Good morning. This is written before the end of last night’s Game 1 of the National League Championship Series, so there’s nothing on how that game turned out. I assume you know who won by now.
Cody Stavenhagen writes that the White Sox have proven they’re no joke, (The Athletic sub. req.) but that doesn’t make losing the American League Division Series hurt any less.
MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 14: Yoshinobu Yamamoto #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws to first base for the out in the ninth inning during Game Two of the National League Championship Series presented by loanDepot between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Aaron Gash/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Repeating the score of last year’s Game 1 of the NLCS, this time around the Brewers got the better end of a 2-1 result. The home team survived a short Jacob Misiorowski outing with outstanding work from its bullpen, beating a Dodgers offense that could not get on the board after the second inning.
The good news for the Dodgers is that there is no one better who they’d want to take the ball in a pressure spot than Yoshinobu Yamamoto—the reigning champs hope to avoid a 2-0 series deficit before getting back to Los Angeles. Dating back to last year’s World Series, this will be Yamamoto’s fourth straight playoff start following a Dodgers loss, having led them to victory in each one of them.
Even though Milwaukee utilized its bullpen rather aggressively, don’t expect them to push youngster Logan Henderson as a result of it. The extremely talented rookie only tossed 72 pitches in his postseason debut, earning the win in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Padres.
As threatening as seeing Yamamoto on the other side of this matchup can be for a rookie, the last time Henderson faced the Dodgers, he outpitched Tarik Skubal in a Brewers win at Dodger Stadium. The numbers for the young righty speak for themselves, having allowed no more than three runs in any of his 19 starts, including two or fewer in 16 of them.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 30: Manager Matt Quatraro #33 of the Kansas City Royals looks on during a mound visit against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on August 30, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Royals still must try to be prudent in fixing their relief unit. And there are big names set to become available after the World Series.
All-Star left-hander Adrian Morejon is one of the best available free agents. Morejon, 28, formed a top-tier duo alongside Mason Miller with the San Diego Padres. He posted a sub-3.00 ERA his last three campaigns as a setup guy.
Another top option is David Bednar. The two-time All-Star posted 35 saves with the New York Yankees and registered a 2.47 ERA with 76 strikeouts in 69 and 1/3 innings.
If the Royals are serious about revamping their bullpen, both pitchers have the ability to significantly bolster the entire unit. “We plan to be aggressive in acquisition,” Picollo said. “I don’t want that to be mistaken for aggressive in payroll.”
In Jensen’s tiny 2025 rookie sample of 69 plate appearances, he teased us with a 14.5% barrel rate per plate appearance and the 6th-highest (105.7 mph) Exit Velocity 50 (EV50) among hitters with 25 batted ball events in 2025. Jensen’s continued to hit the ball hard for barrels (46). That led to a 7.6% barrel rate per plate appearance. Though Jensen’s EV50 fell to 102.1 mph (No. 43), he crushes the ball when he hits it.
Jensen’s underlying exit velocity data supports his home run boost, as a hitter who pulls the ball into the air. For context, Jensen had a 23.1% pulled air rate this season, a couple of points above his career average. If Jensen maintains consistent playing time and power, it’s hard to avoid being excited about him in 2027.
A 17th round pick in the 2025 draft, Luke Pelzer was another breakout name in the Royals organization. He’d steal the second most amount of bases behind Angeibel Gomez, and finish top-five in the organization with his .337 batting average.
Pelzer would play the majority of his season in High-A, where he stole 28 bases while only getting caught stealing four times. Upon a Double-A promotion, he’d continue to hit for average while limiting strikeouts effectively.
He’s yet another example of a bat that limits whiff very well. It seems like a common trend with the top hitters in this system, especially the breakout ones from the 2025 class.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 11: A detailed view of the 2026 NLCS logo on the field prior to game one of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on October 11, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning, Purple Row!
The Championship Series is in full swing and the Brewers are up 1-0 on the Dodgers after last night’s victory. They will remain in Milwaukee for one more game, while the ALDS kicks off in Tampa Bay tonight between the Rays and the Guardians.
The Arizona Fall League is also in full swing, with the Salt River Rafters sitting second behind the Scottsdale Scorpions with a 5-2 record. Over the next few weeks, I’ll bring you interviews from the prospects representing the Rockies. Later this morning, be on the lookout for my interview with Jack O’Dowd.
