PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 3: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks talks to= Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers after the game on April 3, 2025 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know the Milwaukee Bucks are actively listening to trade offers for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo with the NBA trade deadline less than a week away.
League sources say Philadelphia, furthermore, has not contacted Milwaukee about a possible Antetokounmpo deal in the wake of a better-than-expected first half, but The Stein Line has learned that the prospect of teaming up with Tyrese Maxey — who, like Giannis, works with prominent NBA trainer Drew Hanlen — does have the 76ers on Antetokounmpo’s radar.
That’s a hell of a nugget.
The idea of Maxey and Giannis playing together is tantalizing, but it might not be realistic without the Greek Freak demanding to come to Philly. Let’s break it down a bit.
No. 3 overall pick VJ Edgecombe will be the absolute first player the Bucks bring up — as well they should. It’s not that Edgecombe is untouchable, but you have to look at the whole picture here.
Antetokounmpo, who is still one of the best players on earth, is 31 and now dealing with his second calf injury of the season. If Edgecombe is the centerpiece of that trade, you’d also have to include Paul George for salary matching purposes.
So, you’re trading away two starters for a team that already lacks depth, while also hoping for the health and fit of Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid to be pristine. There’s an argument to be made it’s worth the gamble. The other argument is it’s a little reckless, especially for the Sixers.
PHLY’s Kyle Neubeck already threw a bit of cold water on the idea of the Sixers moving Edgecombe for Giannis — or anybody.
Spoke to a league source this morning who completely shot down the idea that the Sixers would trade VJ Edgecombe in any move, including in speculative deals people are talking about for Giannis.
Should go without saying, but he’s part of the foundation in Philly
Going into this season, you weren’t even counting on Embiid and George to be healthy. It was all about the growth of Maxey and the team’s young core. Given Embiid’s injury history, it always made more sense to see how the young guys could do while anything Embiid and George gave you was gravy. There’s been more than expected, but it’s still gravy.
And as we saw with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers last season, depth matters. Both those teams were able to reach the Finals throwing waves of athletic players at their opponents. With the struggles of Quentin Grimes and Jared McCain — who hopefully is turning a corner — no real wing options off the bench and an unproven backup center in Adem Bona, how can the Sixers contend with such unreliable depth?
Could a Giannis-for-Embiid (plus other assets) swap work? It’s hard to see how. If Milwaukee takes back Embiid, there’s so much risk involved. If Embiid can’t stay healthy enough to keep the Bucks relevant, that’s a lot of money for a lot of years to eat. For as good as Embiid has looked recently, it’s hard to imagine a team wanting to take on that extension, which doesn’t even kick in until next season.
The other path is something like George, McCain and all the picks they can muster. It’s a not terrible return, especially when you consider the LA Clippers’ unprotected 2028 first-rounder and 2029 pick swap, but would it be the best offer out there? The fact that this feels like a no-brainer for the Sixers makes it hard to believe it would be something Milwaukee accepts … unless Giannis forces them to.
For what it’s worth, Fischer added this:
“They’re asking for the moon,” one general manager told me on Thursday morning. “All of your young players and all of your draft picks.”
ESPN’s Shams Charania, who broke the initial report, listed the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors as “serious suitors.” Fischer and Marc Stein narrowed that down to Miami and Minnesota. The Timberwolves have a couple valuable players on their roster in Jaden McDaniels, Joan Beringer, Terrance Shannon, Jr. and Rob Dillingham.
There’s also the very real possibility that Milwaukee simply holds off and reconvenes with teams after the season, where the return could possibly be greater. But Pandora appear to already be out of the box.
So, the question becomes, how badly does Antetokounmpo want to be a Sixer? We’ll see.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 31: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket around Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns during the third quarter at Rocket Arena on December 31, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Suns 129-113. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Who: Phoenix Suns (29-19) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (29-20)
When: 7:00 pm Arizona Time
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center – Phoenix, Arizona
Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports
Listen: KMVP 98.7
The Suns look to keep the win streak going at home and secure back-to-back wins for the fans against another formidable Eastern Conference opponent. This time, it is Jordan Ott’s former club, the Cavaliers, coming to town, and they got the best of them earlier this year, 129-113.
In this game, the Suns struggled against the physicality and interior presence of the double big lineup their opponents were using. I’d expect to see some version of that used for the Suns in this match-up. Knowing how innovative Ott has been with his coaching and schematics this season, some changes will come for him to seek his redemption.
The Cavaliers themselves are on a five-game win streak and clicking at the right time. This will not be an easy game for the Suns, especially as Devin Booker remains out for this contest. Hopefully, with Jalen Green getting some rest on the front end of the back-to-back, we can see him back in action to take some off the offensive workload.
Starting Lineups
Injury Report
Suns
Devin Booker — OUT (Ankle)
Jalen Green — QUESTIONABLE (Hamstring)
Cavaliers
Evan Mobley — OUT (Calf)
Darius Garland — OUT (Toe)
Max Strus — OUT (Foot)
What to Watch For
One thing to watch is how the Suns will stop Donovan Mitchell. Even if he is not an All-Star starter, he is having a fantastic year for the Cavs and is a significant reason they are not falling completely this season. Having key defenders like Jordan Goodwin and Dillon Brooks to throw on him late in the game will be crucial.
If the Suns can limit his ability to carry this offensive workload, they should have an easier time. Even if Evan Mobley is out, the Suns do need to win the paint battle and control the rebound game.
For the Cavs, it’s about seeing how well Jaylon Tyson performs in this matchup. He has been an underrated sophomore player who has found a significant role in this system. If he were to find his rhythm, it could cause some problems for this sun’s team, so trying to make sure he does not have a wonder story would be great.
Keys to a Suns Victory
One thing is for sure: They need to keep this streak of making threes from last night into tonight. After having some struggles early on this week, this is something that needs to shine through to match the Cavs’ scoring. Adding Collin Gillespie back made it easier for Grayson Allen to get going. With the possibility of adding Green and Jamaree Bouyea into this mix, the shot creation has to be efficient. Dillon Brooks cannot go off for 40 points every night (well, maybe he could lol).
