A new rumor suggests that the Detroit Pistons are planning on making a move this summer that could ruin their roster for years.

On Friday night, the Pistons will be in Cleveland to avoid elimination for the fourth time in these playoffs and send their series with the Cavaliers to a Game 7. To be in this position again after earning the No. 1 seed in the East and barely avoiding the Orlando Magic in Round 1 is an amazing situation.

Still, that’s not the only surprising thing about this postseason for Detroit. Jalen Duren’s shocking disappearance in the first two series has confounded NBA analysts. After a breakout season that earned him first-ever All-Star honors and possibly an All-NBA berth, the center has been one of the players fans have looked to throughout the regular season.

His playoff numbers this year are worse than last year, when he got his first taste of NBA playoff basketball against the New York Knicks. Duren’s tremendous play has made it a difficult decision for the Pistons this summer when the 2022 first-round pick is a restricted free agent.

Will the Detroit Pistons be forced to give Jalen Duren a max deal?

Should they give him the maximum contract he will be eligible for? Most reports suggest this is not an option for Detroit. Still, according to a new report from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, it’s something they’ll likely have to do this summer.

An East executive told Windhorst, “He’s not a Max player, but they probably have to give him a Max.” “because now [cap space] Teams like Chicago or Brooklyn may see him as a guy they can get with a max offer sheet, and Detroit would have to match that.

Letting Duren leave in free agency could be a huge blow to a team that made so much progress last season. In 2024–25, he had one of the best turnarounds in NBA history and gave New York a run in the playoffs. Duren helped in this. Then in 2025-26, the big man played a huge role in helping them earn the top seed in the East and the third-best record in the NBA (60-22).

Max deal risk for Jalen Duren

Losing Duren could mean a significant step back in success. A case can be made that a max deal is worth the risk as he is still only 22, and his development may not be complete. But if he peaks and continues to be a liability in the playoffs, that contract could set the Pistons back years.

“One of the biggest mistakes you can make in the NBA right now is giving a max deal to a non-max player,” a West executive told Windhorst. “In the old system, you could bet on high-level talent. Now losing one big bet can derail your entire roster.”

In today’s salary cap system, if you’re going to have two players with max deals, you have to make sure they are the core of your roster, as this severely limits further roster movement and keeps you around or above the NBA’s tax apron.

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 Blue Jays have struggled to get where they are now. The reigning winners of the American League pennant have struggled to start the year. Their stars are not playing well and many of their players are injured. This impacted the club dramatically, causing them to fall to third place in the AL East with an 18–22 record.

Barger’s heralded return

That’s why the return of Addison Barger was such wonderful news. With 21 home runs in the regular season and a .480 batting average in the World Series, he was a key part of last season’s team. It was hoped that his return would prove to be a catalyst to get the Jays back to their winning ways.

Sadly, it was not to be. Barger played in just one game before being placed on the 10-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation. It’s unclear how long he’ll be out, but his absence is notable for Toronto. On Saturday, he had the fastest outfield assist in MLB this season (101.2 mph) to get Jorge Soler out at the plate on a sacrifice fly attempt.

His return can’t come soon enough for the Jays. Despite his disappointing .045 batting average this season, it’s important to note the small sample size (22 at-bats) — it’s not enough to say that Barger can’t repeat his breakout numbers from 2025.

Bulk relief role is not working

On the other hand, swingman Eric Lauer was designated for assignment after a poor start to 2026. He is pitching to a 6.69 ERA in 36 1/3 innings and has an unusually high 1.49 WHIP.

Similar to Barger, Lauer had a breakout 2025 campaign. The left-hander posted a career-low 3.18 ERA in 104 2/3 innings. Despite switching between starting and relief roles he was not quiet about his desire to remain as the starter. With the Blue Jays dealing with several injuries to their starting group, Lauer was mostly granted his wishes, but still had to prove himself. He has not done this well.

While the DFA wasn’t entirely unexpected in that regard, it appears to have been a much-needed change for the Blue Jays as they try to right the ship and take charge in a Central American league. It remains to be seen whether they can do so, but these moves at least mark an attempt to do so.

Who is taking his place?

In the same move, outfielder Yohendrick Pinango was recalled from Triple-A and right-hander Yariel Rodriguez was optioned to Toronto’s roster. Neither have an incredible amount of major-league experience, yet they have impressed so far.

Pinango has played in 10 games for the Jays this year, posting a .423/.444/.462 slash line. He has been regarded as more of a depth guy than a regular contributor in Triple-A. However, it’s possible that he could earn a bigger role with the club if he continues to post these types of numbers. He has put up more practical (though still impressive) statistics in Triple-A, slashing .288/.370/.488 in 22 games this year.

Rodriguez has spent a lot of time with Toronto over the last two years. The righty started 21 games for the club in ’24 and pitched in relief in ’25. His results were mostly solid, although he was better as a back-end starter. His performance has been very similar to Lauer’s, posting a 4.47 ERA in his starts in ’24 and a 3.08 mark in the bullpen in ’25.

He has impressed in the Minors, with a 2.63 ERA in 11 games this season. Rodriguez only started one of those games, so it seems likely he will serve as a big reliever similar to Lauer. But how it is deployed remains to be seen. If both can perform well, it would be a big boost for the Blue Jays.

The San Francisco Giants made a major change to their roster, trading starting catcher Patrick Bailey to the Cleveland Giants. The move immediately creates space for recently called up Jesus Rodriguez to take over in San Francisco.

As for the guards, it adds depth to a team that already had three starters in David Frye, Austin Hedges and Bo Naylor, but Naylor’s struggles this season kept him off the roster. He was sent to Triple-A in an effort to improve Cleveland’s defensive issues behind the plate.

Is Bailey’s best behind him?

This is a fair question. Backstop, some of the best (if not the best) games though. Best in the game) defensive metrics, has never been a particularly powerful bat. Bailey has a career .224 batting average and has hit only 22 home runs over three seasons in MLB.

However, the thing is. For a catcher, that’s not terrible production. This is about average. For any other offensive player, this is a terrible mark. But catchers in baseball exist in a strange place. As long as their defense and their ability to manage their pitching staff is solid, most teams are willing to attack aggressively.

That being said, it’s always great to have a catcher who can rake. Look at guys like Will Smith, Cal Raley or even former Giants catcher Buster Posey. They are assets to their teams in many ways besides defense, but they are anomalies when it comes to catching groups in MLB.

Underlying metrics hint at potential change

Bailey has struggled at the plate for a long time, but behind the dish he is ahead of everyone else. He has won two gold medals, has a lifetime .992 fielding percentage and is ranked in the 100th percentile via Statcast in framing and pop time (1.86 seconds). He is a key catcher for whichever team he is on.

But can he kill? It is possible. Bailey has had a disappointing start with San Francisco this season. So far, he has put up a .146/.213/.183 slash line. This resulted in a ridiculously poor 16 wRC+ (where 100 is average). But, despite that line, there is hope here. Bailey’s weighting on base average (wOBA) is .190, but his expected weighting (xwOBA) is a more respectable .283 mark.

this is one Big Difference. It’s possible that Cleveland is betting on Bailey’s bat to play out as the underlying metrics suggest. Either way, the club receives an elite backstop to handle its pitching staff.

san francisco building for the future

It’s safe to say that this season hasn’t started as well as it could have for the Giants. In the first year of new manager Tony Vitello’s tenure, the club has a record of 15–23 and are in fifth place in the National League West entering Saturday. It’s hard to see a club as talented as this one struggling so much.

But the recent call-ups of top prospects Bryce Aldridge and Jesus Rodriguez have signaled a change for San Francisco. It seems the group now wants to use this moment to give their young players time to acclimate to MLB. Barring injury or an unexpected trade, they could benefit next season with Aldridge and Rodriguez joining the roster.

Wilkinson’s stint in the minors offers hope

It’s not a perfect reconstruction, but it’s something like that. The trade of Bailey for Matt Wilkinson and a draft pick further adds to this argument. Wilkinson is a very talented young pitcher at the Double-A level in the Minors. So far this season, he has a 1.59 ERA in 28 1/3 innings. That performance could soon get him promoted to the Triple-A level in the Giants’ system.

