Most of the U.S. players who competed in the 4 Nations Face-Off will once again don the red, white and blue as they look to capture the country’s first Olympic men’s hockey title since the 1980 Lake Placid Games.
So, who’s suiting up for Team USA at the Milan Cortina Olympics? Here’s a look at the roster, captains and coaches:
How many Olympic gold, total medals has USA men’s hockey won?
USA men’s hockey owns 11 Olympic medals: two gold, eight silver and one bronze. The Americans’ two Olympic titles were won at the 1960 Squaw Valley Games and 1980 Lake Placid Games.
The U.S. last reached the podium at the 2010 Vancouver Games, winning silver.
The New York Knicks (34–19) host the Indiana Pacers (13–40) tonight at Madison Square Garden. While this is a rematch of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals, these two teams are trending in opposite directions; the Knicks have won nine of their last ten games, while the injury-depleted Pacers have the league's second-worst record and have lost four straight to begin the month of February.
The Knicks currently tied for second place in the Eastern Conference standings with the Boston Celtics. The Knicks have been nearly unbeatable at home winning 21 of 27 games at the Garden. Meanwhile, Indiana’s injuries have crushed this team’s offense which currently ranks last in the NBA averaging just 109.4 points per game.
Key Player to Watch: Karl-Anthony Towns
Towns has been a force for New York, recording double-doubles in five consecutive games. Often criticized for not mixing it up in the paint, Towns may not face much resistance tonight as he faces a Pacers’ defense that ranks 29th in points allowed in the paint (54.2 per game).
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: Pacers at Knicks
Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Time: 7:30PM EST
Site: Madison Square Garden
City: New York, NY
Network/Streaming: FDSN Indiana, MSG
Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA Player News for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Game Odds: Pacers at Knicks
The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Indiana Pacers (+440), New York Knicks (-600)
Spread: Knicks -12.5
Total: 225.5 points
This game opened Knicks -11.5 with the Total set at 224.5.
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: Pacers at Knicks
Indiana Pacers
PG Andrew Nembhard
SG Aaron Nesmith
SF Jarace Walker
PF Pascal Siakam
C Jay Huff
New York Knicks
PG Jalen Brunson
SG Josh Hart
SF Mikal Bridges
PF OG Anunoby
C Karl-Anthony Towns
Injury Report: Pacers at Knicks
Indiana Pacers
T.J. McConnell (hamstring) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Aaron Nesmith (hand) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Micah Potter (hip) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Ethan Thompson (thumb) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Obi Toppin (foot) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Ivica Zubac (ankle) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) remains sidelined for the Pacers
Johnny Furphy (knee) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
New York Knicks
OG Anunoby (toe) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Miles McBride (core) has been declared OUT of tonight’s game
Mitchell Robinson (ankle) has been declared OUT of tonight’s game
Important stats, trends and insights: Pacers at Knicks
The Pacers are 3-22 on the road this season
The Knicks are 21-6 at home this season
The Knicks are 30-24 ATS this season
The Pacers are 26-27 ATS this season
The OVER has cashed in 26 of the Knicks’ 54 games this season (26-28)
The OVER has cashed in just 21 of the Pacers’ 53 games this season (21-32)
Pascal Siakam has not grabbed more than 6 rebounds in any of his last 5 games
Aaron Nesmith has grabbed 1 rebound and tallied 1 assist in each of his last 2 games
Jalen Brunson is averaging 7.6 assists in February
Mikal Bridges is averaging 1.5 3-pointers over his last 6 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 Pacers and Knicks’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Knicks -12.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total OVER 225.5
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Julian Aguiar checked in at #17 in this year’s Community Prospect Rankings thanks to the most recent round of voting. The big right-hander is poised to reclaim a spot with the big league Reds at some point in 2026, and my best hope is that he does so well enough – and for long enough – that he’s no longer a prospect and instead is a big leaguer.
Now, we take the voting into the final few spots, with #18 next up on the list!
Per usual, you can find the link to the Google Form for voting right here, yet it’s also embedded at the bottom if you want to read through first and not have to embark upon the painstaking process of scrolling all the way back up here. Both link and embed will be removed once voting closes so you can’t stuff the ballot post facto, however, so be advised that this paragraph will make zero sense if you stumble back across it a year from now.
Here’s how the list has materialized so far:
Sal Stewart
Alfredo Duno
Rhett Lowder
Hector Rodriguez
Edwin Arroyo
Cam Collier
Steele Hall
Tyson Lewis
Chase Petty
Arnaldo Lantigua
Jose Franco
Zach Maxwell
Leo Balcazar
Adolfo Sanchez
Carlos Jorge
Aaron Watson
Julian Aguiar
A large list of talented names exists below for spot #18. Have at it with the votes!
Liberts Aponte, SS (18 years old)
2025 at a glance: .247/.368/.461 with 7 HR, 9 SB in 193 PA for DSL Rojos (Dominican Summer League)
Pros: 29/35 K/BB showed greatly improving strike zone awareness; already a plus defender at short where he projects to be excellent both with range and arm long-term
Cons: Still not viewed as a potential plus with the bat, though early returns are already better than original scouting reports; has a long way to go in terms of physically maturing
The Reds doled out $1.9 million to sign Aponte last January, and that marked the single largest contract they doled out in that particular international signing window. MLB Pipeline ranked him as the #18 player overall in that class, noting he was ‘one of the most skilled defenders in his class’ and ‘offers solid wheels’ with ‘magic in his hands’ while doling out a 65 grade on his fielding ability.
The rest, we knew, would take time, as he was just liked at 6’0” and 160 lbs, and that even felt like a slight exaggeration. To his credit, though, he mashed 7 homers as a 17 year old in DSL play while showing more power than anticipated, and if that aspect of his game grows to match what’s already known the Reds have found themselves a gem.
