by 14 points in the third quarter.
“He was unbelievable,” Redick said. “And it’s just his drives. I know he made 3s and hit a couple that were pretty incredible, but his drives and his thrust. Got to the free throw line, but just got in the paint and made plays and scored at the rim. It was great to see.”
Reaves was playing in just his second game after sitting out 19 consecutive games because of a strained left calf that sidelined him since the Christmas Day loss to the Houston Rockets.
Austin Reaves had a strong game Thursday night. AP
He made his return to the floor in Tuesday’s road win over the Brooklyn Nets, finishing with 15 points on 3-of-9 shooting (8 of 10 on free throws), four rebounds, a pair of steals and one assist in 21 minutes.
Reaves played 25 minutes Thursday, one more minute than the playing time restriction he entered the game on.
“It’s incredible,” Maxi Kleber said of Reaves. “It’s a rare talent to come in like that [and] make big shots like that. I threw him a grenade, grenade two that he made. Having just endurance and the conditioning to come back after a long injury like that and play like he did is just a rare, rare talent.”
The Lakers were optimistic that the post-trade deadline stretch would finally provide them with the opportunity to get an opportunity to see what their group would look like closer to whole.
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Thursday was just the 10th time through 50 regular-season games that Doncic, Reaves and LeBron James played in the same game.
James was sidelined for the first 14 games because of sciatica, Doncic has missed eight games for a variety of reasons and Reaves was sidelined for 22 of 24 games before Tuesday because of left calf ailments.
But Thursday was a reminder of what the Lakers were missing while Reaves was sidelined, and what they’ll need if Doncic is forced to miss any time.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance to try to see how bad it was,” Marcus Smart said. “But we’re hoping it’s not that bad. We’re hoping he’s OK. But if he’s gonna be out, obviously it’s gonna take everybody to tighten up even more. And it does help to have AR, if that is the case. But it’s definitely gonna take a full team effort now more than ever if he is out for a long period of time.”
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 30: Jalen Johnson (top R) of the Atlanta Hawks watches the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Miami Marlins at Truist Park on June 30, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Tom Friend of Sports Business Journal has reported a new possible twist in the on-going saga of Main Street Sports Group, as it related to the Atlanta Braves.
In the article from SBJ, it notes that two MLB teams – the Braves and the Los Angeles Angels – have opted not to join the other seven MLB teams impacted by MSSG by joining MLB.tv as a broadcast partner. While it was previously reported that the Braves were not planning to join MLB.tv, the interesting new development is that both the Braves and Angles may looked to NBA teams to bolster their ability to run their own network.
The Angles’ angle is slightly different, by possibly looking to buy the regional network, and in doing so would look to add the Sacramento Kings to that venture.
For the Braves, who are reportedly looking to start their own network, it is the Atlanta Hawks with whom the Braves would look to add to their new entity, although the article does point out that in the case of the Braves and Hawks, it is believed that the Hawks would only be involved as content and not a partner in the network itself.
This is still a fluid situation, with approximately seven weeks until the start of the MLB regular season, allowing for some time for the Braves’ 2026 broadcast plan to be put into fruition.
MSSG will continue to broadcast NBA and NHL games through the end of this current season, but with all nine MLB teams having opted out of their agreement it seems baseball will not move forward on MSSG regional networks even if MSSG is able to find a buyer – something it had thus far failed to do, resulting in the situations several dozen professional teams find themselves in currently.
This update was first covered on The Feed earlier this morning.
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 10: Dylan Beavers #12 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates a walk off single in the tenth inning during a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 10, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It has been a busy, exciting, and possibly incomplete offseason for the Baltimore Orioles. President of Baseball Operations Mike Elias has arguably been the most aggressive executive in the league this winter. The coaching staff has a bunch of new faces, including rookie manager Craig Albernaz. A bonafide “frontline” arm has alluded them to this point, but Shane Baz and Zach Eflin should fortify the rotation. Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward have been brought on to add some pop to the lineup. Ryan Helsely is an electric ninth-inning option. And the latest addition of Blaze Alexander provides a versatile skillset that the roster lacked.
There are still a few holes on the squad. You let us know about them yesterday, when we asked what concerned you most about the season ahead. But it is fair to say the team is entering the year with a relatively rosy outlook.
Today’s question has that more positive perspective in mind: What would a successful season for the 2026 Orioles look like?
