The Dodgers aren’t just playing season-by-season these days. They’re aiming at history. They’ve won the last two World Championships, and after acquiring closer Edwin Díaz and outfielder Kyle Tucker, they’re well positioned to win a third.
Los Angeles currently stands at +225 to have the October dogpile; the Yankees (+1100) and Mariners (+1200) are the distant second and third choices at the moment. There are actually 11 teams crammed between +1100 and +2500; you can make a lot of pitches for championship clubs after the Dodgers. But any reasonable person would admit the Dodgers are the obvious favorites.
When Tucker was added to a name-brand lineup that already has three past MVP winners (Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman), there was an instant discussion as to whether or not the Dodgers have the best offense in fantasy baseball history, or the best team in fantasy baseball history. The offensive floor is very high for this team. The Dodgers have ranked top five in runs scored for eight straight seasons (2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 1st, 4th, 1st, 5th, 5th). They just added Tucker, the top offensive player from the free agent market. Ohtani remains a unicorn.
I get the excitement for “greatest ever” types of discussion, but I’m generally going to throw cold water on these types of things. A lot can go wrong en route to history.
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Let’s try to unpack some of this. How could this Hollywood team go off script?
It’s an older team
The Tucker addition made a lot of sense for a team that just didn’t need an outfielder; it needed a younger outfielder. Look at the seasonal ages in this lineup:
Betts had a 104 OPS+ last year; 100 is league average. Hernández was at 103. Freeman’s production the last two years was under his career norm; he was merely the No. 46 hitter in 5×5 value despite playing 147 games. Muncy will likely fall into a platoon; he’ll be on the heavy side of it, but it will cost him some at-bats.
It’s commonly accepted that an offensive player’s peak is somewhere in the 26-29 range. It doesn’t mean players in their 30s can’t still be stars, and at this point, it would be foolish to ever doubt Ohtani on anything. But sometimes we have to let actuary vibes sneak into our fantasy discussions.
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It’s not an aggressive running team
Given the power up and down the Los Angeles lineup, you can understand why manager Dave Roberts doesn’t look to manufacture runs. Only two regular L.A. players had double-digit steals last year — Ohtani swiped 20 bags (the 59 the previous year always felt like a do-it-once thing) and Pages stole 14 bases. Betts (eight steals) and Freeman (six steals) have mostly shut down this part of their games. Edman was once an aggressive runner in St. Louis; he attempted just four steals last year. Gridlock is alive and well in Southern California.
The Dodgers manage like they’re in the playoffs already
The Dodgers seemed to learn a lesson in the 2021-2023 pocket, when they banked a ridiculous 317 regular-season wins but never made it to the World Series. They’ve settled for 98 and 93 wins the last two years and finished each with a championship. It’s not that they’re not trying during the regular season, but they accept it merely as a precursor to the games that matter in October. They’re basically already in the playoffs — they’ve qualified 13 straight years and now 40% of MLB clubs make the tournament — and with that, you can tread carefully during the six-month seasonal slog.
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This strategy will affect how much fantasy value their starting pitchers accrue. Whenever any L.A. hurler has a small burp to his shoulder, elbow or forearm, he’s probably getting some rest. The Dodgers have the personnel to run a six-man rotation anyway.
Last year, Yoshinobu Yamamoto made it to 173.2 innings; no one else on staff got to 113 innings. In 2024, only two LAD pitchers got past 90 innings, and no one qualified for the ERA title. The team cap was a modest 131.2 innings back in 2023.
Yamamoto was the World Series hero last year and maybe he’s capable of breaking this strategy. But given the ages and injury histories of Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and even Ohtani, I’d be very careful of how I project them on the mound. Emmet Sheehan and Roki Sasaki (expected to start again) also have tempered ceilings.
So I’ve tried to pump the breaks a little bit on the runaway expectations. But what if the 2026 Dodgers hit the high end of their range? What historical teams are they chasing?
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The greatest fantasy baseball teams of MLB history
The best OPS+ team of all time was the 1927 Yankees (127), the canonical answer for best offense ever. They’re followed by some teams you actually might have seen; the 2023 Braves, the 2017 Astros (aided by the trash cans), the 1976 Reds and the 2024 Dodgers. Other teams in the top 10 include the 2019 Astros, 2019 Yankees and 2019 Twins. The 116-win Mariners club from 2001 ranks 11th.
Nobody is likely to score 1,000 runs in today’s MLB; that mark has only been done three times. The 1932 and 1936 Yankees did, along with the 1999 Indians (my pick as the best offense in the fantasy era). We’ve seen 17 teams from the past 25 years make it past 900 runs; that’s a good target for the Dodgers. Los Angeles scored 906 runs back in 2023.
The home run record stands at 307; the 2023 Braves and 2019 Twins hold that post. The best L.A. homer season came in 2019, when they hit 279. The ball was lively that year, you probably recall. The Dodgers thumped 249 homers in 2023 and 244 last year; they will likely be around that number for the new season.
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Maybe you’d prefer a modern metric view of all this. If we look at all the fantasy-era offenses by their collective offensive WAR (using Baseball Reference), the 2007 Yankees percolate to the top (40.0). They’re followed by the 2001 Mariners, 2023 Braves, 2017 Astros and 2024 Dodgers. Last year’s Dodger club had 29.1 oWAR as a team, the 62nd-best offense in this query.
Great offense, sure. But a long ride from the top of the list.
Hey, the future is unwritten. Maybe Tucker will finally get some injury luck to go his way and will post a career season. You never say never with anything related to Ohtani. Betts and Freeman are already Hall of Famers by résumé; maybe they have another golden season left. Smith could easily beat all the other fantasy catchers. Hernández is a run-producing star. The pitchers might not make 25 starts, but there are stars up and down the rotation. Díaz is a lights-out closer, too.
