The Atlanta Hawks basketball team may trade their star player, Trae Young, before the February 5th deadline. Despite making moves to strengthen the team, the Hawks' performance hasn't met expectations, and they are considering parting ways with Young as his trade value declines.
Key Facts
The Atlanta Hawks considered themselves strong contenders for the 2025-26 NBA season.
They added Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Luke Kennard to improve the team.
Star player Trae Young is averaging 19.3 points on .415/.305/.863 shooting splits, which are his lowest since his rookie year.
The Hawks are on a seven-game losing streak and have only won 2 out of their last 10 games.
Young has a $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season, allowing him to become a free agent this summer.
Atlanta is reportedly looking to trade him due to his declining performance and high salary.
Another team player, Zaccharie Risacher, the 2024 No. 1 draft pick, might also be considered for trade.
Nick Hernandez, a 31-year-old pitcher, has signed a minor-league deal with the Oakland Athletics after leaving the Houston Astros as a free agent. He joined the Astros in 2016 and played in both major and minor league games over several years. This move to the Athletics could provide more opportunities for Hernandez to play in major league games.
Key Facts
Nick Hernandez was drafted by the Houston Astros in 2016.
He decided to leave the Astros organization as a free agent on September 30.
Hernandez has now signed a minor-league contract with the Oakland Athletics.
He has played 17 major league games over three seasons with the Astros and Padres.
In minor league games, he had a strong performance with a 2.12 ERA and 63 strikeouts recently.
The Astros chose not to keep Hernandez on their 40-man roster, leading to his decision to leave.
Hernandez's new team, the Athletics, is in the same American League West division as the Astros.
Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers will compete for the AFC North title. Ravens' quarterback Lamar Jackson is dealing with a back injury but is expected to return to practice. If he can't play, backup Tyler Huntley will start instead.
Key Facts
The Ravens will play the Steelers in Week 18 for the AFC North title.
Lamar Jackson missed Week 17 due to a back injury.
Jackson is expected to return to practice this week.
Coach John Harbaugh said Jackson will start if healthy.
If Jackson can't play, Tyler Huntley will start as quarterback.
Derrick Henry had a strong performance in the last game, helping the Ravens win over the Packers.
The Ravens could rely heavily on Henry again if Huntley plays.
Jackson has faced various injuries this season, missing multiple games due to a hamstring injury.
The article discusses upcoming football events in 2026, encouraging fans to predict winners across multiple competitions. It mentions Arsenal's hope to win the Premier League, Manchester City's lead in the Women's Super League, and an expanded World Cup format. Fans can make predictions about various league and tournament champions.
Key Facts
Arsenal is looking to win their first Premier League title in over 20 years.
Manchester City leads in the Women's Super League with a new coach, Andree Jeglertz.
The 2026 World Cup will have 48 teams and a new round of 32 format.
Fans can predict who will win titles such as the Premier League, Champions League, and World Cup.
The Ballon d'Or awards for men and women are part of the prediction topics.
The article asks readers to make predictions on several football competitions.
The Penn State Nittany Lions are focusing on using the transfer portal for their upcoming football season due to having a limited number of recruits. New head coach Matt Campbell, formerly of Iowa State, is attracting former players from Iowa State to Penn State, which could strengthen the team.
Key Facts
Penn State struggles with high school recruiting after the firing of head coach James Franklin.
Matt Campbell, former Iowa State coach, is now Penn State's head coach.
Campbell has a significant budget for players using the transfer portal.
Four former Iowa State players may transfer to Penn State.
Key players like Carson Hansen, Rocco Becht, Benjamin Brahmer, and Jeremiah Cooper are considering transferring.
Campbell's past at Iowa State helps foster player loyalty and motivation to join him at Penn State.
Penn State needs experienced players, especially since they lost their quarterback, Drew Allar.
Campbell's previous success at Iowa State involved building strong relationships with his players.
BBC Sport released a 2025 sports quiz that tests knowledge of significant events from the past year, including England's defense of their women's Euros title and Europe's Ryder Cup win. The quiz is part of BBC Sport's offerings, including various other quizzes on football and sports.
Key Facts
BBC Sport published a sports quiz for 2025.
The quiz includes questions about events like England defending their women's Euros title.
Europe won the Ryder Cup, and this is part of the quiz content.
There was a new Formula 1 world champion, mentioned in the quiz.
BBC Sport offers additional quizzes on different sports and football.
The quiz is available on BBC Sport's website with options for notifications for new quizzes.
BBC Sport's weekly quiz will return on Thursday, January 8.
Lane Kiffin, now head coach of LSU, commented on the movement of staff between his old team, Ole Miss, and LSU. Some LSU staff members joined Ole Miss, and Kiffin noted that he wanted to bring in his own team. This shifting of coaches could impact the transfer of players between these two teams.
Key Facts
Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss to become LSU's head coach.
Kiffin's move included several coaches and staff from Ole Miss.
Some former LSU staff, like general manager Austin Thomas, joined Ole Miss.
Kiffin retweeted a message saying hiring LSU staff is not "poaching."
