It’s been less than 24 hours since the NFL conference championship games were completed and the Super Bowl LX participants decided, but already the big bets are flowing in. The Seattle Seahawks are currently 4.5-point favorites over the New England Patriots at BetMGM.
The Super Bowl is the biggest betting event in the U.S. annually, and with two notable teams and plenty of storylines, oddsmakers are certainly thankful it was the Patriots that made it through and not the Denver Broncos with a backup QB in Jarrett Stidham.
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One bettor has waited long enough and already placed the first seven-figure wager on the game.
Circa Sports reported on Monday that a bettor wagered $1.1 million on the Patriots money line in Super Bowl LX at +188 odds. If New England wins the game, the bettor will win just under $2.1 million. It’s the first seven-figure wager on the game, and very likely won’t be the last.
Patriots QB Drake Maye has been sacked five times in each of his three postseason games this year New England’s offense has tallied just 54 total points, but the Patriots have advanced to the Super Bowl. The offense has been helped by a tenacious New England defense that has held opponents to under 3.5 yards per play in the playoffs and surrendered 26 total points.
The largest reported futures wager still alive for New England is a $50,000 wager on the Patriots to win Super Bowl LX at 35-1 odds at DraftKings, which would pay out $1.8 million.
This weekend, we get a rematch of Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes to headline the card. Volkanovski won the previous fight back in April 2025 by unanimous decision.
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Here are my best bets for UFC 325, which takes place this weekend at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia.
Alexander Volkanovski (-150) vs. Diego Lopes (+125)
Fightnomics
In their prior title-fight matchup, Lopes scored a second-round knockdown against Volkanovski, only to see the champ get stronger over the remaining rounds. The final fight totals show Volkanovski pushing a high-pressure offense, throwing far more volume and with much better accuracy of strikes than Lopes. He also added 11 takedown attempts, though only landed one. Still, that forward attack nullified any size advantage Lopes might have had. Basically, Volkanovski delivered his usual strategy that plays to his strengths.
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We’re left with Volkanovski being the busier and more accurate striker, while also having tighter defense. He’s also more likely to mix in takedowns, which could sway rounds should he actually land them this time. Offense wins fights, but defense wins championships. The glaring stat is the head strike defense of Lopes, which is an abysmal 55%. That is not championship caliber.
Eventually Volkanovski’s age and cumulative damage will become more of a concern, but given that these two are not far removed from their last fight, there’s no reason to doubt the number just yet. The price is affordable, and I still like Volkanovski to get it done by decision or in the later rounds depending on how aggressive Lopes gets knowing he might not get another shot at this.
Bet: Volkanovski to win (-150)
Benoît Saint Denis (-350) vs. Dan Hooker (+275)
Fighnomics
A striker-versus-grappler matchup all the way, and I almost always favor the grappler.
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Though Hooker owns more knockdowns scored than any fighter on the card, his per-strike knockdown rate is actually lower than that of Saint Denis. So on the feet, it’s not as much of a disadvantage, with similar striking stats for each.
But on the ground is a different story, and BSD wastes no time trying to get fights down to the mat. He’s faced elite strikers before, and survived into the second round in his losses. Maybe those were learning opportunities to get even more aggressive getting to the mat, or perhaps tightening up his striking. Also, while Hooker has more of the striking pedigree, he has only one striking finish win since 2020.
Arguably his best days are behind him now aged 35, but BSD would still be wise to change levels before testing his chin too much.
Bet: Numbers lean Benoit Saint Denis even at the high price. I also think it takes Over 1.5 rounds, however it goes down, which might improve the price.
Mauricio Ruffy (-125) vs. Rafael Fiziev (+105)
Fightnomics
This was the only upset potential I saw in the three available matchups among veterans, and apparently the market agreed with me enough to flip the line.
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This is likely going to play out entirely on the feet, as both these guys attempt very few takedowns. They’ve spent minimal cage time on the ground because they also both have strong takedown defense.
In addition to a size and range advantage, Ruffy is more accurate at range, with a balanced and precise attack. Perhaps more importantly, his defense is excellent compared to the below-average defense of Fiziev. That suggests Fiziev in an uphill battle to close range while eating lots of damage along the way.
While Fiziev has the more diverse kicking game and tends to swing for the fences with few jabs, he has only two knockdowns scored in a fairly large sample size. Ruffy has yet to prove himself against comparable opponents, and his own sample size leaves more room for risk, but I still like his performance stats enough to support the lean here.
Bet: Even after odds flipped, there’s still a lean on Ruffy
Kevin Durant didn’t sugarcoat it. After the Rockets held Victor Wembanyama to a rough 5-for-21 shooting night last week — including 3 for 18 on jumpers — KD offered some veteran wisdom disguised as postgame analysis.
“He’s still working on his jump shot. We made him shoot over us,” Durant said. “He’s more dangerous when he gets layups and dunks. That’s more his game than floating around the perimeter shooting 3s and jump shots. When they go in, it looks amazing. But when you put a hand up, he had a couple bad misses.”
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Translation? Pull up all you want, big fella. We like our chances.
Wembanyama is already one of the best players in the world at age 22, and he’s not yet in his prime. But does KD have a point?
(Henry Russell/Yahoo Sports Illustration)
Wemby’s jumper a work in progress
Wemby is shooting a career-best 39.5% on midrange dribble-jumpers, but that ranks only 22nd of the 25 players to take at least 100 of them so far this season. It’s better than the 33.3% he posted last season and miles ahead of his rookie campaign’s 26.8%. But it’s not efficient yet.