Another key will be out-rebounding this Cavs team and making sure they can keep pressure on the glass. With no Mobley, a fun match between Allen and Williams could take place, and I’d very much enjoy that. We all know that if Williams gets his touches, he can get it going for this squad, and we saw that already this week vs. the Nets. Another screening of a Mark Williams special feature would definitely cap off a great week without Devin Booker.
Let’s hope for no egregious foul calls tonight!
Prediction Time
With no restrictions on Mark Williams in these back-to-backs anymore, the Suns continue to fuel the fire and get a big win for their coach against his former team.
The Winnipeg Jets were outmatched Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning and fell 4-1 in a decisive loss. The defeat adds to a string of struggles for the Jets, who have now lost five of their last seven games just as they were beginning to gain momentum.
Winnipeg's trajectory continues downward and could worsen with their challenging remaining schedule. The Jets currently hold a 21-25-7 record, tied with the St. Louis Blues for the third-worst record in the Western Conference.
They still face difficult matchups, including three more games against the Colorado Avalanche, two against the Dallas Stars, and single games against the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, and Tampa Bay Lightning, the team that just defeated them.
The Jets' road ahead will not get easier and their chances of climbing out of the league basement are diminishing. Time is also running short for the organization to make key decisions about the team’s direction.
According to insiders at TSN, the Jets are still trying to compete and see if they can make a playoff push. Meanwhile, the Olympic trade freeze begins next Wednesday, a period when many believe trades will start to take shape. Once the Olympics conclude, the trade deadline follows on March 6.
They must act quickly as the team can either make moves to strengthen the roster and attempt a turnaround or trade pending free agents and begin planning for next season. Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff faces a shrinking window to make decisions. Acting promptly would give him the ability to field trade offers and pursue players without being rushed.
The next two games before the trade freeze will provide insight into the team’s strategy, as the Jets face the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on the road followed by a matchup with one of the top teams in the conference, the Dallas Stars.
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Jokic has been out since Dec. 29, when he hyper-extended his right knee and suffered a bone bruise. The Nuggets went an impressive 10-5 in his absence, with Jamal Murray carrying the team (and looking like he should make his first All-Star team as a reserve, announced on Sunday).
Missing 15 games means Jokic can miss one more this season and still be eligible for postseason awards. Jokic was an MVP frontrunner when he was injured, averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 11 assists per game. His chance at a fourth MVP award is a long shot if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander plays 10 or more games than him, but Jokic certainly would still make an All-NBA team and be in consideration for other awards.
Getting Jokic back on the court is a big plus, but this is a Nuggets team still ravaged by injuries. The Nuggets are without starters Aaron Gordon (hamstring strain, out 4-6 weeks), Christian Braun (ankle) and Cameron Johnson (knee). Murray is day-to-day with a hamstring issue himself.
DALLAS, TX - APRIL 9: Austin Reaves #15 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers smile during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on April 9, 2025 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers have struggled without Austin Reaves. They’ve gone 9-8 during his time away due to his calf strain, unable to stack wins against the NBA’s top teams.
Considering that Reaves is averaging 26.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game, his productivity should help bolster the Lakers’ offense and lighten the load for Luka Dončić, who is leading the NBA in scoring.
“He gives us three decision-makers on the court that have great talent,” Luka said. “We can’t wait to have him back. He’s been working out. I saw him. I think he wants to be back, too. We’re excited for him to be back.”
Reaves has yet to return, but Lakers head coach JJ Redick said he was “progressing well.”
He mentioned that Reaves could play during LA’s current road trip, and he’s been upgraded to questionable for their upcoming game in Washington.
As Luka has stated, Reaves’ return would provide LA with another playmaker and ballhandler. It would also mean the team could get more minutes with their best trio featuring Reaves, Luka and LeBron James. Currently, these three players have played together for just eight games this season, spanning 140 minutes.
It’s not just Luka who is looking forward to Reaves returning, Rui Hachimura is equally as ecstatic.
“I’m excited that he’s coming back,” Hachimura said after LA played Chicago. “For us, the whole team is going to be healthy, right? Of course, it’s going to be a different rotation again, a different rhythm again but I think we’re going to be ok. Especially with how we’re playing right now, it’ll be perfect for him to come back.”
Hachimura is right that once Reaves returns, Redick will have his full rotation available. It’s been amazing that the Lakers have been able to survive without Reaves, but they need him to maximize their chances of going on a deep playoff run.
The good news is his return is imminent. And once he’s back, he can continue his career year and be prepared for the final stretch of the season.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 31: Anderson Brito #36 of the Scottsdale Scorpions throws a pitch during an Arizona Fall League game against the Salt River Rafters at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on October 31, 2025 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Acquired in the Brandon Lowe trade, Brito has three plus pitches with a fastball that touches 100 with cut-ride, and two breakers in a mid-80s curveball with surprising depth and a mid-80s slider he commands best. He also mixes in a developing low-90s cutter and a scattershot but intriguing mid-80s changeup with strong velocity and movement separation, with some added deception from his smaller frame helping limit hard contact. The concern is control, as he’s posted below-average strike rates in A-ball across 2024–25 and lacks consistent feel outside the slider, leaving him to project as a slightly wild, high-leverage reliever for now. Still, with multiple plus pitches, improved durability, and meaningful command gains, he has mid-rotation starter upside, giving him possibly the widest range of outcomes on this list. Baseball Prospectus describes him as having “Shohei Ohtani’s stuff with Johnny Cueto’s body.”
Rank
Player
Position
Votes
Total
Percentage
Last Season
1
Carson Williams
SS
14
25
56%
1
2
Brody Hopkins
RHP
19
25
76%
8
3
Jacob Melton
OF
14
28
50%
N/A
4
Theo Gillen
OF
14
26
54%
13
5
Ty Johnson
RHP
12
25
48%
15
6
Daniel Pierce
SS
13
23
57%
N/A
7
Jadher Areinamo
INF
15
28
54%
N/A
8
TJ Nichols
RHP
13
28
46%
N/R
9
Michael Forret
RHP
8
33
24%
NA
10
Santiago Suarez
RHP
11
30
37%
16
11
Anderson Brito
RHP
7
28
25%
N/A
Brito is arguably a top-5 prospects based on stuff, but with the projected outcomes so varied, he slots in to 11 on our list. It was a very close vote, with four prospects getting at least 5 votes. Brito narrowly edged X-man, who just got an invite to Spring Training, by one vote — a player that received a vote as far back as the first vote in our polling.
