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REPORT: New York Knicks trade for Pelicans’ Jose Alvarado

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 31: Jose Alvarado #15 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 31, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Jose Alvarado is no Giannis Antetokounmpo, but Jose Alvarado is a New York Knick.

Alvarado might have been the most rumored target not named Giannis for the Knicks all season long, and unlike their attempt at prying Antetokounmpo, the Knicks had enough to trade for Alvarado, finally pulling the trigger hours before the trade deadline.

Shams Charania of ESPN reported that New York acquired the Brooklyn native for Dalen Terry, who the Knicks acquired for Guerschon Yabusele last night, two second-round picks, and cash.

Alvarado, who is averaging 7.9PPG, 3.1APG, 2.8RPG, and 0.9SPG this season, brings a level of toughness and physicality the Knicks have missed at times this year. And while plugging in a 6-foot point guard into a rotation that already includes the undersized Jalen Brunson and Deuce McBride may seem both redundant and unnecessary, this is still a short-term upgrade considering the Knicks brought in a proven rotation player for Yabusele, who had been unproductive in his limited minutes thus far.

Alvarado also gives the Knicks more flexibility in the kinds of lineups they can field. If head coach Mike Brown chooses to do so, he can now play McBride next to Brunson much more, without worrying about back-up point guard minutes. His ball-handling abilities will be a breath of fresh air for a team that lacks playmaking and creativity. That should allow him to thrive both next to Brunson, as well as the other starters, and more specifically, Karl-Anthony Towns, who has looked and performed better next to Tyler Kolek, a more traditional point guard. Additionally, Alvarado also gives them an additional point-of-attack defender, something they’ve badly needed.

His counting stats may not stick out, and his splits of 41.8%/36.3%/83.3% aren’t going to wow anyone either. But his contagious energy, combined with having his hometown crowd behind him, should lead to some fun and memorable moments.

Ultimately, this move will be judged on two things, though.

One, obviously, will be how he plays. Seeing as Yabusele spent most of the season looking like one of the worst free-agent signings this decade, that likely won’t be a very high hurdle.

And two, Alvarado also gives them an additional point-of-attack defender, something they’ve badly needed. The 27-year-old has a $4.5 million player option for next year, and as Jeremy Cohen cleverly pointed out, if he can opt in, it would give the Knicks some much-needed flexibility, as it would help them enter the offseason below the second apron.

Welcome to New York, Jose!

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FanGraphs has lofty expectations for 2026 Braves

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 09: Chris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves smiles in the dugout during the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Truist Park on September 3, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Quiet as kept, FanGraphs has released their updated MLB Playoff Odds for the upcoming 2026 season. As of right now with the offseason beginning to transition into the ever-optimistic days of spring training, FanGraphs’ projection model feels like the Atlanta Braves should have very good reason to feel optimistic heading into the regular season.

While FanGraphs figures that the American League is shaping up to be a big ol’ Battle Royale between four AL East teams (Yankees, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Orioles), the Tigers and the Mariners, the picture in the NL figures to be a bit clearer. As of right now, while the Dodgers are the obvious favorites to not just win the National League but retain their World Series crown yet again, the projection model figures that the Braves have the best shot at dethroning the Southern California juggernaut.

FanGraphs is currently projecting that the Braves will win 92 games (I’m rounding up and will do so for the rest of the article, when necessary) and lose 71 — giving them a 47 percent chance to reclaim the NL East title, a 39 percent chance to get a bye, a 40 percent shot at a wild card berth and then an 87 percent shot at simply making the Postseason. All that culminates with FanGraphs’ model giving the Braves an 11 percent shot at winning the World Series — good for second-best odds in not just the NL but in all of baseball right now. Now granted, the Dodgers are currently standing head-and-shoulders over the field with a projected 27 percent shot at winning the World Series but still, Atlanta’s odds are nothing to sneeze at.

It also goes to show that the model appears to be very impressed with the job that the Braves have done to fortify their bench in order to withstand the losses of both Ha-Seong Kim and Sean Murphy for the initial portion of the season. It also goes to show the faith that the model has in Atlanta’s star players performing like stars going forward. ZiPS is currently projecting Ronald Acuña Jr. and Drake Baldwin to lead the way in terms of batter WAR and they also figure that Chris Sale, Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach should serve as a pretty formidable top three for Atlanta’s rotation when it comes to pitcher WAR.