But in the meantime, here’s what happening with the Rockies and around Major League Baseball:
The Rockies have a long climb ahead of them if they will be looking to compete anytime soon. Thomas Harding asks five questions that they’ll need to explore to get there:
How do they prepare a pitching staff for ‘27?
How do the Rockies go about acquiring pitching?
Will the Rockies have to disrupt their improving offensive core to improve the pitching?
Paul DePodesta is out to solve the ‘Rubik’s Cube’ that is pitching at Coors Field, and he has turned to a former Rockies pitcher to gain insight: Pedro Astacio. Astacio pitched for the Rockies from 1997 until he was traded to the Houston Astros at the deadline in 2021. He posted a 5.43 ERA and 1.463 WHIP in 130 games (129 starts) for the Rockies. Could he have some answers?
The Arizona Fall League played a doubleheader at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium on Saturday, featuring the Mesa Solar Sox, Peoria Javelinas, Scottsdale Scorpions and Salt River Rafters. Last year’s tripleheader was rained out due to remnants of Hurricane Priscilla, and this year’s event nearly suffered the same fate at the hands of Hurricane Rachel — but settled for an earlier start time and 46-minute lightning delay instead. But there were four prospects with local ties to Tucson and the surrounding areas that celebrated homecomings — Mason White (Red Sox), Cade McGee (Cardinals), Brenden Summerhill (Rays) and Demetrio Crisantes (D-backs). Jonathan Mayo caught up with White and McGee about what it meant to play in front of their hometown crowd.
The Pope Magic ran out for the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night, but Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was in attendance. Kelce grew up in the Cleveland area and purchased a minority stake in the Guardians in May. Anthony Castrovince caught up with Mr. Taylor Swift about what it meant to watch his childhood team win the ALDS, especially with an extra investment in the team.
Look, many people all hate the Dodgers for one reason or another. For Rockies fans, it’s usually because they’re in the NL West and just dominate every single year. But sometimes it’s fun to see an outsider’s perspective, and Adam Zimmer does a great job of breaking everything down on Brewers our sister site.
I don’t know about you, but the White Sox do give me hope for the Rockies in the next few years. Cody Stavenhagen chronicles the Sox’ turnaround and their playoff push after losing 100+ games each of the last three years. In the end the young team was just overmatched by the veteran Guardians.
SARASOTA, FL - MARCH 20: Nestor German #98 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches during the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
In the eight years that Mike Elias has been the head of baseball operations for the Orioles, he has been continually trying to find major league-caliber starting pitchers by loading up in bulk on 11th round-or-later draft picks, undrafted free agents, and the recent 3rd-5th round picks that other teams are willing to trade. Until the 2026 season and the surprise emergence of Brandon Young, this effort yielded no positive results to the MLB club. Others from this group will try to follow in Young’s footsteps. The next to get a chance might be Nestor German.
When the Orioles drafted German in the 11th round in 2023, there was absolutely nothing in his college track record that might suggest that Orioles fans would still be interested in the 6’3” righty three years down the road. He pitched three years for Seattle in the Western Athletic Conference, not exactly one of the powerhouse conferences of NCAA baseball. His results were bad: His best ERA in his college career was a 5.97, and he wasn’t firing off the sorts of gaudy strikeout numbers or K/BB ratios that really get you attention.
The Orioles saw something they liked, and German’s 2024 season across both A-ball levels, where he struck out 90 batters in 73.2 innings and pitched to a 1.59 ERA and sub-1 WHIP, showed they were right to believe they could develop him into something much more interesting than his college results suggested.
German followed this up with a 2025 campaign where most of his action was at the Double-A level, where he posted a 3.76 ERA and 1.099 WHIP in 18 games as a 23-year-old at the level. That’s not “rush this future ace to MLB right now” numbers, but it’s good enough to keep an eye on and see how he does at Triple-A. He entered the season as the #11 prospect in the system in our composite top Orioles prospect ranking, and was in the top 10 in some early-season lists, including at FanGraphs, where they wrote in May:
Like many hurlers in this system, (German is) a downhill thrower with a high slot, above-average extension, and a lot of vertical break on his fastball. He sat 92-94 and touched 98 with it last season while reliably pumping strikes to both sides of the plate. All four of his secondaries missed bats … there are platoon-neutralizing traits here and enough ingredients to get through a lineup multiple times.
This report summarized that for those who believe in his command potential, he has the upside of a #4 starter.
