Texans guard Ed Ingram will remain in Houston rather than testing free agency.
Ingram and the Texans have agreed to a three-year contract, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. He was slated to become a free agent this week.
The deal is reportedly worth $37.5 million, although there's no word on how that contract is structured and how much money is guaranteed.
Ingram was a 2022 second-round pick of the Vikings who never quite lived up to expectations in Minnesota, and a year ago he was traded to Houston for a sixth-round pick. He started 14 regular-season games and both postseason games for the Texans last season, and they'll pencil him in as a starting guard for this season as well.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 15: Jayden Daniels #5 and Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Commanders celebrate during a NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on December 15, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There have been several changes to the Commanders roster since we published the last depth chart update. Here’s a quick summary of the February and March reported transactions:
Cuts:
C Tyler Biadasz
CB Marshon Lattimore
Extensions
P Tress Way
K Jake Moody
OL Andrew Wylie
OL Nick Allegretti (early extension)
DL Shy Tuttle
DL Deatrich Wise
DL Drake Jackson
WR Treylon Burks
At the time of writing, the Commanders have 56 players under contract. Expect the team to bring 90 or 91 players to training camp in July. The front office has until then to add about 35 players — with only 6 of them expected to come via April’s draft, which means the team needs to be very active in signing veteran free agents in March and undrafted college free agents after the draft in April.
With the start of veteran free agency imminent, it seems like an ideal time to take one last pre-free agency look at Washington’s roster.
The updated depth chart
Players under contract are shown in BOLD
Pending free agents are shown in italics with a grey background
Zach Ertz & Austin Ekeler have black backgrounds to indicate severe injury last season
Tyree Jackson & Chris Rodriguez have yellow backgrounds to indicate that they are Restricted Free Agents — RFAs have to be tendered by 4 p.m. ET Monday or they become unrestricted free agents
The numbers that appear beside some players’ names are 2025 cap hits per Over the Cap. I have not included cap hits below $1.5m. Newly extended players do not have cap hits listed since most have not yet been publicly reported; these will be updated as we move forward through the offseason.
The Commanders currently have 29 defensive players, 24 offensive players and 3 special teams players.
Please note that assigned positions and color coding are my own personal opinions. They do not necessarily represent the thinking of Washington’s coaches or front office, nor are they necessarily consistent with fan consensus. This chart represents my personal interpretation, and may not reflect the thoughts of other writers on Hogs Haven. Finally, when it comes to backup players, I don’t put much effort into making sure that they are on the right or left or behind the specific player that they backup. I mostly just try to fit everyone on the chart efficiently.
It’s also probably worth noting that I have retained the 4-3 “look” on the defensive side of the chart, primarily to avoid a lot of angst in trying to assign players to positions in a 3-4 alignment. After free agency, there should be more clarity and I may update the layout of the chart.
Free agent frenzy
Starting at noon on Monday, NFL teams will have a 2-day window to negotiate with agents of impending veteran free agents (or with players like Laremy Tunsil who represent themselves), though no negotiated deal can be finalized before the start of the new league year at 4 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, March 11th. It is not unheard of for players to agree to a deal during the negotiating window, then change their minds before signing the actual contract.
Rumors will be floated, and, in today’s world of immediate reporting via X/Twitter, many people seem to amuse themselves by publishing false reports that have the appearance of being legitimate. If you see a report — especially one that sounds surprising or unbelievable — check the source carefully, including the spelling of the name and number of followers, to avoid re-posting hoaxes from parody accounts or mischief-makers.
There is every reason to expect Washington’s general manager, Adam Peters, to be active in free agency — both extending Washington’s own players and signing free agents from other teams — throughout the week.
Questions at key position groups
Quarterback
Washington, of course, has clarity about the starter — it’s Jayden Daniels. The questions surround the backup and depth. Will Marcus Mariota return? If not, who will be the primary backup? Also, after 2 years of the Sam Hartman experiment, will the Commanders move on from the former Notre Dame player and (reportedly) Jayden Daniels’ good friend?
Offensive line
Having cut Tyler Biadasz, who is the starting center? Is he on the roster now or will he be signed in veteran free agency?
Will the Commanders extend last year’s starting LG Chris Paul? If so, how much does he get paid? If not, who is his replacement? Will the team rely on Brandon Coleman, or will the front office look to replace the position in veteran free agency or the draft?
Tight end
With Zach Ertz clearly not returning before mid-season, if ever, will Ben Sinnott step up to replace him or will the Commanders look for a new pass catching tight end in free agency?
Wide receiver
I’m gonna go out on a limb here and suggest that the receiver room has most of what it needs:
Terry McLaurin
Luke McCaffrey
Jaylin Lane
Treylon Burks
What’s lacking is another play-making wideout and one more depth piece. Both can be added in free agency and/or the draft. The big questions are: Who will the Commanders sign free agents or draft rookies, and, if they sign a veteran, how much do they pay him?
Related to these questions is the plan for Terry McLaurin. His contract structure suggests that 2026 could be his last season in Washington. How much does that impact the decisions at this position group this offseason?
Defense
The Commanders need several difference-makers on the re-made defense under Daronte Jones — specifically, at edge, linebacker, cornerback and safety. That’s 4 top-tier players minimum to help build a completely new identity to go with the new scheme.
Washington can probably get one of them (or an offensive player) with the 7th overall pick in the draft, but that means the team needs an infusion of 3 or 4 huge-impact defensive players covering every level of the defense.
Can the team find those players in free agency?
How much will they have to pay them to field the kind of defense that can help lead the team to playoff success?
Will Adam Peters be willing to commit to multi-year contracts to multiple veteran players from other teams this offseason to create more roster stability than the team has had so far under his leadership?
Special teams
Will Adam Peters and Dan Quinn finally bring in a 2nd (and maybe even a 3rd) kicker for training camp competition?
Strap up — it should be a fast-paced and exciting week!!
OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks celebrates after a made 3-point basket in the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on March 6, 2026 in Denver, Colorado
DENVER — There’s something about playing a mile high that suits OG Anunoby.
After dropping a career-best 40 points last season in Denver, the surging two-way forward again carved up the Nuggets on Friday at Ball Arena, dropping an efficient 34 as the Knicks started their West Coast swing with a blowout 142-103 win.
It was the Nuggets’ worst home loss since Michael Jordan’s Bulls beat them in 1998.
