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Exploring Red Sox' options with Alex Bregman opting out of contract

Exploring Red Sox' options with Alex Bregman opting out of contract originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Red Sox stopped playing baseball earlier than they wanted this fall, and now their offseason roster-building process has gotten off to a start they likely would not have preferred.

That stage began with a partially expected thud, as Alex Bregman will opt out of his contract, according to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman.

In doing so, Bregman will forego the $40 million for each of the next two seasons that were on his contract, meaning he and agent Scott Boras anticipate landing a healthy amount more than $80 million over multiple years when he hits the free-agent market.

Even if such a scenario was anticipated when Bregman put ink to paper in mid-February, it leaves the Red Sox in a tenuous position as they try to build on a positive 2025 season instead of taking a significant step backward in 2026.

So what should Craig Breslow and the baseball operations department do? Let’s explore all options.

Re-signing Bregman

As is the case with most baseball matters, this one can be solved with one word: Money.

In this particular situation, while Bregman’s free-agent value did get dinged due to a quad injury that cost him seven weeks and severely limited his mobility for the second half of the season, it’s going to cost over $100 million to retain his services.

Given all that Bregman brought to the Red Sox — he was an elite hitter prior to the injury, he played Gold Glove-caliber defense all year long, he embraced a role as a coach and mentor to all of his new teammates — the team may be happy to give the soon-to-be-32-year-old a three-year, $100 million contract.

The issue is that Bregman and Boras will likely be seeking much more. ESPN’s Jeff Passan suggested in early September that Bregman was “bound to get the five-year-plus deal at an average annual value of $35 million-plus that eluded him last winter.” That may be the extreme end of the ask, especially after Bregman posted a .640 OPS in the final month of the season.

Yet if the market dictates that Bregman warrants a four-year deal worth over $120 million, the Red Sox will face a decision. They surely won’t want to be paying a 35-year-old Bregman over $30 million annually. Other teams — Heyman listed the Tigers, Jays, Mariners and “some surprise teams” as potential suitors — will also be in the mix, muddying those waters and driving up the price.

Alex BregmanBrad Penner-Imagn Images
Alex Bregman celebrates an RBI double at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by Brad Penner-Imagn Images)

On the one hand, Bregman was an All-Star this season. On the other, it was his first All-Star appearance in six years.

His second-half OPS was 200 points lower than his first-half OPS (.927 to .727), yet even if that drop was due in large part to the quad injury … he’s at least theoretically likely to continue to deal with injuries as he navigates his 30s.

Bregman is not a long-term slam dunk, but he bet on himself last winter, when no team was willing to give him the multi-year deal he desired. Now, he’s due to reap the benefits.

Letting Bregman go

If the Red Sox decide that the money saved from trading Rafael Devers shouldn’t be used to keep the man who essentially led to the removal of Rafael Devers, they’ll really have to thread the needle with their Plan B.

The most obvious replacement at third base would be Marcelo Mayer. The No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, Mayer was primarily a shortstop through his first four seasons in the minors. Yet he filled in for Bregman at third during the veteran’s injury absence and looked more than capable in his 248.2 innings there.

The issue with leaning on Mayer, though, is twofold. For one, it’s unknown if the bat is ready. He hit .228 with a .674 OPS in his 44 big league games this year. His .850 OPS in Double-A in 2024 and his .818 OPS in Triple-A last year are indicators that he’s been developing on the correct trajectory, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to make the most difficult leap while working as an everyday big leaguer for the first time.

Marcelo Mayer fields a ball at third base. (Photo by Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images)

The other issue is health. Mayer suffered an injury on a check swing in late July, an injury so severe that it required surgery and ended his season.

In Worcester and Boston combined, he played just 87 games in 2025. That was a year after playing just 77 games in 2024 … which came after the played just 78 games in 2023.

Whether that history is due to bad luck or a body prone to injury is something the Red Sox likely know better than the rest of us. And it could be the reason they might lean away from this route.

The free-agent market

The Red Sox waited until the 11th hour last spring before signing Bregman in the free-agent market. They might not be able to find such a prize this year.

Eugenio Suarez, currently vying for a World Series with the Mariners after moving at the deadline, is set to hit free agency. As he enters his age 35 season, he could be a stopgap solution, even if his defense would represent a downgrade.

The rest of the free-agent class — Yoan Moncada, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Gio Urshela — is not of the caliber that would be expected to replace Bregman.

Adding bats elsewhere

If the third-base market is looking thin, the Red Sox could look to boost the offense elsewhere. Most obviously and notably, they could go after first baseman Pete Alonso, who posted an .871 OPS this year after the Mets gambled that he wasn’t worth a long-term contract. (Sound familiar?)

Alonso batted third and fourth for the Mets this year at age 30 and drove in 126 runs, playing every single game. He could certainly help in replacing the drain of losing Devers and potentially Bregman in short order.

Kyle Schwarber — coming off a 56-homer, 132-RBI season — set himself up to make a lot of money, even as he approaches his age-33 season. Considering he doesn’t play defense, he alone couldn’t solve this problem. But if the Red Sox really dedicated to spending cash this winter, acquiring Schwarber in tandem with Alonso would completely reshape the meat of their order — at least for the short term.

That, though, would require a whole lot of money. We’d have to see it to believe that the Red Sox are willing to extend themselves in such a fashion in free agency.

Pete Alonso and Kyle SchwarberGregory Fisher/Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber (Photos by Gregory Fisher/Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)

(The potential monkey wrench to the situation would be if shortstop Trevor Story opts out of his contract. That, though, will have to be a story for another day.)

The conclusion is …

Let’s end this thing where it started: The simplest, cleanest solution for the Red Sox is to pay market value to keep Alex Bregman in Boston. (And, considering the Red Sox ranked ninth in MLB in OPS and slugging and likely need more than just Bregman if they want to climb into contention, they’ll also have to spend elsewhere on another big-ticket free-agent bat. But again, another story, another day.)

Will Bregman be worth every dollar of that contract? Probably not. Is he a risk to be dealing with more injuries in his 30s? Sure.