The definition of “success” is going to differ from team to team. Rebuilding clubs just want to show progress, see some flashes from their young players. Perennial contenders hope to win a bunch of games and go deep into the playoffs. The Orioles exist somewhere in between those two categories.
Based on perceived talent, the Orioles should be pretty good this year. But that was true going into 2025 as well, and we all know what happened there. Elias has behaved like an executive that is trying to put a winner together, even if some can criticize his inability to actually land the kind of starting pitcher he has repeatedly claimed to be in pursuit of. In general, though, it does feel like he has done enough to get this team back into the postseason conversation at least.
That line is where I believe “success” lays for these Orioles. First, they need to get into the playoffs. Whether that is as a wild card team or a division winner feels less important. Second, they need to win a game in those playoffs. The Elias-led Orioles have made two playoff appearances, and they have zero total wins (0-5 record) in those appearances. This team needs to break that unsavory run.
What do you think, Camden Chat? How would you define success for the Orioles this season? Maybe you just want to see them back above .500. Perhaps you will only settle for a World Series run. Or could you be more interested in individual successes, like a Rookie of the Year award for Samuel Basallo or an MVP for Gunnar Henderson? Tell us your thoughts down in the comments.
Two months ago, Joel Embiid was questioning whether he’d ever be great again.
He went from being the MVP of the league in 2023 to needing multiple surgeries on his left knee. He went from being the quintessence of dominance on both ends of the court to looking like a shell of himself.
“I was like, I don’t know if I could ever get back to that point,” Embiid told the California Post in an exclusive interview. “But I’m back.”
Two months ago, Joel Embiid was questioning whether he’d ever be great again. NBAE via Getty Images
Over the past 20 games, Embiid has looked like a superstar again, averaging 29.7 points and 8.3 rebounds. He had a 37-point performance against Sacramento last Thursday, followed by finishing with 40 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots two days later against New Orleans.
For Embiid, it has been an incredibly tough journey.
He played in only 39 games in 2024-25, followed by just 19 games last season. He had two meniscus surgeries in less than 18 months. There were whispers over whether the 31-year-old should retire, a sobering prospect for a player of his caliber who’s still in his prime.
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“It’s hard,” Embiid said. “It’s like when people say, he’s lazy, this and that. First of all, you can’t be lazy if you start playing basketball at 16 and then make it to the league in three years. And injuries and injuries, keep getting back up and being an Olympian and all the other stuff that I have accomplished. It’s been tough. But I’m always going to fight.”
Embiid’s longtime trainer Drew Hanlen, said people have no idea what Embiid has gone through behind the scenes.
“We always joke that after his career is done, if Joel ever decides to tell his story, people are going to appreciate him 10-fold,” Hanlen said. “Just because of the amount of sacrifice that he’s truly made to try to help the 76ers win games and win championships.”
Embiid’s longtime trainer Drew Hanlen, said people have no idea what Embiid has gone through behind the scenes. Getty Images
Hanlen said Embiid’s recovery has involved a lot of trial and error. He credited his current success to the 76ers’ medical staff finding the perfect combination of load management, lifting, treatment, stretching and nutrition that’s enabling him to thrive.
“It’s not like there’s some magic new surgery that wasn’t announced,” Hanlen said. “That’s not true. He only had the ones that were announced. There was nothing magical. It was just a long process to build-up, and they finally found the right combination of load management, treatment and recovery plan.”
For Embiid, the issue wasn’t just pain. He was trapped in a body that literally wasn’t allowing him to do what his brain wanted.
Hanlen recalls watching film with Embiid last season and telling him he should’ve reacted differently to a defender. According to Hanlen, Embiid replied: “If it was just pain, I could play through pain. I just physically can’t do some of the things I want to do.”
Embiid acknowledges that after he suffered a torn left meniscus in January 2024 that required surgery the following month, he shouldn’t have returned in early April for the team’s first-round playoff series against New York and then played for Team USA, winning a gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games.
It was too much.
For Embiid, the issue wasn’t just pain. He was trapped in a body that wasn’t allowing him to do what his brain wanted. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The following season, Embiid was hampered by constant pain, swelling and was severely limited in his movements. It became clear that he needed to undergo a second surgery in April 2025.
A new plan was hatched.
Embiid needed to rebuild his body. That meant he had to take a step back from basketball. He didn’t workout with Hanlen for 15 months following the Olympics, a stark contrast from their regular off-day sessions. Instead, they were reduced to watching film together over the phone.
