The New Jersey Devils trading Nico Hischier is a bad idea. However, not trading for Quinn Hughes is also a bad idea.

You have to give to get.

I want to reiterate that I am not advocating that the Devils should move Hischier. They should build their 1-2 center punch around him and Jack Hughes.

After all, the Devils are screwed by keeping Hischier—who is undoubtedly a top-line center—on the second line.

Still, you’re not getting Quin without premium returns. And if you can acquire arguably the best defenseman in the league, you will.

It’s more than uniting the Hughes brothers. Still, the Minnesota Wild are just as interested in employing them all on one team as the Devils.

evidence?

After bringing Quinn back from Vancouver last season, Bill Guerin tried to bring in Luke Hughes via the Devils trade.

This will undoubtedly help Guerin sign the Jacks as a free agent in 2030. Nevertheless, the Devils did not entertain Guerin’s pursuit of Luke, and the Devils remained with two of the three Hughes brothers.

However, Sunny Mehta is no Tom Fitzgerald. How much does he desire to unite Hughes’s triumvirate – if at all?

How much is he willing to trade his captain for Quinn?

This seems unlikely. Still, if the nuclear option of acquiring Quinn is successful for Hischier, there are options who should be available to fill the center void this summer, even if not the same as the Devils captain.

Perhaps Quinn’s presence covers any holes left by Hischier, because although you’re upgrading with Quinn, you’re upgrading at center.

Ryan O’Reilly-Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators were treating Ryan O’Reilly with kid gloves last season.

O’Reilly has no protection from a trade, yet Predators GM Barry Trotz was treating him as if he did. Thus, despite all the trade speculation, O’Reilly remained in Nashville as they tried for the playoffs.

They couldn’t make it, and now Nashville will have a new GM.

Who will be at the helm in Nashville has yet to be determined, but after a roller coaster season, a new GM should be ready to move O’Reilly who is going into the last year of his contract on a roster that needs to get younger.

O’Reilly is cut from the same cloth as Hischier. He may no longer have elite metrics in the neutral and defensive zones, but he’s still on the bubble.

In his age-34 season, O’Reilly scored 25 goals and 74 points in 81 games. That’s fewer goals than Hischier (28) but more points (66) while winning 55.8% of faceoffs.

You’re betting on the 35-year-old O’Reilly’s play as a potential short-term stopgap solution and pending free-agent to fill the void.

Mason McTavish-Anaheim Ducks

You might be shopping upside down here.

It seems things are rocky between the Anaheim Ducks and Mason McTavish, who often served as a healthy scratch through two rounds in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The ducks were eliminated on Thursday night. The focus now turns to the offseason where they will undoubtedly look to improve on an unexpectedly successful 2025-26.

Still, McTavish serving as a healthy scratch in his most important games over seven seasons shows where he stands in the eyes of Joel Quenneville.

Now the Ducks will have to make a decision about his future, just like they did with Trevor Zegras last summer.

And it worked out very well for the Philadelphia Flyers.

McTavish has completed the first year of a six-year contract with an average annual value of $7 million. Heading into his age-24 season, there is still a lot to like about McTavish’s game.

The Ducks forward has shown good scoring touch with occasional high-end flashes — winning battles along the wall, driving through contact, and making quick plays in tight areas — but his skating and defensive reliability remain glaring areas of limited consistency so far.

Perhaps Quinn’s tarpaulin-like ability to cover the ice will make up for the defensive deficiencies here. And the Ducks would certainly be selling the player at a low price.

Shane Wright-Seattle Kraken

For a more defensively reliable option, Shane Wright brings some interesting tools to his game – he’s a strong short-field player with solid wheels and reliable defense.

That said, he has seen very limited puck touches in both of his NHL seasons, making it hard to project him as a true driver given how limited his overall participation has been.

Instead, he will need the support of two key top-six wingers. Perhaps Timo Meier and Dawson Mercer will provide ample support until Wright figures out how to move the game forward on his own – or rather If He figures out how to carry the game on his own.

The Kraken were challenging Wright to make his splash at the 2026 NHL trade deadline. In this situation, the Devils are a good fit for a 22-year-old player heading into the final year of his entry-level contract. And there is a positive side to Wright’s development as the aforementioned playdriver.

Wright was more successful in his first full season in 2024–25, scoring 19 goals and 44 points in 79 games, compared to only 12 goals and 27 points the previous season.