Yet this is the price the Red Sox will have to pay for last year’s fiscally conservative pursuit of Bregman — a franchise decision that has already cost them Devers. Bregman bet on himself, and he won. Now the bill is due for Boston.

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Fantasy Baseball 2025 Second Base Breakdown: Brice Turang's breakout and 2026 rankings

With the 2025 MLB regular season behind us, it’s time to review what we learned from a fantasy perspective and how we can apply it to next year.

In the coming days throughout October, we’ll be breaking down the standout seasons, the breakout candidates, the prospects to know, and our early 2026 rankings.

Here are the other positions we have covered so far:

We’re moving on to second base where there were plenty of surprising seasons – both good and bad – from what’s routinely one the most scarce positions in fantasy baseball.

2025 POSITION BREAKDOWN: SECOND BASE

️ STATE OF THE POSITION

Always one of the strangest positions to forecast, 2025 brought huge changes to the second base landscape. Longtime stalwarts like Marcus Semien and Ozzie Albies fell by the wayside while popular breakout picks like Luis Garcia Jr. and Matt McLain flopped.

Rather, the tandem of overlooked National League Central speedsters Brice Turang and Nico Hoerner emerged as the most consistent top-end performers at the position.

Turang increased his bat speed dramatically and found power for the first time in his career while Hoerner operated nearly the top of his speed and contact approach with 29 stolen bases and a .297 batting average.

Otherwise, this position was pure chaos. Ketel Marte was far and away the most consistent hitter in another incomplete season. Jose Altuve had a solid yet unspectacular campaign (while splitting time in the outfield) as the effects of aging began to take place. Brandon Lowe quietly socked 30 homers for the first time since 2021 despite dealing with a few trips to the injured list. Jorge Polanco came out of the gate blazing hot and turned back the clock with 26 homers and an .821 OPS.

Past them, Bryson Stott and Andrés Giménez still swung pool noodles, Xavier Edwards started slow but caught fire late, Gleyber Torres was just fine outside of Yankee Stadium, and Lenyn Sosa emerged as a power hitter. Jackson Holliday still hasn’t taken a step forward and Luke Keaschall looked like a potential star. There’s a lot to unpack here

MLB: Washington Nationals at Atlanta Braves
Way-Too-Early 2026 Fantasy Baseball Top 300 Rankings
Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani at the top? Our early 2026 Top 300 rankings highlight key fantasy storylines heading into the MLB offseason.

2025’s Top Five Second Basemen

1. Brice Turang (Brewers)

.288 / .359 / .435, 18 HR, 97 R, 81 RBI, 24 SB

Absolutely nobody saw this coming. Heading into the season, there were questions as to whether Turang’s bat was good enough to be a full-time player. He silenced all of those doubts with a near 20-20 season and top-five OPS among all second basemen. To get there, he brought up his bat speed more than four miles per hour and put a greater emphasis on going out to get the baseball out in front of the plate. Suddenly, he was doing serious damage and hitting the ball harder than he ever had while maintaining his always high contact rates. It was a true breakout season.

2. Jazz Chisholm Jr. (Yankees)

.242 / .332 / .481, 31 HR, 75 R, 80 RBI, 31 SB

Chisholm would’ve easily taken the top spot from Turang if not for an oblique injury that knocked him out the entire month of May. Nevertheless, he still managed his first 30-30 season along with the highest on-base percentage of his career. He took advantage of the short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium beautifully with nearly every single one of his homers coming on the pull side and had one of the highest pulled fly ball rates in the league, so the intent was obvious and the execution was successful. Another full season in the Bronx should position him to be the top second baseman in the league.

3. Nico Hoerner (Cubs)

.297 / .345 / .394, 7 HR, 89 R, 61 RBI, 29 SB

If you play in a standard, points-based league, there’s a great chance Hoerner was the highest scoring second baseman in your league. That’s because he had the sixth-most hits in the league and third-fewest strikeouts among all qualified hitters. That being said, it is a profile that’s largely reliant on base hits and batting average in general. His stolen bases also decreased for the second straight season as the rest of the league ran wild. It worked out beautifully this season and Hoerner’s real-life value was on full display during the playoffs, but he’s prone to volatility as a fantasy asset.

4. Ketel Marte (Diamondbacks)

.283 / .376 / .517, 28 HR, 87 R, 72 RBI, 4 SB

Marte would compete for MVP awards if ever managed to play 162 games. Of all qualified hitters last season, he had the seventh-highest OPS nestled between Juan Soto and his teammate Corbin Carroll, but missed nearly a month with a hamstring strain. It was the sixth time in his career he’s missed time with a hammy and sadly these nagging injuries have become part of the deal with him. Yet, Marte deserves to be thought of in the elite tier of hitters due to his production on a per-at-bat basis, elite underlying power metrics, and fantastic swing decisions. He is light on speed though, especially relative to his peers at this position.

5. Jose Altuve (Astros)

.265 / .329 / .442, 26 HR, 80 R, 77 RBI, 10 SB 

How many solid years does Altuve have left? His final stat line was totally fine, but it came with the worst plate discipline of his career where he chased more pitches out of the zone, swung at fewer in it, and made less contact overall. The result was an 11-year low in both his OBP and OPS. It feels like his athleticism is waning too as he was successful in just 10 of 16 stolen base attempts. His only saving grace is an uncanny ability to pull the bulk of his fly balls which maximize his power output despite underlying power metrics that look more like that of a slap-hitter. It’s more risky than ever to believe in this profile as Altuve enters his age-36 season.

2026 Breakouts

Jackson Holliday (Orioles)

He will break out at some point, right? Another disappointing season where he wound up with a lowly .689 OPS over 649 plate appearance while grading poorly on defense has many questioning if he can ever live up to his former top prospect billing. He did manage both 17 home runs and 17 stolen bases in his age-21 season though, so the huge power, speed ceiling remains. There will and should continue to be hope in Holliday’s star potential.