When Embiid returned to the court this season, he viewed it as a trial period. He had to shake off cobwebs. He didn’t know how his body would react.
“He started the season playing very rough and a lot of people looked at him like, oh, he’s washed,” Hanlen acknowledged.
For Embiid, who has poured every ounce of himself into becoming an MVP-caliber player again, it was demoralizing. Fans were turning on him. He had become a punchline for pundits. The noise was deafening for a deeply competitive superstar who wanted nothing more than to do right by his team.
But he gritted his teeth in spite of all of the negativity, including his own intrusive thoughts.
“Just focusing on myself, physically and mentally,” Embiid said. “Obviously, I’ve talked about therapy in the past, just learning from it. I’m at the point where I’m only focused on myself, my family, I don’t need any validation from anybody else. Just trust in God. Believing that whatever’s supposed to happen is going to happen anyway. So if it’s good, good. If it’s bad, get back up and keep on walking.”
For Embiid, who has poured every ounce of himself into becoming an MVP-caliber player again, it was demoralizing. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
When Embiid was able to start working on his game again, everything came flooding back. His speed, his agility, his soft touch. Over the last two months, he has returned to being a generational talent, a 7-footer with a rare combination of brute force and the silkiness of a guard.
Now, even Embiid’s biggest detractors are coming around.
“I’d like to issue an apology to Daryl Morey and Joel Embiid because I didn’t expect this,” former NBA player and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins said last week. “If you’d ask me this two months ago, I thought Joel Embiid was on the verge of retirement. And now, all of a sudden, he’s come back to looking like an All-NBA caliber player”
The 76ers, who are in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 29-22, are going to need Embiid to be as good as possible to keep them competitive after Paul George was suspended for 25 games on January 31 for violating the league’s anti-drug policy.
“I’ll keep building on this year and keep on getting better,” Embiid said. “But probably starting next year, I think I’m going to be fully back to myself.”
Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers, who coached Embiid from 2020-2023, didn’t hold back when asked about the center’s recent turnaround. “Joel is the most talented player that I’ve ever coached,” he said.
Those were strong words coming from someone who’s currently coaching Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The 76ers, who are in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 29-21. NBAE via Getty Images
Rivers went on to lament the fact that Embiid has never made it through a postseason healthy. Rivers said if that changed, “they’re going to be a dangerous team.”
Nobody is more upset by the superstar’s constant string of injuries than Embiid, who was with Hanlen at a hotel in Boston when he won the MVP Award during the second round of the 2023 playoffs.
“He literally said he’d trade the MVP for one healthy postseason,” Hanlen recalled. “Because he feels like if he can get that, then he’d have a chance to bring a championship to Philadelphia.”
But for now, Embiid is taking things one step at a time.
He rebuilt his body. He rebuilt his confidence. Now, he wants to once again reach his potential. It’s not to prove the critics wrong. It’s to show the only person whose opinion matters most what Embiid is truly capable of doing.
“He wants Arthur to be able to see his dad at his best,” Hanlen said of Embiid’s five-year-old son. “He doesn’t want [the narrative] to be your dad was good. He wants to have his son say, ‘My dad is good.'”
So, Embiid is continuing to fight.
“Whatever I did two years ago,” he said, “I think I can do it again.”
The World Baseball Classic is starting up next month, and the Atlanta Braves will be well-represented. Ronald Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies, Jurickson Profar, and Chadwick Tromp are participating. While Acuña Jr. will be suiting up for Venezuela, the remaining three Braves are on the Netherlands’ roster and will be led by Andruw Jones.
Team USA will have some Braves ties in the dugout, and a couple of former Braves will be suiting up for Colombia and Puerto Rico.
Pool play gets underway March 4, so be sure to check in, and you may see some Braves in action on an international stage.
The Washington Nationals made a couple of moves, claiming Ken Waldichuk off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays and then designating right-hander George Soriano for assignment.
TORONTO, ONTARIO - NOVEMBER 01: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers singles against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fifth inning in game seven of the 2025 World Series at Rogers Center on November 01, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With just 15 days left until the Dodgers begin cactus league play, Shohei Ohtani has already started training at Camelback Ranch for his third season in Dodger blue and a shot at defending his country’s title in the World Baseball Classic.