Testers suggested Chandler Simpson for this upcoming round, but he exceeded rookie limits during 2025 season, and I’m feeling grateful I don’t have to write up his profile this year. Simpson could be the fastest man in baseball, but his bat completely disappeared at the AAA/MLB level. Tough projection! Instead, we’ll add Aidan Smith.
Candidates
Caden Bodine, C 22 | S/R| 5’10” | 200 A (BAL) | .326/.408/.349 (133 wRC+) 49 PA, 0 HR, 0 SB, 5 BB, 8 K
Drafted 30th overall in 2025, Bodine was acquired in the Shane Baz trade. He profiles as a relatively safe prospect thanks to 60 grade bat-to-ball skills, and comfortably-plus blocking and receiving behind the plate. There is some concern that his smaller frame limits him to fringe power, but those concerns are off-set by solid plate discipline from both sides of the plate; his sweeter swing is left handed. All catching prospects will see their value proposition shift with the challenge system, but his defensive actions, leadership, and receiving give him real value, projecting him as a solid major league contributor.
Slater de Brun, OF 18 | L/L | 5’10” | 187
Drafted 37th overall in 2025, through a draft pick traded by the Rays, de Brun was essentially re-acquired in the Shane Baz trade. Like many Rays outfield prospects he’s not expected to develop much power, but compensates with an ability to hit to all fields, and has the benefit of years to develop. His hit tool rates plus thanks to a quick, compact swing, and his double-plus speed elevates both his baserunning and range in center; he has a solid arm and can stick long term. The key to his development will be improving pitch selection to maximize his power potential. Despite not yet playing in a pro game, he’s a good bet to skip the complex league and debut in Charleston this season.
Homer Bush Jr. 24 | R/R | 6’3” | 215 AA | .301/.375/.360 (122 wRC+) 546 PA, 0 HR, 57 SB, 8.8% BB, 17.9% K
Acquired in the 2024 Jason Adam trade, the starting center fielder at Double-A passed the test of advanced pitching, but just barely. He lacks in-game power due to a lack of use of his lower half in his swing, and he whiffed more often than you can for long term success with a low-power approach. His calling cards are Rays-grade defense and plus-speed, having notably swiped 57 bags in back-to-back seasons.
Nathan Flewelling, C 19 | L/R | 6’2” | 200 A | .229/.393/.336 (126 wRC+) 439 PA, 6 HR, 9 SB, 20.3% BB, 27.6% K A+ | 22 PA, 4 H, 5 BB, 6 K
The 94th overall pick from 2024, Flewelling made his debut at 18 years young and caught a full season (75 C, 26 DH), plus a five game cup of coffee (3 C, 2 DH). Taking the longview, he could grow into 50-60 grade power with 50 grade defense, which makes him one to follow. His plus zone awareness at the plate offsets his lagging contact, and most importantly for the position his ability to call games and frame pitches are already plus. A strong season with the bat at High-A could vault him into Top-100 consideration.
Harrison entered the season as Baseball America’s top pitcher in the system thanks to a cleaned up delivery and high heat. He ran into some bumps in the road by running up his pitch count against batters, but he still made it over 100 innings in 22 starts. A power pitcher through and through, his hard slider flirts with cutter classification and could evolve into two distinct pitches down the road. It will be interesting to see how his change up plays as he’s challenged at higher levels, but for now he has premium stuff and the upside of a rotation anchor. (video)
Isaac had his season cut short large-in-part due to the discovery of a brain tumor, disrupting an otherwise great start to the season that duplicated his cup of coffee in Double-A as a 20-year old, despite some minor arm injuries along the way. He has the best power projection in the system, and if he can hold his own for a full season in 2026 — particularly against southpaws, which is somewhat of a concern — the former first round pick (29th overall, 2021) could see his status restored near the top of the Rays prospect rankings.
Morgan continued to hit without power in 2025, a great discouragement for some evaluators, but his present 50-grade hit tool and feel for the zone allow a major league projection. He continued his improved, quieter two-strike approach in 2025 that built on his success retooling his swing in the AFL last year. The Rays gave Morgan 14 starts in Left Field last season, and Baseball America called the defense “playable,” but his value is tied to his plus-plus defense at First.
Acquired in the Arozarena trade, Smith became the prince who was promised, a five tool athlete with a strong bat, good face, and a preternatural glove in center field. That promise unraveled a bit in 2025, with his strikeout rate rocketing nine percent and his power stroke faltering after facing harder velocities in High-A, causing both his hit and power grades to drop into the 40’s. It was a full transformation into a “center field” profile, but with his ceiling that’s not a compliment. He plays with a fire, but the dip in contact rate left some evaluators feeling burned.
Brendan Summerhill, OF 22 | L/R | 6’3” | 200 A | .333/.429/.444 (160 wRC+) 42 PA, 0 HR, 5 SB, 6 BB, 5 K
Following an All-Star performance at the Cape Cod summer league, Summerhill exhibited some of the best bat-to-ball skills in NCAA as a junior at Arizona. His draft stock took a minor hit due to injury (broken hand from from punching a cooler) and was drafted 42nd overall, but Summerhill rebounded well with a dominant stop at Charleston to finish the year. Summerhill has plus barrel control, allowing for a high-contact approach for his long swing. He has plus speed as well, which provides a chance to stick in center. Evaluators would like to see more power to complete a five-tool profile. Even if the power doesn’t materialize, it’s an above average contributor’s projection.
Jose Urbina, RHP 20 | 6’3” | 180 A | 2.05 ERA, 3.58 FIP, 92.1 IP (19 GS), 26.4% K, 8.2% BB A+ | 2 ER (2 HR), 4.0 IP (1 GS), 5 K, 0 BB
Good pitchers grow and adjust, and Urbina has done that consistently at an age young for his level. Physically he has grown in strength, sitting at 96 with the fastball after flashing high octane in 2024, and technically he has grown, refining his dialed up slider and his two-plane curveball into complementary pitches — which lack plus command but are thrown with feel. He shouldered a starter’s workload at 19, and was awarded one additional start at High-A, where he allowed two solo shots and struck out five. Overall, the age, body, and body of work have him on the trajectory of top prospect lists in the near future.
