GEAR MAG

Celtics Warriors Basketball

"It's a little mysterious," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said before his team hosted the Los Angeles Clipper on Monday night. "We're obviously working with him and hoping that he can get some clarity and he can kind of break through and get to a point to where he's consistently healthy. But that's something that the medical staff is working hard on with him."

Porzingis had returned to practice Friday and was listed as questionable for Saturday's home loss to the Lakers, then missed his fifth straight game Monday with an illness. It's unclear if he will travel for the team's upcoming three-game road trip.

Kerr said he spoke with Porzingis earlier Monday.

Advertisement

"We had a good chat. He's doing fine," Kerr said. "He's obviously wanting to be back and wanting answers and we'll keep supporting him."

The 7-foot-2 big man from Latvia made his Warriors debut Feb. 19 against his former Boston Celtics team after being acquired in a trade from Atlanta, but hasn't played since. He has appeared in just 18 games overall this season, averaging 16.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists.

AP NBA:https://apnews.com/NBA

This part of the calendar could pay off in a big way. Last year,Seattle signed Sam Darnoldand he powered them to a Super Bowl title over theNew England Patriots. The teamSeattleplayed in the NFC championship game - theLos Angeles Rams- made a splash in free agency as well bysigning wide receiver Davante Adams.

This year's free agent class has good players at other positions. Pro Bowl players at center (Tyler Linderbaum), linebacker (Devin Lloyd) and edge rusher (Trey Hendrickson) lead the way. There are also many options at running back and wide receiver for teams to choose from.

But this won't necessarily be the only way a player changes teams in this portion of the offseason. Trades could play a huge role in changing the league landscape.

Players on the move:When does NFL free agency start in 2026 and what to watch

Money to spend:How much salary cap space does each NFL team have in 2026?

TheChicago Bearssurged to a division title in 2025 behind an improved offensive line. Chicagosigned center Drew Dalmanin free agency but also used trades to acquire starters on either side of him inJoe ThuneyandJonah Jackson.Dallas acquired George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers via tradeand he became a second-team All-Pro.

Player movement doesn't need to be limited to the open market. Here are four trades involving veteran players that could be made around the start of free agency:

NFL free agency 2026:LB tops Tyler Dragon's top 32 free agents

CBTrent McDuffieto theLos Angeles Rams

McDuffie is about to enter the final year of his rookie contract. His cap number jumps from $4.46 million to $13.63 million, per OverTheCap figures, which is no small deal for the Chiefs who are looking to add to the roster and had to release starting tackle Jawaan Taylor to get under the 2026 salary cap.

McDuffie is a year away from free agency. Chiefs outside cornerback Jaylen Watson is heading to free agency this season. This feels like a Kansas City roster in transition with key free agents at all levels on the defense and multiple spots on offense. The biggest piece on the defense, defensive lineman Chris Jones, is another year older.

Kansas City can rely on developing secondary talent. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Co. have a track record of turning Day 3 or undrafted players into viable starters or even Pro Bowlers (e.g. Watson and Charvarius Ward). Spending big money at the cornerback position may not be the best use of their resources knowing this.

That makes offloading McDuffie a year before he hits free agency more lucrative. Los Angeles' needs at cornerback were exposed at times in the playoffs and they have an extra first-round pick this year. If they don't want to use that to find Matthew Stafford's successor or another piece to develop, they could maximize Stafford's post-MVP year with a splash trade. Los Angeles is running out of time before their young defense gets expensive. They've found and developed talent on the defensive line and this could balance that out ahead of key contract decisions.

EdgeMaxx Crosbyto theSan Francisco 49ers

Las Vegas is starting over in 2026 with a new head coach (Klint Kubiak) and starting quarterback (presumably Fernando Mendoza). This isn't exactly a team for a veteran defensive lineman looking for his best success after years of individual accolades and recognition.

San Francisco's reaching the twilight years of many of their stars. It's unlikely Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Trent Williams and Fred Warner can keep up All-Pro level production for much longer. Plus, an ironman who rarely misses games would be a welcome sight for a 49ers team that constantly navigates injuries.

Advertisement

San Francisco would likely have to send at least a first-round pick to the Raiders for Crosby depending on how much salary they take on. The 49ers have a decent amount of cap space and can create more by restructuring deals with Nick Bosa and Brock Purdy. It'd certainly paper over some concerns about the interior defensive line with Bosa and Crosby on the edges.

For Las Vegas, it'd help turn the page to a new era of Raiders football. Crosby doesn't quite match up with their current timeline as the team is likely at least two years away from properly contending. Another asset in the form of a first-round pick could lay the groundwork for a more complete turnaround.

