標籤: Breakout

Every year, several NFL players become household names. While top draft picks always have a threat, sometimes an even greater impact can be made by undrafted players or other athletes who were previously overlooked. The Minnesota Vikings have done a good job of identifying hidden gems, which shows they are willing to give anyone a chance, whether they are selected at a high level or not selected at all.

Below, we evaluate a quartet of Vikings players who could enjoy breakout seasons in 2026.

RELATED: 5 Minnesota Vikings edge rusher targets after trading Jonathan Greenard

miles price

Last year the Vikings needed a new kick returner and turned to undrafted rookie Miles Price. He excelled and ranked third in the NFL with 1,479 kick return yards. But he also fumbled twice and failed to return home, his longest return was 61 yards. As Price enters his second season, don’t be surprised if he has even more success, including his first return touchdown in the NFL.

jalen redmond

Jalen Redmond is a player the Vikings had in mind while exploring the XFL. Now, he is the starting defensive lineman for Brian Flores. One could say that last season was Redmond’s breakout year as he recorded six sacks. Still, we guess there’s even more meat on the bone for Redmond. We could see a Pro Bowl season from a third-year player.

RELATED: Minnesota Vikings rookie may have revealed hint about All-Pro status

jay ward

There are still some questions as to whether Harrison Smith can return for a 15th season in a Vikings uniform. Whether he does or not, chances are, we’ll hear a lot from 2023 fourth-round pick Jay Ward. After playing 63 defensive snaps in his first two seasons, Ward took the field for 248 snaps in his third year. Coach Flores was lining up Ward all over the place over the final three weeks of last season, so there’s reason to believe he also has big plans for the player who will soon turn 26 in 2026.

dallas turner

An obvious choice after the Jonathan Greenard trade thrust the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft into a starting role, Turner recorded eight sacks in 2025, but he will see an increased snap count in his third season. The question is whether he’ll be able to stick as a run stuffer, but by solidifying the defensive interior with Domonique Orange and Caleb Banks, Turner and his rushmate Andrew Van Ginkel should be able to pin their ears back and chase QBs out of the pocket. A Pro Bowl or even All-Pro season isn’t out of the question for the freaky 23-year-old who clocked a 4.46-second 40 yard dash coming from Alabama.

RELATED: 2026 NFL QB rankings: From the NFL’s worst starting QBs to the best

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

When the Baltimore Orioles traded for Taylor Ward earlier this offseason, it was the first major trade since the conclusion of the 2025 season. The O’s sent top pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez to the Los Angeles Angels for a slugging outfielder. The move immediately ramped up Baltimore’s offense.

It hasn’t worked out too well for the O’s so far. They are in fourth place in the American League East with an 18–23 record. That being said, the club has scored 181 runs entering the game on Monday. This is second best in the division behind only the New York Yankees (215). Baltimore’s problem has been their pitching, where the staff has allowed a division-high 222 runs for a run differential of -41.

Ward showing unique plate discipline

Still, with all that in mind, Ward has been a stalwart player for the O’s. He has led the team offensively and led qualified hitters in every major offensive category except slugging percentage. Ward has a .262/.426/.376 slash line and .802 OPS.

But the important number to look at here is his on-base percentage. At .426, Ward leads all MLB qualified hitters in that category due to an MLB-leading 40 walks. And, despite hitting only one home run on the year, he has an above average OPS mark. Since 2020, Ward has had a solid OBP, posting numbers above .300 every year.

But this is something different. His strikeout percentage (10.7 percent) and walk percentage (21.9) are in the 100th percentile in MLB. And Ward’s whiff percentage (16.3) is in the 88th percentile. All three marks are career highs for the veteran outfielder. All of this has contributed to an above average 138 wRC+ (where 100 is average).

power outage in baltimore

When Ward was traded to Baltimore, it was in hopes of adding some power to an offense that was in desperate need. The O’s also signed Pete Alonso to join him, but the duo have hit only nine home runs through 41 games. Ward has contributed only one long ball to that combination.

This is due to deficiencies in almost every underlying metric that grades power contacts. In 2025, Ward hit a career-high 36 homers. That season, his barrel percentage (13.7), hard-hit percentage (42.7) and bat speed (69.5 mph) were higher than his current 2026 numbers. So far this year, those numbers have dropped to 5.5 percent, 36.7 percent and 67.8 mph, respectively. These are some of the steepest declines in MLB.

Nevertheless, Ward has still managed to provide value for Baltimore. According to Statcast his batting run value is +7. This is above average across MLB, with Ward ranking in the 86th percentile. This is better than the 80th percentile ranking he achieved in 2025 with his high home run total. If Ward can rediscover that power, he could become one of the most dangerous all-around hitters in the entire American League.

