Jason Arnott Traded to Capitals

By Justin Worsley,

The New Jersey Devils and the Washington Capitals have swapped centers in a last-minute trade.

Washington will receive Jason Arnott in exchange for David Steckel and a 2012 second round draft pick.

Arnott is famous amongst Devils fan for scoring the game-winning goal in the second overtime of Game Six of the 200 Stanley Cup, which clinched the series for the team. The Devils re-acquired the 36-year-old last summer from the Nashville Predators.

Arnott has scored 24 points in 62 games this season. For his career, Arnott 396 goals and 501 assists in 1161 career games.

Steckel, 28, has only 11 points this season, but is more known for his tenacity and for being a hard hitter.

New Jersey is nine points away from being the eighth seed in the playoffs with 15 games left in the season.

Golden State Buys Out Murphy's Contract

By Justin Worsley,

Troy Murphy will now be looking for his fourth home in 12 months.

The Golden State Warriors have agreed to buy out the remainder of Murphy's contract according to ESPN. The Warriors acquired the 30-year-old power forward from the New Jersey Nets last week in a three-team trade involving Utah.

New Jersey traded for Murphy last summer, however, they have used him as a trading piece in a effort to bring in Carmelo Anthony. When that failed, they quickly shipped him to Golden State and received Deron Williams from the Jazz.

Several teams have expressed interest in Murphy, including the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat. The Portland Trailblazers have also expressed interested, however, it is believed Murphy is choosing between the two Eastern Conference powers.

Boston is looking to add size to their roster after trading center Kendrick Perkins. The other centers on their roster include Shaquille and Jermaine O'Neal, both of whom are injured, and Nenad Krstic. The Celtics have three open spaces on their roster.

Miami is looking to add size and depth to their team. In last week's loss to the Bulls, Miami was outrebounded 53-39 and their bench only scored two points. Miami has a full roster and would need to release a player to make room for Murphy.

Murphy has only played in 18 games this year, all with the Nets, and has not played since Jan. 7. He is averaging 3.6 points and 4.2 rebounds while playing off the bench. As a starter for the Pacers last year, Murphy averaged 14.6 points and 10.2 boards per game.

Murphy began his career with the Warriors and played with them between 2001-07.

Penguins Trade for Kovalev

By Justin Worsley,

The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired Ottawa Senators winger Alexei Kovalev for a conditional draft pick.

The pick is initially good for a seventh-round pick in the upcoming draft, however, if the Penguins advance to the second round of the playoffs and Kovalev is active in at least half of the first round games.

Kovalev, waived his no-trade clause to complete the deal. The 38-year-old has 27 points this season and is in the final year of his contract.

Pittsburgh has been furiously trying to trade for almost any healthy body. The Penguins are missing 12 major contributors, including Evgeni Malkin, who is out for the season with a torn MCL and ACL, and Sidney Crosby, who has not played since Jan. 5 due to a concussion.

This will be Kovalev's second stint with the Penguins. He first played in Pittsburgh between 1998-2003 before they traded him back to the Rangers, whom he won a Stanley Cup with in 1994.

In his career, Kovalev has 426 goals and 591 assists in 1,282 career games.

Luol Deng Sinks Three-Pointer to Lift Bulls over Heat

By Justin Worsley,

Luol Deng sank a three-pointer with 16 seconds left to break an 89-89 tie as the Chicago Bulls beat the Miami Heat.

Miami had a big game out of both LeBron James (29 points, 10 rebounds) and Dwyane Wade (34 points, eight rebounds,) however, their third big man stuggled. Chris Bosh ended a four-game 20-point streak after going 1-for-18 from the field and only managing to score seven points.

The Heat bounced back from an early 7-2 deficit by going on a 13-2 run which began with back-to-back dunks by James. Miami continued to pressure Chicago, relying on fast break points and perimeter shooting to pad their lead. Miami led by as much as 11 until the Bulls rallied back in the third quarter, going on a 15-2 run with Deng scoring eight points. During the run, Wade was given a technical foul for arguing with an official.

Ronnie Brewer made a jumper to put the Bulls up 80-71, their largest lead of the night, until the Heat rallied back. Wade and James combined for the first 24 points by the Heat to start the second half until Bosh made a pair of free throws halfway through the fourth quarter.

With the entire Bulls defense focused on Wade, the shooting guard found a wide open Mario Chalmers, who calmly made a three-pointer to put the Heat back up 82-80.