It will be interesting to see if the Reds push him up to Arizona Complex League play at all in 2026 or give him another year in the DSL seeing as he just turned 18 years old in November.
Luke Holman, RHP (23 years old)
2025 at a glance: ER, 2 H, 10 K, 4 BB in 9.0 IP with Daytona Tortugas (Class-A Florida State League
Pros: Two plus breaking pitches (slider, curve)
Cons: Not a ton of velocity on his fastball, which sits 91-94 mph
Luke Holman threw 109 pitches for LSU in a 6-2 loss to North Carolina on June 1st, 2024, a game in which he yielded 4 ER in 6.2 IP with 7 H, 11 K, and a lone walk. Since then, he’s thrown just 9.0 IP on a mound, total.
Holman, Cincinnati’s 2nd round pick in 2024, sat out the remainder of 2024 after being drafted, finishing his calendar year with 91.2 IP of 2.75 ERA ball that included a wonderful 0.98 WHIP and 127/33 K/BB. When his 2025 began in Daytona, all signs looked promising in his first pair of starts only for an elbow issue to subsequently sit him down and require Tommy John surgery, and we’ve not seen him since.
He sat 91-94 with his fastball (and touched 96) before, and has a pair of wicked breaking balls that he uses as his out pitches. If he returns to form in 2026 the way he ways before (or even better!), he still profiles as a back-end starter who should move quickly through Cincinnati’s system after dominating SEC play in stints first with Alabama and later with LSU.
Mason Morris, RHP (22 years old)
2025 at a glance: 9.00 ERA, 7/1 K/BB in 4.0 IP with Class-A Daytona Tortugas; 3.29 ERA, 78/31 K/BB in 54.2 IP with University of Mississippi
Pros: Fastball that can touch 100 mph; four-pitch mix
Cons: Lack of experience
Mason Morris landed with Ole Miss in 2023 primarily as a corner infielder, and the now 6’4” 225 lb righty only recently became a full-time pitcher prior to the Reds selecting him with their 3rd round pick in 2025. He’s got projection through the roof, though, with a 100 mph heater, plus cutter, and a pair of other breaking balls that look like they’ve also got the juice.
The question, though, is how Cincinnati plans to use him.
Morris only got a pair of outings as a pro after being drafted, and it appears the Reds have intentions on seeing if he can develop into a starting pitcher. That’s something he’s never really done before, however, and he’ll turn 23 years old in August of 2026. So, we’ll see how long of a leash the Reds give him with that avenue, since if they want to simply keep him in the bullpen there’s very little reason why he shouldn’t rocket through the minors and give them a legit relief arm at the big league level in short order.
Mason Neville, OF (22 years old)
2025 at a glance: .247/.333/.442 with 1 HR, 2 SB in 90 PA with Class-A Daytona Tortugas (Florida State League); .290/.429/.724 with 26 HR, 9 SB in 280 PA with University of Oregon
Pros: 60-grade power with potential plus arm and plus speed & baserunning; chance to stick in CF, though still profiles as a solid RF if moved to the corner; led Division I with 26 HR in final season at Oregon
Cons: Lots of swing and miss in his game, at times, including a 34.4% rate in his short sample with Daytona
The Reds clearly love Neville, as they drafted him in the 18th round out of high school 2022 only to watch him initially attend the University of Arkansas. After transferring to Oregon and swatting more dingers than anyone else in 2025, the Reds went back to him in the 4th round of the most recent draft.
Neville is incredibly toolsy, his left-handed swing producing significant power when he makes contact. He’s good at working walks despite his swing-and-miss proclivities, and posesses the kind of athleticism and speed to be a legitimate CF.
His tiny sample with Daytona has some red flags with the Ks, but it’s such a small sample that it’s hard to take it with too much certainty. For instance, he hit .298/.365/.526 through his first 17 games there only to go 2 for 20 with 9 Ks across his final 6 games – that could, and likely is, all small-sample noise.
Big tools, that Neville. He could well be the steal of the 2025 draft.
Sheng-En Lin, RHP (20 years old)
2025 at a glance: 3.06 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 61/15 K/BB in 47.0 IP split between ACL Reds (Arizona Complex League) and Class-A Daytona Tortugas (Florida State League); .172/.348/.310 with 2 HR in 113 PA with ACL Reds (Arizona Complex League)
Pros: Former two-way player has tons of athleticism; fastball that runs to 97 mph with three-pitch mix including curve and change; excellent command
Cons: Still building up innings; dropping hitting to focus on being a pitcher
Lin was signed for $1.2 million during the 2023 international signing period, and the Taiwan native spent the last trio of seasons in Arizona attempting to do both hitting and pitching. The hit tool stalled, though, as his K-rate spiked and power never arrived, and on pitching he’ll now focus after making a late-season cameo with Daytona after being promoted to full-season ball for the first time.
In very, very small samples, his work on the mound has been excellent. He’s the owner of an impressive 4.07 K/BB rate for his short career, and that’s with an impressive 11.7 K/9 that shows just how much of a strikeout pitcher he can be. His secondary pitches both flash plus grades, at times, and more consistency there with a fastball that hits 97 mph already (with perhaps more velocity coming as he focuses solely on the mound) could see him rocket up these rankings in short order…if he hits the ground running in April.