Luke Keaschall (Twins)

Keaschall broke on the scene like a mad-man with five stolen bases, three doubles, and more than twice as many walks than strikeouts during his first week as a big leaguer. Then, a fractured forearm knocked him out of action for over three months. He returned in early August and was still impressive, closing the season with a .795 OPS, four home runs, nine steals, and more excellent plate discipline over his final 42 games. He figures to hit near the top of the Twins’ lineup next season and could ride his contact-oriented approach with tremendous plate discipline to a high batting average, high on-base percentage, and sit near the league lead in stolen bases.

Brett Baty (Mets)

This is a sneaky pick since Baty figures to be the Mets’ starting third baseman next season, but he played in over 50 games at second this year. Off the bat, that split eligibility could make him a very valuable fantasy asset. Past that, he was very productive at the plate in this quiet breakout season. After being sent back to Triple-A for two weeks following a disastrous start in the big leagues, Baty hit 17 HR with seven steals and a .772 OPS over 111 games while becoming a bona fide everyday player. There are still plate discipline concerns and the Mets hide him from left-handed pitchers, but 25 HR and 10 SB are well within reach.

Kristian Campbell (Red Sox)

Don’t forget about Campbell. Baseball is a difficult game and player development is not a linear process. Campbell was Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year in 2024 and seemed like a shoe-in to play a big role on the Sox this past year. His batted ball data and elite swing decisions hinted at true star potential as well. However he struggled at the plate, couldn’t find a defensive home, and spent most of the season back in Triple-A. He didn’t perform well there either, but that high-end prospect is still in there and he could certainly pop this year.

2026 Prospects To Know

Travis Bazzana (Guardians)

Bazzana was the number one overall pick in what’s become a loaded 2024 draft. NickKurtz, Chase Burns, Trey Yesavage, and Jac Caglianone have already reached the big leagues and Bazzana figures to not be far behind after an impressive final month of the season at Triple-A. It’s an OBP and speed driven profile though that won’t come with much power or a high average.

JJ Weatherholt (Cardinals)

Weatherholtis a shortstop by trade, but is unlikely to play there in the big leagues with Masyn Winn holding that spot down for the Cardinals. He figures to be the starter at either 2B or 3B after what figures to be an active offseason in St. Louis and he has the tools to be a five-category contributor right away.

Jett Williams (Mets)

Similarly to Weatherholt,Williamsis a shortstop by trade, but won’t be playing there any time soon with Francisco Lindor in the way. Yet, Williams could factor in at second if the Mets want to move on from Jeff McNeil before the final year of his contract. If Williams winds up getting the call, he could play at a 40-steal pace, albeit without much of a batting average floor. Don’t be surprised by what could also be league-average power despite Williams’ size at 5’ 7” too.

2026 Top 12 Second Basemen

1. Jazz Chisholm Jr.: No one else at this position has the same level of both power and speed. Being part of the powerful Yankees lineup again will help too.

2. Ketel Marte: Unmatched consistency at the plate will make him tops here in points leagues, but not stealing any bases will push him down the board a bit in roto.

3. Jordan Westburg: Still technically eligible at second base in some leagues after 17 starts there this season, Westburg offers a higher offensive floor and ceiling than most of his counterparts.

4. Jose Altuve: It’s still fair to expect something like 25 HR, 10 SB, and a reasonably high batting average in his age-36 season.

5. Ozzie Albies: A horrid first half gave way to a .272 batting average in the second half with nine homers and seven steals. That made him the third-most valuable second baseman after the break.

6. Brice Turang: Part of me needs to see the home run power again to believe it’s real without pulling the bulk of his fly balls. If it is real, he could slot back into the top-five.

7. Brandon Lowe: He’s coming off one of the quietest 30-homer seasons in the league and has a great chance to do so again.

8. Nico Hoerner: Perhaps I’m too low on Hoerner, but am always worried about batting average driven profiles. Him carrying a red-hot second half and postseason into next year would prove me wrong.

9. Luke Keaschall: There’s an it-factor with Keaschall that makes me think he could wind up as one of the best performers at this position next season.

10. Gleyber Torres: The hope is for 20 homers, 10 stolen bases, and an acceptable batting average.

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Panthers Veteran Defenseman To Miss Five Months With Labral Tear

Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov will miss the next five months as he recovers from surgery to repair a labral tear. 

The 34-year-old exited the Panthers' second game of the season on Oct. 9 after crashing into the boards. The veteran played just 7:47 against the Philadelphia Flyers before the collision.

“He had surgery this morning to repair a labral tear,” coach Paul Maurice said. “He’ll be out five months.”

Kulikov now joins a list consisting of Aleksander Barkov, Tomas Nosek and Matthew Tkachuk of Panthers players dealing with long-term injuries. Kulikov is the first, and hopefully the only, defenseman dealing with a long-term injury. The veteran blueliner skates on the third pairing at 5-on-5, but he is a key figure on the Panthers' penalty kill. 

Replacing him in the previous two games was Uvis Balinskis. The 29-year-old skated in 76 games last season, but it wasn't always smooth sailing on the third pairing. Through two games, Balinskis and his partner, Jeff Petry, have struggled at 5-on-5.

“He is unique in his role, he’s an excellent penalty killer, physical player in the 5-6, but he can skate and close gaps, so that’s the hole (that needs to be filled). Uvis (Balinskis) played 76 games for us last year, so we’ll put in a veteran player whose played here,” said Maurice. 

Dmitry Kulikov (Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images)

It's another key player who needs to be replaced, but the Panthers are sticking to the 'next man up' mindset.

"It’s the same concept, you don’t replace these guys that we have out of the lineup, but the weight doesn’t get heavier, you just have fewer guys to lift, right? Everybody shares it," said the Panthers' bench boss. "We have full expectation of Uvis playing the game that he’s capable of playing; he doesn’t get any room not to, but that’s a positive for us. We think we’re putting in a guy who's very capable."

