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Brent Burns Settling In With Avalanche After Hurricanes Departure

James Guillory-Imagn Images

It’s safe to say that Brent Burns is embracing the competitiveness at Colorado Avalanche training camp.

After playing the past three seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes, Burns signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Avalanche. 

Going into training camp, Burns had some nerves, but he’s getting settled in. 

"You know, the good feelings for me coming in, it's not just another training camp," Burns said. "You get antsy before you go to bed. You're nervous in the morning, no idea what to expect. It was a great practice. It was tough."

Rod Brind'Amour Impressed With Logan Stankoven As He Makes Potential Transition To CenterRod Brind'Amour Impressed With Logan Stankoven As He Makes Potential Transition To CenterThrough the start of Carolina Hurricanes’ training camp, Logan Stankoven has had the opportunity to play center. 

The 40-year-old defenseman recorded six goals, 23 assists, and 29 points in 82 games for the Hurricanes last year, while averaging 20:57 minutes.

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Braves sign veteran Charlie Morton, a day after the right-handed pitcher was released by Tigers

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves signed veteran pitcher Charlie Morton to a major league contract on Monday, a day after the right-hander was designated for assignment and released by Detroit.

Braves manager Brian Snitker did not say if the 41-year-old Morton will pitch for the Braves in the final week of the season. Snitker said Morton will be in Atlanta on Tuesday.

“I don't know what (the plan is) until we get him here and talk through everything,” Snitker said. “We don't really have a plan. We got him back. I don't know what that plan would be. I talked to him Saturday afternoon before batting practice (in Detroit). It wasn't even on the radar.”

This would be Morton's third career stint with the Braves. He was drafted by Atlanta in the third round (95th overall) of the 2002 draft. Morton made his MLB debut with Atlanta in 2008 and from 2009 to 2020 pitched for the Pirates, Phillies, Astros and Rays, respectively, before returning to Atlanta for the 2021-24 seasons.

Morton signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the Orioles in January and was traded to the Tigers before July's trade deadline.

Morton won a World Series title with the Astros in 2017 and the Braves in 2021.

This season, Morton is 9-11 with a 5.89 ERA in 32 games, including 26 starts. Morton has a career regular-season win-loss record of 147-134 over 415 games (406 starts) and 2,266 innings. His 2,195 career strikeouts rank sixth among active MLB pitchers.

In a corresponding move, Atlanta optioned right-handed pitcher Jhancarlos Lara to Triple-A Gwinnett and designated right-hander Carson Ragsdale for assignment.

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Sixers sign 4 players to Exhibit 10 deals ahead of training camp

Sixers sign 4 players to Exhibit 10 deals ahead of training camp  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

With their first official practices of the season coming up over the weekend, the Sixers announced four signings Monday night.

The team has added Emoni Bates, Kennedy Chandler, Malcolm Hill and Jaylen Martin. According to a Sixers source, the players all inked Exhibit 10 deals. 

Exhibit 10 contracts are non-guaranteed, minimum-salary agreements that can be converted into two-way or standard deals before the start of the regular season. In general, Exhibit 10 signees often go on to join an organization’s G League team, since the contracts incentivize players to do so with a bonus. 

Bates is a 6-foot-8 forward and former high school sensation. Now 21 years old, Bates has 25 NBA appearances under his belt over the last two seasons with the Cavs. Bates has averaged 19.8 points and 5.6 rebounds across the past two years in the G League.

Shot selection has broadly been viewed as a weaker area for Bates, who’s a smooth player capable of hitting difficult jumpers. He went just 37.7 percent from the floor and 32.6 percent from three-point range last G League season.

Chandler is a true point guard who measured in at 5-foot-11.5 (without shoes) and 172 pounds at the 2022 NBA draft combine. The Tennessee product wound up going No. 38 overall in that draft and has yet to stick in the NBA. Chandler posted 13.2 points, 5.1 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 50 G League games last year for Raptors 905. 

Martin, 21, has 16 games of NBA experience and several G League stops, including with the Delaware Blue Coats. The 6-6 wing averaged 13.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals during the 2024-25 G League season. 

Hill’s also 6-6 and the veteran of the bunch at 29 years old. He’s been a high-scoring, sweet-shooting player in the G League. Hill racked up 22 points per game in the ’23-24 G League season with the Birmingham Squadron and shot 41.8 percent beyond the arc on 7.4 attempts per contest. 

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Three Longest Distances Between AHL and NHL Affiliates

Every NHL team has their AHL affiliate. Some of these AHL affiliates are located in the same city as, or close to, the NHL team. Examples of that would be the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Marlies, the San Jose Sharks and the Barracuda, the Calgary Flames and the Wranlgers, and a few more.

However, there are other situations where the affiliates are more than 1,000 miles apart from each other. States and provinces separate some teams, while others are on opposite sides of the border.

Here are the three longest distances between NHL and AHL affiliates.