Kiffin prefers to build his own team and chose not to keep some LSU staff.
Frank Wilson, a former interim coach at LSU, also moved to Ole Miss.
Staff movements may influence player transfers between LSU and Ole Miss.
The Seattle Mariners are expected to offer a $72 million deal to Eugenio Suárez, a baseball player they traded for recently. Despite Suárez having a strong season with 49 home runs, age and other factors have made his market quiet. The Mariners aim to retain him, potentially facing competition from teams like the Red Sox and Cubs.
Key Facts
The Seattle Mariners got Eugenio Suárez in a trade from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Suárez's contract ended when the season finished.
The Mariners may offer Suárez a $72 million contract to keep him.
Suárez hit 49 home runs last season.
Suárez is turning 35 in July.
CBS Sports suggests that the Mariners are likely to re-sign Suárez.
Other teams like the Red Sox and Cubs might also be interested in Suárez if they have unmet needs.
The Houston Astros are likely to lose their pitcher, Framber Valdez, to free agency. Valdez is expected to sign a $190 million deal, with the Baltimore Orioles among the interested teams. The Orioles need pitching help, and signing Valdez could improve their team.
Key Facts
Framber Valdez is a pitcher currently with the Houston Astros.
Valdez is expected to leave the Astros and sign a big contract worth $190 million.
The Baltimore Orioles are one of the teams interested in signing Valdez.
Sports analyst RJ Anderson suggests that Valdez would be a good fit for the Orioles due to their need for pitching and his connection with a team executive.
The Orioles' desire to strengthen their pitching roster could make Valdez a key addition.
Other teams like the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays have shown interest in Valdez.
Valdez has been noted for his consistent performance in making over 30 starts in each of the last four seasons.
José Azocar, a veteran outfielder, left the New York Mets and signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves. Azocar has played 12 games for the Mets and spent most of this year in Triple-A. He has previously played 228 games in the major leagues.
Key Facts
José Azocar was with the New York Mets before choosing free agency.
He signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves.
The deal includes an invitation to Spring Training.
Azocar played 12 games for the Mets and 71 games in Triple-A this year.
He has experience in 228 major league games since his debut in 2022.
During his limited time with the Mets last season, he had a batting average of .278.
In Triple-A this year, Azocar hit 4 home runs and had 17 stolen bases.
Baseball player Alex Bregman opted out of his contract with the Boston Red Sox, making him a free agent. The Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and Detroit Tigers are competing to sign him for the next season. Sports analysts predict Bregman is likely to re-sign with the Red Sox.
Key Facts
Alex Bregman opted out of his contract with the Boston Red Sox.
The Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and Detroit Tigers are interested in signing Bregman.
Last winter, these same teams were involved in Bregman's free agency.
CBS Sports' RJ Anderson predicts the Red Sox will likely re-sign Bregman.
Bregman missed nearly two months due to a strained quad but still played well.
The Red Sox might keep Bregman if they are willing to pay for a long-term contract.
He is popular among Red Sox fans, which could influence the team's decision.
LA Knight, a WWE wrestler, is expected to return to "Monday Night Raw" soon after being absent since early December. His break was part of a planned story, and recent reports suggest he could appear on the upcoming episode in Brooklyn.
Key Facts
LA Knight is a WWE wrestler known as the "Megastar."
Knight was last seen on WWE programming on December 8, 2022.
His absence was due to a storyline development, not because of any issues.
Reports suggest Knight could return on the next episode of "Monday Night Raw."
The storyline involved Knight being attacked by a group called "The Vision."
WWE sources say the attack was meant to build sympathy for Knight and continue his storyline.
There are no internal issues or punishment related to Knight's previous actions involving a fan sign.
The New York Mets are looking to trade for Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran to strengthen their outfield lineup. The Mets currently have only two outfielders and see Duran as a versatile player who could fit their needs. The Red Sox, having extra outfielders but needing better pitching, might agree to a trade involving Duran and some Mets pitchers.
Key Facts
The New York Mets have only two outfielders on their roster: Juan Soto and Tyrone Taylor.
The Mets want to improve their lineup before spring training starts.
The Boston Red Sox have a surplus of outfielders, including Jarren Duran.
Jarren Duran is known for being a good hitter and defender who can play all outfield positions.
The Red Sox need more quality pitchers, an area where the Mets have options to trade.
Nolan McLean from the Mets is not available for trade, but Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat might be.
The trade for Duran could involve more than just a simple one-for-one exchange.
Both teams want to address their needs and improve for future seasons.
Rookie VJ Edgecombe scored a last-minute basket to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 139-136 overtime victory against the Memphis Grizzlies. Despite strong performances from both teams, including 40 points from Ja Morant, the 76ers ended a losing streak. In other NBA news, LeBron James played on his 41st birthday, but the Lakers lost to the Detroit Pistons.
Key Facts
VJ Edgecombe, a rookie, made a crucial basket with 1.7 seconds left in overtime.
The Philadelphia 76ers won 139-136 against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid each scored 34 points for the 76ers.
