Utah Jazz forward Jaren Jackson Jr. is likely to miss the rest of the regular season with a knee injury, the team announced.
The team said Jackson will undergo surgery to remove a localized pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) growth in his left knee, and the injury was identified after an MRI.
Jackson, Jr. will have surgery in the coming days over the All-Star break, and the team said he is expected to make a full recovery.
Jackson Jr., 26, is averaging 19.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.4 blocks in 48 games this season for Utah, who sit at 18-37 at the All-Star break and will likely miss the postseason for the fourth straight year. He was traded last week from the Memphis Grizzlies, where he spent the first seven seasons of his career, to the Jazz in a deal that included three first-round draft picks.
Jackson Jr. won the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2022-23, is a two-time NBA All-Star, and a two-time All-Defensive First Team selection
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 28: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers brings the ball up court during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Rocket Arena on January 28, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Lakers 129-99. 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
The NBA Trade Deadline, for better or worse, is behind us. Out goes Jared McCain and Eric Gordon. In comes draft picks and a bunch of seemingly temporary players.
Despite what your opinion might be, the Sixers freed up two roster spots and seem to be weighing all options there. But who makes sense? Is there any name out there who isn’t totally washed and can spell a soon-to-be 40-year-old Kyle Lowry some rotation minutes?
Before diving into names, I want to mention one answer to the Sixers’ now two vacant standard spots that’s already on the roster: Jabari Walker. Walker has been a serviceable rotation player for most of his Sixers tenure, though Daryl Morey seemed coy about actually converting him in his post-trade deadline presser. I’d argue Walker is probably better than most of the names I’m about to get into, and he’s still quite young. He’s limited, but he embraces the dirty work and does the little things this team needs. We’ll see what happens there, but it feels likely the Sixers bring in at least one new addition to bolster the group.
Now that that’s out of the way, let’s survey the market. Pre-existing names or guys expected to be available in the near future. Can we find someone who fills the gaps and isn’t totally cooked? It won’t be easy, but let’s comb through it.
Chris Paul
Paul is an interesting potential name for the Sixers for several reasons. The future Hall of Famer has put together a tremendous career. Heading into the season, he was supposedly on a farewell tour, with retirement looming at year’s end. That didn’t really materialize.
Paul and the LA Clippers had a falling out early in the season, resulting in him being essentially banished and sitting in limbo for most of the year. That was until the trade deadline, when he was moved to Toronto and then bought out. Now he’s a free agent, likely looking for one final stretch of NBA basketball.
Paul has history with Daryl Morey, both good and bad. The Houston Rockets traded for him and paired him with MVP James Harden, producing arguably the best Rockets team of that era. The highs didn’t last long. Harden pushed for Russell Westbrook, Paul was sent out, and that trade marked the beginning of the end for that group.
Understandably, the relationship between Paul and Morey cooled after that. It’s been years, though, and time heals things. For argument’s sake, let’s say Paul would be open to Philly. Does it make sense?
I’d lean no. Paul is a small guard whose athletic burst has completely faded. He can’t score around the rim anymore. In his later Phoenix years, even while starting, he nearly abandoned paint scoring altogether because he just couldn’t finish consistently at his age and size.
But the thing about CP3 is the intangibles. He can still pass, still organize, still play real point guard. He’s the archetype people constantly beg for in the comments. The issue is that this team’s long-term vision clearly revolves around the Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe backcourt. They want the ball in their hands. At this stage, Paul’s value comes with the ball in his hands too, and that overlap creates tension.
The Sixers already have a veteran point guard in Kyle Lowry. Paul might be more playable, but is that really saying much? I’m not sure it meaningfully shifts anything.
Lonzo Ball
The former No. 2 overall pick has become something of a favorite among Sixers Twitter. A 6-foot-6 guard with real passing IQ is exactly what fans have been asking for since Maxey took the leap. But if it’s that simple, why is Ball available?
It comes down to injuries. Ball became the first player in NBA history to undergo a meniscus transplant, which effectively saved his career. He had limited success after the surgery with Chicago, who later traded him to Cleveland as a major offseason addition. It didn’t work. Ball looked like a shell of himself athletically and, at times, disengaged. He fell out of the rotation entirely and finished his Cavs tenure shooting 30.1 percent from the field and 27.2 percent from three. That’s rough.