Then you look at his 3-point shooting off the dribble, and the trend reverses: 25% this year, down from 32.8% last season and 37.7% as a rookie.
Combine all his pull-up attempts from both midrange and from 3, and he’s shooting 34.5%, only a tick better than the 33% he posted in both prior seasons. This season, Wemby ranks 41st of the 46 players to take at least 150 of those shots. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is first (48.2%) and Durant is decimal points behind at 47.8%.
Wemby just turned 22. He’s the same age as a college senior. He can’t rent a car without paying extra. He’s not a finished product. The pull-up numbers have plateaued, sure. But he is much more fluid getting into his shots. Three years ago he looked like a baby deer learning to dribble. Now he’s crossing guys over while also turning the ball over less than he ever has. And he’s generating more of his own shots as a result: dribble-jumpers make up 31% of his total shots, up from the 25% in his first two seasons. That number was only 18% during his final year with the Metropolitans 92 before being drafted first overall in 2023.
By the time Wemby is in his prime, maybe all these reps as a shot creator will pay off. After all, he does have touch. Wembanyama has made 81.6% of his free throws in his career, and his catch-and-shoot 3-point success has risen each season. This year, he’s making a blistering 44.7% of those 3s — up from 37% last year and 29% as a rookie. That’s excellent progress, and adds to the belief that someday it’ll translate off the dribble.
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The problem today? Wemby is taking only 3.2 of those 3s off the catch this season — slightly less than half of what he attempted last year. No matter how good you are, you still gotta take the easy ones. That’s true behind the arc. It’s true at the rim too.
Is Wemby ‘floating around the perimeter’ too much?
When Wembanyama gets to the restricted area, he’s automatic. He makes 76% of unassisted at-rim shots, which includes self-created drives from the perimeter, post-ups, isolations, or when he handles in transition. And he makes 87% of at-rim shots when the ball is passed to him, which includes lobs, cuts, rolls and other assist opportunities. Both are elite numbers. Combined, he’s the best in the league: Among 102 players with at least 100 total attempts in the restricted area this season, he leads the whole NBA at 82%. Even better than Giannis Antetokounmpo.
But Wemby takes only 3.5 shots per game in the restricted area, which ranks 51st of the same group of 102 players. Norm Powell takes more (3.7). Marvin Bagley takes more (3.9). Lauri Markkanen — a stretch big who lives beyond the arc — takes 5.1 per game. Giannis leads with 8.1 per game. Should that number be higher for Wemby?
Well, when Giannis was 22 he was taking only 5.5 restricted area shots per game and he didn’t have the jumper that Wemby does. It wasn’t until Antetokounmpo’s first MVP season in 2018-19, at age 24 and entering his physical prime, that he exceeded eight at-rim shots per game. Wemby is still young, adding strength, and already has more layers to his offense than Giannis has ever had.
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When I interviewed Wembanyama following his rookie season, I asked who the players were that he studied most while growing up. KD and Giannis were fittingly the two players mentioned. Turns out, he’s statistically already in the same stratosphere as The Greek Freak at the rim. And the French Freak is putting defenders on posters too. But does Wemby need Durant to sit him down and show him the perimeter math?
Not exactly. Because here’s the thing: Wemby is a shape-shifter. His shot distribution swings wildly depending on who’s next to him. The pattern is clean: When Wemby shares the floor with a backcourt of Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper — San Antonio’s two young guards — he takes 34.1% of his shots at the rim. With just Castle? 28.5%. Just Harper? 22.7%. Now add De’Aaron Fox. Fox and Castle together: 18.0%. Fox and Harper: 15.8%. Fox alone: 15.6%.
Wemby’s at-rim rate literally cuts in half when Fox is on the floor. Instead, Wemby takes a lot of 3s. Two-thirds of his catch-and-shoot 3s have come when he shares the floor with Fox. Wemby will often stand out on the perimeter to make space for Fox to do what he does best as an All-Star guard with a downhill style. Meanwhile, Castle and Harper get out of Wembanyama’s way by spacing behind the 3-point line, or they look for him on his rolls to the rim with more regularity.
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Wemby’s distribution of dribble jumpers and all self-created chances is constant, regardless of the lineup combo. What changes is how he serves as a finisher. So Durant isn’t necessarily wrong about Wemby’s affinity for creating his own jumpers. But the data suggests his at-rim frequency is less about Wemby’s choice and more the Fox Effect.
And the team is no worse for it. No matter the combination of guards, Wemby’s shooting efficiency stays nearly equivalent and every group dominates offensively.
At least in the regular season. Fox doesn’t feel like he’s stepping on Wemby’s toes now. But will that change come playoff time? Castle and Harper have some of the worst “gravity” numbers in the league — a new metric released by the NBA that measures how much defensive attention a player commands. Defenses don’t respect their ability to score, and why would they? They’re young and inefficient. But in a January game, who cares? Nobody’s game-planning that hard yet. The question is what happens in April or May when Oklahoma City or Denver or even Houston have three days to prep. At that time, will the lack of knockdown shooting around Wembanyama become an issue?
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Wemby, because he’s a genius and an athletic freak and apparently incapable of being bad at anything, will probably find a way. It’s on the Spurs to optimize the groups around him as he continues to “float around” outside and work on his shooting off the bounce.