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Should be a blast of a season. It’s a shame Vin Scully isn’t still around to add his words and poetry.
It’s been an amazing season for the Denver Broncos, who rode a 14-3 record to the No. 1 seed in the AFC and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Denver held on for a 33-30 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills in an instant classic in Saturday’s divisional round game. Unfortunately, starting quarterback Bo Nix suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the extra frame and will be out for Denver’s next game against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship.
That means that backup QB Jarrett Stidham will get his first playoff start.
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Drake Maye led the Patriots — aided by four C.J. Stroud interceptions — to a 28-16 win over the Texans to earn a date in Denver.
Oddsmakers are making the Broncos historic home underdogs.
Denver opened as a 4.5-point home underdog at BetMGM on Sunday night, which had already been pushed up to -5.5. That would be the biggest home underdog for a No. 1 seed in a conference championship game since at least 1970, per Sports Odds History. The total was set at 40.5 points.
The lookahead line at multiple sportsbooks for this game had Denver as a short favorite, meaning the market has potentially overcorrected.
“I personally don’t think it should be this much,” one oddsmaker texted Yahoo Sports concerning the point spread move from Nix to Stidham. “Seems like we’re close to 7 points. Four points is where I’d put [it], but the market seems to disagree right now. I wouldn’t be surprised if this line closes around New England -3.”
It’s Denver’s first appearance in an AFC title game since 2016.
There are just four teams left competing in the NFL right now, and the only two games to watch this weekend are the AFC and NFC Championship games. This Sunday, the L.A. Rams will be in Seattle where they’ll face the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC Championship title, and the New England Patriots will head to Mile High Stadium to play the Denver Broncos for the AFC Championship. While you could watch these games on TV, there are also tickets still available to watch these major matchups live and in-person at Gametime, the premier marketplace for last-minute tickets to events like the 2026 NFL Conference Championships.
Gametime features transparent pricing that includes all fees, mobile ticketing – no printer required – and a guarantee that all tickets sold will be valid for entry to the game. If you’re interested in buying tickets to one of this weekend’s NFL games, here’s everything you need to know about purchasing tickets with Gametime.
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How to get tickets to the NFC and AFC Championship Games
If you’re looking to attend one of this weekend’s conference championship games, Gametime offers a great selection of seats at competitive prices. You can see the NFL’s best teams competing in this year’s playoffs starting at $594 per ticket.
You can find individual tickets to every NFL playoff game – including the Super Bowl – on Gametime. If you know which game you want to see, you can filter by price and quantity to find the tickets that are right for you.
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How much are NFL playoff tickets?
Tickets to both the NFC and AFC Championship games are available, and whether you’re looking for seats close to the field or more affordable tickets in the upper deck, Gametime has you covered. Prices vary depending on who’s playing, but for most games, expect to see starting prices between $590-760 and going up from there.
Despite the fact that No. 3 seed Coco Gauff has won two major tennis titles, at the U.S. Open and the French Open, the American has never made it past the semifinals at the Australian Open. Gauff’s quest for an Australian Open title this year began with a first round win over Kamilla Rakhimova, and she’ll now face Serbia’s Olga Danilovic at Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne in the second round. The women’s match is scheduled to begin after 9 p.m. ET tonight; coverage will begin once the men’s match preceding it, between Andrey Rublev and Jaime Faria, is done.
Tonight’s Australian Open tournament coverage will air on ESPN2, and the entire tournament is available to stream for ESPN Unlimited subscribers. Here’s what you need to know about the 2026 Australian Open.
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How to watch Coco Gauff vs. Olga Danilovic at the Australian Open:
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 20
Time (estimated): not before 9 p.m. ET
Location: Margaret Court Arena
TV channel: ESPN2
Streaming: ESPN Unlimited
When is the Coco Gauff vs. Olga Danilovicmatch at the 2026 Australian Open?
Coco Gauff and Olga Danilovic play each other in the second round at the Australian Open on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.
Coco Gauff vs. Olga Danilovic match start time:
The second round match between Coco Gauff and Olga Danilovic will start after the Jaime Faria vs. Andrey Rublev match ends, so it will not begin before 9 p.m. ET. The women’s match will be available on ESPN Unlimited and ESPN2.
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Australian Open channel:
In the U.S., the Australian Open will air on ESPN, with the entire tournament streaming on ESPN+ for Unlimited subscribers. Select tournament coverage will also air on ESPN2, before moving to ESPN for the semifinals and beyond.
How to watch the 2026 Australian Open:
Sling Orange, which includes ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, Disney Channel, and 30 more with no other subscriptions or commitment necessary. No strings attached.
Where to watch the 2026 Australian Open without cable:
If you want to catch every match of the Australian Open and don’t currently subscribe to ESPN+, cable or a live TV streaming service, in Australia a majority of the action will be streaming free with ads on 9Now.
Don’t live in the land down under? Don’t worry, you can still stream like you do with the help of a VPN. A VPN (virtual private network) helps protect your data, can mask your IP address and is perhaps most popular for being especially useful in the age of streaming. Whether you’re looking to watch Friends on Netflix (which left the U.S. version of the streamer back in 2019) or tune in to tennis coverage without a cable package, a VPN can help you out. Looking to try a VPN for the first time? This guide breaks down the best VPN options for every kind of user.
9Now. Plus it’s Engadget’s pick for the best premium VPN. ExpressVPN offers three tiers of subscriptions: The Basic Plan (starting at $3.49/month), the Advanced Plan (starting at $4.49/month) and the Pro Plan (starting at $7.49/month).
ExpressVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, in case you’re nervous about trying a VPN.
Australian Open 2026 schedule:
All times Eastern
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Saturday, January 17
(Day 1) Men’s and Women’s 1st Round: 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 18
(Day 1) Men’s and Women’s 1st Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 2) Men’s and Women’s 1st Round: 7:00 p.m.
Monday, January 19
(Day 2) Men’s and Women’s 1st Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 3) Men’s and Women’s 1st Round: 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 20
(Day 3) Men’s and Women’s 1st Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 4) Men’s and Women’s 2nd Round: 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 21
(Day 4) Men’s and Women’s 2nd Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 5) Men’s and Women’s 2nd Round: 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 22
(Day 5) Men’s and Women’s 2nd Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 6) Men’s and Women’s 3rd Round: 7:00 p.m.
Friday, January 23
(Day 6) Men’s and Women’s 3rd Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 7) Men’s and Women’s 3rd Round: 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 24
(Day 7) Men’s and Women’s 3rd Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 8) Men’s and Women’s 4th Round: 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 25
(Day 8) Men’s and Women’s 4th Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 9) Men’s and Women’s 4th Round: 7:00 p.m.
Monday, January 26
(Day 9) Men’s and Women’s 4th Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 10) Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals: 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 27
(Day 10) Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 11) Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals: 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 28
(Day 11) Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 12) Women’s Semifinals: 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 29
(Day 13) Men’s Semifinal: 8:00 p.m.
Friday, January 30
(Day 13) Men’s Semifinal: 3:30 a.m.
Saturday, January 31
(Day 14) Women’s Final: 3:30 a.m.
Sunday, February 1
(Day 15) Men’s Final: 3:30 a.m.
Who is playing in the 2026 Australian Open?
The top 10 seeded players for the singles draws are listed below.
Men’s singles seeds for the Australian Open 2026
1. Carlos Alcaraz
2. Jannik Sinner
3. Alexander Zverev
4. Novak Djokovic
5. Felix Auger-Aliassime
Women’s singles seeds for the Australian Open 2026
1. Aryna Sabalenka
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2. Iga Swiatek
3. Amanda Anisimova
4. Coco Gauff
5. Elena Rybakina
Australian Open prize money:
For 2026, the men’s and women’s singles winners of the Australian Open each get $4,150,000, with the runner-up receiving $2,150,000 and Semi-finalists $1,250,000.
But the one-word answer he texted his daughter Natalie was pretty telling, too.
“Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Curt said in response to Natalie asking her dad if he’s happy in the wake of the Hoosiers defeating the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium and completing their storybook, 16-0 season.
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The answer might sound obvious, but the question felt necessary, especially for Natalie, who asked the same one in December 2019, a bit more than six years earlier.
At the time, Curt was in his first season as James Madison’s head coach. The Dukes were still an FCS program, and a mighty good one at that. They were coming off a 66-21 win over Monmouth, Curt’s first Division I playoff victory. JMU was 12-1.
Natalie texted Curt “are you happy!!!”
“No,” he said.
The Dukes fell to North Dakota State in the FCS national championship that season.
Curt Cignetti went on to help JMU seamlessly transition to the FBS and immediately transform its football program into a Sun Belt power. In 2024, he took over the reins at Indiana, where the Hoosiers hadn’t won a bowl game since the 1991 campaign and had never won more than nine games in a single season. He’s gone 27-2 in his first two years at the helm of the Big Ten’s newest titan.
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He came in with bravado and matched it with standards he’s held his tight-knit teams and coaching staffs accountable to, even with the spotlight suddenly shining on Bloomington in the fall.
Cignetti has become a household name. Through his two College Football Playoff appearances and array of program firsts, he hasn’t changed his demeanor. He’s still steady on the sideline, most often showcasing a concentrated face, regardless of outcome.
He explained why during this season’s CFP run, ahead of a 56-22 Peach Bowl CFP semifinal win over Oregon.
“I do firmly believe you get better, you get worse, you never stay the same. So you got to keep that edge,” Cignetti said before pointing something out.
“I mean, there’s a lot of times I am happy. I just don’t show I’m happy. And if I’m going to ask my players to play the first game, first play to play 150 the same, regardless of the competitive circumstances, then I can’t be seen on the sideline high-fiving people and celebrating, or what’s going to happen? What’s the effect going to be? So that’s why I am like I am in the game.”
He continued: “Plus, I got to make important decisions to manage the game: these decisions we have to make, in terms of game management — when to use timeout, when not to use timeout, whether to be aggressive in two-minute. … So you got to be dialed in and thinking ahead. I’ll smile and celebrate later in the coaches’ room with the coaches, maybe have a beer.”
Men’s No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz has won Wimbledon, the French Open and the U.S. Open, but an Australian Open title has eluded him. Alcaraz will continue his quest for the Grand Slam title today when he enters the second round of the tournament, facing Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann. Hanfmann is currently the No. 101 seed. Alcaraz and Hanfmann’s match will not begin until at least 10 p.m. ET, it will be broadcast after the women’s match between Aryna Sabalenka and Zhuoxuan Bai is over; that match begins at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Tonight’s Australian Open tournament coverage will air on ESPN2, and the entire tournament is available to stream for ESPN Unlimited subscribers. Here’s what you need to know about the 2026 Australian Open.
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How to watch Carlos Alcaraz vs. Yannick Hanfmann at the Australian Open:
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 20
Time (estimated): not before 10 p.m. ET
Location: Rod Laver Arena
TV channel: ESPN2
Streaming: ESPN Unlimited
When is the Carlos Alcaraz vs. Yannick Hanfmannmatch at the 2026 Australian Open?