Chicago responded with a three-pointer of their own when Kyle Korver made one from beyond the arc to begin a 9-0 run which put the Bulls back in the lead until James drew a foul on Derrick Rose after making an eight-foot jumper. James made the free throw to tie the game.

Rose dished the ball to Deng, who was left alone outside the arc to sink the Heat.

Chicago was able to keep the game close due to their control of the glass. The Bulls out-rebounded Miami 53-39 and their bench outscored Miami's 22-2. Wade and James combined for 63 points.

The win clinches the best of three series for Chicago, who also bested Miami 99-96 on Jan. 15.

Oklahoma City Acquires Kendrick Perkins

By Justin Worsley,

The Boston Celtics shipped one of their big men, and their smallest man, to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a four-player deal.

Oklahoma City will receive center Kendrick Perkins and 5-foot-9 guard Nate Robinson. Boston will receive forward Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic in return.

Green was originally drafted by Boston in 2007, however, the Celtics immediately traded away his rights to the Seattle SuperSonics in exchange for Ray Allen. Seattle moved to Oklahoma City following Green's rookie season.

Despite being one of the shortest players in the NBA, Robinson has developed a reputation for being able to dunk. He is the only three-time NBA Slam Dunk Champion.

Perkins returned to Boston last month after missing the first half of the season with a torn MCL and PCL which he suffered in Game Six of the 2010 NBA Finals. The Celtics quickly brought in replacements during the offseason, signing both Shaquille and Jermaine O'Neal, however, both have been unable to stay healthy during the season.

Krstic, 27, is expected to start at center for now. For the season, Krstic is averaging 7.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game while coming off the bench.

Green, 24, will come off the bench while playing behind team captain Paul Pierce. As a starter in Oklahoma City, Green averaged 15.2 points per game.

In 12 games, Perkins is averaging 7.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Boston has gone 8-4 with Perkins in the lineup.

The deal is one of three that Boston completed before the trade deadline. Marquis Daniels and rookies Luke Harangody and Semih Erden were also dealt today.

Clippers Ship Baron Davis to Cleveland

By Justin Worsley,

With the trade deadline just hours away, the Los Angeles Clippers have traded point guard Baron Davis to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Mo Williams and Jamario Moon.

Cleveland will also receive the Clippers 2011 first-round draft pick.

Davis, 31, joined the Clippers in 2008 much due to the fact that he longed to be closer to home. Davis was a star at UCLA and the Crossroads School in Santa Monica.

For the season, Davis is averaging 12.8 points and 7.0 assists.

The Cavaliers are struggling so far in the post-LeBron era. They snapped a 26-game losing streak earlier this month when they defeated the Clippers in overtime and are 10-47 for the season.

Wlliams, also a point guard, has posted nearly identical stats as Davis, with 13.3 points and 7.1 assists, but he is also only 28 and comes at a much cheaper price. Williams was also named to the All-Star team in 2009.

Deron Williams Traded to Nets

By Justin Worsley,

During the summer, the Miami Heat beat them in pursuit of LeBron James. Two days ago, the Knicks beat them to acquire Carmelo Anthony. Today the New Jersey Nets finally land a star.

The Nets have acquired All-Star point guard Deron Williams from the Utah Jazz in exchange for a disgruntled Devin Harris and rookie Derrick Favors.

Golden State will also be involved in the trade. The Nets will ship Troy Murphy to the Warriors in exchange for Dan Gadzuric and Brandan Wright.

The Jazz will receive $3 million and two first-round draft picks from the Nets as well.

Williams fell out of favor in Utah after the sudden resignation of head coach Jerry Sloan. Many felt Williams was at fault due to the fact that the player and coach were in an altercation the night before. Williams has denied those comments.

"Anybody who thinks I can force coach Sloan to resign is crazy," said Williams on Feb. 10 after Sloan's retirement.

Williams, 26, has averaged 21.3 points and 9.7 rebounds this season, both career highs. His contract expires in the summer of 2012, however, he will be able to sign an extension in July after the 2011 season ends.

Harris and Favors have both been on the trading block all season as the Nets have attempted to acquire Anthony. There was reportedly an offer on Wednesday morning for the Harris to return to his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, in exchange for Caron Butler, but the Nets declined the trade.

The trade is pending a physical and could be completed as early as Wednesday night. Williams could report for the team as early as Friday, when the Nets travel to San Antonio.