Ricky Cabrera, 3B (21 years old)
2025 at a glance: .187/.276/.240 with 0 HR, 0 SB in 89 PA with High-A Dayton Dragons (Midwest League)
Pros: Above-average power, speed, and hit tool, with an arm that’s good enough to play at 3B (if he can find his accuracy)
Cons: An absolutely lost 2025 season that included a season-ending knee injury
The optimist in you sees that Cabrera only just turned 21 years old in October, and in 2024 posted a 110 wRC+ with 11 HR and 19 SB in the pitcher-friendly confines of the Florida State League with Daytona (with said wRC+, along with his OPS, both ranking among that league’s top 10). That same optimist probably would point out that 2025 saw the Venezuela native play in the cold April weather of the Midwest League with Dayton for the first time, and he struggled mightily in those new conditions before a knee injury rendered his 2025 completely lost.
There’s still a lot to like about Cabrera, even though he’s physically matured off shortstop at this juncture and likely profiles as a 3B, or potentially at 2B defensively – with his defense needing just as much improvement as his bat at the moment, too. If the batting cage stuff can begin to translate onto the field again post-injury, there’s still a ton to like about the former $2.7 million signee and Top 5 overall international prospect from the 2022 class.
I’m assuming there is no pessimist in you, for now.
Tyler Callihan, IF/OF (26 years old)
2025 at a glance: .303/.410/.528 with 4 HR, 6 SB in 106 PA with AAA Louisville Bats (International League); 1 for 6 with an RBI in 4 G with Cincinnati Reds
Pros: Plus bat speed from the left-hand side of the plate; advanced approach at the plate and potentially solid ability to take a walk
Cons: Plays a little bit of everywhere because his defense isn’t great anywhere; injuries have persisted with him just about every single year since being drafted back in 2019
Callihan had barely made his big league debut (and picked up his first career big league hit) in 2025 before he went crashing into the wall in foul territory chasing a Matt Olson liner and shattered pretty much every bone in his arm. That ended his season, obviously, something that Callihan has had to hear told to him just about every year since being drafted – he’s even had Tommy John surgery despite obviously not being a pitcher.
If and when he can stay healthy, there’s always been a bit to like about his offensive potential, however. Drafted as a bat-first guy out of high school in 2019, he signed an over-slot bonus to turn pro because people knew then he could hit, and that’s still the case despite him always having the look of being rusty off a long layoff.
He’s got a bit of speed, a bit of pop, a bit of just about everything, and he also now has experience at 2B, LF, 1B, and even some 3B back in the day, all while swinging from the left side. That has him firmly in the mix for the final roster spot on the Reds come Opening Day, as none of their other litany of utility infield options has both a) big league experience and b) bats from the left side.
Hansel Jimenez, SS/3B (19 years old)
2025 at a glance: .269/.374/.445 with 5 HR, 12 SB in 147 PA for DSL Reds (Dominican Summer League); .229/.345/.364 with 4 HR, 3 SB in 142 PA for Sydney Blue Sox (Australian Baseball League)
Pros: 70 grade raw power (per FanGraphs) with potential to be a plus runner, fielder, and have a plus arm
Cons: Potential swing and miss issues (25.9% K-rate in the DSL, 64% contact rate); may end up at 3B long term
Signed for an undisclosed amount during the 2024 international signing period, Jimenez has immediately hit the ground running in prospect circles with his mix of potentially elite athleticism and batted-ball metrics that jump right off the page.
After dabbling in DSL play in 2024 at age 17 (6 for 14 with a double and 4 steals in 5 G), he repeated that level in 2025 and more than held his own with an .820 OPS. Those solid surface stats hide his pretty monumental 45% hard-hit rate, 106 mph EV90, and maximum exit velocity of 113 mph – all numbers posted by an 18 year old. Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs has him ranked 12th (right behind Tyson Lewis) and notes the multiple similarities between the two, though Jimenez is a full year younger.
Only one team in the West postseason picture has gone better than 6-4 outright in its last 10 games: the San Antonio Spurs. And San Antonio should continue that surge against the Los Angeles Lakers tonight.
My Spurs vs. Lakers predictions believe in the young team that may be becoming the best team in the West, one of many NBA picks on Tuesday, February 10.
Spurs vs Lakers prediction
Spurs vs Lakers best bet: Spurs -9 (-110)
The schedules alone give too much of an edge to the San Antonio Spurs. The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Thunder last night, and this will be the Lakers’ sixth game in 10 days, including their third in four nights. San Antonio’s two days off seem luxurious by comparison.
The L.A. nightlife could trouble the Spurs, but more likely, their youth should run the Lakers ragged. Victor Wembanyama gets the headlines, but San Antonio also plays at a top-half pace.
Spurs vs Lakers same-game parlay
LeBron James has fallen short of this modest prop in three straight games and in six of his last seven. Father Time may finally be winning. A springy James may be Los Angeles’s best defense against Wembanyama, but without that, the Lakers have no proper height to slow the French phenom.
Spurs vs Lakers SGP
Spurs -9
LeBron James Under 22.5 points
Victor Wembanyama Over 22.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Lakers Run Dry
The thought here is pretty simple: Expect Los Angeles to show its exhaustion throughout.
Spurs vs Lakers SGP
Spurs -9
LeBron James Under 22.5 points
Victor Wembanyama Over 22.5 points
Luka Doncic Under 3.5 made threes
Under 227.5
Spurs vs Lakers odds
Spread: Spurs -9.5 (-105) | Lakers +9.5 (-115)
Moneyline: Spurs -350 | Lakers +275
Over/Under: Over 227 (-110) | Under 226 (-110)
Spurs vs Lakers betting trend to know
San Antonio is 3-0-1 against the spread this month. Find more NBA betting trends for Spurs vs. Lakers.
How to watch Spurs vs Lakers
Location
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Date
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Tip-off
10:30 p.m. ET
TV
NBA TV
Spurs vs Lakers latest injuries
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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 07: Bryan Hudson #60 of the Chicago White Sox throws a pitch during the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on August 07, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Mets have reportedly added another reliever into the mix, acquiring left-handed pitcher Bryan Hudson from the White Sox for cash considerations. Chicago had designated Hudson for assignment back on February 4. To make room on the 40-man roster, the club transferred Reed Garett to the 60-day IL.
Hudson was drafted by the Cubs in the third round of the 2015 MLB Draft but never appeared in the majors for the club, instead electing for free agency after the 2022 season. He signed with the Dodgers and went on to make six appearances for Los Angeles in 2023 and allowed seven earned runs over 8 2/3 innings. He was traded to the Brewers, where he had his best season in 2024. In his lone full season in Milwaukee, he posted a 1.73 ERA and a 3.60 FIP with 62 strikeouts over 62 1/3 innings, finishing the year with a 2.5 bWAR. He returned in 2025 but was far less effective, posting a 4.35 ERA (five earned runs over 10 1/3 innings) before getting designated for assignment in July. He was picked up by the White Sox, where he allowed three earned runs over 4 2/3 innings.
Hudson will look to earn a spot in a bullpen that has no shortage of names competing for the chance to make the Opening Day roster. Hudson’s acquisition is especially noteworthy following the announcement by David Stearns that A.J. Minter is expected to return from his injury in early May. That could offer Hudson an opening to snag a spot this spring, as the only other definite lefty in the pen is Brooks Raley.
Two slumping Western Conference foes do battle when the Phoenix Suns host the Dallas Mavericks.
The Suns have lost five of nine, going 3-6 against the spread, while the Mavs have dropped seven straight with a 2-5 ATS record.
So, who will snap out of their funk? Well, my Mavericks vs. Suns predictions explain that it may be neither, and bring you an NBA pick on the total.
Mavericks vs Suns prediction
Mavericks vs Suns best bet: Under 229 (-110)
The Dallas Mavericks have had the perfect recipe for Unders. They have a young offense that's trying to find its way with Cooper Flagg, and a defense that gives high effort.
The Mavs enter this matchup with the fourth-worst offensive rating, while ranking a solid 12th in defensive rating.
With Dillon Brooks back, the Phoenix Suns look like the team that ranks eighth in defensive rating. And the Suns' offense has slowed recently, ranking 21st in offensive rating over the last 10 games.
It will be a battle for buckets, so I’m on the Under.
Mavericks vs Suns same-game parlay
The one place where the Mavs struggle to defend is in the interior. Dallas ranks dead last in the NBA in opponent points in the paint per game.
Suns center Mark Williams is averaging 13.4 points over his last eight games. Over 12.5 looks like a great add to this SGP.
And the Mavs’ offensive issues mean rebounds up for grabs, so give me Royce O’Neale Over 4.5 rebounds, a number he’s topped in three of his last five games.
Mavericks vs Suns SGP
Under 229
Mark Williams Over 12.5 points
Royce O'Neale Over 4.5 rebounds
Our "from downtown" SGP: Rising up for rebounds!
Defense means tough shots and, in turn, rebounds. Both teams will be all over the glass.
Mavericks vs Suns SGP
Royce O'Neale Over 4.5 rebounds
Mark Williams Over 9.5 rebounds
Daniel Gafford Over 7.5 rebounds
PJ Washington Over 5.5 rebounds
Mavericks vs Suns odds
Spread: Mavericks +8 | Suns -8
Moneyline: Mavericks +260 | Suns -320
Over/Under: Over 229 | Under 229
Mavericks vs Suns betting trend to know
The Suns have cashed the Under in 18 of their last 25 home games for +10.30 units and a 37% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Mavericks vs. Suns.
How to watch Mavericks vs Suns
Location
Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ
Date
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Tip-off
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
KFAA, KTVK
Mavericks vs Suns latest injuries
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Justin Verlander is a Detroit Tiger again, hoping to lead his original team to a third trip to the World Series.
Verlander, the 266-game winner who will celebrate his 43rd birthday this month, agreed to a one-year, $13 million contract with the Tigers, the club announced Feb. 10.
That presumably wraps up a Tigers off-season that finished with plenty of fireworks: The three-year, $115 million agreement with left-hander Framber Valdez, Tarik Skubal's historic $32 million arbitration victory and now Verlander.
The presence of Skubal, set to become a free agent this season, Valdez, Jack Flaherty and 2025 All-Star Casey Mize ensures the Tigers won't need to lean on Verlander for much more than 150 innings. He's made no secret that he'd like to get to 300 wins, yet playing for an offense-poor club in San Francisco last season, posted a 4-11 record with a 3.85 ERA.
He finished particularly strongly, with a 1.96 ERA and 3.72 fielding independent pitching over his last seven starts.
The Tigers would take that. They reached the 2006 World Series in Verlander's rookie year, and again in 2012, when they were swept by the San Francisco Giants. Last year, Detroit blew a 14-game lead and lost the division title to Cleveland, yet advanced to the American League Division Series as a wild card, losing a five-game thriller to Seattle.
Perhaps an old hand can help nudge them over the top.
Boston, MA - January 28 - Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) lets the ball get loose as Boston Celtics guards Jordan Walsh (27), Hugo Gonzalez (28) and Baylor Scheierman (55) surround during the second half of a NBA game at the Garden. (Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images). | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
If you’re tired of only experiencing NBA expansion in GM Mode on 2K, you might not have to wait much longer for the real thing.
During the NBA Cup earlier this season, Silver made it clear expansion was on his mind, with Seattle and Las Vegas widely viewed as the next two markets in line. Now, The NBA Board of Governors is poised to vote on expansion this summer, as reported by the Dallas Morning News.
“Not a secret, we’re looking at this market in Las Vegas,” said Silver, speaking from the NBA Cup host city. “We are looking at Seattle. We’ve looked at other markets as well. I’d say I want to be sensitive there about this notion that we’re somehow teasing these markets, because I know we’ve been talking about it for a while.”