It’s also possible that, if San Francisco falls even further out of contention, Wilkinson could be called up late in the season to get some big league reps. The possibility of this still remains to be seen, but it is certainly a possibility.

Either way, this is a move that should be encouraging to Giants fans, not the other way around. It’s not like President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey is saying he has already quit the year before, it’s a move that seems prudent. San Francisco is expecting its young players to step up and prove themselves. Only time will tell if that strategy pays off.

The Green Bay Packers will enter the 2026 NFL season with a roster that, when healthy, will have everyone in the organization capable of making the Super Bowl. However, some of the Packers’ offseason moves could also mean that some recognizable names will not be on the roster in Week 1.

Let’s take a look at the list of four players who will not be on the Packers’ roster at the start of the season.

Luke Musgrave, tight end

A few years ago, it looked as if Luke Musgraves would be the Packers’ TE1 for the upcoming season. Instead, it’s Tucker Craft who looks like an All-Pro talent. Musgrave’s status in Green Bay became so questionable that he came up in NFL trade rumors during the season. Then, Kraft and John Fitzpatrick suffered season-ending injuries. Kraft will return for training camp, and Josh Whately is behind him. It would not be a surprise at all if general manager Brian Gutekunst attempted to move Musgraves to a blocking tight end.

Brandon McManus, kicker

It says a lot if the Packers are willing to trade up multiple draft picks to land a kicker moving up in Round 6. Brandon McManus received a $1 million roster bonus this offseason, but his injuries last season and his miss in the wild-card round put him on the hot seat. If rookie Trey Smack can take advantage of his immense power and demonstrate relatively consistent accuracy on his kicks in training camp, McManus could certainly be a part of the final 53-man roster cutdown.

Christian Welch, linebacker

Green Bay certainly has a lot more depth at linebacker than in years past. Unfortunately for former UDFA Christian Welch, the Wisconsin native’s only hope of remaining in Green Bay may lie on the practice squad. He appeared in eight games for Green Bay last season, primarily on special teams. There is every possibility that he will be cut in September and given a spot on the practice squad.

Marshon Lloyd, running back

Since being selected with the 88th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Packers running back Marshon Lloyd has appeared in just one game with the team. Injuries never allowed him to prove himself at any point. Theoretically, Lloyd would be a perfect fit to step into the No. 2 role behind Josh Jacobs for the upcoming season. It’s just his inability to stay healthy that leads us to believe that something, possibly a soft-tissue injury, will sideline him during the summer. If this happens again, Green Bay may decide to cut their losses and move on.

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With an emphasis on cutting costs and clearing the salary cap sheet, the Minnesota Vikings have been forced to make tough decisions this offseason. After selecting nine players in the 2026 NFL Draft and signing another 19 undrafted free agents, the Vikings’ front office will have their work cut out for them by reducing the roster from 91 players (one addition due to punter Brett Thorson being an International Pathway Player) to 53 this fall.

With so many joining the roster, many Vikings will find themselves fighting for a chance to join the team. Below are four players who will undoubtedly enter training camp on the roster bubble, but a strong performance could solidify their position with the team.

RELATED: Minnesota Vikings predicted to sign free agent to address ‘major roster hole’

Walter Rouse, offensive tackle

He’s not a big-name player, but when the Vikings took a chance on Oklahoma’s Walter Rouse in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, there was a faint belief that the 6-foot-5 lineman could develop into an offensive tackle in the future. Of course, the Vikings have filled those positions with Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neal, but the latter of them is entering the final year of his contract.

The Vikings apparently didn’t feel like they had enough talent, so they selected Caleb Tiernan in the third round and signed Ryan Van DeMark in free agency. Now, Rouse is no better than fifth on the offensive tackle depth chart. After playing eight games over the past two seasons, he will likely be looking for another team soon.

RELATED: NFL scout believes Minnesota Vikings found difference-making ‘weapon’ on Day 3 of NFL Draft

Taki Diamond, defensive tackle

A year ago, the Vikings were in desperate need of capable bodies along the defensive line, so they responded in free agency by signing Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Both have since been released in cap-cutting moves, but they have both been replaced by first-round pick Caleb Banks and third-round pick Domonique Orange. While Allen and Hargrave were viewed as short-term stopgaps, Banks and Orange are the future, meaning a former undrafted player like Taki Taimani could be viewed as expendable after appearing in seven games as a rookie, but only two in his sophomore season.

RELATED: 4 Minnesota Vikings WR targets after the 2026 NFL Draft

Dwight McGlothern, cornerback

Last year, after the Vikings made final roster cuts, Brian Flores had only four cornerbacks on the roster. Dwight McGlothern, an undrafted signee from the 2024 NFL Draft class, was one of them. After making five appearances as a rookie, McGlothern saw playing time in 10 games in 2025, but he still only saw 31 snaps on defense and 20 snaps on special teams. Now that the Vikings have found a more reliable nickel corner in James Pierre while retaining Byron Murphy and Isaiah Rodgers, McGlothern has returned as the CB4. Still, he faces stiffer competition this time around after the Vikings selected Charles Demings in the fifth round while retaining 6-foot-3 running back Zemaiah Vaughn. Additionally, the Vikings added three undrafted rookie cornerbacks, providing even more competition for McGlothern’s roster spot.

RELATED: Minnesota Vikings had one of the NFL’s ‘worst’ draft classes

Johnny Hekker, bookmaker

The Vikings saw their punter of the past four seasons, Ryan Wright, surprisingly sign a four-year, $14 million contract with the New Orleans Saints in free agency. Moving beyond that was not an easy task for a team looking to cut costs. They responded by signing Johnny Hekker, one of the greatest punters of this generation, who had won a Super Bowl with Kevin O’Connell in LA.

However, there’s a reason the 36-year-old hasn’t been named a Pro Bowl selection or All-Pro since 2017. His skills continued to fade, and the Vikings prioritized the signing of undrafted rookie punter Brett Thorson after he won the Ray Guy Award in college. Don’t be surprised if Thorson looks to be a better long-term fit, but he’ll have to prove to be an effective holder on field goals and extra points first.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Power Rankings: Evaluating the worst, best teams after the NFL Draft

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Interim Minnesota Vikings general manager Rob Brzezinski spent four of the team’s top five selections in the 2026 NFL Draft on defensive prospects. This comes after the Vikings had the seventh-best defense in points allowed last season.

Their heavy defensive emphasis, spending five of the team’s nine picks on guards, suggests that Minnesota is satisfied with its offense. Although the team has since indicated that it was not their intention to make the top half of the draft so defensive-focused, the results are what they are. While the injection of talent was also much needed, especially after the departures of Harrison Smith, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, the Vikings also have a significant need to focus on offense after losing receiver Jalen Naylor.

recently, athleticVikings insider Alec Lewis went so far as to call the team’s WR3 position a “major roster hole.”

The Vikings top the offense with one of the NFL’s best receiver tandems in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Still, the rest of the team’s receivers have combined for three receptions, all of which belong to Tai Felton, who is set to enter his sophomore season. That’s why Lewis predicts the Vikings will address the receiver position by signing a veteran who will compete with Felton for WR3 duties in Minnesota.

RELATED: Team insider debunks latest Minnesota Vikings rumors

As mentioned, the Vikings recently brought in former San Francisco 49ers receiver Jaune Jennings for a workout and a two-day visit. But he left the team facilities without a contract. The 28-year-old’s signature remains in the game.

Other potential Vikings free agent receiver targets could include Odell Beckham Jr., who previously won a Super Bowl with head coach Kevin O’Connell on the Los Angeles Rams. DeAndre Hopkins has also expressed interest in reuniting with Kyler Murray in Minnesota. The Vikings could also turn to the trade market to address what appears to be a major weakness in an offense that otherwise looks set.

RELATED: 4 Minnesota Vikings WR targets after the 2026 NFL Draft

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

The annual NFL Draft is an exciting time in the football world. This is an event that is guaranteed to add talent to each team’s roster. This year, the Kansas City Chiefs placed a heavy emphasis on strengthening a defense that already ranked sixth in points allowed in 2025.

