NEW ORLEANS – Kareem Hunt may be gearing up to play in the Super Bowl for the first time, but it wasn’t too long ago that the Kansas City Chiefs running back thought the chance at this particular milestone had passed him by.

“Honestly, I’m grateful to have a second chance,” Hunt, 29, said this week as he reflected on his winding journey to Super Bowl 59.

His first chance with the Chiefs ended in disaster in 2018, a day after TMZ released the video from an offseason incident at a Cleveland hotel that captured Hunt shoving a woman into a wall and kicking her.

When the Chiefs cut him, they contended that he lied about what transpired. It didn’t matter that he led the NFL in rushing and made the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

Now he’s back in the mix as a vital cog for a championship chase.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

“I learned a lot,” Hunt said of the incident. “I learned to think before you react. Don’t go off emotion. It kind of humbled me a little bit. I feel like I was at the top of my game and everything. I learned at everybody don’t have your best interest in life. You’ve got to be careful of who you’re around.”

Hunt never faced criminal charges because the woman who was battered in the incident refused to cooperate with authorities. But after signing with the Cleveland Browns, he was suspended by the NFL for the first eight games of the 2019 season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

He spent five seasons with the Browns, yet never came close to having the impact and production that he demonstrated as a rookie, when he rushed for 1,327 yards. And his Browns tenure was stained by another off-the-field encounter when he was pulled over in January 2020 – just days before the Chiefs were to defeat the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl 54 – and ticketed for speeding after also saying he would fail a drug test.

A dashcam video of the traffic stop in Rocky River, Ohio, captured Hunt pitifully telling a police officer that he has already “lost everything” and that he “should be playing for a freakin’ Super Bowl, man. It hurts my soul like you wouldn’t understand.”

Hunt broke into the league in 2017 as a third-round pick from Toledo, part of the Chiefs draft class that was headed by transformational star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Had he stayed healthy – and on the trajectory that he demonstrated as a rookie – he might be playing for his fourth Super Bowl ring.

But that course in his career trek was caused by his own doing after the altercation with the woman spun out of control. The footage, captured by cameras in an elevator lobby, was eerily reminiscent of the Ray Rice video from 2014 that cost the Baltimore Ravens running back his career and prompted the NFL to take a harsher stance against domestic violence. That’s why when the Chiefs immediately released Hunt, they were widely applauded.

“It changed me, because I was at the top,” Hunt said of the incident. “Everything was going good, just to get knocked back down to the bottom where it all started. You’ve got to find a way to build it back up. So, I just had to stay down. I knew it wasn’t going to be an overnight thing. I just had to believe in myself and do the right thing.”

That Andy Reid would offer Hunt another chance with the team isn’t surprising when considering the head coach’s track record. Reid has a history of giving second chances, most famously during his tenure as Philadelphia Eagles coach when he provided Michael Vick an opportunity to resume his career after he served 18 months for his role in a dogfighting venture.

Even after Hunt was released by the Chiefs, he said that Reid occasionally checked on him. A day after the AFC title game, Reid said that he sensed that Hunt was maturing during a conversation at Mahomes’ wedding in 2022.

“It was great,” Hunt recalled of that visit with Reid. “I hadn’t seen him since 2018. So, just getting to talk to him, catch up, he was just seeing how I was doing as a person. It was great.

“He was just looking at me, saying, ‘Maybe we’ll find a way to steal you back.’ That was like three or four years ago. And we’re here now.”

Still, for as much benevolence that Reid extends, Hunt’s presence this week also reflects the realities of basic NFL business. Hunt, who didn’t participate in any team’s offseason program or attend training camp before the season, was signed by the Chiefs as an emergency measure after starting running back Isiah Pacheco suffered a fractured ankle in Week 2.

Yes, talent still affords more opportunities. And Hunt has made the most of this one. In 13 games, he led the Chiefs for the season with 728 yards on 200 carries – the most rushing attempts he has logged in a season since his rookie year. In his second game back, he produced his first 100-yard game in four years.

 Hunt has also been splendid in short-yardage situations with his determined running.

“He did a nice job,” Reid said. “I joked that we just pulled him off the couch and threw him in there. He had 21 plays the first game, 27 (rushes) the next game. We kind of beat him up there, without any introduction. He handled it well.”