Perhaps in a more offensive system in New Jersey – as opposed to Seattle – he can unlock what made him so popular in his draft year.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

At the beginning of the offseason, there were expectations that the Baltimore Ravens would be able to retain Tyler Linderbaum, their starting center for the past four seasons. The Ravens chose not to pick up his fifth-year contract option worth $23.4 million in 2024, making the three-time Pro Bowler a free agent in March.

Once Linderbaum, widely considered one of the best centers in the NFL, hit the open market, the Las Vegas Raiders wasted no time in making him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Linderbaum agreed to a three-year, $81 million contract, making him the highest-paid center in the NFL, and yes, that’s more than the average the Ravens will be paying him for the upcoming campaign.

Meanwhile, the Ravens now need a new starting center. Many thought Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta would have found a replacement through free agency or the draft, but he did not do so. However, he recently acknowledged that the Ravens could end up trading for their new pivot. A local insider may have an idea of ​​who Baltimore is targeting.

RELATED: 2 Baltimore Ravens trade ideas for a new center

Recently, ESPN’s Ravens insider Jamison Hensley took a look at three important questions remaining for Baltimore. One of them focused on who would be the team’s new starting center after offensive coordinator Declan Doyle took over.

That’s when he suggested a possible trade candidate, Chicago’s Garrett Bradbury. Interestingly, Bradbury has already been traded once this offseason, sending him from New England to Chicago in exchange for a fifth-round pick. That trade occurred after Chicago’s starting center retired. But the Bears have selected a center in the second round, which could leave Bradbury in a reserve role.

Bradbury, 30, was the 18th overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He spent the first six seasons of his career with the Minnesota Vikings before starting all 17 regular season games and four playoff games with the Patriots last season.

Although he never lived up to his full draft potential, Bradbury has started all 105 games in his seven-year career, and he would certainly be an upgrade for Baltimore.

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

of manchester united Interest in Rafael Leao has been a topic of discussion in recent weeks. The attacker is now struggling and is at the center of AC Milan’s goalscoring issues.

sports witness Covered Jorge Mendes’ involvement in a potential transfer. AC Milan are relying on the super-agent to find a new club for the attacker.

Through Mendes, Manchester United made initial contact to explore the terms of a deal. The Red Devils have an excellent relationship with the agent, having acquired Manuel Ugarte and Lenny Yoro through his work.

A deal for Leo will be cheaper than before, but that’s because his star has faded.

Leo made noise over the weekend

transfer market The report added that Leao’s performance against Atalanta was another ‘black mark’ on his season. Initially he was not expected to play but despite being given the start, he showed an ‘indifferent attitude’.

The game was important for the Rossoneri. Roma’s win over Parma took them level on points with Milan, who found themselves fourth in the table. They lost 3-2 and are now in serious danger of missing out on Champions League football.

The outlet accused Leao of ‘missing goals, poor play’ and was heavily criticized when he was removed in the second half.

Fans at San Siro protested against CEO Giorgio Furlani before the game. The 26-year-old’s performance enraged them further and the loudest boos were heard when the Portugal international was substituted.

Calciomercato doesn’t end there, adding that Leao is ‘hooked’ on the touchline.

Our Opinion: LEO is becoming an easy target

This may worry Manchester United, but AC Milan are generally struggling. They have won only three league games from nine, going from a title challenger to a team that could clinch a Conference League place.

As is often the case, their best player receives the most criticism. The issues are big, as evidenced by the protests against Furlani and Redbird ownership. Max Allegri’s system is also failing to bring out the best from Leo, who finds himself deeper and forced to cover more distances.

According to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe, the Boston Celtics are signing center Charles Bassey to a second 10-day contract as the team moves to meet the NBA’s minimum roster requirement.

Himmelsbach reported the move on Wednesday at X, formerly known as Twitter.

“The Celtics are signing forward Charles Bassey to a second 10-day contract today, according to a league source.”

Bassey’s initial 10-day contract expired overnight, leaving Boston with 13 players on standard deals. The Celtics had already reached the league’s 28-day limit on carrying fewer than 14 players, making an immediate roster transfer necessary to comply with NBA rules before Thursday.

The 25-year-old center has seen limited action during his tenure with Boston. He has appeared in two games, most recently in a 102-92 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. In that contest, Bassey recorded two points, one rebound and one steal in two minutes.

Celtics sign Charles Bassey to second 10-day contract to meet roster minimum

Originally selected in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft, Bassey has spent time with several teams during his career. He played his rookie season with the Philadelphia 76ers and also had a stint with the San Antonio Spurs before joining Boston.