He was eventually rerouted to Utah and bought out. So should the Sixers buy low?
My answer is a quick no. Credit to Ball for coming back from devastating knee injuries. But his previous athleticism is gone. Similar to Paul, he isn’t a factor near the rim and rarely attempts drives. That’s a pretty big issue for a table-setting guard. His defense, once a strength, has regressed hard. Add in the poor efficiency and it’s difficult to justify the gamble.
The idea of Ball is intriguing. The current version probably isn’t.
D’Angelo Russell
OG Process fans will see D’Angelo Russell’s name and feel a little nostalgia. He was the guy many wanted after the 2015 lottery. Years later, he’s bounced around and now finds himself in another rebuilding situation, having fallen out of favor.
Russell isn’t physically washed like Paul or Ball, but he’s been a one-dimensional player for most of his career. He doesn’t give you much defensively, so all of his value comes on the offensive end. Even with the Mavericks struggling this season, we know what Russell brings: microwave scoring, shooting and some secondary playmaking.
Despite having decent size, you’re plugging in a real question mark defensively. Nick Nurse has generally preferred length and defensive versatility around his guards, and Russell doesn’t check that box.
Still, if we’re being honest, he’s one of the better bets on this list to actually produce something. The Sixers need shooting badly after losing McCain and dealing with the Paul George suspension. Russell can provide that, if you’re willing to live with the rough stretches and questionable decisions.
I’m not racing to the buyout table for him. But he’s not an automatic no either, which is more than can be said for some of these names.
Kyle Anderson
Anderson has long been floated as a potential Sixers target. He’s not flashy, but he’s consistently been an impactful rotation player. Even this year in Utah, he averaged 7.1 points in 20.6 minutes while shooting 54.6 percent from the field across 20 games.
He fits the Nick Nurse mold well. At 6-foot-8, he has the size to switch across multiple positions. He isn’t a high-volume shooter from deep, but he can knock down open shots. Inside the arc, his game is unorthodox but effective. He finishes well and can lean on a floater or midrange when needed.
The issue is volume and spacing. The Sixers desperately need reliable perimeter shooting at a high rate, and that’s not Anderson’s calling card. They also already have similar archetypes in Trendon Watford, Kelly Oubre, Dominick Barlow and potentially Jabari Walker if he’s converted.
In a vacuum, he’s a solid player. In this specific context, the fit feels a little redundant.
Chris Boucher
Boucher is at least a name the Sixers have been linked to by a notable source. He also has familiarity with Nick Nurse from their Toronto days. And it’s worth mentioning the Sixers haven’t had a true backup stretch big in a while, which Boucher would theoretically address.
He most recently spent time with Boston, stuck at the end of the rotation and appearing in just nine games. The sample size is small, but the numbers weren’t encouraging. That said, he was productive in Toronto the year prior, playing 17.2 minutes per game across 50 appearances.
Signing Boucher would be a bet that he isn’t completely cooked and that Boston simply wasn’t the right situation. If he can return to form, he gives you a small-ball five who can shoot and a versatile four next to one of the Sixers’ centers. He’s familiar with Nurse’s system, which helps.
I’d lean toward other options, but the prior interest makes him someone to keep an eye on.
Khris Middleton
Middleton is one of the biggest names here. Multiple All-Star appearances next to Giannis. A key piece on a championship team. But recent years haven’t been kind. He was moved to Washington in the Kyle Kuzma trade and later sent to Dallas as part of their forward-looking approach. Injuries have piled up, and that’s largely why Milwaukee moved on.
This year he averaged 10.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 24.3 minutes, shooting 43.3 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three. The numbers aren’t eye-popping, but they’re respectable in a reduced role.
Even with the knee and ankle issues, Middleton can still shoot. The defense isn’t what it once was, but it passes the eye test more often than not. For a wing his size, he can run pick-and-roll and make smart reads.
With George sidelined and Oubre taking on more than he probably should, Middleton makes a lot of sense. He soaks up wing minutes, provides ball handling Nurse can trust, and adds shooting. When George returns, he can scale down into a smaller role comfortably.
Age and health are the question marks, but the Sixers could do much worse than Middleton.