That’s pretty close to what kind of results German got this season. He spent the year in Triple-A Norfolk’s rotation, finishing up with a 4.08 ERA and 1.325 WHIP in 24 games. German struck out more than a batter per inning and had a walk rate that neither will make you celebrate nor vomit.
It’s fine. Offense in the minors exploded this season; the overall ERA in the International League was 4.82 and pitchers in the league had a HR/9 of 1.2. German’s numbers look better than a surface glance once taking this into consideration: He only allowed 10 homers in 117 innings. That’s not because he was getting a lot of ground balls, though. He’s a fly ball pitcher. Maybe it was luck, or maybe he was doing something well. That is the thing I will probably be watching the most for German in 2027.
German actually had better Triple-A results this year than Trey Gibson, an undrafted free agent from that same draft year who the Orioles did give a shot at the major league level this year. Gibson entered the season with much more prospect hype than German on the strength of better results at Double-A a year ago, so that’s probably why he was in line to get the chance in May and June.
As a 2023 draft pick out of college, German becomes eligible for the Rule 5 draft this offseason. The Orioles will have to add him to the 40-man roster or risk losing him in the draft. An on-the-cusp-of-MLB starting pitching prospect who just did fine at Triple-A is the kind of guy you want to protect from the draft, if for no other reason than so you can trade from the depth that he is a part of rather than lose him for nothing.
This should not be a difficult choice for the Orioles. That’s not to say that he has an easy path to major league playing time in the organization. At the MLB level, the O’s are committed for multiple years to Shane Baz and Kyle Bradish, and Young pitched more than well enough to get a rotation spot going into next season. Elias is going to sign or trade for some kind of veteran, because that’s what he does. That leaves one spot for a group that includes a few players who’ve already debuted with the Orioles: Gibson, Luis De León, and Cade Povich. Elias also went out of his way to re-acquire Michael Forret, who ended the season with Norfolk.
The other thing for German – and anybody else who’s at Triple-A – is the wave of pitching prospects who are charging up from beneath. The Double-A rotation at season’s end included Joseph Dzierwa, Caden Hunter, and Anthony Eyanson. Dzierwa should easily open up in Norfolk’s rotation next year and the other two may not be far behind him. It’s a crowded picture, which is exciting for Orioles fans but challenging for the guys who might get squeezed out.
Are people going to get traded? Moved into the bullpen? Elias has not really done either of those things with the pitching prospects that he has brought along close to MLB. German is caught right in the middle of all of this. If there are one or more rotation injuries before next season, he might get a chance early on. If the wave of prospects that’s newer to the organization catches up to him, he might never get the chance. All he can do is keep pitching as well as he can and see what happens. Continuing to pitch like he did in 2026 will probably get him a chance somewhere.
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 10: Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan (38) celebrates as he roihnds the bases as he scores on the Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) (not pictured) 2-run home run during the fourth inning of the Major League Baseball American League Division Series Game 5 between the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians on October 10, 2026, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
I am going to take a break from my free agent posts to present a trade hypothetical. And I am very careful to call it a hypothetical, because I realize some responses will be “this team will not do that.” I understand. Obviously, I am not asking the Cardinals to make my specific trade, it just is a trade that I think makes sense for both teams. If the other team disagrees with my opinion, well then obviously the trade won’t happen. If the Cardinals disagree, then it won’t happen either. It is fairly likely one or both of those will be the case.
But the response to this uncertainty about what each team actually thinks both about their own player and the player to trade for doesn’t have to be “welp I guess I won’t even try to think of trade scenarios.” First off, trade hypotheticals can be fun. I mean if you’ve ever played fantasy baseball and you’re reasonably involved, you have made trades. You make those trades because you think it improves your team, and improving your team is fun. Same principle, only me proposing a trade doesn’t mean anything will happen.
There’s been a lot of discussion about having a short-term upgrade at both CF and 3B. Scott Plaza talked about this in his most recent article yesterday. Tomorrow, Jake Wood will have a post with several CF solutions. I have proposed JP Crawford as a low cost, one-year solution while the multiple Springfield options spend the year in Memphis. A better player than Crawford who I would love if the Cardinals target, if he’s available, is Steven Kwan.
