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Stephon Castle named Western Conference Player of the Week

CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 31: Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles the ball during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on January 31, 2026 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Darren Carroll/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Stephon Castle has been named Western Conference Player of the Week for the first time in his career, the league announced.

The reigning Rookie of the Year got the recognition he deserved for a very productive week that concluded with a 40-point triple-double, a feat that only David Robinson had previously accomplished in Spurs’ franchise history. He was the third-youngest player to post such a stat line behind LeBron James and Luka Doncic, per Spurs PR.

His other two games were good, but not as eye-popping, and Castle came off the bench for one of them. In the aggregate, however, Castle averaged 24.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and three steals in 26.7 minutes per game, while shooting 63.0% from the field and 36.4% from three to help lead San Antonio to a 3-0 record on the week.

Castle is the first Spur to get the honor since Victor Wembanyama in the opening week of the season. The only two other players in the roster who have ever been named Player of the Week are Harrison Barnes, once in 2024/25, and De’Aaron Fox, who accomplished it multiple times when he played for the Kings.

The Hawks’ Jalen Johnson was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week.

Castle is averaging 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and seven assists for the season on 30.8 minutes a game.

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The curious case of the missing welcome graphic for Cole Anthony

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 1: Cole Anthony #50 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics during the 2026 NBA Pioneers Classic on February 1, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

With the trade deadline now in the rearview, the Suns are turning the page. Nick Richards is off to Chicago. Nigel Hayes-Davis landed in Milwaukee. In return, Phoenix brought in Amir Coffey and Cole Anthony.

At least on paper.

As of now, Cole Anthony has still not reported to the team, according to Duane Rankin. There has been no welcome graphic. No photo. No announcement. Nothing. Coffey is here. Anthony, for the moment, exists in theory.

It might not seem like much, but a welcome graphic is usually the tell. If a player is with the team, you see it. Simple as that. We already got one for Amir Coffey, posted Saturday, loud and clear.

So what gives?

This is speculation, but it is educated speculation. Reading the tea leaves, looking at the timing, the silence, and the roster math, it feels like the Suns are preparing to waive Cole Anthony.

Right now, Phoenix is sitting at 14 players with one open roster spot. Waiving Anthony would open flexibility. It creates room to add two players instead of one, which matters with the buyout market coming into view.

One path is obvious. Convert both Jamaree Bouyea and Isaiah Livers to standard contracts. Do that, and the Suns still stay under the luxury tax. That feels like the cleanest route. They do not have to rush it either. Teams have until the end of the season to convert two-way players for playoff eligibility. Still, moving earlier would help, especially with the March 4 deadline to sign waived players. If you want optionality later, getting those conversions done sooner helps. It keeps doors open. Names like CJ Huntley live in that space.

The other path is, following the waiving of Anthony, converting one player (most likely Bouyea) and signing a buyout player. Chris Boucher, anyone?

So why hold onto Cole Anthony at all?

Because insurance matters. Guard depth has been a recurring issue all season. Bodies go down. Rotations stretch thin. Anthony becomes a break-glass option if things get sideways again. And honestly, I do not hate that idea. He was a lottery pick back in 2020, going 15th overall to the Orlando Magic. The production has dipped in the past couple of seasons, but the edge is still there. He plays with some bite. Some stubbornness. That part fits.

The problem is everything else. He is a career 34.3% shooter from deep. He does not generate many steals. He does not tilt possessions. And this team is built on volume, pressure, and connectivity.

So while nothing is official yet, all signs point in the same direction. The welcome graphic never came. The reporting is quiet. The roster math makes sense. Cole Anthony feels like a placeholder, not a plan. And sooner rather than later, the Suns are probably going to move on.

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2026 Chicago Cubs player profiles: Matthew Boyd

The starters are presented in alphabetical order, and, as always, are written in a No. 2 pencil. Today we’re looking at Matthew Boyd, who had the best year of his career in 2025, throwing 179.2 innings and going 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA and 1.091 WHIP, though he did in fact look gassed during the playoffs and didn’t fare as well.

The 35-year-old lefty will venture into the 2026 season on the strength of the 2.5 bWAR (3.4 fWAR) he amassed during that previous season, where he’s likely to throw a few less innings and occupy a spot from 1-4 in the everyday rotation. To expect numbers like 2025 would be folly… but something between that and his late-teens work in Detroit would be fine. Win 10-11 games, throw 160+ innings, hurl @8 K/9, keep the team in the game.

Boyd and Taillon are probably 4-5, with Cabrera, Imanaga, Horton or some other combination of the three at the top, awaiting the return of Justin Steele. But Craig Counsell may have other ideas.

Boyd does have an option for 2027, with a $2 million buyout. Given his age and high odds of regression or injury, that’s a good deal. We’ll see if it’s time to roll the dice by season’s end. He doesn’t really have a lot of mileage on that arm and might be good for a bit.

