Le Journal

The Dallas Mavericks reportedly receive positive news with an injury update on Kyrie Irving, including a tentative return date for the current NBA season. The Dallas Mavericks have experienced an up-and-down NBA season due to several factors, but injuries have been among the most damaging. One of the most significant setbacks came with the injury to star guard Kyrie Irving. However, the franchise is now receiving encouraging news regarding his recovery. According to former NBA player and current TNT analyst Reggie Miller, Irving is targeting a return in mid-February. That update suggests his rehabilitation is progressing well and provides optimism that he could be back on NBA courts sooner rather than later. Irving suffered a serious ACL injury on March 3, 2025, which required a cautious and methodical recovery process. The Mavericks’ first game after the All-Star break is scheduled for February 20, 2026, against the Minnesota Timberwolves, a date that aligns closely with the commonly recommended 12-month recovery timeline for such an injury. While this does not represent a definitive return date, it offers a reasonable benchmark. Since Irving went down, the Mavericks have struggled, posting a 21-38 record without him. At present, Dallas sits at 14-25 and 12th in the Western Conference, underscoring the impact of his absence. Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks in 2025. How Kyrie Irving views his recovery Irving has consistently emphasized a thoughtful and patient approach to his rehabilitation. He has made it clear that he is not rushing the process and is focused on steady progress rather than external timelines. During Media Day in September, he said, “There is consistency. I’m right on time,” reflecting a calm and measured mindset. That mentality has shaped how the Mavericks have handled his rehab, prioritizing long-term health over short-term gains. Irving has also encouraged other players to embrace the recovery process rather than fixating on a specific return date. Ongoing injury concerns for the Mavericks Irving is not the only health concern for Dallas. Anthony Davis remains a question mark as he evaluates options to address ligament issues in his left hand, creating additional uncertainty for the roster in the current NBA season. Despite the injury, Davis has been productive when available, averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists across 20 games. Still, the Mavericks have clearly struggled without him, highlighting how crucial his health is to the team’s overall performance as the season progresses.

The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly have an extremely high asking price for Austin Reaves, as they would only be willing to consider a trade in exchange for two NBA superstars. The Los Angeles Lakers are in a complicated position this NBA season, coming off several losses marked by inconsistency and defensive breakdowns. Those struggles are increasing internal pressure to explore potential moves ahead of the February 5 trade deadline, and while one name consistently surfaces in trade speculation, moving Austin Reaves remains highly unlikely. Austin Reaves was once viewed as a short-term surprise, but he has firmly established himself as a core piece for the Lakers. His development has been so significant that Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka has fielded numerous trade inquiries for the guard over the past year. NBA analyst Jason McIntyre recently reported on The Herd that the Lakers have rejected 20 trade offers involving Reaves during that span. According to the report, Los Angeles would only consider moving him in a blockbuster deal that returns two NBA superstars. “There are reports out there that the Lakers have turned down, wait for it, 20 offers in the last year for Austin Reaves,” McIntyre said. “The report goes on to say Pelinka is only interested in dealing Reaves in a package for Giannis Antetokounmpo or Nikola Jokic. I did laugh when I first heard that.” Nikola Jokic during an NBA game with the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers and the value placed on Reaves While the asking price may seem unrealistic, it reflects how highly the Lakers value Reaves internally. The 27-year-old is averaging 26.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game during the 2025–26 season while shooting 50.7 percent from the field, making this the most productive year of his career. Reaves has become far more than a complementary player, emerging as a reliable offensive option and a consistent presence alongside the team’s stars. His performance places him firmly in the conversation for a potential first All-Star selection in 2026. The chances of such a trade happening Antetokounmpo’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks remains uncertain. Milwaukee currently sits 11th in the Eastern Conference with a 17–24 record, fueling speculation about whether the two-time MVP could request a move before the deadline or during the offseason. If Antetokounmpo, who is averaging 28.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game, becomes available, any Lakers offer would almost certainly include Reaves. However, Nikola Jokic is not viewed as a realistic target. The Denver Nuggets are third in the Western Conference at 29–14, and there has been no indication that the Serbian star is interested in leaving a roster that continues to win even in his absence.