In case you aren’t a follower of anything AL, which is fair, let me describe Steven Kwan the baseball player. The good news is that it seems unlikely he would be harmed by Busch Stadium at all, because he has no power. The bad news is that he has no power. He was an above average hitter thanks primarily to a good average (in today’s game anyway) and a very high OBP. He had a .067 ISO, and honestly with how low that is, I really don’t think it would actually get worse at Busch Stadium, which means if he duplicated his line, his advanced metrics would say he was a better hitter.
Now to be fair, he did have a career high BB% and OBP and in the case of walk rate, it was a lot higher. This could have been a change of approach from him. He attempted to have some modicum of power, successfully, and it did result in a career high wRC+ and 14 homers. But then his followup season was a below average line and a career low BB%. So maybe in response to that, he went all-in on contact and OBP instead. He had a 13.3 BB% when his previous career high was 9.8%. His average was .282 which is exactly his career average. For you old school heads, that’s equivalent to a .300 average nowadays.
His offense is not a game changer, but his defense is really why you would acquire him. Although I am hesitant to take his 2026 numbers at face value due to a small sample. He was about a +6 OAA left fielder per 1,200 innings and he was quite literally twice as good as that in CF in half those innings. Now, what this means is he’s good enough defensively to be a centerfielder, which for the purposes of the 2027 team, is really all that matters. Elite defense is also on the table, but average would seem to be the floor. Because of his defense, he has been a 3 fWAR player every season of his career.
Maybe I should have started with that? He’d be an enormous upgrade over Nathan Church. Honestly, he’d be an upgrade over the Nathan Church who pans out, most likely. I would love it if Chuch surprised me next season, but he has quite a lot of ground to make up in this comparison, so I would place the odds at about the same odds of the Cardinals winning the World Series next season. If they got Kwan and upgraded the bullpen.
Why would the Cleveland Guardians give up Kwan if he’s so good? Money. They do not spend money. Kwan made $7.7 million last season, which means his contract would fall around $11-12 million next season. Not a big deal for most teams. And it’s entirely possible the Guardians have no problem with Kwan at $12 million. And frankly, they probably don’t. But with the low payroll teams, anybody over $10 million with a year to go is probably available on some level. So I think if you throw the Guardians a good trade, they would accept it. What they consider a good trade might not meet anybody’s asking price of course.
So let’s determine Steven Kwan’s value. Kwan, I said, will get either $11 or $12 million. Since he had a .282 average and .382 OBP AND played CF well, I’d be more inclined to go with the $12 million valuation. It wouldn’t surprise me if it was higher even than that because he had a 98 wRC+ in 2025, so his 2026 price wasn’t best on his best season. A bounceback could result in a slightly higher price.
Let’s call him a 3.5 WAR player. I think that’s fair, considering the reliance on his defense being very good in CF, which his LF career would at least not support. I mean he was a genuinely good defender in LF, but he was legitimately elite last year which would surprise me. I could see how going on the lower end of my arbitration price AND going with a lower WAR than he had last season might seem to a Guardians fan like me trying lower his trading price. I think it wouldn’t move the needle much, but I would also do this with the Cardinals if Kwan was a Cardinal.
As a 3.5 WAR player on a $12 million contract, valued at $10 million per WAR, Kwan would have $23 million in trade value. What this means is that you either need to give the other team a player with the equivalent surplus value considering their contract or the prospects have to be equivalent. Good news: this is just shy of a top 100 prospect, although I’m sure Cleveland will want that.
I don’t think many here would support a prospect approach. I’m guessing the Guardians would demand a top 100 prospect. That wouldn’t make sense for the Cardinals at this time. Sacrificing the future so that they may make the playoffs for the wild card for just one season. But maybe for an established MLB player who has no discernible role on the team given the current roster and what’s coming up? I’m talking about Ivan Herrera. Again, I’m not saying these are realistic, it’s just kind of a fun hypothetical.
I’m not actually going to calculate Herrera’s value. He’s been worth an average of 2 WAR over the past three seasons and in one of those seasons, he got 259 PAs. If you valued him as such, you don’t have to be very good at math to know that’s more than $23 million in surplus value. It’s not clear the Guardians do value him as such and it’s also not clear that’s how he’d be valued across the league, but certainly by the numbers, he would be worth a top 100 prospect. It feels like at least one team should value him as his career 119 wRC+ and maybe there’s a team that values him as a catcher. It only takes one team. Or maybe a team wants to move him to 1B. Really, honestly it takes one team to believe in him offensively. Then you just figure out where to put him. But his previously established offensive standard is at least an average player who you just figure out where to put.