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Spurrier reminds Swinney: 'There ain't no rules anymore' amid tampering claims

Steve Spurrier was never shy about talking during his prolific career as the Florida football coach.

Now well into retirement, Spurrier still has no qualms about giving advice to coaches in today's era. On Monday, Feb. 9, the former Gators and South Carolina coach had some advice for Clemson coach Dabo Swinney after Swinney accused Ole Miss and coach Pete Golding of tampering in the recruitment of linebacker Luke Ferrelli.

REQUIRED READING: Time for SEC to force Big Ten to join CFP party, or go it alone

"I thought by now, somebody would've told Dabo, 'Dabo, there ain't no rules anymore,'" Spurrier said while laughing in a social media clip from The Post and Courier's Jon Blau, from a Zoom call with media about Spurrier's upcoming induction into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame.

Spurrier's comments allude to a Jan. 23 press conference where Swinney levied allegations of tampering against Golding and the Rebels, claiming that Golding reached out to Ferrelli after he had already signed with Clemson after transferring from California.

Ferrelli had already enrolled in spring semester classes and signed paperwork with the Tigers. In the past, that would have led to potential sanctions, as it was illegal under NCAA rules.

"They're still on the books, I guess, back there (at Clemson) about you can't do it after this date or that date," Spurrier said. "... I don't know if they're going to ever enforce any rules now or not, but I think Dabo has learned now, he's got to start paying his players just like everybody else is, or you'll get left behind. ... You can complain but I don't know how good it's going to do."

Spurrier, 80, coached Florida from 1990 to 2001, winning six SEC championships and the 1996 national championship. He then coached the Gamecocks from 2005 to 2015, winning 86 games with the program.

In the Palmetto Bowl rivalry between Clemson and South Carolina, Spurrier owned a 5-2 record against Swinney, which included a five-game winning streak for Spurrier from 2009 to 2013.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Steve Spurrier tells Dabo Swinney college football has 'no rules anymore'

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Who will be the Warriors next All-Star, other than Steph Curry?

Steph Curry posing with the All-Star MVP trophy.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 16: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors and Shaq's OGs poses with the 2025 KIA Kobe Bryant MVP trophy during the 74th NBA All-Star Game at Chase Center on February 16, 2025 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to February Daily Topics at Golden State of Mind. A question (almost) every day this month to give the community a prompt to talk about!

The Golden State Warriors are limping towards the All-Star break. They have two games remaining, and then they’ll get some much-needed rest and recuperation time, as they gear up for the final months of the season. When they return from their respective vacations, they’ll be expected to welcome Kristaps Porziņģis into the fold, and that will make for some basketball worth watching, for better or for worse.

There is one player who won’t be on vacation this weekend, though, and that’s the face of the franchise: Steph Curry, who has been named an All-Star starter. It’s the 12th time in his illustrious career that he’s been named one of the best players in the world for the midseason game.

It’s been a while since he’s had a running mate. Curry is Golden State’s lone All-Star representative this year, as he was last year … and the year before … and the year before. You have to go all the way back to 2022, when he was joined by both Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins to find a time when the Warriors had a non-Curry representative. That, of course, capped off a brilliant string of All-Star appearances, as Green, Klay Thompson, and Kevin Durant were all staples of the game (and Durant still is, just in a different jersey).

So who will be the next non-Curry player to represent the Warriors at the All-Star Game? it certainly feels like Green’s All-Star nods are well behind him. Jimmy Butler III would have had a shot next year, but now he’ll be sidelined until about the All-Star break anyway.

Jonathan Kuminga perhaps had the highest ceiling of any of the young players on the roster, but he’s in Atlanta now. Porziņģis was an All-Star once upon a time, so if the Dubs re-sign him, he could pop off for another selection, if he’s able to stay on the court.

Certainly we can all hope that a young player — Brandin Podziemski, anyone? — takes a leap and earns a nod in the coming years but, to my eye, it seems likely that the next non-Curry player to make the All-Star Game for the Warriors is not currently under contract with the team.

Maybe it’s a free agent. Maybe it’s a trade piece. Maybe it’s a player they haven’t drafted yet.

What the hell. I’ll say Giannis Antetokounmpo.

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Yankees acquire infielder Max Schuemann in trade with A’s

Max Schuemann
Max Schuemann

TAMPA — The Yankees swung another minor trade in the name of depth on the eve of camp.

The club acquired infielder Max Schuemann from the Athletics on Monday in exchange for rookie-ball right-hander Luis Burgos.

The right-handed hitting Schuemann, 28, has started the majority of his big league career at shortstop, but also seen time at third base, second base and all three outfield spots. Across two seasons with the Athletics, he hit .212 with a .603 OPS and 21 steals in 234 games.

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Schuemann has three minor league options remaining, giving the Yankees some flexibility and depth at a time when another infielder on their 40-man roster, Jorbit Vivas, is out of options entering spring training.