If Wembanyama becomes anywhere near as dominant in the creation category as he is in every other, Durant’s game plan won’t work anymore. Because right now, Wemby is in his third year and already a game-wrecker on defense who, on offense, leads the league in rim efficiency at 82%, shoots 45% on catch-and-shoot 3s, and contorts his entire offensive game to fit whoever’s standing next to him.
All while “still working on his jump shot.” What happens when he figures it out?
The Milwaukee Bucks have reportedly begun listening to offers on two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
According to Charania, multiple teams that have called the Bucks inquiring about an Antetokounmpo trade believe Milwaukee is “more open than ever” to moving the 10-time All-Star. Despite the level of interest, the Bucks are not in a hurry to move on from their franchise face if what they seek in return in such a deal is not met.
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What the Bucks are looking to get back for the 31-year-old Antetokounmpo is a number of draft picks and/or a highly rated young player. Should Milwaukee take this sweepstakes beyond the Feb. 5 trade deadline, they will have a better idea of available picks from potential suitors ahead of June’s NBA draft.
The Bucks are currently 12th in the Eastern Conference with an 18-27 record. They’ve lost six of their past seven games and, according to Jake Fischer, the team’s decline has reached “a point of no return” for Antetokounmpo with those around the organization noting “the writing is on the wall” and are resigned to a trade happening at some point.
“There will never be a chance, and there will never be a moment, that I will come out and say ‘I want a trade,’” Antetokounmpo said. “That’s not … in … my … nature. OK?”
Antetokounmpo can opt out of his current contract in 2027 and he will be eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million extension in October.
The “Greek Freak” was drafted 15th overall by the Bucks in 2013 and quickly became one of the league’s biggest stars. Over Antetokounmpo’s 13 NBA season, he’s averaging 24 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5 assists per game. Along with his two MVP awards and 10 All-Star Game appearances, he’s also a seven-time All-NBA first team member, the 2020 Defensive Player of the Year, and helped deliver an NBA title to Milwaukee in 2021 while being named Finals MVP.
2025 season record: 5-12, (o 4.5 wins), fourth in AFC North, missed playoffs, 31st in DVOA
Overview
This Browns’ season was never going to be about success in 2025. From roster moves to trades in the draft, Cleveland’s focus was on what comes next. Along the way, the Browns started two rookie quarterbacks who each played like the worst starter in the league and finished last in just about every offensive category. In some of those, last feels generous. The defense, though, was top five in DVOA, and Myles Garrett set the single-season sack record with his 23rd sack in the season finale.
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Cleveland seemingly hit on many of the non-quarterback 2025 draft picks — tight end Harold Fannin Jr. and linebacker Carson Schwesinger (Defensive Rookie of the Year) — while the Browns picked up a ton of future draft capital, entering the 2026 draft with two first-round picks.
Cleveland has -$9 million in salary cap space, according to Over The Cap, which ranks 21st in the league. There is not likely to be a Deshaun Watson resolution this offseason. A post-June 1 cut would be a net zero at an $80 million cap hit, but it would add about $23 million to the 2027 cap. Cleveland could make that move now, with over $100 million in space projected for 2027, but without any of the contracts that will be added this offseason. During his end of season news conference, Berry said he anticipated Watson would remain on the roster.
Longtime tight end David Njoku announced he won’t return to the team in 2026, which means the Browns will absorb his entire $24 million cap hit this season due to the void years on his contract. There are similar contract situations to sort out for many of Cleveland’s free agents.
Key pending free agents
TE David Njoku LB Devin Bush OL Joel Bitonio OL Wyatt Teller OL Ethan Pocic OL Cam Robinson OL Jack Conklin
Njoku’s decision to hit free agency isn’t a surprise after he was targeted on only 17% of his routes and fell behind Fannin as the go-to tight end. Bush came alive and thrived in the middle next to Carson Schwesinger. Bush was 10th in yards allowed per coverage snap (min. 100) among linebackers and was third in the rate of tackles that produced a positive play for the defense.
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Most of Cleveland’s starting offensive line is scheduled to be free agents. This is a line that has dropped off in quality due to age and injuries, but we won’t expect the Browns to completely move on with four new starters and Dawand Jones, who went out for the season in Week 3.
Positional needs
Quarterback Offensive line Wide receiver
It’s time to overhaul the offense. Among 45 quarterbacks who threw at least 100 passes, Dillion Gabriel ranked 42nd in EPA per play. Shedeur Sanders was 43rd. Both had their faults and neither looked like the type of quarterback who could lift those around them — that was too high an expectation for a third- and fifth-round pick.
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Just for numbers, the Browns need help along the offensive line, depending on how many players they retain as free agents. The line was in the bottom third in pass block and run block win rates, per ESPN.
Wide receiver has been a bugaboo position for Andrew Berry in his GM tenure with the Browns. There have been a ton of draft misses betting on speed, while the trade plus extension for Jerry Jeudy has led to an underwhelming 1.41 yards per route run in his time with the Browns.
Barring packaging their other first-rounder and trying to move up for a quarterback, the Browns should address the offensive line. Fano played both left and right tackle in college, and while he can stand to add weight, he’s a good athlete who stays on his feet and is strong in the run game.
What could move the fantasy needle in 2026?