Of the seven players selected by Chiefs general manager Brett Veach, four were defensemen, and the team’s final three selections were all offensive prospects. The Chiefs also drafted a quarterback, taking LSU’s Garrett Nussmeyer in the seventh round with the 249th overall selection.

Naturally, Nussmeyer’s arrival means another Chiefs quarterback will have to step up. It won’t be Patrick Mahomes, who is recovering from a torn ACL, and it also won’t be former first-round pick Justin Fields, whom the team signed in free agency this offseason.

On Monday, the Chiefs announced they have released QB Jake Hanner from the roster. The 27-year-old signed with the New Orleans Saints as the 127th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

He remained with the Saints for two seasons before being released just before the start of the 2025 league year. Hayner spent the bulk of last season working out on the Saints’ practice squad. Once the offseason arrived, the Chiefs immediately signed him to a contract. Yet, now nearly three months later, the Chiefs have decided they want to move forward with a QB group consisting of Mahomes, Fields, Nussmeyer and Chris Oladokun.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Power Rankings: Evaluating the worst, best teams after the NFL Draft

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

On Friday, 23 veterans and prospects from the WWE roster learned that the company no longer needed their services. While the release after the WrestleMania season caught many fans by surprise, as the company refreshes storylines, they also refresh the roster. And pay cuts in the spring have become an annual event.

However, in recent years, there has been a second round of releases towards the end of the year. Although it looks like this set of cuts has been finalized, unfortunately these 10 WWE stars may be a part of more releases later this year.

Austin theory

Austin Theory really needs to hope that this effort goes further with The Vision. He has received several opportunities in the company, including a big push a few years ago that led to a victory over John Cena at WrestleMania.

Although he is currently one half of the World Tag Team Champions, this new version of his character has not gained much traction, and serves as the main damage taker for the faction. If The Vision doesn’t make serious momentum over the next six months, Theory could top the next roster cut list.

wendy chu

Wendy Chu has been in the WWE system for seven years. She is the longest performing player who has not reached the main roster. Currently, she holds the top women’s title at Evolve, but it is the lowest level in the WWE system. After going through some character changes, Chu should be making some big waves in Evolvable, as a release in 2026 is a real possibility.

Fraxiom

The tag duo of Axiom and Nathan Fraser is very talented. They were the anchors of NXT throughout 2024 and will go down as one of the brand’s greatest tag teams. Still, the main roster remains a place where tag teams disappear.

So far, this duo has been doomed on SmackDown as WWE creative can’t figure out how to showcase their tag division. Because Fraxiom creates so much buzz in the ring, both of them are in danger of taking a pay cut at the end of the year.

shinsuke nakamura

Shinsuke Nakamura will go down as the greatest Japanese-born performer in WWE history. However, he has squandered the opportunity to push them into the main event for a longer period of time on several occasions. At 46, his best days are behind him. To make matters worse, his role on SmackDown last year has been very limited.

It feels like it’s only a matter of time before the WWE legend decides that he’s getting paid too much money despite how little he gets used to it.

creed brothers

There was a lot of hype about the Creed Brothers during their time in NXT. There was speculation that both could be future main eventers on the main roster. However, when he was promoted fans quickly discovered that his personality did not match his impressive skills in the ring.

When Chad Gable gets unmasked as the OG El Grande Americano, if the reborn version of American Made doesn’t gain popularity over the summer, Creed’s days in WWE may be over.

bronson reed

Bronson Reed showed in 2025 that he can become a major player in WWE. However, in the past year, he has also proven that he is having trouble staying healthy. Let’s not forget, this is his second innings in the company after being released in 2021. Nevertheless, he has suffered two major injuries since rejoining WWE in 2022.

Zoey Starks had similar talent and brilliance, but she also suffered several major injuries during her tenure. She was one of 23 cuts this week as she nears the end of her recovery from torn knee ligaments.

ivy blue

Ivy Nile is a rock-solid performer with a unique look. However, like his faction mates, the Creed Brothers, he lacks personality. There was an opportunity for WWE creative to create a long-term tag team with him and Maxxin Dupree. However, they took the latter in a different direction.

With NXT bringing out new female talent all the time, Niles needs to gain some momentum if she hopes to keep her spot for the rest of the year.

The Miz

Miz continues to prove why he is valuable and is willing to do whatever the company needs. However, change is inevitable, and after 20 years in WWE, it puts him in the target of roster cuts.

Making his situation even more difficult, Ethan Page was called to Raw this week. The NXT star is, in many ways, a younger and perhaps more cost-effective version of The Miz. Although it’s unlikely this year, The Miz should still have some concerns regarding his future in WWE.

jesse mateo

Jessie Mateo is a talented wrestler and has proven this during her stints in Lucha Underground and NJPW. However, he has been considered a henchman of MFT since he joined the company last year. It would be in his best interest to break away from the team and showcase his talents as a solo act. Because right now, they are easily placed in a position to change lines.

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

Ahead of this week’s edition of SmackDown, multiple reports have revealed a new round of WWE roster cuts, including several members of the Wyatt Six.

Spring is a prime time during the WWE calendar as it includes the all-important road to WrestleMania. The annual mega event often serves as the conclusion of several major ongoing storylines, and the beginning of a new direction for the company in the days to come. It also comes with an audit of the current roster.

While this time of year is a high point for fans, it’s also usually a time for artists to be concerned about their spot on the roster. On Friday, several WWE stars learned that their services will no longer be needed.

The most notable releases that have been confirmed are the three members of the Wyatt Six. They are their leaders, Bo Dallas/Uncle Howdy, Joe Gacy and Nikki Cross. It is unclear whether the remaining members of the team, Erick Rowan and Dexter Lumis, will also be included in the cuts or will remain in the company with New Directions.

The sole member of Chelsea Green’s Secret Her-Vice, Alba Phair, confirmed that her time at the company is coming to an end. Injured former Women’s Title contender Zoey Stark has also parted ways with WWE, and NXT veteran and Chase U leader Andre Chase revealed in an X-post that he too has been added to the roster.

A total of six performers were added to Friday’s WWE roster cuts. More releases may emerge in the next 24 to 48 hours.

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

Several new reports have emerged regarding several NXT stars moving to the main roster and a WWE veteran switching brands.

With WrestleMania 42 officially behind the scenes, it’s time for WWE to move on to new storylines and roster adjustments on Monday Night Raw and SmackDown. Often, this is the period when the company returns with the annual draft. However, it is unclear when or if this will happen even after it is abandoned in 2025.

Still, there has been a notable influx of talent on both rosters over the past few months. Artists like Oba Femi, Trick Williams, Page and Royce Keys. Well, it looks like the new additions to the main roster won’t be slowing down any time soon.

After former NXT Champion Ethan Page debuted on Raw this week, Wrestle Votes reports that one-time TNA Champion Joe Hendry is expected to move to the red brand soon, after some initial speculation that he could move to SmackDown. The former NXT Champion was defeated decisively by Keanu Culver on this week’s episode of NXT.

There are also rumors that one-time NXT and North American Champion Ricky Saints could be moved to the main roster. BodySlam+ claims there have been discussions about a move, but The CW Network has told WWE they would like at least one notable veteran as a top star for the brand on their airwaves. Therefore, The Saints may stick around in NXT for some time.

Could Rey Mysterio be moved to SmackDown?

Hendry, Saints and Page aren’t the only NXT stars in discussion or joining the main roster. According to Wrestle Votes, longtime NXT Women’s Champion Jessie Jayne has also been talked about as a name to add to the SmackDown roster during creative meetings.

Jayne is the longest-tenured member of the NXT roster after debuting with the black-and-gold brand in the summer of 2021. Along with being a two-time Women’s Champion, she is also a former tag team titlist.

The Wrestle Votes report also reveals that WWE creative is considering bringing in Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio. The wrestling legend is currently a member of the Raw roster, and is reportedly considering the possibility of a move to SmackDown soon.

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

Nobody talks about base defense anymore. This is the dirty little secret of modern NFL football – most teams spend most of their snaps in nickel or dime packages and the “base” defense is more of a philosophical starting point than an actual game plan.