To make room for Schuemann on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated Yanquiel Fernandez for assignment, less than a week after claiming the outfielder off waivers from the Rockies.

The Yankees on Monday also outrighted right-hander Dom Hamel and infielder Braden Shewmake to Triple-A and invited them to big league camp.

Max Schuemann Getty Images

Among those spotted at the Yankees’ player development complex Monday, two days before pitchers and catchers officially report to spring training: Aaron Judge, Ben Rice, Spencer Jones, Carlos Rodón, Austin Wells, Anthony Volpe, Oswaldo Cabrera, José Caballero, Will Warren, Luis Gil, Fernando Cruz, Ryan Yarbrough, Tim Hill, J.C. Escarra and George Lombard Jr.

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Dodgers spring training preview: Starting rotation

TORONTO, ONTARIO - NOVEMBER 02: (L-R) Shohei Ohtani #17, Yoshinobu Yamamoto #18, Blake Snell #7, and Tyler Glasnow #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pose with the Commissioner's Trophy in the locker room after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in game seven to win the 2025 World Series at Rogers Center on November 02, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Dodgers pitchers and catchers have their first official workout at Camelback Ranch on Friday, so let’s look at the starting rotation for Los Angeles, the team’s greatest strength.

40-man roster starting pitchers
  • Yoshinobu Yamamoto
  • Blake Snell
  • Tyler Glasnow
  • Shohei Ohtani
  • Emmet Sheehan
  • Roki Sasaki
  • Gavin Stone
  • River Ryan
  • Ben Casparius
  • Justin Wrobleski
  • Landon Knack
Things to watch

Ohtani unleashed: For the better part of the last two seasons, Shohei Ohtani wasn’t a two-way player while recovering from a second Tommy John surgery. He returned to the mound in June, with a methodical ramp up and didn’t pitch five innings in a start until August 27. Beginning with that start, Ohtani had a 2.48 ERA in eight starts, including the postseason, with 55 strikeouts and 11 walks in 40 innings. After totaling 67 1/3 innings on the year, Ohtani will be back to full two-way status from the start of the season in 2026, the same as he was from 2021-23 with the Angels, when he averaged 25 starts and 143 innings. Expect the Dodgers to be somewhat judicious when it comes to planning out his pitching starts, including some maneuvering when possible to pitch on the day before a scheduled off day to minimize situations with next-day fatigue while batting.

“The fun part about Sho is, as long as he knows when he’s pitching, he’ll pitch whenever, if it’s six days rest, if it’s eight days rest, if it’s three days rest, he’s willing to do what it takes to help this club win ballgames,” Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior said on the Dodgers Territory podcast last week. “We’ll just kind of plan it out and kind of go day by day like we always do, when were in these unorthodox situations where you can’t just map out the next four weeks.”

What to expect from Sasaki: Roki Sasaki last year was the most sought-after international free agent since Ohtani, but his first year fizzled with the Dodgers, thanks to an ineffective fastball and poor command. After some tweaks while sidelined on the injured list, Sasaki found some success in the bullpen down the stretch and into October. Still just 24 years old, Sasaki still has plenty of promise. But it will be interesting to see if he can find success while starting, and whether the Dodgers resist the urge to move him to the bullpen if things go awry.

Looking to October: The Dodgers managed to have their four best starting pitchers all healthy and thriving by last September, and rode them to a championship in October. The Dodgers didn’t necessarily plan it this way — there’s no real way to do such a thing — but they were extra cautious with some injured list stints. Blake Snell was down for four and a half months with shoulder inflammation. Tyler Glasnow missed just over 10 weeks with shoulder inflammation. Sasaki was on the shelf for five months. The team is willing to sacrifice some time during the regular season in service of potentially strengthening the cause in the postseason, and they have the depth to fill in the gaps. Remember, Clayton Kershaw and Dustin May were second and third in innings last regular season for the Dodgers. There will be plenty of starts to go around outside of the current top six in the rotation in 2026.

The Sheehan template: Emmet Sheehan is one of those top six starters on the depth chart, and his excellent 2025 season provides hope for a few other arms this year who are in the same boat Sheehan was last year. Coming off a hybrid Tommy John and internal brace surgery in May 2024, Sheehan had a 2.82 ERA and 3.00 xERA in his 15 games, with 89 strikeouts (a 30.6-percent strikeout rate) and 22 walks in 73 1/3 innings. That’s the best-case scenario for River Ryan and Gavin Stone, who each saw their 2024 seasons end with surgery (Tommy John for Ryan, shoulder for Stone) and did not pitch in 2025. Stone led the Dodgers in starts and innings in 2024 before the surgery, and Ryan impressed in his four starts that year but has yet to get an extended major league chance. This year could be the time.