Fix the offensive line
The Browns hit on some young players in this most recent draft, including RB Quinshon Judkins and TE Harold Fannin Jr. Cleveland still needs a quarterback and a complete refresh of the wide receiver room. However, the offensive line has hit a breaking point due to age and expiring contracts. If that doesn’t get corrected in the offseason, I’m not sure what they add at those more marquee positions will move the needle much at all. That has to be top of mind for GM Andrew Berry, who was retained despite head coach Kevin Stefanski being shown the door. — Matt Harmon
Betting nugget
The Browns were one of the NFL’s best teams at home for bettors, cashing in six of eight home games this season. — Ben Fawkes
Racing fans get ready, another season of NASCAR is upon us! The 2026 NASCAR season kick offs with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on Feb. 1, 2026 and runs all the way through Nov. 8, 2026 when a winner is crowned at the NASCAR Cup Series Championship which will take place at the Homestead-Miami Speedway this year. This year, NASCAR races will be broadcast across Fox, FS1, NBC, USA, TNT Sports, and select races will stream exclusively on Prime Video. Oh, and don’t forget that you can tune in to exclusive driver-cam coverage on HBO Max, too.
It can be overwhelming to keep up with all the different services you need to watch every race, but luckily we’ve broken down where you can watch them all. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series, a full schedule of races, and how to watch them all.
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How to watch NASCAR in 2026:
Dates: Feb. 1, 2026 – Nov. 8, 2026
Channels: NBC, USA, TNT, truTV, Fox, FS1
Streaming: Prime Video, Peacock, DirecTV, Fox One, HBO Max (Driver-cam) and more
What channels are showing NASCAR in 2026?
NASCAR races will be broadcast across several channels all season long, with coverage switching over from one channel to another at several points during the season. Early races, from Feb. 1 through May 17, will air on Fox or FS1. From May 24 until June 21, races will stream exclusively on Prime Video. From June 28 – July 25, you can catch weekly races on TNT Sports. And from August until November’s NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race, you can catch races on NBC, USA and Peacock.
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How to watch NASCAR in 2026 without cable:
To watch every single race of the 2026 NASCAR season, you’ll need a couple of different streaming services. You can stream channels like NBC, USA, Fox, FS1, TNT, and truTV on streaming platforms like DirecTV and Hulu + Live TV, which will get you access to the majority of this year’s races, but you’ll also need a Prime Video subscription if you want to catch the Coca Cola 600, the Cracker Barrel 400, FireKeepers Casino 400, NASCAR Cup Series Race at Pocono and the Anduril 250. Races airing on NBC and USA will also be available to stream on Peacock, and races airing on Fox and FS1 will be streaming on Fox One. And once again, HBO Max will also be showing alternate driver-cam angles at every race this season.
2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule:
All times Eastern
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Here are the races that make up the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series.
Feb. 1, 2026: Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium (Fox, HBO Max)
The Cleveland Browns found themselves in a familiar position this offseason. Following yet another disappointing year marred by poor quarterback play, the Browns were once again in the market for a new head coach, one who would presumably fix those issues and lead the franchise back to prominence.
The team found that head coach Wednesday after announcing the hiring of former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
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With the move, Monken will be tasked with turning around a franchise that has just two winning seasons over the past 18 years and the Browns’ most recent quarterback to make the Pro Bowl was Shedeur Sanders’ curious selection during that period.
Monken joins the Browns after spending the past three seasons as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator. Baltimore has been incredibly successful under Monken, ranking fourth, third and 11th in points scored over his three seasons in Baltimore. Prior to that, Monken served as an offensive coordinator with the Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
His time with the Browns lasted one season, as Monken was not retained after the team fired Freddie Kitchens at the end of the 2019 NFL season.
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Todd Monken has work to do at QB
Given the importance of the position, quarterback will almost certainly be the biggest issue facing the Browns now that a new head coach is in place. The team tried to plaster over the problem with a quantity over quality approach last season, at one point having five different QBs on the roster. But Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett were quickly shipped out, leaving the team with veteran Deshaun Watson and soon-to-be second-year passers Dillon Gabriel and Sanders heading into 2026.
While it will ultimately be up to Monken to make the decision, none of those players have performed well enough to guarantee themselves a role next season. The Watson acquisition proved to be an unmitigated disaster. The quarterback hasn’t been the same since the Browns acquired him from the Houston Texans after Watson was accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women. During his four seasons in Houston, Watson threw for 104 touchdowns and made three Pro Bowls. In three seasons with the Browns, he’s played in just 19 games, throwing 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Gabriel and Sanders both received starts as rookies, though neither player performed all that well. The team seemed to take on an über-conservative approach with Gabriel, who tossed seven touchdowns over six starts. After Gabriel went down with a concussion, Sanders stepped in and finished out the season as the team’s starter. While he produced a few highlights, Sanders made far too many mistakes, and finished the 2025 season as one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus. Despite that, Sanders received a Pro Bowl invitation.
Given those struggles, it’s likely the Browns will consider selecting a quarterback with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The team is not only desperately in need of help at the position, but the timing feels right with a new head coach coming in. If that’s the route the team goes, it would be hard not to link Monken’s success to that quarterback.
Those issues led to the Browns being considered one of the least desirable openings in the NFL this offseason, per Yahoo Sports’ Frank Schwab. That doesn’t mean the team is completely bereft of talent.
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Defense is team’s bright spot — but what is going on with Jim Schwartz?