So when Clint Kubiak stood on a stage in Indianapolis during the NFL Combine and announced the Raiders were shifting to a 3-4 under new defensive coordinator Rob Leonard, some people shrugged their shoulders.

They shouldn’t.

This is not a minor change. This is a complete identity improvement for a defense that was one of the worst teams in the league a year ago. And while the base package won’t dominate the snap count on Sunday, the 3-4 framework shapes every personnel decision Las Vegas makes between now and kickoff — in free agency, in the draft and in the film room. If you want to understand where this team is going defensively, that’s where you have to start.

What is Rob Leonard really building? with las vegas raiders

Leonard is taking over as an NFL defensive coordinator for the first time, which is either a red flag or a sign of how much Jon Spytek and Kubiak trust him. Spytek worked hard to get Leonard the job after sitting in on interviews last year when Pete Carroll was also evaluating him for the DC role. Kubiak met him, was quickly sold and handed the keys.

Leonard’s background tells you the type of defense Las Vegas is trying to build. He learned under Brian Flores in Miami and Mike McDonald in Baltimore. Don’t expect a steady, vanilla 3-4. Expect multiple fronts, heavy doses of the 3-3-5 on third downs, constant stunts and rotations, and linebackers with real responsibilities before and after the snap. Macdonald’s fingerprints are all over this thing.

Kubiak called it “the starting point”. How far this defense goes depends entirely on the players Leonard has to work with.

What this means for the Raiders roster

The Raiders spent four years under Patrick Graham’s 4-3 defense. Before that, Carroll’s score was 4-2-5. The roster was built around those plans – or mostly ignored them. Creates 3-4 immediate, specific needs.

You need a true nose tackle. A space-eating, double-team-absorbing anchor in the middle of the line. The attackers don’t have any. This need is reflected in free agency and the draft alike.

You need linebackers who can do more than just play downhill. In the 3-4, the outside linebackers are hybrid pass rushers who drive against the run and occasionally drop into coverage. It’s a different beast than the traditional 4-3 end. Leonard’s scheme will rotate bodies heavily and demand athleticism at every level. Right now, this roster is thin at both spots.

Max Crosby Fits: Full Stop

Crosby is a raider. The Baltimore trade is gone. And the 3-4 transition directly impacts what he’s already doing well.

Crosby has always been a stand-up edge player by nature. Operating as a 3-4 outside linebacker gives him more freedom in his pass-rush setup and the ability to crash inside or go wide depending on what he sees in the snap. This scheme doesn’t just accommodate Crosby — it could unlock a version of him we haven’t seen in a few years.

Tyree Wilson even has a genuine attempt to figure it out. He has been misunderstood as a traditional defensive end ever since Las Vegas drafted him in the first round. Going in with the 4i-tech plays on his length and strength rather than asking him to win with the athleticism and bends he doesn’t have. Wilson’s 2026 will define whether he has a future with this franchise or not. A change of plan gives him his best shot.

bottom line

Scheme changes alone can’t fix a 14-game losing defense. But overhauling his defensive identity with a coordinator trained by the best minds in the business and a head coach willing to give him real authority is at least a coherent plan.

3-4 There is no magic pill. This is a framework. What Leonard and Spytek build inside between now and the draft in Pittsburgh will tell us whether this defense can be competitive in 2026 or whether it’s just another long year for Raider Nation.

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The Green Bay Packers said goodbye to a backup quarterback this offseason after seeing Malik Willis sign a $67.5 million contract with the Miami Dolphins. They haven’t changed his spot in the cubby room yet.

While the Packers have Desmond Ridder and Kyle McCord as backups to Jordan Love, they don’t inspire any confidence if Love is taken out of action, as he was in each of the last two seasons. Still, the Packers are internally discussing adding another QB with 14 seasons of NFL experience.

Green Bay has considered the possibility of signing free agent QB Kirk Cousins, according to Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst.

“Yeah, we’ve discussed a lot of those options. Obviously, he’s a guy who has made a lot of impacts on the wall in this league, so we’ve definitely discussed all those types of things.”

Cousins ​​spent two seasons being coached by Packers head coach Matt LaFleur in Washington from 2012 to 2013, so there are already some strong familiarities here. Cousins ​​themselves may welcome a potential partnership.

Still, Cousins ​​will be looking forward to a better opportunity to see the field in 2026. However, this opportunity may not present itself as most entry-level jobs are already filled. It’s clear that Cousins ​​is a popular target among league circles, with him also being linked to Las Vegas and the Los Angeles Rams.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: End of March edition

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

Popular sports analyst Bill Simmons doesn’t like the Houston Rockets’ excitement as the NBA playoffs approach, and even he believes head coach Ime Udoka is not a fan of this roster.

Entering the season, the Rockets were viewed by many as a serious threat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the West. They had an elite defense, a good young core, and added future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant to give them the scorer they were lacking.

For most of the season, they have been a top four team in the conference. However, they seem to be slowly faltering. Lost 6 of their last 10, including potential playoff rivals, the San Antonio Spurs, the Los Angeles Lakers (twice), and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.

His recent play has dedicated NBA fan and expert Bill Simmons very concerned, and he expanded on his thoughts during a new edition of his The Ringer podcast.

Are the Rockets on a tear after Kevin Durant burner phone rumors?

“The body language doctor is terrified of,” Simmons began. The popular podcaster claimed that the Rockets have bad vibes, and that he thinks they are “the most disconnected of the playoff teams.” The biggest evidence of why he feels that way was a key moment during this week’s 110-108 overtime loss to the Timberwolves.

After a bad turnover at the end of regulation, All-Star Alpern Sengun made an incredible play by running back and getting a big block. He moved so far that he lost his balance, fell on his face and got a cut on his lip. Yet instead of his teammates getting excited about the game, Reed Shepard gave him a “Good job, dude, like it’s the end of the first quarter.”

Simmons also noted how Durant and his other Rockets teammates did not show much support after the game. He said, “That team is not on the same page. I don’t like the vibes. Something is really wrong.”

Then he took the matter a little further. There are suggestions that Ime Udoka has done one of the worst coaching jobs in the NBA this season, and questions over his lack of late-game adjustments.

Simmons said, “The feelings are terrible. I don’t think he really likes the team that much. And if you want to go into the whole conspiracy theory, they haven’t been the same since the KD Burner stuff during the All-Star break.”

Earlier this season a conspiracy surfaced on an X account owned by Durant that featured group chat conversations criticizing Rockets teammates as well as other players and coaches around the league.

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

Kevin McGonigle is headed to the big leagues. The Detroit Tigers announced that McGonigal made the Opening Day roster for the 2026 MLB season. The 21-year-old shortstop is the Tigers’ top prospect and one of the favorites to win the AL Rookie of the Year award this season.

McGonigal has quickly risen through the ranks after being selected by the Tigers with the 37th pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. In 2025, McGonigal was promoted to the Tigers’ Double-A affiliate, the Erie SeaWolves. After hitting 12 home runs and driving in 41 runs in 46 games, the shortstop earned the opportunity to fight for an Opening Day roster spot this season.

In spring training, McGonigal hit two home runs while driving in six runs in 44 at bats. The 21-year-old shortstop had a batting average of .250 and on-base percentage of .888. McGonigal gave Detroit a difficult decision and instead of sending him back to the minor leagues, he would remain as the starting shortstop.

Like other highly regarded MLB prospects, McGonigle would skip Triple-A and go straight to MLB. The Tigers are confident in McGonigal’s offensive abilities and his fielding was significantly improved during spring training. Now, he will slide into the left side of the infield next to third baseman Colt Keith.

McGongile is the consensus No. 2 prospect in baseball and is highly touted in Detroit. It may take time for McGonigal to fully integrate into MLB, but that shouldn’t scare anyone into his long-term potential in the big leagues.

McGonigle is ready to make his long-awaited debut in MLB, and the Tigers believe he can live up to expectations. If so, Detroit’s biggest addition in the 2025 MLB offseason could be one of the best prospects in baseball.