According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Detroit Red Wings have clear trade priorities as they approach the Olympic trade freeze and the March 6 trade deadline. Reports indicate that GM Steve Yzerman is focused on acquiring a second-line center and a top-four defenseman. With multiple players available at both positions, it will be interesting to see which direction Detroit ultimately takes.
On Friday, we highlighted three potential options for the Red Wings at second-line center, including some surprising names. This time, we turn our attention to the defensive side of the roster and examine several options Detroit could explore.
Similar to the approach with centers, the team could target veteran players with little contract term to provide short-term help without blocking the development of prospects. Alternatively, they could pursue players with longer contracts, which aligns with Yzerman’s preference and could give Detroit a meaningful asset for years to come.
With that in mind, we have identified several potential targets across these approaches and narrowed the list to three players who present compelling cases in terms of expected cost, age, and potential impact for the Red Wings.
Justin Faulk
St. Louis has struggled this season, and many expect the Blues to be sellers at the trade deadline. One of their most valuable assets likely to be on the market is 33-year-old defenseman Justin Faulk. A Minnesota native, Faulk has played over 1,000 NHL games and has been an unexpectedly strong offensive contributor this season, recording 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points in 54 games.
Faulk is the oldest defender among the candidates but also the most experienced as a top-four defenseman, consistently playing 22 to 24 minutes per game in all but one of his 15 NHL seasons. He is a three-time All-Star with Stanley Cup experience and still has plenty to offer, making him an attractive option for a Red Wings team seeking a veteran presence who can contribute offensively.
While he carries a $6.5 million cap hit with two years remaining on his contract, acquiring Faulk could be a bold move that strengthens the Red Wings’ defensive depth.
He could pair effectively with Albert Johansson on the bottom pairing, adding stability while allowing Jacob Bernard-Docker to move into a seventh-defenseman role and fill in on either side when needed, as he recently did for the injured Simon Edvinsson on the top pairing. Faulk’s offensive ability could also provide an additional scoring threat on the ice, potentially boosting the team’s overall attack.
The pending restricted free agent from New York would likely require the biggest investment of any player on this list but could also have the most impact. The 24-year-old Saskatchewan native has shown flashes as a solid defensive defenseman for the Rangers in recent years.
However, the transition to the system and structure under newly hired coach Mike Sullivan has not suited Schneider’s style of play. Many believe that if given the opportunity with a new team, the former 19th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft could return to form as a reliable defender.
Still very young, Schneider has the potential to develop into an effective top-four defenseman for years to come. Being a restricted free agent under team control this summer means any team pursuing him will need to impress Chris Drury and New York’s management.
Detroit is one of the few teams with the draft picks, prospects, and assets to make a trade for Schneider feasible, though it will ultimately depend on whether they feel a deal offers enough value.
Logan Stanley
The Winnipeg Jets are in the midst of one of the most dramatic single-season turnarounds in NHL history, though not in the way you might expect. Unlike the football example of Curt Cignetti and the Indiana Hoosiers, the Jets went from Stanley Cup contenders and Presidents’ Trophy winners last season to one of the league’s worst teams this year.
One of the few bright spots has been pending free agent Logan Stanley, a former 18th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft. While he might not fit into the Red Wings’ top-four, Stanley could be a solid addition to the bottom pairing.
He is primarily a left-shot defenseman, which does not align perfectly with Detroit’s reported preference for right-handed defensemen, although he can play both sides and the Red Wings may already exploring the possibility of acquiring him.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Friday that the Red Wings and Jets have a match in potential trade discussions. While Friedman did not confirm which player has been the focus, he speculated it could be either Stanley or veteran Luke Schenn.
At 27, Stanley is the younger and longer-term option compared to 36-year-old Schenn. This season, Stanley is enjoying a career year with eight goals and nine assists for 17 points in 52 games, mainly on the bottom pairing.
Standing six-foot-seven, Stanley would give Detroit a second towering presence on defense alongside Simon Edvinsson. He likely will not cost much unless a bidding war develops. Adding him would provide valuable depth and could allow the Red Wings to bring him back if he proves to be a solid fit at an agreeable number for both sides.
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Jokic must meet the NBA's 65-game threshold to be eligible to win MVP and missed his 16th game of the season when the Nuggets beat the Brooklyn Nets on Jan. 29. He can only miss one more game the rest of the regular season and still be eligible for the league's end-of-season awards.
Here's the latest injury update on Jokic ahead of the Nuggets' game against the Clippers on Friday, Jan. 30:
Jokic is officially listed as questionable on the Nuggets' latest NBA injury report ahead of Friday's game against the Clippers. But ESPN reported Jokic is planning to return to action when Denver hosts the Clippers.
Nikola Jokic injury update
Jokic suffered a hyperextended knee that the team later diagnosed as a bone bruise in a Dec. 29 loss to the Miami Heat. The initial diagnosis called for the team to re-evaluate him in a month.
Jokic has been seen ramping up his on-court activity during recent pre-game warmups, appearing on the floor for light dribbling and shooting. He has worn a black pad over the injured knee during these sessions. Nuggets coach David Adelman said during a recent interview on Altitude Sports Radio that the team hoped he would be back before the NBA All-Star break begins on Feb. 14.
That timeline looks to have sped up and Jokic's return is suddenly imminent.
Nikola Jokic stats
Jokic is averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds and a career-high 11 assists over 32 games during the 2025-26 NBA regular season. He's also shooting a career-best 43.5% from 3-point range.
Since his MLB debut in 2023, Patrick Bailey has been — without a doubt — one of the best defensive catchers in the majors, as backed up by his consecutive Gold Gloves the last two seasons.
And on Friday, MLB analyst Mike Petriello took the recognition one step further, declaring the Giants backstop the current No. 1 defensive player among all major leaguers.