Taj Bradley has been the real hero for the Minnesota Twins this season. His upside has been one of the best parts of the Twins’ 2026 campaign, posting a 2.87 ERA in 47 innings. This year his fastball run value has increased from the 20th percentile (2025) to the 94th.

This is what makes the news of Bradley being sent to the injured list more worrying. The Twins have been troubled by injuries to their rotation recently. Bradley was one of the few remaining steady presences on the roster for Minnesota. This is now a matter of confusion, as Bradley’s right pec is swollen.

Bradley’s breakout has been amazing to watch, although it does seem a bit on the lucky side. His xERA (3.88) is a whole lot higher than his actual ERA. This suggests he may be getting some help from the baseball gods, although Bradley’s xERA is also better than any mark he put up in his previous MLB season.

impact of injury

Bradley reported pain to the Twins staff shortly after his most recent start against the Washington Nationals. He was flown back to Minnesota and had an MRI. Manager Derek Shelton has said that the injury does not affect his pitching, but it does affect other activities. This appears to be more of a cautious move that will greatly impact Bradley’s entire season.

This is great news for the twins. They lost Pablo Lopez before the season started due to Tommy John surgery. Along with Lopez, Mick Abel was ruled out with an elbow injury. Those complications have created serious concerns in the Minnesota rotation. Thankfully, Bradley should be back soon to help address those concerns.

In the same move, Bradley’s spot on the roster was replaced by righty Travis Adams. Adams has not scored a run in his last two matches, but before that he was tagged for six runs. He could potentially be used as a bulk relief or swingman role for the club.

The Green Bay Packers have one of the best rosters in the NFL and will once again be one of the youngest teams in 2026. With that comes the opportunity for a breakout season, like we saw from Tucker Craft last year.

Let’s take a look at four players on the Packers’ roster who could have breakthrough seasons in 2026.

Jordan Morgan, left tackle

Taken by the Packers with the 25th overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, Jordan Morgan hasn’t been much of a standout in his first two seasons. The 6-foot-5 offensive lineman played only 186 offensive snaps in his rookie season, and was rated as a below-average player in 749 snaps last season.

The real problem appears to be that the team moved him around a lot, deploying him at both left (51 snaps) and right tackle (148) and right (358) and left guard (191). This never really allowed him to settle into one spot and focus on playing, which he finally got a chance to do this offseason. Projected to be the starter at left tackle, we think Morgan can be as effective as Rasheed Walker was for Green Bay.

RELATED: Green Bay Packers who could be on the roster bubble in 2026

Trey Smack, Kicker

The Packers’ draft class in 2026 doesn’t include anyone other than Trey Smacks, who is trusted to play the lion’s share of snaps from the jump. So, this really leaves Smack as the only newbie who can prove himself to be a fans’ favorite by the end of the season.

For one thing, it says a lot about a kicker prospect when general manager Brian Gutekunst is willing to trade multiple Round 7 picks to nab him. It’s also a testament to what Smack showed in his first practice at rookie camp that Green Bay released Brandon McManus just months after giving him a $1 million roster bonus. We echo what Matt Stover said about Smack, and we think the big impact is immediate.

READ MORE: 2026 NFL Power Rankings, see where the Packers land

Matthew Golden, wide receiver

Matthew Golden not seeing much on the field in his rookie season was interpreted by some as an indictment on the young pass-catcher. In reality, it speaks to the Packers’ depth at wide receiver and how the team has slowly brought in offensive weapons. Now heading into his sophomore season, we are expecting a big leap from Golden in 2026.

Consider his performance in the Wild Card round – 84 receiving yards and a touchdown on four receptions – as a glimpse of what he’s capable of. He’s demonstrated in limited snaps that he can get open (2.07 target separation, 9th in the NFL), and he’s naturally explosive. While Christian Watson and Tucker Kraft are still the primary options for Jordan Love, we think it’s possible for Golden to have over 700 receiving yards and 5-7 touchdowns.

Evan Williams, Security

Evan Williams is already a key piece in the Packers’ defense, and complements 24-year-old All-Pro safety Xavier McKinney nicely. We’re going to see Williams take the next step forward in his career this fall, possibly even earning his first Pro Bowl selection. Already strong against the run, Williams could set career highs in interceptions, tackles for loss and pass deflections in 2026.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for SportsKnow. His work including weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Manchester United are keeping a close eye on Alfonso Moreira after the winger’s exceptional performances for Olympique Lyonnais this season have made him one of the more talked-about young players in Europe.

The 21-year-old has scored eight goals and provided 11 assists throughout the campaign. Those returns have been instrumental in pushing Lyon towards Champions League qualification, with the club now sitting in a direct qualification place for the first time since 2019/20.

Moreira’s influence has been steady rather than sporadic. He continues to influence games at the start and from the bench, often making the difference in difficult moments.