The 2026 season will ultimately define Ohtani’s legacy within the annals of baseball’s best, as he looks to secure his third consecutive NL MVP award (fourth consecutive since 2023) and help the Dodgers become the first three-peat champions in North American sports in 24 years.
The Dodgers’ expectation after addressing their weakest links with more superstar talent is to maintain their footing at the top of the baseball summit, but for Ohtani, it isn’t something that he has put much thought into, as he spoke with Tom Llamas of NBC.
“I don’t think about it too much,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “I do hope that when I retire and I look back, I can be able to say that I was on a team that won three championships in a row. That would be very cool.”
Ohtani also discussed with Llamas the inspiration for his new book “Decoy Saves Opening Day,” which hit the shelves on Tuesday.
“I think the initial idea was basically I had my daughter coming soon. Timing wise, I thought it was a nice time to be able to read her a book about my story as well as our dog Decoy’s story.”
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At the beginning of the 2024 season, Bobby Miller was sitting at the top of the rotation and began his season with a scoreless six inning gem against the St. Louis Cardinals. Since then, Miller has struggled in the big leagues when getting his opportunities, and was relegated to the bullpen with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets last year.
The hype surrounding the former first round pick has certainly died out, but Comets pitching coach David Anderson believes that there is still some untapped potential within Miller, notes Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.
“We feel like we have all the ingredients we need to put it together and get back to 2023 Bobby,” Anderson said. “We just didn’t get the result yet. All the pieces weren’t quite put together, but they were there by the end of the year. So we feel really good about that.”
The Dodgers enter the 2026 season with four prospects within Baseball America’s top-100 list as they continue to sport one of the best farm systems. There is still no telling as to whether or not they’ll pan out in the big leagues, as was the case for former top prospects such as Diego Cartaya. Huston Mitchell of the Los Angeles Times breaks down the Dodgers’ top-10 prospects since 2015, and evaluates whether or not the notion of the Dodgers always having big-league ready hitting prospects rings true.
For a league that has long prided itself on parity, the "loser-point" system, in place since 2001, has never made more of a mess than it has this season. With over a third of the schedule played as the NHL pauses for the break, the Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves six points out of a playoff spot with a 27-21-9 record. Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights hold a 27-16-14 record. Both teams have 27 wins in 57 games, but because the Golden Knights' have five more losses occurring in overtime or a shootout, they earn extra points. Coupled with the fact that they play in a weak division, these two teams find themselves in very different situations despite identical win totals.
Now, I'm not arguing that the Leafs and Golden Knights are on perfectly equal footing. The Leafs have not played well and deserve their current standing. However, the Golden Knights' 27 wins are tied for 20th overall in the NHL. They are currently tied for third in wins within their own division, yet they still enjoy the privilege of holding the No. 1 seed in their divisional playoff bracket. At the current pace, there will be teams with enough wins to feel they should have advanced to the postseason, but they will fall short because they played in the wrong division or didn't accumulate enough "loser points" from overtime losses.
Simply put, the NHL has made reaching overtime a skill in itself, and it's hard to argue otherwise. The league is currently on pace to award the highest number of overtime "loser points" in a single season. Many observers have noted that third periods have become boring, particularly in the late stages of a tied game, as teams play more conservatively to guarantee themselves that single point.
Despite ranking 12th overall in points, the Vegas Golden Knights, Photo courtesy of NHL.com
Of the four major sports (NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL), the NHL is the only one that insists on a divisional format for the playoffs. It's also the only league that awards different point values depending on whether a team loses in regulation or extra time. For comparison, the NFL does not award a "loser point" if a game isn't settled after overtime; it simply ends in a tie. While rare, ties have been happening more frequently there over the years.
The NHL's logic: the standings look closer when a team is only six points away from a spot. However, it is nearly impossible for trailing teams to make up ground when "three-point games" are constantly being awarded on out-of-town scoreboards. Interestingly, the NHL actually adopted the international three-point system (three for a regulation win, two for an overtime/shootout win, and one for an overtime loss) during the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Many players have stated they prefer that format. Wouldn't you rather see your team play for more points in the third period instead of protecting the one they already have? While there may be little appetite for change in the near term, the league should certainly look at returning to the 1-8 conference seeding system that most players and fans prefer. At the very least, that would prevent situations seen in recent years where two of the top five overall teams are forced to meet in the first round.