Carlos Alcaraz and Yannick Hanfmann play each other in the second round at the Australian Open on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.
Carlos Alcaraz vs. Yannick Hanfmann match start time:
The second round match between Alcaraz and Hanfmann will start after the Aryna Sabalenka vs. Zhuoxuan Bai match ends, so it will not begin before 10 p.m. ET. The men’s match will be available on ESPN Unlimited and ESPN2.
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Australian Open channel:
In the U.S., the Australian Open will air on ESPN, with the entire tournament streaming on ESPN+ for Unlimited subscribers. Select tournament coverage will also air on ESPN2, before moving to ESPN for the semifinals and beyond.
How to watch the 2026 Australian Open:
Sling Orange, which includes ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, Disney Channel, and 30 more with no other subscriptions or commitment necessary. No strings attached.
Where to watch the 2026 Australian Open without cable:
If you want to catch every match of the Australian Open and don’t currently subscribe to ESPN+, cable or a live TV streaming service, in Australia a majority of the action will be streaming free with ads on 9Now.
Don’t live in the land down under? Don’t worry, you can still stream like you do with the help of a VPN. A VPN (virtual private network) helps protect your data, can mask your IP address and is perhaps most popular for being especially useful in the age of streaming. Whether you’re looking to watch Friends on Netflix (which left the U.S. version of the streamer back in 2019) or tune in to tennis coverage without a cable package, a VPN can help you out. Looking to try a VPN for the first time? This guide breaks down the best VPN options for every kind of user.
9Now. Plus it’s Engadget’s pick for the best premium VPN. ExpressVPN offers three tiers of subscriptions: The Basic Plan (starting at $3.49/month), the Advanced Plan (starting at $4.49/month) and the Pro Plan (starting at $7.49/month).
ExpressVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, in case you’re nervous about trying a VPN.
Australian Open 2026 schedule:
All times Eastern
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Saturday, January 17
(Day 1) Men’s and Women’s 1st Round: 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 18
(Day 1) Men’s and Women’s 1st Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 2) Men’s and Women’s 1st Round: 7:00 p.m.
Monday, January 19
(Day 2) Men’s and Women’s 1st Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 3) Men’s and Women’s 1st Round: 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 20
(Day 3) Men’s and Women’s 1st Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 4) Men’s and Women’s 2nd Round: 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 21
(Day 4) Men’s and Women’s 2nd Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 5) Men’s and Women’s 2nd Round: 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 22
(Day 5) Men’s and Women’s 2nd Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 6) Men’s and Women’s 3rd Round: 7:00 p.m.
Friday, January 23
(Day 6) Men’s and Women’s 3rd Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 7) Men’s and Women’s 3rd Round: 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 24
(Day 7) Men’s and Women’s 3rd Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 8) Men’s and Women’s 4th Round: 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 25
(Day 8) Men’s and Women’s 4th Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 9) Men’s and Women’s 4th Round: 7:00 p.m.
Monday, January 26
(Day 9) Men’s and Women’s 4th Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 10) Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals: 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 27
(Day 10) Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 11) Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals: 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 28
(Day 11) Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 12) Women’s Semifinals: 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 29
(Day 13) Men’s Semifinal: 8:00 p.m.
Friday, January 30
(Day 13) Men’s Semifinal: 3:30 a.m.
Saturday, January 31
(Day 14) Women’s Final: 3:30 a.m.
Sunday, February 1
(Day 15) Men’s Final: 3:30 a.m.
Who is playing in the 2026 Australian Open?
The top 10 seeded players for the singles draws are listed below.
Men’s singles seeds for the Australian Open 2026
1. Carlos Alcaraz
2. Jannik Sinner
3. Alexander Zverev
4. Novak Djokovic
5. Felix Auger-Aliassime
Women’s singles seeds for the Australian Open 2026
1. Aryna Sabalenka
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2. Iga Swiatek
3. Amanda Anisimova
4. Coco Gauff
5. Elena Rybakina
Australian Open prize money:
For 2026, the men’s and women’s singles winners of the Australian Open each get $4,150,000, with the runner-up receiving $2,150,000 and Semi-finalists $1,250,000.
Who has been the MVP of the league at the season’s halfway point? Who’s winning the Rookie of the Year race? With every team hitting the 41-game mark, let’s hand out midseason awards.
Tom Haberstroh: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Injuries to the other four major candidates — Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Dončić and Victor Wembanyama — have paved the way for the reigning MVP to repeat. I think Cade Cunningham could make a late-season push, but it’s Gilgeous-Alexander’s award to lose. He’s the best player on the best team and has established himself as the game’s top clutch assassin, scoring a league-high 122 points with the score within five points in the final five minutes.
Steve Jones: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The debate will rage on down the stretch, but with an injury to Jokić, the Bucks fighting to get into the play-in and the Lakers slipping down the Western Conference standings, it feels like it’s clearly Gilgeous-Alexander. The consistency he’s brought on the offensive end has continued to power the Thunder to the top of the standings. It will be intriguing to see how hard Cunningham, Wembanyama and Jaylen Brown start to knock on the door.
Morten Stig Jensen: Nikola Jokić, Nuggets. Gilgeous-Alexander has played in 10 more games so far, but that advantage isn’t quite enough, in my eyes, to overtake Jokić’s season. That will change, however, should Joker miss a significant portion of games throughout the rest of the season. If not by him becoming ineligible, then because Gilgeous-Alexander is playing so well that a games-played gap justifies him.