Expansion carries ripple effects for every franchise in the league, but those effects don’t feel evenly distributed. Top-heavy teams built on star power alone may have an easier time parting ways with their deep-bench pieces, while teams built on depth, internal development, and cost-controlled contributors may face more difficult decisions.
You can probably see where I’m going with this.
The Celtics arguably fall more into the latter category, which is where the conversation can start to get uncomfortable. Before we go there, let’s first take a closer look at what NBA expansion entails, and consider the roster decisions Boston must face as soon as next summer.
February 13, 2011; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Sonics fans stand between plays during the second quarter between the Golden State Warriors and the Oklahoma City Thunder at ORACLE Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
How the NBA expansion draft works
If the league follows precedent from previous expansions (most recently in 2004), the framework would look something like this:
Each existing NBA team can protect up to eight players
Only players under contract, restricted free agents, or players with options can be protected
Unrestricted free agents cannot be protected
Each expansion team can select one player from each existing franchise
Once a player is selected from a team, no additional players from that team are eligible
Teams that lose a contracted player while over the cap receive a trade exception equal to that salary
Regardless of the year, the expansion draft would likely take place between the NBA Finals and the Draft, with protected lists submitted privately ahead of time. Expansion teams (assuming Seattle and Las Vegas are both approved) would then alternate selections, with each existing franchise eligible to lose no more than one unprotected player.
This process might be manageable for rebuilding teams. It’s far more complicated for deep, ever-competitive ones.
Why expansion will hit the Celtics differently
The Celtics don’t have a problem finding eight players they like. On the contrary, having to choose which player they’re willing to expose, especially after spending decades getting to this point, will be among the tougher decisions Brad Stevens faces as President of Basketball Operations.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – FEBRUARY 06: General Manager Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics watches warmups before a game against the Dallas Mavericks at the TD Garden on February 06, 2025 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. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Let’s look more closely at who will (likely) be safe and who could be at risk.
The near-locks
If expansion were happening in the next couple of seasons, Boston’s protected list would almost certainly start here:
Jayson Tatum (4-years, $259.8 million)
Jaylen Brown (3-years, $183 million)
Derrick White (3-years, $97.8 million)
Payton Pritchard (2-years, $16.1 million)
Sam Hauser (3-years, $34.9 million)
Neemias Queta (1-year, $2.7 million team option)
These six occupy different lanes, but they all arrive at the same place. Losing any of them would either compromise the Celtics’ competitive ceiling or remove contract value that far exceeds its cost.
Tatum and Brown anchor the franchise’s timeline and salary structure. Everything is built around them. White functions as connective tissue across lineups, giving the Celtics flexibility that becomes more valuable in the postseason. Pritchard’s contract sits among the league’s better value deals for the league’s reigning Sixth Man of the Year. Hauser’s shooting gravity solves a specific problem Boston would otherwise need to pay significantly more to address. And Queta’s appeal lies in role clarity and cost efficiency at a position where those traits are rarely found together.
This means six of the eight protected slots are already spoken for, without much debate.
The tough calls
That leaves two protection spots for a group of more than two players the Celtics would very much like to keep developing:
Gonzalez represents long-term upside tied to size and skill development. Scheierman has already translated improvement into rotation trust, which matters when projecting real NBA usefulness rather than abstract potential. Walsh brings defensive range and physical tools that typically take years to cultivate and rarely hit the open market at a low cost. Garza offers reliable depth at a minimum salary, and Williams profiles as another cost-controlled developmental piece at a position where teams cycle through options quickly.
From Boston’s perspective, these players serve different roles at different points along the same competitive window.
The question expansion forces into the open is how the Celtics define that window right now.
While the 25/26 season was widely framed as a transitional year for Boston, the results suggest something closer to real contention, especially with Jayson Tatum set to return. That creates a tension between prioritizing the best available contributors around the Jays and continuing to invest in younger players who could peak alongside them. Expansion doesn’t allow for a hedged answer. It requires Boston to decide how much future value it’s willing to expose in order to maximize the present.
Expansion will inevitably change the Celtics
There’s also a human side to this that’s hard to ignore. Seattle is long past owed an NBA team, full stop. What happened to the Sonics still hangs over the league, and bringing basketball back to that city feels less like expansion and more like course correction. If the NBA is serious about adding teams, Seattle shouldn’t be a debate.
Las Vegas brings its own appeal, but the optics of placing a franchise at the center of legalized gambling while the league is actively trying to rein in betting-related fallout aren’t the best.
For the Celtics, none of that changes the immediate reality. Expansion applies pressure in places that rarely get discussed, and Boston is built in exactly those places. Years of smart drafting, patient development, and value hunting create real advantages (and real exposure) when the league grows.
That’s the cost of doing things the hard way and doing them well. If When expansion comes, it’s worth understanding now how much of the Celtics’ hard work can realistically be protected once the league decides it’s time to make room at the table.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 02: Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians hits a double during the eighth inning in Game Three of the American League Wildcard Series against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on October 02, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
The Guardians dropped their 2026 promo schedule! There is a lot of cool stuff here, from the Manzo-lorian bobblehead to the Jose Ramirez Camp Shirt. However, it is noteworthy that there is nothing for Steven Kwan. It’s starting to look more and more like his future will not be in Cleveland, but we will see.
Former Guardian Konnor Pilkington signed a minor league deal with the Tigers.
The Guardians 37th overall pick in 2022, Justin Campbell, looks to finally be healthy and on track to make his pro debut this Spring.
We’re getting closer and closer to Baseball being back. Pitchers and catchers report in Arizona very soon and before we know it, Spring Training will be here.
LAKELAND, Fla. — Justin Verlander is going back to his first big league team, agreeing to a $13 million, one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday.