Ja Morant scored 40 points for the Grizzlies.
The win ended a three-game losing streak for the 76ers.
Joel Embiid returned to play after missing a game due to an ankle injury.
LeBron James, on his 41st birthday, scored 17 points in a defeat against the Pistons.
The Detroit Pistons lead the Eastern Conference with 25 wins.
The article remembers James Cook, a former British and European super-middleweight boxing champion. He is celebrated for his boxing career and for his work helping young people avoid violence in London. Cook passed away at age 66, leaving a legacy of community service and mentoring through the Pedro Youth Club.
Key Facts
James Cook was a former British and European super-middleweight boxing champion.
Cook died in June at 66 years old.
Hundreds attended his funeral in Hackney, London.
Outside the ring, Cook was known for fighting against local violence and helping youths.
He worked at the Pedro Youth Club, which he helped save from closing.
Cook held titles in British boxing but never won a world championship.
Notable boxing figures, including Anthony Yarde and Frank Warren, paid tribute to him.
Cook was raised in Jamaica before moving to London, where his upbringing instilled a sense of responsibility and kindness.
The New York Yankees and New York Mets have had relatively unproductive offseasons according to an MLB insider. While the Yankees have been mostly inactive, the Mets have made several player transactions, yet still lost more talent than they gained. Both teams are considered to have had the "worst offseason" in baseball so far.
Key Facts
The Yankees have kept player Trent Grisham but made no other significant moves.
The Mets signed Luke Weaver and Jorge Polanco to two-year deals.
The Mets lost players Brando Nimmo and Jeff McNeil in trades.
Mets free agents Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz signed big deals elsewhere.
Several of the Mets' previous trade deadline acquisitions left the team.
MLB insider Jon Heyman labeled the Yankees and Mets as having the worst offseason.
Notable free agents like Cody Bellinger and Kyle Tucker are still available to potentially improve their teams' situations.
Paul and Lisa Baker reflect on their memories of their late son Josh while attending the Ashes cricket series in Australia. Josh, who was passionate about cricket, died at 20 due to a heart condition. Despite their loss, the Bakers continue to find comfort in watching cricket, especially games involving Josh's former teammates.
Key Facts
Josh Baker, a former cricket player for Worcestershire, died at age 20 from a heart condition.
Josh's parents, Paul and Lisa, are attending the Ashes series in Australia, a place with special memories of Josh.
Paul and Lisa first attended the Ashes series in Australia when Lisa was pregnant with Josh.
Josh's former teammates, Josh Tongue and Jacob Bethell, played in the current Ashes series.
The Bakers have a history of hosting Australian cricket players and Josh played cricket in Sydney before his death.
Lisa said viewing cricket memories on her phone is both comforting and heartbreaking.
The Bakers met Jacob Bethell in a bar in Noosa, where they caught up with his performance in the Ashes.
Paul has longstanding cricket ties, having played with Josh Tongue's father and shared cricket experiences with his son.
Reports suggest the Cleveland Browns might consider firing their head coach, Kevin Stefanski. There are also rumors about disagreements within the team concerning their quarterback, Shedeur Sanders. Despite these issues, Stefanski's future remains uncertain, with potential job opportunities elsewhere in the NFL.
Key Facts
Kevin Stefanski is the current head coach of the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns reportedly might fire Stefanski amidst internal conflicts.
The team is also rumored to be reconsidering its quarterback options.
Stefanski has a record of 44 wins and 56 losses in six seasons with the Browns and two playoff appearances.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that the Browns have started early steps for a possible change in head coach.
If fired, Stefanski may be considered for coaching roles with teams like the New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The team's quarterback, Deshaun Watson, is under contract and expected to be healthy for the next season.
Stefanski has been named Coach of the Year twice in his career.
Former Australian cricketer Damien Martyn is in an induced coma after being diagnosed with meningitis. The 54-year-old is receiving medical care in a Queensland hospital, and cricket community members have sent their support and well wishes for his recovery.
Key Facts
Damien Martyn, a former Australian cricketer, is 54 years old.
Martyn has been placed in an induced coma due to meningitis.
He played 67 Test matches for Australia from 1992 to 2006.
Martyn won two Cricket World Cups with Australia.
His family and friends, including cricketer Adam Gilchrist, have shared that he is receiving the best treatment.
Meningitis is an infection that affects the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
Cricket Australia expressed support and well-wishes for Martyn.
There is hope that Martyn can be brought out of the coma soon.
The Diving Chess World Championships were held in Groningen, Netherlands. Participants used chess boards with magnetic pieces underwater and had to make each move in one breath. Zyon Kollen won the men's title, and Josephine Damen won the women's title.
Key Facts
The event took place in Groningen, Netherlands.
Chess boards used were weighted and magnetic for underwater play.
Players needed to complete a move in one breath before coming up for air.
Zyon Kollen, a former Dutch champion, won the men's championship.
Josephine Damen, a 17-year-old from the Netherlands, won the women's title.
The championships are a unique variation of traditional chess, played under water.
