The NFL can't even let the NBA have trade season to itself

This is For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. Have feedback? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey! Now, here’s Mike Sykes.

Good morning, Winners! Welcome back to the Morning Win. Thanks for joining us today.

We all know this week is all about the Super Bowl. It’s the biggest American sporting event of the year. Once Sunday gets here, everything else is paused. We all know how it goes.

FLY EAGLES, FLY: Three shrewd moves that got the Eagles to the Super Bowl.

But, every year, the NBA always takes a little bit of our attention with the trade deadline. It’s just a second! It’s not a long time. But it’s definitely a good one. We’ve already got a couple of blockbuster deals from the league with plenty more to come (looking at you, Jimmy Butler).

But y’all know how the NFL is. That league can’t let anybody have anything.

It tried to steal Christmas. It already had Thanksgiving. Now, it’s coming for the trade deadline — although, it’s not really on purpose.

We got huge NFL trade news on Monday. Myles Garrett demanded a trade from the Browns (FINALLY) and then the Rams decided to hit Cooper Kupp with the “It’s not you. It’s me. But, also, it’s kind of you” text. Two NFL superstars are now officially on the market.

Puka Nacua said he thought it was just the NBA’s trade season. I concur. These rumors are kind of coming out of nowhere for the NFL. Things don’t usually happen this way — at least not yet. And I’m sure the league likely isn’t happy things are shaking out this way, considering that this week is only supposed to be about the Super Bowl.

But, honestly, it’s probably better for the Rams and the Browns that this is how everything is playing out. It gives them more time to work with to field calls and bring in the best package possible for their stars.

But, man. NFL. Stop sucking up all the air in the room. Please and thanks.

The Luka trade still has everyone shook

The Luka Doncic trade was obviously surprising to all of the fans out there. But what’s furrowed my brow a bit has been the reaction from the players around the league.

The players seem to be so shocked by the move because, well, it’s a shocking move. Things like this just don’t happen across sports.

The takeaway from this is simple: If Luka can be traded, anyone can be traded. Anthony Edwards captured this perfectly with his comments here:

Ant sends a message to the Timberwolves

"I'm scared… Tim, if you're gonna trade me let me know dawg"

(h/t @ohnohedidnt24 ) pic.twitter.com/RGEYpG65Ot

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 4, 2025

“I’m scared. I’m scared. Tim [Connelly] if you’re going to trade me, let me know dog. When Luka got traded, anybody is able to get traded at that point.”

Edwards is joking there … kind of. But there’s truth in his jest! If Luka Doncic — a five-time All-NBA player and a guy who just led a team to an NBA Finals — can be moved, then there’s not really any player who should be considered untouchable in the NBA.

It’s worth noting how rare this is. This never happens. We’ll probably never see anything like it again.

But this has definitely sent a ripple through the NBA’s star class. It’ll be interesting to see how this impacts players moving forward.

A’ja Wilson’s first signature shoe is here

We’ve been waiting months — actually, years — for A’ja Wilson and Nike to finally launch a signature shoe together.

Word came last May that one was actually on the way. Now, we’re finally getting a first glance at it. It looks dope!

This is the first look at the Nike A’One, set to drop in May this spring.

The moment everyone has been waiting for is here! The first look at the Nike A’One — A’ja Wilson’s first signature shoe.

These are officially set to drop in May.

What do we think?

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— Sykes (@mikedsykes.bsky.social) February 4, 2025 at 9:01 AM

Can’t wait to see these on the court soon.

Quick hits: Roger Goodell defends the refs … The Fantastic Four are here … and more

— Here’s Andrew Joseph with more on Roger Goodell’s defense of the officials when it comes to favorable calls for the Chiefs.

—The new Fantastic Four trailer dropped! Charles Curtis has more on our first look at Galactus.

— Here’s Mitchell Northam on Aziaha James demanding our attention with here incredible performance.

— Saquon Barkley is trolling the Giants … again.

— Here’s Mary Clarke with Cooper Kupp’s message to Rams fans after learning the team put him on the trade block.

— Cory Woodroof thinks the Commanders should do everything they can to get Myles Garrett.

That’s a wrap, folks! Thanks so much for rocking with us today. We appreciate you. Have a fantastic Tuesday. Peace.

-Sykes