Verlander, who turns 43 on Feb. 20, is looking to rebound from a frustrating year with San Francisco. The deal for the three-time AL Cy Young Award winner includes $11 million in deferred payments starting in 2030.
Verlander’s 266 victories are tied with Bob Feller and Eppa Rixey for 34th on baseball’s career list, while his 3,553 career strikeouts are eighth and closely trailing Don Sutton with 3,574.
Verlander said he needed a “relentless pursuit of finding something, anything to make it click” in turning his struggles around last year with the Giants. His 2.60 ERA from July 23 through the remainder of the season ranked fourth in the National League with a minimum of 60 innings pitched.
Verlander returned June 18 after being sidelined for a month by a strained right pectoral muscle. The right-hander wants to keep pitching after a disappointing season in which he began 0-8 and was winless in his initial 16 outings before a win at Atlanta on July 23.
He went on to finish 4-11 with a 3.85 ERA and 137 strikeouts over 29 starts spanning 152 innings. He has 266 wins, still far off from joining the 300-win club but something he could approach with a strong, healthy 2026.
“First half, quite difficult. Happy I was able to find some mechanical fixes to kind of get back in the right direction and pitch well in the second half,” Verlander said following his final outing Sept. 27. “I think obviously you’d always rather it go well, but it’s nice to be able to turn it around, especially after a few months it gets really draining and it’s tiresome. You’ve just got to come in every day and have a positive mindset and keep working hard.”
Verlander signed a $15 million, one-year contract with San Francisco last January and had a forgettable home debut for the Giants. The Giants often struggled to provide him with enough run support.
The second-half turnaround mattered to Verlander, who limited foes to a .228 average over his final 13 appearances. He allowed two or fewer earned runs in 10 of his last 13 starts.
Los Angeles, CA - January 31: Manager Dave Roberts on stage during Dodgerfest at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Projection systems by their nature tend to be conservative, which is why it’s rare to see such a clear outlier. When it comes to predicting baseball records, the Dodgers are standing out.
Seeing a projection of 105 wins is eye-popping given all the regression that goes into these systems, and it’s not the first time for this era of Dodgers baseball. Last year they were projected for 104 wins, the highest PECOTA projected win total since 2009.
“Baseball projections are supposed to end with most teams bunched up together because that’s just how baseball works: the small talent disparity between most squads and the sport’s inherently random nature come together to create tons of equality,” wrote Mario Delgado Genzor at Baseball Prospectus. “This is not supposed to be possible, for one team to be so clearly head and shoulders above the rest.”
The Dodgers now been projected by PECOTA for triple-digit wins in six of the last seven seasons, but it makes sense given that they have a .629 winning percentage dating back to 2017, a 102-win pace over 162 games, with seasons of 111, 106, 106, 104, and 100 wins during that time. They finished with the best record in MLB in four of those nine years, and were one win shy of the best record two other times.
It’s a little bit funny that the Dodgers won the World Series in each of the last two years without winning 100 games. Granted, their 98 wins were the most in MLB in 2024, but they were downright slumming it to 93 wins last year but had every key player healthy in October.
The Dodgers added premium free agents Kyle Tucker and Edwin Díaz to shore up their biggest weaknesses, and boast enviable pitching depth that might be their best to date. Their ultimate goal obviously is to win another World Series, but they’ll have to win a lot of games in the regular season to get there.
Today’s question is how many games will the Dodgers win in the 2026 regular season? Let us know in the comments below.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns announced that shortstop Francisco Lindorwill be evaluated on Wednesday for a stress reaction in his left hamate bone.
Per Stearns, Lindor reported soreness in his left hand/wrist area over the last couple of days, and will see a specialist on Wednesday to determine if surgery is necessary.
If Lindor does require surgery, it would likely include a six-week recovery time, including a ramp-up period, which means he could still be back by Opening Day.
"Even if it does require a surgery, we would remain optimistic that Francisco would be back for Opening Day," Stearns said.
According to Stearns, Lindor has had soreness in the hamate area on and off for “a couple of years.”
“He’s usually able to grind through it, and he’s done it," Stearns said. "I don’t know when he first felt it, but I think it just persisted to the point where he felt like he should say something about it. Once we examined it a little bit more yesterday, our medical staff determined that he should see a specialist."
This isn't the first bit of injury news for Lindor this offseason. Following the 2025 season, Lindor had a procedure on his right (throwing) elbow that was described as a "minor cleanup." As a result, Lindor is not competing with team Puerto Rico in this year's World Baseball Classic.
Lindor is coming off his first All-Star season as a Met, as he slashed .267/.346/.466 with 31 home runs, 86 RBI and 117 runs scored.
Stearns said multiple times that the Mets are optimistic and even "confident" that if Lindor undergoes surgery, he'll be back by Opening Day. When pressed on other internal options at shortstop if Lindor isn't back by March 26, Stearns said the club has a number of players with shortstop experience in camp, including Ronny Mauricio and Vidal Brujan.
However, it sounds as if the club wants to keep the recently acquired Bo Bichette at third base, rather than move him around the infield.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 17: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts after their 132-106 win over the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on January 17, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
BOSTON — Jayson Tatum practiced with the Maine Celtics on Monday afternoon, sparking excitement that his return was around the corner. But then, on Tuesday afternoon, the Celtics star addressed the media for the first time since October and delivered the message that his participation in the G League practice should not be read into too deeply.
“It doesn’t mean I’m coming back or not,” Tatum said matter-of-factly.
The Celtics star, who ruptured his Achilles tendon in a playoff game on May 12th, made clear in October that he was not ruling out a return this year.
As such, speculation regarding his potential return has ramped up as Tatum nears the 9-month mark in his recovery. In recent weeks, the likelihood of his potentially returning seems to have shifted multiple times.