From the Guardian’s standpoint, they did trade for Patrick Bailey, so not totally sure they want him at catcher. But Austin Hedges is reaching free agency and they have shown a willingness to play a below average defensive catcher who they sometimes play at catcher and also play at other positions in the form of David Fry. Who is a worse hitter than Herrera. (And he’ll probably get DFA’d) Or they maybe they would try him at 1B, since Nathaniel Lowe is reaching free agency. I think even the down version of Herrera would be an equal hitter to Kwan and offensively, he has better upside and I would say the betting odds would suggest Herrera will be a better hitter than Kwan.
So on paper, Kwan isn’t a good enough return for Herrera. I think I’m also in a weird position because some of you think the Guardians would want more than Herrera and some of you will think Herrera is too much for one year of an above average player. On paper, he’s not enough, but I know “on paper” works, so how do I pick someone who doesn’t have real value, but is somewhat future-oriented? Some of you will absolutely not like this, but my answer is an older reliever who some team control. Fearing his age will catch up to him at any minute, the Guardians cash out. On the Cardinals’ side, he still could have a few good years, because I think relievers work a little differently. They still decline and age, but I just feel like there are more good old relievers than other positions.
So Matt Festa. He has three years of team control. In the past 2 seasons Guardians have had him, he’s been pretty consistent. 24% K rate, 7% BB rate, roughly expected to be around a high 3.00 ERA and FIP. 1.4 fWAR the last two seasons. He’s not a great reliever, I also don’t really think that’s on the table. But he’d be an improvement in the bullpen. He would have been the 8th inning guy if he was on the Cards last season. Downside: he will be 34 next season. Like I said, I was searching for a value-less guy who might still improve the Cards, and I think an older good reliever is the only way both criteria fit.
Thoughts? Would you be good with this trade? I know it won’t happen.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 11: Trevor Megill #29 and William Contreras #24 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrate defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in game one of the National League Championship Series at American Family Field on October 11, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I turned to my brother Sunday morning when I remembered to look at the pitching matchup for Game 1 of the National League Championship Series. There it was: Tarik Skubal vs Jacob Misiorowski. A two-time Cy Young Award winning southpaw facing the pre-eminent flamethrower in perhaps the history of baseball who’s also the presumptive 2026 NL Cy Young Award winner. “This could be a good old heavyweight slobberknocker,” I remarked.
And if all you looked at was the final score of Sunday night’s game, you’d think the two aces lived up to that billing. But the real story, as could kind of be predicted given baseball’s drift away from starting pitchers going deep into games, was the bullpens for both teams. Neither Skubal (5 IP) nor the Miz (4.1) recorded an out in the sixth inning, so both teams deployed their ‘pens to cover a lot of outs in Game 1.
NLCS Game 1
Milwaukee Brewers 2, Los Angeles Dodgers 1
(MIL leads, 1-0)
The Dodgers, looking to steal home-field advantage, struck first Sunday night. But they left a lot of meat on the bone that would have helped them quite a bit.
In the top of the second, Andy Pages, who delivered a key blow to eliminate Atlanta in the NLDS, singled in the game’s first run. Kyle Tucker then walked to load the bases for Kiké Hernández, who had an opportunity to really put Misiorowski and the Brewers behind the 8-ball. Instead, Hernández hit a ball to shortstop that the Brewers’ infield turned into a 6-4-3 double play, extinguishing the threat.
It was one of three twin killings that the Dodgers bounced into in Game 1 as they stranded nine with just the aforementioned Pages single as their own hit with a runner in scoring position.
From there, the Miz settled in for a couple innings, while Skubal kept Milwaukee off the scoreboard. Finally, leading off the home fourth, Brice Turang got Milwaukee on the board. After working himself ahead in the count, Turang demolished a sinker Skubal buried down and in and drove it out to left-center field. Turning around 96-mph is impressive. Having the power to drive that pitch out, facing arguably the toughest lefty in baseball, is even more eyebrow-raising. And it’s not like Turang is a lefty killer, either. For the season, he slugged .313 off southpaws, with a total of three home runs. He chose an excellent time for his fourth.
On the mound, Misiorowski was laboring. The Dodgers worked him hard and, after walking Mookie Betts with one out in the fifth, he was sitting at 94 pitches. Since mid-July, he’d only exceeded that pitch count twice so it was no real surprise when manager Pat Murphy came to collect his ace. Milwaukee’s bullpen was now on the clock. DL Hall was the first one out and he quickly erased Betts and escaped the inning, getting Freddie Freeman to hit into a double play. (You hate to see it.)