Now, as the saying goes: You can’t play the game on a spreadsheet. The Braves have had some rosy projections for a few years now and they’ve managed to come well short of those projections for the past couple of seasons. The team still has to go out there on the diamond and get the job done and they’ll of course have to deal with two very tough divisional foes in the form of the Mets (projected for 90 wins) and the Phillies (projected for 87). This certainly won’t be a cakewalk for the Braves and ultimately it’ll just come down to this team living up to the back of their respective baseball cards. We all know that this core group of players is capable of doing great things on the field — we’ve seen it over the years. Again, they’ve just got to get the job done.

Either way, the Braves once again have some high expectations heading into the upcoming season. Here’s hoping that they’ll meet those expectations so we can have ourselves another fun season around here. We’ll see what happens!

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ZiP-a-dee-doo-dah

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 08: J.T. Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eighth inning in game three of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 08, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

FanGraphs has given us some projections as to how the 2026 season will go for the Phillies. One projection is optimistic about their chances at winning a third straight division title, while the other thinks that run ends at two. So as not to be accused of being hostile to those with a more pessimistic outlook on the team, I’ll discuss both.

Dan Szymborski annually creates his ZiPS projections, which evaluates a full range of outcomes for each player on each team, and using that, runs a million simulations of the season. ZiPS seems to like the Phillies, predicting a 91-win season and a first-place finish in the East.

Some of the key ZiPS predictions for individual Phillies:

  • Trea Turner will lead the team in WAR, mostly because the defensive improvements of 2025 will stick.
  • Bryce Harper will once again not be elite, hitting 29 home runs and playing poorly on defense.
  • Justin Crawford will have a decent rookie season with 1.6 WAR.
  • Zack Wheeler makes 21 starts, and is solid, if not spectacular with a 3.43 ERA.
  • Andrew Painter makes 24 starts with a 4.80 ERA.

It’s somewhat confusing that ZiPS likes the Phillies’ chances considering it doesn’t seem to be especially optimistic about any of their individual players’ seasons – except perhaps for Adolis Garcia (a projected 28 home runs) and J.T. Realmuto (.742 OPS with 15 home runs).

FanGraphs has also released their playoff odds for 2026, and these are less positive towards the Phillies’ chances. They expect the Phillies to fall to third place in the East behind the Braves and Mets. They give the Phillies an 18.9% chance of winning the division, and a 65.4% chance of making the playoffs. Those playoff chances are fourth best in the National League behind the Braves, Mets, and Dodgers (99.1%!).

It makes sense that they’re so bullish on the Braves. That team has been ravaged by injuries the past two seasons, and if everyone on the roster is healthy and playing close to capabilities, they’ve probably got the most talent, particularly in the starting rotation.

Nor is it a major surprise that the Mets are ahead of them. Their lineup is expected to hit a lot of home runs, and they have a strong pitching rotation with the addition of Freddy Peralta. (Although Fangraphs doesn’t think Peralta will have that good of a year.)

If this depresses you, it would be helpful to look at Fangraph’s projections for the 2025 season. They thought the Phillies had just a 21.1% chance of winning the division, while giving the Braves a 64.2% chance. And in 2024, they thought the Braves had an 88.8% of winning the East. (Like I said, the Braves have suffered a lot of misfortune in recent years, not that I’m complaining.)

I suspect that most Phillies fans will treat these projections the way many Americans treat information these days: Take whatever matches up with your pre-existing notions, and treat that as valid, while largely ignoring whatever doesn’t. If you already believed the Phillies would be a playoff team, then this helps to reinforce that belief. If you think the Phillies are on the decline and they’re going to fall behind the Mets and Braves, well, this provides some ammunition for you as well!

Eight months from now, we’ll know which side was correct.

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Bucks to keep Giannis through the deadline

Feb 4, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo looks on from the bench during the first quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

After gauging offers for several days for Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks have indicated to teams that they are keeping their two-time MVP through today’s trade deadline. ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the news today, with several others following up to confirm the story.