He arrived from Sporting CP at the start of the season for just €2m (£1.7m). Since then, their growth has been rapid. Lyon are already discussing a contract adjustment, even though his current deal runs until 2030. His salary is one of the lowest in the team, which no longer reflects his role.

Building interest across Europe

That growth has naturally attracted attention. According to Portuguese outlet to ballManchester United is one of the clubs that has already checked on the player.

Serie A and Bundesliga teams are also closely monitoring his progress as they look for attacking reinforcements ahead of next season.

For United, the timing is relevant. The club is preparing for changes in the summer, especially in the advanced areas. Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee have all been linked with a possible exit.

All three act in similar roles to Moreira. Therefore, any departure could open up both squad space and financial room for a move.

Sporting clause and rising valuation

The emergence of Afonso Moreira has also brought benefits for Sporting CP. The Portuguese club secured 20% of any future profit from selling him.

His market value is currently around €10m (£8.7m), which represents a sharp rise from his initial fee. However, much higher demand is expected if Lyon considers a sale in the short term.

For example, a transfer worth €20m (£17.4m) would generate around €3.6m (£3.1m) for Sporting. This segment ensures that they remain invested in its trajectory.

what happens next

Afonso Moreira has shown that he can operate in a variety of tactical roles. Under manager Paulo Fonseca, he has also covered the entire flank in a back-three system.

Their success has also been helped by injuries to players like Malik Fofana and Ernest Nuamah. Nevertheless, he has persevered with that opportunity and made it hard for himself to leave.

For Manchester United, the next step depends on outgoings and priorities. They are clearly assessing a wider range of options, and Moreira has come up on that list.

Lyon are in control due to his long contract. If they secure Champions League football, their position will be further strengthened.

England’s interest is expected to continue. The coming months will reveal whether this turns out to be a concrete move or remains at the scouting level.

fulham Levante are interested in forward Karim Tunde ahead of the summer transfer window.

Radio Marca and journalist Matteo Moretto Fulham are reported to be interested in the 20-year-old winger ahead of the summer.

decisive season

Karim Tunde has enjoyed a successful season with Levante this season after coming through their youth system.

He is a product of Barcelona’s youth team, having previously joined them from Espanyol. He played for CF Damm Youth for two years before moving to Levante’s U19s.

He moved to Athletic Levante in 2024 before making a move to the first team this season. He has since made 16 appearances for the Spanish team this season, totaling 985 minutes. He got the only assist in a 4–2 win over Real Oviedo last month.

They are not inspiring or attention-grabbing performances in any way. But Marca and Moretto report that Fulham are interested in the winger. There is no mention of anything other than that.

Transfermarket currently rates Tunde at €1m. Presumably, a move to the Premier League would fetch a much bigger fee.

What do Fulham watch?

The question is what potential Fulham see in Karim Tunde at this point. The statistics certainly don’t suggest the 20-year-old is Premier League ready just yet.

But Tunde is versatile, physical and has explosive speed. These are all qualities that, if developed, could give him a profile that is ideal for the Premier League. Of course, the fact that he is still young is another added advantage.

It is also worth noting that the lack of their numbers is hardly an indicator. Yann Diomande, for example, had two goals and one assist in 10 games during his time with CD Leganés. Now he is a star at RB Leipzig He is being linked with a €100 million transfer to Liverpool this summer.

Due to the lack of information on offer, we’ll take this report with a pinch of salt for now. But Tunde is a name to keep an eye on, with Fulham reportedly already interested.

The MLB season always starts with a lot of hope and anticipation for fans and players. This has never been more true for those who have shown incredible potential in the first few weeks of the season.

Some players kept themselves isolated in the early weeks of MLB’s return. Whether production will be sustained during the season will not be determined until the remainder of the year is completed. Recently, as the ’26 season began, a lot of options have emerged, but these six (three position players, three pitchers) have really shined.

Potential MVP Candidate

1. Jordan Walker, St. Louis Cardinals

Walker has always been an attractive prospect for the Cardinals, but he hasn’t been able to put it all together yet. Is it finally done now? It seems like. After clubbing his MLB-leading eighth home run in Monday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians, he is in tears.

Through 17 games this season, Walker has posted a .328/.388/.754 slash line. He ranks fourth in MLB in OPS with a 1.142 mark. His exceptional performance is a major reason why the St. Louis club currently has a .500 record.

The outfielder is in the 97th percentile or better for most of his batting metrics, falling only behind in square-up percentage (46th percentile). That’s a concern for Walker. After a good start to his rookie 2023 season, he struggled to induce ground balls. Having said that, his sweet-spot percentage this season is at a career-high 47.6%.

A new Rickey Henderson?

2. Chandler Simpson, Tampa Bay Rays

Simpson is known more for his incredible speed than for his bat. So it may surprise some people that he hit .295 in 109 games last year. So far this season, he’s batting .407 for the Rays club that is (somehow?) leading the American League East.