Tobias Bjornfot was also recalled by the Panthers over the weekend, brought up as additional depth in case another Panthers defenseman suffers an injury. The 24-year-old hasn't been able to lock down a full-time NHL role just yet, but he's accumulated well over 100 games of NHL experience (134).

The Panthers are back in action tonight against the Detroit Red Wings for the second of five games on their current road trip.

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2025-26 Rotoworld Basketball Expert Mock Draft: Wemby goes No. 1 over Jokic

We’re less than a week away from regular season NBA basketball!

The 2025-26 NBA season tips off on NBC and Peacock with a doubleheader on October 21, as the Lakers face the Warriors and the Rockets face the Thunder.

As we navigate the final week of the preseason, the Rotoworld crew got together to host a 12-team, 9-category mock draft with some of the best and brightest minds in the fantasy basketball industry.

DENVER NUGGETS MEDIA DAY, NBA
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.

Here are the analysts who participated and the Draft Order:

1. Zak Hanshew - Rotoworld

2. Nick Shlain - Rotoworld

3. Josh Lloyd - Basketball Monster

4. Eric Samulski - Rotoworld

5. Dan Besbris - Old Man Squad Sports Network

6. Raphiell Johnson - Rotoworld

7. George Bissell - Rotoworld

8. Alex Barutha - Rotowire

9. Dan Titus - Yahoo! Sports

10. Noah Rubin - Rotoworld

11. Adam King - Fantasy Basketball International

12. Papi Roi - Fantasy Basketball Philippines Podcast

Below are the results of our draft with some thoughts and analysis. Why did I take Wemby over Jokic? Which picks were surprising in each round? How early did Cooper Flagg get selected? And which late-round pick did I make to prompt Raphielle Johnson to tell me he hated me?

If you want to watch the entire draft shake out, you can check it out here.

Round 1

1. Victor Wembanyama (SAS - C)

2. Nikola Jokić (DEN - C)

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC - PG)

4. Luka Dončić (LAL - PG,SG)

5. Anthony Edwards (MIN - PG,SG)

6. Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL - PF,C)

7. Anthony Davis (DAL - PF,C)

8. Cade Cunningham (DET - PG,SG)

9. Devin Booker (PHX - PG,SG)

10. James Harden (LAC - PG,SG)

11. Trae Young (ATL - PG)

12. Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK - PF,C)

There’s a two or three-man debate for the top overall pick in fantasy hoops this season. Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama are the clear top options, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander working his way into the mix.

I went Wemby here, banking on upside rather than consistency and floor with Jokic. Wembanyama has yet to stay healthy for a full season, and he’s not as effective as Jokic as a facilitator. We’ve probably seen the best of Joker after last season’s triple-double average, but the best is yet to come for Wembanyama.

There were a couple of surprises in the first round, as Ant-Man went right after SGA and Luka. Cade Cunningham was a big riser after a breakout 2024-25 campaign, and James Harden’s inclusion in the top-10 highlights his lasting impact on the game so late into his career.

As Raphielle mentioned during the draft, picking in the 5-7 range is particularly difficult, but he was able to get a steal with Giannis at No. 6 after Edwards surprisingly went one pick before that.

Round 2

1. Amen Thompson (HOU - PG,SG,SF)

2. Tyrese Maxey (PHI - PG)

3. Stephen Curry (GSW - PG)

4. Donovan Mitchell (CLE - PG,SG)

5. Kevin Durant (HOU - SF,PF)

6. Jalen Johnson (ATL - SF,PF)

7. Evan Mobley (CLE - PF,C)

8. Domantas Sabonis (SAC - C)

9. Josh Giddey (CHI - PG,SG)

10. Alperen Sengun (HOU - C)

11. Jalen Brunson (NYK - PG)

12. Jalen Williams (OKC - SF,PF)

Thompson is perhaps the biggest riser in 2025-26 fantasy drafts compared to where he was selected in 2024-25. Last season, Thompson was an afterthought in the realm of fantasy hoops, but he’s now a consensus first or second-rounder.

Jalen Johnson is another guy fantasy managers hope can replicate his breakout success from a season ago. Ditto Josh Giddey, who was written off after his final season in OKC but found new life with the Bulls.

Is Alperen Sengun ready to take a leap in 2025-26? He was tremendous a season ago, and he looked even better at EuroBasket. Grabbing him at the end of the second round could prove to be a big-time value if he continues to ascend.

Round 3

1. Paolo Banchero (ORL - PF,C)

2. Scottie Barnes (TOR - SG,SF,PF)

3. LaMelo Ball (CHA - PG,SG)

4. Pascal Siakam (IND - PF,C)

5. Derrick White (BOS - PG,SG)

6. Jamal Murray (DEN - PG,SG)

7. Dyson Daniels (ATL - PG,SG,SF)

8. Chet Holmgren (OKC - PF,C)

9. Bam Adebayo (MIA - PF,C)

10. Cooper Flagg (DAL - SF)

11. Kristaps Porziņģis (ATL - PF,C)

12. Jaren Jackson Jr. (MEM - PF,C)

I grabbed Jalen Williams at the end of the second round and paired him with Paolo Banchero at the turn. As Noah pointed out in the draft, Banchero’s lack of defensive stats will be offset by Williams and Wemby. I’m a big fan of Banchero’s, and he could be in for a monster season. He was trending up in a big way before getting hurt last season, and a fully healthy campaign could be monstrous. I love his dual eligibility as a PF and C.

The third round is where things started to get pretty interesting. No surprises in Scottie Barnes and LaMelo Ball. Raphielle played it safe with Jamal Murray, who’s been a steady, yet unremarkable contributor throughout his career. Dyson Daniels and Derrick White have rocketed up draft boards thanks to elite production (Daniels) and increased opportunity (White). Porzingis here is a dice roll given his health, but he’s been a great per-game contributor when available.

The first rookie came off the board as Noah got his guy in Cooper Flagg. How high can Flagg rise in fantasy hoops this season? He should see a ton of playing time, and he offers elite production on both ends of the floor.