For all the struggles the Browns endured on offense, their defense was pretty solid. The team ranked 14th in points allowed in 2025, and saw Myles Garrett set the single-season sack record. Garrett is unequivocally one of the top — if not the top — defensive players in the NFL and a true game-wrecker. His presence alone should ensure the Browns’ defense remains at least fearsome heading into next season.
However, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz had expected to be hired as Cleveland’s next head coach. Now, after being looked over for the job in favor of an outside candidate, Schwartz could be looking elsewhere, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports.
While the 2025 NFL season ended poorly for the Browns, the team experienced success under former head coach Kevin Stefanski. In six seasons on the job, Stefanski led the Browns to the playoffs twice, earning the AP Coach of the Year award in both seasons. His .442 winning percentage was the best the Browns have experienced since Bill Belichick and his .451 winning percentage left the team following the 1995 season.
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Compared to other Browns coaches in recent memory, Monken could face heightened expectations following the Stefanski era. To make matters even worse, Stefanski was among the more popular head-coaching candidates this offseason, and almost immediately found a head-coaching job with the Atlanta Falcons, potentially giving him an opportunity to quickly prove to the Browns that they made the wrong decision to let him go.
None of that will matter if the Browns got it right this time around. There’s a lot of work to do in Cleveland, but if Monken can decide on — and coach up — the team’s quarterback of the future, that would go a long way toward ending decades of futility most Browns fans are eager to forget.
Although we’re still a few weeks away from the teeth of fantasy baseball season, it’s never a bad idea to start sketching some ideas in pencil. With that in mind, here’s a one-man mock draft for the first round, as we look to get those drafting muscles back in shape.
1. Aaron Judge, OF, Yankees
2. Shohei Ohtani, UT, Dodgers
There are no wrong answers at the top of the draft, and these two guys will go one-two in most leagues. Judge is three years older, but Ohtani also carries the strain of his side pitching assignments. Both men are supported by deep lineups behind them. Ohtani’s 59 steals from two years ago proved to be an outlier; he did it for fun once, but probably now recognizes it doesn’t make sense to run that aggressively in the regular season. More than any other club in baseball, the Dodgers start each year with October health in mind.
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3. Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Royals
In what can fairly be termed an off year, Witt still led the majors in hits and doubles and was the seventh-most valuable hitter for 5×5 leagues. The Kansas City lineup has an upgraded feel to it, with eight of its primary starters expected to be league average or better. Witt likely hasn’t peaked yet, about to enter his age-26 season.
4. Juan Soto, OF, Mets
Announcer Keith Hernandez has said for years that any ballplayer could probably steal 15 bases or so if he merely put in the effort. Soto took it a step further, leading the National League with 38 swipes in 42 attempts, after seven full seasons of station-to-station baseball. Even if Soto’s steals take a reasonable step back, he’s a multi-category monster entering his age-27 season. The timing could be right for his first MVP year.
His last two seasons have been remarkably similar, although Skubal was less unlucky with wins last year. The voters didn’t seem to mind — he’s been the runaway Cy Young winner in the AL two straight seasons. Starting pitchers are the running backs of fantasy baseball — you always worry about health risks, but if you land on the right ones, you probably rule the world. The top of this position should be considered in any first round.
Fantasy Baseball Draft Rankings
6. José Ramírez, 3B, Guardians
He keeps cranking out near-identical seasons, and he’s also taken his base stealing up a notch in his 30s. I don’t love the lineup around Ramírez, but six straight years of durability and production earns him an obvious seat at this table. Third base is also not a deep fantasy position.
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7. Corbin Carroll, OF, Diamondbacks
The batting average has bounced around for his three full seasons, but players with this type of power-speed potential will always demand early fantasy picks. Last season was partially muted by a wrist problem; imagine what Carroll might be able to accomplish if he’s healthy in his age-25 campaign.
8. Paul Skenes, SP, Pirates
Wins can be fluky for even the greatest pitchers, which is why it’s reasonable to consider something other than wins to fill out your league structure. However you play, Skenes belongs here, sitting on a 1.96 ERA and 0.948 WHIP through 55 MLB starts. Appointment viewing.
An early look at how the first round of 2026 fantasy baseball drafts could play out.
(Henry Russell)
9. Elly De La Cruz, SS, Reds
For all the strikeouts, the average hasn’t really been a problem — his career .255 mark is more than good enough, given how he fills the other categories. And with Elly stepping into his age-24 season, we still have to view him as a player on the escalator.
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10. Julio Rodríguez, OF, Mariners
You know you’re a special ballplayer when you hit 32 homers and steal 30 bases and chart as the No. 11 overall hitter . . . and the world collectively shrugs. It would be nice if Rodríguez played in a more favorable offensive park, but you have to grab these five-category contributors while you can. Rodríguez cut his strikeout rate to a career low last year, a subtle sign of growth.
11. Garrett Crochet, SP, Red Sox
We’ve seen this movie before with Chris Sale, the last time the Red Sox plucked a Chicago lefty ace in his prime and reaped instant benefits. Crochet’s first Boston season was much more effective on the road (2.25 ERA, versus 3.02 at Fenway), but his power arsenal is capable of dominating anywhere. If Skubal gets tired of winning Cy Young Awards, Crochet is a logical next pick, readying for his age-27 season.