“If you look at [Bailey], he’s been in the league for three years — wasn’t even here the full year the first time — he has led in Statcast Fielding Run Value every single year,” Petriello explained on MLB Now. “That’s three years running.
“I know the bat isn’t there, but that’s not what we’re talking about. Elite framer, elite blocker, actually has improved his blocking … . He’s elite.”
1. Patrick Bailey 2. Pete Crow-Armstrong 3. Ceddanne Rafaela 4. Denzel Clarke 5. Ke'Bryan Hayes 6. Bobby Witt Jr. 7. Alejandro Kirk 8. Jacob Young 9. Nico Hoerner 10. Steven Kwan pic.twitter.com/yKcwJz7mvb
For additional context on just how dominant Bailey has been in the Fielding Runs Value stat, he has +79 runs in his three MLB seasons. The next closest player, Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk, comes in at just +50 runs.
Much of Bailey’s dominance in this metric is a result of his framing, which accounts for 65 of the 79 runs. Of course, with the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system being added full-time in MLB for the upcoming season, it remains to be seen whether that neutralizes the effect of Bailey’s framing.
However, Bailey also ranks highly in other fielding aspects behind the plate. His +16 throwing runs are five more than any other catcher since his 2023 debut; Bailey has thrown out 55 attempted base stealers in that frame with a 29-percent caught stealing rate.
And finally, as Petriello noted, Bailey’s blocking — which was once a weakness — now ranks above average, too. After recording -2 blocking runs in his rookie season, he improved in that category to an even 0 in 2024 and +1 in 2025.
So even if Bailey’s framing isn’t as impactful in 2026, he still should remain one of the top defensive catchers — and overall players — across MLB.
In head-to-head leagues, it all comes down to the weekend. You can have a comfortable lead in multiple categories or by a bunch of points, but if you don’t make the most of the weekend, you can walk out with a loss.
Ten teams play once this weekend, including the Hawks, Hornets, Mavericks, Warriors, Rockets, Pacers, Bucks, Timberwolves, Thunder and 76ers. Avoid those teams if you’re looking to maximize your games played.
That’s often what it comes down to in standard points and category leagues, but that’s not always the case. Leagues with some sort of games cap or best ball formats like Yahoo High Score leagues aren’t just looking for volume, though having two chances at a big night is a good strategy in best ball leagues.
Absolute must-start: Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics
Pritchard has enjoyed a fantastic season in Boston with the team looking drastically different from last year. He’s averaging career highs in points and assists despite a slight drop in efficiency due to a bump in minutes and usage. He’s gone from an electric scorer off the bench to a high-level point guard for one of the best teams in the East.
This weekend, he gets to take on the Kings and Bucks, with both teams posting bottom-five defensive ratings over their last 10 games. On top of that, Jaylen Brown is doubtful due to a right knee contusion and left hamstring tightness, meaning there will be plenty of extra shots for Pritchard as the focal point of the offense. He should be in for two big nights, but in three games without Brown this year, Pritchard has averaged 25.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 3.3 triples per game. Friday night should be a monster outing.
Guards
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta Hawks
NAW has become a regular on this list. He has scored at least 20 points in three straight games and, entering a matchup with Indiana on Saturday, that should continue. The Hawks and Pacers are sixth and seventh in pace over their last 10 games, meaning this should be a high-scoring affair. NAW has been a beast all season, which makes him worth starting despite only playing one game this weekend.
Cam Spencer, Memphis Grizzlies
Ty Jerome (calf) is getting closer to making his season debut, but for now, Spencer will remain the starting point guard in Memphis. That isn’t to say Jerome will start over him when healthy, but Spencer will certainly lose out on some minutes. This weekend, they take on the Pelicans and Timberwolves, with New Orleans struggling on defense lately and Minnesota playing at a top-five pace over their last 10 games. Spencer has averaged 10.8 assists over his last six starts.
Dennis Schröder, Sacramento Kings
Russell Westbrook has been ruled out for a second straight game with a foot injury, which should lead to another start for Schröder. As a starter on Thursday, he finished with 27 points, four rebounds and five 3-pointers in 31 minutes. He’ll start against the Celtics on Friday and could remain in that role if Westbrook remains out against Washington on Sunday. Schröder hasn’t done much this year, but this weekend should be productive.
Forwards
Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz
Bailey has been on fire recently and should be in for a productive weekend. The Jazz take on the Nets on Friday without Lauri Markkanen, who is getting a rest night. Toronto is a tougher matchup on Sunday, but Bailey has been playing well enough that one difficult matchup shouldn’t deter fantasy managers. The top-five draft pick should be a fantasy star to close out this season, with high-level production already seeping in over the past week.
Kyshawn George, Washington Wizards
George has been playing at a high level recently, and with matchups against two teams that have bottom-five defensive ratings over their last 10 games, he should keep that going. Over his last eight games, George is averaging 19.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.9 blocks and 2.4 triples per game. He’s entering fantasy superstar territory, and should shine against the Lakers and Kings.
Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat
Jaquez is another regular on this list, largely because he’s still only rostered in 39% of Yahoo leagues. With Tyler Herro still out with a rib injury, Jaquez should continue to shine. He just had 19 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and three steals against the Bulls on Thursday, and he gets two more matchups against them on Saturday and Sunday. Jaquez has shot at least 60% from the floor in three straight games and should be able to stay hot against a subpar defense.
Centers
Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
This may be an obvious one, but it’s to stress just how favorable this weekend is for Duren. The Pistons take on the Warriors and Nets. Golden State ranks 26th in rebounding percentage over the last 10 games, and Brooklyn is 23rd during that same stretch. Duren is currently sixth in the league in rebounds and is ninth in rebounding percentage among players who have played at least 25 games. He has been a beast all season and should own the paint twice this weekend.
Sandro Mamukelashvili, Toronto Raptors
Mamu was pushed to the bench for Toronto’s last game, but he’ll continue to play big minutes whether he’s starting or not. This weekend, the Raptors take on the Magic and Jazz, with Orlando ranking 24th in defensive rating over their last 10 games and Utah ranking last during that same stretch. Mamu has had some big nights recently and should remain productive this weekend.