Haywood Highsmith
Highsmith should be familiar. He was one of the few Division II players to turn pro, grinding through the Delaware Blue Coats before earning a two-way with the Sixers. He never got an extended opportunity here. That came with Miami, where he worked his way into becoming a legitimate rotation piece.
The Heat later sent him to Brooklyn in what amounted to a salary dump. He’s been rehabbing a knee injury and is nearing a return.
A reunion makes sense. Highsmith still has supporters within the organization, and there was free-agent interest a few seasons ago. He developed into a quality 3-and-D wing in Miami, and that’s exactly what the Sixers need.
He’s not flashy and doesn’t carry huge upside, but he might be the safest name on this list. I’d argue he’s the best defender among these options, and he provides shooting. That two-way combination is rare on the buyout market.
Personally, he sits at the top of my list.
Georges Niang
From one former Sixer to another, Niang is likely to hit the buyout market. He had some of his best years in Philadelphia before signing a big deal in Cleveland. Since then, he’s been traded again and landed in Utah, where there’s little incentive to prioritize him.
We know what Niang brings. Shooting and floor spacing. Not much else.
He isn’t a strong defender, and I wouldn’t trust him in high-leverage playoff minutes. But shooting isn’t in abundance right now, and Niang can provide it cheaply and reliably.
It wouldn’t be the worst move. It also wouldn’t be the most ambitious one. Ideally, the Sixers find someone who helps now and offers some long-term upside. Niang feels more like a short-term patch than a real solution.
There’s no perfect name here. That’s the reality of the buyout market. But if the goal is plugging real holes without sacrificing size, defense or shooting, a few of these options make more sense than others.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 03: Sebastian Walcott of the Surprise Saguaros poses for a photo during the 2025 Arizona Fall League media day at Scottsdale Stadium on Friday, October 3, 2025 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Rebhan/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Sebastian Walcott will miss most, if not all, of the 2026 season due to a torn UCL, per the beats.
This sucks, to put it mildly. And puts a damper on our poll yesterday, asking when Walcott will make his major league debut.
Walcott, a shortstop who doesn’t turn 20 until next month, is the top prospect in the Texas Rangers system and a consensus top 20 prospect in all of baseball. He spent the 2025 season at AA Frisco, and was slated to be in Round Rock for the 2026 season. That isn’t happening now.
Walcott was originally set to play in the Arizona Fall League last year, but appeared in just one game before being shut down with what was described as arm fatigue.
Walcott’s arm has been one of his strengths, and while he has been seen as likely to have to move off of shortstop eventually, his arm strength led prospectphiles to suggest he could land at third baes or right field. Now we will have to see how he recovers.
The Montreal Canadiens will be a team to watch once the NHL Olympic roster freeze passes. With the Canadiens being among the top teams in the Eastern Conference, there is an expectation that they will look to add to their roster ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline.
Now, the Canadiens are being connected to one of the NHL's top trade candidates.
In a recent article for The Athletic, Chris Johnston predicted that the Canadiens will be the team that acquires New York Rangers star center Vincent Trocheck.
"The Canadiens’ biggest hole all season has been down the middle, and it’s going to be a battle at the deadline for the limited options who can fill the 2C role on a contender. Even at 32, Trocheck certainly fits that description, and the fact he comes with some term at a reasonable cap hit will help the Habs bridge the gap as their youth movement progresses," Johnston wrote.
Seeing the Canadiens being viewed as a potential landing spot for Trocheck is not difficult to understand. There is no question that he would give the Canadiens' top six a nice boost if they acquired him. His stats this season show this, as he has recorded 12 goals, 24 assists, and 36 points in 43 games.
Yet, with Trocheck being a legitimate top-six center who has a $5.625 million cap hit until the end of the 2028-29 season, it is clear that the Rangers would want a significant return for him in a potential move. Yet, with the Canadiens needing another impactful center, he could be worth the price.
It will be interesting to see if the Canadiens end up being the team that lands Trocheck ahead of the deadline. There is no question that the skilled center is going to have several suitors.
The Portland Trail Blazers (26-29) travel to the Delta Center to face the Utah Jazz (18-37) tonight, aiming to snap a four-game road losing streak and secure a season series sweep. The Blazers take to the court after getting smacked by the Timberwolves in Minnesota last night, 133-109. Julius Randle poured in 41 and the T-wolves turned 25 Portland turnovers into 43 points. Jrue Holiday scored 23 and Scoot Henderson 18 points in the loss.