This has been the prevailing sentiment over the past couple of days. Jamal Collier of ESPN put out an article today that backs up much of the other reporting, saying the Bucks felt no pressure to deal Giannis at today’s deadline:

“The Bucks don’t feel the pressure to move Giannis Antetokounmpo on Thursday, team sources told ESPN hours ahead of the deadline. Rival executives have grown dubious in the past 24 hours about whether the Bucks would actually move their franchise star after more than 12 seasons together.“

Jake Fischer later spoke to a team executive who said the Bucks were “never serious” about trading Giannis at the deadline.

The Bucks got right to work adding new pieces to the squad after the news, with Shams reporting that the Bucks are sending Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey to the Phoenix Suns for center Nick Richards and wing Nigel Hayes-Davis. This deal fits right in line with what Collier said the Bucks would do from this morning:

“Milwaukee has still scoured the market for a potential upgrade to its roster, sources told ESPN, hoping to benefit from a team looking to offload salary in the future.”

Bucks fans likely no longer have to sit in dread by their phone, waiting for a potential Giannis deal to go down. After months of ESPN’s prognosticators saying the best offer was from Golden State, or that it was 60/40 he would head down to South Beach, the silence will be bliss. This isn’t a full-fledged guarantee that they won’t revisit a potential deal in the offseason, but at least Giannis should be in green and white for the rest of the 2025–26 season.

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Tampa Bay Rays reveal renderings of another new stadium proposal

In an ongoing Central Florida tradition dating back nearly two decades, the Tampa Bay Rays unveiled another round of ballpark renderings Feb. 5, terming the site on the Hillsborough College campus in Tampa as their "forever home" on social media.

Naturally, there are bottomless hoops to run through and billions of dollars in necessary funding to get to forever.

The site on Dale Mabry Boulevard is certainly desirable, perched just north of the New York Yankees' spring training facility (and temporary Rays home field in 2025) and across the boulevard from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Raymond James Stadium.

The Rays pulled out of their most recent foray - a redevelopment of the Gas Plant District near Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg - after 2024 hurricanes and other developments dulled their enthusiasm. 

Digital rendering of Tampa Bay Rays' proposed new ballpark

Digital rendering of Tampa Bay Rays' proposed new ballpark

Digital rendering of Tampa Bay Rays' proposed new ballpark

Digital rendering of Tampa Bay Rays' proposed new ballpark

The Rays estimate the 31,000-seat stadium project will cost $2.3 billion, and new owner Patrick Zalupski has offered to cover roughly half of that cost along with overruns. That leaves more than $1.5 billion to be financed, leaving the Rays' quixotic search for a new home more or less where it's always been.

There may be a few new guns on their side, however.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a longtime friend of Zalupski, appeared at a Tuesday press conference with Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred and intoned that "baseball belongs in Tampa Bay." DeSantis appointed Zalupski to the University of Florida board of trustees in 2023.

That opens the window, perhaps, for partial state funding of the project, something previous Rays efforts largely lacked as they aimed for sites in Tampa and St. Petersburg while mining Hillsborough and Pinellas counties for public funds.

“State money, in terms of baseball, is not something that we’ve done. But I think when you look at (Hillsborough College), the reimagining, some of the buildings need massive amounts of deferred maintenance,” DeSantis said Tuesday. “I’d rather put that money to the reimagined campus than trying to rehab some of the old buildings.”

The Rays' project would entail the stadium, a rehabbing of Hillsborough College buildings and a mixed-use development popular with major league franchises to maximize profit. The Rays and Hillsborough College's board of trustees approved a non-binding memorandum of understanding Jan. 20.

DeSantis raised the specter of competition from a neighboring metropolitan area - "Orlando really, really wants this," he said - while Manfred, an old hand at the Rays' stadium efforts who wants the franchise settled and expansion to occur before he retires at the end of this decade, was publicly bullish.

“The level of support for the concept they’re dealing with here is really, really high compared to some of the other efforts,” he told the Tampa Bay Times.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rays new stadium renderings revealed: See Tampa Bay proposed ballpark

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Milwaukee Bucks inform teams they will not trade Giannis Antetokounmpo before deadline

Giannis Antetokounmpo is going to remain a Milwaukee Buck.

At least through the end of the season. Then this summer, the entire soap opera starts up again.

The Milwaukee Bucks have formally told suitors they will not be trading Antetokounmpo at the trade deadline, something that clearly had been building for a couple of days but now has been formalized, reports Shams Charania of ESPN.