Said Hunt: “It is the truth. I was going to the high school, working out. Going to the YMCA (for) some sauna and stretching and all that. I was just trying to stay in shape. I didn’t know if the opportunity would come or not. When I got that call, I was excited. And I told him, ‘You won’t regret it.’ ”

It’s striking to flash back to another time in Hunt’s journey, when Reid gave him another chance to redeem himself. On Hunt’s first NFL carry, in the season opener at New England, he fumbled, recovered by Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty.

“I thought my career was done,” Hunt said, exaggerating a bit. “I was like, ‘Man, I’m a bust. It’s over with.’ ”

He said Reid immediately came over to him on the sideline.

“He was like, ‘Relax, man. When we get this ball back, we’re giving it right back to you.’ That was another second chance right there.”

Or another type of second chance. Hunt wound up with a monster NFL debut, rushing for 147 yards and a touchdown, plus adding 98 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

And to this point, he has never lost a fumble since his first NFL carry.

Yet an even better comeback is reflected with the maturity gained from hard lessons.

Follow Jarrett Bell on social media @JarrettBell

Excuse me? There’s no way Man is losing to Man’s best friend, Luna the Maltipoo.

So said USA TODAY’s Tyler Dragon when he and the dog met this week in Southern California. They’re battling down to the wire – the Super Bowl – in USA TODAY’s NFL pick ‘em contest that pits Man vs. Machine vs. Dog.

The Machine, a computer-run statistic model created by University of Pittsburgh associate professional Kostra Pelechrinis, is out of the running. So is USA TODAY’s Jarrett Bell.

Luna is 11-1 on her picks. Tyler is 8-4. But with a March Madness-style scoring system in use, Tyler has kept in striking distance.

Tyler has picked the Eagles. Luna has picked the Chiefs. The correct prediction will determine the contest champion.

Expert Super Bowl picks: Unique betting insights only at USA TODAY.

“Luna, it’s nice to finally meet you,’ Tyler told her during a recent meeting. ‘But there’s no way in heck I’m losing to a dog.’

We’ll see about that. Bring on the Super Bowl!

Our experts’ results, NFL playoff picks

How the ‘machine’ and Luna make their picks

Want more? See these data-driven hot picks

The scoring system

Devised by NFL predictions expert David Glidden, it will work like this:

Each week, the competitors will turn in full brackets with picks for games in every round, including the Super Bowl. A perfect bracket from start to finish would earn 1,000 points, but competitors likely will have to adjust those brackets week to week.

Thirty points will be earned for each team correctly picked to win a wild card game, 35 points for a Divisional round game, 50 points for a Conference championship game and 75 points for the Super Bowl.

Then we’ll have an official winner and the answer to our burning question: Is it Man, Machine or Dog who we can trust most with NFL playoff predictions?

Let the games and predictions begin!

Odds for Sunday’s playoff games

Below are BetMGM’s betting lines for next weekend’s games as of Thursday morning. A plus before the number signifies the amount a bettor would win on a $100 bet. A minus signifies the amount a bettor must bet to win $100.

Washington Commanders (+240) at Philadelphia Eagles (-300) favored by 6 points

Buffalo Bills (+110) at Kansas City Chiefs (-130) favored by 2 points

Even if you and your buddies are divided over which team to root for, the Super Bowl brings you together in an annual ritual of football, friends and family − and possibly a chance to cheer on someone from your hometown.

Players in Super Bowl 59 between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles are from those towns, from places large and small. Many of them are familiar to you, others perhaps not.  

Of the 159 players on Chiefs and Eagles rosters, 153 grew up in towns in 35 states in the continental U.S., and six came from other countries.

USA TODAY reviewed team rosters for a closer look at this year’s Super Bowl players. Here’s what we found.

Super Bowl roster: Where are the players from?

Can’t see our graphics? Click here.

This year, the Southeast and East Coast are well represented among players’ hometowns, with a healthy scattering of places in the eastern-central portion of the country.

Texas has the most hometowns for players, 19 of them. Florida and California are next with 15 and 14 players, respectively.

Super Bowl roster: How old are the players?