1. Edmonton Oilers And Bakersfield Condors - 1,284 Miles

The distance between the Edmonton Oilers and Bakersfield Condors is the biggest between an NHL and AHL affiliate in the entire league. Between the two cities is about 1,284 flying miles. That’s around four-and-a-half times the Grand Canyon.

Edmonton is the capital city of Alberta, located in the mid-west of Canada. Bakersfield is in California, on the west coast of the U.S. This city is further south than San Jose and San Francisco, making travel by plane over three hours long.

Neutral-Site Matchups And Locations For The 2025-26 NHL Pre-SeasonNeutral-Site Matchups And Locations For The 2025-26 NHL Pre-SeasonThe NHL pre-season has officially arrived this weekend as another season approaches. Not only is pre-season a great time for coaches and management to test out line combinations and review their roster, but it’s a great time for the NHL and the teams to try new things.

2. Tampa Bay Lightning And Syracuse Crunch - 1,098 Miles

The Syracuse Crunch has been around since 1994-95 and has been the AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning since the 2011-12 season. Since then, they’ve been the home to coach Jon Cooper, Nikita Kucherov, Andrei Vasilevskiy, and several other individuals who have made great impacts in the NHL.

Between Tampa, Fla., and Syracuse, N.Y. is 1,098 miles, the second-longest distance among the two affiliates. The travel time between the two cities is nearly three hours. A shorter flight than Edmonton to Bakersfield, but still not an easy trip for a call-up.

3. Seattle Kraken And Coachella Valley Firebirds - 1,011 Miles

The latest NHL expansion team and one of the newest NHL franchises, the Seattle Kraken and the Coachella Valley Firebirds, make up the third-longest distance between league affiliates.

The Kraken are based in Seattle, Wash., while the Firebirds are located in Palm Desert, Calif. The distance between the two clubs and cities is about 1,011 miles and is around the same flight time from Tampa to Syracuse, just under three hours.

Check out our AHL to KHL signing tracker and AHL Free Agency signing tracker.        

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Opinion: Was Gritsyuk Overhyped?

The New Jersey Devils’ highly anticipated prospect Arseny Gritsyuk finally hit the ice yesterday, making his debut in a preseason matchup against the New York Rangers.

Although the Devils fell 5-3, the spotlight was firmly on Gritsyuk,  and he didn’t disappoint.

After years of speculation and buildup, fans wondered if his success in the Kontinental Hockey League would translate to the NHL. Drafted 129th overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Gritsyuk only just arrived in North America, but his debut showed why the hype may have been justified.

Against the Rangers, he stood out as the most dynamic player on either side. Gritsyuk finished the game with two points, a goal and an assist, while also leading all players with six shots on goal. His quick skating, sharp hockey IQ, and relentless shooting made an immediate impression.

When told of his stat line after the game, Gritsyuk was stunned, blurting out in Russian, “How — many?”

Head coach Sheldon Keefe had emphasized before the game that he wanted Gritsyuk to stay true to his offensive instincts:

“He’s an offensive player. So in a game like this, you want him confident, making plays, being himself offensively. At the same time, it’s all the little things: energy, speed, comprehension of our system. Each player has an identity of who they are. Go out and be that.”

Gritsyuk delivered, scoring his first goal and setting up Paul Cotter for another.

“Great little slip on Cotter’s goal,” Keefe said. “The more touches he got in the second half of the game, I thought Grits started to come alive a little bit. That was positive to see.”

Afterward, Gritsyuk reflected on the pace of NHL hockey with a mix of honesty and humor:

“I am tired,” he laughed. “A lot of battles, big speed, all guys are bigger than me, but I enjoyed this time. I had good partners, good team, couple of guys support me on the bench, Cotter a lot of time saved me on the ice. I’m feeling good.”

So, was he overhyped? Based on one preseason game, no. While it’s just the beginning of his Devils career, Gritsyuk’s performance showed that the long wait might have been worth it.

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Brennan Othmann Not Expected To Receive Discipline For Elbowing Calen Addison

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Brennan Othmann will not receive any discipline for his elbowing penalty on Calen Addison during the New York Rangers’ 5-3 preseason win against the New Jersey Devils on Sunday. 

In the third period, Othmann elbowed Addison in the face, which resulted in a five-minute major penalty and game misconduct. 

According to Vince Mercogliano of The Athletic, it sounds like Brennan Othmann won’t be facing any discipline for the hit. 

Othmann suffered an injury himself during the second period of this game, but he was ultimately able to return in the third period.

Last season, Othmann played in 22 games for the Rangers, while suiting up in 27 games for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League. 

The 22-year-old forward hopes to make the Rangers’ opening-night roster this year. 