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12. Kyle Tucker, OF, Dodgers
Fantasy baseball sages Glenn Colton and Rick Wolf will remind us that it’s somewhat risky to pay up for a fantasy baseball pick who’s starting a big contract and on a new team. It’s also been frustrating to see Tucker navigate injuries the last two years. On the plus side, Tucker is still just 29 and he’s now insulated by the Los Angeles lineup, one of the deepest in baseball. And given the star-power in L.A. and the reasonable expectation that the Dodgers are already in the playoffs, it’s not like Tucker arrives in camp with absurd pressure on his shoulders. He’ll be a first-round pick in some leagues and an early-second round pick in others.
Others Considered: Ronald Acuña Jr., Gunnar Henderson, Francisco Lindor, Fernando Tatis Jr.
Until he’s actually moved, however, it could be an interesting exercise trying to gauge what each team could — theoretically — offer the Bucks for the former champion.
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Some caveats here.
The presumed logic of teams is included here. That means, for example, that teams will be more inclined to trade away their star forward, instead of star guard, as to create more roster symmetry.
Roster spots matter. This isn’t the offseason, where teams can carry 20 players. Five-for-one trades are a no-go.
The overall relinquished talent differs from team to team, especially if teams are deep. The Raptors, who have more depth and a plethora of picks, can offer more than, say, the Celtics, while still maintaining a competitive level. That has been taken into account.
Without further ado …
Giannis Antetokounmpo drives against Ausar Thompson of the Detroit Pistons during the first quarter at Fiserv Forum on Dec. 3, 2025, in Milwaukee. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
(Patrick McDermott via Getty Images)
The deal: Kristaps Porziņģis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Onyeka Okongwu, and 2026 NOP pick for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Taurean Prince and Jericho Sims
The Bucks take on very little money, so the salary matching is incredibly smooth and straightforward. Atlanta retains Jalen Johnson and builds around him and Antetokounmpo, with Zaccharie Risacher and Dyson Daniels as the key components around them.
Milwaukee gets Porziņģis, two high-quality role players and a draft pick via New Orleans that will be extremely juicy.
Quality of offer: B-
Likelihood of a deal: 1/5
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The deal: Jaylen Brown, Anfernee Simons, Josh Minott and literally every first-round pick the Celtics can possibly send out for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kyle Kuzma
Boston just doesn’t have anything that could offer Milwaukee an avenue to a major rebuild, so more than likely, this would have to be a three-team deal. But we’re not doing that today. As a team-to-trade trade, this is the best the Celtics can offer, and it’s probably not enough.
The only immediate sweetener here is that Boston takes on the contract of Kyle Kuzma, who is not even remotely worth his salary.
Quality: C-
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Likelihood: 1/5
The deal: Michael Porter Jr., Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, Ben Saraf, 2026 BKN first, 2027 NYK first, 2029 BKN first for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Gary Harris, Jericho Sims and Amir Coffey
Out with the old, in with the young. The Bucks get a massive rebuilding starter package, and the Nets accelerate their process for … absolutely no reason. But hey, that’s besides the point. We made it work!
Quality: B+
Likelihood: 1/5
The deal: LaMelo Ball, Grant Williams, 2026 CHA first, 2028 CHA first and 2030 CHA first for Giannis Antetokounmpo
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One might think Ball should be off-limits, but he’s rarely available and lacks discipline, and Milwaukee would likely acknowledge the fact that it would need more to make it worth its while.
The picks are the real value here, with the hope of Ball becoming a more serious player. If he achieves that, then the Bucks walk away with a good haul.
Quality: B
Likelihood: 1/5
The deal: Matas Buzelis, Isaac Okoro, Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins, 2026 CHI first, 2028 CHI first, 2030 CHI first for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Jericho Sims, and Amir Coffey
This immediately turns Chicago into a win-now team in the East, with a plethora of veterans at their disposal to make a run within the next two years. It also makes it more likely that both Coby White and Ayo Dosumnu re-sign in the summer.
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Milwaukee gets a wonderful prospect in Buzelis and a small army of unprotected picks to start over from scratch. The expiring contracts of Collins and Huerter provide the Bucks with significant cap relief in 2026.
Quality: B+
Likelihood: 1/5
The deal: None
The Cavaliers are currently over the second apron. This means they cannot aggregate contracts, nor can they take a single dollar more back in return than they send out. Their most expensive contract ($46.3 million) simply isn’t enough.
Further complicating matters is the fact the Cavs are $22 million above the second apron and will need to shed at least that amount in order to legally aggregate contracts. The Bucks are $17.6 million below the first apron, meaning if they exceed that they also cannot take a single dollar more in return than what they would send out.
The deal: Cooper Flagg, Daniel Gafford, Klay Thompson, Caleb Martin, Naji Marshall, and 2032 DAL first for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Gary Harris, and Taurean Prince
The Bucks get the league’s most intriguing under-20 prospect, along with a group of role players who could, potentially, be moved individually down the line.
Dallas, obviously, adds Antetokounmpo to a core of Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, in the hopes of forming a ridiculously effective Big Three. It’s expensive, but it’d create much-needed buzz in Dallas.
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Quality: A-
Likelihood: 2/5
The deal: Aaron Gordon, Cam Johnson, Jonas Valančiūnas, Peyton Watson, DaRon Holmes, Julian Strawther for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Taurean Prince, Jericho Sims, Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Amir Coffey
All right, so you might be wondering about the deal having no picks involved. Yes, that’s a problem for Denver seeing as it has no control of its future in that department. As such, the only real value here lies with Denver’s young players. Some are good, others are OK, and, ultimately, the Nuggets will have no chance of landing the Greek Freak. Sorry, Colorado!