He’s been a big part of that early success, with four RBI and seven steals (tied for fourth in the majors). Many are calling Simpson a better version of Luis Erez because of his contact and speed combo – which is the opposite of Erez’s contact-based approach.

The speedster probably won’t be able to keep his batting average over .400, but that doesn’t mean he can’t continue to produce. Simpson has become a key player for this Rays club amid their return to Tropicana Field.

old guard

3. Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels

Three-time MVP Gaurav is making a comeback. Trout has been destroying the baseball so far this season after returning to center field for the Angels. He already has five home runs and 13 RBI in 17 games played.

After injuries derailed his 2023 and ’24 seasons, Trout returned and had a healthy year for the Halos. He played in 130 games and posted a .232/.359/.439 slash line with 26 home runs. There was a dominant belief around the league that Trout seemed due to have another monster year.

The only problem, as always, is his health. Trout is entering his age-35 season, and could be incredible for this Angels club. Or if his back is not strong he can tank quickly. It’s impossible to say which.

a rising ace

4. Jose Soriano, Los Angeles Angels

It’s hard to overestimate how important Soriano has been to the Angels this season. In four games played, he has four wins and a 0.33 ERA. In those four games, he pitched 27 innings with a 0.67 WHIP and 31 strikeouts. they are Chief Number.

For a guy who has never pitched below an ERA of 3.42 (2024), Soriano looks incredible on the mound. The must-see in each outing has been baseball. He has allowed only nine hits, giving the opponent a batting average of .103.

Soriano won’t be able to maintain that level of dominance (likely), but he is putting together a potential Cy Young season in an American league that already has an ace in Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers. If he can dethrone Skubal for the award, that would be something else.

a youthful renaissance

5. Taj Bradley, Minnesota Twins

Similar to Soriano, this season has started with unprecedented success for Twins Taj Bradley. He is off to a 3-0 start with a 1.25 ERA and a WHIP. The biggest change has been his strikeout percentage, with King striking out 31.2% of the batters he faced.

Bradley has been a big part of Minnesota’s surprising start in 2026. They lead the AL Central with 11 wins, and three of them have come from young pitchers. This is Bradley’s first start in Minnesota this year after spending the first three seasons of his MLB career with the Rays.

Their expected ERA is excess Higher than his actual one (actually two full runs) with a 3.34 xERA compared to the 1.25 mark above. Simply put, Bradley has been lucky. But plenty of pitchers have defied the expected metrics.

Falsifying all expected metrics

6. Randy Vasquez, San Diego Padres

If you’re wondering who I’m talking about, look no further than Randy Vasquez of the San Diego Padres. Through his first three starts, Vásquez has posted career-lows of a 1.02 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. His emergence as a mid-rotation (borderline ace) pitcher for the Friars has alleviated San Diego’s rotation concerns.

Last year was a career year for Vásquez as a starter, posting a 3.84 ERA in 26 starts. But his xERA was almost two runs higher at 5.37. It’s been a similar story early this year, with a 4.24 xERA compared to his 1.02 ERA.

But, despite those metrics, Vasquez shows no signs of slowing down. He’s striking out the field and striking out 19 batters in 17 2/3 innings. San Diego’s rotation concerns have largely been alleviated due to his performance.

Is he going to win the Cy Young? Probably not. But it looks like Vasquez is poised to continue his hot start for the rest of the MLB season.

Washington, DC – Washington Wizards/Monumental basketball president Michael Winger said on Jan. 22 that the organization will evaluate which young players will stick around long-term in the coming months, and second-year guard Bub Carrington showed why he should stick around on Tuesday. The 20-year-old scored a season-high 30 points (12-16 FG, 6-8 3-point) with four rebounds, two assists and no turnovers over 37 minutes in Washington’s 130-117 home loss against the Detroit Pistons.

Veteran forward Justin Champagnie told ClutchPoints after the game how Carrington has grown as a player since last season.

I asked Justin Champagnie last night how Bub Carrington has grown as a player since he was first discovered (thread):

“I think Bub is trying to learn his spots more. Starting to figure out when to shoot, when not to. When to be aggressive, when not to be aggressive. When… pic.twitter.com/KYEdtYxlmD

-Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) 18 March 2026

“I think Bub is trying to learn his spots more. Starting to figure out when to shoot, when not to shoot,” the 24-year-old said. “When to be aggressive, when not to be aggressive. When to turn the ball over, make the plays that have to be made. He’s diligent in his film work. I watch him do film before every game. I think he’s growing in those aspects. Gotta remember Bub is still young, like, 21 years old…I’m very proud of the growth he’s made this year.”