Thirty-one of the players, or 19% of both teams, are age 25. The next closest are the 26 players, or 16%, who are age 24.

The oldest player is Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham, of Detroit, who is 36. The two youngest players are Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean and Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy, both 21 and both rookies.

DeJean will turn 22 on Super Bowl Sunday.

Super Bowl roster: How many years as a pro?

Most of the players are two- or three-year veterans, though 27 of them, 17%, are rookies.

Brandon Graham of the Eagles has 15 years in professional football.

Super Bowl roster: Where did they go to college?

No single American college has a lock on Super Bowl players, but six Eagles players graduated from the University of Alabama and six from the University of Georgia.

Six Chiefs players came from the University of Oklahoma. Four Chiefs players graduated from the University of Southern California.

SOURCE USA TODAY Network reporting and research; chiefs.com; philadelphiaeagles.com; 247sports.com; Reuters; Sports Illustrated

NEW ORLEANS – Take a bow, Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Antonio Gates and Sterling Sharpe.

You’re now forever on the ultimate team that honors greatness.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame unveiled its Class of 2025 during the NFL Honors program at the Saenger Theatre on Thursday night with a nod to exclusivity. It’s the smallest Hall of Fame class in 20 years.

Not making the cut: Eli Manning.

The former New York Giants quarterback, a two-time Super Bowl MVP, was bypassed by the 49-member selection committee along with other first-ballot finalists Terrell Suggs, Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri and Marshal Yanda. Coaching finalist Mike Holmgren and other distinguished long-time finalists, including Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne, are also forced to wait at least another year.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

Still, there’s no disputing the credentials of the four who will be enshrined on August 2 in Canton, Ohio:

• Sharpe, chosen as a seniors finalist in his 26th year of eligibility, joins his brother Shannon to form the first Hall of Fame brother duo in history. The former Green Bay Packers receiver, whose career was cut short after seven seasons because of a neck injury, was an All-Decade selection for the 1990s who led the NFL in receptions three times (including a then-NFL record 112 catches in 1993) and topped 1,000 yards five times.

• Gates, who owns the NFL mark for career touchdown receptions by a tight end (116), earned Pro Bowl honors for eight consecutive seasons (2004-2011) and earned five All-Pro selections during a 16-year career with the San Diego Chargers. He was an All-Decade choice for the 2000s. He was also a surprising first-ballot omission last year.

• Jared Allen, a four-time first-team All-Pro defensive end, ranks 12th on the NFL’s all-time list with 136 sacks. A five-time finalist, he led the league in sacks twice – once during his four-year stint with the Kansas City Chiefs, then again during his six-year stay with the Minnesota Vikings. He also has a share of the NFL record with four safeties during a 12-year career that also included stints with the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers.

• Eric Allen, who played the first seven campaigns of his 14-year NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles, was a six-time Pro Bowl cornerback. He notched 54 interceptions (tied for 21st all-time), including eight returned for touchdowns. In 1993, he led the league with four pick-sixes. Allen also played three seasons with the New Orleans Saints and four campaigns with the Oakland Raiders. He was elected in his 19th year of eligibility.  

The last Hall of Fame class with so few inductees was chosen in 2005 (Dan Marino, Steve Young, Fritz Pollard, Bennie Friedman). It’s striking because each Hall class since 2013 has had at least seven members.

Why such a limited number of inductees? It is likely a byproduct of a revised selection process with a final reduction vote that dictated the selection panel voted for five of the final seven modern-day candidates, with those securing 80% of the vote gaining induction. Previously, voters chose from a final five with a yes or no vote, with those getting 80% gaining the nod.

Also, five other finalists – three seniors and one from the coaches and contributors categories – were grouped together for a vote separate from the modern-day candidates. Panel members voted for three choices from the five finalists across the three categories, with those drawing 80% getting induction.

The Hall of Fame selection committee voted virtually in January to choose the class.

Four years, four remarkable and unthinkable years of seismic change in college football, and nothing is sacred.

Not even Top 25 polls, which have become all but marginalized — save for a point of debate in the sport of arguing. 

College football is now all about the top 12, or the 12 teams that make up the College Football Playoff. At least for 2025, before the inevitable 14-team format begins in 2026 with the advent of the new CFP contract.