“I just think [Anunoby] likes Denver, he likes the altitude,” Josh Hart said. “That’s what he can do, defensively guard one through five, and obviously, offensively get to his spots, knock down shots, get in the paint and just be a force.”
OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks celebrates after a made 3-point basket in the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on March 6, 2026 in Denver, Colorado Getty Images
Anunoby shot a slick 11-for-17 and highlighted his evening with a breakaway double-pump reverse jam to end the third quarter. The move jump-tarted extended garbage time and sent Nuggets fans funneling very early to the exits, leaving the traveling Knicks faithful to dominate the arena chants. Anunoby also grabbed four steals and helped defend a frustrated Nikola Jokic, who scored 38 points but missed his first six 3-pointers.
“Defensively, he’s on another level, man,” coach Mike Brown said. “If he keeps that up, that’s Defensive Player of the Year type stuff. For sure First Team All-Defense. He’s guarding point guards. He’s guarding the muli-time MVP Nikola Jokic. Then he’s guarding everybody in between.”
Anunoby picked up the slack for an ice-cold Jalen Brunson, who only managed nine points on 3-for-13 shooting. Brunson did have 15 assists, however, representing his third straight game with double-digit dimes. Hart, playing with a sore back, added 18 points in 25 minutes. Karl-Anthony Towns (17 points, 13 rebounds) and Mitchell Robinson (13 points, five rebounds) both had strong nights alternating at center.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) drives past Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) and center Nikola Jokic (15) in the second half at Ball Arena. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Nuggets, injury-riddled all season, were finally at full strength, returning Aaron Gordon after a 17-game absence because of a hamstring strain. His dunk after about two minutes sent the Denver crowd into an uproar.
The environment felt ready for a Nuggets’ steamroll.
But their good health was short-lived. Jamal Murray, the star point guard, came up limping late in the second quarter after accidentally stepping on the foot of Jokic.
His left ankle turned over rather dramatically, leaving Murray unable to walk off the court without assistance. The air was removed from Denver’s sails. The Knicks, who trailed by nine in the first quarter, took off.
They led by 13 at the break, then 25 after Anunoby’s athletic jam in the third quarter. Even DNP regular Pacôme Dadiet shined in garbage time with 11 points in just eight minutes.
Anunoby has rediscovered his rhythm after his toenail avulsion, shooting 45 percent from deep in the last five games. He added seven rebounds and five assists Friday.
So Anunoby and the Knicks had no problems dealing with the high altitude in Denver, although he claimed his consecutive stellar performances at Ball Center were just “a coincidence.”
But Anunoby soared on that double-pump dunk like gravity wasn’t a problem.
Josh Hart of the New York Knicks celebrates after a made basket in the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on March 6, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. Getty Images
“I was thinking 360-degree [dunk], windmill,” Anunoby said. “Then I just thought I’ll do the double-pump.”
Historically, the Knicks have had problems with the thin air, however. They recently went 16 years without a win in the Mile High City, a streak that mercifully ended during Brunson’s first season in 2022.
New York also won last year in Denver — a 145-118 shootout led by Anunoby’s career night.
Towns said he’s more acclimated after spending most of his career in the Western Conference. He still thinks it’s a factor, however.
“Hell, yeah,” Towns said.
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, right, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther, left, defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 6, 2026, in Denver. AP
While with Minnesota, Towns endured a 12-game losing streak against the Nuggets from 2018-21. They then split a pair of playoff series — in 2023 and 2024 — leaving Towns as an expert dealing with Jokic.
“He’s really damn good. That’s pretty much it, pretty much all there is to it,” Towns said. “You just go out there and compete at a high level against one of the best.”
But Anunoby was better than Jokic on Friday and everybody else on the court.
The Knicks fans behind the basket understood, chanting, “OG, OG, OG” as the final buzzer neared.
“Obviously, OG had a whale of a game for us,” Brown said.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Joki¿, left, fights for control of a rebound with Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton in the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March...
Ayton played his initial four-minute stint to start Thursday’s game before backup big man Jaxson Hayes subbed in for him at the 7:30 mark of the first.
Nikola Jokic attempting a shot against Deandre Ayton. AP
The 7-foot Ayton used one of the team’s stationary bikes after being subbed out before going back to the locker room during the first half.
The Lakers ruled Ayton out during the third quarter, with coach JJ Redick saying postgame that Ayton was dealing with left knee soreness. Ayton missed two games before the All-Star break because of right knee soreness.
Ayton was scoreless in the four minutes he played after missing his lone shot, finishing with two rebounds and had an individual plus/minus of minus-13.
“He’s down,” Marcus Smart said of Ayton, who sits next to Smart in the locker room. “It sucked for him not to be out there in the game. He tried to go and it just didn’t feel right for him and it sucks. We definitely could have used him.
“I know as of lately he’s been getting a lot of backlash for his effort and his play. He understands it. I know it might not seem like it, but he does and he wants to do good and he wants to help this team and I think that’s what more frustrating for him, because he’s trying. But the way he’s trying is not working and he’s still trying to figure it out. But he definitely was down. He just actually left talking to me, saying how he wished he could have been out there and how sorry he was. But he can’t control that he couldn’t go. Hopefully, next game, he’s ready to go and we can use him.”
With Ayton sidelined, Hayes started the second half, finishing with 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting and five rebounds in 28 minutes.
Backup big man Maxi Kleber wasn’t available for Thursday’s game because of back soreness.
Hayes played 16 of 24 minutes in the second half.
“He was terrific,” Redick said of Hayes. “Not having Maxi actually really hurt us. Particularly with DA out. But Jaxson, I definitely have confidence in him.”
The Lakers will host the Pacers on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena.
Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce is headed to free agency, a “right” the 25-year-old told Kay Adams he’s “earned.”
The Colts couldn’t come to an agreement with Pierce on a new long-term deal before Tuesday afternoon and opted to place the transition tag on Daniel Jones, leaving Pierce headed to the open market.
And when Pierce, 25, joined “Up & Adams” on Wednesday, he seemed set on hitting free agency.
"I love Indy… but at this point, I've kind of earned the right to explore free agency. See what's out there."
“At this point now, it’s like, I love Indy. I’ve loved playing there — great organization, great people in the city,” Pierce said. “Just a ton of support. I know we haven’t been as good as we could be, and I know we can be. But, yeah, at this point, I’ve kind of earned the right to explore free agency, see what’s out there. Just make a decision that’s best for my career and for my family.”