“I’m brutally honest, I’m not worried about my abilities or when I’m going to play in the NHL, I will play in the NHL at some point,” Othmann said. “Whether it’s this year or whenever, I’m going to play in the NHL. I'm just confident in my ability as a player…

Four Takeaways From The Rangers' First Preseason GameFour Takeaways From The Rangers' First Preseason GameThe New York Rangers won their first preseason game against the New Jersey Devils 5-3 on Sunday afternoon. 

“I don't know what other job I'd rather be doing. I'm a professional hockey player going on my third year now, like, it's exactly what I want to do. Obviously, in the NHL, but I'm a professional hockey player. I get here, I work out, I skate, I laugh, I have fun. That’s the best part of it, being around guys that you love and guys that love you back.”

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Three Takeaways from the LA Kings' Defeating the Ducks 3-1 in the First Preseason Match

© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Kings earned a 3-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks at home in early preseason action, giving fans a taste of what’s to come for the regular season. 

While the result won’t count in the wins column, it’s still a valuable performance by the Kings as they prepare for the 2025-26 regular season in just a few weeks.

Now, here are three takeaways below that Kings’ fans should be excited about what they saw tonight and should expect to see more of in the regular season. 

1. Kings Depth Makes Its Case

Preseason is very important because it gives a chance for the younger players and other players who are looking to crack the roster and depth chart. We saw Alex Turcotte

played a great game, finishing with 1 goal, 2 points, and one assist. 

The 19-year-old goaltender Carter George also officially played his first game in a Kings uniform and didn’t disappoint, leading the Kings to a win in his first NHL career start, finishing the game with a .963 save percentage for the day. 

Several other players also stepped up, including Alex Laferriere and Andre Lee, both finishing with a goal and combining for seven goals attempted. Again, the game doesn’t seem important, but it definitely is, and the coaching staff will have something to think about to decide who makes the final roster spot. 

2. Defense Continues to Hold Up

As mentioned before, the Kings were great in the game defensively, especially first-year goaltender Carter George, anchoring the defense and holding the Ducks to just one goal on the night. 

This was a team that was No. 1 in defense by lowest expected goals against, and today they showed the league how versatile they could be again. 

Granted, it was just one preseason game, but this is still a good sign, especially considering the losses of Corey Perry to injury and David Rittich and Vladislav Gavrikov to the Rangers and Islanders, respectively. 

It gave us a chance to see the Kings' depth step up, and it was very exciting to see the younger players demonstrate they have what it takes to play big. 

3. Goaltending Remains Consistent

The Kings can’t just rely on Darcy Kuemper this season, who is among the best goaltenders in the league, but he is 35 years old and will need some help in the backup role.

Whether that backup is George, Pheonix Coply, or Anton Forsberg, it will be interesting to see who competes and wins that spot to be the primary backup for Kuemper. 

Again, it was one preseason game for George and his first-ever start in the NHL, and the regular season is a whole other level, so we have to wait and see what happens there. 

But for now, give credit to George for being ready and prepared for his first-ever career start and delivering in a great win.  

Looking Ahead 

Preseason won’t define everything in a season, but the Kings' 3-1 win over the Ducks showed their prepared for anything, and it was very encouraging for Kings fans to be happy about. 

With its young players playing for something to prove, goaltending staying steady, and the defense continuing to remain strong, LA is positioning itself to start the 2025-26 season on a high note.  

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What we learned as Justin Verlander falls back to Earth in Giants' loss to Cards

What we learned as Justin Verlander falls back to Earth in Giants' loss to Cards originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO — Throughout an up-and-down second half, the Giants always have viewed this final homestand as a huge potential boost for their MLB playoff chances. They knew that if they could just get within a game or two of a spot heading into the final week, they would have a decent chance to try and run the table and reach October. 

They did not, however, enter this homestand within a game or two of the third wild-card spot. And they’re not going to run the table, either. 

The final homestand of the year started with a 6-5 loss Monday to the St. Louis Cardinals, who pulled into a tie with the Giants in the overall NL standings. The Giants officially could be eliminated from postseason contention as soon as Tuesday. 

On another warm night at Oracle Park, the teams took turns hitting rockets. There were 10 balls hit at least 106 mph, including five at 110-plus (three by Matt Chapman alone). 

The scoring started early with a solo shot from Heliot Ramos, and the Giants went up 4-2 in the bottom of the fourth on singles by Ramos and Patrick Bailey.

But the Cardinals struck right back, scoring four runs in the top of the fifth and sending Justin Verlander back to the clubhouse. 

The Giants got a run back on Rafael Devers’ solo blast to left in the bottom of the fifth, but shut it down from there. 

Stuck on 265

Verlander’s attempt to continue climbing the all-time charts stood out as one of the storylines of the final homestand, but he had a rough night. The right-hander has been one of the game’s best pitchers over the last month, but he was charged with six runs — four of them earned — in 4 1/3 innings and didn’t take advantage of the early lead the Giants gave him. 