READ MORE: Detroit Tigers’ Justin Verlander reveals retirement plans ahead of 2026 season

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

The Atlanta Hawks essentially hit the reset button when they traded franchise cornerstone Trae Young to the Washington Wizards at the deadline. It’s clear they plan to build around their youth like rising star Jalen Johnson. And their other deadline trade for Jonathan Kuminga solidifies their direction. According to NBA insider Jake Fisher, the name of the game for the Hawks is to identify potential young talent, which they hope to do with the signing of Keyshawn Gilbert to a two-way contract roster spot.

With the Hawks signing Keyshawn Gilbert, all three two-way contract spots on their roster have been filled. The Hawks had an open spot after converting Caleb Houston’s two-way to a standard deal. Gilbert joins Christian Koloko and Raze Dennis as the Hawks’ two-way contract players.

Gilbert is on a new term with the Wizards as part of a 10-day contract. During that period, he appeared in three games, at a rate of approximately 16 minutes per game. He averaged 2.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists while shooting 50 percent from 2-point range and 100 percent from the free-throw line.

His best game came in his first game with the Wizards, even though they lost to the Brooklyn Nets. He finished with a well-rounded stat line of four points, three rebounds, two assists and three blocked shots in a little over 28 minutes. He went a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line.

After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, Gilbert joined the Wizards for training camp on an Exhibit 10 contract. He was waived before the start of the season, and was playing for their G League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go’s.

The Dallas Mavericks and veteran point guard Tyus Jones have decided to part ways by mutual consent and will be waived, league sources tell ClutchPoints.

Jones, 29, was acquired by the Mavericks at the trade deadline in a short deal with the Charlotte Hornets, who were looking to trade the 11-year-old guard for cap reasons. Last offseason, the Mavs showed strong interest in acquiring Jones via free agency, but other teams such as the Orlando Magic, with whom Jones began this season, could offer him more than Dallas.

Although it seemed likely he would finish the 2025–26 season with the Mavericks before entering unrestricted free agency in the summer, sources said Jones first contacted the Mavs to express his interest in a potential buyout to join the playoff-contending organization.

The Mavericks, who are looking for a way to replace two-way guard Ryan Nembhard, now have an obvious reason to do so.

Jones’ decision to enter the NBA buyout market was first reported by Marc Stein.

After waiving Jones and potentially trading Nembhard to a two-way contract in a matter of days, the Mavericks are also awaiting a concrete answer from veteran wing Khris Middleton on what he wants to do regarding a potential buyout.

Middleton was traded to the Mavs in a nine-player deal that sent Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards. Initially, Middleton was viewed by many around the league as a potential buyout candidate, but he reported to the team and Dallas showed no interest in immediately waiving him.

Over the past week, Middleton has been wondering about his future, and the possibility of leaving the Mavericks to join the playoff threat remains. He has until Sunday to decide whether he will approach the team for a buyout or not, as they will not forgive him unless he wants a change of scenario.

The Mavericks are 21-38 this season, the seventh-worst record in the NBA.

The San Antonio Spurs are coming off a huge 114-103 win against the Detroit Pistons in a potential NBA Finals preview, and one in which Victor Wembanyama joined a pair of Spurs franchise legends with an incredible feat. Wembanyama also got a new teammate this week with the Spurs signing free agent guard Emmanuel Miller to a two-way contract, according to Michael Scotto of Hoopshype.com.

The Spurs had all three of their two-way roster spots filled, so to make room for Emmanuel Miller, the team waived guard Stanley Umude. The team’s roster is now at 15 standard contracts and all three two-way.

The past few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind for Miller. After starting the season on a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls, he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers just before the deadline as part of a multi-team trade that included Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder with the Cavs and De’Andre Hunter with the Sacramento Kings.

Miller was then cut by the Cavs and eventually signed by the Spurs. Over the past two seasons, he has appeared in a total of nine NBA games with the Bulls. He has yet to appear in a game with the Spurs this season.

As part of his season two-way contract, Miller has appeared in 27 G League games between the Windy City Bulls and the Cleveland Charge. He averaged 18.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 steals with splits of 54.6 percent shooting from the field, 33 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 69.9 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

The Spurs front office is known for identifying untapped gems and overlooked players in the draft. So it’s worth keeping an eye on Miller’s development.

Does anyone else still have Olympic fever? With the 2026 Winter Olympics coming to an end, meaning there will be no more afternoon curling tournaments, all of our attention is now focused on the 2028 Summer Olympics, which will be held in Los Angeles, California. After seeing Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Stephen Curry win gold medals in France, could we see these three stars lead Team USA once again?

The spectacle dominated headlines and the basketball world in 2024. There was nothing better than watching these three greats win gold medals in France, and now, USA Basketball can do the same on home soil in two years.

“Golden Dagger!”

Steph Curry This is absolutely ridiculous. 🤯#parisolympics | 📺 NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/8hIN8tgmfK

– NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) 10 August 2024

However, with the 2024 Olympics over, it looks like this will be the last time we see LeBron, KD, and Steph playing together on the court. James told reporters he would be “watching from Cabo” and Curry said he “highly doubts it.”

After all, they are in the final stages of their respective careers, and it’s reasonable to believe that James won’t be in the NBA by the time of the next Olympics.

It’s never too early to consider what the future of USA Basketball will look like, especially now that Durant is hinting at playing in Southern California in two years, shortly after the conclusion of all winter programs in Italy.

Kevin Durant won’t close the door to the 2028 Olympics

When the 2024 Olympics ended and Team USA, led by Durant, James and Curry, won gold medals, everyone’s attention immediately turned to what the future of USA basketball would look like.

Cooper Flagg, who had not yet been drafted, was a popular choice for many to be one of the next to follow in the footsteps of the greats before him. Anthony Edwards and Devin Booker, two other key contributors to the 2024 Olympic team, were also early selections to become the team’s principal “captains”.

Maybe it’s the Olympic love in the air from this year’s Winter Games, but it doesn’t seem like there will be any major changes or a changing of the guard for Team USA just yet, especially after Durant made clear his stance on playing in Los Angeles to ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill.

“You guys, the media, have speculated,” Durant told ESPN about the story of Paris being the veteran athlete’s last Olympic race. “Where did that narrative, the last dance thing, come from? I didn’t say I wasn’t playing. LeBron said he wasn’t playing. You didn’t hear that from me or Steph.”

As far as actually playing, Durant’s answer was simple.

“Yeah, I want to play,” Durant said. “Today, yes, I feel like I’m going to put my name in that hat.”

Well, that settles the matter. Kevin Durant, who will be 39 years old and set to turn 40 in the summer of 2028, wants to play for the Stars and Stripes in the 2028 Olympics. Assuming he’s healthy and obviously doesn’t change his mind, Durant will be the team captain and take one of the 12 coveted roster spots to defend the gold medal in front of the American faithful.

Durant is very proud of American basketball and made his stance on USA vs. the World clear to ESPN.

“I don’t like to talk about the United States versus the European style of how you approach the game,” Durant explained. “‘France is coming for you.’ really? We beat up those boys.”

Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo have been the faces of basketball’s rapid evolution around the world, but USA Basketball continues to dominate on the world’s biggest stage every four years. Once again, Team USA will enter the 2028 Olympics as the favorites to win the gold medal, and Durant is ready to make that dream come true once again.

Whether Curry will join them is still a big question mark.

Will Stephen Curry join Kevin Durant in 2028?

Before 2024, Steph Curry has experienced basically everything possible in a Hall of Fame career.

He broke the league’s all-time 3-point record, won four NBA championships, led the league in scoring twice, won two MVP awards (one of which was the first unanimous selection), and was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team. But the one empty spot in Curry’s massive trophy cabinet was an Olympic gold medal.

Although he played for Team USA at the World Cup, Steph actually pushed to play in the 2024 Olympics, and he was one of the leading voices along with LeBron and Durant to get the best on this roster.

“Personally, it’s something I haven’t been able to experience: being an Olympian,” Curry told Endscape ahead of the 2024 Olympics. “Hopefully we win a gold medal. At this point in my career, it gives me a chance to be present in the moment and enjoy playing basketball. It’s a pure expression of the game.”