2. New York Jets – OLB/DE David Bailey, Texas Tech

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 3. Arizona Cardinals – OLB/DE Arvell Reese, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 4. Tennessee Titans – RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 5. New York Giants – LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 6. Cleveland Browns – OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 7. Washington Commanders – S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 8. New Orleans Saints – WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 9. Kansas City Chiefs – OT Spencer Fano, Utah

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 10. Cincinnati Bengals – DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 11. Miami Dolphins – CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 12. Dallas Cowboys – CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – WR Denzel Boston, Washington

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 14. Baltimore Ravens – DL Caleb Banks, Florida

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – WR Makai Lemon, USC

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 17. Detroit Lions – OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 18. Minnesota Vikings – S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 19. Carolina Panthers – DT Peter Woods, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – OLB/DE T.J. Parker, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 21. Pittsburgh Steelers – WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 22. Los Angeles Chargers – G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 23. Philadelphia Eagles – DE/OLB Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 30. Denver Broncos – WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 31. New England Patriots – DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine

WRMichael Pittman Jr.to thePittsburgh Steelers

Alec Pierce enjoyed a breakout year for theIndianapolis Coltsin 2025 and is hitting free agency this offseason. Dallas put the franchise tag on Pickens which makes Pierce arguably the top option on the free agent market this year – if he gets there.

Looking at the 2026 NFL Draft, there are many big-bodied outside receivers in the mold of Pittman who the Colts could target as a successor and instead use the money they'd save to retain Pierce. Pittman's on the final year of a three-year extension he signed in 2024 and will count $29 million against the cap in 2026. Indianapolis would save $24 million by trading him before June 1 which would free up space to sign Pierce as well as quarterback Daniel Jones.

For Pittsburgh, the offense could use more weapons on the outside beyond D.K. Metcalf. He's a vertical threat thanks to his speed and Pittman would bring another physical skillset to the offense. The Steelers have a dozen picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including a projected five combined selections in Round 3 and Round 4. If they're willing to take on most of his salary, Indianapolis could get one of those selections back in a deal that may be worthwhile for both teams.

WRA.J. Brownto theBuffalo Bills

Neither Eagles coach Nick Sirianni nor general manager Howie Roseman completely shut the door on potentially moving on from Brownwhen asked about a potential tradeduring the NFL scouting combine.

"Will A.J. be here next season?" Sirianni said. "I think we're still in a spot, like, I can't guarantee how anything is going to play out into next season. I'm thinking I'm going to be the coach next season but you can't guarantee anything past tomorrow."

If the team is open to a deal, Buffalo may be the team who comes calling.

The Bills have struggled to find consistent high-level production from the wide receiver position since Stefon Diggs' peak in 2021 and 2022. With New England now viewed as contenders following a breakout run to the Super Bowl, Buffalo can't cruise to an AFC East title and wait to make noise in the playoffs.

Brown is entering his age-29 season and holds a $23.39 million cap hit in 2026. The Bills would have to move money around to make this work but it could be worth it to make a statement in Year 1 of the Joe Brady tenure. Buffalo has just seven picks in the 2026 NFL Draft so it may have to be a package of multiple picks to make it work, especially if they cannot take on all of Browns' owed money for 2026. It would take some work but could in the end be very worth it for both parties.

DTJordan Davisto theJacksonville Jaguars

If Brown stays put, the Eagles could make a different move. Like Pittman and McDuffie, Davis is one year away from free agency and thePhiladelphia Eaglesalways seem to plan ahead. They drafted and developed Moro Ojomo in the likely (and ultimately true) event of Milton Williams signing elsewhere in free agency last season. They may execute a similar playbook this offseason.

Davis is in the final year of his rookie contract and counts for $12.93 million against the cap in 2026. Philadelphia may judge the current state of the roster and prioritize retaining trade deadline acquisition Jaelan Phillips, who could cost upwards of $18 million per year on his next deal.

Jacksonville doesn't have a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft but does have 10 total selections over seven rounds. After making a run to the playoffs in 2025, Jacksonville has some work to do to maintain that postseason presence in 2026. Improving the interior defensive line between Joshua Hines-Allen and Travon Walker should be one of the priorities.

They could flip one of their projected Day 2 or Day 3 picks to the Eagles in return for Davis. The Jaguars would need to shift money around to make it work but could move money around on current deals for Hines-Allen, Patrick Mekari and Walker Little to create some space for this move.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NFL trade predictions: A.J. Brown, Trent McDuffie find perfect fits

British Chancellor of the Exchequer Reeves outside 11 Downing Street ahead of presenting the Spring Forecast to Parliament, in London

LONDON, March 3 (Reuters) - British finance minister Rachel Reeves said she would provide stability for the economy in a budget update speech on Tuesday that contained no big policy surprises and was overshadowed by alarm among investors over ‌the conflict in the Middle East.