During the 2025–26 season, Basi has averaged 2.6 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 50% from the field in five appearances. He has logged 7.8 minutes per game in a limited role.

The Celtics enter Wednesday night with a 47-24 record and are set to host the Oklahoma City Thunder (57-15) at 7:30 pm ET. Boston is currently tied with the New York Knicks (48-25) in the race for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, who are on a seven-game winning streak.

The Chicago Bulls host the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night. It also marked the return of one of Chicago’s favorite players, Taj Gibson.

When Gibson entered the game, he was warmly welcomed by the fans at the United Center, according to RealMyKibets on Twitter (formerly Twitter). Additionally, according to Casey Johnson of Chicago Sports Network, the 40-year-old Gibson said he was not sure he would be able to return to play.

Gibson was last in town on January 24 against the Boston Celtics to witness his former teammate Derrick Rose’s jersey retirement ceremony.

Standing ovation for Taj Gibson in 2026. pic.twitter.com/SsLoUKSeFS

– MikeyBets (@RealMikeyBets) 17 March 2026

In February, Gibson signed a two-year contract with the Grizzlies after they acquired Kyle Anderson. On March 13, he made his debut, playing 13 minutes and scoring 3 points as the Grizzlies lost to the Detroit Pistons 126–110. Last year, Gibson played for the Charlotte Hornets and before that for the Pistons.

However, Gibson made his mark with the Bulls. He played in Chicago from 2009 to 2017 after coming out of USC. In 2010, Gibson made the NBA All-Rookie team and in 2014, he was the runner-up for Sixth Man of the Year.

Additionally, Gibson became known as an effective defensive presence, especially in blocking. Additionally, the Bulls made two playoff appearances during his tenure in 2011 and 2015. In 2011, they finished with a 62–20 record and reached the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost to the Miami Heat in five games.

Four years later, the Bulls finished with a 50–32 record. Ultimately, they lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The Golden State Warriors have agreed to sign center Omar Yurtseven to a 10-day contract, according to a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Charania reported the move on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday, citing Yurtseven representatives.

“The Golden State Warriors are signing former Heat and Jazz center Omar Yurtseven to a 10-day contract. Yurtseven, who spent the season in the EuroLeague before joining the G League last week, posted 36 points and 12 rebounds on Friday night,” agents Keith Glass and Luke Glass told ESPN.

The 27-year-old Yurtsev most recently played in the NBA with the Utah Jazz during the 2023-24 season. In that campaign, the 7-foot center averaged 4.6 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 53.8% from the field in 48 appearances, which included 12 starts. He also attempted perimeter shots, connecting on 20.8% of his three-point attempts while logging 11.4 minutes per game.

Prior to his time at Utah, Yurtsev spent two seasons with the Miami Heat, where he drew attention for his rebounding ability and interior scoring. During his tenure in Miami, he played a rotational role and showed flashes of productivity when given extended minutes.

Warriors add frontcourt depth as Omar Yurtseven returns from stint overseas

Yurtseven recently began the current season playing in the EuroLeague abroad before returning to the United States. He joined the G League last week and made an immediate impact, putting up a dominant performance with 36 points and 12 rebounds on Friday night.

The Warriors are expected to use the 10-day contract as an opportunity to evaluate Yurtseven’s fit within the roster while adding depth to their frontcourt rotation. Golden State has dealt with injuries and lineup adjustments throughout the season, creating a need for additional size and interior presence.

Golden State enters the midst of a challenging stretch of the schedule. The Warriors currently have a 32-34 record and are attempting to stop a four-game losing streak as they struggle to remain competitive in the Western Conference playoff picture.

The team would like to bounce back in its next match against the New York Knicks (43-25). The matchup is scheduled for 5:00 pm PT and will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.

Much has been said about the beginning of Deandre Ayton’s life with the Los Angeles Lakers. Brought in to stabilize center after LA struggled at the position for several seasons, Ayton has had a great season so far, at least on paper.

However, regular misses and a reluctance to adopt a defensive role are also evident, meaning a more long-term solution may still be on the cards. This brings us to the 2026 NBA Draft and the Lakers’ No. 21 pick, which ESPN believes the franchise could use to draft Arizona Wildcats center Motijes Krivas.

Krivas is expected to be one of the many centers to be selected in the 20-40 range in the upcoming draft. However, he has established himself as a regular contributor to his team, averaging 10.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and assists in 31 games.