In the home fifth, an unlikely hero came through for the Brewers. With a runner on second and one out, Luis Lara singled, scoring the second Brewers’ run of the night and giving them their first lead of the game.
Skubal got through the fifth but that was it for the Dodgers’ prize trade acquisition. LA too turned to a steady stream of relievers. Both teams’ pitchers were up to the task. Three Dodgers combined to hold Milwaukee out of the run column, keeping LA’s deficit at one.
Meanwhile, three Brewers relievers combined to cover 3.2 innings, highlighted by Aaron Ashby’s scoreless seventh and eighth, before turning the game over to closer Trevor Megill. En route to 30 saves in the regular season, Megill cut down on his free passes, ending the year with a career-best 2.2 BB/9. So, of course, after getting two quick outs, Megill walked a pair, putting the go-ahead run on base for Betts.
Mookie took Megill for a ride, driving a ball to center field. The ball sent Garrett Mitchell back onto the warning track but the ball settled harmlessly into his glove to end Game 1, giving the Brew Crew a 1-0 series lead.
For what it’s worth, the team that wins Game 1 in a best-of-seven series in baseball history has gone on to win the series more than 64 percent of the time (127-70). The Brewers are also halfway to protecting home-field advantage, and they’ve already fared better against the mighty Dodgers than they did last year’s NLCS sweep.
The two teams are back at it tomorrow. The Dodgers send playoff superhero Yoshinobu Yamamoto to try for the split in Milwaukee. The Brewers counter with Logan Henderson. First pitch is just after 5pm ET, and Cleveland and Tampa Bay will also kick off the ALCS in the later game (I think I know who we’re all rooting for in that one).
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 05: A sponsorship view of signage in the stands prior to Game Two of the American League Division Series presented by Booking.com between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Monday, October 5, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Good morning, baseball fans!
The 2026 MLB Playoffs continue Monday and Tuesday, this time with the NLCS and ALCS.
Fortunately for me, but unfortunately for you, today is a holiday so I’m pre-writing this a little farther in the past than usual. Which means that the ALDS has not actually concluded for me. So I have no idea which team made it into the championship series. But you do! Lucky you!
With that said, here’s what’s on deck for today and tomorrow:
Monday
First up, the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers will face off against the Milwaukee Brewers, who we are all rooting for, as we established yesterday. This game will start at 2:00 p.m. PT, broadcasting on Fox/Fox Sports 1 with national radio coverage available on ESPN Radio.
After that, whoever won the ALDS over the weekend (so either the Cleveland Guardians or Chicago White Sox) will head to Florida to take on the Tampa Bay Rays at 5:00 p.m. PT. This game will be broadcast on TBS/HBO Max, with national radio coverage available on ESPN Radio.
Tuesday
The ALDS will continue at 5:00 p.m. PT, still in Tampa Bay. This game will have the same broadcast information as the first one.
Who are we rooting for in these games (aside from the Brewers)?
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 10: Luke Kennard #8 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during a preseason game on October 10, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The only time of the year when wins hold as much weight as a loss, the Phoenix Suns are taking advantage of the low-stakes games, getting their entire roster for regular-season play, with 14 players registering playing time in Saturday’s 102-98 win against the Spurs.
Now three games into the preseason, here are the three main questions we want your thoughts on:
Is there a new Grayson Allen in town?
With Devin Booker and Miles Bridges out, Luke Kennard took control of the team’s offensive responsibilities in the Suns’ win over the Spurs, scoring 20 points on 15 shots, including 10 attempts from three. In the first two preseason games, he took just 4 threes, but he, along with the team, adjusted without having a few of their primary scorers for their first win of the preseason.
Similarly, last season, when Devin Booker and other primary scorers would be out, Grayson Allen would take more of a prominent offensive role, highlighted by his 28-point performance in a late February comeback win against the Los Angeles Lakers when Booker and Dillon Brooks were out.
Because of his shooting abilities and experience playing alongside LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Kawhi Leonard, Kennard has experience taking both a front and backseat when his team needs him to, just like Allen did for the Suns before he was traded to the Charlotte Hornets.
Does Saturday’s performance give you confidence that Kennard can provide the production that Allen did for the Suns?