Pierce is coming off a season where he recorded a career-best 1,003 receiving yards on 47 catches.
He finished the 2025 season with six touchdown receptions, one less than he had the year before.
Alec Pierce makes a catch for a touchdown as cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. defends during the 49ers’ win over the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Dec. 22, 2025. Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Reports have suggested that the Colts have not abandoned hope and that they and Pierce’s representatives have continued to talk.
Rapoport indicated one thing that was important to Pierce was the quarterback situation in Indy.
Alec Pierce leaves the field after the Colts’ blowout loss to the 49ers on Dec. 22, 2025 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Christine Tannous-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
“Quarterback Play and stability,” Pierce said when asked what was important to him. “Stability in a franchise, winning culture. Things like that I’d say are probably the most important. … I think [the Colts are] on the way to figuring that out with Daniel [Jones] if they can get a long-term deal done.”
He added: “I’ve understood the battles that come with not having that stability.”
In usual circumstances, the Lakers wouldn’t have played a competitive game against the Pelicans on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena.
Because in most seasons, a team like the Pelicans, who entered the matchup with the league’s sixth-worst record, would be tanking with the hopes of falling in the standings to secure the best possible draft lottery odds.
But this season hasn’t been typical, with the Pelicans, who won six of their last nine games entering Tuesday, still looking to be competitive in light of trading away their 2026 first-round pick during a highly-scrutinized transaction that moved them up in the 2025 draft to select rookie big man Derik Queen at No. 13.
LeBron James goes up for a layup over DeAndre Jordan. AP
So the Lakers had to fight all the way to the end for the 110-101 victory over the Pelicans.
“We knew we weren’t playing against their record,” LeBron James said. “It’s the first time they’ve been whole in quite awhile. And we know when they’ve been whole what kind of team they’ve been. We didn’t come in with the notion that we were playing against their record. We came in with the notion that we were playing a very athletic team that’s been playing exceptional basketball of late.”
The Lakers came back from an eight-point deficit and closed the game on a 22-7 run to seal the victory.
“Frankly, that’s not a win we’ve had since probably November,” Coach JJ Redick said. “Where we’re down. A lot of those early wins when we started 15-4, we had a number of double-digit deficits in the second half, and just stuck with it and kept playing. It was a good win for our group to be able to do that again.
Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 24 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. James had 21 points, seven assists and seven rebounds.
They moved to 37-24 on the season, getting closer to having an identical home record (18-12) as road record (19-12).
Turning point
When after falling behind 94-86, the Lakers ran Stack 2 against the Pelicans’ hedging defense to open up a dunk for Jaxson Hayes assisted by Doncic, which started the Lakers’ late run.
Biggest offensive possession of the game. Lakers go to their stack 2 formation.
Pels put two on the ball. Watch Luka extend the trap, fake the pass to AR and open the jam for Jaxson. pic.twitter.com/04I1bLgRPK
Austin Reaves, who struggled with his shot for most of Tuesday (15 points on 4-of-15 shooting) made a 3-pointer with 5:04 left to give the Lakers a 96-94 lead. They led for the remainder of the game.
MVP: Marcus Smart
His 3-of-9 shooting doesn’t stand out.
But the veteran guard made the dagger 3-point to put the Lakers up 105-98 with 1:34 left.
And he made multiple game-changing defensive plays that ignited the Lakers’ offense.
Marcus Smart before tip-off. NBAE via Getty Images
“Smart was incredible,” Redick said. “Him and Jaxson [Hayes] in the second half, when we got him back in the game defensively, they helped us win the game. They changed the game.”
Smart finished with 10 points, seven assists, four steals, three blocked shots and three rebounds, and had the best individual plus/minus among the starters.
Stat of the game: 22
That was the number of turnovers the Lakers committed against the Pelicans.
It was the 11th time they had at least 20 giveaways, with the Lakers entering Tuesday 4-6 in games they had at least 20 turnovers.
Notably, it was just the third time the Lakers had at least 20 turnovers in a game Doncic, LeBron and Reaves all played, with the last one being the Feb. 5 win over the 76ers that Doncic left at halftime during.
The Dec. 1 loss to the Suns was the last time the Lakers had 20 turnovers in a game all three star players finished.
Up next
The Lakers will kick off their upcoming back-to-back in Denver when they play the Nuggets on Thursday night at Ball Arena.
They’ll close out the back-to-back on Friday against the Pacers at Crypto.com Arena, which will kick off a five-game homestand.
PARIS, FRANCE - JANUARY 24: The San Antonio Spurs poses for a team photo as part of the NBA Paris Games 2025 at the Eiffel Tower on January 24, 2025 in Paris, France. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
While the San Antonio Spurs were amassing one of the greatest months in franchise history, the Spurs Organization was over the pond in Paris, France building on the relationship launched last season.
Per a Spurs press release:
The San Antonio Spurs and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) held two sports leadership events as part of the ongoing “Spurs Week Paris” initiative. The Spurs and PSG hosted an executive learning session for their leadership teams, followed by the second iteration of Spurs Community Leadership Institute (SCLI) Paris, serving a diverse group of French women leaders in sport. This transformative collaboration is the result of the deep relationship that has grown between the two clubs, both known as leaders in the globalization of sport, which tipped off in 2025 with the Spurs competing in the NBA Paris Games.
The Spurs x PSG Executive Learning Session brought both organizations together offering a leadership development program with expert panels and hands-on workshops.
The Spurs Community Leadership Institute hosted a one-day leadership summit involving 50 women leaders in sports, government officials and community. The event centered on advancing women in sports, leadership development and leveraging sports as a catalyst for social impact.
Patricia Mejia, chief impact & inclusion officer for the San Antonio Spurs shared,
“From day one, our relationship with Paris-Saint Germain has been driven by innovative thinking, collaborative conversations and a shared commitment to community impact. Through innovative initiatives like these, in collaboration with highly regarded organizations like PSG, the Spurs will continue to build lasting relationships in France and inspire the next generation of leaders and changemakers in the global sports industry.”
Spurs Week Paris, a week-long in-person fan engagement activation across the city, continued to expand its presence in France on and off the court.
The Spurs commitment to growing the game of basketball globally involved a full week including aSpurs Skills Challenge Clinic, exclusive retail experiences, a newly renovated basketball court in Nanterre, and a public game watch party.
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LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 23: Tight end George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers interacts with defensive end Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders after an NFL preseason football game, at Allegiant Stadium on August 23, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
49ers reportedly moving on from DT Kalia Davis
“According to Jordan Schultz, the 49ers do not plan to place a tender on the restricted free agent, allowing him to hit the open market.”
Report: 49ers in play for Maxx Crosby; Mac Jones trade market cools
“The San Francisco 49ers are seemingly one of a dozen teams in play for Crosby, whom the Las Vegas Raiders would move for a couple of draft picks (it doesn’t seem like they can get two first-rounders) and a player,” Barrows and Tafur wrote.”
49ers schedule pre-draft meeting with Memphis OT Travis Burke
“According to Justin Melo of Sports Illustrated, the 49ers are among several teams scheduled to hold an in-person meeting with former Memphis offensive tackle Travis Burke ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.”
49ers select O-lineman with one concern in Lance Zierlein’s mock draft
“Short arms have been a big discussion point since the Super Bowl and might cause [Spencer] Fano to slip, but I’m not sure the 49ers would allow him to get past them, considering the athletic talent and scheme fit he could provide at right tackle or a guard spot,” Zierlein wrote.”
Mac Jones’ quiet market and other 49ers takeaways from the NFL combine (paywall)
“According to league sources, the 49ers are eyeing assistant offensive line coach Cameron Clemmons to replace Brian Fleury as the team’s tight end coach. Clemmons spent the last two seasons working under offensive line coach Chris Foerster, who helps draw up the team’s running plays.”
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 1: Maxi Kleber #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 1, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
LOS ANGELES — On the season, Maxi Kleber has only played in 34 of the Lakers’ 59 games and averages fewer than 11 minutes per contest in those appearances.
On Sunday night, he brought life to every second he played.
While LA had both of its top centers available, Jaxson Hayes found himself in early foul trouble, so Lakers head coach JJ Redick turned to Kleber. Immediately, he ramped up LA’s intensity.
Kleber was cleaning up the glass while serving as a rim protector, rejecting a Drew Eubanks attempt. He even added an offensive highlight to his reel, posterizing Precious Achiuwa.
“He had two poster dunks tonight,” Redick said postgame. “Things you get really excited about…Just the reaction from his teammates on that, it’s something that gives your group spirit.”
But it was a play that largely won’t show up in the box score that provided the most spirit for the group.
As Marcus Smart took a 3-point attempt, Malik Monk yelled out “Hell naw!” as the ball failed to touch the rim. On the ensuing Kings’ possession, Monk tried to go coast-to-coast but Kleber stood his ground and knocked the guard down, sending a clear message.
When Monk got up, he had words for Kleber, as did former Laker Russell Westbrook. Kleber wanted all the smoke before coaches, players and officials stepped in to make sure things didn’t further escalate.
The play doesn’t appear in the box score as anything more than a foul on Kleber, but it gave this game a bit more edge. The Lakers kept that intensity up even as Kleber went to the bench, and they entered the halftime break up 15.
At times, LA has a tendency to let go of the rope, particularly in games seen as easy wins. Kleber ensured that wouldn’t be the case, even on the second night of a back-to-back.
“He’s the guy that makes our team,” Rui Hachimura said. “He has good energy. He always brings good energy to the team. We always talk about how we need to be more like Maxi or we need to be like Maxi. We always talk about that. I know how he approaches this every day and brings positive energy. He always brings good energy to the team, whether he plays or not.
Kleber won’t always play, and when he does, it won’t always look as good as it did against the Kings.
However, each team needs everyone rowing in the same direction. Kleber is one of those veterans who not only knows how to be a pro but also sets the standard for his teammates, whether they are playing big minutes or riding the bench.
With the Lakers responding to their three-game losing streak with back-to-back wins, LA is having a moment of positivity. Still, the Western Conference race is as tight as ever, and as a vet, Kleber knows better than most that the work is far from done.
“I think the best thing for us is to just block out the noise from outside because we know what we got to focus on, what we got to do, and keep our composure,” Kleber said. “But obviously, having two wins like that obviously helps for the team chemistry, for like everything for the flow.
“But we know that we got to continue building on this now.”
Kleber’s qualities are exactly what teams want every player to have. He always brings that same level of passion, hustle and will to win regardless of his role.
On Sunday, his influence was obvious, and whether Lakers fans see it nightly or not, his impact is palpable.
We are a week away from the beginning of NFL Free Agency and we got a few rumors about the Miami Dolphins from the NFL Combine this past weekend. It sounds like QB Tua Tagovailoa will not be with the team much longer as the team is expected to release him by the third day of the league year and designate him as post June-1st cut. The Dolphins are also expected to make an offer to Malik Willis, but with the hit they are going to take from Tua’s contract this option doesn’t seem too likely. That means Quinn Ewers is viewed as the backup plan and the Dolphins may have to find a cheap vet option to add to the quarterback room.
Among other things, extensions for RB De’Von Achance, C Aaron Brewer, and LB Jordyn Brooks are also expected to be worked on as the new regime views them as key building blocks for the rebuild this team is about to go through.
You can check out that story here, and the rest of the day’s round-up below.
SAN FRANCISCO — If they hadn’t already, the Warriors can probably kiss any hopes they had of avoiding the play-in tournament goodbye.
Golden State looked listless, lackadaisical and downright lost at times Saturday night against the team it would have to chase down to secure anything higher than the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference.
The Warriors quickly fell into a double-digit hole against the Lakers and never recovered in a lopsided 129-101 loss. In front of a national television audience, they fell behind by as many as 32 points — 17 just in the first quarter — and never cut the deficit to single digits.
Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos, center, moves the ball between Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake LaRavia (12) and guard Marcus Smart (36) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) AP
The loss means the Warriors trail the Lakers by 4.5 games with 22 to play and would need to win their final meeting April 9 just to even the season series at two games apiece.
“It’s a lot. It’s a lot to make up in 22 games,” coach Steve Kerr acknowledged.
Steph Curry (knee) missed his 10th consecutive game, Kristaps Porzingis (illness) was ruled out shortly before tipoff and what was left of the Warriors’ starting five crumbled against the Lakers’ Big 3.