Carrington won’t turn 21 until July, but the rest of Champaign’s commentary track. The former Pittsburgh Panther is shooting 56.7% from the field (51.7% 3-point) with a 2.56 assist-to-turnover ratio in 25.9 minutes per game in March, which is a night-and-day difference from the rest of his season. For example, he shot only 36.4% (28.3% 3-pointers) with a 2.2 assist-to-turnover ratio in February and 38.7% (34.6% 3-pointers) with a 1.76 ratio in January.

Carrington’s season-long numbers aren’t that different from his depth other than a 39.4% clip, which leads 2024 draftees with at least that many average attempts (4.9). The Baltimore native’s average three-point attempts also rank fifth in the class.

On the other hand, according to NBA Advanced stats, Carrington’s 14.1 turnover ratio is the third highest (minimum 20 minutes per game) and his -14.2 net rating ranks last. Luckily, Champagne gave him advice on how to deal with adversity.

“Stay the same… A lot of guys go through sophomore slumps… When shots aren’t falling and things aren’t going your way, what else can you do to make an impact and be the player we need?” When asked what advice he would give Carrington, he said. “I think he’s done a great job so far this year, I’m looking forward to seeing him continue.”

Spreading the ball around while limiting turnovers is one way Carrington can help the team when he’s not scoring. For example, the 6-foot-4, 190-pounder had eight possessions against just one turnover in Saturday’s 111-100 loss to the Boston Celtics. He only scored two points (1-2 FG) in 22 minutes, but still provided value.

It was a different story on Tuesday. Carrington looked as confident as ever, hitting a fadeaway midrange as well as a catch-and-shoot three Competitive layouts like The one below.

It’s hard bub 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/LWs05M0EGh

– Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) 17 March 2026

Carrington could stand to hit more contested layups, as he ranks 162nd among NBA guards with 0.5 paint touches per game as of Wednesday. If he gets to the rim more, he will draw more attention from the defense and open up space for his teammates, similar to fellow Wizard Trae Young.

It’s not realistic to reach Young’s level too soon, but it is realistic to build on Tuesday’s outing and show potential in that regard over the rest of the season.

Bub Carrington needs to prove valuable as a role player

It’s no secret that Washington’s youth center will be in a different situation next year and beyond. The acquisition of youth and star big man Anthony Davis this offseason signals an intent to get into the Eastern Conference playoff picture for the 2026-27 campaign, which is a far cry from the way things have been recently.

The organization has declined every year since winger and general manager Will Dawkins took over in 2023, which helped him land second-year big man Alex Saar and rookie guard Trey Johnson with the top six selections in the draft. If the season ends on Wednesday, it will gain another top-six selection in the draft with superstar prospects AJ DiBuntsa (BYU), Cameron Boozer (Duke), and Darin Peterson (Kansas).

This strategy puts player development above winning, allowing the young core to play through mistakes without the pressure of immediate results. But next year it will be difficult to get minutes for those players who will not help the team win.

There are no guarantees what the roster will look like next year, but Carrington can stake his claim as a long-term role player if he puts together a mix of performances like the Pistons and Celtics games the rest of this season. Whether the team needs him as a scorer or facilitator on some nights, if he consistently shows he can execute any job, it will be hard to sit him down.

Head coach Brian Keefe reported Tuesday that Carrington is learning “what he needs to do” each game.

“I think Bub had a good year. He really took over our second unit for a lot of the year, while our second unit was very positive for a long time,” he said. “He’s learned to control the game offensively. I like his physicality defensively, he’s gotten more interceptions as the season has gone on. And the shooting is right there as well.”

“Keep growing, and we will put our people in positions to learn and grow,” he added. “Tonight was great, he played a little off the ball. Sometimes he has the ball more, tonight he was a little behind. He was aggressive looking for his shot, and that’s what we needed him to do tonight. He’s learning what the game needs him to do. Some nights are different. Tonight, he was aggressive with his shot, and that was helpful for us.”

Washington has another home date with Detroit on Thursday before hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.

Josh Minott is attempting to carve out a consistent role during his fourth NBA season. The former Boston Celtics forward is making a strong case for an extended opportunity following a trade for the rebuilding Brooklyn Nets.

Minot had the best performance of his career during Brooklyn’s 108-97 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday. The 6-foot-8 wing kept the Nets, who were down more than half their rotation, competitive for most of the game. He made a post A career-high 24 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field, 4-of-7 from three and 8-of-10 from the free-throw line with three steals and three blocks in 24 minutes.

When Minot was asked what led to the best inning of his career, he said, “I would just say my teammates.” “They were finding me at their cuts when I was open. I mean, I basically owe them everything. I didn’t really do anything that didn’t involve them finding me… I’m coming into a situation in the middle of the season. So I have to make a crazy mental shift. So for them to really help speed things up and help me understand who we are as a team — just our game, values, how we play — I mean, I would say that.” That’s everything. They definitely help guide me, and I’m looking forward to what else they have to teach me.”

https://t.co/fqqnByahKa pic.twitter.com/x6GBVVDoBo

– Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) 13 March 2026

Minot joined the Nets at the trade deadline from the Boston Celtics, who dropped his minimum salary below the luxury tax. The 23-year-old has performed well for Boston earlier this season.