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Kelly Iko: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Joker can miss only six more games before he’s ineligible due to the 65-game rule — and Cunningham would have a decent argument in any other season (26/10/6 on a team that should win 65 games) — but it’s SGA’s to lose. He’s averaging the highest points per shot attempt of any guard over the past decade (only Steph Curry comes close), OKC has a bottom-five offense without him, and his latest trick — dragging a Thunder team down its starting center and second-leading scorer across the finish line with the NBA’s best record — should be the icing on the cake.
The Midseason Rookie of the Year is …
Iko: Cooper Flagg, Mavericks. He still has a ways to go in the efficiency department, but we’re talking about a 19-year-old posting 19/6/4 on a middling Mavericks team. That Dallas is within striking distance of the play-in is remarkable. Flagg has been asked to initiate offense, finish possessions, and defend multiple positions — and he’s taken those challenges with confidence. He’ll need to get to a point where he’s not a sub-30% 3-point shooter, but he’s done enough this season to warrant the award. Kon Knueppel has been awesome, though.
Haberstroh: Kon Knueppel, Hornets. What a revelation. Think Klay Thompson or Khris Middleton — but with a higher ceiling. He’s a year and a half older than his former Duke mate Cooper Flagg, so in a sense it’s not too surprising that Knueppel has been more NBA-ready than the No. 1 overall pick. The Hornets found their franchise cornerstone.
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Devine: Kon Knueppel. He leads the rookie class in scoring on pretty shocking shooting efficiency — 56% on 2s, 43.5% on 3s, 89.4% at the charity stripe. As impressive, in my eyes: The 20-year-old has more than kept the Hornets afloat even in the significant amount of floor time he’s played without load-bearing offensive pieces LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. Flagg’s been largely fantastic in a tough set of circumstances in Dallas; ditto for Cedric Coward in Memphis; and VJ Edgecombe has fit brilliantly in in Philly. But Knueppel’s walked into the NBA shooting like an all-time-great marksman, and helped elevate the Hornets to within arm’s reach of the play-in tournament.
Jones: Cooper Flagg. It’s hard to ignore the corner Flagg has turned this season and the consistent aggression and confidence he’s brought to the table. Despite the tough start, Flagg leads the Mavericks in total points, rebounds, assists and steals, which speaks to his responsibility on a nightly basis. Flagg has a great feel for when and how to get to his spots. And while Kon Knueppel has been great, Flagg has overcome his circumstances to impact the game every night.
Jensen: Cooper Flagg, by a freaking hair. This one is far from over, folks. We have a legit Rookie of the Year race on our hands between Flagg and Knueppel, who looks as if he’s going to be one of the league’s primary shooters for the next decade-plus. Every ROY race is welcome around these parts, so the fact that we aren’t seeing someone run away with this thing yet is extremely enticing.
Jones: J.B. Bickerstaff, Pistons. One of the more underrated skills for a coach to have is to understand the talent you have, maximize it and get the entire roster to buy in. Bickerstaff has been able to do that, keeping Detroit at the top of the East. The great play of Cunningham is one thing, the growth of Jalen Duren is another, but when you go through the roster you see an identity where everyone contributes. This team defends and believes every night, and whatever expectation you had has been exceeded to this point.
Jensen: Mitch Johnson, Spurs. Victor Wembanyama has been in and out of the lineup, and Johnson is relying heavily on a three-guard rotation consisting primarily of players who aren’t strong natural shooters. Devin Vassell has also missed time, and when he’s played his influence has been somewhat average. Yet the Spurs are winning despite all of that. This group has fully embraced a team-first mentality, and that doesn’t happen without a high level of quality in the leadership department.
Devine: Jordan Ott, Suns. Everyone’s on their best behavior at media day: swearing that it’s going to develop a culture of relentlessness competitiveness that hinges on accountability and the non-negotiability of playing hard. Everyone says that stuff. The Suns are actually doing it, though — eighth in points allowed per possession, second in steals, third in deflections, tied for fourth in loose balls recovered, fifth in offensive rebound rate, sixth in how frequently they dial up full-court pressure, etc. — and they’re reaping the benefits, sitting at 26-17. The Suns needed a full-tilt spiritual reset in the worst way; Ott has brought it from Day 1.
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Iko: Mitch Johnson. The Suns have been a revelation and Ott has been at its epicenter, but what Johnson has done is simply too incredible to downplay. I was present when Johnson was introduced by Gregg Popovich and outlined his plan to improve the Spurs on both sides of the ball. The results are clear: They are eighth in offense, third in defense, fifth in rebounding and turnover rate and, more importantly, have learned to play without Wembanyama. The improvement of Stephon Castle, Keldon Johnson’s shapeshifting ability and Dylan Harper’s development all have Johnson’s fingerprints on them as well.
Haberstroh: Mitch Johnson. San Antonio hasn’t had the full complement of Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper for half the season and yet it’s emerged as the second-best team in the loaded West. The first-year head coach has pulled all the right levers and scoffs at your NBA Cup hangover talk.
The Midseason Defensive Player of the Year is …
Jensen: Victor Wembanyama. Dear NBA, the games played requirement for awards is officially nuts if Wemby goes his third straight season without winning DPOY, which in about 15 years should probably be named after him. The 7-foot-5 dynamo takes away everything. Shots at the rim, passing in the midrange area, corner 3-pointers, and everything in-between. His athleticism, length, and defensive IQ are all off the charts, and virtually all of his opponents rave about him after games. Come on now.
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Jones: Victor Wembanyama. His impact on the defensive end of the floor is a massive reason why the Spurs have been able to hang near the top of the Western Conference. A consistent presence in the paint, his weakside help consistently forces offenses to make decisions night in and night out. It’s not just his ability to erase space, rotate or protect the paint, it’s the communication and awareness to ensure he’s consistently in the right spot at the right time.