Reeves said fresh forecasts showed inflation and borrowing would be lower than previously thought by Britain's fiscal ‌watchdog, although its economic growth projection for this year was cut to 1.1% from a previous estimate of 1.4%.

Those forecasts may soon be overtaken by the impact of the U.S.-Israeli war against ​Iran which has sent British government borrowing costs soaring on worries about the global surge in energy prices.

"This government has the right economic plan for our country, a plan that is even more important in a world that in the last few days has become yet more uncertain," Reeves said in her speech to parliament.

"It is incumbent on me and on this government to chart a course through that uncertainty, to secure our economy against shocks and protect families from the ‌turbulence that we see beyond our borders."

PROMISE OF STABILITY ⁠IN TURBULENT TIMES

Reeves stressed the need for predictability in government policy as well as investment in infrastructure, accusing the previous Conservative administration of allowing inflation to soar and interest rates to rise to a 15-year high.

"Stability is the single most ⁠important precondition for economic growth," she said.

Reeves is hoping that a period of policymaking stability - after the political turmoil triggered by the Brexit vote 10 years ago - will encourage businesses to invest.

Many employers say higher taxes and other costs imposed on them by Reeves are deterring them from hiring.

In her speech on Tuesday, Reeves said she ​would ​set out proposals for closer post-Brexit trade ties with the European Union in the ​coming weeks and the government would set out reforms for ‌reducing youth unemployment, which has risen sharply.

Advertisement

However, her economic programme could be tested in the coming months if the financial fallout from the conflict in the Middle East is sustained.

Britain still has the highest inflation among the Group of Seven economies, which has prevented the Bank of England from cutting interest rates as quickly as other central banks.

Higher inflation also saddles the government with a bigger bill for its inflation-linked bonds.

Government bond yields surged for a second day in a row earlier on Tuesday as investors worried that a doubling of gas prices, if sustained, might prevent the BoE from cutting borrowing costs this ‌year.

Benchmark wholesale gas prices, which make up the largest single portion of Britain's domestic ​energy price cap, have doubled this week, which if sustained could push up the next ​pricing level for the July-to-September period.

Oil prices have risen 15%, leading ​to calls from some motoring groups for the government to reverse an end to the fuel duty freeze currently expected ‌in September.

Pressure has grown on Keir Starmer after his Labour Party ​suffered defeat in an election for ​a parliamentary seat last week. There are questions about how long Starmer will remain in Downing Street, with local elections in May seen as the next big test of his political future.

But Reeves stuck to her promise not to make major fiscal policy changes outside full budget ​statements, which take place in the autumn.

The Office for ‌Budget Responsibility's forecasts showed Reeves had 23.6 billion pounds ($31.4 billion) of so-called headroom for meeting her main fiscal target.

At the time of ​her last full budget speech in November, that room for manoeuvre was judged to stand at almost 22 billion pounds.

($1 = 0.7510 ​pounds)

(Additional reporting by Susanna Twidale; Writing by William Schomberg; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

Several U.S. players appeared on Monday's "The Pat McAfee Show," which broadcast live from Arizona for the Team USA workouts. Among those interviewed were team captain andAmerican League MVPAaron Judge, MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh,National League Cy Young Award winnerPaul Skenes, Clayton Kershaw and Bryce Harper.

[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2026 MLB season]

Coming off the 2026 Winter Olympics and theU.S. winning gold medals in men'sandwomen's hockeyat Milan Cortina, Harper said those achievements have motivated him and his teammates even more to win the WBC.

"The Olympics, what an incredible thing. I'm missing the Olympics so much," Harper told McAfee. "Seeing the women's hockey, men's hockey take gold... what an incredible experience to watch them play and do their thing and represent our country."

"To take that and come into what we're doing now, it's just the swagger we need to have," he added, referring toJack Hughes scoring the game-winnerversus Canada after getting teeth knocked out. "The cool thing about baseball and the World Baseball Classic, or the Olympics, you see the culture of everything of baseball from the Dominican Republic to Japan to us, to everybody."

Team USA isthe favorite to winthe 2026 WBC with more stars, includingAL Cy Young winnerTarik Skubal, Bobby Witt Jr., Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Schwarberon the roster.Defending champion Japan,with NL MVP Shohei Ohtani and World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, is also viewed favorably, having won three tournaments. The Dominican Republic (2013 winners) and Venezuela are also considered contenders.

Advertisement

Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes will pitch second and third in Team USA starting rotation

U.S. manager Mark DeRosaannouncedthat Logan Webb will start the U.S. opener on Friday, followed by Skubal, Skenes and Nolan McLean. Skubal will face Great Britain, Skenes will pitch versus Mexico and McLean will start against Italy in Pool B play.