Josh Minott’s heads turned during the Nets’ rebuilding audition

Minot averaged 6.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.8 steals in 18.5 minutes per game in his first 27 appearances this season. He shot 50.8 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three on 7.1 attempts per 100 possessions during the stretch.

The 6-foot-8 Memphis product, with a seven-foot wingspan and above-average athleticism, has impressed as a defensive playmaker. His promising three-point shooting and drive length at the rim offer an interesting two-way upside for the Nets team that acquired him at no cost.

Minot’s four made threes and six steals (steals + blocks) on Thursday were both career highs.

“I was looking forward to it,” he said of his performance. “But at the end of the day, I wouldn’t call it futile, but there is a goal. So overall, I don’t want to say I’m satisfied, but I’m quite happy with my performance… I’m just trying to keep that momentum going. I understand that they had a momentum before me, and I’m not trying to ruin that. I’m just trying to find a way to come in and impact the game. Just keep the team up, elevate the team and its values.” “I’m trying.”

Minot should have ample opportunity to prove his worth as the Nets increase their offensive aggression to close out the season. Brooklyn recently shut down Igor Demin and Deron Sharp for the season. Michael Porter Jr. (right ankle sprain), Nolan Traore (rest) and Zaire Williams (illness) also were ruled out against Atlanta.

The Nets have a $2.58 million team option on Minot for next season.

The Washington Wizards watched Julian Reese have a breakout game on Thursday night, and afterward, the rookie opened up about the influence of his sister Angel Reese. While many fans arrived at Capital One Arena expecting the spotlight on Trae Young’s debut, the night quietly turned into a showcase for the young Wizards big man.

In his third NBA game, Julian Reese produced a surprising stat line. He scored 18 points on 5-of-7 shooting. He grabbed 20 rebounds. Ten came to the rescue. Ten became aggressive. He recorded two assists and one steal in 38 minutes. The Wizards ultimately lost to the Jazz 122-112, but the performance still attracted attention on the field.

Reese’s energy never waned. He chased every loose ball. He fought inside the paint. Under the bright lights of the arena, the Wizards played with rookie urgency and confidence. For a young player still finding his feet in the league, the moment felt significant.

After the game, Julian revealed that his sister Angel Reese played a major role in keeping him focused in the early stages of his career.

Wizards rookie Julian Reese reflects on sister Angel’s constant pressure

Speaking to reporters after the game, Reese talked about how closely Angel Reese monitors his progress. Even during the busy days of her career, she remains connected to every performance.

Julianne on her sister Angel:

“She hits me up before and after every game, just tells me what I need to do. Watches the games, tries to text me at halftime… Sometimes I let her get over me a little bit, just trying to tell her to let me do what I want. It’s great to have a sister… https://t.co/l4oro1zGed pic.twitter.com/KsxAfJbfAy

– Oh no, he didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) 6 March 2026

The Wizards youngster said, “She hits me up before and after every game and tells me what I need to do. Watches the games, tries to text me at halftime… Sometimes I let her go over me a little bit, just trying to tell her to let me do what I do.”

“It’s great to have a sister who is always there for me and tries to see the best for her brother, especially when he’s busy with what he’s doing. Love him to death.”

The quote revealed the bond behind the breakout. One brother or sister is pushing the other forward. A newbie proving he belongs.

And if Thursday night was any indication, the Wizards may have discovered something special. The question now seems simple: Was this just a breakout game, or the beginning of Julian Reese’s rise?

The Philadelphia 76ers went into Wednesday night’s matchup against the Utah Jazz missing almost their entire starting lineup, but thanks to an unexpected hero they walked away with a gritty 106-102 victory. While Tyrese Maxey handled the heavy lifting with 25 points, it was Jabari Walker’s breakout performance that caught everyone’s attention and ultimately gave head coach Nick Nurse a reason to smile.

Walker was a force off the bench, tallying a massive double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. He was efficient from the floor, making 7 of 12 shots overall and an impressive 4 of 7 from beyond the arc. It was the kind of performance the 76ers desperately needed with Joel Embiid, Paul George and VJ Edgecombe sidelined.

After the game, Nurse explained that Walker’s sudden increase in minutes was no accident. “We’re trying to get him to play like that. Because he’s like, and I’ve said this a lot before, like he’s a really good shooter, you just have to get used to the feeling of the NBA and be good enough to pull the trigger on them and be much better in his last few games and he’s just running.”

“We’re trying to inspire him to play the same way.”