Round 4

1. De'Aaron Fox (SAS - PG,SG)

2. Austin Reaves (LAL - PG,SG)

3. Franz Wagner (ORL - SF,PF)

4. Ja Morant (MEM - PG)

5. Deni Avdija (POR - SF,PF)

6. Jaylen Brown (BOS - SG,SF)

7. Trey Murphy III (NOP - SF,PF)

8. Kawhi Leonard (LAC - SF,PF)

9. LeBron James (LAL - SF,PF)

10. Coby White (CHI - PG,SG)

11. Ivica Zubac (LAC - C)

12. Joel Embiid (PHI - C)

De’Aaron Fox is certainly a gamble here, as he’ll be sidelined to open up the season due to a hamstring injury.

LeBron James will miss the first season-opener of his career, so Austin Reaves could be in line for a massive bump in usage. Reaves went seven picks before James in this draft, which is the most fascinating tidbit of the fourth round. Is James’ sciatica going to limit him in Year 23?

Coby White this early is too rich for my blood, especially with Josh Giddey running point guard. Ivica Zubac is another guy I wouldn’t be comfortable taking in this range due to LA’s offseason roster moves.

I rolled the dice once again with the final pick of this round …

Round 5

1. Zion Williamson (NOP - SF,PF)

2. Desmond Bane (ORL - SG,SF)

3. Myles Turner (MIL - C)

4. Jalen Duren (DET - C)

5. Jimmy Butler III (GSW - SF,PF)

6. Darius Garland (CLE - PG)

7. Nikola Vučević (CHI - C)

8. Brandon Miller (CHA - SF,PF)

9. Jarrett Allen (CLE - C)

10. Lauri Markkanen (UTA - SF,PF)

11. OG Anunoby (NYK - SF,PF)

12. Payton Pritchard (BOS - PG)

I’m usually opposed to drafting Joel Embiid at all, but getting him at Pick 48 was just way too good to pass up. He missed a ton of time last season and struggled to post elite numbers when on the court. He’s been ramping up activity recently and could be available for the season-opener. When at his best, Embiid is a 30/10/5 guy who can shoot threes and block shots. That’s incredible value with a huge question mark.

Next up is another injury-prone player, Zion Williamson. Williamson has gotten in better shape during the offseason, and his elite skillset could make him another incredible value. I could have a league-winning pair in Rounds 4-5, or I could have my IL spots filled up quickly. Go big, or go home!

Myles Turner feels like a great value here, but taking Jalen Duren is a bit risky given Detroit’s depth. The round wrapped up without too many surprises. Payton Pritchard is a huge riser given Boston’s shallow depth at multiple positions. Will he be a starter or push for 30 minutes off the bench?

Round 6

1. Immanuel Quickley (TOR - PG,SG)

2. Jordan Poole (NOP - PG,SG)

3. Brandon Ingram (TOR - SG,SF,PF)

4. Miles Bridges (CHA - SF,PF)

5. Zach LaVine (SAC - PG,SG)

6. Walker Kessler (UTA - C)

7. Michael Porter Jr. (BKN - SF,PF)

8. Deandre Ayton (LAL - C)

9. DeMar DeRozan (SAC - SF)

10. Jakob Poeltl (TOR - C)

11. Josh Hart (NYK - SG,SF,PF)

12. Cam Thomas (BKN - SG,SF)

A pair of Raptors went off the board here, as Immanuel Quickley will look to put together a fully-healthy season and stuff the stat sheet on a nightly basis. Brandon Ingram could return to form, especially if Toronto utilizes him more as an outside threat.

Several centers went in this round, and Jakob Poeltl is one of my favorite later-round options at the position.

A pair of Nets also came off the board, as Michael Porter Jr. went at Pick 7, and I grabbed my man Cam Thomas at Pick 12. He should be playing for pride and his next contract, giving an added boost to an already promising outlook. Assuming he can stay healthy in 2025-26, I’m counting on Thomas to build on the breakout he had at the end of the 2023-24 season and into the 2024-25 campaign.

Round 7

1. Shaedon Sharpe (POR - SG,SF)

2. Julius Randle (MIN - PF,C)

3. Ausar Thompson (DET - SF,PF)

4. Christian Braun (DEN - SG,SF)

5. Andrew Nembhard (IND - PG,SG)

6. Paul George (PHI - SG,SF,PF)

7. Jalen Green (PHX - PG,SG)

8. Alex Sarr (WAS - C)

9. Rudy Gobert (MIN - C)

10. Donovan Clingan (POR - C)

11. Norman Powell (MIA - SG,SF)

12. Mikal Bridges (NYK - SF,PF)

I was short on guards, so I nabbed Shaedon Sharpe with the first pick of Round 7. He’s been getting a ton of praise from coaches and teammates, and a breakout season could be on tap.

Not too many surprises in this round, other than Alex Sarr. He had a strong rookie campaign, and Washington’s center depth is thinner than it was a season ago. Is he ready for a breakout, or is a sophomore slump going to disappoint fantasy managers?

Paul George wasn’t great last season when on the court, but there’s only one way to go from here, right? Getting him so late in a draft should offset the injury risk.

Ausar Thompson was selected with the third pick. Like his twin Amen (drafted in the second round), he’s a player pegged for a potential breakout.

Round 8

1. Matas Buzelis (CHI - SF,PF)

2. Kevin Porter Jr. (MIL - PG,SG)

3. Onyeka Okongwu (ATL - C)

4. Cameron Johnson (DEN - SF,PF)

5. Mark Williams (PHX - C)

6. Kel'el Ware (MIA - PF,C)

7. Bennedict Mathurin (IND - SG,SF)

8. John Collins (LAC - PF,C)

9. Santi Aldama (MEM - PF,C)

10. Tyler Herro (MIA - PG,SG)

11. Anfernee Simons (BOS - PG,SG)

12. CJ McCollum (WAS - PG,SG)

Here’s where we started seeing some swings, but there was a ton of potential value in Round 8. Matas Buzelis is a risk/reward option who has become an analyst favorite in the offseason.

