The Chicago Bulls are reportedly considering going after the 2025-26 Coach of the Year contender who is still under contract with the Western Conference playoff team.

After a 31–51 finish and fourth consecutive loss on the season, Billy Donovan decided to step down from his role as head coach of the Bulls. Now, following the installation of a new head of basketball operations in Bryson Graham and his spot at No. 4 in the NBA Draft set, NBA insider Jake Fisher claims the team is expected to “accelerate” the search for Donovan’s replacement.

With the Bulls coming on strong from the start, the team is casting a wide net in its search for its next head coach. Interestingly, this may also include buying and selling of coaches from the West. Fisher reports that Chicago is expected to formally request an interview with Portland Trail Blazers interim head coach Tiago Splitter.

The seven-year NBA veteran was put in a very difficult situation after taking over as head coach of the Trail Blazers when his predecessor Chauncey Billups was arrested for his role in a federal gambling investigation, one game into the season.

The first-time head coach did an impressive job guiding Portland to their first winning record (42-40) and the playoffs since 2020-21. Additionally, former Washington Wizards lottery pick Deni Avdija went from being a good player to a legitimate All-Star in 2025-26 under Splitter’s watch. The 41-year-old Brazilian deserves a lot of credit for the work he did last season, yet new Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon didn’t appreciate it.

Dundon have been searching for a new coach for several months and are reportedly looking for a new coach at a budget rate. Splitter is still under contract with Portland for one more season. Therefore, unless the Trail Blazers want to release him from his deal, the Bulls will have to trade for the coach’s rights if they want to make him their next head coach.

Still, despite the ongoing search for his replacement, Fisher reports, “Whispers were spreading on Monday [Splitter getting the full-time job] This cannot be denied now.” An NBA insider suggests this may be the reason why Portland declined Chicago’s request for an interview.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The Toronto Maple Leafs are poised to be a very busy seller this week. The trading deadline will take effect on Friday at 3pm Eastern. The pending unrestricted free agents are most likely to be gone, although the majority of the team is available at the right price.

Scott Lawton knows all about getting dealt on deadline. Exactly a year earlier, he had been acquired by Toronto from the Philadelphia Flyers. And he has made it clear that he loves every minute of playing for his hometown team.

“It’s tough sometimes. But, at the end of the day, you’re in the NHL and one of the best franchises. It’s a very enjoyable opportunity to play here and it’s a special place… I love it here,” Laughton told TSN’s Mark Masters.

But with no real progress on an extension, there’s a very real possibility that Laughton could be wearing a new uniform by the weekend. Insider Elliotte Friedman thinks the hard-working center would be ideal for a surefire Stanley Cup contender in the West.

Laughton joins the Avalanche as the deadline approaches

On Sunday’s NHL on TNT, Friedman was discussing the possibility of the Colorado Avalanche reacquiring Nazem Kadri from the Calgary Flames. He told the Crew that Kadri’s $7 million cap hit would be very difficult for them to fit into their cap structure going forward. She’ll need to get her house in order for the big kale maker extension coming in the summer. Then he called Laughton’s name.

I heard one of the centers that could end up in Colorado is Scott Lawton. I think he’ll be a great fit. It will cost more.

The 31-year-old’s five-year, $15 million contract ($3M AAV) expires at the end of the season.

Laughton was a regular double-digit goal-scorer in his last few years with the Flyers, averaging 30 to 40 points annually. However, his numbers have dwindled in Toronto on the offensive end. This year, he has found the net eight times with 12 points in 42 games.

But it’s the intangibles that Laughton brings that create value. He provides leadership on and off the ice, works hard and plays with physical intensity. A gritty, bottom-six center back that any contending team could use.

The Avalanche, in particular, are in the market for a third-row center. And this is not the first time that he has been linked to the team. His one-on-one acumen (56.7% this season), and his reasonable cap hit also make him a good fit for Colorado’s needs.

In what could be his final game with the Leafs, Laughton will face his old team, the Flyers, on Monday night.

In an unexpected comment, one of MLB’s best pitchers urged the Atlanta Braves to sign nine-year veteran Lucas Giolito.

Despite finishing 76-86 last year, there is legitimate excitement about the Braves for the 2026 season. Many believe that Ronald Acuña Jr. can be an MVP candidate again. They brought back impressive veteran Ha-seong Kim. All-Star closer Robert Suarez was added, and Spencer Strider will be another year removed from UCL surgery.

Strider and ace Chris Sale were drafted to lead a rotation that had the potential to become one of the best in the league. However, that group suffered massive losses last week. Hurston Waldrep and Spencer Schwellenbach are both expected to miss the majority of the 2026 season due to surgery on their pitching elbows.

While the Braves still have solid pitching depth, they are looking to the free agent market for potential options to fill Waldrep and Schwellenbach’s spots in the rotation. One player who has been linked to Atlanta is one-time All-Star Lucas Giolito.

The 31-year-old had a good season for the Boston Red Sox in 2025 after missing all of 2024 following Tommy John surgery. Yet, for some reason, he remains a free agent with a week-old spring training available to teams around the league.

Garrett Crockett leads Braves to sign Lucas Giolito

Well, his 2025 teammate Garrett Crockett believes that should end there, and claimed this week that the Braves are a “pretty obvious” spot where he should land.

“It doesn’t mean anything special. However, it’s been that way for a while,” Crochet told the media on Saturday when asked about Giolito still being available. “The middle of the market gets messed up on both the position player and pitching side and once the season starts either the signings end or what have you.”

He added, “…a lot of people never understand it here. The people who have, have stayed here for some reason in the past. I don’t think just because we’re being super analytical, we should look at it any different.” “When you look at depth, you’re looking at guys who are experienced and have done it, not guys who can do it. That’s not depth. It’s just another possibility.”

Giolito went 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA and struck out 121 batters in 145 innings last season.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos