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Yankees free agency and trade buzz: Bombers considering Bo Bichette ‘more seriously’

Here’s the latest Yankees free agency and trade buzz during the 2025-26 MLB offseason…

Jan. 8, 1:54 p.m.

The Yankees are “more seriously” considering free agent infielder Bo Bichette as they await a resolution with Cody Bellinger, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post.

Other teams that have been linked to Bichette include the Cubs, Red Sox, and Blue Jays.

The Jays also have interest in Kyle Tucker, whose signing would likely preclude them from also signing Bichette.

Bichette has reportedly told interested teams that he’s willing to move from shortstop, and he could be a smooth fit with the Yanks in a world where they trade second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Jan. 6, 6:50 p.m.

As the market for Bo Bichette continues to coalesce, a reunion with the Toronto Blue Jays may not happen.

According to The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon, the Blue Jays remain linked to both Bichette and outfielder Kyle Tucker. However, the reigning AL Champs have increased their efforts to recruit Tucker because he’s a better roster fit after the team signed Japanese star Kazuma Okamoto. That means a reunion between Toronto and Bichette appears “increasingly unlikely.”

Bichette spent the first seven years of his career with Toronto, but with the Blue Jays’ infield just about set, there may not be room for the shortstop/second baseman on the team. As for the Yankees, they don’t view Bichette as a shortstop, but would entertain signing him as a second baseman. However, that would mean trading either 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr. or 3B Ryan McMahon to make room for Bichette in the infield.

Jan. 5, 12:30 p.m.

While the Yankees are interested in Bo Bichette, it appears they’d have to make a move in order to acquire him. 

According to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of the Athletic, New York doesn’t view Bichette as a shortstop, and they’d likely have to trade 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr. or 3B Ryan McMahon if he were to land in the Bronx. 

Anthony Volpe is expected to miss some time at the beginning of the season, but the Yanks have expressed belief in the former first-round pick returning to form after a disappointing year on both sides of the ball. 

Chisholm’s name has been floated in trade rumors all offseason with him set to hit free agency next offseason. 

Bichette, who spent his first seven seasons with the Blue Jays, is certainly an intriguing target for the Yanks. 

While he has poor defensive metrics at SS, the 27-year-old has reportedly expressed a willingness to transition to second.

Jan. 3, 6:25 p.m.

Another big market team is looking to add infielder Bo Bichette this offseason.

According to the NY Post’s Jon Heyman, the Phillies are among the teams interested in Bichette. Of course, the teams that have checked in on the Blue Jays infielder include the Cubs, Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox and Toronto. 

The Phillies already have Trea Turner at shortstop, but Bichette proved he was capable of playing second base when the Blue Jays moved him there this past offseason. Currently, the Phillies have Bryson Stott and Edmundo Sosa as their second basemen. 

The Blue Jays signed Japanese star Kazuma Okamoto on Saturday to play in the infield, but it is unclear whether that takes them out of bringing Bichette back. 

Jan. 1, 1:21 p.m.

While it remains unclear whether the Yankees will make any sort of big splash this offseason, it seems their eyes are beginning to wander with several top free agents still on the market.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Yankees are among three previously unreported clubs to “check on” star shortstop Bo Bichette. The other new suitors are the Dodgers and Cubs.

Heyman also reports the Yankees are gauging league interest in infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. — whose name has appeared in base-level trade rumors all winter — and a formal offer to free-agent outfielder Cody Bellinger was issued earlier this week.

Bichette, who just wrapped up seven seasons with the division-rival Blue Jays, is undoubtedly an intriguing target for the Yankees. While his defensive metrics at shortstop are poor, the 27-year-old has reportedly expressed a willingness to move over to second base.

Of course, that transition with the Yankees would be contingent upon a firm decision on Chisholm’s future. But Bichette is an obvious offensive upgrade at shortstop — internal spring training competition is expected with Anthony Volpe recovering from shoulder surgery.

Bichette was rather steady at the plate for the Blue Jays in 2025, slashing a laudable .311/.357/.483 with 44 doubles, 18 home runs, and 94 RBI in 139 games. He also delivered under the brightest lights, hitting .348 with six RBI in seven World Series games against the Dodgers.

Spotrac currently projects Bichette’s market value at $23.3 million annually, and there’s a chance his contract lands in the range of six to eight years.

Dec. 26, 9:50 a.m.

While the holiday season has lowered the hot stove temperature, it appears the Yankees’ hopes of re-signing Cody Bellinger remain high enough.

A reunion with the star outfielder is still a priority in the Bronx, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, and the club feels “pretty confident” he won’t move boroughs for a deal over in Queens.

The pursuit of Bellinger is also endorsed by the Yankees’ captain. Heyman reports Aaron Judge is “a big advocate” for a long-term commitment with the former MVP, who hit .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBI as a one-year rental in pinstripes last season.

It’s unclear when Bellinger will take himself off the free-agent market, but with high demand from championship contenders, some projections have him earning around $30 million annually on a six-year contract. The Yankees may have to sweeten the pot in order to convince him to stay.

Dec. 23, 10:10 p.m.

Tatsuya Imai is one of the high-profile free agent starters this offseason, but it seems he may not be Bronx-bound if YES Network’s Jack Curry is to be believed.

Curry spoke about the perceived connection between the Yankees and Imai on Tuesday’s episode of Yankees Hot Stove and poured some cold water, saying, “The vibe I’m getting is that connection does not exist.”

He added that any pursuit of Imai by the Yankees this offseason is very different than the one they conducted for Yoshinbou Yamamoto a couple of years ago.

“With Imai, the Yankees have been very quiet,” Curry said. “I don’t think the Yankees have been as aggressive, as intense in any kind of pursuit of Imai. They are making some moves around the edges… but I don’t think they are the frontrunners for Imai, and I don’t think he’ll be signing with them.”

Yankees manager Aaron Boone recently told reporters that the Yankees have not met with Imai — as of Dec. 19 — and that he doesn’t know if New York will set up a meeting with the right-hander.

Imai has until Jan. 2 to sign with a team.

Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m.

The Yankees have lost another bullpen arm to free agency, as the Braves announced that they’ve signed right-handed reliever Ian Hamilton to a non-guaranteed one-year deal. 

Hamilton was a staple in New York’s bullpen over the past three seasons.

The club decided to non-tender him this winter, though, after he put together a bit of an up-and-down campaign. 

He pitched to a 4.28 ERA and issued 22 walks over 40 innings of work. 

Atlanta will look for him to rebound in a bullpen that’s also added Robert Suarez and retained Raisel Iglesias this winter. 

Dec. 19, 11:25 a.m.

Former Yankee Michael Kingre-signed with the San Diego Padres on a three-year, $75 million deal on Thursday night, despite some buzz that he could return to New York.

However, according to a report from the NY Post’s Jon Heyman, the Yankees did not make an offer to King and “have other targets” on their radar.

Over five seasons with the Yanks from 2019-2023, King made 115 appearances (19 starts) and posted a 3.38 ERA over 247.2 innings. He was then part of the blockbuster trade with the Padres that brought Juan Soto to the Bronx ahead of the 2024 season.

King transitioned to a starter with the Padres and made 45 starts (46 games total) over two seasons, going 18-12 with a 3.10 ERA and 277 strikeouts.

Among the “other targets” New York could pursue include OF Cody Bellinger, who had a strong 2025 with the Yanks and is expected to get a five or six-year deal.

Dec. 17, 3:50 p.m.

Luke Weaver signed a reported two-year, $22 million deal with the Mets on Wednesday and it seems like the Yankees were not looking to bring back the right-hander.

Joel Sherman of the NY Post reported that the Yankees were not part of the bidding to try to retain Weaver. 

The Athletic reported earlier this week that both sides had mutual interest in a potential reunion after Weaver pitched to a 3.22 ERA and a 0.994 WHIP in 129 appearances across three seasons in the Bronx.

Dec. 16, 8:59 a.m.

The Yankees have “genuine” interest in a reunion with right-handed reliever Luke Weaver, reports Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, who notes that the interest is mutual.

Kirschner adds that roughly 10 teams have contacted Weaver’s camp this offseason.

Weaver, 32, was solid for New York last season, with a 3.62 ERA (3.89 FIP) and 1.02 WHIP with 72 strikeouts in 64.2 innings.

His best season came in 2024, when he had a 2.89 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in 84.0 innings while striking out 103 — a rate of 11.0 per nine.

If brought back, Weaver would likely be one of the main bridges to closer David Bednar.

Dec. 14, 7:35 p.m.

While reports indicated that the San Francisco Giants “do not anticipate making the nine-figure investment” required to sign free agents this offseason, they aren’t checked out of the marketplace altogether.

The San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser reported recently that the Giants “have checked in on” Cody Bellinger, the Yankees’ No. 1 target.

Bellinger proved to be a big part of the Yanks’ last season, contributing well on both sides of the ball with 29 home runs, 98 RBI, and a .272/.334/.480 slash line for an .813 OPS (125 OPS+ and wRC+) while ranking in the 93rd percentile in outs above average (seven) and with 12 defensive runs saved.

Dec. 11, 12:21 p.m.

The Yankees “have listened” when it comes to a potential Jazz Chisholm Jr. trade, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Chisholm is set to earn roughly $12 million via arbitration in 2026 in what is his final season before free agency.

He spent time at third base (28 starts) and second base (96 starts) in 2025 — and was not thrilled with his time at third, noting “everybody knows I’m a second baseman.”

Offensively, Chisholm had a big season, posting an .813 OPS while hitting 31 home runs.

The Yankees’ infield is unsettled. Ben Rice is penciled in at first base, with Ryan McMahon at third base. But the shortstop situation is in flux with Anthony Volpe expected to miss the start of the 2026 season after having shoulder surgery.

Other infield options include Jose Caballero and Oswaldo Cabrera.

Dec. 10, 7:26 p.m.

Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta is a hot name on the trade market this offseason, and the Yankees are among the teams reportedly looking to add him to their team.

According to Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Yankees are one of five teams looking to trade for Peralta, joining the Orioles, Red Sox, Giants and Astros. Other clubs like the Mets had previously reported interest in a trade for Peralta. 

The news comes just days after the Brewers made it known they were open for business on a trade. 

With Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon starting the 2026 season on the IL, the Yankees would hope Peralta gives them the depth needed to get through a season until their big arms return.

Dec. 8, 9:50 p.m.

Looking for bullpen help, the Yankees have shown an interest in right-hander Brad Keller, according to a report from Gary Phillips of The New York Daily News on Monday.

Nothing is imminent between Keller and the Yanks, Phillips reported, adding that two or three teams are considering signing the 30-year-old free agent as a starting pitcher.

Keller is coming off his best year as a professional by far, pitching to a 2.07 ERA and 0.962 WHIP with 75 strikeouts to 22 walks in 69.2 innings over 68 appearances out of the bullpen. The righty has some very attractive attributes: 30.6 percent hard-hit percentage (99th percentile) last year, with a fastball that averaged 97.2 mph and a sinker at 96.7 mph.

Dec. 8, 8:45 p.m.

As the Mets and Yankees continue to look to revamp their bullpen this offseason, they’ve both called the Brewers about reliever Trevor Megill, according to Joel Sherman of the NY Post.

Megill, of course, is the older brother of Mets starter Tylor Megill.

The 32-year-old would be a tremendous boost at the backend for either club, as he has developed into one of the top relievers in baseball over the past few seasons. 

Megill missed time to injury last year, but pitched to a stellar 2.49 ERA and 1.12 WHIP while locking down 30 saves. 

Dec. 8, 1:24 p.m.

SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino believes there’s a “solid chance” the Yankees will retain free agent Amed Rosario.

Rosario had a .788 OPS in 16 games for the Yanks last season after being acquired from the Nationals ahead of the trade deadline.

The 30-year-old excelled against left-handed pitching in 2025, slashing .302/.328/.491 in 122 plate appearances.

Rosario would provide strong versatility if brought back, with the ability to play shortstop, third base, second base, and left field. 

Dec. 7, 9:31 p.m.

While the Yankees reportedly discussed the chance of a reunion with All-Star reliever Devin Williams a few weeks ago, it appears their conversations never intensified.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said as much on Sunday night at the Winter Meetings, telling Greg Joyce of the New York Post that the club didn’t even make a formal offer to Williams before he signed a three-year deal with the Mets last weekend.

According to Joyce, Cashman asked Williams’ agent to keep the Yankees in the loop regarding the right-hander’s market, but he didn’t get a call prior to Williams signing in Queens. Cashman also noted that Williams’ reps never “needed to” update him on the process.

Dec. 4, 11:42 a.m.

While other suitors are certainly in the mix, Cody Bellinger remains the Yankees’ No. 1 target, and the club is making a “big effort” to bring him back, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Heyman lists the Mets, Phillies, Angels, and Dodgers as other possibilities. 

ESPN’s Jeff Passan has previously reported that signing Bellinger would be a “multipart move” for the Yankees, as the club would almost certainly need to move one of their other outfield pieces –potentially Jasson Dominguez or up-and-coming prospect Spencer Jones. 

With Trent Grisham accepting the qualifying offer, the Yanks would have a surplus of outfielders if Bellinger was to re-sign.

Dec. 3, 8:22 p.m.

The high-stakes bidding war for Kyle Tucker officiallyincludes one of the Yankees’ division rivals, as the superstar outfielder visited the Blue Jays’ facility in Florida on Wednesday, according to a report from Robert Murray of FanSided.

It’s no surprise the reigning AL champions are big-game hunting for a new bat. The club signed free-agent starter Dylan Cease to a massive seven-year, $210 million deal and right-hander Cody Ponce to a three-year, $30 million contract in the last week.

Murray reports the Blue Jays are also interested in retaining shortstop Bo Bichette, who could garner an average annual value above $20 million.

Tucker would make the Blue Jays’ lineup even more imposing. In his lone season with the Cubs, the 28-year-old slashed .266/.377/.464 with 22 home runs and 25 steals. His seven-year run with the Astros was far more impressive, though — he hit .274 with 125 homers and 417 RBI.

Only time will tell if the Yankees make a legitimate run at Tucker’s services. His contract demands seem too rich for their blood, and the Yankees have stated they’re focused on re-signing Cody Bellinger, who’d come at a much lower price.

Mets avoid arbitration with David Peterson and Tylor Megill for 2026 MLB season

The Mets have avoided arbitration with David Peterson, who will earn $8.1 million for the 2026 MLB season, per multiple reports.

New York has also avoided arbitration with Tylor Megill, agreeing to a $2.5 million deal for 2026, per Joel Sherman of The New York Post.

In addition to Peterson and Megill, the club has reportedly reached agreements with five other arbitration-eligible players: Francisco Alvarez ($2.4 million), Luis Torrens ($2.275 million), Reed Garrett ($1.3 million), Huascar Brazoban ($1.05 million), and Tyrone Taylor.

Miles McBride’s impact on Knicks’ starting lineup on full display in win over Clippers

Back in the summer of 2025, teams around the league were waiting/hoping that the Knicks would make Miles McBride available via trade. Obviously, that never happened.

McBride’s play on Wednesday night showed you exactly why they took that stance.

Playing in the starting lineup, McBride had 16 points, four assists, a steal and a block in New York’s win over the Clippers.

He also defended ball screens well and made things tough for James Harden and other Clippers.

“He’s an extremely good on-ball defender – especially when it comes to the pick-and-roll game,” Mike Brown said of McBride on Wednesday after the Knicks’ win. “He’s strong, he’s powerful, he’s quick and he’s athletic and he’s a little longer than what you think – so when that screen comes, he knows you run towards the ball, (get your) shoulder and hip over that screen at the same time as the ball (to neutralize your opponent’s advantage). He did a fantastic job with that.”

Brown pointed out that McBride – 6-foot-2, 195 pounds – did well defending Harden.

“Obviously, there was a size disadvantage with James, but he did a great job on James. You’re not going to stop him, you just hope he misses some of those shots, and he did just (by McBride trying) to get up underneath him,” Brown said.

McBride’s presence in the starting lineup also spaced the floor for New York.

He hit four of his 11 three-point attempts against the Clippers, forcing Los Angeles to extend its defense whenever he had the ball.

“He has to be guarded,” Brown said. “You watched during the course of the game, they had Kawhi [Leonard] on him and, you know, who would have thunk if OG [Anunoby] and Mikal [Bridges] and some of these other guys (are) on the floor, Kawhi is matched up with Deuce; it’s because he can shoot.”

McBride delivered on an important night for New York, snapping a four-game losing streak.

The Knicks had lost four straight entering the Clippers game. They’re defense was a mess. The offense wasn’t much better. Teams with high expectations can fracture during these stretches.

He also continued a remarkable stretch of shooting.

Since returning from an ankle injury on Dec. 29, McBride has hit 48 percent of his threes (48 attempts). Before the injury, McBride was shooting 43 percent from beyond the arc. McBride’s perimeter shooting and on-ball defense have stood out to opposing team’s evaluators.

“We knew about his shot but it’s the consistency that jumps out,” one opposing scout said. “He’s a threat for them every night.”

McBride is in the second year of a three-year, $13 million extension that runs through next season. He’s going to get a significant raise – whether it’s a new contract with the Knicks or a new deal from another team.

Every dollar counts for the Knicks right now. They are right up against the second apron in team salary. But as long as McBride continues to shoot and defend at a high level, the team will – presumably – do whatever it takes to keep him in New York.

That’s a story for another day, though.

Right now, McBride is showing you why the Knicks had no interest in trading him this past summer.

“He’s become key for everything they do,” the opposing scout says.

Phils set to meet with Bo Bichette as interest intensifies

Phils set to meet with Bo Bichette as interest intensifies originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Phillies’ reported interest in Bo Bichette is moving forward.

According to Matt Gelb and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the club is set to meet with the free-agent infielder. Jon Heyman of the New York Post, who first reported Philadelphia’s interest last Saturday, added Thursday that the meeting is scheduled for Monday.

The timing is notable. The report comes just days after the Phillies hired Don Mattingly as their bench coach. Mattingly and Bichette formed a strong working relationship in Toronto, and Heyman acknowledges this dynamic as a significant factor in Philadelphia’s pursuit.

Bichette, 27, is one of the top remaining position players on the free-agent market. Heyman reported Thursday that the Florida-native is “thought” to be seeking a deal in the $300 million range, which could get tricky given the current state of the Phillies’ payroll.

Offensively, he’s one of the steadiest infielders in the game. In 2025, Bichette hit .311 with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs, finishing second in the majors with 44 doubles. He missed the final 20 games of the regular season due to a left knee injury but returned in the World Series, where he hit .348 with a home run and six RBIs — including a long homer off Shohei Ohtani in Game 7.

Defensively, the questions remain. Bichette has spent his entire career at shortstop and struggled at the position last season, recording minus-13 Outs Above Average, one of the lowest marks in baseball.

Second base appears to be the most likely fit in Philadelphia. Bichette logged his first career innings at the position during the World Series. That defensive flexibility is central to the club’s interest, especially with Trea Turner entrenched at shortstop.

From a roster standpoint, signing Bichette would force decisions elsewhere. Alec Bohm remains the most obvious trade candidate. The 29-year-old is entering his final year before free agency and will earn $10.2 million (per Gelb). 

A Bryson Stott trade seems unlikely. He brings defensive value and the versatility to move to third base — a position he last played in 2022. Bringing Bichette aboard would also complicate a reunion with free-agent catcher J.T. Realmuto.

The Phillies have not indicated that Bichette is a top priority, but the scheduled meeting signals legitimate interest. With a thin free-agent infielder class and a lineup still seeking right-handed balance, Bichette checks a number of boxes.

Whether the Phillies are willing to reshape the roster to make it work will become clearer after Monday.

NBA rookie rankings: Cooper Flagg takes over the No. 1 spot, with new names entering the top 10

The sweet spot of the start of the holiday season, the turn of the new year and the fast lane to the All-Star break is one of my favorite parts of the NBA regular season. This is a stretch that truly tests a team’s identity. The league knows who they are, and they have to find ways to consistently produce. 

For rookies, around this time of year you start to feel the impact of what they’re bringing to their team every single night. And you start to see the pattern of what happens to their teams when they aren’t able to hit that same production level. Also lurking around the corner is that rookie wall, the schedule preparing to knock at your door on any given night. 

As much as it’s about the rookies needing to make adjustments, it’s about trusting the skill sets that earned them their roles in the first place. Let’s take a look at how the top rookies are performing at the start of the new year.

Flagg leads the Mavericks in total points, rebounds, assists and steals, and he is the only rookie to be in the the top 3 in those same categories. His game continues to grow, but what stands out most is his consistent confidence in his ability to attack night in and night out.

With every hang dribble or hesitation, Flagg is showcasing a stronger feel on how to get to his spots. It’s not just the vision to read the space defenses are giving him, it’s the confidence to set them up for either a pull-up or drive. A dribble handoff might result in a catch, a hold, a quick glance and an attack while the defense is off-balance. The league hasn’t quite caught up to the strength of his left-hand drive, and he excels getting to it in high pick-and-roll. There’s a reason why the Mavs have handed the wheels over. 

There are only three players in the NBA who have made 130 or more 3s so far. Donovan Mitchell (133), Stephen Curry (132) and Knueppel (130). Speaking of Curry, Knueppel has already broken Curry’s rookie record for the most games with 20-plus points on 50/40/90 shooting splits (12).

Make no mistake about it, these 3s are not all of the catch-and-shoot variety. Knueppel understands how to create space for himself, will leverage a shot-fake to get to a side-step, or may just pull up regardless of what the defense is doing. Throw in his consistent willingness to drive, and it starts to sink in how he keeps defenses off-balance — and why he’s put together such a strong rookie campaign. 

Impact is something that doesn’t always get appreciated when it comes to rookie campaigns. Despite the highs and lows, there is little to doubt with how Edgecombe has helped the Sixers this season. His production was key as the team dealt with injuries, and we’ve arrived at a point where the Sixers are not just dancing with an outright playoff berth but doing so because of what Edgecombe delivers on a nightly basis.

Philadelphia is 8-2 this season when Edgecombe scores 20 or more points and 7-1 when both Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey score 20 or more. His shotmaking returning has helped, but he’s also shown increased comfort and connection with Joel Embiid and Paul George as they have returned to form. Keep an eye on Edgecombe’s growth in pick-and-rolls with Embiid and how the Sixers will use him as a screener for Maxey to open up even more space to attack. 

Sometimes in life it comes down to finding a way to contribute and be effective even when you’re not fully at your best. The 3-point shooting dipped once again, going from 30.7% in November (23 of 75) to 27.7% in December (13 of 47). Would you believe me if I told you he shot 50.8% from the field even with that 3-point shooting? (Spoiler alert: He did.)

His adjustment was to attack in transition, find gaps when spaced on the perimeter and drive the basketball in the half-court. The result was shooting 70% from within eight feet (42 of 60). While you’d love to see the full package, problem-solving and self-awareness generally serve young players well in the long run. 

The passing from Queen, who leads all rookies in assists with 153, continues to set the table for his strong campaign. He has been a bright spot for the Pelicans as they navigate this season. But the one thing that continues to stick out to me is Queen’s driving ability.

The Pelicans have mixed in more inverted pick-and-roll, having a guard screen for Queen as he brings the ball up. It’s not so much the speed that you feel on his drives, but the craft: the ball-handling to navigate tight quarters, the ability to take space if there is a gap, the nifty and nimble footwork that serves as a prelude to a shoulder in your chest or a spin move to get you off-balance. Defensively, his primary effort tends to be OK, but it’s the second effort that leaves an area for opportunity. 

The drives from Harper remain a constant; according to the NBA’s tracking data, he was up to 10.5 drives per game in the month of December while delivering on the Spurs’ three-guard attack. The production around those drives is what has taken a hit as 40 of his 58 made field goals in December came in the restricted area, while he shot 18 of 73 from all other zones.

The mentality, mindset and skill remain the same, so this could be a case of needing to see the ball go through the basket. You do want to avoid a world where defenses are helping off you when you’re spaced, daring you to shoot and staying at home on your drives. 

The hallmark of Fears’ rookie campaign had been a (somewhat) surprising string of consistency, but a 21-game streak of scoring 10-plus points has turned into single-digit scoring in seven of his last 15 games. It’s nothing new for a rookie as teams work to adjust, but it can feel different optically when scoring is what brings you to the dance.

The lack of fear has not changed, but teams have been more willing to put size and length against him; mix in unders and switches in pick-and-roll to disrupt his rhythm; show help to take away driving lanes; and work to contest. Fears’ shotmaking hasn’t been there to loosen things up. The good thing about the confidence Fears plays with is it’s safe to assume the microwave will heat back up. 

8. Egor Dёmin, Nets

Dёmin has the second-most made 3-pointers (72) by a rookie this season, and the most through 30 games in Nets franchise history. He is shooting 41.1% from 3 over his past 15 games and has made three or more 3s in five of his last seven games. That has added more confidence to his offensive attack. Teams will still look to pressure him and be physical, but there is not a ton of hesitation to let it fly when given space.

His assist volume hasn’t been high, but the placement and timing of his passing ability has popped on film. The work to improve as a weakside defender within Brooklyn’s context has also stood out to me. 

In the month of December, Raynaud averaged 15.5 points (fourth-best among rookies), made 80 field goals (tied for second) and averaged 9.3 rebounds per game (first among rookies) with three offensive rebounds per game (first among rookies).

He does a nice job of working around the dunker spot, trying to flash into open areas when defenders help but, more importantly, putting him in a great position to attack the glass. He’s at his best in pick-and-roll when he works to get set, make solid contact and stay in the ball-handler’s vision for a pocket pass. 

The shot-making from Love has been elevated during this stretch of basketball. The Blazers guard has knocked down two or more 3-pointers in nine straight games and three or more 3s in six of his last nine. But more important for Portland has been his impact on both ends of the floor.

Love provides energy and effort, always ready to pressure the ball full court and willing to fly around defensively. There’s also a poise and composure in the way he works to change speeds with the ball in is hands. The Blazers are 9-4 when Love plays more than 25 minutes this season. 

Honorable mentions: Ryan Kalkbrenner, Hornets; Tre Johnson, Wizards; Collin Murray-Boyles, Raptors; Ryan Nembhard, Mavericks; Hugo González, Celtics

NBA rookie rankings: Cooper Flagg takes over the No. 1 spot, with new names entering the top 10

The sweet spot of the start of the holiday season, the turn of the new year and the fast lane to the All-Star break is one of my favorite parts of the NBA regular season. This is a stretch that truly tests a team’s identity. The league knows who they are, and they have to find ways to consistently produce. 

For rookies, around this time of year you start to feel the impact of what they’re bringing to their team every single night. And you start to see the pattern of what happens to their teams when they aren’t able to hit that same production level. Also lurking around the corner is that rookie wall, the schedule preparing to knock at your door on any given night. 

As much as it’s about the rookies needing to make adjustments, it’s about trusting the skill sets that earned them their roles in the first place. Let’s take a look at how the top rookies are performing at the start of the new year.

Flagg leads the Mavericks in total points, rebounds, assists and steals, and he is the only rookie to be in the the top 3 in those same categories. His game continues to grow, but what stands out most is his consistent confidence in his ability to attack night in and night out.

With every hang dribble or hesitation, Flagg is showcasing a stronger feel on how to get to his spots. It’s not just the vision to read the space defenses are giving him, it’s the confidence to set them up for either a pull-up or drive. A dribble handoff might result in a catch, a hold, a quick glance and an attack while the defense is off-balance. The league hasn’t quite caught up to the strength of his left-hand drive, and he excels getting to it in high pick-and-roll. There’s a reason why the Mavs have handed the wheels over. 

There are only three players in the NBA who have made 130 or more 3s so far. Donovan Mitchell (133), Stephen Curry (132) and Knueppel (130). Speaking of Curry, Knueppel has already broken Curry’s rookie record for the most games with 20-plus points on 50/40/90 shooting splits (12).

Make no mistake about it, these 3s are not all of the catch-and-shoot variety. Knueppel understands how to create space for himself, will leverage a shot-fake to get to a side-step, or may just pull up regardless of what the defense is doing. Throw in his consistent willingness to drive, and it starts to sink in how he keeps defenses off-balance — and why he’s put together such a strong rookie campaign. 

Impact is something that doesn’t always get appreciated when it comes to rookie campaigns. Despite the highs and lows, there is little to doubt with how Edgecombe has helped the Sixers this season. His production was key as the team dealt with injuries, and we’ve arrived at a point where the Sixers are not just dancing with an outright playoff berth but doing so because of what Edgecombe delivers on a nightly basis.

Philadelphia is 8-2 this season when Edgecombe scores 20 or more points and 7-1 when both Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey score 20 or more. His shotmaking returning has helped, but he’s also shown increased comfort and connection with Joel Embiid and Paul George as they have returned to form. Keep an eye on Edgecombe’s growth in pick-and-rolls with Embiid and how the Sixers will use him as a screener for Maxey to open up even more space to attack. 

Sometimes in life it comes down to finding a way to contribute and be effective even when you’re not fully at your best. The 3-point shooting dipped once again, going from 30.7% in November (23 of 75) to 27.7% in December (13 of 47). Would you believe me if I told you he shot 50.8% from the field even with that 3-point shooting? (Spoiler alert: He did.)

His adjustment was to attack in transition, find gaps when spaced on the perimeter and drive the basketball in the half-court. The result was shooting 70% from within eight feet (42 of 60). While you’d love to see the full package, problem-solving and self-awareness generally serve young players well in the long run. 

The passing from Queen, who leads all rookies in assists with 153, continues to set the table for his strong campaign. He has been a bright spot for the Pelicans as they navigate this season. But the one thing that continues to stick out to me is Queen’s driving ability.

The Pelicans have mixed in more inverted pick-and-roll, having a guard screen for Queen as he brings the ball up. It’s not so much the speed that you feel on his drives, but the craft: the ball-handling to navigate tight quarters, the ability to take space if there is a gap, the nifty and nimble footwork that serves as a prelude to a shoulder in your chest or a spin move to get you off-balance. Defensively, his primary effort tends to be OK, but it’s the second effort that leaves an area for opportunity. 

The drives from Harper remain a constant; according to the NBA’s tracking data, he was up to 10.5 drives per game in the month of December while delivering on the Spurs’ three-guard attack. The production around those drives is what has taken a hit as 40 of his 58 made field goals in December came in the restricted area, while he shot 18 of 73 from all other zones.

The mentality, mindset and skill remain the same, so this could be a case of needing to see the ball go through the basket. You do want to avoid a world where defenses are helping off you when you’re spaced, daring you to shoot and staying at home on your drives. 

The hallmark of Fears’ rookie campaign had been a (somewhat) surprising string of consistency, but a 21-game streak of scoring 10-plus points has turned into single-digit scoring in seven of his last 15 games. It’s nothing new for a rookie as teams work to adjust, but it can feel different optically when scoring is what brings you to the dance.

The lack of fear has not changed, but teams have been more willing to put size and length against him; mix in unders and switches in pick-and-roll to disrupt his rhythm; show help to take away driving lanes; and work to contest. Fears’ shotmaking hasn’t been there to loosen things up. The good thing about the confidence Fears plays with is it’s safe to assume the microwave will heat back up. 

8. Egor Dёmin, Nets

Dёmin has the second-most made 3-pointers (72) by a rookie this season, and the most through 30 games in Nets franchise history. He is shooting 41.1% from 3 over his past 15 games and has made three or more 3s in five of his last seven games. That has added more confidence to his offensive attack. Teams will still look to pressure him and be physical, but there is not a ton of hesitation to let it fly when given space.

His assist volume hasn’t been high, but the placement and timing of his passing ability has popped on film. The work to improve as a weakside defender within Brooklyn’s context has also stood out to me. 

In the month of December, Raynaud averaged 15.5 points (fourth-best among rookies), made 80 field goals (tied for second) and averaged 9.3 rebounds per game (first among rookies) with three offensive rebounds per game (first among rookies).

He does a nice job of working around the dunker spot, trying to flash into open areas when defenders help but, more importantly, putting him in a great position to attack the glass. He’s at his best in pick-and-roll when he works to get set, make solid contact and stay in the ball-handler’s vision for a pocket pass. 

The shot-making from Love has been elevated during this stretch of basketball. The Blazers guard has knocked down two or more 3-pointers in nine straight games and three or more 3s in six of his last nine. But more important for Portland has been his impact on both ends of the floor.

Love provides energy and effort, always ready to pressure the ball full court and willing to fly around defensively. There’s also a poise and composure in the way he works to change speeds with the ball in is hands. The Blazers are 9-4 when Love plays more than 25 minutes this season. 

Honorable mentions: Ryan Kalkbrenner, Hornets; Tre Johnson, Wizards; Collin Murray-Boyles, Raptors; Ryan Nembhard, Mavericks; Hugo González, Celtics

Giannis Antetokounmpo says he will never demand a trade out of Milwaukee, ‘That’s not in my nature’

There has already been one big NBA trade this year. Will Giannis Antetokounmpo force another?

Don’t bet on it. In league circles, talk of an in-season Antetokounmpo trade has died down amid reports that the Bucks are looking to add at the trade deadline, not trade the best player in franchise history. The only way Antetokounmpo gets traded at the deadline is if he demands a trade, and he told Sam Amick of The Athletic he would not go there.

“There will never be a chance, and there will never be a moment, that I will come out and say ‘I want a trade,'” Antetokounmpo, who can opt out of his contract in the summer of 2027, told The Athletic. “That’s not … in … my … nature. OK?”

Later, Antetokounmpo reiterated what he said before, that he can’t control the speculation online and in the media about his future, or who talks to his agent, or who calls the Bucks. However, he was very clear that he intends to be with the Bucks through the end of the season.

“I am not (going anywhere). I am invested in this team. I want to turn this team around. I want to play good basketball. I want to be healthy. I want to help my teammates. I wanna win games. The last six games we’ve played, we’re 4-2. We have a lot of games in front of us. I’m locked the f*** in. I’m locked in. My priority is just staying healthy.”

The rubber will hit the road with Antetokounmpo and his future in Milwaukee this coming offseason, when the team can offer him another max contract extension, heading into what could be the final year of his contract (he has a player option for the 2027-28 season, he can be a free agent in 2027). Every time that has happened previously, Antetokounmpo has used it as leverage to push the Bucks to upgrade the roster (such as adding Jrue Holiday, a key to their 2021 title), then ultimately signed the deal. If he signs the deal this summer, the pattern continues.

If he does not, the Bucks will be forced to trade him — without him directly asking out — or risk losing him for nothing in the summer of 2027. And there are multiple teams lined up with cap space for that offseason (hello, Clippers!).

But all of that is this summer. For now, listen to Antetokounmpo’s words — he is not going anywhere this season.

Can the Cavaliers, as currently constructed, find a way back to contending in the East?