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Quality: C-
Likelihood: 1/5
The deal: Jaden Ivey, Tobias Harris, Ausar Thompson, Ron Holland, 2026 DET first, 2028 DET first and 2030 DET first for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Amir Coffey
Detroit is in possession of all of its draft picks, so it can actually make a decent push for the former Finals MVP. But it’ll cost the Pistons multiple selections, and multiple prospects, which won’t be an easy thing to fork over.
For the Bucks, needless to say, this is a package that offers them a chance of attacking a rebuilding process. Let’s not make it more complicated than it is.
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Quality: A
Likelihood: 3/5
The deal: Jimmy Butler, Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, 2026 GSW first, 2028 GSW first and a 2030 GSW first for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, and Thanasis Antetokounmpo.
It’s a significant package the Warriors can send out, in large part due to the fact that they control their own future in terms of draft picks. Is it realistic? Probably not, but with the addition of two prospects in Kuminga and Podziemski, things at least get interesting.
Quality: B+
Likelihood: 3/5
The deal: Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Fred VanVleet, Steven Adams, Tari Eason, 2027 PHX first and 2031 HOU first for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jericho Sims, Amir Coffey and Thanasis Antetokounmpo
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This is a haul for Milwaukee, to the point where you can even argue if Houston is leaning in too heavily. On the other hand, it’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. Having him paired with Kevin Durant and Alperen Şengün would form the longest frontline in the league, which can only be a good thing for Houston’s championship equity.
Quality: A
Likelihood: 2/5
The deal: Pascal Siakam, Bennedict Mathurin, 2026 IND first, 2028 IND first and 2030 IND first for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Amir Coffey
This deal is heavily based on draft equity, as that’s the primary type of asset the Pacers have.
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For the Bucks, it’s a bit of a clean slate, and Siakam should be able to get moved elsewhere, presumably for more picks.
Quality: B+
Likelihood: 1/5
The deal: Kawhi Leonard, Kris Dunn and 2031 LAC first for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Nothing here makes sense. The Clips don’t have picks or young guys of note. While Leonard is awesome, he’s too old and makes no sense for Milwaukee.
Quality: F
Likelihood: 0/5
The deal: Technically, none.
LeBron James holds a player option, and his contract is frankly crucial in terms of salary-matching, so unless he’s willing to waive it to land in Milwaukee — and with respect to the fine state of Wisconsin, why would he? — this is a complete nonstarter.
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Quality: N/A
Likelihood: 0/5
The deal: Ja Morant, Zach Edey, Cedric Coward, 2026 MEM first, 2028 MEM first, 2030 MEM first for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Amir Coffey
This isn’t uninteresting for Milwaukee, as the Bucks get two young prospects and three picks, and can possibly rehab the trade value of Morant, only to flip him later. But there are just so many ifs in this scenario, which they will assuredly see as a negative.
Quality: B
Likelihood: 2/5
The deal: Andrew Wiggins, Norman Powell, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., 2030 MIA first and 2032 MIA first for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Amir Coffey
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It’s a mixture of a return for Milwaukee, which gets younger, boosts its asset trove and can look ahead. There are, however, much more intriguing deals out there. So while this may make sense for Miami, it’s another situation for Milwaukee entirely.
Quality: B
Likelihood: 3/5
The deal: Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, Mike Conley, Rob Dillingham and Joan Beringer for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Amir Coffey, Taurean Prince and Jericho Sims
Yes, you read that right. No picks. That isn’t because Minnesota can offer enough to get away with it. Rather, the Wolves don’t have control of their selections, which greatly complicates matters.
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Needless to say, Milwaukee will look at this offer and tell the Wolves that Anthony Edwards needs to be in play, or no deal. Honestly? That seems fair.
Quality: D
Likelihood: 1/5
The deal: Zion Williamson, Derik Queen, Jeremiah Fears, Kevon Looney, 2028 NOP first and 2030 NOP first for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Amir Coffey
It’s a bit of a moot point, because even if the Pelicans were able to acquire Antetokounmpo — which they won’t — who exactly are they going to pair him with?
For Milwaukee, this is mildly intriguing, but not enough to make it genuinely interested.
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Quality: C+
Likelihood: 1/5
The deal: OG Anunoby and Josh Hart for Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Knicks can’t send out picks, as that would violate the Stepien rule, and they don’t have much in the form of young players. It’s the franchise that Antetokounmpo was rumored to be interested in, but making a trade work that Milwaukee would accept is exceedingly difficult.
Quality: C-
Likelihood: 1/5
The deal: Isaiah Hartenstein, Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, Thomas Sorber, Ajay Mitchell, 2026 LAC first, 2026 UTA first and 2027 DEN first for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jericho Sims, Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Amir Coffey
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The rich get richer, and Milwaukee gets a major influx of flexibility to aid its inevitable rebuild. If this feels unfair, it’s because it is. It’d be enormously fun, though.
Quality: A
Likelihood: 4/5
The deal: Franz Wagner, Jonathan Isaac, Anthony Black, Tristan Da Silva and 2031 ORL first for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jericho Sims, Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Amir Coffey
There simply isn’t enough value here for Milwaukee to be even remotely interested, especially given that Orlando has very little draft equity left. Also, after Wagner’s injury in New York on Sunday, this makes even less sense.