I asked Gary Bettman whether he envisioned talking to the NHLPA about changing the playoff format in upcoming CBA talks, going back to the old 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7 etc format. An empathic No from the commissioner. He likes the format the way it is now.
The reality is that the league seems hesitant to change, likely because they haven't been truly embarrassed into it yet. But if a team finishes in the top 10 in wins this season and still misses the playoffs, that might finally spur the change we need.
President Donald Trump speaks while hosting the 2024 World Series champion Dodgers in the East Room of the White House last April. (Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images)
Everywhere you looked, there was a veteran Dodger willing to sacrifice himself for the good of the team.
That needs to happen again.
That needs to happen now.
A player needs to spearhead a decision that will not be made by the big business that runs this team, a decision that will bypass the biased blather and directly connect to their many besieged fans, a decision that only a player can make.
In the wake of Thursday’s White House confirmation that the Dodgers will be making the traditional champions visit there this spring, somebody needs to send a clear message to President Donald Trump.
“No.”
Federal immigration agents stage outside Gate E of Dodger Stadium on June 19. Sporadic immigration raids continue to roil Southern California. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times)
No, they will not openly support an administration that has declared war on its fan base.
No, after basking in the adulation of four million diverse neighbors every summer, the players will not turn their backs on these people while the government continues to round them up despite no criminal history.
This isn’t about asking pro athletes to be politicians. This is about asking them to be people.
Some will say players should not be involved, that it’s a management decision high above the pay grade of the average southpaw or slugger. But when their backyard becomes a battlefield, those players need to fight back, and that time is now.
Dodger management will always leave any tough choice like this one up to the players. By virtue of hundreds of millions of dollars of salaries, the players are essentially partners who need to embrace that responsibility.
No matter what owner Mark Walter says, if the players don’t want to visit the White House, they won’t go.
How about a standing ovation for the brave law-abiding immigrant family of four that cheers you from in the left-field pavilion even though they know they could be arrested and hauled away at any time?
How about a, “Let’s Go Dodgers” chant for the longtime residents with no criminal record who spent last October huddled around their TV sets clinging to your victories as reason for hope?
How about being there for so many who have been there for you?
A protestor wearing a Mookie Betts jersey and waving a Mexican and American flag stitched together protests ICE outside the Dodger Stadium game on June 21. (Carlin Stiehl/Los Angeles Times)
“This was something we discussed with all the players, all of whom wanted to go,” team president Stan Kasten told Hernández. “Remember, everyone in here grew up wanting to be a world champion and all the things that come with it, and it comes with a champagne toast, silliness in the locker room, a parade, rings, an invitation to the White House. It’s what they all come to associate with being world champions. Everyone wanted to go, and so we did.”
So they went, all of them except an injured Freddie Freeman. The event was even attended by Mookie Betts, who had previously declined a visit when he was with the Boston Red Sox.
Since then, the landscape has dramatically changed in light of the ICE raids that ramped up during the middle of the season.
This is no longer simply about the rebuke of a president. This is about a fight against a system that has consistently terrorized southern California streets and recently, in Minneapolis, resulted in the deaths of two American citizens at the hands of agents of the American government.
Surely the Dodgers clubhouse leaders see this. Surely they feel this.
They can’t be so insulated that they don’t notice the protests in city streets that resemble those near Chavez Ravine. They can’t be so sheltered that they don’t hear the outrage from people who look just like their biggest fans.
The players can’t hide from this. The players need to handle this.
“I was raised — by a man who served our country for 30 years — to respect the highest office in our country,” Roberts said. “For me, it doesn’t matter who is in the office, I’m going to go to the White House.”
Again, this is no longer about just Trump. This is about Tom Homan and Greg Bovino and Kristi Noem and all the other immigration officials that have wrought so much unfounded havoc.
Baseball clubhouses have traditionally leaned heavily to the right.
Nobody is asking anybody to disavow their beliefs. This is no longer about ideology, this is about standing up for those who are being wrongly arrested, being unfairly harassed or being made to feel constantly frightened in their own homes.
Dodger Stadium is one of those homes, and those who permanently live there need to do their best to provide comfort and safety for those who don’t.
Dodgers veteran leaders, this is your time.
Their White House visit would probably occur during the team's trip to play the Washington Nationals in the first week of April. Here’s hoping that before the road trip, the secure and well-paid Dodgers veterans let the team’s kids understand what it means to be a Dodger and how declining a White House visit would be the Jackie Robinson thing to do.