The New York Mets continue to explore the market, but an MLB Network analyst has proposed that they take a risk by including Jonah Tong and two other players in a trade for a pitcher. MLB Network is constantly discussing the state of the market, and a proposed trade involving the New York Mets recently surfaced in which they would send Jonah Tong and two other young players to Milwaukee in exchange for Freddy Peralta, a sizable package for the Brewers. The proposal came from Cliff Floyd, who was addressing what could be next for the Mets following the addition of Bo Bichette. “Mets receive: Freddy Peralta. Brewers receive: Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, Jonah Tong,” MLB Network posted on X. “These are players that fit the Brewers, they fit the dynamics and how they do business,” Floyd said while explaining the proposal. He also noted that Mauricio, coming off a knee injury, needs consistent playing time. Floyd added that Milwaukee would have the financial flexibility to allow these young players to develop. The situation with Tong, Mauricio and Baty All three players included in Floyd’s proposed trade are relatively inexpensive. Tong is projected to earn $820,000 next season, and Mauricio is expected to make a similar amount, according to Spotrac estimates for the 2026 season. Who says no to Cliff Floyd's trade proposal? ⬇️Mets receive: Freddy PeraltaBrewers receive: Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, Jonah Tong pic.twitter.com/zNnIAbs2Fa— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 19, 2026 Baty is the most “veteran” of the group, having spent four years in the majors in various roles with the Mets. During the 2025 season, he appeared in 130 games and finished the year with a .254 batting average. Like the other two, Baty is also projected to earn $820,000 for the upcoming season. The Mets are known to have interest in Peralta, as do several other teams in need of an experienced pitcher for 2026. However, Floyd’s proposal, and similar ideas floated by other analysts who believe the Mets could put together an attractive offer, remains unofficial and should be viewed as speculation rather than anything concrete.

New York Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan made something clear about the organization’s plans to move on from Artemi Panarin in the 2025-26 NHL season. It was an open secret around the Big Apple. The New York Rangers and Artemi Panarin have been trending in different directions for a while now. However, as the organization confirmed the Russian star won’t be re-signed, Mike Sullivan explained the decision with a straightforward statement. Nothing has gone according to plan for Sullivan and the Rangers in the 2025-26 NHL season. However, the decision to move on from Panarin may have been taken prior to the monumental letdown that has been the ongoing campaign. On that note, Sullivan delivered a sincere message to Panarin, who admitted he was caught flat-footed by the news of his imminent departure from the City That Never Sleeps. “It boils down to, I think, big picture decision making. I think this is obviously a discussion that probably predated me,” Sullivan admitted, via The New York Post’s Mollie Walker. “Every organization goes through those decisions. I don’t think you make those decisions on a whim. There’s always a big picture that has to be kept in mind when making organizational-type decisions, and I think that this was one of them.” Artemi Panarin at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Sullivan distances himself from the decision Sullivan has only been in the Concrete Jungle for a few months, but he has seemingly learned the rules of this fast-paced, blink-and-you-miss-it environment. With Panarin’s departure potentially reflecting on the head coach, Sullivan was quick to clear the air. The two-time Stanley Cup champion made it clear that the decision came from general manager Chris Drury and his staff, and that he had no involvement. By doing so, Sullivan hopes to secure Panarin’s best effort in what could be his final games as a Ranger. Panarin may have an ace up his sleeve With Panarin holding a full no-movement clause in his contract, New York must find a trade partner willing to convince “The Breadman” to waive it. According to reports, Sullivan and the Rangers are aware of potential destinations for Panarin, but finding a suitable trade and package will remain a challenge. Every NHL team knows Panarin will become available next summer. For those teams, it’s a matter of weighing their options and deciding whether acquiring Panarin as a rental for the Stanley Cup Playoffs makes sense.