The United States won the gold medal as Curry expected, and he was the main reason the team defeated France in the gold medal game. If not for Curry’s heroics and iconic shots from the perimeter, Team USA would not have won the gold medal.

“It was the most surreal feeling, especially the way it ended,” Curry told The Athletic’s Marcus Thompson II after the 2024 Olympics. “I felt like a kid again. A 12 out of 10 experience.”

If Curry had so much fun playing in Paris and winning a gold medal, what will it be like to play in Los Angeles and do it again next to Durant? Although LeBron will most likely not be on the team, there is a roster spot for Steph if he wants.

He will be 40 by the time the next Olympics begins, which is why it is too early to speculate about whether Curry will actually consider playing in the 2028 Summer Games. Ultimately, this will be a decision based on Steph’s overall health that year and where he is in his career, especially with the finish line on the horizon.

Durant clearly wants to play, and his words show he wants Steph out there with him, too. For now, we’ll assume that both of these legends will take the United States off their chest at least one more time, leaving 10 spots open for the remaining pool of American players.

Prediction of remaining players of 12-man Olympic roster

If we assume both Durant and Curry will lead Team USA at the 2028 Olympics, who else will be on this roster?

Edwards and Booker, as mentioned earlier, will hold their spots as long as they are healthy. Both stars played integral roles following Curry and Durant in Paris, and they will likely play bigger roles as they enter the primes of their respective careers in 2028.

Flagg is another safe choice, as he’s coming off his third NBA season and is better than ever. After practicing with Team USA in 2024, everyone involved with the program was already raving that he would one day lead the Americans.

Another guard who will likely receive one of the first calls up to play in Los Angeles is Cade Cunningham. Not only has he established himself as one of the best players in the East with the Detroit Pistons, but Cunningham has turned himself into a legitimate MVP candidate. Between his playmaking and scoring abilities off the dribble, Cunningham is the perfect guard for Olympic play.

This leaves six more spots open, some of which need to be filled with frontcourt talent.

Bam Adebayo is a two-time Olympic gold medalist with Team USA, and is considered one of the best defensive centers in the world. He will be 31 by the time the next Olympic Games begin, and Adebayo will likely be the starting center for the Americans.

Even with the addition of Adebayo, USA Basketball will need even more height to match Wembanyama and other tall European players, which makes Chet Holmgren a viable option to make his Team USA debut after playing in the FUBA Under-19 Championship.

There is a very clear rivalry growing in the NBA between Holmgren and Wembanyama, and the Oklahoma City Thunder big man is one of the best rim protectors in the world.

The final center spot shouldn’t go to anyone other than Jalen Duren right now. In his fourth NBA season, Duren has become an All-Star big man with his toughness in the paint on both ends of the floor. Duran’s athleticism is evident when watching the international game, especially with his pick-and-roll connection with Cunningham.

There are three spots left, and with Erik Spoelstra replacing Steve Kerr on the sideline, he will want a strong, two-way player on the wing. Enter Jaylen Brown, who has already declared himself the best two-way player in the world and has taken his game to new heights since winning the 2024 Finals MVP.

Brown can score and defend like a top-10 player in the world, which is why he would be one of the key names on Team USA’s roster if the Olympics were starting right now.

Needing at least one more wing who can defend and score, Scottie Barnes stands out. Not only is Barnes viewed as one of the best all-around defenders in the league, but he serves as a “point forward” who can do a little bit of everything on the floor. With his quick instincts as a defender and ability to push the pace, Team USA will have the youth and athletic ability needed to keep up with the rest of the world.

And eventually, one spot is left, and it becomes very difficult to choose from all the remaining talent.

Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum were both on the 2024 Olympic team, but both players suffered major Achilles injuries in the 2025 playoffs. Jalen Johnson and Jalen Williams are two young forwards on the rise, but are they ready to help the country win a gold medal? Then there are All-Stars like Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Maxey who will compete for spots.

If the Olympics were today, I would give Mitchell this last spot for two major reasons: dynamic scoring and perimeter shooting.

We saw how important it was for Curry and others to hit threes in the big time in the 2024 Olympics, and Mitchell is sixth in the NBA with 667 threes over the past three years. He is one of the best offensive players off the dribble in the NBA, and Mitchell’s unselfish play will be needed on this team.

So this is our initial projection for Team USA at the 2028 Olympics:

• Guard: Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, Cade Cunningham, Donovan Mitchell
• Wing: Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards, Jaylen Brown, Scottie Barnes, Cooper Flagg
• elder: Bam Adebayo, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Duren

Of course, this is not the official Team USA roster, and we’re likely to see some big changes over the next two years before the Summer Games in Los Angeles. Who knows whether Curry will actually play, and health could clearly impact the status of any player competing for a USA Basketball roster spot.

Needless to mention, this year’s 2026 NBA Draft class has a chance to be one of the most historic in league history. Darin Peterson, Cameron Boozer, AJ DiBantsa, Caleb Wilson and Kingston Flemings, among others, could easily make their mark on the NBA like Flagg and earn their spots on the Olympic team.

After all, age matters in the Olympics, and the roster is usually made up of players in their mid- to late 20s. Obviously, the 2024 Olympics was a unique event, because the average age of the new-age “Dream Team” assembled by James, Durant and Curry was 30.1 years old.

The Team USA roster in 2028 will be much younger, faster and more athletic. If Durant and Curry are to lead this team and defend their gold medals one last time, we should expect to see a group of 12 players that resembles the fantasy team assembled above.

With the 2026 Winter Olympics over, the countdown to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles has officially begun.

The 2025-26 season was supposed to be a watershed moment of sorts for the Denver Nuggets, as they added some new pieces to their core four of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Christian Braun, and this new depth was going to make them unbeatable, especially in the postseason.

However, this campaign has been particularly unforgiving for the Nuggets on the injury front, with players like Jokic, Gordon, Braun, new addition Cam Johnson and now breakout star Peyton Watson missing significant time with significant innings. Of course, the goal for the Nuggets is simply to complete the rigors of the regular season together, and given their situation at present, even that is not certain.

Whatever the case, the Nuggets have called on some unlikely contributors to step up, and credit to them. But the Nuggets front office knows time is ticking. Their salary cap obligations are about to increase significantly, as Watson is set for a new big contract. To retain Watson, the Nuggets will have to dive into the luxury tax if they choose to keep their current roster together for the next few seasons.

This prompted them to pull off a salary dump trade before the deadline, sending former second-round pick Hunter Tyson along with a 2032 second-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets just to avoid the luxury tax. They were $1.8 million under the luxury tax before the move was made to comply with the 14-roster size requirement following the Tyson trade.

Spencer Jones’ Nuggets future is secure…for now

In an ideal world, the Nuggets would have unlimited resources, and they could put their core together without being overly cautious of the punitive nature of the luxury tax under the current CBA. Alas, the Nuggets are not living in an ideal world.

Paying luxury tax is not really a problem when a person is careless. Of course, this plays a factor, as owners are at least very adamant about not wasting money, but the roster move restrictions that come with being in the first or even second apron make roster construction much more difficult.

The Nuggets wanted to get into the tax bracket to reset their timer for at least this season, because their hand will be forced very soon. Nonetheless, they finalized the facilitated transaction of converting Spencer Jones’ contract to a standard contract, making him eligible for the postseason.

Jones is one of the players the Nuggets have relied on to help their injured starters. In fact, the 24-year-old sophomore has made 34 starts for the Nuggets this season, which is nothing short of a huge developmental win for a team that needs some cost-effective but productive players to fill out the roster.

Jones plays unselfishly and he shoots efficiently, and considering how important he has been this season, it was no easy task for the Nuggets to turn his deal into a standard one. His impact doesn’t go beyond the stat sheet, but as a 6’7″ wing who can shoot and defend at multiple positions, he is invaluable to a team with contending aspirations.

However, the problem is that the Nuggets were able to convert his contract to a prorated minimum deal for the remainder of the season instead of signing him to a multi-year contract, which would keep him in the Mile High City on an affordable arrangement for the next few seasons.