The Jazz (18-37) are looking to defend their home court and avoid being swept this season by their Northwest Division rivals. Utah has won two straight including last night at home against the Kings, 121-93. Starting in place of the injured Shaedon Sharpe, Isaiah Collier scored 12 and handed out 14 assists in the win. Scoring was not a problem last night and has not been a part of the problem for the Jazz most nights this season. They play with pace and average 118.3 points per game. They limited the Kings to 93 points last night, but defense has been the issue. The Jazz are dead last with a bullet this season allowing a league-worst 125.8 points per game (Washington is second-worst allowing 123.1 points per game).
This contest is the third of four games between the teams this season with Portland having won the first two following a 136-134 victory on October 29 and a 137-117 blowout on January 5.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch Live: Trail Blazers at Jazz
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
Time: 9PM EST
Site: Delta Center
City: Salt Lake City, Utah
Network/Streaming: KJZZ-TV, KUNP 16, NBA League Pass
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Game Odds: Trail Blazers at Jazz
The latest odds as of Thursday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Portland Trail Blazers (-310), Utah Jazz (+250)
Spread: Trail Blazers -8.5
Total: 238.5 points
This game opened Trail Blazers -7.5 with the Total set at 237.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Trail Blazers at Jazz
Portland Trail Blazers
PG Jrue Holiday
SG Jerami Grant
SF Toumani Camara
PF Deni Avdija
C Donovan Clingan
Utah Jazz
PG Isaiah Collier
SG Ace Bailey
SF Lauri Markkanen
PF John Konchar
C Jusuf Nurkic
Injury Report: Trail Blazers at Jazz
Portland Trail Blazers
Shaedon Sharpe (calf) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Kris Murray (back) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Matisse Thybulle (thumb) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Utah Jazz
Keyonte George (ankle) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Elijah Harkless (hamstring) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) has been declared OUT of tonight's game
Important stats, trends and insights: Trail Blazers at Jazz
The Trail Blazers are 10-16 on the road this season
The Jazz are 11-17 at home this season
The Jazz are 31-24 ATS this season / 16-12 ATS at home
The Trail Blazers are 29-26 ATS this season / 12-14 ATS on the road
The OVER has cashed in 29 of the Trail Blazers’ 55 games this season (29-26)
The OVER has cashed in 32 of Utah’s 55 games this season (32-23)
Each of these teams is 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall
Deni Avdija managed just 11 points last night at Minnesota (3-14 from the field)
Donovan Clingan is averaging 13.2 rebounds per game through 6 games in February
Ace Bailey is averaging 15.6 points over his last 5 games
Rotoworld Best Bet
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s Trail Blazers and Jazz game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Game Total OVER 238.5
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MILAN (AP) — Emily Clark scored twice, Ann-Renee Desbiens stopped 17 shots and Canada secured second-place in Group A with a 5-0 win over Finland in women’s hockey on Thursday at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
Poulin sustained a lower-body injury in a 5-1 win over Czechia on Monday. She skated for the first time on Thursday, and is anticipated to return during the knockout stage.
The game against Finland closed preliminary round play after being postponed by a week because of the Finns’ roster being depleted by a stomach virus.
The outcome settled the quarterfinal matchups, with Group A’s top-seeded and tournament-favored Americans facing host nation Italy on Friday. Italy went 2-2 and clinched Group B’s third and final playoff seed.
Canada will open the quarterfinals on Saturday against Germany. Czechia will face Group B winner Sweden.
Finland finished fourth in Group A and will play fifth-place Switzerland. Finland was blanked in each of its three losses and its only preliminary round win was a 3-1 victory over the Swiss.
Kristin O’Neill had a goal and assist. Jennifer Gardiner and Daryl Watts also scored for Canada.
Mar 14, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Venezuela center fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (42) runs toward the dugout after the fourth inning against Nicaragua at LoanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The land of movies that are so bad that they’re good but somehow still wrap back around to being bad will be sharing some space with baseball this Spring. Major League Baseball has revealed the broadcast schedule for this year’s World Baseball Classic and things are pretty simple when it comes to figuring out which channel these games will be on. Fox Sports will be carrying the entire competition, so if you’re looking for a game then it’ll likely be on FOX, FS1, FS2 and Fox Deportes.