Standing at 7-foot-2, Krivas is an imposing interior presence and has exactly the type of defensive mentality the Lakers need. Averaging 8.2 rebounds per game, the Wildcats star is fundamentally sound on both ends of the court.

He is a highly efficient shooter who converts nearly 80% of his free throws and has all the ingredients to immediately become a role player on a contending team. Of course, that doesn’t mean L.A. can insert him straight into the starting lineup.

The Lakers could consider adding him as a rotational option alongside Ayton and Jackson Hayes, and he would have a long-term prospect that could even exceed expectations. As far as Ayton is concerned, the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves also provided evidence of motor fluctuations.

Ayton dominated early on, attacking Rudy Gobert in the paint and recorded 12 points and 12 rebounds by halftime. Yet the second part tells a completely different story. Ayton added only 2 points and one steal over the final two quarters, once again showing the kind of inconsistency that has come to define his tenure with the Lakers.

Who is the best center fielder in MLB right now? As the 2026 Major League Baseball season approaches, we’re ranking the 10 best players at each position. As we look at the best MLB center fielders in 2026, defense remains the top priority, as evidenced by some of the top names. However, there are some quality hitters who make up for their defensive shortcomings in center.

Let’s take a look at our ranking of the best center fielders in MLB right now.

1. Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners

Julio Rodriguez is the best center fielder in baseball. Already a three-time All-Star selection and two-time Silver Slugger Award winner at age 25, he had 45 RBI, 18 home runs, 14 doubles and a .900 OPS in the second half of last season to earn All-MLB First Team honors. A history of slow starts in the first half, which has kept him from becoming a superstar — a .721 OPS in 2023, a .690 OPS in ’24 and a .731 OPS in ’25 — hurt his season-long numbers. As far as his fielding goes, he finished sixth among starting center fielders in defensive runs saved (nine) last year and was in the 97th percentile for range (11 OAA) and the 95th percentile for arm strength.

RELATED: Best MLB Catchers 2026

2. Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins

The 2025 MLB season was the first time since 2017 that Byron Buxton had over 500 plate appearances. He remained relatively healthy and had his second consecutive campaign with an OPS over .850, while setting career highs in hits (129), triples (seven), home runs (35) and RBI (83). He led his teammates in OPS and tied the best wRC+ (128). He’s no longer the defender he used to be in center field, but a lot of that has to do with playing smart to preserve his health, and he still finished with an average of 3 outs (81st percentile). Staying healthy at age 32 is obviously not possible, but Buxton has demonstrated that he is still capable of playing at an All-Star level.

RELATED: Best MLB First Basemen 2026

3. Pete Crowe-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs

At his peak in 2025, Pete Crowe-Armstrong was one of the best players in baseball. The Chicago Cubs center fielder went into the All-Star break with the fourth-highest fWAR (4.6), and he entered August with an .868 OPS, .272/.309/.559 triple-slash line, 27 home runs and 29 steals. Over the final two months of the season, Crowe-Armstrong had a .533 OPS with a .188/.237/.295 line; He was the worst hitter in MLB during that period. The metrics (43rd percentile average exit velocity, 42nd percentile hard-hit rate and 2nd percentile chase rate) suggest the first half’s numbers probably aren’t coming back. Still, he’s good enough defensively to win a Platinum Glove Award, and he’s one of the most dominant MLB players on the basepaths. Add in his pop, which still makes him one of the best center fielders in MLB.

RELATED: Best MLB Second Basemen 2026

4. Jackson Merrill, San Diego Padres

San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill took the baseball world by storm as a rookie in 2024, earning an All-Star selection and a Silver Slugger Award with a .292 batting average, .826 OPS, 90 RBI, 31 doubles, 24 home runs and 16 steals. He spent three stints on the injured list (concussion, hamstring and ankle) in 2025, but the final two months of his campaign (.888 OPS, 26 RBI and 9 home runs in 147 AB) added up to his rookie success. Merrill’s defensive ability isn’t elite, but he certainly doesn’t hurt San Diego in that regard, and he brings added value as a base runner. In terms of ceiling, Merrill probably exceeds Pete Crowe-Armstrong offensively.