With this agreement, Jones will be eligible for restricted free agency this summer, and if he makes seven more starts for the Nuggets, he will be eligible for a qualifying offer of $5.9 million – further reducing the Nuggets flexibility amid their current troubles clearing the salary cap.

At least, the Nuggets now have Johnson and Braun healthy, and they’ve been riding the hot hand of Julian Strother lately, reducing their need to rely on Jones to fill in as the starter. It was going to be difficult for the Nuggets to keep Jones out of the starting lineup as his situation has not improved on the injury front, but now, they have a legitimate reason to bring him off the bench.

But it seems that the hard part is just beginning for the Nuggets.

Denver’s bill is coming due

The Nuggets were absolutely impressed by Braun’s 2024-25 campaign, as he made the move after Kentavious Caldwell-Pope left in free agency. Braun signed a five-year, $125 million contract extension – a significant commitment for the Nuggets knowing their cap obligations at the time.

Braun has struggled this season with 36 missed games, a huge decline from last season. And the Nuggets have since seen Watson take the next step in his development, blossoming into a legitimate shot creator on the wing and a far more well-rounded two-way threat than Braun.

Watson is set to enter restricted free agency in the summer, and the Nuggets will have to pay more than $20 million per season to retain Watson. Denver has some tough decisions to make moving forward, and that’s without considering what it would take to keep Jones on a long-term contract.

Cutting Zeke Nnaji’s salary is a way for the Nuggets to make room, and so is moving Johnson out. However, the Nuggets hardly have any assets left to sweeten salary-dump trades, and losing Johnson would be costly, as he’s shooting over 43 percent from deep this season and is on an affordable contract anyway.

Will the Nuggets let Braun go to make room for Watson? This seems like a possible route Denver could take. But his best bet for maintaining his status as a title-contender during Jockey’s prime is to endure the tax hit for at least a year before making a change if he really has to.

Winning fixes everything. And for a Nuggets team that is about to be financially ruined, all the blood they shed will be worth it if they hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy in June.

Is it really over for the Golden State Warriors? It hasn’t been for lack of trying, but the Warriors no longer look like they have a chance to compete for a title. Jimmy Butler’s injury at the end of the season practically sealed the Dubs’ fate: whatever slim chances they had of competing for a championship vanished when Butler aggravated his knee and tore his ACL on an errant pass from Brandin Podziemski.

The Warriors’ two-timeline ploy didn’t work. James Wiseman was a failure. Jonathan Kuminga has not lived up to expectations. Moses Moody is a role player, a quality player, but not a star who can take over the team. Jordan Poole flared up and upset one of the pillars of the franchise in Draymond Green. And now, the Dubs are stuck with a mediocre and aging roster that is going to have their work cut out for them in a Western Conference challenge.

Credit should go where credit is due; The warriors are still not giving up. They traded for Kristaps Porzingis in a deal that sent Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks, taking the risk that Porzingis’ talent is worth the gamble despite his season-long battle against POTS.

This trade created a roster spot for the Warriors, although they had already filled one of their open roster spots by converting Pat Spencer’s contract to a standard deal, a move that made sense considering how instrumental Spencer has been in covering the team’s injury problems.

The Dubs created another roster spot when they traded Tracy Jackson-Davis to the Toronto Raptors for a second-round pick. With that in mind, the Warriors may have one more move left to make to prepare for the stretch run ahead.

Will the Warriors raid the buyout market?

Before diving into the potential targets the Warriors may set their sights on filling their open roster spot, their financial situation should be taken into consideration. Currently, the Warriors have a total of $205.2 million allocated for their player payroll, which puts them above the tax apron. They are a repeat tax-paying team, which will only serve to make their luxury tax penalty more punitive.

This also reduces their flexibility in the buyout market. The Warriors cannot sign any players in the buyout market whose contract was worth at least $14.1 million (equivalent to non-taxpayer MLE) this season because they were above the first apron. Not many buyout candidates are making that much money anyway, so it’s not like it’ll be a huge factor for the Dubs moving forward.

The Dubs don’t need help at the guard positions. In addition to Stephen Curry, the Warriors have the following playing minutes at the one and two: Podziemski, De’Anthony Melton, Spencer, Gary Payton II and Will Richard. Seth Curry could also be a factor after returning from injury.

Whatever happens, the Warriors need help on the wing. Butler’s injury and Kuminga’s departure have further depleted the Dubs’ depth at the position, pushing Gui Santos into the starting role. Santos has been very much solid and seems like he has established himself as at least a quality role player, but their depth on the wing leaves a lot to be desired.

The Warriors were rumored to be interested in Lonzo Ball, but Ball has looked bad all season, and although he can play one position, he doesn’t necessarily provide anything different than the likes of Payton or Melton. He can be a play initiator, and his court vision is still top-notch, but it might be best for the Dubs to reserve their open roster spot for someone else.

The current buyout market does not inspire much confidence. Of those who have already been forgiven, someone like Chris Boucher matters the most. Boucher is also a former Warriors player, so that could make some sense.

Still, Boucher hasn’t played well enough to earn minutes for the Boston Celtics despite the battle for the wide-open position at center, and it’s not like the Dubs need help at the big man spots, considering they have Green, Al Horford, Quinton Post and now Porzingis to fill all the minutes at five.

Of the players who could potentially be acquired, someone like Kyle Anderson or Nicolas Batum would make the most sense for the Dubs, although it’s not at all clear if those two will get a nod of departure from their teams.

Dubs could bring back a familiar face

Batum is unlikely to leave the Los Angeles Clippers. The veteran credited the team for saving his career in 2020, and he clearly loves the franchise. Furthermore, the Clippers value him as a veteran presence, and rumor has it that he will hang up his sneakers after the season. LA has already let him go once, and they’re not doing it again.

This brings the Warriors into a possible reunion with a familiar face in Anderson. Slo-Mo signed with the Dubs ahead of the 2024-25 season, and he was traded to the Miami Heat in the deal that brought Butler to the Bay. He played in 36 games for the Warriors and started three games, playing 15.0 minutes a night.

Anderson is the kind of cerebral veteran that Kerr relies on, and his playmaking, defending and feel for the game make him an easy piece to integrate for the Dubs.

He’s not going to be a very impactful veteran for the Warriors, but he should at least give the team additional insurance at the forward position. The Memphis Grizzlies are also betting on the 2025-26 campaign, meaning Anderson could very well be bought out, paving the way for a return to the Bay.

However, it’s unclear whether the Warriors have any desire to fill their open roster spot. This will only increase their luxury tax bill. But if they do, bringing in Anderson wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world.

The Denver Nuggets made a move on forward Spencer Jones just before NBA action resumed following the All-Star break.

The Nuggets needed enough players to meet the minimum player requirement on the roster, so the decision was made to convert Jones’ two-way deal into a standard contract for the remainder of the 2025–26 NBA season, as ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel reports.

“The Nuggets are converting two-way forward Spencer Jones to a standard contract,” Siegel, formerly of the Ax, wrote in a social media post on Twitter.

It’s also worth noting that the 24-year-old Jones had already exceeded his limit of 50 games for a two-way player in the league.

Now that he is already guaranteed a roster spot for the remainder of the campaign, he simply needs to recover from his injury to return to active status. The former Stanford Cardinal player missed the Nuggets’ final three games before the break, although Denver managed to win two of those contests, including a 122–116 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on February 11.

Signed by the Nuggets to a two-way deal as an undrafted contract through 2024, Jones has averaged 6.0 points and 3.1 rebounds through 46 games this season. He has been quite dangerous from behind the 3-point line, where he is hitting downshots at a 41.1 percent success rate on 2.5 attempts from deep outings.

The Nuggets begin a three-game road trip after the break this Thursday when they face the Los Angeles Clippers at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, with Jones expected to be in the lineup.

As the Miami Heat focused on restarting the season after the All-Star break, some business was done with the team, giving an undrafted standout a standard contract. Although the Heat are dealing with an inconsistent season, some standout things have happened, one of which is a two-way player in Myron Gardner who has been rewarded for his efforts.

According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Gardner and Miami have agreed to a standard three-year contract because he has played well as a two-way player. This contract now fills Miami’s 15th roster spot, which could be the maximum spot for a team, although a two-way opening has been cleared.