They’ll also be streaming all of the games as well — some of which on an exclusive basis. When it comes to those streaming-exclusives, FOX has decided to utilize free streaming platform Tubi to broadcast some games as well. As it turns out for us Braves fans who have an interest in the Braves players who are participating in the WBC, the game involving all four Braves players participating in the WBC will, in fact, be streamed exclusively on Tubi. So just in case you’re interested in making a doubleheader out of watching a smash box office hit like “Robocidal” or “Trail Cam Sasquatch” either before or after you watch Ronald Acuña Jr. and Venezuela lock horns on the baseball diamond with Ozzie Albies and Jurickson Profar representing the Netherlands, now’s your chance to do so.
Fortunately, all of Team USA’s games will either be on big FOX or FS1 so you won’t have to go too far to find them. If you’re interested in watching Pool C action over in Japan then you’d better be ready to burn the midnight oil with a pot of coffee nearby because the games are going to be starting either very late at night or at the crack of dawn here on the East Coast. Which games and/or teams are you the most interested in keeping track with as the WBC gets underway soon?
Durant will suit up for the USA Stripes team in the All-Star Game, which features a U.S. vs. the World format. Other "old heads" on the team with the 37-year-old Durant include Stephen Curry (age 37, but injured and will not play), LeBron James (41) and Kawhi Leonard (34).
The 16-time All-Star also said people should ask the Europeans players if they will play hard, because in the past they haven't, just like players from the United States
"You should ask the Europeans and the World team if they're going to compete," Durant said "If you look at Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic now, let's go back and look at what they do in the All-Star Game. Is that competition? So we haven't questioned what they've been doing. But we're going to question the old heads, and the Americans.
"But these two dudes out there, Luka and Jokic, they don't care about the game at all. These dudes be laying on the floor. They're shooting from half court. But you've got to worry about the old heads playing hard? I can read between the lines, bro. It's just an overall topic that everybody's been talking about."
Durant was asked about San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, who said he plans on giving maximum effort.
"We'll see," Durant said.
"He said that last year too, They said it was the worst All-Star Game that people watched. So we're going to see. Who knows what's going to happen? This format might change the game, but who knows? We'll see."
Feb 7, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain (3) gestures after scoring against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Hey, the Sixers only lost by 49 points on Wednesday night! What a way to cruise into the All-Star break!
Before this weekend’s festivities, I’m here to hit you with the latest edition of my “5 Sixers thoughts” column. Let’s get after it…
The Sixers sure could use Jared McCain and Isaiah Joe right now…
The Sixers’ cringeworthy handling of the trade deadline saw them part with second-year sharpshooter Jared McCain, a fan favorite. It’s always a good sign when the best team in the NBA wants to acquire a good, young player you’re trying to get rid of, right?
Anyway, on Wednesday evening, McCain dropped 12 points while shooting 2-for-3 from deep in 22 minutes off the bench in a blowout Oklahoma City win over Phoenix. Isaiah Joe, another Sixers castoff, nailed six threes in 18 minutes in a reserve role for the win.
The Sixers, a team now starved for guard talent and shooting in the aftermath of the trade deadline, could certainly use a couple guys like McCain and Joe!
Put it this way… The McCain-Joe duo made eight threes on Wednesday. In the Sixers’ embarrassing nationally televised loss to New York, the team only made six threes total while shooting a putrid 19 percent from deep overall.
Great stuff, everyone!
The trade deadline was the nail in the coffin for the Sixers’ feel-good energy
I couldn’t have been vibing with this Sixers team more throughout January. Joel Embiid looked the best he had in years. The backcourt duo of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe was dazzling and they were seeing key contributions from role players on top of it all. I was ready to see this team put up a fight come the postseason!
The way the Sixers carried themselves at the trade deadline last week, however, was crushing.
They discarded McCain, made sure to dip below the luxury tax and didn’t improve the on-court product. That’s a triple-whammy.