RExcited: Best MLB Third Basemen 2026

5. Sedan Rafaela, Boston Red Sox

Defensively, Sedan Rafaela is the best center fielder in MLB. He led the field in defensive runs saved (20) last season, with a multiple DRS value as the ninth-best center fielder by a margin of Pete Crowe-Armstrong (15). That’s why he won the Fielding Bible Award. The .249 batting average and .295 OBP are certainly not good compared to his peers, but he still had 34 doubles and had the fifth-best slugging percentage (.457). He can also be hot at the plate – .861 OPS from June to July – so there’s a possibility he could be even better. Even though Rafaela remains inconsistent and very aggressive with the bat, his fielding makes him one of the best young outfielders in MLB.

RELATED: Best MLB Shortstops 2026

6. Daulton Varsho, Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho is coming off the best season of his career. He only played in 71 games, but he hit 20 home runs with 55 RBI and had an .833 OPS. Varsho had the highest OPS among center fielders with over 200 plate appearances. He is also unreliable defensively, ranking in the 95th percentile for Outs Above Average (nine). He could be even better in center field next season now that it has been more than a year since he had right rotator cuff surgery. He’s not higher in our center field rankings because we don’t see a world where a hitter with a .217/.289/.398 slash line and .686 OPS over the last two seasons achieves what we saw in a much smaller sample size.

RELATED: Best Designated Hitter 2026

7. Andy Paige, Los Angeles Dodgers

Andy Paige made the second-year jump, with the Los Angeles Dodgers needing help in center field last season. Although he did not walk much, he raised his batting average by nearly 30 points (.248 to .272) while hitting 27 home runs and 86 RBI. Most of that production – a .795 OPS, 19 home runs and 64 RBI – came before August. Perhaps Page is closer to the hitter who had a .293 OBP and .728 OPS over the past two months, but power output and defense (97th percentile range and 98th percentile arm strength) still make him one of the best MLB center fielders in 2026.

RELATED: Best MLB Lineups 2026

8. Trent Grisham, New York Yankees

Trent Grisham falls a bit lower in our center fielder rankings due to the weight we are placing on defense. After all, he had the fourth-worst defensive runs saved (-11) among starting center fielders in 2025. He brought no value on the basepaths, placing in the 8th percentile for baserunning run value (-3). With all that said, he was fifth among outfielders in home runs (33) and 12th in OPS (.807), while his walk rate (14.1 percent) was fourth. He really seemed to find a home with the New York Yankees, and the adjustment helped him have a career-best season. Still, his career statistics suggest that regression is inevitable, and he’ll likely finish around a .750 OPS with poor defense in center.

RELATED: Best MLB Pitchers 2026

9. Michael Harris II, Atlanta Braves

Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II is an example of how quickly a rising star can fade away in baseball. In his first two seasons, he had batting averages of .828 OPS and .295 OPS and was worth 8.6 bWAR. Now compare that to the last two seasons, with a 5.4 bWAR, .255 batting average and .697 OPS. He’ll only be 25 this season, and perhaps his last two months last year (11 home runs, 36 RBI, .278 batting average and .775 OPS) are a sign of him getting back on track. If he does that, with above-average defense (six defensive runs saved) and over 20 steals, he will again be a top-five center fielder.

RELATED: MLB Awards Predictions 2026 including MVP winner

10. TJ Friedel, Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati Reds outfielder TJ Friedel is definitely one of the most underrated players in MLB. He hasn’t replicated the power of his breakout 2023 campaign, when he hit 18 home runs and a career-best .819 OPS, but he remains a high-level contributor. In 2025, he set new highs in games played (152), hits (151) and walks (81), posting a career-best .364 OBP. Among center fielders with over 500 plate appearances over the past two seasons, he ranks 10th in batting average (.250), ninth in OPS (.729), eighth in wRC+ (104) and seventh in runs scored (115).

Read More: MLB Power Rankings 2026, evaluating all 30 teams

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

The Charlotte Hornets will face the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday in Chicago. Coby White will make his official return to the United Center after being traded to Charlotte.

According to Will Gottlieb of the CHGO Bulls, during warmups, White took time to reflect on the moment he thought his career in Chicago was over. His last game with the Bulls was on February 3 against the Milwaukee Bucks. In that game, White scored 21 points and played 30 minutes.

After all, White already knew this would happen.

“I feel like … you can read between the lines. It’s not hard in this league and this business to see what’s going on.”

“I feel like … you can read between the lines. It’s not hard in this league and this business to see what’s going on.”

🗣️ Kobe White on playing his last game with the Bulls

(🎥: @Will_Gottlieb ) pic.twitter.com/fFTcUV26XL

– CHGO Bulls (@CHGO_Bulls) 24 February 2026

Meanwhile, according to Fox 32’s Tina Nguyen, White’s former Bulls teammate Trey Jones is waiting for this opportunity. During practice, Jones said he fully expected White to do whatever he had to do while recovering from a calf injury.