LeBron James (22 points, nine assists, seven rebounds), Luka Doncic (26 points, eight assists, six rebounds) and Austin Reaves (18 points) had all checked out for the final time by the midpoint of the fourth quarter and still individually bested the Warriors’ top scorer, Gui Santos (14).
Rookie Will Richard added to the Warriors’ injury woes, rolling his ankle and leaving the game in the second quarter.
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry, left, speaks to Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, right, after an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) AP
Only more miles will be required to be put on the Warriors’ aging and ailing group the further they fall in the standings. As the No. 8 seed as it currently stands, they would need to either beat the seventh-seeded Suns on the road or prevail in a second play-in contest against the Trail Blazers or Clippers, who have the Nos. 9 and 10 spots all but locked down.
After the loss, the Warriors trail the Suns by three games for the No. 7 seed with a 2.5-game cushion on the Blazers in the No. 9 spot.
“We don’t even talk about it,” Kerr said. “That’s not anything that is worth discussing because we just have to try to go out there and win and see what happens.”
The Warriors emerged from the play-in last season to upset the Rockets in the first round. But the veteran group said the pedal-to-the-metal final two months of the season, including the play-in win, caught up to them as Curry went down injured and they lost to the Timberwolves in five games the following round.
Making matters more complicated, Golden State is already without Jimmy Butler for the rest of the season and is unsure when Curry will be cleared to return. The team is set to provide an update on his right knee Sunday, but Curry reportedly suffered a setback over the All-Star break and the ailment commonly known as runner’s knee already has a varying timetable.
In an interview with ESPN during the game, Curry said he expects it is “going to be a little longer” before he is cleared to return. Golden State hosts the Clippers on Monday.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 30: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with Christian McCaffrey #23 after scoring a rushing touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter at Huntington Bank Field on November 30, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Would WR Mike Evans be a ‘perfect’ free-agent signing for 49ers?
“Evans made $20.5 million per year during his most recent contract with the Buccaneers, and it’s unclear if he’d want a similar deal. He’ll be 33 in August and is coming off a season in which he missed half the games due to various injuries. Evans had tallied at least 1,000 receiving yards in 11 consecutive seasons before 2025. For what it’s worth, Spotrac projects Evans’ contract to be for about two years and $26.6 million, which is certainly within the 49ers’ range.”
49ers NFL Combine Watch: Defensive Backs and Tight Ends Risers and Fallers “Kenyon Sadiq delivered one of the most eye-catching performances of the day, reportedly running a 4.39-second 40-yard dash — elite speed for the position. His athletic profile creates mismatch potential at the receiving tight end position.”
The NBA got a little spicy in the Thunder’s 127-121 win over the Nuggets on Friday night in Oklahoma City.
The two teams got into a heated scrum in the fourth quarter after it appeared Oklahoma City’s Lu Dort tripped Denver star Nikola Jokic, leading to a heated scene at center court with both teams pushing and shoving.
Things all started after Jared McCain hit a two-point bucket for OKC, and on the ensuing inbound, Dort appeared to make an intentional step — almost like a hip check — into Jokic as he made his way back up the court.
Lu Dort was ejected after appearing to trip Nikola Jokic on this play.
Nikola Jokic was not happy with Lu Dort after the trip. ESPN/XThe Nuggets and Thunder got into it on Friday night. ESPN/X
Jokic immediately fell and tumbled onto the floor at Paycom Center. But that’s only where the fun began.
Dort was called for a foul, and he didn’t appear to agree with it, and as Jokic got back to his feet, he immediately got in his opponent’s face, eyes wide as he was incensed over what had just taken place, bumping Dort’s chest before anyone could step in.
The teams converged but officials eventually calmed things down before things could really escalate.
After reviewing the play, Dort was assessed a flagrant 2, meaning he was ejected from the game.
Jokic and the Thunder’s Jaylin Williams also received technicals in the bizarre scene in Oklahoma City.
Dort finished his night with eight points and six rebounds.
Roger Goodell is pictured during his Feb. 9 press conference.
The NFL salary cap broke the $300 million barrier.
Free agents and their representatives had plenty to celebrate Friday when the NFL announced that the salary cap per team in 2026 is $301.2 million.
That figure represents a 7.9 percent year-over-year increase, a 65 percent increase over 2021 when league revenues were down because of COVID-19, and nearly double what the cap was a decade ago ($155.2 million in 2016).
Since every team got the same boost, the teams with the most to spend didn’t change.
Roger Goodell is pictured during his Feb. 9 press conference. AP
The tweaks were made to teams’ cap space, which now has the Jets (No. 3) with $88.7 million and the Giants (No. 20) with $978,921, according to OvertheCap.com.
The Giants’ cap space is expected to grow exponentially via salary-cap casualties and contract restructures before the March 9 start of free agency.
After the Patriots’ NFL-high $364 million free-agent spending spree last offseason helped fuel a turnaround from 4-13 to AFC champions under first-year head coach Mike Vrabel, other teams with new head coaches flush with cap space could be contenders to overspend for a quick fix.
Look no further than Robert Saleh’s Titans ($94.7 million) and Klint Kubiak’s Raiders ($89 million) — the only two teams with more flexibility than the Jets.
With the new salary cap set, the franchise tag cost for a running back — the Jets’ Breece Hall, for example — is $14.2 million.
The transition tag is $11.3 million.
Teams also will spend $77.6 million each in player benefits, according to the league.
The Jets would be happy to show off this report card.
The 2026 NFL Players Association team report cards showed significant improvement for the Jets across the board, according to results that were obtained by ESPN.
The Giants saw several changes in their grades, including improvements in “Treatment of Families,” “Food/Dining Area,” “Training Staff” and “Team Ownership,” to name a few.
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn Bill Kostroun / New York Post
Woody Johnson and Jets ownership saw a significant increase, going from an F to a B, and the franchise saw a jump in head coach from B to an A after Aaron Glenn replaced Robert Saleh. “Locker Room” received an A- grade after being a D+ in 2025.
Both the Jets and Giants earned an F- grade for “Home Game Field.” The teams share MetLife Stadium.
The report cards were based on survey responses from 1,759 players across the NFL, all of whom were on a team roster during the 2025 season. The results were collected from Nov. 2-Dec. 11.
The NFLPA did not make this year’s report cards public after the NFL filed a grievance against the union over them, claiming that they violated the collective bargaining agreement.