Haberstroh: Victor Wembanyama. I love that he and Chet Holmgren are going toe-to-toe — or fingertip-to-fingertip — for this award. The edge goes to Wemby for me because this is an individual award. The Thunder defense is elite no matter who steps on the floor. Wemby is the sole reason why the Spurs have a top-five defense in the NBA.
Iko: Victor Wembanyama. There is no other player that alters opponents’ offensive game plans more aggressively than him. He’s the reason why the Spurs’ defense is menacing. Teams take the most shots from the perimeter and fewest at the rim when he’s on the floor (I wonder why that is), and don’t even think about getting easy baskets in transition.
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Devine: Victor Wembanyama. Just 45.4% of Spurs opponents’ shot attempts come in the paint when Wembanyama is on the floor; they convert those shots at league-worst levels when he’s out there. The Spurs allow a microscopic 105.8 points per 100 possessions in his floor time, and 117.4 points-per-100 without him; he is, in effect, the difference between San Antonio defending like the Thunder and defending like the Pacers. There are other reasonable answers — Rudy Gobert in Minnesota, Holmgren in OKC — but to me, the most obvious answer feels like the right one.
The Midseason Sixth Man of the Year is …
Haberstroh: Jaime Jaquez Jr., Heat. The NBA leaders in points in the paint are a bunch of All-Stars with the exception of one bench player: Jaquez. The UCLA product has bounced back after a dreadful sophomore slump, nearly averaging 15-5-5 off the bench for a winning team in Miami.
Iko: Keldon Johnson, Spurs. He is the current favorite to win the award, according to BetMGM, but aside from that, let’s talk about the seventh-year guy who’s had to embody a different role nearly every season. He’s shooting a career-best from 3 (42%) and from 2 (63.3%); he’s among the upper echelon in rebounding rate; and he’s simplified his approach to basketball and seen it pay ultimate dividends for the Spurs. This just feels like a San Antonio year.
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Devine: Isaiah Stewart, Pistons. You can just stuff your instant-offense guards and wings in a sack, Mister. Beef Stew is an all-around physical menace who leads the NBA in defensive field-goal percentage allowed at the rim, who has turned himself into a credible frontcourt floor-spacer (36% from 3-point range) while also having the best interior finishing season of his career, and who has played a massive role in Detroit’s rise to second in the league in defensive efficiency and the top spot in the East. Stewart makes his impact differently than the kind of high-scoring ball-handlers who typically get this award, but that doesn’t mean the impact he makes is any less forceful, vital or worthy of recognition.
Jensen: Keldon Johnson. This guy used to average 22 points per game, but has totally rebranded himself as a complete buy-in guy who does whatever is asked of him. He’s rebounding better than ever, taking more shots from around the rim, and moving the ball with intent, all while coming off the bench and embracing his own role. It’s a major success story for both him and the Spurs.
Jones: Jaime Jaquez Jr. There are a variety of bench players who have really impacted their teams, so this could get even more interesting in the second half of the season. As of now, I salute Jaquez for how he’s helped lift Miami’s offensive attack. A shift to more spacing, more drive-and-kick and more cutting has been helped by Jaquez’s consistent ability to get into the paint and not only finish but showcase improved decision-making.
The Midseason Most Improved Player is …
Iko: Deni Avdija, Trail Blazers. It’s hilarious to recall Avdija was the throw-in piece in the Malcolm Brogdon deal; this is a man averaging a stunning 30/7/7 since the calendar flipped to 2026. How do you argue against a fellow who’s been trusted with carrying Portland’s entire offense on his shoulders all while keeping the Blazers in the thick of the play-in? Look no further than the home-and-home against the Rockets for a microcosm of how important Avdija is to winning basketball. Sometimes all you need is a push. Or a trade away from the Wizards.
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Jones: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Hawks. There is always a debate on what exactly this award should mean, and there are a lot of names that could be added to the list. There is a world where people point to Jalen Johnson, Jalen Duren and Dillon Brooks for their contributions. Keyonte George, Collin Gillespie and Anthony Black have consistently turned heads. I point to Alexander-Walker. Opportunity is everything, but to go from averaging single digits to 20 points a night is not easy.
Haberstroh: Deni Avdija. The Blazers have missed more games due to injury than any team in the NBA, and yet they’re .500 in the West. It’s all because of Avdija, who’s now one of three players to average at least 25 points, six rebounds and six assists this season. It’s him, Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić. His first All-Star honor is coming any day now. If he keeps this up — every value metric has him as a top-15 player this season — so should his first All-NBA appearance.
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Devine: Keyonte George, Jazz. This time last year, George was shooting under 40% from the floor with a too-high-for-a-lead-guard turnover rate while profiling as one of the NBA’s worst defenders. Now, he’s averaging 24 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds per game, looking like a completely different, more composed and more aggressive offensive player. (He’s even showing — slightly — improved block and steal rates.) Reasonable arguments can be made for making-the-All-Star-leap dudes like Avdija and Duren; here, though, I’ll shout out someone who looked like he might be circling the drain on his way to being out of the league, but has done the work to climb back into consideration as a cornerstone for his franchise.
Jensen: Nickeil Alexander-Walker. It’s between Avdija, George, and Alexander-Walker for me. I lean toward Alexander-Walker because of that surprise factor. We saw Avdija wrap up 2024-25 on a high note, so this doesn’t register as a major surprise. However, George is playing out of his mind, and if Utah had been just a slightly better team, I might have rewarded him for that. There’s still time, though.