Wainwright May Need Tommy John Surgery

By Justin Worsley,

The St. Louis Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright may require Tommy John surgery, according to ESPN.

Wainwright, 29, has left the Cardinals spring training facility in Florida to return to St. Louis in order to have his elbow examined.

The righty went 20-11 last season with a 2.42 ERA and 213 strikeouts. He was named to his first All-Star appearance last year as well.

While Wainwright has been relatively healthy in his career, he has had a history of elbow problems. He missed the final start of last season due to elbow soreness and had several elbow problems in 2004.

The recovery time from Tommy John surgery for a pitcher is between 12-18 months, which means if the surgery is required, Wainwright will miss the 2011 season.

Wainwright has finished in second place for the Cy Young award in both 2009 and 2010.

Knicks Acquire Carmelo Anthony

By Justin Worsley,

After months of rumors, speculations and battling their cross-river rivals, the New York Knicks have finally acquired their second super star.

The Denver Nuggets have agreed to trade small forward Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks for guard Raymond Felton, center Timofey Mosgov, and forwards Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler as well as the Knick's first-round pick in 2014 and two second round draft picks.

The Knicks will also receive guard Chauncey Billups and Anthony Carter and forwards Renaldo Balkman and Sheldon Williams.

Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Corey Brewer will also join the Knicks in exchange for center Eddie Curry and Anthony Randolph.

Anthony is a four-time NBA All-Star who is averaging 25.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. He is the second All-Star to join the Knicks, Amar'e Stoudemire signed with New York this offseason and has helped lead the Knicks to a 28-26 record.

One thing that will be different for Anthony is his jersey number. Anthony has worn no. 15 since winning a national title with Syracuse, however, the Knicks have retired that number, twice, in honor of Earl Monroe and Dick McGuire. While no definite answer can be confirmed, rumors have has Anthony wearing either no. 13 or 30.

The Knicks were initially not going to offer as much as they did, however, they were forced to up the ante once the New Jersey Nets re-entered trade talks with a deal centered around rookie Derrick Favors. The deal stalled, however, when Anthony was mum on agreeing to a three-year extension with the Nets.

Anthony was expected to be a free agent this season, however, he has accepted a three-year $65 million extension in order to be traded.

New York has long been the favorite for a new home for Anthony. The 26-year-old is a Brooklyn native and has openly said he would sign an extension if he was traded to the Knicks.

Kings Looking at Relocation

By Justin Worsley,

Sources have told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that the Sacramento Kings are seriously considering moving the franchise south to Anaheim.

If they franchise does intend to move, they will need to apply for a relocation with the league by the March 1 deadline.

The Kings moved to Sacramento in 1985, moving away from Kansas City. The franchise has also called Rochester and Omaha their home.

The King's are the only professional sports franchise located in Sacramento. It is also a more populated area than Anaheim. Anaheim has two other professional sports franchises residing in the city, the NHL's Ducks and baseball's Angels.

One reason the team may be looking at relocation is due to the fact that they are unable to fill their seats. The Kings rank 29th in the NBA in attendance, only the New Jersey Nets rank lower. The Nets will be relocating to Brooklyn in 2012.

Sacramento has also failed to secure a new stadium for the Kings. If the team was to relocate, they would play in the Honda Center, where the Ducks also play.

Sacramento is currently 13-40 and is on pace to miss their fifth consecutive postseason.

Blues, Avalanche Complete Blockbuster Trade

By Justin Worsley,

The Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues have completed a trade involving four players and two draft picks on Saturday morning centered around Erik Johnson.

Johnson, 22, as the first-overall pick in the NHL Draft in 2006. He will go to Colorado along with forward Jay McClement. The Avalanche will also receive a first-round draft pick.

St. Louis will receive winger Chris Stewart, defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk and a second-round draft pick.

Of the four players, only McClement, 27, is older than 23 and all four players were former first-round draft choices.

Johnson has scored 19 points in 55 games this season and is a blue line defender.

McClement had a career-high 28 assists in the 2006-07 season, but has declinced in production since. This season, McClement has six goals and 10 assists.

Stewart started the season off on a tear, scoring 16 points in the first month of the season before being sideline in November after breaking his hand in a fight against Minnesota Wild center Kyle Brodziak. Since his return, he has scored only two goals in three assists in 13 games.

Shattenkirk has seven goals and 19 assists in his rookie campaign.