Sending a title team to the White House is baseball tradition. Sending a message about equality and fairness and freedom is a Dodgers tradition.
Somebody in a Dodgers uniform needs to stand up for that tradition.
Our newest writer, John Latham, had an interesting look at The Cardinals’ 2026 Roster and the Cost of Choosing Too Slowly. It got me to thinking about how things might look after the 2026 season is over and it is time to revamp the 40-man roster again. It can pay to look down the road a bit, as these future considerations can often influence in-season decisions on who gets promoted.
One of the implications of this (almost completed) off-season is how much churn the organization has introduced to the 40-man roster, not only now, but on out into the future. I count 13 players new to the 40-man roster just since the trading deadline, 9 of them pitchers. Fully one-third of the roster has turned over. One could argue that a 78-win team that has missed the playoffs three consecutive years should have that kind of turnover.
In November 2025 much ado was made of 40-man roster pressure. Some indicated that 40-man concerns played into why we didn’t see JJ Wetherholt in the majors at all. In the end, though, the Cardinals added just five players (Bernal, Baez, Torres, Hjerpe and Mautz). Five additions were enough in the sense they didn’t expose anyone unnecessarily, as only Winquest was drafted away but he is expected back. It wasn’t enough in the sense there is still a talent deficit.
Not to be harsh, but the only guys that were removed or non-tendered or bypassed were guys that did not have a lot of foreseeable upside or their timeline for development had pretty much expired without enough progress.
To me, a strong draft-and-development program will constantly face progressively more difficult 40-man roster issues, if they are being successful. Younger guys will pressure the more established prospects in an “up or out” conveyor belt. If the perception of the Cardinals minor league system is valid, this next November could reveal more difficult 40-man roster choices. I’m curious if we look over the horizon if that is what we see.
Let’s take an early look at prospects not on the 40-man roster who will need to be at the next deadline in November 2026. Suffice it to say, the Cardinals will face more than five decisions next year. That says something good about the depth of the system (improving). I will focus only on ranked prospects, reducing Latham’s list by a bit:
Guys that are either possible or likely to get 40-man spots before they need to, due to MLB promotion (3):
Wetherholt, Mathews, Doyle
Prospects that will require 40-man spots in November 2026 to be protected from Rule V (9):
Skylar Hales, Luis Gastelum, Ixan Henderson, Jesus Baez, Travis Honeyman, Chase Davis, Zach Levenson, Chen Wei Lin, Tyler Bradt
Reliever prospects that may ascend to the 40-man to feed the Memphis shuttle as the Cardinals rotate bullpen arms and while protecting other prospects (4):
Mason Burns, Michael Watson, Zack Thompson, Scott Blewitt
As I look at the current roster and the number of injured arms, I suspect the seven healthy pitchers who are on the 40-man that won’t be on the 26-man coming out of Spring Training will not be enough to support the MLB bullpen.
The first complication of 40-man roster management is the need to cycle in fresh arms for the bullpen during the season can muck up the long-term planning. Sometimes, during the season, these guys get the call not because they are the best arm, but because they are the most expendable. Blewitt won’t be protected next November. If a need arises in-season, he’d be a guy they could promote because his occupancy of a 40-man spot would be temporary and won’t force the subtraction of a real prospect. A guy in his spot really gets one shot. When he gets the MLB call, he better keep it because his pathway out of the MLB bullpen is likely via the DFA route. Orgs will burn through these guys before they start promoting younger guys onto the 40-man that don’t need to be.
Once a guy gets a 40-man spot, it is his and pretty much the only way the organization can get it back is letting him go. The proverbial “cut ties”. Shuffle that incorrectly, and you end up having to promote a guy before he is ready or needing to go to the waiver wire to fill an unexpected hole. Both are less than desirable options.
To balance all this, it helps to understand what spots might open up at the end of the season. First, there are the players on 1-year contracts (May, Stanek). Also, one can gander at the current 40-man roster and suspect there are some spots that can use some improvement. I don’t need to single out any individual player, but you can probably look and imagine in the area of five players. Easy enough. But that means that over the summer and into next fall, the organization must carefully balance 16 guys that may need spots in the next 9 months with the 7 spots they will realistically have open.
For those keeping score at home, 16 guys do not fit into 7 spots. In essence, there are 9-10 hard decisions coming. A few prospects will drop off the list of 16 due to non-performance but one or two could emerge as breakouts, too. Saladin? Hansen? Rajcic? Rincon? Love? It happens. If any one of these guys find that last ingredient to their game, they will need to go on the 40-man by November or be lost.