Hybrids: Ben Casparius and Justin Wrobleski were both drafted by the Dodgers in 2021, and both have seen extended time in the majors the last season and a half. Most of the work for Casparius has been out of the bullpen, while Wrobleski has started or pitched extended relief a little more often but also worked as a short reliever when needed. Both could be in the mix for roster spots even if in the bullpen this year, but you figure both will be stretched out during spring training to at least have them available to start early on in the season if a need arises.

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Warriors’ GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. denies Draymond Green was ever in trade talks

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 7: General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. of the Golden State Warriors talks to the media before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 7, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

In today’s Dub Hub:

The NBA trade deadline has come and gone, but the emotions and fallout from it are still lingering.

Speaking to reporters prior to Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. pushed back on the idea that Draymond Green was ever seriously involved in trade discussions. Dunleavy called the speculation leading up to last week’s deadline “misleading” and made it clear the organization never came close to moving the veteran forward.

“I’d walk that back a little bit,” Dunleavy said during Saturday’s press conference. “His name was not in conversations. Other than the ones where teams call me and ask about him, which they do every year. So, there’s nothing new there. The idea that he stayed with the Warriors past the deadline was greatly exaggerated. It was never a possibility of him not being here, or remotely close, to be honest. And I’ve conveyed that to him, he knows that, but when stuff comes up in the media I think it feels different for the players. I think that’s the first time it happened with Draymond, so he’s dealing with it in a certain way, but the reality is nothing was close. And nothing was considered. Draymond was not being shopped or talked about in deals. So, it’s a little misleading, we’re kind of picking up the pieces here, but I think he’s in a great spot, and so are we moving forward.”

Despite the noise surrounding a chaotic deadline period, Green was always viewed as part of the team’s foundation moving forward, according to Dunleavy.

However, Green’s own account suggests the situation may not have felt quite so certain internally.

On a recent episode of The Draymond Green Show, Green said a conversation with Dunleavy touched on the Warriors’ pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo and the salary mechanics that would have required either Green or Jimmy Butler to be part of a potential deal.

For now, the speculation is behind them. Green remains in place, and the Warriors reshaped their roster with the acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis. The focus now shifts to getting healthy after the All-Star break and making a playoff push with this new-look team.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Monday, February 9th:

Warriors News:

Mike Dunleavy on Draymond Green trade rumors: ‘His name was not in conversations’ | The Athletic

“I think keeping the books clean is a factor,” Dunleavy said. “But at the same time, if a really good player came about, extended out contract wise that we really liked, we would have done that. So, I don’t want to cap it off and say we wouldn’t have.”

The NBA’s Tanking Trouble | The Stein Line

There were some fresh rumbles over the weekend that the Warriors might opt not to sign Lonzo Ball in the end after converting Pat Spencer from a two-way deal to a standard NBA contract.

Haynes reported that multiple teams are reviewing Ball’s medicals to determine whether to sign the veteran guard, who became a free agent after Cleveland dealt him to Utah to lower its luxury tax bill. And our Jake Fischer reported that Denver is one of those teams after the Jazz waived Ball.

Steve Kerr ‘thrilled’ to see Pat Spencer sign a standard NBA contract with the Warriors

NBA News:

Two-time champ Damian Lillard headlines NBA’s 3-point contest | ESPN

Lillard — who has not played this season while recovering from a torn Achilles tendon — will participate in the 3-point contest on All-Star Saturday, the NBA announced.

Lillard is joining 2018 3-point contest champion Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns in the field, along with Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel, Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey, Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell, Denver’s Jamal Murray, Milwaukee’s Bobby Portis Jr. and Miami’s Norman Powell.

Former Nets’ guard Cam Thomas signs with the Bucks

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Son of Warriors legend tapped for Slam Dunk Contest

That’s a weird element of this year’s contest: These guys don’t actually dunk in games. Richardson has four dunks. Bryant has dunked six times. Johnson has nine dunks, and 15 in 37 career games. Hayes dunks a lot, throwing it down 69 times this season before Saturday’s game and 67 times before Tuesday’s contest, and which of those numbers you find funniest says a lot about your age.

Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.

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Yankees acquire infielder Max Schuemann from Athletics

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Max Schuemann #12 of the Athletics walks to the dugout before a game against the Kansas City Royals at Sutter Health Park on September 27, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Justine Willard/Athletics/Getty Images) | Getty Images

While we’re nearing the start of spring training, the hot stove season is still on. On Monday afternoon, the Yankees made a move, although this one can probably be described as reheating something in the microwave more than turning on the stove.

Earlier today, the Yankees picked up infielder Max Schuemann from the Athletics, sending minor-league pitcher Luis Burgos back the other way.

Schuemann has played for the A’s since 2024, having made his MLB debut in April of that year at the Oakland Coliseum. Over the last two seasons, he’s appeared in over 200 games for them, hitting .212/.306/.297 and putting up 1.9 fWAR. However, the A’s recently desginated him for assignment after making a waiver claim of their own.