This is the second trade in as many days for St. Louis. On Friday, the Blue traded captain Eric Brewer to Tampa Bay.

Colts Release Sanders

By Justin Worsley,

When he was on the field, he was a force of defense, especially when defending the run.

The problem, however, is he was rarely on the field.

The Indianapolis Colts have released safety Bob Sanders on Friday. Sanders played in the season opener last year, but missed the rest of the year after suffering a torn biceps tendon.

In his seven-year career, Sanders has never played a full NFL season and has missed 64 games due to injury.

Sanders, 29, was a key component of the Colts defense in the 2007 postseason. After missing all but four games during the regular season, Sanders showed up healthy in time for the playoffs and helped lead the Colts to a Super Bowl victory.

The following season, Sanders was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year after posting 96 tackles, 3 1/2 sacks and two interceptions in 15 games.

After winning the award, Sanders quickly inked a five-year, $37.5 million contract, but only played in a combined nine games in the next three seasons.

Indianapolis could use the cap room created by releasing Sanders on Peyton Manning, whom the Colts want to make the NFL's highest paid player in league history.

Raiders Make Seymour Highest Paid Defenseman

By Justin Worsley,

The Oakland Raiders and defensive end Richard Seymour have agreed to a two-year extension.

The value of the contract will not be reported until Seymour, 31, signs it, however, sources have told ESPN.com that it will make Seymour the highest paid defensive player in the league. Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers held that title last season after signing with the Bears in free agency.

Seymour was acquired by Oakland in 2009 in a trade with the New England Patriots. In exchange, the Patriots received Oakland's first round pick in the upcoming draft (17th overall.)

When Oakland initially acquired Seymour, he refused to report to the team, claiming the trade "blindsided" him. He did eventually report to the team and has started every game since then.

The Raiders used their franchise tag on Seymour last year, which was worth $12.4 million.

Last season, Seymour was named to his sixth Pro Bowl after posting 48 tackles and 5.5 sacks. He has also been named to the All-Pro team three times in his career.

Forsberg Ends Comeback After Two Games

By Justin Worsley,

Colorado Avalanche center Peter Forsberg has decided to retire after attempting a comeback to the league that lasted only two games.

Forsberg, 37, returned to the NHL after a three-year hiatus in order to attempt a comeback with the Avalanche, with whom he won two Stanley Cups.

Forsberg, a Swedish native, began training with the Avalanche on January 21. Two weeks later, he signed a contract for the remained of the season with Colorado and made his season debut against Columbus last Friday.

In two games, Forsberg failed to score and posted a minus-four rating. Neither game was at home.

In his career, Forsberg has scored 249 goals and 636 assists in 708 games.

Sloan Resigns as Jazz Head Coach

By Justin Worsley,

Less than a month after the longest tenured coach in the NFL parted ways with his team, the senior NBA coach has followed in his footsteps.

Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan announced his resignation from the team on Thursday, ending a 23-year reign as the franchise's head coach.

Sloan, 68, began his coaching career with the Chicago Bulls in 1979, but was fired after a slow start in 1982.

A year later, Sloan joined Utah as a scout and in 1988, was named successor after Frank Layden retired.

Utah has made 16 consecutive postseason appearances under Sloan, including back-to-back NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998, where his team fell to the Michael Jordan-led Bulls.

The Jazz have been eliminated in the last three postseasons by the Los Angeles Lakers, who have won the 2009 and 2010 NBA Finals.

Sloan has a career record of 1,221-803, the third most wins by a head coach in NBA history. His resignation comes just three days after he revealed that he signed a one-year extension with the organization for the 2011-12 season.

Assistant coach Tyrone Corbin has been named as Sloan's replacement.

Elbow Costs Volchenkov Three Games

By Justin Worsley,

New Jersey Devils defenseman Anton Volchenkov has been suspended three games by the NHL after the 28-year-old hit Carolina Hurricanes forward Zach Boychuk in the head with his elbow.

Volchenkov was given a three-minute minor penalty after the hit, one of three penalties he drew in the game. New Jersey went on to win the Tuesday night game, 3-2 in overtime.

For the season, Volchenkov has no goals and four assists.

Boychuk was uninjured on the play and is expected to skate this week.

Titans Hire Munchak as Head Coach

By Justin Worsley,

Twenty years ago, Mike Munchak was terrorizing defensive lineman during his Hall of Fame career as a guard for the Houston Oilers and was a personal favorite player of owner Bud Adams.