Here’s you’re way-too-early CFP field for 2025 in seed order, ranked under the current format of highest-ranked four conference champions receiving first-round byes. Bookmark or download and preserve for future arguments. 

Because that’s what this glorious sport is all about, anyway.   

1. Penn State

What’s good: The experience of being there. We could talk about the talent returning on both sides of the ball, new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and how Penn State’s roster matches up with anyone in college football. 

But there’s intrinsic value in being there, doing that. Which, of course, Penn State hadn’t done in the playoff prior to last season. Think Michigan under Jim Harbaugh, which took two CFP trips to figure it out. 

What’s not: Penn State’s history in big games under coach James Franklin. The ugly trend has to change. The Nittany Lions won two games in the playoff (SMU, Boise State) with everything on the line, but those weren’t heavyweights. Oregon (Sept.v27) and at Ohio State (Nov. 1) are season-defining games. 

2. Georgia

What’s good: Coach Kirby Smart saw the problem and addressed it. That, as much as anything, is a critical growth step to his 10th season in Athens. Georgia receivers dropped more than 30 passes last season, so Smart signed significant additions from the transfer portal: Noah Thomas (Texas A&M) and Zachariah Branch (Southern California). Smart says the staff (and locker room) believes in QB Gunner Stockton, and that Georgia can win big games with him.

What’s not: The regression in 2024. There’s empirical evidence all over the place. From the most sacks given up by any Smart team at Georgia, to a run game that finished 15th in the SEC, to a defense that gave up the most points per game (20.6) since Smart’s first season in 2016. Have constant distractions off the field begun to take their toll, or was last year an outlier?

REPORT CARD: College football season grades for all 134 teams

LOOKING AHEAD: Our way-too-early college football Top 25 for 2025

3. Clemson

What’s good: Coach Dabo Swinney kept it from completely turning where it couldn’t be recovered — then convinced QB Cade Klubnik to return for one more run at the CFP. Bonus for 2025: Swinney finally added from the portal, and picked up impact edge Will Heldt (Purdue) and WR Tristan Smith (Southeast Missouri State).

What’s not: It took two seasons for offensive coordinator Garrett Riley to fix the offense. It can’t take that long for new defensive coordinator Tom Allen. There are elite pieces to build around (DE T.J. Parker, DT Peter Woods, LB Wade Woodaz), but there were too many times when the collective unit was out of position or took bad angles, or simply missed tackles. 

4. Kansas State

What’s good: QB Avery Johnson. A white-knuckle ride in 2024 will even out in 2025. When he’s on, he’s as dangerous as any quarterback in college football. A Johnny Manziel-type of talent. He has to be more consistent, and K-State has to protect better.   

What’s not: When does this team figure out how to win games it should? You don’t lose to Houston a week after beating rival Kansas, and don’t get blown away in the first half by Arizona State at home. The problem: it’s a pattern (Iowa State, 2023, 2021; Tulane, 2022; Texas, 2021), and overshadows and Big 12 championship and breakthrough wins under coach Chris Klieman. And derails CFP hopes.

UP AND DOWN: Winners and losers from college football signing day

5. Ohio State

What’s good: Finally winning it all. So many missed chances of the past mean nothing now. Now it’s a talented team playing loose and free and confident. A dangerous combination, considering the young talent all over the roster. 

What’s not: A first-year starter at quarterback. Redshirt freshman Julian Sayin, a former five-star recruit, is next in line to take over. The last time a former five-star recruit was a first-year starter, Kyle McCord was run out of town after the 2023 season and a loss to Michigan.

6. Texas

What’s good: The buildout from coach Steve Sarkisian. Or the better way to say it: Texas truly is back. It’s plug and play now with elite recruitng classes (and a little help from the portal), and the expectations of winning it all are in full force with talented QB Arch Manning taking over.  

What’s not: Slow starts and/or chasing points in big games. The regular-season loss to Georgia in 2024, Playoff losses to Washington (2023) and Ohio State (2024), and the loss to Oklahoma (2023).  