Schuemann was much more of a regular in his rookie season in 2024, appearing in 133 games with 459 plate appearances. However with the emergence of A’s rookie Jacob Wilson and others, Schuemann was used way more in a utility role in 2025. As one can surmise from those overall stats, he’s not much of a hitter, although he was a bit better with regular playing time in 2024, putting up a 85 wRC+ compared to 62 last year.

As for what the Yankees expect from him, it’s probably to compete for a utility/bench spot. While the Yankees already have the likes of Oswaldo Cabrera and Jorbit Vivas who could fill that role, with Anthony Volpe out to start the 2026 season, there very well could be a bench spot to claim depending on overall roster health. At the major league level, Schuemann has played at least a couple innings at every position in the field other than pitcher, catcher, and first base. (And you can add in first base, if you count time in the minor leagues.) His defense also rates well, as he has a positive career WAR despite the career 78 wRC+. Schuemann also reportedly has all of his options, so the Yankees can stash him at Triple-A Scranton if they so choose.

To make room for Schuemann on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated outfielder Yanquiel Fernández for assignment. The team had only acquired Fernández less than a week ago, claiming him off waivers from the Rockies.

As for who the Yankees sent the other way in the deal, Burgos is a 20-year-old pitcher with a career 3.39 ERA in 79.2 minor league innings. That being said, none of the innings have come at a level higher than the Dominican Summer League as of yet.

A good chunk of the Yankees’ roster is already in place as we head towards spring training, but the team is still tinkering with the edges as we inch our way there.

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Luke Kennard is the shooter the Lakers have been searching for

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 7: Luke Kennard #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket while being defended by Will Richard #3 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA game at Crypto.com Arena on February 7, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin Terrell/Getty Images) | Getty Images

No matter how many different variations the league goes through, shooting will always be at premium value. The Lakers, who sat 21st in the league in 3-point shooting and 23rd in overall makes on the morning of the trade deadline, went and targeted sharpshooter Luke Kennard. They moved veteran guard Gabe Vincent and their final tradeable second round pick to the Hawks to complete the trade.

The Duke product doesn’t fix any defensive issues, but does bring a level of elite shooting, gravity and underrated handle with a playmaking punch the team has sorely missed in the absence of their complete big three. 

Kennard came to LA averaging eight points and two assists on a league-leading 49.7% shooting from 3-point range. He adds in 91.4% shooting from the line, immediately leading the team. 

There are levels to everything, with shooting no different. Kennard has an argument for the best pure shooter to ever put on the purple and gold. He’s knocked down 44% of his shots behind the arc in his nine-year career, ranking second all-time. 

It’s an archetype head coach J.J. Redick has been searching for and has been unable to fill with Dalton Knecht attempting to fill those shoes this season. 

It took no time for Kennard to show the Laker crowd what he can do in his debut. Within about two minutes after checking in, he caught a floating cross-court pass on the move from Austin Reaves at the wing and flung in a triple. 

“I was definitely hunting a shot trying to get one up,” Kennard said postgame. “I mean, I looked at my first shot and it was crazy high but it felt good when it left my hands. Again, for me, it’s no matter where I’m at. Obviously I’m here, and they want me to be aggressive and shoot the ball, but whenever I’m checking in the game I’m looking to hunt threes and get them up.”

Kennard finished the game with 10 points on 2-4 shooting from three, but his impact was felt far beyond the box score. 

In the third quarter, LA ran a popularized “Hammer” action for Kennard to get a look in the corner. Watch below as Austin Reaves drives and kicks it out while Maxi Kleber sets the Hammer screen.

Kennard scored 1.25 points per possession off of screen actions this season, putting him in the 81st percentile, per NBA stats. 

Gravity is a term thrown around for the best shooters, and Kennard comes in with as respectable an amount as anyone league-wide. Opponents not only close out at him, but completely sell themselves out to take him off the 3-point line. 

Watch below as, in transition, two Warrior defenders run to chase him off the corner in transition, completely ignoring Jared Vanderbilt all by himself underneath the basket for the dunk. 

Without the services of Luka Dončić, who is dealing with a left hamstring strain, LA put Kennard on the ball. He comes in with the label as just a shooter, but showed off why he has an underrated handle, playmaking and an understanding of the game. 

Watch in the clip below as he runs a pick and roll with LeBron James, reads the overplay to attack a closeout, and hits an on-the-money skip pass to Jake LaRaria wide open in the corner

“He’s not a guy you’re gonna like give the ball to an ISO and then he’s gonna bend the defense,” Redick said. “But he’s a smart basketball player and he knows how to play and he knows how to make reads. The way his 0.5 [second] mentality works is, he doesn’t always get the assists, but generally speaking, he’s going to attack a closeout, he’s going to get a shot fake and then swing the ball and that leads to something good” 

The Lakers hope that something good continues for the rest of the season. LA has acquired shooters in the past who have seen their percentages drop precipitously under the bright lights of Crypto.com Arena.