Today, Munchak is still a favorite of Adams, but this time it isn't for what he has done on the field.

Adams announced on Monday that Munchak has been promoted from offensive line coach to replace Jeff Fisher as head coach. Munchak will be the first person in franchise history to not only play for the Oilers, but also be their head coach. The Oilers moved from Houston to Tennessee in 1997 and were renamed the Titans.

Munchak was the first candidate interviewed by Adams. Tennessee also had interviews with offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger as well as Atlanta offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey and New York Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell. New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who was also a defensive coordinator for Tennessee between 2001-03, declined to interview.

In 2001, Munchak was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Munchak teamed up with tackle Bruce Matthews as one of the best offensive line combinations in league history, blocking for fellow Hall of Famer Earl Campbell and protecting Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon.

Two weeks ago, Tennessee parted ways with Fisher, the longest tenured coach in the league and the only head coach of the team since relocating to Tennessee, after a 6-10 season.

Munchak has worked with the Titans since his retirement in 1993.

Rangers 3B Young Requests Trade

By Justin Worsley,

Sources have told ESPNDallas.com that Texas Rangers third baseman Michael Young has requested to be traded.

Young, 34, has spent his entire 11-year career with the Rangers, however, Texas signed Adrian Beltre this offseason and announced that they would make Young a full-time designated hitter.

Now Young's designated hitting duties may be in jeopardy. Texas acquired Mike Napoli from the Toronto Blue Jays last month.

Last season, Young batted .284 with 21 home runs and 91 RBIs for the American League champion Rangers. He fell flat in the World Series, however, hitting only .200 and failed to bring in a run.

Two teams have emerged as potential suitors, the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The more likely destination for Young, however, is Colorado since they are not in the same division as Texas.

Young may also not be traded at all. If the Rangers do decide to entertain trade offers, they would only trade Young if it benefits the team.

Turnovers Costly as Packers Upend Steelers 31-25

By Justin Worsley,

Aaron Rodgers tossed three touchdowns and the Green Bay Packers converted three Pittsburgh Steelers turnovers for touchdowns as Green Bay won their fourth Super Bowl title in franchise history 31-25.

Rodgers was named the Super Bowl MVP, the fourth quarterback to win the award in the last five years, after completing 24 of 39 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns.

The Packers never trailed in the game and took the lead in the first quarter when Rodgers threw to an extended Jordy Nelson for a 29 yard touchdown.

On the next play from scrimmage, Steelers quarterback was hit by Howard Green as he threw, causing a pass intended for Mike Wallace to be underthrown and into the arms of Nick Collins, who returned the pass 37 yards for a touchdown.

Roethlisberger threw another interception in the second quarter when Wallace had the ball swiped from him by Jarrett Bush. The pick help set up a 21 yard touchdown pass by Rodgers to Greg Jennings.

The Steelers, however, would not go down easily. Pittsburgh responded on the next drive with an eight touchdown pass from Roethlisberger to Hines Ward, the third time on that drive that those two connected.

Rashard Mendenhall ran off the right tackle for an eight yard touchdown on Pittsburgh's opening drive in the third quarter to cut the Steelers deficit to 21-17.

Mendenhall, however, opened up the fourth quarter with another Pittsburgh turnover when linebacker Clay matthews hit Mendenhall in the arm, causing him to fumble. Mendenhall had lost only two fumbles all year.

Rodgers used a passing attack to spread the Steelers secondary and drive 55 yards on the next drive, ending with Rodgers hooking up yet again with Jennings.

Pittsburgh pulled the game within three when Roethlisberger hit a wide open Wallace for a 25-yard touchdown. Antwaan Randle El took a pitch from Roethlisberger into the end zone for a two-point conversion.

The Steelers found themselves with one last shot after the Packers kicked a field goal to go up by six points with 2:07 left in the game. It was a comfortable feeling for Steelers fans though, as Roethlisberger has 24 career fourth quarter and overtime comebacks, including five this season. Unlike his past success, Roethlisberger failed to complete three consecutive passes, including one to Wallace on fourth down.

Rodgers, 27, helped pull himself out of the shadow of Brett Favre and now has an accolade Favre was never able to obtain, the Super Bowl MVP award. Favre was also 27 when he won his only Super Bowl title.

Nelson also had a game-high nine receptions for 140 yards. Defensive Player of the Year winner Troy Polamalu was held to only three tackles.