On Tuesday night, Cavs point guard Darius Garland put together his most impressive fourth quarter of the season: 14 points on 7-for-7 shooting, two assists and zero turnovers in a narrow 120-116 road win over Indiana. 

It was a virtuoso showing for Garland. He used his off-ball speed to find gaps in Indiana’s aggressive defensive scheme and trusted his midrange bag time and time again. When the Pacers showed prevent, Garland stepped out and punished them from deep. Bigs Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen did well to create angles via screening, allowing Garland to handle the rest. 

“A great point guard,” Mobley told reporters after the game. “Controlled the pace. Took the easy ones. Played good basketball.”

The significance and timing of Garland’s late-game mastery — he led all players with 29 points — in a season when the veteran guard has struggled with both injury and efficiency, cannot be lost in translation. Yes, the Pacers (6-31) are the worst team in the NBA by a decent enough margin that impressive performances against them could come with caveats. But Cleveland, which was without its water, blood and oxygen supply (otherwise known as Donovan Mitchell) for this game, has been crying out for a change in fortunes. 

Recent results — the Cavs have won four out of five after a lifeless late-December blowout loss in Houston — suggest an uptick in the vibes department, but two related questions remain: Can Cleveland, as currently constructed, find a way to contend in the East? And is the version of Garland we saw on Tuesday an illusion or a sign of things to come? 

Up to this point, as far as the specific question about Garland is concerned, the unfortunate reality is that the aforementioned performance feels like an aberration.

Watch a Cavs game and it doesn’t take long to identify the issue with the Garland-Mitchell pairing. Not necessarily from a height standpoint, although the historical success rate of smaller backcourts isn’t as robust as their larger counterparts. We’re still less than a year removed from Cleveland winning 64 games with the identical partnership. Sure, some moving parts are a factor — the departure of Ty Jerome, the delayed season debut of Max Strus — but Mitchell, by essentially every advanced metric, has gotten even better. So, what is it?

It’s a gravity/efficiency problem.

The absence of the likes of Jerome and Strus — and until Mobley takes another offensive step forward — puts the bulk of shot creation on Mitchell’s shoulders. In a perfect world, Garland would rank second in command in that aspect. But that hasn’t been the case. Opposing defenses react very differently to Mitchell probes and Garland forays. 

When contextualized within the scope of how Cleveland performs in lineups led by Garland or Mitchell, the gap is widened even further. Garland-led units sans Mitchell are scoring just 108.8 points per 100 possessions, a lower rate than the 30th-ranked Sacramento Kings. Flip the scenario, with Mitchell on and Garland off, and the Cavs perform at a top-five clip.

Their “core four” group — Mitchell, Garland, Mobley and Allen — is just their ninth-most frequent pairing, which screams lack of availability and consistency, but all roads lead back to Garland. 

Garland’s meager 110.3 points per 100 shot attempts wedges him between Egor Denim, Bub Carrington, Ryan Nembhard and LaMelo Ball in terms of efficiency among point guards, according to Cleaning the Glass (46th percentile). That’s less-than-ideal company when your organization should be contending in a wide-open Eastern Conference. 

He’s still a high-level creator, part of the upper one-third class in assist rate, but the sliding scale between passes made and shots taken — compared to Mitchell — skews too far in one direction. According to Synergy tracking data, Mitchell’s shot-to-pass ratio on drives is 55% to 26%; Garland’s is 46% to 33%. When teams know you’re more likely to hunt an assist over a self-created bucket, manipulating coverage becomes easier. Garland’s turnover rate has jumped, his effective field-goal percentage has dropped by nearly 10% and, when factoring in his defensive shortcomings, his on/off splits are nothing to scoff at. (Garland has the sixth-worst differential among guards who have played at least 400 minutes this season, per Cleaning the Glass.)

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Compared to last season, Garland’s shot profile hasn’t changed much if at all. But considering his quickness and burst have been his redeeming qualities and his 56% rim success rate has him in the bottom 20% of guards, it’s clear Garland is still battling through toe and back injuries stemming from the offseason. 

“He’s coming off a tough injury,” head coach Kenny Atkinson said last month. “But to me he’s been a soldier. That’s tough to come back from, there’s ups and downs to it. He’s doing everything in his power to come back, but we knew this was going to take time. You don’t just snap your fingers. No offseason, no training camp — but we’re seeing flashes.”

In a perfect world, Cleveland (just half a game ahead of eighth) would evaluate all of their options moving forward with the trade deadline less than a month away — including the prospect of trading Garland. But the Cavs, who are nearly $23 million over the second apron, are financially handicapped. In conversations around the league, Garland’s market — much like the entire point guard market — is muted. Cleveland cannot aggregate salaries in any trade, so any attempts at upgrading at the position are limited to players making comparable money; Tyrese Maxey (no chance), Ja Morant and LaMelo Ball. 

With Strus edging closer to a return, perhaps the Cavs can dangle forward De’Andre Hunter (who has been relegated to the bench) on the open market and seek additional scoring upgrades. Or perhaps Garland can use Tuesday’s heroics as a launching pad for the rest of the season.

Mitchell alone cannot hold up what has been a disappointing campaign thus far, and until the gap between the two is shortened, the Cavs will continue to hover around mediocrity.