7. LSU

What’s good: Coach Brian Kelly figured out you can’t win big in the SEC without a dominant defensive line. Key defensive line additions from the portal — Patrick Payton (Florida State), Jack Pyburn (Florida), Sydir Mitchell (Texas) — will quickly change things, and help the defense get off the field. Opponents converted 41 percent of third downs in 2024.

What’s not: Both starting tackles left early for the NFL. Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr. were a strong backstop for QB Garrett Nussmeier, who constantly dealt with pressure from the middle three on the line. The Tigers will have four (and maybe five) new starters on the offensive line in 2025.  

8. Oregon

What’s good: The Ducks are crushing high school recruiting and player development. The fourth year under coach Dan Lanning begins with a new quarterback (former five-star recruit Dante Moore), and plenty of talent on offense for one of the game’s best offensive coordinators (Will Stein).  

What’s not: New starters in important roles on defense. Lanning built his resume at Georgia as a defensive coordinator who rotated young players along the front seven, and by always looking forward. Those rotation players at Oregon will move into key roles this fall, playing alongside star pass rusher Matayo Uiagalelei.     

9. Oklahoma

What’s good: John Mateer, the difference between an ugly first season in the SEC, and a CFP run in 2025. The transfer quarterback from Washington State was the No. 1 player in the transfer portal, and is a dynamic dual threat (44 total TDs). The Sooners couldn’t get first downs in 2024; they’ll score in bunches with Mateer and transfer wideout Isaiah Stegna (Arkansas), and high-volume Championship Subdivision transfer receivers Keontez Lewis and Javonnie Gibson.   

What’s not: The schedule is brutal. If we go by the 2024 model, it will be very difficult for a three-loss, non-Power Four conference champion to reach the CFP. Sooners get Mississippi and LSU in Norman, but have road trips to Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina, and the Texas game in Dallas. Oklahoma also plays Michigan in Norman. 

10. Brigham Young

What’s good: Quietly, confidently, coach Kalani Sitake has built a program with staying power. The Cougars return a majority of the group that won 11 games, and lost two by a combined nine points. Wins in either of those one-possession losses (Kansas, Arizona State), would’ve moved BYU into the Big 12 championship game with a CFP spot on the line.    

What’s not: Turnovers. BYU had four giveaways in the two losses, including three interceptions from QB Jake Retzlaff — whose TD/INT ratio in games against Big 12 teams (13/9) was a problem. That must be fixed, especially with a fortunate schedule in 2025 that doesn’t include Kansas State and Arizona State. 

11. Illinois

What’s good: After years of trying to recapture the plan and process at Wisconsin, Illini coach Bret Bielema is as close as he has been in nine years at Arkansas and Illinois. The Illini run with power, and all five starters return on the offense line. QB Luke Altmyer protects the ball, and stresses defenses with his willing toughness in the quarterback run game. The defense, too, is loaded.   

What’s not: Taking the next step. Illinois won 10 games last season, and hasn’t had back-to-back double digit win seasons in the history of the program. The Illini hasn’t had back-to-back winning seasons since 2010-11. Needless to say, it’s going to take 10 wins to reach the CFP.  

12. Boise State

What’s good: The culture. Star running back Ashton Jeanty was a once in a program player, but just a piece of the most consistent Group of Five program in college football. Coach Spencer Danielson’s quick rebuild will carry to 2025, with QB Maddox Madsen returning with four starting offensive linemen — including Kage Casey, a potential first round NFL draft pick in 2026. 

What’s not: The same thing every season: one loss in the underrated Mountain West Conference, and the road to the CFP gets significantly tougher. There just isn’t much wiggle room for the one automatic qualifier spot. Boise State also plays at Notre Dame. 

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.

Leading up to the NBA trade deadline, there was talk it might be a quiet period compared to previous seasons because teams were concerned about salary and luxury tax payments.

Well, that theory disintegrated when Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis were traded. That was the beginning of a flurry of trades involving big names, All-Stars and NBA champions just before the trade deadline expired Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.

These are some of the players switching teams besides Doncic and Davis: De’Aaron Fox, Jimmy Butler, Zach LaVine, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram and Khris Middleton.

How it pays off for the teams involved will play out over the remainder of this season and beyond, but it was a stunning and thrilling week for NBA transactions.