It’s a shame. I know Sixers fans are massively burned out on this franchise, but it did feel like the tide might have been turning a bit ahead of what could’ve been a spirited playoff run. Now? Why should people lock in when the organization itself doesn’t even want to lock in? A 49-point loss at home where Knicks fans overtook the arena is the culmination of this.
25 years ago this week…
I like looking back at the 2001 Sixers a quarter of a century later. February was a great time for this franchise that year.
On Feb. 11, 2001, an instant-classic All-Star Game took place where Allen Iverson himself would win All-Star Game MVP and the Eastern Conference took down a West squad that featured a daunting starting lineup of Jason Kidd, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Chris Webber and Tim Duncan. Iverson put up a game-high 25 points, adding five assists and four steals along the way.
Two days later, in an Eastern Conference Finals preview, the Sixers went to Milwaukee and beat the Bucks, as Iverson dropped 49 points in the win. The very next day, in a Valentine’s Day matchup in South Philadelphia, the Sixers defeated the Lakers 112-97. The NBA Finals preview saw Iverson out-duel Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal with a 40-point outburst.
That all might as well be 250 years ago at this point.
Tyrese Maxey’s usage is increasingly becoming an issue
Maxey has been such a godsend for this team, but he is leading the league in minutes played, rather unnecessarily I’d add. The Sixers’ lack of guard depth is a huge issue there, but there is absolutely no reason he should be playing 32 minutes in a game the team lost by 49 points, as was this case on Wednesday against the Knicks. It’s nonsensical! There’s a difference between drastic load management and coaching realizing when a game is no longer in doubt and living to fight another day.
Enjoy the All-Star break!
I mean that sincerely. The Sixers don’t play for another week. Enjoy your respite from hoops. Go to the movies. Read a book. Go out to dinner with friends or loved ones. Do anything that’s not basketball related ultimately so that you can be ready to scream and be angry for the second half of the season and the playoffs.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 15: Zach Whitecloud #2 of the Vegas Golden Knights shoots the puck during the first period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at T-Mobile Arena on January 15, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Zak Krill/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
When the Pittsburgh Penguins return from the 2026 Olympic break, they will have five games before the 2025-26 NHL Trade Deadline. Given where they are in the standings, and the way they have played for the better part of the past two months, the Penguins seem to have positioned themselves as potential buyers, or at the very least, some sort of hybrid buy-sell team like they were a year ago.
While the idea of somebody like Jason Robertson or Robert Thomas is fun to think about and dream on, those are probably more offseason-type moves than in-season deadline deals. Especially as it relates to Robertson given the Dallas Stars current status as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
The Penguins also already have a lot of depth at forward this season and probably have more good players than they can play at the moment. Rutger McGroarty, Avery Hayes and even Ville Koivunen are worthy of NHL playing time right now, but there just simply is not room for them.
The defense is where the Penguins might be in a position to make a small addition. Not only due to the injury to Kris Letang, as well as the fact Erik Karlsson is playing in the Olympics and is not getting any tine to rest, but just because they could use a little more quality depth at the position in both the short-term and the long-term.
Based on everything Kyle Dubas has said this season, and based on everything he has done over the past year-and-a-half, I would not anticipate them being in the market for older players that are obviously rentals.
But what about a younger player on an expiring contract that could potentially be re-signed?
The ideal situation would be finding a young defenseman with team-control remaining beyond this season, but that sort of thing is probably easier said than done.
So let’s take a look at a couple of options that could be available and might fit what the Penguins are looking for.
Simon Benoit, Toronto Maple Leafs
Benoit is intriguing because he is still only 27 years old and is signed through the end of next season at an extremely manageable salary cap number of just $1.35 million per season. He is not going to do a lot to generate offense, but he has been a very solid defensive player this season and would bring some of the size and physical play that Dubas has tried to inject into the lineup this year.
He’s a bottom-pairing player, but he is cheap, you get two potential playoff runs with him and you know you’re going to get an honest effort and a player that’s not afraid to get in front of a shot.
He has been given exceptionally one-sided defensive assignments (only 26 percent offensive zone starts) with the Maple Leafs allowing just 2.58 expected goals per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 play and only 2.32 actual goals per 60 minutes when he is on the ice. Both numbers are tops among Maple Leafs defensemen.