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Quality: D
Likelihood: 1/5
The deal: Paul George, VJ Edgecombe, Jared McCain, Trendon Watford, 2028 LAC first and 2031 PHI first for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jericho Sims, Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Amir Coffey
No. Just no. The inclusion of either Joel Embiid or George is necessary, and that means the Sixers will have to relinquish picks in order to pay Milwaukee to take on those deals.
The fact that they’re getting Antetokounmpo on top of that is, frankly, laughable.
Quality: D
Likelihood: 0/5
The deal: Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Khaman Maluach, Ryan Dunn, Oso Ighodaro for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jericho Sims, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, and Amir Coffey
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With no draft pick flexibility whatsoever, the Suns can only make an offer based on their young players, and there isn’t a clear-cut future star in that group. This deal is DOA.
Quality: F
Likelihood: 1/5
The deal: Jerami Grant, Deni Avdija, Matisse Thybulle, Scoot Henderson, and all of Milwaukee’s picks and swaps back for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jericho Sims, Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Amir Coffey
This is all about future control, which is what Portland can offer. The Blazers give back Milwaukee their picks, which allows the Bucks to dictate their own terms. Make no mistake, this is a far more attractive offer for the Bucks than the vast majority of deals presented.
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Quality: A
Likelihood: 4/5
The deal: Domantas Sabonis, Dennis Schröder, 2026 SAC first, 2028 SAC first and 2031 MIN first for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Thanasis Antetokounmpo
The Kings have control of many of their own selections, which is helpful. The inclusion of Sabonis is with the hope that the Bucks can pivot and move him in a new deal, fetching a solid return and thus double-dipping.
Quality: B-
Likelihood: 1/5
The deal: Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, Kelly Olynyk, Carter Bryant, 2027 ATL first, 2029 SAS first and 2031 SAC pick swap for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kyle Kuzma, Amir Coffey and Thanasis Antetokounmpo
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The Spurs do more than relinquish young talent and picks here — they also take on the contract of Kuzma, which is not considered attractive around the league. It’s a big pay for the Bucks, who reset their cap, regain draft equity and get three real future pieces in Castle, Vassell and Bryant.
Quality: A
Likelihood: 4/5
The deal: Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl, Gradey Dick, Collin Murray-Boyles, 2026 TOR first and 2028 TOR first for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jericho Sims, Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Amir Coffey
Toronto can go in more ways here, as it has control of its draft picks, but here the Raptors relinquish depth to maintain draft equity. If Milwaukee wants more future flexibility, as opposed to veterans, Toronto can accommodate.
Quality: A
Likelihood: 3/5
The deal: Lauri Markkanen, Ace Bailey, Brice Sensabaugh, 2026 LAL first, 2030 UTA first and 2032 UTA first for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Amir Coffey
This makes no sense, because where does Utah go from here? It works, and Milwaukee gets a solid package with future upside, plus whatever it can get for Markkanen, but this seems pointless.
Quality: B
Likelihood: 1/5
The deal: Khris Middleton, Alexandre Sarr, Tre Johnson, Kyshawn George, Cam Whitmore, 2030 WAS first and 2032 WAS first for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jericho Sims, Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Amir Coffey
Wizards give up their future, more or less, for a former MVP who would have very little to do in Washington. It doesn’t make sense for them, but Milwaukee does replenish its cupboards.
On Wednesday morning, Reed issued a statement which read, in part:
After careful thought and consideration, my family and I have decided that I will no longer compete on the LIV Golf Tour.
I am excited to announce that I am returning to the PGA TOUR as a past champion member for the 2027 season and am eligible to begin competing in PGA TOUR events later this year.
I will continue to compete and play as an Honorary Lifetime Member on the DP World Tour, which is something that I am truly honored and excited to do.
I’m a traditionalist at heart, and I was born to play on the PGA TOUR, which is where my story began with my wife, Justine.
Earlier this month, the PGA Tour announced its “Returning Member Program,” opening the door to certain players who had left the Tour to compete for LIV Golf, including Koepka. Reed, whose Masters win fell outside the program’s stipulations, was not eligible to return via that pathway, but will be able to pursue a different route back to the Tour. The deadline for the Returning Member Program is Feb. 2, and so far the other three players eligible for that pathway — Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cam Smith — have opted to remain with LIV.
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Reed is a nine-time PGA Tour winner, including that 2018 Masters victory, and recently won the DP World Tour’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic. He’s currently ranked 29th in the Official World Golf Rankings thanks to his strong performances on the DP World Tour; LIV tournaments are not presently counted toward world rankings.
Per PGA Tour regulations, Reed is eligible to return to Tour competitions in August 2026. That would allow him to compete on the Tour’s fall schedule, as long as he doesn’t compete in any unauthorized — i.e. LIV Golf — events before then. Reed can also compete on the DP World Tour (formerly European Tour) immediately; he currently ranks second in the DP’s Race to Dubai season-long competition. However, as a returning member, Reed will be ineligible to participate in the Tour’s player equity program until after the 2030 season.
Several other former LIV players have been reinstated and are working their way back to playing on the PGA Tour. Pat Perez and Hudson Swafford will be eligible to play on the Tour again as of Jan. 1, 2027. Kevin Na has been reinstated, but his start date remains uncertain.
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Koepka announced his return to the PGA Tour just before Christmas. Later this week, he’ll tee off for the first time as a returning PGA Tour member at the Farmers Insurance Open.