Then, a few weeks later, he shared on an episode of the Pivot Podcast that he had begun to have doubts regarding whether he should return this season.
“That’s something I contemplate every day,” Tatum said. “More so about the team, if or when I do come back this season, they would have played 50-some odd games without me, so they have an identity this year or things they’ve felt that has clicked for them and it’s been successful…so there’s a thought in my head that is like, how does that work? How does that look with me integrating myself off an injury…and it is a thought like ‘damn, do I come back or should I wait?’ In the last two weeks or so, I contemplate every single day.”
A few days after that, ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne confirmed that Tatum has not yet made a decision.
All the while, on the Celtics’ side, Brad Stevens confirmed that the team will not hold Tatum back if he is cleared and wants to play.
“When it’s right, then we’ll all sit down and talk about it,” Stevens said last week. “There’s still no force from us. There’s no pressure from us. But there’s also not gonna be any of us saying, ‘Well, why doesn’t he just take another week?’ When he’s ready, he’s ready.”
Derrick White, meanwhile, offered it’s simply been great to see Tatum’s progression.
“It’s been amazing to see, obviously, all the work he’s putting in,” White said last month. “You just kind of see him being around more, and being able to do more. So that’s exciting to see, as a friend. Every day he’s been working hard, and it’s good to see all that hard work add to some more movement and more opportunities.”
On February 10th, Tatum set to record straight, answering questions directly from the Boston press.
What Tatum had to say as he addressed Celtics media on Tuesday
Tatum didn’t drop any major news in his first full media availability since Media Day (he also spoke to SB Nation in October). But the Celtics star did shed some light on the G-League practice heard around the world, overall recovery, and thoughts on the Celtics’ success this season.
On practicing with the Maine Celtics: “I’m feeling good. It was good to be a part of practice yesterday with the Maine G-League guys. Today is 39 weeks, so it’s been a long journey.”
“Had a jersey on. Just felt good to be a part of a team, and practice, go through reps, stuff like that.”
Jayson Tatum:
“I’m feeling good. It was good to be a part of practice yesterday with the Maine G-League guys. Today is 39 weeks, so it’s been a long journey. And, it’s just like the progression of rehab… it doesn’t mean I’m coming back or not.” pic.twitter.com/ZgdrIY6N2x
On whether he’s trusting his Achilles more: “I feel a little bit better today than I did yesterday — the physical, conditioning, trusting it, every day I feel a little bit better.”
On the next steps in his recovery: “More conditioning, more live things. Getting acclimated to playing 5-on-5 and contact.”
My thoughts: Tatum has been playing 5-on-5, but there’s a difference between just getting cleared for 5-on-5 and actually playing NBA basketball at the level he was at pre-injury.)
On his communications with Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard, and DeJounte Murray — all stars who also suffered Achilles injuries last year: “Periodically, I talk to those guys… those kinds of guys are on a similar boat throughout this process, encouraging each other.”
My thoughts: Haliburton and Lillard both almost immediately ruled out returns this season, so there was a clear difference between Tatum’s journey and theirs from the jump. But, Haliburton in particular has spoken at length about how great it’s been to have camaraderie and support from fellow NBA stars throughout this process).
On what it’s been like to watch games on the sidelines: “It’s been tough not being able to play and compete. You know how much I love this game. I love being out there. But I’ve also grown an appreciation for the game, for my teammates, and just guys around the league, sitting back and being able to watch guys take their next step, it’s been kind of cool to see.”
“I sit next to the coaches, hear their commentary, see it through the lens of the coach.”
My thoughts: Tatum has been to nearly every shootaround, game, practice, and film session this season, and he’s been extremely engaged on the sidelines — cheering on his teammates, offering support, and even joining the team for preseason travel. He could have retreated, knowing that a lengthy recovery was ahead, but he didn’t. That’s likely to make his return a little bit more seamless.
On what his acclimation to the new-look Celtics could look like: “It might look different. I haven’t played with these guys, with this group, but we have a lot of high-IQ guys out there, and I’d like to consider myself one of those types of players. So, if that did present itself, and I did come back, we’re professionals, we’d figure it out.”
My thoughts: This will not be an issue. Yes, it’ll be an adjustment to have a player like Tatum back on the floor playing extensive minutes. But, above anything, it’ll be a great thing — because Tatum is a great player who will almost immediately elevate the Celtics’ play on both ends of the floor.
On his stated doubts regarding potentially returning: “Over 39 weeks, you have a lot of time on your hands. You think about a lot of things. Just hyper aware of what’s going on. I think it would just stem from that. Obviously, I know what I bring to the table and bring to the team. But I’m also aware that these guys have been playing extremely well. And, not to say that I would come and mess it up or anything like that. It was just kind of being vulnerable, I guess, for a moment.”
My thoughts: I think we’ve talked about Tatum’s Pivot quote way too much. He said it best: for a moment, he was vulnerable. I don’t think he genuinely believes his return would hurt the Celtics, and I think he remains extremely confident. But, it’s an emotional journey back, and he simply opened up on a podcast appearance, probably not thinking it would become the news cycle for the next three weeks.
On reports he might not come back: “Still trying to figure it out. Still just going through the progressions of rehab. Not saying that I’m coming back or not. It’s all about being 100% healthy and going through the plan.”
My thoughts: Even if Tatum knows whether he is or isn’t coming back, he’s not going to tell us today. Why wouild he?
On the addition of Nikola Vucevic to the Celtics: “Vooch is a hell of a player. Obviously, I’ve competed against him for the last 8 years, and [I’m] excited about the things that he brings to this team, different dynamics. We’re all excited to have him.”