Skenes will also start Tuesday's exhibition versus the Giants.

"It's set up," DeRosa told reporters, includingESPN's Jesse Rogers. "There's obviously guardrails for the tournament... pitch count-wise. But there's also guardrails for guys having to throw on certain days to get ready for their team's Opening Day."

The "guardrails" remark applies most to Skubal, who announced thathe will make only one startduring the tournament then report back to Detroit Tigers spring training. The left-hander will belimited to 55 pitchesin his outing.

McLean did not report to Phoenix for the opening workout is still at the New York Mets' spring camp in Port St. Lucie, Floridawhile fighting an illness. DeRosa said he doesn't yet know if he'll have to make a change because of that.

Skenes intends to make two starts in the WBC and plans to be available in the knockout round if the U.S. advances. Pitching for his country is important to Skenes, who pitched his first two college seasons for the Air Force Academy.

"It's the biggest stage I've played on,"Skenes told MLB Network. "The coolest motivation, the coolest thing that we're playing for is winning gold for our country... Winning the World Series is the goal every year, but playing in an international tournament where every country in the world is represented, being able to be on top of that is pretty cool."

Team USA's opener versus Brazil isscheduledfor 8 p.m. ET on Friday. The top two finishers in pool play will advance to the quarterfinals, also played in Houston.

Almost on cue as March arrived, we're setting up a rather stuck weather pattern that will bring multiple days in a row of at least some severe thunderstorms in the nation's mid-section.

(MORE:Beware Of March For Tornadoes, Especially Recently)

Severe Threat Timing

While some thunderstorms may rumble across the mid-Mississippi and Ohio Valleys during the day, the main threat for a few severe thunderstorms is Tuesday night from parts of the Texas Panhandle and northern Oklahoma into southern Kansas and Missouri. Large hail is the main concern with these nighttime storms.

Cities: Oklahoma City, Wichita

Severe thunderstorms are most possible in the afternoon and evening from parts of northern Texas into the Ozarks. Large hail, damaging thunderstorm winds and a few tornadoes are possible.

More isolated strong to severe storms are possible as far north as the mid-Mississippi and Ohio Valleys.

Cities:Dallas, Ft. Smith

Severe thunderstorms are most possible in the afternoon and evening along a feature known as adrylinein parts of western Texas into western Oklahoma and perhaps southwestern Kansas. Hail larger than golf balls, damaging thunderstorm winds and a few tornadoes are possible.

More isolated strong to severe storms are possible as far north as the Missouri Valley of Nebraska and Iowa.

Cities:Lubbock, Amarillo, Wichita Falls

Friday's severe weather threat may be more widespread, with more numeroussupercellthunderstorms capable of tornadoes, hail and destructive winds possible from parts of Texas to Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri in the afternoon and evening.

Advertisement

At least some severe thunderstorms with hail are possible as far north as southern Minnesota, southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

Cities:Dallas, Tulsa, Kansas City

This Weekend And Beyond

The story doesn't end, there.

We can't rule out some lingering strong to severe storms Saturday from the Ohio Valley and Appalachians to southeast Texas.

And a few isolated strong to severe storms are possible in parts of the South Sunday along and near a sagging and stalling frontal boundary.

Additional strong to severe storms are expected early next week as a strong cold front slices into the central U.S. as a strong upper-level low pressure system over northern Mexico finally gets kicked into the Plains.

Check back with us at weather.com for updates to this forecast.

(MAPS:7-Day US Forecast)

How Much Rain?

Rainfall is expected to be heavy at times with these storms, and several areas will receive multiple days of heavy rain even before the severe weather threat. The Weather Prediction Center has issued level 1 out of 4 risks for heavy rainfall for Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday across parts of the Southern Plains and the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys. Rainfall of 1-3 inches is possible with isolated higher totals where the heaviest storms train over the same locations.

Soaking A Drought

These parts of the country are very much in need of rainfall. Drought persists across much of the South, and the reason is actually fairly straightforward.

We have been under a La Niña this winter, which causes some significant impacts to our weather.

(MORE:La Niña Is Fading)

A La Niña occurs when trade winds moving from east to west across the Equator over the Pacific Ocean ramp up, pushing warm water to the Western Pacific. This forces cooler water to rise to the surface across the eastern region of the equatorial Pacific Ocean.

This simple change has a drastic impact on the weather around the world and is amplified in the winter.

In a typical La Niña winter, the jet stream is typically forced further north, leaving the South warmer and drier. That pattern sends most of the precipitation and cooler temperatures to the north.

Rob Shackelfordis a meteorologist and climate scientist at weather.com. He received his undergraduate and master's degrees from the University of Georgia studying meteorology and experimenting with alternative hurricane forecasting tools.