I could see there being interest, especially after the Penguins made a similar trade with Toronto at last year’s deadline to get Connor Dewar and Conor Timmins. That one worked out well.
Zach Whitecloud, Calgary Flames
Whitecloud has been a solid, if unspectacular player for a few years now in Vegas, and recently found himself as part of the Rasmus Andersson trade that sent him to Calgary. Given the state of the Flames season and their ongoing rebuild, there is no doubt he could potentially be on the trade block again over the next few weeks. He is 29, signed for more full seasons after this at $2.75 million per season, and could be a potential depth upgrade both this season and beyond.
Again, you are not going to get much offense out of him, but he is a solid enough defensive player that can help keep the puck out of your net. The contract is going to increase the return in terms of assets, so it might come down to a matter of how much you are willing to pay this year and how much you like Whitecloud.
Mario Ferraro, San Jose Sharks
The problem with Ferraro as a potential option is that he is an unrestricted free agent after this season and would likely be a rental. But he fits into the age range the Penguins might be interested in (27) and could be a potential extension candidate.
Ferraro has been stuck on a bad San Jose team for years and has typically outperformed his teammates when it comes to suppressing chances and goals. He probably has more offensive upside than a player like Benoit, but might cost more in terms of assets and be at risk of just simply being a few month rental. That might not be their preferred path.
Logan Stanley, Winnipeg Jets
Stanley is a massive physical presence at 6-foot-7 and over 230 pounds, but has never really fully established himself as a quality or consistent NHL Player until this season.
It has been a perfectly timed breakout as well, given the fact he is in a contract year and due for a raise after this season as a pending unrestricted free agent. I don’t know that I am willing to risk paying what he is going to get on the open market this summer, and I suspect he might come with a fairly high asking price from Winnipeg, but he is a potential defense option that should be available.
Braden Schneider, New York Rangers
I am going to include Schneider because he kind of fits the mold of what the Penguins might be looking for in a player — and the type of player they have looked to acquire at other positions — and will almost certainly be available.
I am just not sure I actually want him.
Or how much I would want him.
Or what I would even be willing to give up for him.
He is still only 24 years old, but is a restricted free agent after this season and would need some sort of a commitment contractually.
Maybe if you acquire him you give him a look the rest of the season, and if you don’t like what you see you just do not qualifying him an offer and let him go.
He has size and talent, but none of it has been put together at the NHL level and he seems to have taken a step backwards this season. Maybe a fresh start helps? He would not be high on my priority list.
The Bucks have little interior presence when Giannis is out and almost no rebounding. Milwaukee ranks 26th in rebounding rate and 17th in opponent rebounds per game.
That’s the key to Holmgren recording a double-double. He’s putting in more work on the glass, averaging 9.3 rebounds over his last nine games, recording six double-doubles over that span.
I’d much rather take the Oklahoma City Thunder big man to record another double-double at even money instead of a juiced rebounding prop.
Deni Avdija earned his first All-Star selection by averaging 25.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists and we could go a bunch of ways in this matchup. But with the way the Jazz play defense let’s lock in on the buckets Avdija will get tonight.
Utah enters this matchup ranked dead last in defensive rating and opponent scoring, surrendering 125.8 per contest.
The Jazz also allowed Avdija to go off for 33 points when they last met back in December.
That has me looking at Deandre Ayton. The Lakers' big man has been inconsistent, but this matchup sets up well for him.
The Mavericks have been solid defensively most of the season. Except for one area. In the interior. Dallas allows the most opponent points in the paint in the NBA.
Ayton is averaging 13.2 points per game this season, so let’s take a shot at over 12.5 tonight.
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PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 04: Edmundo Sosa #33 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with third base coach Dusty Wathan #62 after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning during the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, August 4, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Phebe Grosser/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Over in Japan’s NPB, every team has a new slogan for the season. The slogans set out the team’s hopes, goals, and attitude. They hype the fans up. They’re fun. Thanks to the nature of the Japanese language, there’s also fun tricks to be had with the slogans, too: for example, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and Yomiuri Giants both have the slogan “Zenshin”, but with different kanji characters and thus, different meanings.
Due to the limitations of the English language, the Phillies can’t quite pull off that trick. But they can still have a great slogan. Here are some suggestions.
Run It Back?