A familiar question that has followed Kennard around is his shot volume, as he’s taking the fewest shots per game of his career since his rookie season.

But he doesn’t see it that way. 

“I think for me, not saying it’s not playing the right way, but I like to try and make the right play all the time,” Kennard said. “I feel like I know the game of basketball very well. I will shoot it. I will be aggressive. I know that’s what they want me to do.

“Just having conversations with the guys, I’m excited to do that, but at the same time, just being a basketball player. Having high IQ. Going out there if I have a shot I’ll take it. When a pass is available, just making the right play.”

You can follow Raj on Twitter at @RajChipalu

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Yankees trade for Athletics infielder Max Schuemann

The Yankees acquired infielder Max Schuemann in a trade with the Athletics on Monday afternoon to add to their infield depth. New York is sending minor-league RHP Luis Burgos to the A's to close out the deal.

Schuemann played in 101 games for the Athletics in 2025 and slashed .197/.295/.273 with two home runs and 13 RBI in 183 at-bats while adding seven steals in eight attempts. It was a slight drop-off for the 28-year-old who made his MLB debut in 2024 and hit .220 with seven home runs and 34 RBI in 396 at-bats across 133 games.

The Michigan native adds versatility all across the field for the Yanks after playing six different positions for the A's in his career. Last season, Schuemann saw time at second base (39 games), third base (27 games), shortstop (24 games), left field (seven games), center field (four games) and right field (two games).

To make room for Schuemann on the 40-man roster, New York DFA'd OF Yanquiel Fernandez.

In separate moves, the Yankees outrighted RHP Dom Hamel and INF Braden Shewmake off the major league roster and onto Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's roster. Both have been invited to major league spring training as non-roster invitees.

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NBA power rankings: New York Knicks rise to top 5 after trade deadline

The NBA trading deadline has come and gone and a handful of teams improved their positioning for the back half of the 2025-26 NBA season.

And with the NBA All-Star break coming up at the end of the week, it will offer teams a bit of a respite and chance to recharge before the grind continues.

The most fascinating teams to watch are the ones who bought before the deadline — the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets, for example — to see whether their moves can lead to tangible gains in the future.

Here are USA TODAY Sports’ NBA power rankings after Week 15 of the 2025-26 regular season:

USA TODAY Sports NBA power rankings

Note: Records and stats through Feb. 8. Parentheses show movement from last week’s rankings.

NBA Week 16 power rankings: Top 10

1. Detroit Pistons, 38-13 (—)

2. Oklahoma City Thunder, 40-13 (—)

3. San Antonio Spurs, 36-16 (+1)

4. New York Knicks, 34-19 (+5)

5. Boston Celtics, 34-19 (—)

6. Denver Nuggets, 34-19 (-3)

7. Houston Rockets, 32-19 (—)

8. Los Angeles Lakers, 32-19 (—)

9. Cleveland Cavaliers, 32-21 (+1)

10. Toronto Raptors, 32-22 (-4)

The Thunder continue to show vulnerabilities, especially now that reigning Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is set to miss time. Oklahoma City has lost five of its last eight games, including the last two without Gilgeous-Alexander. The Knicks have posted massive victories against the Raptors, Lakers, Nuggets and Celtics over the last week, so they move up, but a loss against Detroit shows why the Pistons remain at the top.

And the Cavaliers, with their fascinating trade for James Harden, now have to back up their decision to go all-in on this build; the Cavs have won eight of their last nine, though the competition hasn’t necessarily been that impressive.

NBA Week 16 power rankings: Nos. 11-20

11. Minnesota Timberwolves, 32-22 (+1)

12. Phoenix Suns, 31-22 (+1)

13. Philadelphia 76ers, 30-22 (+1)

14. Golden State Warriors, 28-25 (-3)

15. Orlando Magic, 27-24 (+4)

16. Los Angeles Clippers, 25-27 (+2)

17. Miami Heat, 28-26 (-2)

18. Charlotte Hornets, 25-28 (+4)

19. Atlanta Hawks, 26-28 (+1)

20. Portland Trail Blazers, 25-28 (-3)

The Timberwolves have lost three of their last four, but they move up a spot mostly because the teams below them haven’t necessarily capitalized. Still, defense is a massive concern, as Minnesota ranks 29th in defensive rating (125.5) over its last four games.

The middle of the Eastern Conference is seemingly a group of teams — the Magic, Heat and Hawks — rotating in and out. But it’s the hottest team in the NBA, the Charlotte Hornets, who have won nine consecutive games, who are big risers. Charlotte ranks first in offensive rating (120.8) and second in net rating (13.2) over the last nine games.