Through 28 starts, Verlander still has just three wins. This will be the first season of his MLB career with double-digit starts and fewer than five wins. In fact, prior to this season he never had won fewer than 11 games in a season with at least 25 starts. 

Verlander remains tied for 39th all-time with 265 wins, but he should get one more chance this weekend to pick up No. 266 and tie Bob Feller and Eppa Rixey for 37th. 

Leading Off

Ramos got the season’s final homestand off to a great start, blasting a solo shot off Michael McGreevy while leading off the bottom of the first. It was Ramos’ fifth leadoff homer of the year, which put him in pretty good company. The only other right-handed batter to hit at least five leadoff homers for the Giants is Bobby Bonds, who did it three times. Barry’s dad had an incredible 11 leadoff homers in 1973 alone.

Ramos, who later added a two-run single, has five games left to reach 20 homers for a second straight season. The Giants already have three players — Chapman, Devers and Willy Adames — who have reached that mark. 

Good With The Glove

The best defensive center fielders often are the ones who never leave their feet, and generally, that has been Drew Gilbert. The rookie gets good jumps and has done an impressive job of running balls down as a Giant, but he had to lay out to rob Thomas Saggese of extra bases in the seventh.

Gilbert went 95 feet to make the catch, and it ended up being a big play. The next batter hit a ball into the gap, but the Cardinals wouldn’t score in the inning. 

Gilbert’s role heading into next year is still unclear, but he definitely appears to be the roster’s best defensive outfielder. If he hits enough to become an everyday player, the Giants might have to have an interesting conversation about whether to play Gilbert in center and move Jung Hoo Lee to a corner. 

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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European football: Marseille spoil PSG’s party, Napoli wobble in win over Pisa

  • Nayef Aguerd’s early header settles delayed Ligue 1 tie

  • Antonio Conte’s side stay perfect in Serie A with 3-2 win

Paris Saint-Germain suffered a 1-0 defeat at Marseille in Monday’s rearranged “Le Classique”, with Nayef Aguerd’s early header proving decisive in his side’s first home league win over their bitter rivals since 2011.

After Sunday’s weather-enforced postponement of the match amid heavy rain and storms, PSG fell to their first league defeat of the season on a night where Ousmane Dembélé was presented with the 2025 Ballon d’Or men’s award in Paris.

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Penguins At Canadiens Preseason Preview: Young Players Aim To Prove Themselves

At long last, Pittsburgh Penguins hockey is back on Monday. They will play their first game of the preseason in the Bell Centre against the Montreal Canadiens at 7 p.m. ET. 

The Penguins announced the lineup for this game on Sunday evening, and it includes a lot of young players trying to make the NHL roster. There are still some NHL veterans in this lineup, including Anthony Mantha, Tommy Novak, and Robby Fabbri, but the lineup consists mostly of young players like Harrison Brunicke, Owen Pickering, Sergei Murashov, Joel Blomqvist, Tristan Broz, Avery Hayes, and Ben Kindel. 

Those players, along with several others, will be given an opportunity to impress head coach Dan Muse and the rest of the coaching staff as they push for spots on the opening night roster. 

Joel Blomqvist will get the start in net and play the first half of the game before Sergei Murashov replaces him. Blomqvist is battling Arturs Silovs for the backup goaltender spot behind Tristan Jarry, but don't forget about Murashov.

Murashov is a long shot to make the NHL roster right now, but he's been the best goaltender at training camp thus far. He could at least take that momentum to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for a full season before potentially being NHL-ready for the 2026-27 season.

This game will be a good test for some of the Penguins' young players since the Canadiens will have some of their regulars playing, including defenseman Noah Dobson, forwards Brendan Gallagher and Patrik Laine, and goaltender Samuel Montembeault. 

The Penguins went 3-0-0 against the Canadiens during the regular season last year and outscored them 18-6. Rickard Rakell was dominant in those games, compiling three goals and six points. 

You can listen to the game on 105.9 The X and view the full rosters for the game here. 

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!     

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Vancouver Canucks Sign Two Star OHL Players

<i>Brampton Steelheads forward Gabriel Chiarot. Photo credit: Terry Wilson/OHL Images</i>

A couple of OHL players returned to their respective club teams after attending the Vancouver Canucks training camp, but they are both coming back with NHL contracts. 

On Sunday evening, the Vancouver Canucks made a round of cuts, assigning Gabriel Chiarot back to the Brampton Steelheads and Riley Patterson to his new OHL team, the Niagara IceDogs. 

However, on Monday, the organization announced that the club had signed both forwards Patterson and Chiarot to three-year, entry-level contracts. 

Patterson, 19, was drafted 125th overall in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL draft by the Canucks. Through two seasons with the Barrie Colts in the OHL, he’s put together back-to-back 25+ goal seasons (25,29), and has recorded 121 points (54 goals, 67 assists) in 132 regular season games. 