Let’s look at the trade deadline winners and losers:

NBA trade deadline winners and losers

Winners

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers acquired star guard Luka Doncic and center Mark Williams, giving them the ability to win now and prepare for a future without LeBron James. They have an MVP candidate in Doncic, and when healthy, Williams, the replacement for Anthony Davis, is a quality big man who will work nicely with Doncic and James in pick-and-roll sets. It’s not often a team can obtain a star like Doncic, and the Lakers pulled it off in one of the most stunning trades in NBA history.

Luka Doncic

Doncic ends up with a franchise that has a stellar reputation for taking care of its stars, and the deluge of support for Doncic has been overwhelming. Now, Doncic has a responsibility to prove he can provide competent defense, be in great physical condition and limit his complaints about officiating while still providing his elite offense. He gets to do that in the glare of those Hollywood lights and all that comes with that.

San Antonio Spurs/De’Aaron Fox

The Spurs sought a long-term answer at point guard to flourish alongside rising star Victor Wembanyama, and Fox wanted to play for the Spurs. Both got what they desired. Fox had 24 points, 13 assists, five rebounds and three steals in his debut, becoming the first player in franchise history to record at least 20 points and 10 assists in a debut. Wembanyama had 24 points and 12 rebounds. Get used to that double-double combination and defensive pressure.

Jimmy Butler

Butler went toe-to-toe with Miami Heat president and Basketball Hall of Famer Pat Riley and forced his way out. It wasn’t without pain, including financial losses due to three suspensions issued by the team in January, but Butler got to one of two teams for which he wanted to play. He gets to play alongside Steph Curry and for an organization that wants to win another championship while Curry is still an All-Star. Plus, Butler should have an increased offensive role compared to his dwindling responsibility with the Heat. Butler also agreed to an extension with the Warriors that will pay him $121 million over two seasons in 2025-26 and 2026-27.

De’Andre Hunter

De’Andre Hunter goes from the below-.500 Atlanta Hawks to the 41-10 Cleveland Cavaliers – going from nowhere to the best team in the East and title contender.

Losers

Dallas Mavericks

Trading Doncic has been a PR nightmare for the Mavericks, who angered fans of the team and fans of Doncic. Even if this ends up being the right move for Dallas, that’s not the perception today. The vitriol is palpable. Getting Davis, Max Christie and a first-round pick for Doncic may end up working out for the Mavs. But it’s working poorly in the court of public opinion today. No matter how the Mavs try to spin it, the answers have been unsatisfactory to fans.

Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis, in second place in the Western Conference at 35-16, tried to make a move that put it a step closer to first-place Oklahoma City. Nothing of substance materialized despite the Grizzlies’ efforts. They tried to create some roster flexibility by trading Marcus Smart to Washington, but the Grizzlies also had to include a 2025 first-round pick in that trade. Yes, it’s going to be a late pick, however, the Grizzlies have shown an eye for finding talent later in the draft (Desmond Bane, the 30th pick in 2020, and rookie Jaylen Wells, the 39th pick).

Phoenix Suns

The Suns wanted to make a major trade and improve the roster so they could rise in the standings and attempt a deep run in the playoffs with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. They ran into snags. Either Bradley Beal wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause or if he was willing to do that, teams were hesitant to take on the remaining two years and $110.7 million on Beal’s contract. They ended up trading Jusuf Nurkic and another one of their first-round picks to Charlotte for Cody Martin, Vasilije Micic and a second-round pick. Don’t be surprised if Durant gets restless and wants out of Phoenix.

New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans didn’t really do anything wrong at the deadline by trading Brandon Ingram and Daniel Theis. Their objective was to avoid the luxury tax, and they did that with the Theis trade. The franchise decided it wasn’t time to spend big money on a new contract for Ingram. Reasonable decisions. However, the Pelicans haven’t been able to maximize Zion Williamson due to injuries, and injuries prevented New Orleans from seeing what it can do with Williamson, Ingram and Dejounte Murray. They didn’t share the court for one second this season.

Khris Middleton

This has nothing to do with Middleton the player or person. However, he’s the opposite of De’Andre Hunter. Middleton went from a team with championship potential (Milwaukee Bucks) to the worst team in the NBA (Washington Wizards).

Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.