NBA Week 16 power rankings: Nos. 21-30

21. Chicago Bulls, 24-29 (-5)

22. Milwaukee Bucks, 21-29 (+2)

23. Memphis Grizzlies, 20-31 (—)

24. Dallas Mavericks, 19-33 (-3)

25. Utah Jazz, 16-37 (—)

26. New Orleans Pelicans, 14-40 (—)

27. Brooklyn Nets, 14-37 (—)

28.  Washington Wizards, 14-38 (+2)

29. Indiana Pacers, 13-40 (-1)

30. Sacramento Kings, 12-42 (-1)

The Mavericks have gotten excellent performances from Cooper Flagg, but the trade of Anthony Davis signals that rebuild is fully in action. The Bucks got a big win by staying patient in the trading deadline, and the addition of Cam Thomas should bolster scoring. But can the Bucks make a tangible push for the playoffs once Giannis Antetokounmpo returns?

And the poor Kings are in absolute free fall, losers of 12 consecutive games. They struggle to defend, made a head-scratching move before the deadline and simply don’t have a tangible direction for their future.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA power rankings: Pistons remain in top spot as Knicks make jump

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Could There Be a New Team Interested in Astros’ Paredes?

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 18: Isaac Paredes #15 of the Houston Astros bats during the game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on July 18, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Mariners won 6-1. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Red Sox acquisition of 3B Caleb Durbin will leave their fans wanting, but it essentially takes a trade partner off the board for the Astros.Did it also add a new one?

With the big news coming down today that the Boston Red Sox have acquired 3B Caleb Durbin in a deal with the Milwaukee Brewers, it removed Boston as a potential trade destination for the Astros as they seek to clear the logjam in the infield. Maybe it opened another door for a new team?

The Brewers now find themselves in need of a third baseman, and they were already looking to get more power in their lineup.

Paredes is under control for the next two season and his cost is already determined, something the cost-conscious Brewers appreciate. The Brewers are also 20th in MLB in Tax Payroll at just over $127M per Spotrac, that’s about $16.5M LESS than what their Tax Payroll was in 2025. This is important at it shows absorbing Paredes’ contract is not outside their proven threshold to spend.

Potential Trade Scenario:

Astros send: 3B Isaac Paredes

Brewers send : CF Garrett Mitchell, LHP J.D. Thompson

In this trade, the Astros get a lefty handed hitting CF who is above average defensively, and graded out 89th percentile in arm strength (90 MPH) and 87th percentile in sprint speed (29 ft/sec).

Mitchell struggled at the plate last season in a very small sample size (68 AB) due to an oblique injury and then injured his shoulder during rehab, had surgery, and missed the remainder of the season.

Prior to that, he had his most playing time in 2024, where he had 8 HR 21 RBI 11SB in 196 AB while batting .255 with a .342 OBP and .812 OPS. While his career batting averages vs. both RHP and LHP are similar, he delivers all of his power vs. RHP, which is exactly what the Astros are seeking.

Mitchell’s addition would also allow the Astros to be more comfortable as they break Cam Smith in to be able to also play CF as a backup, while continuing his strong and improving defensive play in RF. It would also give the Astros legit power from the left side against RHP since the infield is exclusively right handed, with Sanchez, Mitchell, and Cole in the OF and Yordan DH – creating a balanced lineup.

Thompson is a 22-year old LHP selected in the 2nd round of the 2025 draft. While his fastball generally sits 91-93, he does top out at 95, and was near the top of the list in college baseball as far as getting batters to chase and generating swings and misses.

He also throws a sweeper (primarily to lefties), curve and change. He could project as a mid-rotation starter if he continues to develop his secondary pitches and continues success with fastball.

Paredes would give the Brewers the right-handed power they crave at a position they don’t currently have an answer for at the moment. American Family Field (the Brewers’ home park) is very friendly to right-handed pull hitters with power. Paredes would likely see an increase in power production moving from Daikin Park to American Family Field, according to advanced metrics.

For the Astros, this works on several levels:

  • They clear the infield log jam
  • They get a LH hitting OF
  • They pare down payroll by almost $8M
  • They get a lefty SP prospect

Now this is not a report of the teams talking, it is simply a look at two teams who have needs that match up via trade.

It does seem to be a potential fit for both teams.

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Where And Who Kraken Olympic Representatives Are Slated To Start The Tournament

We are now just two days away from the start of the 2026 Men’s Winter Olympics Ice Hockey tournament, and with four Seattle Kraken representatives, a clear picture of their linemates has emerged.

Starting in Finland, Eeli Tolvanen and Kaapo Kakko are poised to be contributing factors for a Finnish team with aspirations of bringing home a medal.

After the first practices, Kakko is slated to start alongside a pair of Florida Panthers. Centering the third line will be Anton Lundell, with Eetu Luostarinen on his left and Kakko on his right. 