After nine excellent regular-season performances — and eight playoff appearances — Sean McDermott was fired by the Buffalo Bills. Given the team’s excellence under McDermott, the move came as a major surprise, especially considering some of the big-name coaches the team could have wooed were already off the market.
What, exactly, led to the split? In a statement Monday, team owner Terry Pegula simply said the Bills needed “a new structure within our leadership” to push the team to the next level. But there may have been at least one other factor at play that resulted in McDermott’s firing.
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Prior to the postseason, McDermott reportedly had a meeting with then-general manager Brandon Beane and Pegula, per long-time reporter Vic Carucci.
At that meeting, the coach reportedly pointed out the team’s roster deficiencies. Beane and Pegula were reportedly not pleased with McDermott’s analysis, per Carucci.
“I’m told that during a meeting held five weeks ago between McDermott, Beane and Pegula, the coach pointed out what the roster lacked to win a Super Bowl. I don’t know the specifics McDermott mentioned, but I’m told neither Beane nor Pegula was pleased with McDermott’s assessment.”
Notably, Carucci said he did not know what specifics McDermott mentioned during that meeting.
While the Bills turned in an excellent season in 2025, going 12-5 and earning yet another playoff berth, the roster lacked strong players in some key spots. On offense, the Bills’ wide receivers once again lacked a superstar. Quarterback Josh Allen made the best of the situation, but was ultimately relying on Brandin Cooks and Mecole Hardman in crucial situations.
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Defensively, the team allowed 136.2 rushing yards per game, one of the worst figures in the league. Buffalo did rank first in passing yards allowed, but that was more a symptom of teams deciding to forgo the pass to pick on the team’s poor rushing defense, as none of the Bills’ secondary graded out well per PFF’s metrics.
Those particular deficiencies, it could be argued, should be attributed to Beane, who failed to bring in impact players during the offseason. Beane has faced criticism for multiple years over his inability to give Allen a superstar target. He tried to address that in previous drafts, taking Keon Coleman and Dalton Kincaid with high draft picks, but neither have turned in star production.
Despite that, Beane did not address the team’s offense until the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, when he selected tight end Jackson Hawes. The five defensive players Beane selected earlier in the draft failed to make major impacts as rookies. To make matters worse, the Bills selected cornerback Maxwell Hairston with the No. 30 overall pick in the draft. Nine picks later, the Chicago Bears selected wideout Luther Burden, who showed explosive potential as a playmaker at times during his rookie season.
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Pegula apparently didn’t see things in that light. He not only retained Beane, but promoted him to president of football operations. Beane’s first task: finding the team’s next head coach.
Replacing McDermott won’t come easy. Though the Bills failed to make it to the Super Bowl with the coach, it came close multiple times. While Allen’s presence certainly plays a major role in that, the quarterback needs more help around him to make that final push.
McDermott may have felt the same way and expressed that much when meeting with Beane and Pegula. It may have cost the coach his job.
We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!
Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones discuss the unfortunate season-ending injury to Jimmy Butler, and the ramifications that may have on the Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga.
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From there, the guys react to the All-Star starters for each conference* being announced, then try their hands at predicting who the coaches will select as reserves. Finally, they react to this most recent weekend of Unrivaled basketball.
1:47 — Jimmy Butler out for season 15:28 — All-Star starters announced 38:44 — MVP discussion 56:42 — All-NBA discussion 1:10:45 — Unrivaled takeaways from the weekend
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 13: Jimmy Butler III #10 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Portland Trail Blazers in the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on January 13, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Welcome back to the world’s most accurate power rankings, where this week, before the Feb. 5 trade deadline, we are adding a wrinkle, rating 25 “available” NBA players from worst to first.
Just how “available” they are is in some question. Giannis Antetokounmpo, for example, may want out, but until he formally requests a trade, the Milwaukee Bucks will be hesitant to grant him one. Others are readily available. Some may only be parted with for the right asking price.
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But all of them make some sense as trade candidates, given their situations. So, here we are to sort them based upon their talent, their contracts, their fits, their everything. Mostly: Can any of them meaningfully change a team’s championship chances? Here we try to sort them in order, mostly, based on how much each could alter this year’s title picture. Surely you will not argue.
(Taylor Wilhelm/Yahoo Sports Illustration)
One more thing before we get to the rankings: Karl-Anthony Towns. Is he available? Whispers are growing louder, if only because his New York Knicks are struggling. But I still cannot imagine a world in which the Knicks disrupt their roster — one that remains a favorite to emerge from the East — for anyone but Antetokounmpo. So we will leave him sidelined for now.
Honorable mentions: Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets; Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers; De’Andre Hunter, Cleveland Cavaliers; Malik Monk; Sacramento Kings.
25. Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors
On Thursday, Kuminga demanded a trade from the Warriors. On Friday, we discussed whether he was even a good basketball player. On Monday, Golden State’s Jimmy Butler tore his right ACL, leaving open a massive hole on the wing. Warriors coach Steve Kerr was asked if he will turn to Kuminga, and in a disheartened voice he said, “Sure. Absolutely.” Audition time, I guess?
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24. Immanuel Quickley, Toronto Raptors
The Raptors have canvassed the market, shopping “some of their players, including RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley,” looking to see what value they might find, according to ESPN. Among their reported potential targets are Anthony Davis and Ja Morant. Why a trade partner would want the three years and $97.5 million left on Quickley’s deal is a question to which it would need answers.
The Hawks, along with the Raptors, are reportedly among the teams that remain interested in the services of Davis, even after a hand injury that could sideline him through the All-Star break. Any Hawks trade for a high-priced star would have to include the $30.7 million expiring contract for Porziņģis, whose health remains a concern. Get him on the court, though, and he would help.