Many Phillies fans consider this year’s largely similar lineup to be an example of running it back. Rob Thomson disagrees, and surely some fans do too. Any attempt to pick a side here would result in controversy. So why choose? This slogan lets you, the fan, decide whether or not the 2026 Phils are running it back. It also gives you, the fan, some wiggle room. If the Phillies win it all this year, you can say you meant it affirmatively. And if they fall short, you can say you meant it facetiously.
Bryce Harper is(n’t) Elite
Dave Dombrowski’s remark about Bryce Harper not putting up an elite performance last year clearly got Harper’s dander up. That sort of motivation can really prompt a turnaround. Imagine Braves and Mets fleeing in terror as a rage-fueled Harper sends screaming line drives right at them. But it would be overdoing things to make “Harper isn’t elite” the team’s slogan; that sort of motivation isn’t needed when he’s playing well. So the team can put “Bryce Harper Isn’t Elite” in lights above Citizens Bank Park, then turn the “n’t” on or off as needed. Motivation on demand!
With Age Comes Wisdom
The Phillies aren’t decrepit, but they’re an older bunch. The Daycare is now in their late twenties. This slogan would be a reminder that the greater experience that comes with age can be a real boon for a team. And hey, Patrick Wisdom is a free agent. Brand synergy opportunity?
Nor have we been wanting in attentions to our British brethren
If you can’t come up with anything original for a Philly sports slogan or alternate jersey design, you can always rely on old faithful: the Declaration of Independence, a Philadelphia original. Bad news, though: nearly every line in the thing has already been taken as a slogan by one team or another at one point or another. We checked, and the only line untaken is “nor have we been wanting in attentions to our British brethren”. Which doesn’t work very well as a slogan. It’s no “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. But Team USA and her Phillies representatives are about to take on Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic, so maybe there’s an opportunity there?
It’s Lit Like Schmidt
The kids like to say “lit”, right? Though, they seem to have moved on to “67” (and while we could give one of the Phillies’ stars that jersey number as a promo to draw in the youth, it seems terribly unfair to the player who will be forced to do the accompanying hand motion ad nauseam). Nothing drives the youth away faster than outdated slang. But perhaps that could be a selling point: use cringe slang of yesterday to keep the meme-loving youth away, so that adults made grouchy by endlessly hearing social media slang can have the ballpark as a place of respite. Down in front!
Go Birds
It doesn’t fit, but let’s be honest: people are going to say it anyway.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Sarr of the Washington Wizards is expected to miss Friday's Rising Stars event at All-Star weekend because of a strained hamstring.
The Wizards said Thursday that Sarr will still go to the festivities in Los Angeles, but the approximate recovery time for the injury is two weeks. Bub Carrington, his Washington teammate, will replace Sarr on the Rising Stars roster.
The 7-foot Sarr is averaging 17.2 points and 7.8 rebounds a game in his second NBA season after being picked No. 2 in the 2024 draft. He's also second in the league with 2.0 blocks per game.
Washington returns from the break next Thursday with a home game against Indiana.
The Chicago Blackhawks are currently sixth in the Central Division standings and 10 points behind the Anaheim Ducks for the final wild card spot in the Western Conference. Due to this, there is an expectation that they will be sellers at the deadline.
Because of this, Matt Grzelcyk is one Blackhawks' pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) who has created chatter as a potential trade candidate. Let's look at three teams that could make sense as landing spots for Grzelcyk if Chicago ends up making him available.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Could a reunion between Grzelcyk and the Penguins be in the cards? The Penguins have been one of the NHL's biggest surprises this season and could look to add to their roster because of it. The left side of their defense could use a boost, and Grzelcyk could help them on that front. He also thrived in Pittsburgh last season, setting career highs with 39 assists and 40 points.
Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres should be looking to add to their blueline depth ahead of the deadline. If they acquired Grzelcyk, he would give them another solid option to work with on their bottom pairing. At a minimum, he could be a useful seventh defenseman for the Sabres to have around.
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche could be another team to watch when it comes to Grzelcyk. They were linked to him before he signed with the Blackhawks, and they could use another defenseman with a lot of experience. The Avalanche have also struggled on the power play this season, so Grzelcyk could give them another option to help shake things up.
Chet Holmgren
Deni Avdija
Deandre Ayton