“We felt like he’ll definitely make a push to get back in this game,” Jones said. “Playing with his former team is a quick transition. We know what he brings to the table. He can space really well and score at a high level.”

#Bull Trey Jones on Coby White: “We felt like he’ll definitely make a push to get back in this game. It’s a quick turnaround to play with your former team.”

Jones also said, “We know what he brings to the table. He can space really well and score at a high level.” #nba pic.twitter.com/b9LhSLGHXG

– Tina Nguyen (@ttinanguyen) 24 February 2026

White still has not played a game for the Hornets. Meanwhile, he averaged 18.6 points and 4.7 assists in 29 games with the Bulls.

Plus, the Hornets are knocking on the door to the play-in game with a 27-31 record. Charlotte has won seven of its last ten games. Meanwhile, the Bulls are facing defeat in nine matches for the first time in seven years.

The Phoenix Suns’ post-All-Star break season begins Thursday. But before any game time action gets underway, I went ahead and answered a few questions about the remaining 27 games.

Does the Suns’ Jordan Ott have a claim to NBA Coach of the Year?

Perhaps I’m pushing this narrative too far, but it’s not because of overt bias. Much of it comes from the nature of the work, how the players have responded and the adjustments made to correct any mistakes.

The first three games of the season showed some concerns, even though there were obvious asterisks. Playing back-to-backs in Denver and then flying to Phoenix wasn’t easy.

Defense was the main issue, as they allowed 129, 133 and 138 points respectively in their first three losses. As soon as that happened, it seemed like everyone was on the same page.

Lots of winning streaks, and ultimately bragging rights, allowing the fifth fewest points per game. Other than Dillon Brooks, they do not have any All-NBA defenders on the roster.

Constant ball pressure, constant communication and high basketball skills are stable. However, much of it comes from faith, and this is something he emphasizes.

Even Suns general manager Brian Gregory gave Ott a glowing evaluation during the All-Star break. Not to mention, he’s easily the biggest surprise, and that could put him ahead of guys like JB Bickerstaff and Mark Dagenault.

The backend of the season will indicate how close he is to securing the award. If this goes like the first half of the season, Ott may face a loss.

How do you see Jalen Green’s role progressing or regressing in the closing stages of the season?

This question will definitely attract the interest of many people. Only playing seven games is a concern, but his return has come at the right time.

This was just before the All-Star break, giving him some time to adjust physically. Given that he is a bona fide athlete and slasher, turning off the mental side was a necessity.

Green even said he felt “almost 100%” after attempting a dunk on Daniel Gafford during a game against the Dallas Mavericks. All this suggests that he is ready to go.

But then the question is, what will be his role?

As evidenced by when he was on the field, and according to the words of head coach Jordan Ott, he will lead the second unit when the starters come out.

Green’s dynamic scoring and playmaking adds a layer to a scrappy and defensively strong group. If the game gets tight he will still be with the starters.

The yin and yang effect between him and Devin Booker is too good to ignore. He’s also another scorer to worry about if you’re on the defensive side. The more offensive weapons on the floor, the better.

When the time is right, Green’s confidence in his body will translate to his performance on the court. And in time, he’ll work with anyone, but he’ll be the secondary (and maybe primary) puncher that Suns fans have come to expect.

What part of being an NBA player is the most mentally exhausting that fans have ever seen?

I can’t speak for the players because I’m not around them 24 hours a day. But when I’m around them it’s quite impressive. They are always working, practicing and doing everything they can to become 0.0001% better than they are.

A lot of the things I see have to do with situations at game time. Whether it’s being late to the shot-clock or simply learning to work in isolation, there is an answer for every situation.

Additionally, players often stay after practice for additional work. Devin Booker, rookie Rasheer Fleming and Mark Williams are some examples of them.

Some of this is also related to the media. I like to think that we’re relatively unbiased, but it can be tiring to hear some of the same things asked over and over again.

For example, when Dillon Brooks picked up his 16th technical foul for the Suns, the media had to ask burning questions. Fortunately, a trusting relationship is the key.

The players know that we have work to do and we are not attacking directly or trying to hint at something. It may be that way, but most of the time, it is not.

Constantly being there, not being afraid to ask tough questions, while also treating them as human beings with feelings and perspective, is what helped me walk that fine line just as carefully.