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22. Anfernee Simons, Boston Celtics
Over the summer, Boston was “still very much willing to talk about Simons” in trade discussions, per longtime Celtics insider Steve Bulpett, even after acquiring the former Blazers guard in July. It makes sense, given Simons’ expiring $27.7 million salary. Boston has two reasons to shop him: 1) to duck the luxury tax or 2) to roll that salary forward for a surprisingly competitive roster.
21. Nikola Vučević, Chicago Bulls
Because Vučević is on an expiring $21.5 million salary, longtime trade speculation has only rampedup this season, and Vučević himself might even want a change in scenery. To that end, Bulls coach Billy Donovan said, “I do think he’s invested and committed.” Which may make him even more tradable. The Bulls hold enough expiring money to pursue Davis, a local product.
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20. Jalen Green, Phoenix Suns
While Green has not been mentioned in any well-sourced trade rumors, the Suns would almost certainly have to include his $33.6 million salary in any discussion of upgrades to a team fighting for a guaranteed playoff seed in the West. The former No. 2 overall pick has shown flashes as a 20-point scorer, though his defense and an ongoing hamstring injury are reasons for concern.
19. Herb Jones, New Orleans Pelicans
Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III are among the names the Pelicans are not willing to discuss ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline, per Chris Haynes. But teams will continue to call, so long as New Orleans remains at the bottom of the standings. Jones, a 3-and-D wing who has shot 32% from distance over the past two seasons, signed a three-year, $67.6 million extension in July.
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18. DeMar DeRozan, Sacramento Kings
The NBA’s worst–keptsecret: Everyone on the Kings, including Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, are available in a trade, particularly as Sacramento pursues another headliner. The Kings could even be open to a DeRozan-for-Morant swap, so long as it does not cost them much more than Devin Carter, but is that enough to persuade Memphis?
17. Zach LaVine, Sacramento Kings
As with DeRozan, there is no secret about LaVine’s availability via trade. He is owed $49 million next season, when he will turn 32 years old. He has played four playoff games in 12 years. He has always been an efficient 20-point scorer, even if he cannot defend well and commits almost as many turnovers as he registers assists. It only makes sense that his contract is up for grabs.
16. RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors
Like Quickley, Barrett’s salary — $27.7 million this season and $29.6 million next season — makes for an intriguing match in Toronto’s pursuit of an upgrade, which is another reason why he has been linked to rumors surrounding both Davis and Morant. Barrett holds some value on his own, as the 25-year-old has averaged a fairly efficient 20-5-4 for the fourth-place Raptors.
Given the mix in Cleveland, with Evan Mobley emerging as a force in the middle, we have long wondered whether Allen would be long for the Cavaliers. Trade consideration subsided last season, as the Cavs won 64 games, but ever since they lost another second-round playoff series and started this season in search of a playoff guarantee, speculation has only resurfaced.
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13. Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
Miami will be linked to whatever superstar becomes available, including if and when the Bucks decide to entertain sweepstakes for Giannis Antetokounmpo. One of the few assets the Heat can offer in return is Herro, a 26-year-old, one-time All-Star and former Sixth Man of the Year. He is owed $33 million in 2026-27. How enticing that is to a team trading a superstar is in question.
As is the case with Allen in the frontcourt, there is a logjam in Cleveland’s backcourt, where Donovan Mitchell is the premier option. Garland’s impact is somewhat redundant, and the Cavs might be looking to make better sense of their roster. For those interested, though, Substack’s Jake Fischer insists, “I just haven’t heard any credible rumblings about Garland’s availability.”
10. Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers
Credit Lakers superstar LeBron James’ agent, Rich Paul, for entering Reaves’ name into the trade discussion, as he proposed a swap of the Lakers’ 27-year-old guard for Jaren Jackson Jr. Paul is not wrong, either, as Reaves could be owed a near-max contract at season’s end, and any quest for a star partner to James and Luka Dončić would require Reaves’ services in return.
9. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
Again: No secret has been made about the availability of Sabonis, LaVine and DeRozan. The Kings are looking to mix things up, once again, and if it costs them their best players, so be it. It is not like Sacramento is winning anything as currently constituted. And Sabonis is capable of a triple-double on any given night, although his defense might dissuade most potential suitors.
“Everybody in here who knows me, knows I’m a very loyal guy,” insisted Morant. “I got a logo on my back, and that should tell you where I want to be.” Of course, based on everything else we have heard, Morant no longer wants to be on the Grizzlies, and they no longer want him, either. As anticipated, multiple suitors have emerged for Morant, including Miami, though at what cost?
6. Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans
And again: Murphy is among the names New Orleans has been unwilling to discuss. Still, “not completely no on Trey, but a pretty high price tag,” according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick. And it makes complete sense. Murphy (22-6-4 on near 50/40/90 shooting splits) is the exact kind of 3-and-D wing, with the potential for more to his game, that any rival team would want to acquire.
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5. Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn Nets
It is unclear how much the Warriors’ reported interest in Porter has changed in the wake of Butler’s injury, as it was even unclear how much Golden State was interested anyhow. Detroit has discussed the idea of dealing for Porter, according to Fischer. We have seen Porter win a title. Surely another contender can convince itself he can help them win, too.
Funny thing about Giannis. He might want out. “I don’t know,” he said most recently, “I take it day by day.” He should want out, since his Bucks are bound for the lottery. But he does not want to ask out, for fear of alienating the fans in Milwaukee, per Collier. So maybe he will let his agent do his bidding. In which case, the league will line up for his services. This is Giannis, after all.