Mark Williams and Tyler Herro could be excellent values, but availability is a major concern, given their current injuries and Williams’ extensive history of missing time.

Kel’el Ware has had a phenomenal preseason, but can he parlay that success into an elite regular season run? Benedict Mathurin should see a ton of playing time in 2025-26, but can he provide more than just points?

Round 9

1. Jalen Suggs (ORL - PG)

2. RJ Barrett (TOR - SF,PF)

3. Toumani Camara (POR - SF,PF)

4. Isaiah Hartenstein (OKC - C)

5. Devin Vassell (SAS - SG,SF)

6. Draymond Green (GSW - PF,C)

7. Jaden Ivey (DET - PG,SG)

8. Reed Sheppard (HOU - PG,SG)

9. Tari Eason (HOU - SF,PF)

10. Zach Edey (MEM - C)

11. Bradley Beal (LAC - SG,SF)

12. Nic Claxton (BKN - C)

I needed a player with PG eligibility, so I took McCollum in Round 8 and Suggs in Round 9. I’m not thrilled with either selection, but both should see enough usage to provide value in this range.

Draymond Green, Jaden Ivey, Reed Sheppard, and RJ Barrett are some of the least exciting selections here. You know what you’re getting with Green, but it’s not a ton at this point in his career. Still, you can’t find a triple-double threat this late in drafts anywhere else. Ivey, Sheppard and Barrett are big risks given uncertain roles for the first two and questions about Barrett’s production outside of scoring.

Round 10

1. Dereck Lively II (DAL - C)

2. Cason Wallace (OKC - PG,SG)

3. Brandin Podziemski (GSW - PG,SG)

4. Naz Reid (MIN - PF,C)

5. Keyonte George (UTA - PG,SG)

6. Jaden McDaniels (MIN - SF,PF)

7. Keegan Murray (SAC - SF,PF)

8. Andrew Wiggins (MIA - SG,SF)

9. D'Angelo Russell (DAL - PG)

10. Tobias Harris (DET - PF)

11. Jrue Holiday (POR - PG,SG)

12. Kyshawn George (WAS - SG,SF)

We’re really into big swing territory here. D’Angelo Russell could be a huge value as Dallas’ de facto starting PG until Kyrie Irving returns. Tobias Harris and Jrue Holiday have offered elite production over the years, and even in the autumn of their careers, they should certainly offer enough here to be worth a late-round selection.

Round 11

1. Ace Bailey (UTA - SF)

2. Aaron Gordon (DEN - PF,C)

3. Herbert Jones (NOP - SF,PF)

4. Bobby Portis (MIL - PF,C)

5. Donte DiVincenzo (MIN - PG,SG)

6. Jaylen Wells (MEM - SG,SF)

7. Jayson Tatum (BOS - SF,PF)

8. Stephon Castle (SAS - PG,SG)

9. Aaron Nesmith (IND - SF)

10. Isaiah Jackson (IND - C)

11. Scoot Henderson (POR - PG)

12. Jabari Smith Jr. (HOU - PF,C)

I selected Kyshawn George at the end of Round 10. He’s one of my guys for the 2025-26 season, and I’m expecting strong, two-way production. Ace Bailey is another guy who has impressed in the preseason. Strong play and plenty of opportunities for the rebuilding Jazz give him tremendous upside.

The most notable pick of this round is Jayson Tatum, who has said that he wants to try playing this season. Even if he’s able to take the court for a few games, he’ll be sitting in one of your IL spots all season until he maybe returns.

Round 12

1. Davion Mitchell (MIA - PG)

2. Khris Middleton (WAS - SF,PF)

3. Kyrie Irving (DAL - PG)

4. Nikola Jović (MIA - PF)

5. Collin Sexton (CHA - PG,SG)

6. Yves Missi (NOP - C)

7. VJ Edgecombe (PHI - SG)

8. Neemias Queta (BOS - PF,C)

9. Cam Whitmore (WAS - SF,PF)

10. De'Andre Hunter (CLE - SF,PF)

11. Klay Thompson (DAL - SG,SF)

12. Ryan Kalkbrenner (CHA - C)

Kyrie Irving will presumably be out until at least the All-Star break. How much can he offer when he returns?

Two more rookies came off the board as VJ Edgecombe went to Raphielle, and I selected Ryan Kalkbrenner. Raphielle is high on Kalkbrenner too, and my selection here caused him to tell me he hated me. Strong words, but hey, I got my guy.

Round 13

1. Jonathan Kuminga (GSW - SF,PF)

2. Malik Monk (SAC - SG)

3. Chris Boucher (BOS - PF,C)

4. Adem Bona (PHI - C)

5. Kelly Oubre Jr. (PHI - SF,PF)

6. Ayo Dosunmu (CHI - SG,SF)

7. Sam Hauser (BOS - SF,PF)

8. Mitchell Robinson (NYK - C)

9. Brice Sensabaugh (UTA - SF,PF)

10. Keon Ellis (SAC - PG,SG) - Rubin

11. Dennis Schröder (SAC - PG,SG)

12. Dejounte Murray (NOP - PG,SG)

The final round is all about upside, and that’s what I expect with Kuminga. If the Warriors are truly intent on trading him during the season, they’ll have to showcase him, which means a consistent role and strong production.

Chris Boucher could end up the starting center for Boston, making him a nice pick here. Adem Bona could do the same for the 76ers if (who are we kidding - when) Embiid is forced to miss time.

Sam Hauser should see an increased role for the shorthanded Celtics, and someone’s got to step up for Sacramento. Three - yes three - Kings guards went off the board here. Someone’s got a reliable fantasy option, right?

Could the Knicks utilize a jumbo lineup with Karl-Anthony Towns playing alongside Mitchell Robinson? Even if Robinson comes off the bench, he should see enough playing time to be a viable option, and getting him in the final round is a tremendous value.

The draft closed out with another injured player. Dejounte Murray is an elite, multi-cat contributor, but he’ll have to sit in an IL spot until at least January.