Jalen Smith, Chicago Bulls
Josh Giddey (hamstring) missed Thursday’s game and could certainly remain out on Saturday and Sunday. Smith started in his place on Thursday prior to an early exit with a calf injury. If Smith plays, he should continue to start and be productive in that role against a fast-paced Heat team. He had 11 points and five rebounds in 15 minutes prior to leaving the game.
Note that Smith could miss time with the calf injury, so if he is out, Ayo Dosunmu should start in his place as he did for the second half of Thursday’s game. Dosunmu would be a must-start if Smith is out after scoring 23 points off the bench on Thursday.
Christian Koloko, Atlanta Hawks
Onyeka Okongwu (mouth) will remain out against Indiana on Saturday, which means another start for Koloko. The Pacers have struggled to defend the paint for most of the season, so Koloko should be more productive, especially with both teams playing at a fast pace recently. He doesn’t have much upside as a scorer, but he should be effective on the glass and as a shot-blocker.
With the NHL's Olympic break and the trade deadline approaching, the Los Angeles Kings have been linked to a couple of forwards.
There have been plenty of reports regarding New York Rangers star left winger Artemi Panarin and Vancouver Canucks left winger Evander Kane.
On Friday's episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast with Elliotte Friedman, the NHL insider took a deeper dive into where the Kings' organization stands in terms of how they would like to operate going into the deadline.
Friedman said that in relation to the trade rumors for Kane from Vancouver, Los Angeles' front office was asking themselves the "hard questions."
"There were some rumors about the Kings and Evander Kane," Friedman said on the podcast. "One of the things I heard is that the Kings were looking at where they are, and they were saying, 'Does it really make sense for us to give up some of our assets for short-term fixes? (Does) it really makes sense for us to give up our future assets at all?'
"I believe internally that organization has been asking some hard questions about where they really are and what is their smartest path," Friedman added.
For the past month, the Kings have been hopping in and out of a playoff spot due to inconsistent play, and they have one of the league's worst offenses. They are tied for the second-least goals in the NHL with 134, and are bottom five in power-play percentage at 16 percent.
Despite offensive struggles, Los Angeles isn't in the worst spot to qualify for the post-season with all circumstances considered. The Kings are two spots out of the post-season, but are just two points behind the Anaheim Ducks, who own the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference and have two games in hand on their state rivals.
Friedman also admitted that the Kings have trouble scoring, and while the team has talented offensive wingers in Kevin Fiala and Adrian Kempe, Panarin could help with those struggles.
However, along with the interest in Panarin comes the consequence of acquiring an aging player who is currently 34 years old and wants to sign an extension with whatever team he gets moved to this year.
The Sportsnet insider noted that the possible extension for Panarin, and how big it may be, is what concerns Kings GM Ken Holland.
Nonetheless, it was reported on the podcast that Los Angeles would be open to signing Panarin to an extension as part of the deal. Even with their concerns about how that deal could play out, there's no doubt they'll consider different outcomes for the Rangers superstar.
Artemi Panarin (Aaron Doster-Imagn Images)
"If Panarin drops on (the Kings') laps, I would be very curious to how L.A. would say, 'no, we're not doing this,'" Friedman said.
For the record, Panarin is in the final year of a seven-year contract that pays him $11.6 million against the salary cap. He also has a full no-move clause on his deal, meaning he can pick and choose where he would like to go.
The former Calder Trophy winner has 19 goals and 57 points this season for the Blueshirts in 52 appearances.
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The answer here, on the surface, is obvious: don’t allow runs. But what are the factors which go into a bullpen that’s good at run prevention? There are some obvious metrics which clearly have an impact. A high strikeout rate, for example: you can’t score, if you are carrying your bat back to the dugout. A low walk rate, similarly: free passes are never a good thing. Not allowing home-runs, too. These really don’t deserve looking into much. But there are other numbers where the correlation is less apparent. Ground-ball rate, say. Does dialing up a lot of ground balls help a bullpen? Or are fly-balls, which typically turn into outs more often, better?
To find out, I pulled numbers from Fangraphs for the last five years, for each of the thirty MLB teams. That’s 150 data points in total. I chose eight metrics and worked out the correlation of each against both ERA and FIP. Correlation is a number between -1 and +1: the closer to the extreme, the greater the connection between the two sets of numbers. +1 is a positive correlation: as X goes up, so does Y. -1 means as X goes up, Y goes down. 0 means the two data sets appear not to be linked. I’d expect the number of runs the D-backs score and my calorie intake at breakfast that day to be a zero correlation.
Below, you’ll find the metrics ranked in increasing order of average correlation.
#8. Fastball velocity. Average correlation: -0.088
Well, this was a surprise. The least significant metric to both bullpen ERA and FIP was pure power. Now, there is a known and logical link between velocity and K-rate. But for bullpens as a whole, that doesn’t seem to apply much. I think that may be because the best relief corps don’t just blow pitches past people. They have a variety of arms, approaches and slot angles, which let them keep batters off-balance. If all you’re seeing is 98-99 mph, hitters will eventually settle in. Variety makes that harder. If you look at the 2017 D-backs bullpen (perhaps our last truly good one), yes, they had Archie Bradley averaging 96.4. But they also had T.J. McFarland.
#7. Ground ball rate. Average correlation: -0.216
The negative number means the higher the ground ball rate, the lower the ERA and FIP. Which is what you want. While short of a definitive link, anyone who remembers Brad Ziegler will know it helps, even though ground balls are more likely to become hits. That factor is countered by a couple of things. Firstly, ground balls are much more likely to lead to double-plays, which is the best possible outcome. They also won’t become home-runs (without significant help!), the worst possible outcome. All told the OPS on ground balls last year across MLB was .514, while on fly balls it was .840, and that doesn’t take into account the sweet, sweet joy of a well-turned double-play.
#6. Line-drive rate. Average correlation: 0.290
Line drives are bad, m’kay? They are far more likely to become hits, with a BABIP of .616, compared to .245 for ground balls and just .091 for fly-balls (though the last have the best home-run chance). That helps lead to a meaty triple-slash line of .629/.622/.871 on line drives, a 1.492 OPS. So, more important for pitching than ground balls or fly balls, is simply avoiding line drives. While that is a skill, it’s one which is subject to random variation. In theory, we could look to buy low on a pitcher with a typically good LD rate which has spiked. But there’s always the risk the spike is not random.