Kakko and Lundell played on the Finnish U-18 team in 2018, giving them some familiarity with one another. Lundell has plenty of experience playing alongside Luostarinen, as they have been constant linemates in Florida. This third line will likely be tasked with shutting down their opponents’ top line. 

Tolvanen projects to start the tournament on the fourth line with Los Angeles Kings’ Joel Armia and Nashville Predators’ Erik Haula. It will be interesting to see if Tolvanen can play his way higher into the lineup. The 26-year-old is enjoying a strong season, on pace to score a career-high 45 points.

Finland begins their tournament on Wednesday when they play in the opener against Slovakia. 

Eeli Tolvanen scored three goals and nine points in five games during the 2018 Olympics. (Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Images)
Eeli Tolvanen scored three goals and nine points in five games during the 2018 Olympics. (Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Images)

Kraken and Coachella Valley Firebirds rookie Oscar Fisker Molgaard appears to be starting the tournament on the second line, according to PuckPedia. The 20-year-old will center 32-year-old Niklas Jensen, who currently plays in Switzerland and has accumulated 31 games of NHL experience, and Joachim Blichfeld, a 27-year-old playing in Finland with eight games of NHL experience. 

PuckPedia also projects Fisker Molgaard to skate on the top power play unit for Denmark.

The Danes begin their tournament on Thursday against Germany.

Fisker Molgaard will attempt to score his first goal against his Kraken teammate, Philipp Grubauer, who is the anticipated No.1 goaltender for Germany. 

Kraken Goaltender Philipp Grubauer Heading To The 2026 Olympics With GermanyKraken Goaltender Philipp Grubauer Heading To The 2026 Olympics With GermanyTeam Germany unveiled their 2026 Olympic roster, which features Seattle Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer.

Germany poses a serious threat to many of the top teams. Their top nine consists of seven current NHL players. The other two who aren’t in the NHL have accumulated NHL experience. On the backend, they are led by 24-year-old Detroit Red Wings defender Moritz Seider, who has become one of the premier two-way defenders in the NHL this season. 

With Grubauer enjoying a season of resurgence, the Germans will be a tough out. 

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Nicolas Roy Emerges as a Trade Target, But Toronto Holds the Leverage

As the NHL trade deadline approaches, league-wide chatter continues to intensify, and that means trade proposals galore.

According to Colorado Hockey Now's Aarif Deen, the Avalanche should be looking squarely at the Toronto Maple Leafs to address a glaring need down the middle—specifically by targeting center Nicolas Roy.

Why Nicolas Roy Fits in Colorado

For the record, Deen’s assessment is difficult to dispute. At 29 years old, Roy has established himself as a dependable, defensively responsible center well-suited to anchoring a bottom-six role. His $3 million cap hit, which extends through next season, makes him far more than a short-term rental; he is a cost-controlled asset who fits seamlessly within Colorado’s current championship window.

Beyond the contract value, Roy brings tangible on-ice strengths that directly address the Avalanche’s needs. He is consistently reliable in defensive situations, effective on the penalty kill, and strong in the faceoff circle—areas where Colorado has searched for greater stability throughout the season.

Additionally, Roy provides a physical edge that the Avalanche have lacked at critical moments. He is willing and able to play a hard, confrontational game when necessary, something Colorado sorely missed during last year’s playoff series against the Dallas Stars. That combination of defensive reliability and physical presence makes him the type of player who can influence postseason games when the intensity rises and space disappears.

Collectively, those attributes make Roy an ideal addition for an Avalanche team seeking a meaningful boost as it prepares for the intensity and brutality of the postseason.

Roy, who was drafted ninth overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2015, has recorded 73 goals and 113 assists for 186 points across 423 career NHL games. He spent six seasons with the Vegas Golden Knights, winning a Stanley Cup during the 2022–23 campaign, before being traded to the Maple Leafs this offseason as part of the Mitch Marner sign-and-trade deal.

The Problem with a Roy Trade

From an analytical standpoint, this is the type of move that checks nearly every box for the Avalanche. But Colorado doesn't have a lot of leverage here. The best they can offer the Leafs is a third-round pick and it's no secret that the Edmonton Oilers have a vested interest in Roy. And if Edmonton gets involved, they'll likely win a bidding war.

Moving Roy at this stage would be a silly decision for a Toronto team that remains firmly in the playoff picture. He is precisely the type of player teams rely on when the postseason demands structure, physicality, and defensive detail. Should the Maple Leafs fail to correct course in the near term, exploring a trade would become far more logical. At present, however, Toronto is under no obligation to move him.

That said, if the organization ultimately opts to retool on the fly, the presence of multiple Western Conference contenders bidding for Roy’s services would place the Maple Leafs in a position of significant leverage.

From this vantage point, retaining Roy remains the preferred course of action. His value to a playoff-bound roster outweighs the short-term benefit of draft capital, particularly for a team with championship aspirations.

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