My team

1. (1) Victor Wembanyama (SAS - C)

2. (24) Jalen Williams (OKC - SF,PF)

3. (25) Paolo Banchero (ORL - PF,C)

4. (48) Joel Embiid (PHI - C)

5. (49) Zion Williamson (NOP - SF,PF)

6. (72) Cam Thomas (BKN - SG,SF)

7. (73) Shaedon Sharpe (POR - SG,SF)

8. (96) CJ McCollum (WAS - PG,SG)

9. (97) Jalen Suggs (ORL - PG)

10. (120) Kyshawn George (WAS - SG,SF)

11. (121) Ace Bailey (UTA - SF)

12. (144) Ryan Kalkbrenner (CHA - C)

13. (145) Jonathan Kuminga (GSW - SF,PF)

Strengths: Defense, rebounding, FG%

Weaknesses: Three-pointers, assists, availability

I rolled the dice many times in this draft, but this team is on-brand. I love drafting for upside rather than security, and typically, I’m inclined to draft younger players over veterans. There are breakout options all across my final roster, and if guys like Embiid, Williamson, Thomas and Sharpe can stay mostly healthy, this team could win many, many weeks.

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Mackie Samoskevich promoted to Florida Panthers top forward line

The Florida Panthers will have a different look when they take the ice on Wednesday in Detroit.

Fresh off the team’s first loss of the young season, Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice made a tweak to his forward lines.

It’s not uncommon for Maurice to move around his lines during the regular season to test out players in different spots with different linemates, as it helps gain understanding of which combinations work better in certain situations.

When the Panthers took the ice for their morning skate at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, second-year sniper Mackie Samoskevich skated on Florida’s top line, next to Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand.

As Maurice explained, having a player like Bennett who is so good with mentoring young guys, it makes it much easier to move a younger forward up in the lineup.

“When you get a young guy, especially if he’s a winger, you need a veteran player that wants to play with him,” Maurice said. “And Sam Bennett likes playing him because Mackie can skate with him, he can shoot the puck and he can make plays. Benny likes that speed with him.”

Carter Verhaeghe, who previously skated on the top unit, took Samoskevich’s spot on a line with Evan Rodrigues and Jesper Boqvist.

So far this season, Samoskevich has made the most of his new opportunities.

He’s been a main component of Florida’s second power play unit, with two of his three points so far this season coming while the Cats were on the man advantage.

Last season, Samoskevich played in 72 regular season games for Florida, racking up 15 goals and 31 points, before seeing his playing time limited to only four games during the heavier Stanley Cup Playoffs.

This year, the 22-year-old is looking to further establish himself as not only an everyday NHL player but one who can be counted on to produce similarly to how he’s performed throughout his playing career.

“We’ve got a fairly deep team here,” Maurice said. “If he was on a lot of the organizations that are maybe on a different part of their rebuild, he would’ve been playing bigger minutes in the NHL and putting up numbers and people would appreciate how good he is. He’s going to get that chance now.

“He’s ready for it. He’s fit, he’s strong, he’s fast, he understands our game. I know he’s a young guy but we don’t view him as that. He’s had enough training here to be good.”

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Photo caption: Oct 11, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers right wing Mackie Samoskevich (11) celebrates a goal against the Ottawa Senators during the third period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Jim Rassol-Imagn Images)

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Russell Westbrook signs one-year deal with Sacramento Kings for 18th NBA season

Denver’s Russell Westbrook stands on the court late in the second half of Game 7 in the Western Conference semi-finals against Oklahoma City last May.Photograph: Kyle Phillips/AP

Nine-time NBA All-Star Russell Westbrook has agreed to sign with the Sacramento Kings, ESPN confirmed Wednesday through his agent Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management. The 2017 MVP joins the Kings ahead of his 18th NBA season, giving Sacramento an experienced option in a backcourt that lacked depth a year ago.

Westbrook, who turns 37 in November, spent last season with the Denver Nuggets, averaging 13.3 points, 6.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds in 75 games while shooting 44.9% from the field. He remained unsigned through the summer as he weighed options before finalizing terms with the Kings this week. He’s expected to join the team later this week.

The Kings ranked 28th in bench scoring and 29th in assists per game last season, areas where Westbrook’s playmaking and energy could make an immediate impact. Perry has emphasized building a team that plays with effort and urgency, traits that have defined Westbrook’s career.

Westbrook is the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles (203) and ranks eighth in assists. He enters the season 506 points shy of surpassing Oscar Robertson as the highest-scoring point guard in league history. Sacramento will be his seventh NBA team, following stints with Oklahoma City, Houston, Washington, the Lakers, Clippers and Denver.

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Detroit Rookie’s Prime Role Could Make Him Calder Dark Horse

The Calder race, featuring standout names such as Montreal's Ivan Demidov and New York's top prospect Matthew Schaefer, also includes strong contenders from the Detroit Red Wings, three of them to be exact.

The rookie trio of Emmitt Finnie, Axel Sandin-Pellikka, and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård have all emerged as notable prospects, each making a strong early impression with the rookie of the year award faintly within sight.

Of the three, Finnie appears the most likely contender as the 20-year-old winger has earned a spot on Detroit’s top line alongside stars Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond in a move that’s already paying off. Finnie has recorded two assists in his first three games, nearly producing at a point-per-game pace with the Lethbridge, Alberta native listed with +8000 odds to win the Calder.

Finnie currently trails behind early standouts such as Minnesota’s Zeev Buium and Anaheim’s Beckett Sennecke, who have notched five and four points respectively to start the season but Finnie is still in the conversation. His spot on Detroit’s top line gives him a steady opportunity to rack up points, something that can’t be said for all of his rookie counterparts, many of whom find themselves in less favorable roles.

In this piece, we’ll examine the potential weaknesses in the cases of other Calder Trophy hopefuls and explore how Finnie could strengthen his own bid for the award. Circumstances will undoubtedly evolve as the season progresses, but as of today, this is how the landscape stands for some rookies.