Things were clearly headed this direction when the two most aggressive suitors for Antetokounmpo — the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves — pivoted in the last 12 hours and began making other trades. The Warriors traded Jonathan Kuminga to Atlanta, and the Timberwolves traded Rob Dillingham and others to Chicago for Ayo Dosunmu.

For years — and even up until about a month ago — Milwaukee brushed aside any team calling to check on Antetokounmpo's trade availability. However, the team's struggles and Antetokounmpo's frustration with that changed the dynamic.

After finally agreeing to listen to offers for Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee's front office spent the last couple of weeks taking calls and surveying the market. However, they gave other teams the impression that this was more of a fact-finding mission to gauge the market for Antetokounmpo, rather than a genuine desire to trade him, league sources told NBC Sports.

If maximizing their return was the Bucks' primary goal, waiting until the offseason to trade Antetokounmpo was always the logical play. However, these kinds of blockbuster deals gain their own momentum, and logic sometimes flies out the window.

It will be a little awkward in Milwaukee the rest of the season. Not because Antetokounmpo will be disruptive or a bad teammate, but because it's in the best interest of the organization to tank and get as high a draft pick as they can. Milwaukee will have the second-best pick among those owned by the Pelicans, Bucks, and Hawks — right now, the Pelicans have the second-worst record in the league, the Bucks the ninth, and Atlanta is 14th. Milwaukee should try to tank its way to improved lottery odds, but when Antetokounmpo's calf heals, he will want to play and win games, not sit out. Those could be interesting conversations.

The Antetokounmpo trade saga is not done. These conversations will resume in the offseason, when more teams — specifically the New York Knicks, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers — will have more draft assets to trade and greater flexibility to make moves.

For now, the Bucks have already moved on, trading Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey to the Phoenix Suns for Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis. This is a small trade of teams swapping expiring contracts, but it's a sign that the Bucks are done with Antetokounmpo trade talks.

For now.

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Phoenix sends Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis to Milwaukee in a four player swap

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JANUARY 02: Nick Richards #2 of the Phoenix Suns looks on before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Mortgage Matchup Center on January 02, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Kings 129-102. 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 Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It was said to be quiet for the Suns this trade season, as they were exceeding expectations and did not want to ruffle feathers in the rotation. That being known, though, it was always indicated that one move would happen for the team, one to duck the luxury tax. By doing that, they had to trade Nick Richards, and the Suns were active in making that move, finally finding a way to do so.

The Suns traded Nigel Hayes-Davis and Nick Richards to the Milwaukee Bucks for Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey.

This deal was very beneficial for the Suns, as it helped them accomplish multiple goals. By doing this, the Suns save $ 2.5 million, allowing them to avoid the tax.

Not only that, but it allows them to move off two guys who were not in their rotation and have some flexibility. Richards was the third center (sometimes fourth), and Hayes-Davis was a fun offseason story but never panned out. Even if Coffey and Anthony are not standouts, either would give the Suns a new look.

Even with this move, Phoenix can still sign one more player to the roster. If they do not want to waive either Anthony or Coffey to see what they have, they can still sign either Jamaree Bouyea or Isaiah Livers.

Ultimately, this is a win-win for the Suns. They did not want to be the bad guys and waive Hayes-Davis or Richards, so they moved off them and still have the flexibility to do so. Luckily, as well, Phoenix did not have to add any draft capital to shed this money. Many teams over the past few days have had to (Cavs with Lonzo, Magic with Tyus), so for the Suns to do this, it is a huge win. Especially since they already have limited draft capital, I am happy they did not have to give any up.

Coffey and Anthony are some fun pieces to add to. Anthony, a former lottery pick, has been a streaky shooter, but could bring some fun to this team if kept. Coffey has also been a target for me in the past. He has slowed down a bit defensively compared to the Clippers, but he could be another body for depth, especially with the injuries to this team.

When you look at who they had to move to, it’s not that big of a deal. Mainly, this was a salary-making move to help duck some unnecessary spending this year and to set up the offseason. Now, there is $8 million more available for Jordan Goodwin, Collin Gillespie, and Mark Williams, key free agents for this squad.