An arbitrator landed on the side of the owners last month and stated that the report cards went against the CBA by “disparaging NFL clubs and individuals.”
Jets owner Woody Johnson and general manager Darren Mougey. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
A memo sent out by the league Thursday, and obtained by multiple outlets, advised teams to “refrain from commenting or engaging publicly on the alleged survey and Report Card results,” while describing the report cards as an “agenda-driven exercise.”
“We continue to recommend that Clubs prioritize feedback and information provided directly by their own players rather than relying on the NFLPA’s agenda-driven exercise,” the memo states. “We further recommend that Clubs refrain from commenting or engaging publicly on the alleged survey and Report Card results. Doing so only provides credibility to the union’s media campaign.”
SAN ANTONIO, TX - OCTOBER 26: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a three point basket during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on October 26, 2025 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The San Antonio Spurs will be on the second game of a back-to-back after a tough win against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night. The Spurs needed a fourth-quarter comeback to take down Toronto, and will now be on short rest against the Brooklyn Nets.
Brooklyn and San Antonio’s records are almost exactly flipped: the Spurs are chasing the number-one seed in the West, and the Nets are looking to secure the number-one pick in the draft. Brooklyn is on a five-game losing streak, while the Spurs have won ten games in a row. On paper, this is a game the Spurs should win handily, but anything can happen on a back-to-back on the road.
San Antonio beat Brooklyn 118-107 in their home opener earlier this season. A lot has changed for the Nets since then. Exciting young players like Nolan Traore and Drake Powell have emerged, and Cam Thomas, who scored 41 points against the Spurs earlier this season, is not on the team. The Nets have enough talent to make things interesting, but if the Spurs continue their streak of stellar play, they should be on their way to an 11-game winning streak.
Nets Injuries: Tyson Etienne – Out (G League), Chaney Johnson – Out (G League), E.J. Liddell – Out (G League), Josh Minott – Questionable (G League), Ben Saraf – Out (G League)
What to watch for:
Physicality inside
The blueprint for guarding Victor Wembanyama these days is simple: be as physical as possible and don’t let him get into any position. It’s the defensive style that the Detroit Pistons and Raptors used to slow him down in the Spurs’ last two wins. Brooklyn has the necessary bigs to enact this strategy on Thursday night. Nic Claxton is a strong, mean defender inside, and Day’Ron Sharpe is a good interior defender and rebounder. This will be another good test for Wembanyama against a physical front court.
Creating defensive havoc
The Nets are a young team that makes young team mistakes. They don’t really have a true point guard besides Traore (who is only a rookie), so they tend to turn the ball over a lot. The Nets cough it up 15.5 times per game. San Antonio’s aggressive perimeter defense with Wembanyama patrolling the paint should give them an advantage against the young Nets. Look for De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle to get out into the passing lanes early to help the Spurs build a lead.
Devin Vassell’s shooting
Vassell has been red hot lately. He followed his 28-point night against Detroit with a 21-point performance against the Raptors on Wednesday. The wing has shot 12-17 from three in those two games. Vassell has been taking advantage of teams overindexing on Wembanyama, or trying to take away driving lanes from the Spurs’ guards. He’s gotten a ton of open looks and is making teams pay. Watch for San Antonio to get Vassell involved early as he looks to keep his hot streak going against Brooklyn.
“Really, where (trade discussions) happen typically is once the workouts start,” he said. “Everybody’s sitting in their suites, GMs kind of walk suite to suite. So I’m sure there will be interest. He’s a really good player.”
Hunter would step in as an immediate contributor on first and second downs. He has the tools to improve as a pass-rusher and ultimately become a three-down player on the defensive line.
Hunter showed his immense talent during the week of practices at the Senior Bowl, where he established himself as one of the standout players.
49ers insider addresses Trent Williams release vs. trade debate
“I would think that, for teams out there interested in him, they would realize that they would have to also — if they give the 49ers, say, a first-round draft pick for Trent Williams, or a second and a third, or whatever the case may be — they also have to meet his contract demands,” Maiocco explained. “And so, there might be a little bit of reluctance for teams like that….so, yeah, there would be plenty of teams, I would think, that could feel like they could use Trent Williams in their starting lineup,” Maiocco added.”
While the anticipation for a primetime heavyweight bout was warranted, the Knicks never came close to resembling a threat to the Cavaliers with crucial playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference at stake.
The fatal combination of poor three-point shooting, costly turnovers, and jumbled defense knocked the Knicks out early on Tuesday night at Rocket Arena, and head coach Mike Brown didn't bother to describe the 109-94 loss with any fancy adjectives. He cut right to the chase.
"An ugly game, obviously. We didn't do much right defensively, we didn't do much right offensively," Brown said. "Our turnovers in the first half really put a damper on things we were trying to do... We had some decent looks throughout the course of the game, but we couldn't knock a shot down."
Held below 100 points for just the sixth time this season, the Knicks couldn't buy a bucket from beyond the arc, and that start-to-finish cold spell heavily influenced their pace and cohesion. They shot a measly 27 percent from three (10 of 37), their fourth-worst mark of the 2025-26 campaign.
To make matters worse, the Knicks struggled to score from anywhere on the floor during the third quarter, as the Cavaliers held them to a season-low 11 points. It was the Knicks' worst shooting quarter (3 of 20) since 2018, and also their worst third-quarter points output since 2022.
"One of the things we have to do better, especially offensively, is play with pace," Brown said. "Our pace isn't good. We have to do a better job of getting to the corners, we have to do a better job of playing with pace in the frontcourt."
Now, the turnovers. The Knicks committed 11 in the first half, finishing with 16 that produced 17 points in transition from the Cavaliers. The sloppiness disrupted their rhythm and thwarted any chance of a late comeback -- akin to what the Knicks showed the same Cavaliers on Christmas Day.
Rightfully so, the Knicks directed most of their attention toward stars Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, who combined for a tolerable 43 points. But they didn't have much of a plan for Jarrett Allen, who caused fits down low with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Brown didn't see the Knicks defending "on a string," with sharp attention to the Cavaliers' ball movement.
Jalen Brunson scored a quiet 20 points on 6 of 19 shooting, and Mitchell Robinson was the Knicks' lone bright spot with 16 boards -- eight came on offense -- and 11 points in 19 minutes off the bench.