The other two-way player spots have been filled by Vladislav Goldin and Jahmir Young, as Gardner has recently seen expanded minutes under head coach Erik Spoelstra, especially due to some injuries the team has suffered. Gardner has started four times for the team, averaging 11.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists, while shooting 55.2 percent from the field and 53.8 percent from three-point range.

In addition to his ability on the court, Gardner is known for the physicality, personality and energy he brings to the Heat, with Norman Powell explaining how beneficial this has been to him.

“Myron is a character. I love Myron. He’s always high energy, high octane,” Powell told ClutchPoints on January 18. “He’s always hitting and hitting you; it’s always a positive energy, positive light that comes from him. I’m encouraging everybody. Everybody around him is laughing and joking. But when he steps out there, he’s 125%, 150% every time. And we need that.”

Asked Norman Powell about the influence of Myron Gardner:

“Myron is a character, I love Myron. He’s always high energy, high octane… He’s encouraging everybody, everybody around him is laughing and joking, but when he steps out there, he’s 125%, 150% every time…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/2Ufy8RSgU1

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 18 January 2026

Heat’s Bam Adebayo needs teammates like Myron Gardner

As Gardner continues to anchor the Heat throughout the remainder of the season, he is doing the same with the team’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Active on the glass and making his presence felt, the 24-year-old has already earned respect from Miami, with captain Bam Adebayo emphasizing his important role.

“You need teammates like him, like throw him in the game, and he’ll play as hard as he can. But when Myron checks into the game, you feel a difference right away,” Adebayo said on Jan. 21.

Bam Adebayo on the “kid energy” that Myron Gardner has after a standout performance:

“I can’t describe Myron, but you need teammates like him. Throw him in the game and he’ll play as hard as possible.. When Myron checks into the game, you immediately feel a difference…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/h8RR8FaOqx

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 18 January 2026

At any rate, Gardner wants to be a part of helping the Heat turn their season around, which has them at 29-27, placing them in eighth place in the Eastern Conference as their next game is on Friday against the Atlanta Hawks.

The Los Angeles Clippers shook things up in a big way at the recent NBA trade deadline, sending James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers, receiving a wealth of draft assets and young players in return. Since then, the Clippers have been playing with only 14 players on their official roster, leading some to wonder if they might make another move as the season continues.

It finally happened on Wednesday morning.

“The Los Angeles Clippers are signing guard Jordan Miller to a new two-year contract. The Clippers are 9-3 when Miller scores 10 or more (averaging a career-high 9.1 points), and have gone 21-12 since joining the rotation this season,” sources told ESPN.

ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel said, “Miller fills the Clippers’ 15th roster spot and joins Kobe Sanders in converting his two-way deal.”

Miller is one of several Clippers playing some anonymous basketball off the bench in Ty Lue’s rotation this year. While Los Angeles’ bench was much maligned during the first stretch of the season when the team got off to a bad start, they have started to pick things up in recent weeks, providing some assistance to Kawhi Leonard and company when he is off the field.

As Charania said, the Clippers have put together an impressive record since adding Miller to the rotation.

Los Angeles next plays against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday evening.

The New York Sirens’ starting goaltender is headed to Milano Cortina this February.

Kayle Osborne was one of three Sirens selected to Team Canada’s 23-player roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics, Hockey Canada announced Friday afternoon. She joins forwards Sarah Fillier and Kristin O’Neill.

But while Fillier and O’Neill had all but solidified their roster spots after appearing in every game of the 2025 Rivalry Series against the United States, Osborne’s footing was far less secure ahead of the January announcement.

Reigning PWHL Goaltender of the Year Ann-Renée Desbiens and Vancouver Goldeneyes starter Emerance Maschmeyer head Team Canada’s goalie room. The IIHF requires each Olympic team to carry three goaltenders, leaving Osborne to fight with the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Eve Gascon for the final spot.

Gascon drew the start in the first of four Rivalry Series games on Nov. 6, allowing four goals on 22 shots. Osborne followed two days later, making 27 saves on 32 shots in a 6-1 USA win. Team Canada chose Osborne over Gascon for the final two Rivalry Series games in December, but she did not appear in either contest, taking a back seat to Desbiens and Maschmeyer.

Yet Osborne’s trip to Edmonton alongside Desbiens and Maschmeyer was no guarantee of an Olympic roster spot.

Already a two-time finalist for National Goaltender of the Year in just two NCAA seasons, Gascon is well-positioned to succeed Desbiens as Team Canada’s goalie of the future in tournaments to come. No one would have blinked if general manager Gina Kingsbury opted for the 22-year-old college junior over the 23-year-old Osborne, a fifth-round draft pick from 2024.

That’s not to discredit Osborne’s brilliance in 2025-26. In fact, she’s been one of the top up-and-comers in the PWHL this season.

The Sirens are the only team in the League that hasn’t used a backup goalie. That’s largely a testament to Osborne’s steadiness in net, quickly embracing the starting reins after playing just 10 games as a rookie backup to Corinne Schroeder in 2024-25.

“Coming into the year, she wasn’t one of the returning, established starting goalies in the league,” Sirens coach Greg Fargo remarked this week. “But to me, in a short amount of time, she’s proven that she’s amongst the best.”

Greg Fargo with glowing praise of Kayle Osborne:

“Coming into the year, she wasn’t one of the returning established starting goalies in the league. But to me, in a short amount of time, she’s proven that she’s among the best. She’s proven that she can help this team win. Not… pic.twitter.com/8cw7q7CcOF

— Kyle Cushman (@Kyle_Cush) January 7, 2026

Osborne made her League-leading 11th start Tuesday and looked no worse for wear. The second-year goalie recorded her third shutout of the season in a 2-0 win over the Toronto Sceptres, making 31 saves en route to her sixth win of the season (6-0-0-5). Her 1.93 goals against average and .930 save percentage both rank fifth among PWHL goalies in 2025-26.

She’s been particularly instrumental in New York’s franchise-record four-game winning streak, sporting a 2.00 GAA and .956 save percentage with two shutouts across her last four games.

Evidently, she did enough to earn a nomination to Team Canada. Osborne and O’Neill will make their Olympic debuts this February–although O’Neill has represented Canada in the IIHF Women’s World Championships since 2021.

Fillier will make her second Olympic appearance after helping Canada capture gold in 2022 at the Beijing Games, where she ranked second with eight goals.

Sirens captain Micah Zandee-Hart cut from Team Canada final roster

New York defender Micah Zandee-Hart wasn’t as fortunate as her teammates. The Sirens captain was among the final cuts despite representing Canada at the 2022 Olympics. Zandee-Hart appeared in all seven games for Team Canada at Beijing, tallying four assists with a plus-six rating.

How different is Team Canada from its gold medal team in 2022? 7 changes from Beijing:

IN: Jenn Gardiner, Julia Gosling, Kristin O’Neill, Daryl Watts, Sophie Jaques, Kati Tabin, Kayle Osborne

OUT: Melodie Daoust, Rebecca Johnston, Jamie Lee Rattray, Jill Saulnier, Ashton Bell,…

— Kyle Cushman (@Kyle_Cush) January 9, 2026

The 28-year-old has logged top-pair minutes for New York this season, providing a steady presence on the backend.

“I’m a little biased because I’ve played with Micah for a long time, but I think she’s phenomenal,” alternate captain Jaime Bourbonnais said Thursday. “She’s an incredible leader, incredible player. She works so hard. I think this season, she’s really proved how steady she is every time she’s on the ice. I just feel confident that nothing bad is gonna happen, and I think she really deserves it.”

Despite Bourbonnais’ shining endorsement, Kingsbury opted for a different look on the blue line. Ottawa Charge defenders Kati Tabin and Jocelyne Larocque rounded out a seven-player defensive corps headlined by two PWHL Defenders of the Year, Renata Fast and Erin Ambrose.

Team Canada aims to repeat as gold medalists after a successful 2022 tournament. Their five gold medals are the most of any nation since the IOC added women’s hockey to the Winter Games in 1998.

Olympic play begins Feb. 5 in Milan-Cortina.