Nick Nurse discusses what Jabari Walker brings to the table. | @kia pic.twitter.com/GvXflmD5ap

– NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) 5 March 2026

Perhaps the most intriguing part of Walker’s rise is his own explanation for his high-motor style. When asked about his emotional nature and hustle dramas, Walker offered a hilarious self-assessment, claiming that people who know him know he is “really kind of crazy”. He joked that there was “something really wrong” with him, but that energy clearly translated onto the court as he helped Philadelphia avoid a two-game losing streak.

The win also included 16 points from Quentin Grimes and a clutch follow-dunk from Adem Bona that tied the game late. For a 76ers team struggling to maintain their playoff position, finding a reliable bench weapon like Walker could be a ray of hope for an injury-plagued week.

Washington, DC – One of the Washington Wizards’ most dramatic games of the season was a 123-118 home loss to the Houston Rockets on Monday, which included a Trae Young ejection. But third-year guard Bilal Coulibaly’s season-high 23 points (9-16, 5-7 3-point) were the most important aspect of the night for Washington’s development.

The 21-year-old player told ClutchPoints after the game What has helped him improve? Recently his shooting took place.

Bilal Coulibaly scored a season-high 23 points tonight and went 5 of 7 from deep. His shot has improved significantly recently, and he attributes it to getting more reps and finding his rhythm. The oft-injured guard has been in the lineup consistently since late January, having… pic.twitter.com/EbxySnQcwl

-Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) 3 March 2026

“Just getting more reps, being out there more,” he said. “Finding my rhythm, and yeah, just my thing.”

Koulibaly’s recent increase in shooting efficiency has coincided with his healthiest stretch of the season. The 6-foot-7-inch, 195-pound player has appeared in 15 of the Wizards’ last 16 games after missing multiple contests in each month from October through January. He struggled offensively throughout the postseason, topping out with a 41.7% field goal clip in January and a 29.6% 3-point clip in November. However, he posted a 46% field goal clip (33.3% 3-point) in February.

Head coach Brian Keefe was asked if the improvement was due to more reps or any specific changes such as his shooting form.

He said, “I’m not going to go into that specifically, but you know, he’s diligent about his craft, he’s working on specific things.” “It’s really intentional, and you have to put time into it, and he’s doing it all.”

While Keefe kept the details to himself, Coulibaly’s look now looks more effortless than ever. For example, the shot of the original Frenchman in this practice clip from October 18 was disjointed, because he didn’t always release the ball At the top of his jump.

After practice, Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly hit three shots. Coulibaly continued to work after suffering a thumb injury at the EuroBasket. pic.twitter.com/xVcoVyCm8d

-Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) 18 October 2025

However, Monday’s game was a different story. The clip below shows Coulibaly shooting with fluid motion And without a hitch, when he hit an off-dribble three after letting the ball go at the top of his jump.

Four triples in the first half for Bilal

📊 14 PTS | 4 pm 3 pm pic.twitter.com/Q5d76aewLj

– Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) 3 March 2026

The eye test shows that Coulibaly has made necessary changes to his mechanics, which could change the direction of his career. At this point, the two-time Rising Star has established himself as a defensive specialist with supreme athleticism, as he is known for explosive dunks. But his field goal clip has decreased each season, as he posted a 43.5% mark as a rookie before dropping to 42.1% last year and 41.9% this year. Additionally, his three-point percentage as a rookie dropped from 34.6 last season to 28.1, and this year he is at 30.4%. This has made him a liability offensively.

Injuries have played a role, as Koulibaly was shut down in March 2024 with a right wrist fracture and then again last March with a hamstring strain. Additionally, the 2023 No. 7 overall pick had thumb surgery in September after tearing a ligament while playing for France at EuroBasket, causing him to miss the first four games of the season. He also had other minor illnesses due to which he lost time.

It’s difficult for a player to settle into a rhythm and improve when he’s constantly injured, but if Koulibaly continues to stay healthy and efficient offensively, he’ll make a strong case as a long-term player ahead of his first extension-eligible offseason.

Young, who will make his Wizards debut on Thursday at home against the Utah Jazz, should get more open looks than Coulibaly because of his offensive intensity. If the latter player takes advantage of the opportunity, he could finish the season with a career-best shooting percentage.

Trae Young, Kevin Durant headline fun Wizards-Rockets contest

Young (knee/quad) didn’t play Monday, but he made his presence known when he was ejected for walking the floor in street clothes while Washington rookie Jameer Watkins and Houston forward Tari Eason got into an altercation. Youth was stuck For Watkins, as Eason had pushed him to the ground moments earlier.

Trae Young was benched from Wizards-Rockets before even playing a minute with the team 😳

He went to the floor during an argument between Jameer Watkins and Tari Eason.

pic.twitter.com/T5vsaMdneK

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 3 March 2026

Fans cheered Young as he entered the tunnel, and after the game he posted about the incident on social media.