The Colts had one of the deepest rosters in the OHL last season. Patterson recorded three fewer points than he did the previous year, but interestingly, he tied with the New York Islanders’ 2025 first-round pick, Kashawn Aitcheson, for the most points on the team, both finishing the season with 59 points.

Patterson didn’t report to Barrie’s training camp when it opened, as he had requested a trade, wanting a fresh start with a new OHL team. Barrie traded him to the Niagara IceDogs in exchange for five draft picks in late August. 

Chiarot, 19, had the opportunity to celebrate his birthday on the 17th at Vancouver’s training camp, and what better way to celebrate than by signing your first NHL contract. 

The Hamilton, Ontario, native was selected 175th overall in the sixth round of the 2025 NHL Draft by Vancouver. Chiarot recorded 35 goals (21 goals, 14 assists) in 66 regular season games last year with the Brampton Steelheads. 

Chiarot’s appeal is that he’s a 200-foot, diligent winger who has the drive to play at the professional level. He’s a dirty-area player. He battles well in the corners, wins puck battles, has a presence on the forecheck, and is fearless in attacking the front of the net. He’s a responsible player who makes contributions on both sides of the puck, despite showcasing a minimal playmaking skill set. 

Now, Chiarot didn’t rack up the points last season in his draft year, but he looked very impressive in three OHL pre-season games, recording three goals and four assists. 

The Steelheads are going to be a much weaker team this year compared to last year. Canucks prospect Chiarot will be expected to lead the way offensively on a nightly basis for his club. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's OHL site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

Latest OHL News:

Former London Knight Impressing Maple Leafs Organization & FanbaseFormer London Knight Impressing Maple Leafs Organization & FanbaseThe majority of NHL teams have kicked off their pre-season this past weekend, including the Toronto Maple Leafs. Training camp and pre-season are opportunities for younger players in the system to impress coaches and management and make a name for themselves.  Reversal Trade? OHL's Flint & Niagara Swap Players 13 Months Later Reversal Trade? OHL's Flint & Niagara Swap Players 13 Months Later Here’s a trade you don’t see too often. The Niagara IceDogs have reacquired defenseman Artem Frolov and forward Hayden Reid from the Flint Firebirds, two players who were traded from Niagara to Flint 13 months ago in a massive three-team deal involving those two teams and the Barrie Colts.  Colorado Avalanche Prospect Christian Humphreys Confidence Rekindled After Leaving The NCAA For OHL's Kitchener RangersColorado Avalanche Prospect Christian Humphreys Confidence Rekindled After Leaving The NCAA For OHL's Kitchener RangersShould OHL players leave for opportunities to play collegiate-level hockey in the NCAA? That is a conversation that is constantly being had since we are seeing more and more high-end players from the CHL leave their junior teams to play in the NCAA. 
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Fantasy Basketball Guards 2025-26: Top 50 rankings, season outlooks, key stats

We're less than a month away from the start of the NBA season, which makes this a great time to go through our positional rankings at Rotoworld.

You can find our Top 50 forwards here and our Top 50 centers here, but we're discussing guards in this article.

The guard position is a vital one to figure out in fantasy basketball, though it certainly isn't a position that is lacking talent. There are plenty of unique guards with different strengths and weaknesses that can be optimized for any team build, though last season's MVP is alone at the top, thanks to his well-rounded, dominant statistical production.

Below is how we'd value SGA and 49 other guards in fantasy basketball this season.

Check it out: Follow the new Rotoworld Hoops account on X!

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2025-26 Fantasy Basketball Draft Prep Guide: Rankings, strategy, sleepers, mock draft results, and more
Your one-stop-shop for Rotoworld’s fantasy basketball draft coverage.

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 32.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.7 steals, 1.0 block, 2.1 three-pointers

SGA was the best guard in fantasy basketball last season, which is why he should be selected with a top-three pick in every draft. The reigning MVP is the top guard on our board due to a combination of his ability and his availability. The Thunder rotation should be the same as it was last season, which means SGA should be able to deliver a similar output. Not that any roster change would actually impact his production; he’ll continue to be one of the best offensive players in the league while also providing both steals and blocks. He posted career-highs in points, assists and three-pointers last season, and he’ll be in the mix for the top spot in fantasy basketball once again this year.

2. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.8 steals, 3.5 three-pointers

Raise your hand if you accurately predicted how Doncic’s 2024-25 season would go. He missed time early on due to injuries, and then was traded to the Lakers in a move that shocked the basketball world. The last few months of their season was simply a trial run, and they made moves this offseason to better build around Doncic and LeBron James, with the signing of Deandre Ayton as the team’s lob threat down low as the main addition. Now, with an offseason to forge a team and playbook around the strengths of Doncic, the Lakers will be looking to compete for a title. With LeBron on the wrong side of 40, keeping him fresh for the playoffs is a priority, which means Doncic will be running things more often than not. He should be in for what has become a typical dominant season.

3. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 26.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 9.1 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.8 blocks, 2.1 three-pointers

It took a few seasons, but Detroit was finally able to put together a competitive roster around Cunningham, and it immediately resulted in the best season of his career. The added spacing of Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. opened up driving lanes for Cade, and the development of his teammates made things easier. Plus, Cunningham made individual strides. The Pistons lost THJ in free agency, and Beasley remains unsigned, but the return of Jaden Ivey, who missed the final three months of last season with a broken leg, should help make up for the losses. There’s no reason to think Cunningham won’t continue to progress after making his first All-NBA team last season.

4. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 4.1 three-pointers

Every year, Edwards seems to take a step forward and add something new to his game. Last season, it was a three-point revolution for him, as he led the league in total threes made and increased his scoring average, which he has done every season of his career. Minnesota lost Nickeil Alexander-Walker in free agency, but the rest of the rotation should look the same, with some of the young guys making up for NAW’s departure. None of that will directly impact Edwards’ spot, and he’ll continue to carry the offensive workload for the T-wolves, which should result in a monster season for him.

5. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 25.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.4 three-pointers

To put it mildly, last season was a disaster for the Suns, but it wasn’t terrible for Booker. Sure, his field goal percentage dropped, but he was still able to average at least 25 points for the seventh consecutive season, and he set a new career-high for assists. Now, Phoenix’s “big three” experiment is over, with Kevin Durant in Houston and Bradley Beal in Los Angeles. The Suns brought back Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, but this is clearly Booker’s team. While the two newcomers will see their fair share of usage, everything is going to run through Booker under new head coach Jordan Ott. It isn’t an unfair expectation to think Booker could be in for the most productive season of his career.

6. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 24.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 11.6 assists, 1.2 steals, 2.9 three-pointers

Young started last season slowly, and while he did improve as the season progressed, he posted the lowest field goal percentage of his career and his fewest points per game since his rookie year. Young was one of the premier point guard options in fantasy hoops last season by providing a healthy dose of points, assists and threes while maintaining an elite free throw percentage and rate. Now, he has the most talented supporting cast of his career, headlined by the addition of Kristaps Porzingis, who is by far the best stretch five that Young has played with. It wouldn’t be shocking if Young was able to have one of the most efficient seasons of his career with more space to operate in.

7. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 24.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 3.3 three-pointers

While the Cavs were able to put together the second 60-win season in franchise history, it wasn’t because Mitchell took a step forward. In fact, his numbers regressed across the board during the first season under Kenny Atkinson. Mitchell’s 31.4 minutes per game were a career-low, which can at least partially be attributed to the absurd amount of blowout wins the team had. They didn’t make many offseason changes, but they’ll enter the year with Darirus Garland (toe) and Max Strus (foot) both dealing with injuries, which should mean extra usage for Mitchell early on. He could certainly be in for a bounceback season after “only” providing third-round value in nine-category leagues last season.

8. Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets

Positions: PG/SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 14.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.3 blocks

When Jabari Smith Jr. went down with a left hand injury last season, Thompson stepped into a starting role with Houston and never gave it back. In just his second year, Thompson became one of the best players in fantasy basketball, and the trade to bring in Kevin Durant will only help. With Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks gone, Thompson will be the Rockets’ best defender and starting shooting guard. Durant’s presence will create more space for Thompson as a driver, and his dominance defensively should continue. Shooting will never be a strength for him, but Thompson is impactful everywhere else.

9. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 24.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.1 steals, 4.4 three-pointers

Curry just keeps getting it done at a high level. He was back up over a steal per game and played at least 70 games for the second straight season. He also survived a slower start to the season (to his standards) and was better after the All-Star break. The trade deadline addition of Jimmy Butler will alleviate some of the offensive responsibility from Curry, but it also made life a little easier. This roster still has some unknowns as they try to navigate the Jonathan Kuminga saga, but nothing should drastically impact Curry’s production. This team will go as far as he takes them. They know that, and there’s nothing that could happen that will change that.

10. James Harden, LA Clippers

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 8.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 3.0 three-pointers.

Even at his age, Harden continues to get it done. He played 79 games last season, making it the second consecutive season that he played at least 70 games. He also provided second round value, which was a nice bounceback for him after he finished outside the first two rounds during the 2023-24 season for the first time in over a decade. The Clippers made some roster upgrades this offseason, but nothing should impact Harden’s place in the rotation or his usage. He figures to be among the league leaders in assists once again while still providing plenty of points, steals and threes.

11. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 26.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.8 steals, 3.1 three-pointers

There was a lot to be frustrated about in Philadelphia last season, but Maxey’s early season success wasn’t part of that. He had the best season of his career and was one of the best players in fantasy basketball from mid-December to early February. He wasn’t available much after the All-Star break, but he should be healthy to start this season. The availability of Joel Embiid is the big question mark in Philly right now, and the answer should have a large impact on how dominant Maxey can be. Regardless, Maxey will at least be the second option, and it’s hard to imagine Embiid playing more than 50-55 games, and that’s staying positive. Maxey should run this team for much of the upcoming season.

12. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 26.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.3 three-pointers

The arrival of Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges gave the Knicks a more balanced roster, which contributed to Brunson taking nearly three fewer shots per game last season. His scoring dropped, but he made up for it with a career-high for assists. New York moved on from Tom Thibodeau this summer and hired Mike Brown to replace him. They also added more depth in the backcourt with Jordan Clarkson and Malcolm Brogdon. Brunson will still be the focal point offensively, but there’s certainly a chance he loses out on a few minutes per game. Still, he should be one of the best offensive players in the league once again, and Brown will want to take advantage of that in his first season at the helm. Expect plenty of points and assists from Brunson once again.

13. Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.5 three-pointers

The knee jerk reaction to the trade that sent Alex Caruso to the Thunder and Giddey to the Bulls was that OKC dominated the trade. While the addition of Caruso helped the Thunder win the championship last season, it doesn’t feel like a landslide deal anymore, thanks to the second-half emergence of Giddey, who was one of the best players in fantasy basketball after the All-Star break. It took a while, but they signed him to a four-year, $100 million contract in September. They didn’t give him superstar money, but he should play that role for them for the next few seasons, which means he could be in for a monster season in the box score.

14. De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 23.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.9 three-pointers

Drama swirled around Sacramento early on last season, which resulted in Mike Brown being fired in December and Fox being traded to San Antonio in February. Fox only played in 17 games for the Spurs, with Victor Wembanyama only being available for five of those. San Antonio also added Dylan Harper with the second pick in the draft, and while he shouldn’t impact Fox’s minutes immediately, it does put his future with the team in question, which is weird to think about, since they’ve barely had him on the roster. Still, that won’t alter this season, and Fox should be in for a big year as the lead ball handler and playmaker for the most talented Spurs team in a while. The Fox-Wemby pairing should be fun to watch and only get better as the season progresses.

15. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 25.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.1 steals, 3.8 three-pointers

LaMelo played 47 games last season. While that was an improvement over his two previous seasons, it still wasn’t good enough. It’s difficult to invest a premium pick into a player that has played 105 gamesover the last three seasons, but that’s the type of talent that Ball is. Charlotte added Kon Knueppel in the draft and traded for Collin Sexton, which will provide Ball with more space to operate and scorers to pass the ball to. This team is talented enough to compete for a postseason spot in the East, but like the last few seasons, it won’t happen if Ball isn’t available to play. That’s the risk every manager will take when they consider drafting him, but if he has a healthy season, the payoff will be worth it.

16. Desmond Bane, Orlando Magic

Positions: SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.2 steals, 2.4 three-pointers

Bane has been a top-40 player in nine-cat leagues for each of the last four seasons, but he’ll get a fresh start in Orlando after spending the first five seasons of his career in Memphis. Bane will immediately step into a starting spot and provide Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner with plenty of space to operate in the paint. Bane will be the third option on offense, but he should get plenty of good looks as a floor spacer while still getting the chance to orchestrate the offense. It may look different, but there’s no reason to think Bane won’t be able to replicate top-tier production for his new squad as they try to compete for the top seed in the East.

17. Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 3.0 steals, 1.1 three-pointers

There may not have been a better value pick last season than Daniels, who won the Most Improved Player award and was a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year. In his first season with Atlanta, Daniels enjoyed a breakout season and led the league in steals. The Hawks added some backcourt depth this offseason in Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard, but neither should impact Daniels’ place in the rotation. Daniels may not replicate his steals production from last season, but he should be among the league leaders in swipes.

18. Derrick White, Boston Celtics

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 16.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.1 blocks, 3.5 three-pointers

White ascended to fantasy stardom two years ago and was able to maintain that last season. He took slight hits across the board, but he set a new career-high for points, rebounds and three-pointers, which prevented his overall value from sinking far despite a drop in shooting percentages. Obviously, this Celtics roster is going to look quite different next season, with Jayson Tatum (Achilles) out for the season, Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis gone, Al Horford likely gone, and Anfernee Simons in town. White is now the clear best defender, and he’s still one of the best offensive players, though he may not see a usage bump with both Simons and Payton Pritchard splitting point guard duties. Still, White should remain a top-tier option in fantasy basketball once again.

19. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 21.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 2.3 three-pointers

After years of injury question marks, Murray has been able to flip the narrative in recent years. His 67 games last year were the most he’s played since the 2018-19 season, and his 36.1 minutes per game were a career-high. Denver made some backcourt upgrades this offseason by bringing in Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr., but neither move should have an impact on Murray’s production. Assuming Murray is able to have another healthy season, he should be in line for another strong season after finishing in the top-20 in nine-cat value last season.

20. Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 20.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 2.8 three-pointers

Despite a slow finish to last season, Garland was still able to have a productive year, finishing in the top-50 for the third time in the last four years. It was a step up after a down year during the 2023-24 season, and he was able to address the toe issue that caused his slow finish to the year by undergoing a procedure in June. He’s expected to miss the start of the season, but it isn’t expected to be a long-term absence, though it could cause him to start the year slow.

21. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 23.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.8 three-pointers

Morant was in and out of the lineup all season for Memphis, but his 50 games played were a huge step up after only being available nine times the year before. However, his production took a hit across the board, including his minutes. The team fired Taylor Jenkins at the end of the season and made Tuomas Iisalo the full-time coach at the end of the year. Iisalo emphasized pick-and-rolls with Zach Edey way more than Jenkins did, which is something Morant had been asking for. Health will continue to be a concern for Morant, but he could certainly have the most productive season of his career.

22. Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.1 steals, 2.7 three-pointers

Reaves is coming off the most productive season of his career, and he continues to improve every year. The trade for Luka Doncic didn’t slow him down; in fact, he was even better after the deal. The Lakers made some improvements this offseason, but none that will alter the backcourt rotation. Reaves will look to replicate his late-season numbers, where he was a borderline top-25 player in fantasy basketball. It seems unlikely that he does, but if he can, he’ll end up thoroughly outplaying his ADP.

23. Immanuel Quickley, Toronto Raptors

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 17.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 2.6 three-pointers

When Quickley was traded to the Raptors during the 2023-24 season, he was productive during the second half of that year, which led to many expecting a breakout for him last season. Unfortunately, injuries prevented that from happening. Now, he’s healthy to start this year, and he’ll be running a team that also added Brandon Ingram, who is set to make his debut for them. Quickley could be in line to have the breakout season that was expected last year, and if he does, Toronto could compete for a postseason spot.

24. Jordan Poole, New Orleans Pelicans

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 20.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.3 steals, 3.5 three-pointers

Despite a tumultuous first season in Washington, Poole was much better last year, which resulted in him posting career-highs in points, steals and three-pointers per game. That was enough for New Orleans to trade for him this offseason and task him with being the team’s point guard while Dejounte Murray recovers from an Achilles tear. Everything went wrong for the Pelicans last season, but Poole can have a productive year as the primary playmaker for a talented team. They don’t have the rights to their 2026 first-round pick, which means there’s no incentive to tank. There’s no reason to think Poole will be at risk of being a shutdown candidate if things go poorly for New Orleans again.

25. Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.9 three-pointers

Irving was an important piece for Dallas last season but quickly became even more important after Luka Doncic was traded to the Lakers. He was carrying the load offensively for the Mavericks for most of February before tearing his ACL in March. Irving will miss at least the first few months of the season, if not more, but it's difficult to pass on a player that's this good for very long. D'Angelo Russell and Cooper Flagg will both help with facilitating the offense until Irving returns, but he should be an impactful player when he's healthy, especially during the fantasy playoffs.

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26. Tyler Herro, Miami Heat

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 23.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 0.9 steals, 3.3 three-pointers

27. Anfernee Simons, Boston Celtics

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.8 points, 0.9 steals, 3.1 three-pointers

28. Zach LaVine, Sacramento Kings

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 23.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 3.2 three-pointers

29. Andrew Nembhard, Indiana Pacers

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 10.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.8 three-pointers

30. Coby White, Chicago Bulls

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 20.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.9 three-pointers

31. Christian Braun, Denver Nuggets

Positions: SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.1 three-pointers

32. Jalen Green, Phoenix Suns

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 21.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.9 three-pointers

33. Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets

Positions: SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 24.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.7 three-pointers

34. Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.9 steals, 3.2 three-pointers

35. Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 16.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.9 blocks, 2.2 three-pointers

36. D’Angelo Russell, Dallas Mavericks

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 12.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.9 three-pointers

37. Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers

Positions: SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.4 three-pointers

38. CJ McCollum, Washington Wizards

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 21.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.8 steals, 3.1 three-pointers

39. Bradley Beal, LA Clippers

Positions: SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.9 three-pointers

40. Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings

Position: SG

2024-25 stats: 17.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.1 three-pointers

41. Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.8 three-pointers

42. Scoot Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 12.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.6 three-pointers

43. Collin Sexton, Charlotte Hornets

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 18.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 three-pointers

44. Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists. 2.1 three-pointers

45. Shaedon Sharpe, Portland Trail Blazers

Positions: SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.0 three-pointers

46. Dennis Schröder, Sacramento Kings

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 13.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.7 three-pointers

47. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.2 three-pointers

48. VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers

Positions: SG

2024-25 stats (at Baylor): 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.1 steals, 1.6 three-pointers

49. Keyonte George, Utah Jazz

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 16.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.6 three-pointers

50. Dejounte Murray, New Orleans Pelicans

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.7 three-pointers