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Exclusive: Red Wings Prospect Emmitt Finnie Talks NHL Aspirations, Bond with Nate DanielsonExclusive: Red Wings Prospect Emmitt Finnie Talks NHL Aspirations, Bond with Nate Danielson<a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings">Red Wings</a> breakout prospect Emmitt Finnie breaks down off-season plans, future goals and growing up with fellow prospect <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/exclusive-red-wings-prospect-nate-danielson-focused-on-cracking-nhl-roster">Nate Danielson</a> in an exclusive interview with <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings">The Hockey News</a>.

Closest Comparables To Finnie's Situation

Matthew Schaefer (NYI) : The rookie defenseman has taken on a significant workload early in the season for the Islanders, leading the team in ice time through his first three games. While Lane Hutson broke through last year as the first defenseman to win the Calder since Detroit’s Moritz Seider in 2022, history isn’t on Schaefer’s side. No blueliner has claimed the award in back-to-back seasons since 1963 and 1964, when Toronto’s Kent Douglas and Montreal’s Jacques Laperrière achieved the rare feat, the only consecutive defenseman wins in Calder Trophy history. 

Beckett Sennecke (ANA) : He’s earning top-six minutes with the Ducks, skating alongside promising young talents Mason McTavish and Cutter Gauthier, a line that gives him plenty of offensive opportunity and support. 

Easton Cowen (TOR) : The young winger has stepped into a top-line role alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies and has thrived early, posting a point through his first two games. If he continues in this spot, Cowan could rival Finnie for the league’s most favorable rookie situation especially given he’s sharing the ice with a 69-goal scorer in Matthews. 

Calder Contenders With Flaws

Maxim Shabanov (NYI) : The rookie has been slotted on the Islanders’ third line alongside seasoned veterans Anders Lee and Jean-Gabriel Pageau, providing him with a steady two-way environment to develop in. He’s also earning additional minutes on the power play, which could boost his production, already evident as he’s found the back of the net to start the season. 

Ivan Demidov (MTL) : Arguably the most naturally gifted player in this rookie class, Demidov is already logging top-six minutes and power-play time for Montreal. However, his production potential may be limited somewhat by his current linemates, skating alongside youngsters in Oliver Kapanen and Alex Newhook.  

Red Wings Aim to End Skid Against Dominant Panthers in Midweek ClashRed Wings Aim to End Skid Against Dominant Panthers in Midweek ClashDetroit’s "Cat and Pat," look to spark a winning streak versus Panthers, challenge Florida’s dominance in Motor City

Zeev Buium (MIN) : Much like Schaefer, Buium is logging significant minutes early in the season and quickly proving his reliability on the blue line. However, he faces the same historical hurdle as Schaefer with no defenseman having captured the Calder Trophy in back-to-back seasons since 1963 and 1964, marking a challenge that adds extra weight to his campaign. 

Alexander Nikishin (CAR) : Unlike Schaefer, Nikishin isn’t logging heavy minutes to start the season, which could limit his early impact. On top of that, he faces the same historical obstacle for defenseman, making his path to the award an uphill one. 

Jimmy Snuggerud (STL) : Entering the season with valuable experience from 14 NHL games, split evenly between last year’s regular season and playoffs. However, he’s currently limited to third-line minutes alongside Pius Suter and Mathieu Joseph, which could cap his offensive opportunities early on. 

Ryan Leonard (WSH) : Leonard is currently stuck in a bottom-six role with little opportunity to move up the lineup, blocked at right wing by established players like Tom Wilson and Anthony Beauvillier, unless he can significantly outplay Beauvillier. So far, he has managed just two points across 17 NHL games, including nine in the regular season and eight in the playoffs. 

Sam Rinzel (CHI) : Faces an uphill battle playing on a Blackhawks team struggling offensively, which will likely limit his point production. Additionally, he must overcome the same historical challenge as the other defenseman, adding another hurdle to his rookie campaign. 

"That's A Good Sign": Red Wings Find Positives In Win Despite Being Outshot "That's A Good Sign": Red Wings Find Positives In Win Despite Being Outshot Getting outshot by a 40-15 margin and constantly getting hemmed into their defensive zone wasn't the strategy for the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings">Detroit Red Wings </a>on Monday afternoon, and yet things still worked out for them thanks to a superhuman performance from goaltender Cam Talbot.&nbsp;

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Confidence high in Auburn locker room as Steven Pearl takes over as coach

Steven Pearl took the podium on Wednesday at SEC Basketball Media Days, his first as head coach of the Auburn men’s basketball team. It’s new but familiar territory for the man who roughly three weeks ago succeeded his father, Auburn’s all-time winningest coach Bruce Pearl. The younger Pearl has been on the staff for 11 years, working his way up to associate head coach and defensive coordinator over the past two seasons.

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Russell Westbrook reportedly agrees to one-year contract to join Sacramento Kings

After a summer of rumors and talks, Russell Westbrook signing with the Sacramento Kings is about to be a reality.

Westbrook and the Kings have agreed to a one-year deal, a story broken by ESPN’s Shams Charania and since confirmed by other reports. The deal is expected to become official on Thursday. While the financial terms are not yet public, this is likely a fully guaranteed deal for the veteran minimum of $3.6 million (keeping the Kings $1.8 million below the luxury tax line). Westbrook had not picked up his $3.5 million player option with Denver and became a free agent.

Westbrook, 37, averaged 13.3 points and 6.1 assists a game last season in Denver. What he brings nightly is energy that can change games — even at this age, nobody plays harder than Westbrook every night. However, he's not an efficient scorer at this point in his career, nor is he a great defender.

The Kings needed depth at the point behind Dennis Schroder, and Westbrook slides right into that role. While the Kings have high hopes for him, and just exercised the third-year option on him, second-year point guard Devin Carter did not seem ready for the leap yet.

Sacramento will have a bench unit with Westbrook, Malik Monk and Doug McDermott behind a starting five of Schroder, Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan and Keon Ellis. It's also a roster that could see shakeups this season as Sacramento looks to retool after having to trade De'Aaron Fox last season, a move that forces a reset.