How do they balance all this?
Wetherholt, Mathews and Doyle are guys that will be promoted when the org feels they are ready. Hard to put a timeline on each one, but it sure seems possible that JJW would break camp in spring with the big club. I’d say Mathews is ahead of Doyle but both appear to be around 8-9 on the starter depth chart, behind May, Pallante, Liberatore, McGreevy, Leahy, Dobbins, Fitts. Most years most teams need more than 7 starters. Their time will come. But when it does, they will push someone on the current roster off, and out of the organization.
Blewitt and Thompson are guys not on the 40-man but could well end up there and promoted when there is a critical need. If they come out of spring healthy and productive.
Gastelum, Hales, Lin and Bradt will likely be handled similarly. They will idle in in the minors longer than Blewitt and Thompson, developing their game. When the bullpen needs an infusion (they seemingly always do), the one doing best of this group will be pushed up the ladder earliest, claiming a coveted 40-man spot. Lin will start at AA, so he is probably last in line. The others may all start the year in the Memphis bullpen. Someone will step forward in this group, and an opportunity will undoubtedly arise. Sometimes you just have be in the right place, at the right time.
Burns and Watson are similar to the above group of relievers, but they do not need to be protected at the end of the year, so the org will be reluctant to burn a 40-man spot for them unless forced to by circumstances. Their 40-man decision will likely not be made in 2026. Although influenced by how their 2026 season goes, their time is not now.
Honeyman, Davis and Levenson will also likely be handled similarly. Each must demonstrate a reason to protect them at year end. All 3 three are outfielders on an outfield starved team, so their path to MLB could be quick with great performance and a 40-man spot, once claimed, isn’t easily given up. I suspect there is a position player roster clean-up coming by the end of 2026 like the pitching clean-up that has occurred this off-season. These guys could all get swept out if they are unable to progress enough. My view would be if they haven’t earned an MLB promotion by end of 2026, they won’t be protected.
Jesus Baez is an interesting case. He too must demonstrate a reason to protect him at years end. Given he ended the year a High-A, he has no chance at MLB promotion, so his decision will be made in November. Expect him to start in AA and let’s hope he excels.
Crafting the 40-man roster, and transacting in-season, requires a long-term look and can be a bit like 3-dimensional chess. Since 16 guys won’t fit into 7 spots, we might expect to see the Cardinals begin dealing prospects later in the year to consolidate talent. As well, some of the guys who’ve gotten long lead times to develop may find their runway clearance cancelled. The more of these 16 players the organization believes will be successful, the sooner in 2026 we could begin to see roster churn.
There were some big NBA trades ahead of Thursday’s deadline.
But THE big trade didn’t happen.
The frontrunners in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes — Golden State, Miami and Minnesota — weren’t able entice Milwaukee to pull the trigger on a deal for their big man, which sets the stage for a wild offseason.
That said, some big names were moved, including Anthony Davis, James Harden and Kristaps Porzingis.
The frontrunners in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes weren’t able entice Milwaukee to pull the trigger. Michael McLoone-Imagn ImagesThat said, some big names were moved, including Anthony Davis, James Harden and Kristaps Porzingis (above). NBAE via Getty Images
Here’s a look at how the Western Conference looks after one of the craziest times of the NBA calendar.
CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDERS
1. Oklahoma City Thunder: The defending champions have the best record in the West and they just got even better. They acquired Jared McCain, which bolsters their ball-handling and perimeter shooting. Not to mention, the Clippers dealing James Harden to Cleveland in exchange for Darius Garland benefits them considering they own the Clippers’ unprotected 2026 first-round pick. (The farther the Clippers dip in the standings, the better for them.) The Thunder is the team to watch come June — and beyond.
2. San Antonio Spurs: After making a splashy move at the trade deadline last year to acquire De’Aaron Fox, the Spurs wanted to move forward with their current roster this time around. With Victor Wembanyama and Fox, they’ve firmly established themselves as contenders, perhaps even earlier than expected.
3. Denver Nuggets: They made a smart move by dealing Hunter Tyson to Brooklyn, which saves them money and doesn’t hurt their bottom line. They have an extra roster spot and will be able to evaluate the buyout market. Look out for Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and co. trying to compete for their second championship after winning it all in 2023.
If Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves can develop a rhythm, the Lakers could be dangerous. AP
FRINGE CONTENDERS
4. Houston Rockets: The Rockets made a splash when they acquired Kevin Durant in the offseason, instantly becoming title contenders. But injuries have greatly stunted those hopes, with Fred VanVleet suffering a torn ACL in Sept. and Steven Adams needing season-ending surgery on his left ankle last month.
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5. Minnesota Timberwolves: After it became clear they weren’t going to land Antetokounmpo, they switched courses and traded for Ayo Dosunmu, who should bolster their bench. Dosunmu is a two-way player who’s averaging 15 points, including career-highs in field goal percentage (51.4 percent) and 3-point percentage (45.1 percent). After losing Nickeil Alexander-Walker last summer, adding Dosunmu makes their bench much stronger.
6. Los Angeles Lakers: It’s no secret that the Lakers are looking toward the offseason when they’ll have three first-round picks and lots of expiring contracts to give them flexibility to build around Luka Doncic. But if Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves can develop a rhythm, they could be dangerous in the playoffs. They acquired Luka Kennard, who’s a great 3-point shooter. But they still have some major issues to address on the defensive end.
They were ready to empty the cupboard for Antetokounmpo, including being willing to trade Draymond Green. NBAE via Getty Images
PLAY-IN TEAMS
7. Phoenix Suns: They’re arguably the biggest surprise in the league this season. They’ve greatly exceeded expectations since dealing Durant and waiving Bradley Beal, and are in seventh place with a record of 31-20. The Suns made a few moves ahead of the deadline to put themselves below the luxury tax threshold. This is a sleeper team to watch.
8. Golden State Warriors: They were ready to empty the cupboard for Antetokounmpo, including being willing to trade Draymond Green, who was previously deemed untradable. But alas, the Bucks were just a giant tease and Steph Curry didn’t get his dream running-mate. At least the Warriors shed their Jonathan Kuminga problem, trading him to Atlanta for Kristaps Porzingis. It was a good move for the Warriors considering Kuminga had been reduced to being a bench ornament. If Porzingis can get healthy, it could be a really good move.
9. Portland Trail Blazers: They were expected to be bigger buyers, with their only move being acquiring sharpshooter Vit Krejci from Atlanta. Is this helpful? Yes. Will this move the needle for a franchise competing in the very crowded West that has been hampered by injuries? No.
Bye bye any chance of Kawhi Leonard playing meaningful basketball this season NBAE via Getty Images
LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE
10. LA Clippers: Bye bye James Harden and Ivica Zubac. And bye bye any chance of Kawhi Leonard playing meaningful basketball this season after he led the team on a 17-5 run following their dismal 6-21 start. The Clippers are clearly looking toward their future. They acquired Darius Garland, who’s 10 years younger than Harden but has been struggling with a toe injury, as well as the 23-year-old Bennedict Mathruin, two first-round picks and one second-round pick.
11. Dallas Mavericks: They shed Davis’ massive salary so they can go all in on building around Cooper Flagg. It was the right move. That said, it’s very sad that they traded a generational talent in Doncic to essentially end up with Max Christie, the No. 30 pick in the 2026 draft, the Lakers’ 2029 first, the Warriors’ first in 2030 (if 21-30) and three second-round picks. The Mavs hoped Davis was a win-now move, adding elite two-way talent to a team with Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson. But Davis’ campaign with the team was thwarted by numerous injuries.
12. Memphis Grizzlies: The Grizzlies shed Jaren Jackson Jr.’s contract while gaining three first-round picks. They have a ton of financial flexibility and some valuable assets to start retooling their team. They didn’t find a buyer for Ja Morant, though.
13. Utah Jazz: They acquired Jaren Jackson Jr. from Memphis in exchange for four players and three first-round picks. They’re clearly hoping to start competing next season, with Jackson joining Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler, Keyonte George and Ace Bailey.
14. New Orleans Pelicans: The award for leaving your fanbase the most frustrated goes to this team. They’re 13-40 and have the second-worst record in the league, yet they didn’t sell big at the trade deadline. They traded Jose Alvarado to New York, but they still don’t have a first-round pick in the 2026 draft.
15. Sacramento Kings: The deadline has come and gone and Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine are still with the team despite all of the chatter around them. They acquired De’Andre Hunter, but he’s not going to change things for this team.