What do you guys think, though? Let us know your thoughts down below

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The Bucks are keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo, which is a huge win for the Lakers

Feb 9, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) defends Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) as he drives to the basket in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Lakers just moved to the front of the line for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

After a week of deliberations and trade discussions, the Bucks are reportedly holding onto Giannis Antetokounmpo through the deadline, which means things will carry over into the offseason…where the Lakers will be waiting.

Ahead of the trade deadline, the Lakers could not offer anything remotely competitive with only one first round pick available to deal. Once the draft rolls around in June, though, the Lakers will be able to trade three first round picks and a whole lot of cap space to play with.

As reporting this last week indicated, the Lakers were already a “team of interest” and were already seen as a “very viable threat” if the deal wasn’t done at the deadline.

One major appeal in the Lakers’ package will be the cap relief they can offer Milwaukee, which is in financial hell after waiving and stretching Damian Lillard. Pair that with a trio of first round picks and LA will be in the conversation.

Other teams will certainly be able to make competitive offers and likely even better packages. Does that mean Austin Reaves will be involved in a potential sign-and-trade? He’s certainly the best player the Bucks could get back, but it requires the Lakers to be willing to trade him and for Reaves to want to go to Milwaukee.

With him, the Lakers would have the best trade package. Without him, it becomes much more of a debate. There’s a good chance his involvement might be required for the Lakers to ensure they land him.

Depending on Milwaukee’s motivations, they could also look to do right by Giannis and send him somewhere he wants to be, which could be Los Angeles. As we’ve seen previous players do — namely Anthony Davis — if Giannis says he will only re-sign in Los Angeles, then other teams may balk at making serious offers, moving the Lakers up the list.

That, however, requires Giannis to be the bad guy and start making demands, something he has very much shied away from doing to this point. But, as a result, the Bucks have shied away from dealing him. If the two sides get serious, then perhaps a move can be made.

And if that finally happens, the Lakers will be one of the first teams waiting.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

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Jazz vs Hawks Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

On the heels of a big trade that saw the Atlanta Hawks send Kristaps Porzingis to the Golden State Warriors for Buddy Hield and Jonathan Kuminga, they’re right back at it tonight at home against the Utah Jazz. 

Lauri Markkanen continues to play well, and my Jazz vs. Hawks predictions are targeting him to have a big evening in Georgia. 

Read more in my NBA picks for Thursday, February 5.

Jazz vs Hawks prediction

Jazz vs Hawks best bet: Lauri Markkanen Over 25.5 points (-110)

The Utah Jazz may be at the bottom of the Western Conference, but Lauri Markkanen is making his presence felt offensively. The veteran is averaging a career-high 27.4 points per game, which ranks ninth in the NBA. 

Markkanen has cashed the Over in back-to-back contests, dropping 27 points in each. He’s also hit the Over in five of his previous seven appearances. These last two games were both on the road, and Utah is at the Atlanta Hawks tonight. 

In one meeting with the Hawks this season, Markkanen went nuclear, balling out for a whopping 40 points in 36 minutes of action. Expect him to keep it rolling this evening.

Jazz vs Hawks same-game parlay

Nickeil Alexander-Walker is better known for his scoring, but he’s also a respectable playmaker. The Canadian guard is averaging exactly 3.5 assists per contest, and he’s hit the Over in two straight. 

During that span, he has 12 dimes. Alexander-Walker also happened to dish out five assists against Utah this season already.

Meanwhile, Jusuf Nurkic is Utah's best option on the glass. He's averaging 10.2 boards per game and has double-digit rebounds in seven of his last nine, clearing tonight's line in six of those.

Jazz vs Hawks SGP

  • Lauri Markkanen Over 25.5 points
  • Nickeil Alexander-Walker Over 3.5 assists
  • Jusuf Nurkic Over 10.5 rebounds

Our "from downtown" SGP: Risacher Pour Trois

Zaccharie Risacher is draining 2.1 triples per night at home for a 44% clip compared to 1.1 makes for a 28% clip on the road. He’s also cashed the Over in two of his last four. 

Jazz vs Hawks SGP

  • Lauri Markkanen Over 25.5 points
  • Nickeil Alexander-Walker Over 3.5 assists
  • Jusuf Nurkic Over 10.5 rebounds
  • Zaccharie Risacher Over 1.5 made threes

Jazz vs Hawks odds

  • Spread: Jazz +9.5 (-110) | Hawks 9.5 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Jazz +290 | Hawks -370
  • Over/Under: Over 244 (-110) | Under 244 (-110)

Jazz vs Hawks betting trend to know

The Utah Jazz have hit the Game Total Over in 26 of their last 40 games (+10.60 Units / 24% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Jazz vs. Hawks.