But the most confounding performance belonged to Karl-Anthony Towns. Despite scoring 14 points, he attempted just a single shot in the second half, finishing a perfect 5-for-5, and was responsible for five giveaways. A far cry from the stellar 28-point, 11-rebound double-double he delivered against the Bulls on Sunday.
"There were some things we could've done better defensively, but our offense was non-existent, in terms of pace, the ability to touch the paint, and spray the ball," Brown said. "All that stuff came to play in that third quarter."
Now tied with the Cavaliers for third in the East playoff picture -- although New York has the tiebreaker -- the Knicks (37-22) will wrap up their brief Midwest road trip on Friday night against the Bucks. They're 2-2 since the All-Star break, and of their five-worst shooting displays from three this season, three have come in February.
In addition, the 49ers don’t have a replacement on the roster after not drafting an offensive tackle since 2021. Their top option is Austen Pleasants, 28, who has been waived eight times since he went undrafted in 2020.
It’s possible the 49ers haven’t made heir-apparent plans because they have confidence that Williams can reach his oft-stated longevity goal. Williams wants to join a select group of by playing in 2028 when he’s 40. Only six offensive linemen have played into their 40s since 1925: Andrew Whitworth, Jason Peters, Jackie Slater, Bruce Matthews, Jeff Van Note and Ray Brown.”
49ers select ‘most natural left tackle prospect’ in Bucky Brooks’ latest mock draft
“The most natural left tackle prospect in the draft could give the 49ers an enviable long-term plan at the crucial position,” Brooks wrote. “Lomu’s nimble feet and quick hands would make him the perfect eventual replacement for Trent Williams on the blind side.”
The War Room: It’s Combine Week (paywall)
“Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State: This is one of the sharpest running backs I’ve watched. He has an elite tempo to his runs. He handles small spaces in flow, and follows his blockers with outrageous patience and intelligence. He might not have the top-tier measurables, but I think he’s quick enough. On early watch, this is a guy who can start Day 1.
Chris Brazzell III, WR, Tennessee: He’s WR2 for me right now, and that’s from someone who is typically lower on big receivers. He has no business moving the way he does at 6’5” and while he’s not a wide-framed player, he blocks his tail off. His deceleration is astonishing. His route distribution at Tennessee didn’t allow him to show off his full tree, but I see the route craft and movement skills. He also Mosses people. The only thing I really dislike is his inability to toe tap. He’s lazy/inconsistent dragging his feet along the sidelines a la Brian Thomas Jr. last year.”
49ers add developmental prospect in Mel Kiper’s latest 2026 mock draft
“From an analytics standpoint, Proctor closed his collegiate career on a strong note. According to Pro Football Focus, he posted career-best marks in 2025 with an 86.1 overall offensive grade, an 81.1 run-blocking grade, and an 84.2 pass-blocking grade. He surrendered 21 pressures and two sacks across 611 pass-blocking snaps.
At 6-foot-7 and 366 pounds, Proctor possesses rare size, so the upside is apparent.
“So, Proctor could develop in Year 1 while kicking inside to guard and/or playing a swing tackle role before perhaps taking over for Williams in 2027,” Kiper added. “He has 40 career starts — all at left tackle — and is reliable in pass protection. This would be an upside pick for GM John Lynch.”
Will QB Mac Jones be on the 49ers’ roster next season?
“Among those who could be in need of a quarterback, Jones would make the most sense in Minnesota, Miami and Arizona, all of whom employ head coaches or offensive coordinators with a background running at least a version of Shanahan’s offensive scheme.
While Jones won’t have full say in a potential trade, his relationship with the Niners is strong enough that if multiple offers were on the table, he’d get some say in where he lands. And it’s a safe bet that his preference would be to land in a place that most closely resembles what he’s had in San Francisco both culturally and in terms of offensive system.”
Bar patrons watch the YouTube TV telecast of the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers on September 05, 2025 in Buffalo, New York.
Football fans better be ready to watch more games on YouTube in the future.
The platform is the favorite to land a four-game slate of regular-season contests that the NFL kept as part of an equity deal with ESPN, Sports Business Journal reported.
The report dubbed YouTube the “early leader” for the package, though there are still several parties reportedly interested in it.
The four games in the package were part of the recently greenlit deal between ESPN and the NFL that will see the former take ownership of NFL Network while the league gets a 10 percent stake in ESPN.
Bar patrons watch the YouTube TV telecast of the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers on September 05, 2025 in Buffalo, New York. Getty Images
It wasn’t immediately clear what games would be part of the package, though one could envision that some of the league’s international games could end up on the digital platform.
“Beyond an international element, other games that could go to YouTube could be for exclusive windows elsewhere on the calendar, such as later in the season when streamers such as Peacock or ESPN+ have picked up games in the past,” Sports Business Journal wrote. “Other sources have told SBJ that the NFL could be interested in expanding its Black Friday slate, which has been a sole Prime Video game thus far.”
The slate of games would signal a growing relationship between the NFL and YouTube as digital platforms and streaming services become more prominent when it comes to the NFL’s media rights deals.
The NFL aired its first game on YouTube this past season when the Chargers and Chiefs played during Week 1 in Brazil.
The game drew an audience of 18.5 million viewers in the United States.
There were an additional 1.1 million fans who tuned in abroad to watch the Chargers defeat the Chiefs.
Feb 20, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick at a press conference at the Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images NBA: Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers
The franchise’s past and present had collided, with the 41-year-old hot shot hoping to one day mirror the accomplishments of the 80-year-old legend.
Ever since Redick was hired to take over the Lakers’ helm in June 2024, he has drawn comparisons to Riley.
Luka Doncic talks to JJ Redick against the New Orleans Pelicans. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
They’re both former players. After they retired, they both became broadcasters. Riley hardly had any coaching experience (two years as a Lakers assistant from 1979-81) before being handed one of the most prestigious jobs in the league in 1981. Redick had no coaching experience. They both have strikingly slick personas.
And they both were tasked with leading the team through major transitions. Riley helped the Lakers pass the baton from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Magic Johnson, while Redick is overseeing the Lakers’ passing of the guard from LeBron James to Luka Doncic.
When Redick was hired, he knew the franchise was hoping he’d fill the Armani shoes of the legendary coach. The question on everyone’s mind was obvious: Could he be the next Pat Riley?
“Pat, to me, sort of set the standard for modern NBA coaches,” Redick said.