[Random aside. Bunts last year had a .482 batting average! You may be wondering why hitters aren’t trying it more often. That’s partly a false number, because if you bunt with a runner on-base, you’ll typically get credit for a sacrifice even if you fail, and that doesn’t count against batting average. Include those back in, and the average goes down to .269. With close to no chance of an extra-base hit, that’s why you’re usually better to swing away. We now return to your regularly scheduled article.]
#5. Exit velocity. Average correlation: 0.382
You might be beginning to detect a theme here, although this one might almost fall into the category of obvious enough not to need confirmation. If you give up a lot of hard-hit balls, bad things happen. Yeah. This is my unsurprised face. I am, however, gratified that my number is close to that from a Fangraphs study, which found a similar correlation at the individual player (rather than the team) level: “an r of .33 for ERA and an r of .40 for FIP”. The study notes that pitchers with lower exit velocities also tend to be better at limiting home-runs, which is logical – and also better at striking out batters. That seems a little less obvious.
#4. Hard hit %. Average correlation: 0.398
You’d think “Hard hit” would be easily defined, but note there are two different metrics here: Hard% and HardHit%. The former comes from Statcast, and is simply balls in play with an exit velocity of 95+ mph. But Fangraphs also has Hard%, which is those “classified as hit with hard speed by Baseball Info Solutions”. Nobody seems to know specifically what this means – it’s proprietary – but seems to involve trajectory as well. We will get to that in a bit, but the Fangraphs version here is only a few points better correlated than the simple average of exit velocity in the paragraph above.
#3. Barrel%. Average correlation: 0.492
Barrels are the best kind of hard-hit balls, the highest quality of contact when combining power and direction. They need to be at least 98 mph, and hit at a certain launch angle. That latter component varies depending on the velocity: the harder the ball, the bigger the range of acceptable launch angles. They aren’t common: only a half-dozen batters passed 70 barrels over all of last year. But when they happen, they are kryptonite for pitchers: the season they were initially defined in 2016, barrels resulted in a batting average of .822, and a 2.386 slugging percentage. Give up very many of those, and you’ll have a bad day on the mound.
#2. Hard%. Average correlation: 0.590
As noted above, this is best described as the BIS version of a barrel. Although nobody seems to know exactly what this means – it’s proprietary – but seems to involve trajectory as well as velocity. One comment on that post suggests its just BIS interns eyeballing things. But that is on Reddit, where anyone can claim anything (and frequently does). However, it clearly does a better job at correlating with bullpen results than the related metrics we discussed above. On the other hand, it may not be skills: studies suggest “hitters just have much more control over how hard their batted balls are hit than pitchers.”
#1. Left on base%. Average correlation: -0.666
Turns out nothing is better for a bullpen than stranding base-runners. However, this was the metric where there was the biggest gap in correlation between ERA and FIP. For the latter, the correlation was down at -0.515, but for ERA is was all the way up at -0.818. Why the difference? I suspect because LOB% is quite heavily dependent on defense. The problem is, pitchers don’t tend to have much control over this, unless you think “clutch” pitching i.e. with RISP is a thing. High K pitchers tend to be better there. But as we’ve seen, they tend to be better anyway. However, free agents with a lower than usual LOB% might represent good bounceback candidates for 2026.
What have we learned. Probably less than would justify me writing fifteen hundred words on the topic. Though I did gain some knowledge regarding these metrics, and it beat staring out the window and waiting for the D-backs to do anything. To build a good bullpen, you want pitchers that are adept at avoiding hard contact (however you want to measure it), and are particularly proficient at leaving runners on base. Good luck with that. Ground ball pitchers are somewhat preferred preferred, but you don’t necessarily simply want to load up on flamethrowers, because that will allow hitters to get comfortable.
However, I want to point out again that consistently creating a good bullpen is hard. Indeed, it may be close to impossible. In 2018, Jeff Sullivan plotted bullpen Win Probability against the same number the following year. The results are the amorphous blob shown above, and show almost no correlation (0.04). Having a good bullpen one season does little or nothing to help you the next season – for comparison, starting pitching and hitting WP both had a 0.14 correlation. So it’s possible Mike Hazen has simply had the equivalent of coming up tails ten times in a row. Maybe 11th time will be the charm?
It's all anyone is talking about in NBA circles right now — the Milwaukee Bucks are listening to trade offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo. That is a massive change from where they were just weeks ago, but the smart money is still betting on the entire saga continuing past the Feb. 5 trade deadline and into the offseason. That hasn't stopped teams from calling Milwaukee to try to find a deal. Here are some of the latest rumors.
The Warriors pushing for trade now
Milwaukee seems to be sitting back, taking its time, and assessing the market as trade calls come in. The Bucks are seemingly in no rush, fully comfortable if this saga rolls past the deadline and into the offseason. There are some in league circles who think Milwaukee is just getting a survey of what's available before getting serious this offseason.
Golden State is in a rush — it is the team pushing hardest to get a deal done now and pair Antetokounmpo with Stephen Curry, league sources told NBC Sports. That's because if Milwaukee wants to trade Antetokounmpo before the Feb. 5 deadline, the Golden State Warriors have the best offer: Up to four first-round picks, a pick swap, Jonathan Kuminga, Jimmy Butler (for the salary matching) and more. If this drags into the offseason, teams such as the Knicks and Heat will have improved offers with more draft picks available.
The Warriors, according to multiple NBA sources, are indeed making a compelling pitch to add the Greek Freak, who has been a fantasy for years. Giannis might not have a bigger fan, outside his family, than Warriors CEO Joe Lacob...
"The Bucks don't have to do anything before the deadline," one league source said Thursday. "Now it could get uncomfortable if they keep Giannis for the rest of the season when everybody knows he wants out. That's an option if they don't like what's offered. But any team that makes a deal with them will have to give up a lot. A whole lot."
The Warriors are offering what they see as a whole lot right now. Whether it is enough remains to be seen.