How to watch Jazz vs Hawks

LocationState Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
DateThursday, February 5, 2026
Tip-off7:30 p.m. ET
TVKJZZ 14, FDSN Southeast Atlanta

Jazz vs Hawks latest injuries

Not intended for use in MA.
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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

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Bucks take Giannis off the table as NBA trade deadline approaches

After months of speculation, we now know where Giannis Antetokounmpo will be – at least through the end of the 2025-26 season.

According to ESPN, the Bucks have informed other teams that they are keeping Antetokounmpo on the roster beyond the NBA trading deadline, which is Thursday, Feb. 5 at 3 p.m. ET.

This doesn't rule out that Milwaukee could eventually trade Antetokounmpo during the offseason when potential suitors would have more draft capital and financial flexibility to sweeten their offers. But it also opens the path for the Bucks to try to make complementary moves to convince Antetokounmpo to commit to the franchise over the long term.

Antetokounmpo, 31, is signed through the end of next season and has a $62.8 million player option for the 2027-28 season. In theory, the Bucks would want to secure Antetokounmpo's future with a multiyear extension, but if they get any indication that he's not committed to signing a deal, they eventually might consider a trade to recoup assets for a post-Giannis era.

Antetokounmpo is averaging 28 points, 10 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game, though he is currently sidelined with a right calf strain and is expected to miss several more weeks.

Antetokounmpo has had an eventful season with the Bucks.

Recently, he booed home fans at Fiserv Forum after they had booed the team’s performance. Earlier in the year, he scrubbed his social media of most mentions of the Bucks, leading to the rampant speculation that he was looking to be traded.

According to multiple reports, Antetokounmpo broached his future with Bucks management through his representatives, but he addressed the rumors and said "there will never be a moment that I will come out and say, 'I want a trade.'" In mid-December, however, he didn’t rule out that his agent might be having conversations about his future with the Bucks.

Antetokounmpo has maintained that he wants to compete for a championship, but the Bucks (20-29) are languishing in the East.

"We’re not playing hard," Antetokounmpo told reporters Jan. 21 after a 20-point loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder. "We’re not doing the right thing. We’re not playing to win. We’re not playing together. Our chemistry is not there. Guys are being selfish, trying to look for their own shots instead of looking for the right shot for the team. Guys trying to do it on their own.

"At times, I feel like when we're down 10, down 15, down 20, we try to make it up in one play, and it's not going to work – we’ve just got to keep on chipping away, possession by possession."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Giannis staying put as Bucks end rumors before NBA trade deadline

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REPORT: Giannis Antetokounmpo to stay in Milwaukee through trade deadline

After weeks, scratch that, months, of reporters updating fans on the ongoing Giannis Antetokounmpo story, we all get to take a collective exhale of both annoyance and relief as the sweepstakes for the Greek superstar will be put on a temporary hold.

While the Warriors, Heat, Timberwolves, and the Knicks were all linked to the big man to varying degrees over the last several weeks, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Bucks have “indicated to teams” that they intend to hang on to the former MVP.

According to NBA correspondent Marc Stein, Milwaukee also reportedly believes that if they can get lucky in the lottery, they could convince Antetokounmpo to extend his relationship with the Bucks for a bit longer.

For the Knicks fans who want to see Antetokounmpo donning a Knicks jersey, though, this is good news. With other teams gaining traction as more likely landing spots for the big man in recent weeks, this decision gives them some time. Time that they can use to not assess their current roster for the rest of the season, while also trying to acquire more assets in a last-ditch attempt if they deem necessary.

This could also prove to be somewhat significant in that league insiders believe that the Bucks will shut Antetokounmpo down for the remainder of the season if a trade cannot be finalized. If that does end up being the case, it would confirm his absence for the Bucks’ February 28th game against the Knicks.

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John Wathan elected to Royals Hall of Fame

UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 1984: John Wathan #12 of the Kansas City Royals poses for this portrait before an Major League Baseball game circa 1984. Wathan played for the Royals from 1976-85. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) | Getty Images

John Wathan, who served as a player, coach, manager, broadcaster, and front office executive in Kansas City from 1971 to 2022, has been elected into the Royals Hall of Fame.