For Riley, the respect is reciprocated.
“He’s a fiery guy,” Riley said of Redick. “He could shoot the hell out of the ball. He was tough as nails, you know. I don’t know. Sometimes I look back and I remember myself at that time and I looked at JJ and I think they picked the right person. There’s just a quality about him I think that goes above and beyond.”
Redick is still evolving into who he is as a coach. He’s still finding his style. His voice. But this much is for sure: He’s an incredibly hard worker. His basketball IQ is respected by everyone in the locker room. After games, Redick locks himself in a dark basement and pores over film. He’s a basketball sicko.
He undoubtedly can be described as intense, a quality for which Riley was infamous.
Magic Johnson gave a handful of reporters a glimpse into how Riley ran his teams after the 8-foot, 510-pound statue of his former coach was unveiled in a star-studded ceremony Sunday.
“He didn’t let us take a day off or a play off or a moment off,” Johnson said.
Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick speaks with the team during the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers. Getty Images
Johnson praised Riley for his masterful in-game adjustments, calling him “a visionary.” He also pointed out how much courage it took for Riley to make Johnson the team’s No. 1 offensive option while he was still sharing a uniform with Abdul-Jabbar, who turned 35 in Riley’s first season as Lakers head coach.
“Hold on, wait a minute, huh?” Johnson recalled his reaction being at the time. “A dude who was the greatest player at that time that ever played the game and you’re going to go to him and say somebody else is going to take the bulk of the offense now?”
Johnson called Riley fearless and extremely tough.
He’d make the Lakers run for 40 minutes straight at practices. He’d make them do three-man weaves without letting the ball touch the ground. Over the summer, he’d send each player a letter telling them how much he wanted them to weigh. Then he’d weigh them publicly when they reported to training camp.
Riley especially knew how to get under Johnson’s skin. He’d show him highlights of Larry Bird and Michael Jordan and say, “What are you gonna do?”
“Soon as he did that, the button was going to go off on me and I’m going to have a triple-double,” Johnson said. “That’s all he had to do, just put those two dudes up there and he knew I was going to go to another level.”
Riley led the Lakers to four championships from 1982-1988, and he ushered in the Showtime era. Under him, Johnson became a three-time MVP. Johnson called him “one of the greatest coaches who ever lived,” as well as “the coolest man that’s ever put on an Armani suit.”
Former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Pat Riley poses after the unveiling of his statue at Crypto.com Arena on February 22, 2026. Getty Images
Redick, meanwhile, is just in his second season as coach of the Lakers.
He’s still getting his feet wet. Last season, he vowed to evaluate himself by growth instead of metrics. He led the Lakers to third place in the Western Conference at 50-32 before they were eliminated by the Timberwolves in the first round.
Afterward, Redick was far from patting himself on the back.
“I know I can be better,” he said. “And I know I will get better. I don’t necessarily take any satisfaction from how the year went. That’s not to say I’m not proud of what the group was able to do and how we were able to figure out things on the fly and put ourselves in a position to have homecourt in the first round. But there’s always ways to get better. And I can get a lot better.”
This season, Redick has led the Lakers to fifth place in the West despite James, Doncic and Reaves only playing 12 games together because of injuries.
Redick is still becoming Redick.
But his potential is unquestionably through the roof. His analysis of the game is incredibly sharp. When he was still hosting the “Mind the Game” podcast with James before he was hired by the Lakers, he’d dissect players and their moves with surgeon-like precision.
Players respond to him. They respect him.
And he has navigated the tricky line of helping the 26-year-old Doncic become the face of the team while the 41-year-old James is still the face of the league and one of the greatest players of all time.
Whether Redick can become a Riley-esque figure is still unknown.
Perhaps it’s an unfair comparison, one that would set up any fledgling coach for disappointment.
But for now, Redick is going to have a reminder of who he aspires to be every time he shows up for work.
It stands tall in between bronzed figures of Johnson and Abdul-Jabbar. It has slicked-back hair, a tailored designer suit and is the ultimate example of greatness.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 27: General manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers speaks to the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 27, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
49ers free agency: Jauan Jennings’ projected market value “According to Spotrac, Jennings’ projected market value sits at $22.6 million annually, which would rank 18th among NFL wide receivers. The salary cap tracking site estimates he could command a three-year, $67.8 million contract on the open market.”
The 49ers must race to find Christian McCaffrey help before it’s too late (paywall) “The optimal path forward involves pairing McCaffrey with a bona fide receiving threat. Pittsburgh’s Kenneth Gainwell and the New York Jets’ Breece Hall, both of whom made the YPRR leaderboard above, are both scheduled to be free agents next month. Kenneth Walker III, who won Super Bowl MVP at Levi’s Stadium, might also become available because Seattle likely won’t slap the franchise tag on him.
Is it time for the 49ers to go all-in on offense, spending be damned? Fans might prefer that route to, say, drafting another running back in the third round. None of those experiments have worked and McCaffrey is still waiting for a credible counter-threat.
Isaac Guerendo, who’s endured some ball security issues, is still on the team. So is Jordan James, who enters his second season as a back with adaptable potential.
But unless the 49ers are sure one of those players can reliably move the needle in 2026, they can’t wait around forever. McCaffrey’s 30th birthday is a looming reminder of that. So is the fact that he’s only under contract with the team for two more seasons. That means 2026 almost certainly marks a defining inflection point.
History tells us that McCaffrey’s versatility can be the lynchpin that pushes a properly stocked offense over the top. His jaw-dropping volume of production in 2025 indicates that there’s still gas left in the tank.”
NFL wide receiver Rondale Moore, who died on Saturday at the age of 25, was drafted by the Cardinals in 2021 and spent his first three NFL seasons in Arizona. The news of his death hit the Cardinals organization hard.
"We are devastated and heartbroken by today's news concerning Rondale Moore," the Cardinals said in a statement. "Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family, friends, teammates, and everyone who loved him and had the privilege of knowing such a special person."
Moore played three years for the Cardinals and had 135 catches for 1,201 yards and three touchdowns, 52 carries for 249 yards and one touchdown, 22 punt returns for 182 yards and 13 kickoff returns for 291 yards.
In 2024 Moore was traded to the Falcons but missed the entire season with a knee injury. In 2025 he signed with the Vikings but again missed the entire season with a knee injury.