Brooklyn Nets expected to make offer
For years, reports have come out of Brooklyn that general manager Sean Marks saw landing Giannis Antetokounmpo as the franchise's next big turning point. He's been collecting draft picks and young players in part just for this moment (and in part for the ongoing rebuild).
Combine Brooklyn's fascination with Antetokounmpo and Brooklyn targeting next season to end the teardown part of the rebuild — they want to start winning — and it all comes together. Expect the Nets to jump in and make a bold offer, reports Brian Lewis of The New York Post.
Brooklyn has 10 first-round picks it can trade (11 if you wait until they select on Draft night and include the player they select in the mix), as well as Michael Porter Jr., Nic Claxton, Terance Mann, and other interesting talent. It's enough to make a very serious offer.
This raises the question of how much the Bucks are going to work with Antetokounmpo to get him to a team on his list. Is Brooklyn on his list, and would he sign a contract extension there? (Note, we are not sure which teams are on that list, we only have educated guesses.) Does Milwaukee care about that list? (Probably, they don't want to punish him on the way out the door, but the Bucks also need an elite return in this deal.)
Add the Nets to the list of teams to watch.
Lakers in mix this summer?
If a superstar is switching teams, it's required by law to discuss how the Lakers could land that player.
The Lakers are "a team to keep an eye on from Giannis' standpoint, just as another team of interest," The Ringer’s Howard Beck said on the Zach Lowe Show podcast. Ignore the question of how two ball-dominant players like Luka Doncic and Antetokounmpo would fit together and just think star power.
Any Lakers trade would be in the offseason. Right now, they could offer one first-round pick, but this summer the Lakers could offer whoever they draft this year (in a post-draft trade), along with two future first-rounders. Austin Reaves would have to be in the deal, and basically anyone else on the Lakers' roster who isn't from Slovenia. That still may not be enough to get it done unless Giannis puts his hand on the scale and forces it, but it is something to watch.
In conversations with sources around the league over the past 48 hours, the widespread expectation is that the Giannis saga will drag out until at least Thursday. Then, Bucks general manager Jon Horst and his staff will have to decide whether to make a move now or wait until the offseason. Three sources said they expect the trade drama in Milwaukee to stretch into the summer.
"I'm just not sure why it wouldn't make sense to wait," an East scout said. "They can see where the draft [lottery] is, and survey their options then."
Most league sources NBC Sports has spoken with expect this to be an offseason trade, when more teams have more draft picks available and there is more roster flexibility.
Could Giannis re-sign with Bucks?
The Milwaukee Bucks do not want to trade Antetokounmpo. He has said he would never ask for a trade.
All of which is another reason it's advantageous for the Bucks to wait until the offseason to make any decision — they might be able to make a trade that brings in more talent and gets Antetokounmpo to re-sign and stay in Milwaukee. It's something Jim Owczarski wrote about at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Trade rumors have their own momentum, but every other time Antetokounmpo has been up for a contract extension (as he is this offseason, a $275 million max extension), he has signed it while 29 other teams stood waiting. Antetokounmpo used the extension to leverage the Bucks into making a big trade (Jrue Holiday one time, Damian Lillard another), then he signed the deal to stay.
Maybe the relationship between Antetokounmpo and the Bucks has run its course. But this offseason, Bucks GM Jon Horst would have a couple of first-round draft picks, some more money under the tax, and the ability to make a bold move to bring in a player. You can be sure he will try — at the very least, he will present a path forward in Milwaukee to Antetokounmpo. Maybe Antetokounmpo says it's time to part ways, but leaving the Bucks re-signing him completely off the table is a mistake.
Edgecombe off table
Philadelphia GM Daryl Morey is a big-game hunter, and based on his track record, we should all expect the 76ers to at least lurk around and see if there is an Antetokounmpo trade to be had.
They would be idiots to do so. The 76ers have one of the best and most promising backcourts in the league in Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey, and Maxey is the older player at just 25. What the Bucks want back in a trade is a lot of draft picks and one "blue chip" young player who can become a star — Edgecombe is that. Still, trading a 20-year-old Edgecombe for a 31-year-old Antetokounmpo with an injury history is some serious short-term thinking that Morey should avoid.
The Vikings aren’t the only Minnesota team to shake things up at an odd time Friday.
The Twins and president of baseball and business operations Derek Falvey “mutually” split roughly two weeks before spring training, the team announced.
Derek Falvey is out as the Twins’ president of baseball and business operations. AP
“Following a series of thoughtful conversations with (executive chair) Tom (Pohlad) that began after the ownership transition and progressed over the past few weeks, we both agreed it was the right time for us to party ways,” Falvey said in a statement. “Ownership transitions naturally create moments for reflection and honest dialogue about leadership, vision, and how an organization wants to move forward.
“Over the past several weeks we had those conversations open and constructively and ultimately reached a shared understanding that this was the right step both for the organization and for me personally.”
Splitting with your top baseball and business executive with spring training right around the corner is a rather odd move, even if its labeled as a mutual decision.
The Athletic noted that Falvey served as the lead speaker at the team’s media luncheon one week ago, indicating the sudden nature of this move.
It seem that Pohlad being named the controlling owner in December 2025 factored into this decision, with ESPN reporting at the time that never worked in baseball before.
There could be different visions for the team at play, and the Twins are now without an executive who helped build a competitive roster over the past decade.
Twins controlling owner Tom Pohlad. AP
The Twins made Falvey their Chief Baseball Officer in October 2016 and promoted him to president of baseball operations in 2019.
He earned another bump to president of baseball and business operations this past March.
Falvey’s tenure included four postseason berths and three AL Central titles, the latest coming in 2023.
The Twins announced general manager Jeremy Zoll will continue “leading” the baseball department and Pohlad will have “interim” duties overseeing business duties.
Pohlad said the team will immediately conduct a search for a new president of baseball operations.
“We reached a shared understanding that the needs of the organizations are evolving and that a leadership transition is the best way to move forward,” Pohlad said in a statement.
Falvey said in his statement he doesn’t have any immediate plans, but will enjoy being with his family while he considers his next step.
The Twins are coming off a disappointing 70-92 season that landed them in fourth place in the AL Central, but have done little to improve this offseason.
They hired ex-Pirates manager Derek Shelton to be their next skipper.