“After 52 years in baseball and 47 with the Royals, I can honestly say I have always bled Royal blue,” Wathan said in a statement. “This is the ultimate honor for living as a Royal all those years. I couldn’t begin to thank everyone involved on this journey with me. It has been a real privilege to be with one organization that long. It is a rare feat and one that I have been so proud of for all these years.”

Wathan was drafted by the Royals out of the University of San Diego and made his MLB debut in 1976. He quickly became a valuable catcher known for his rare speed. His 36 stolen bases in 1982 are still the single-season MLB record for most steals by a catcher. He helped win a pennant in 1980, hitting .305 and playing all over the field, earning MVP votes. He won a title in 1985, his last season in the big leagues. He retired after ten seasons, having hit .262/.318/.343 with 21 home runs and 105 steals in 860 games. His nickname was “Duke” given to him because of his terrific impersonation of actor John Wayne.

After retiring, Wathan joined the coaching staff the next year, and took over as manager in 1987. He led the team to 92 wins in 1989, the third-most wins in a single season in club history. He managed the team until he was dismissed midway through the 1991 season, with a career record of 287-270 (.515).

After a brief stint coaching and managing the Angels, Wathan joined the Royals broadcasting team in 1996. He later joined the scouting department and became an advisor in the front office. His son Dusty was a catcher with the Royals in 2002 and is now a coach with the Phillies. His other son, Derek, also played in the Royals organization.

Wathan will be the 32nd player inducted into the Royals Hall of Fame and he will be honored with a ceremony this summer at a date to be announced.

Wathan was not one of the nine names on the ballot presented last December, but under the voting rules, “At the discretion of the Royals Hall of Fame Executive Board a separate Veterans Committee vote will consider the candidacy of non-player personnel and alumni who previously received Royals Hall of Fame Voting (Regular Phase) votes but are no longer eligible for election in that manner.”

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Hornets vs Rockets Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

The Charlotte Hornets will look to extend their winning streak to eight in a row when they visit the Houston Rockets tonight. 

Charlotte is flying up the Eastern Conference standings, and my Hornets vs. Rockets predictions are taking them to grab another road win.

Keep reading to see a full breakdown of tonight's action in my free NBA picks for Thursday, February 5.

Hornets vs Rockets prediction

Hornets vs Rockets best bet: Hornets moneyline (+136)

Don't look now, but the Charlotte Hornets have won seven in a row and are one game out of a play-in seed.

There are underlying numbers that make this surge seem sustainable. The Hornets sport a +1.8 point differential on the season, better than the next three teams ahead of them in the standings.

There's talent here as well, with Brandon Miller (20.6 ppg) and LaMelo Ball (19.1 ppg) being supplemented by rookie Kon Knueppel (18.7 ppg), who has proven to be deadly from 3-point range. Charlotte has also strengthened its depth by picking up Coby White from the Chicago Bulls.

While the Houston Rockets still look like one of the better teams in the Western Conference, they’ve been getting by rather than dominating of late. Houston has lost two of its last five games, covered just once in its last six, and been held below 100 points in two of those contests.

All of this suggests the Hornets should be competitive tonight, and the fact that Houston is also playing on the second night of a tough back-to-back gives Charlotte the edge.

I’m taking the Hornets to win outright.

Hornets vs Rockets same-game parlay

Both Charlotte and Houston have been trending toward the Under of late, and they rank among the slower-paced teams in the NBA.

I’ll also take Miller to eclipse 20.5 points, a mark he’s cleared in nine of his last 11 games.

Hornets vs Rockets SGP

  • Hornets moneyline
  • Under 216.5
  • Brandon Miller Over 20.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: All Ball

Ball continues to produce in a variety of ways for the Hornets and has recorded at least 31 PRA in each of his last three games.

Hornets vs Rockets SGP

  • Hornets moneyline
  • Under 216.5
  • Brandon Miller Over 20.5 points
  • LaMelo Ball Over 30.5 points + rebounds + assists

Hornets vs Rockets odds

  • Spread: Hornets +3.5 (-110) | Rockets -3.5 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Hornets +140 | Rockets -165
  • Over/Under: Over 218.5 (-110) | Under 218.5 (-110)

Hornets vs Rockets betting trend to know

The Hornets are 7-0 straight up in their last seven games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. Rockets.