He added, “Don’t expect me to be out in DC that many times.. but I’ll definitely bring that energy and competitiveness when I come back for my brothers.”

Although Young broke the rules by taking the court as a passive player, it showed that he cared about his teammates. Additionally, the former All-NBA honoree announced via social media on Tuesday that he will not be suspended before Thursday’s start.

Additionally, Rockets superstar and D.C.-area native Kevin Durant recorded 30 points (8-15 FG, 3-6 3-point) with seven rebounds in 37 minutes on his homecoming night. The 37-year-old also became irritated with second-year Wizards guard Bub Carrington as the two talked trash before pushing Carrington back at the end of the game. The latter player then fell to the ground and Durant faced a technical foul.

However, the future Hall of Famer held no grudge against Washington. it was seemed to be giving signals Second-year Wizards wing Keyshawn George postgame via On SI’s Lachard Binkley.

KD loves basketball. Even after playing 37 minutes, he is still giving the other team’s youngsters pointers that they can use for the rest of their careers. pic.twitter.com/HvUUvyak7m

– Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) 3 March 2026

Durant also said he is “excited for the hometown team”, now that youth and star big man Anthony Davis is in the district via Carita Park of Double Take Sports. Wizards fans haven’t had much to get excited about in recent years, but the team’s young core combined with their new stars and whoever they draft in the lottery this summer gives them a chance to be competitive next season and beyond.

The Memphis Grizzlies have a track record of finding diamonds in the second round. One of his latest discoveries is increasingly making the case that his value far exceeds current wages. With an All-Rookie year on his resume and another productive season underway, Jaylen Wells should consider pushing for a contract extension worth approximately $15 million annually this summer.

Selected with the 39th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Wells has outperformed his draft slot in ways that typically command top dollar on the open market. The Grizzlies aren’t going to let Wells hit free agency any time soon. According to Tuomas Isalo, EVP Zach Kleiman knows the value of the early caliber two-way wing and why Wells is the best fit for Beale Street.

“Jaylen is extremely solid. (Wells) fits into a variety of lineups because he doesn’t need the ball to have a positive impact on the game,” Isalo explained. “He’s hitting open shots and he’s also improved his mid-range scoring, which is higher efficiency for him. Defensively, he gets into different matchups. He’s always been an on-ball specialist for us. Now, for the second year, his off-ball defense, his awareness, his disruptions have really gotten better.”

That last sentence is statistical logic in simple language. Wells is producing 12.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.8 three-pointers and 0.9 steals in 26.7 minutes per game in his sophomore season. Those are cool numbers. There were even louder noises when Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. were out. Wells averaged 14.3 points, 3.8 boards and 2.0 assists while shooting 36.8% from beyond the arc in December. That three-point accuracy is up to 45.3% in February.

Wells has had three 20-point games in a five-game span and posted four steal games twice. After the NBA All-Star break he went 10-13 from the field for 25 points against the Miami Heat. It’s not just the scoring, but the efficiency that separates this race from the usual production. Committing almost one turnover per game despite the huge increase in usage rate (20.8) is acceptable in this part of the process. Thankfully for the Grizzlies, the 10-year rolling comparison of the CBA cap and second-round picks provides a great framework for a team-friendly deal.

Jaylen Wells, Grizzlies on the clock

Herb Jones, the 35th pick in 2021 by New Orleans, signed a four-year, $54 million extension ($13.5 million AAV) after two seasons of averaging 10 points and strong defense. Andrew Nembhard, selected 31st overall in 2022 by Indiana, signed a three-year, $59 million ($19.7 million AAV) deal after a sophomore year of 9.5 points and 4.5 assists. Ayo Dosunmu, the 38th pick in 2021 by Chicago, earned a three-year, $21 million ($7 million AAV) contract after similar 3-and-D production.

Isaiah Joe (49th, 2020) signed a three-year, $30 million ($10 million AAV) deal with Oklahoma City; Aaron Wiggins (55th, 2021) agreed to a five-year, $47 million ($9.4 million AAV) extension. Wales should seek a number near the top end of that scale. If his February surge (51.6% FG, 44.9% 3PT) continues into the offseason, the $15 million target may prove conservative.

For the Grizzlies, Wells’ extension now aligns with building cost-controlled talent amid salary cap constraints. This is a contract that will have immediate first-round value. For Wells, pushing for a $15 million AAV could take advantage of his speed before injuries or roster changes alter his leverage. Unrestricted free agency is still a long way off, and the NBA would be a big gamble for such a small return under the CBA’s projected average player salary structure.

However, there is no telling where the organization will be a year from now, nor can anyone assure that the 22-year-old (birthday in August) has any significant role in it. Therefore, first lock the middle money. Negotiate player options by Labor Day. Either way, this must be done before training camp opens. There must be some protection in place to cover the prime years before Wales are at risk of another sudden injury.