On Jaylen Brown’s big season: “It’s been great. Even before the season, there was no doubt in my mind that he, and P [Payton Pritchard] and D-White and all these guys, I knew what they were capable of. Whenever somebody that loves the game that much, and works as hard as they do, gain more opportunity, I’m not surprised [by] what they’ve been able to accomplish. It’s been really fun to see.”
Jayson Tatum on how Jaylen Brown has responded to shouldering more responsibility this season:
“It’s been great. Even before the season, there was no doubt in my mind that he, and P [Payton Pritchard] and D-White and all these guys, I knew what they were capable of. Whenever… pic.twitter.com/4awZixNoOH
On how he feels the Celtics stack up against the East’s best teams: “We’ve been one of the best teams all season. And we’ll continue being one of the best teams.”
LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — For his 21st season in the majors, Justin Verlander is going back to the very beginning of his career.
All the way back to Motown.
Verlander returned to the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, agreeing to a $13 million, one-year contract with his first big league team. The three-time AL Cy Young Award winner joins an improved rotation fronted by Tarik Skubal and Framber Valdez, who also signed with Detroit in free agency.
Verlander, who turns 43 on Feb. 20, went 183-114 with a 3.49 ERA while spending his first 13 seasons in Detroit. He won his first Cy Young Award and was AL MVP when he had a 24-5 record and a 2.40 ERA in 2011.
Verlander was traded to Houston in August 2017 and helped the Astros win the World Series that same year and again in 2022. Now he gets an opportunity to chase a third championship with the Tigers, who are looking for the franchise's first title since 1984.
Verlander's deal with Detroit includes $11 million in deferred payments starting in 2030. The Tigers' pitchers and catchers are scheduled to have their first spring training workout on Wednesday.
The right-hander is 266-158 with a 3.32 ERA in 555 starts, also playing for the New York Mets and San Francisco. He is tied with Bob Feller and Eppa Rixey for 34th in victories on baseball’s career list, while his 3,553 career strikeouts are eighth and closely trailing Don Sutton's 3,574.
Verlander is coming off a frustrating year with the Giants, going 4-11 with a 3.85 ERA in 29 starts. But his 2.60 ERA from July 23 through the remainder of the season ranked fourth in the National League with a minimum of 60 innings pitched.
Verlander returned June 18 after being sidelined for a month by a strained right pectoral muscle. He wants to keep pitching after a disappointing season in which he began 0-8 and was winless in his initial 16 outings before a win at Atlanta on July 23.
“First half, quite difficult. Happy I was able to find some mechanical fixes to kind of get back in the right direction and pitch well in the second half,” Verlander said following his final outing on Sept. 27. “I think obviously you’d always rather it go well, but it’s nice to be able to turn it around, especially after a few months it gets really draining and it’s tiresome. You’ve just got to come in every day and have a positive mindset and keep working hard.”
The second-half turnaround mattered to Verlander, who limited opponents to a .228 average over his final 13 appearances. He allowed two or fewer earned runs in 10 of his last 13 starts.
Mets star Juan Soto is moving from right field to left field this season, president of baseball operationsDavid Stearnsannounced on Tuesday.
"Over the last month or so, as (Carlos Mendoza) and Juan were talking about the season, Juan was working out in left field because he's gonna play left field for the DR in the WBC," Stearns explained. "As they had their conversations, he felt really comfortable there. It made sense for us from a roster perspective. So we're gonna go forward with it, and everyone is on board with it.
"Not something we had really contemplated coming into the offseason, but as we've had conversations over the last month it made sense for all involved."
Speaking later in the afternoon, Mendoza said that he and Soto had many conversations in the offseason, including Mendoza visiting the outfielder in the Dominican Republic, and it was probably around late December when Mendoza and Soto first seriously entertained the idea of Soto making a position change.
Talks started with Mendoza asking about where Soto would play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. When Soto explained that he was preparing to play left, with Fernando Tatis Jr. playing right, Mendoza asked about Soto making the change for the Mets.
"I asked how he would feel if he played left field for us, and he was like 'I’m willing to do whatever. If you want me to pitch, Mendy, I’ll pitch,' kind of with that smile," Mendoza explained. "I said ‘Seriously speaking here, is that something that you would consider if it makes sense for both?' and he was like 'Absolutely.' He reinforced it and said 'I’m comfortable in right, I’m comfortable in left, whatever the team needs.'"
Soto has played mostly right field over the last few seasons, including in 2025, when he started all 157 games there.
However, he has started 458 big league games in left field, including six in 2024 and 154 in 2023 -- when every one of his starts in the field for the Padres came in left.
"I think it's just where he is comfortable," Stearns noted. "He's done it in the past. He feels good over there. We've talked about it a lot, we've got a lot of athletic outfielders -- both at the major league level and nearing the major league level. And so having right field available to them isn't a bad outcome.
"We were also comfortable with Juan in right field and having left field available to them. As we were talking with Juan, it frankly didn't make a lot of sense to bounce him back and forth from corner to corner during spring training. He's comfortable in left, it fits with our roster, so we'll go forward with it."
While Soto has a strong arm that he utilizes well, he was near the bottom of the league last season when it came to Outs Above Average. The same was the case in 2024 and in 2023 (when he was in left field).
With Soto shifting to left, that means right field will be a competition between Carson Benge and others.
Benge has lots of experience in right field, including 26 games last season. He was primarily a right fielder during his college career with Oklahoma State. He can also play center and left.
Stearns has spoken highly of Benge throughout the offseason, noting that he has a legitimate chance to make the team out of spring training as a starting outfielder.
In addition to Benge, other possibilities for right field include Tyrone Taylor and Brett Baty.
Baty has yet to play right field professionally, but has 29 games of left field experience in the minors (and one game of experience there in the majors).