How to watch Hornets vs Rockets

LocationToyota Center, Houston, TX
DateThursday, February 5, 2026
Tip-off8:00 p.m. ET
TVFDSN Southeast Charlotte, Space City Home Network

Hornets vs Rockets latest injuries

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Penguins fourth line could have very different look vs. Sabres

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 31: Pittsburgh Penguins center Blake Lizotte (46) battles with New York Rangers defenseman Urho Vaakanainen (18) in front of New York Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) during the third period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Rangers on January 31, 2026, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Penguins fourth line has become a major driving force behind their success this season, and rapidly become not only one of the most effective fourth-lines in the NHL, but also one of their most effective lines as a team.

When the Penguins visit the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night, in their final game before the Olympic break, it is going to have a different look.

Perhaps even a significantly different look.

The Penguins announced on Thursday that Blake Lizotte will be away from the team for personal reasons as his wife is expecting the birth of their first child.

The good news is it is not an injury situation and just a temporary absence for some good news for the Lizotte family.

The bigger potential concern beyond Thursday is the fact forward Noel Acciari was also not present at the morning skate, putting his availability into doubt with what Dan Muse called an illness.

The fourth consisted of Connor Dewar, Kevin Hayes and Rutger McGroarty.

That could obviously be a problem on a lot of different levels.

For one, Lizotte and Acciari are both significant parts of the Penguins penalty kill. Taking them out of the lineup would really love that unit scrambling for some options.

It would also negate the 5-on-5 play that group has been demonstrating all season.

The Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari trio has played 282 minutes of 5-on-5 hockey this season and outscored teams by a 14-7 margin with a 54.7 percent expected goals share. They are doing that despite getting the heaviest defensive zone starts on the roster.

It is also not playing like a traditional fourth line in the sense they are just looking to chip the puck and play to a 0-0 tie. They are looking for offense, creating offense and converting offense.

If McGroarty draws back into the lineup that would not be the worst thing given how well he has played in his most recent call-up. It might not be ideal to have him on the fourth line, but his presence in the lineup would be a positive.

Hayes would be the concern given how much he has struggled this season when he has played.

This was already going to be a difficult game given that the Sabres have been one of the best teams in the league for two months now, and it could get significantly tougher if two-thirds of their fourth line can not play. Even Lizotte’s absence along would be significant. Given that the Penguins have recorded just one out of a possible four points this week these would be two important points to get going into the Olympic break. They are going to have their work cut out for them.

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Lakers not expected to make anymore trades at the deadline

EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: General Manager Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during a press conference at UCLA Health Training Center on September 25, 2025 in El Segundo, 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) | Getty Images

With the trade deadline just hours away, the Lakers made a deal, sending Gabe Vincent to the Atlanta Hawks for Luke Kennard.

The move gives LA another elite shooter, but it cost them their lone remaining second round pick. With only a first round pick left to trade — and one that would complicate their ability to trade other first round picks in the summer — it looks like the Lakers are likely done making deals before the deadline, as reported by Broderick Turner of the LA Times.

“The Lakers are not expected to make any more moves today — the NBA deadline for deals is noon PST — and instead look to make a big splash this summer when they have a lot more resources available.”

While the Lakers have expiring contracts on the books, an unwillingness to take back long-term contracts negates their value in a trade. Paired with a lack of draft capital to add as sweeteners in a trade and you get a situation where LA isn’t likely to make a deal.

Instead, the Lakers can focus on potential buyout candidates. The trade for Kennard freed up an extra $500,000 in cap space, giving them more wiggle room to sign a player to their last roster spot.

On top of that, they’ll have plenty of cap space to make a big deal this summer. Rumors indicate that the Lakers would be a “very viable threat” to land Giannis Antetokounmpo if he’s not dealt at the deadline. And by the sounds of it, that appears to be the likely outcome.

In the summer, the Lakers can also pursue restricted free agents like Peyton Watson to help bolster their roster.

LA has a healthy roster and just added one of the best shooters in the NBA to their lineup, so that’ll have to be enough until they can wheel and deal and go after the big stars in the summer.

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