The starting center battle continues
The Suns are giving equal opportunities to Oso Ighodaro and Khaman Maluach to win the starting center job. Oso started the first two games, while Maluach started the third. Through three games, neither has taken a commanding lead, with Oso’s passing (5 assists against the Spurs) and Maluach’s rebounding (15 boards against the Spurs) standing out.
Giving both of them starting opportunities in the preseason signals that the team has not made a decision yet on who will replace Mark Williams in the starting lineup, and if they have, at the very least they don’t want people to know that they have.
With two preseason games left, who do you think is in the lead, and who do you want to win the competition?
Thoughts on the rest of the West?
Through nine days of preseason games, are there any Western Conference teams that have made statements to you that could cause the Suns some trouble in the regular season?
Golden State Warriors’ rookie Yaxel Lendeborg had a 23-10-6 game, Fred VanVleet with a five-three game in his first contest in nearly 18 months after tearing his ACL, and Kyrie Irving has gotten his first NBA action since tearing his ACL in March of 2025.
Who is on your radar?
On the Suns’ Plate This Week
The Suns will play their last two preseason games before they begin the regular season. They’ll play the Spurs again on Wednesday, but this time in San Antonio at 5 PM AZ time, and then their fifth and final game of the preseason will be on Friday at home against the Utah Jazz at 7 PM AZ time.
WINNIPEG, CANADA - OCTOBER 7: Mackenzie Blackwood #39 of the Colorado Avalanche tracks the puck behind his net in the first period against the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre on October 7, 2026 in Winnipeg, Canada. (Photo by Cameron Bartlett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Colorado Avalanche News
The Colorado Avalanche can no longer afford to ignore Mackenzie Blackwood’s struggles, especially when the team can rely on Scott Wedgewood. [The Hockey News]
Avalanche’s Trent Miner clears waivers and is sent to Loveland. [Pro Hockey Rumors]
Calgary retail guru and former NHLer Myles O’Connor, father of Logan O’Connor, dies suddenly at 59. [Calgary Herald]
Coach Jared Bednar calls out players after loss to Leafs. [Sports Illustrated]
News Around the League
Winnipeg Jets fan tracks Hellebuyck’s lost salary with ‘funny, informative’ site. [Global News]
Shesterkin out for season for Rangers with lower-body injury. [NHL]
Panthers’ Brad Marchand to miss six weeks with injury. [Sportsnet]
Detroit Red Wings’ Dylan Larkin caught off guard by Montreal fan’s chants “we want Larkin”. [TSN]
Ottawa Senators’ Thomas Chabot and Tim Stutzle to assist CHEO. [Ottawa Citizen]
Melanson diagnosed with vascular aneurysm, out indefinitely for Kraken. [NHL]
Family of Hamilton-born hockey player Matthew Mayich says new university review into his collapse falls short. [CBC]
Hockey N.S. launches pilot program to teach young players about consent, hazing. [Global News]
Son of Paolo and grandson of Cesare struggled to establish himself at Milan but Fabio Pisacane is beginning to unlock his potential in Sardinia
The abundance could not last for ever. Serie A’s first goalless draw of this season arrived in its 54th match, ironically between two of its more prolific teams. Perhaps things might have ended differently between Como and Roma if the division’s leading scorer, Donyell Malen, had not earned a red card at the start of the second half.
A missed opportunity for both sides? Roma started brighter and hit the post through Lorenzo Pellegrini. Como dominated absolutely after the red card, with 80% of possession, but could not make pressure count.
The NBC Sports weekly NBA Power Rankings are back, bigger and better than ever. This preseason edition of the rankings puts teams into championship tiers, broken down this way:
• Title Contenders. This is self-explanatory. These are highly talented teams that don't need things to go perfectly to win it all.
• Second Circle Contenders. Teams that could make a run to the conference finals or NBA Finals, but need to answer bigger questions and/or have no margin for error.
• Playoff teams. Teams poised to have a good season and make the NBA playoffs but are not a threat to win it all.
• Play-in teams. Teams that could make the playoffs but likely have to come out of the play-in first.
• Zone of Shame. These are the teams trying to avoid the bottom three worst records (and the lottery punishments that now come with them). The NBA calls that bottom three the "Relegation Zone," which is a terrible name — nobody is getting relegated. The Cleveland Charge and Maine Celtics won't be promoted from the G League to play in the NBA next season. So I'm borrowing a phrase from the great Tom Ziller of Good Morning Basketball and calling it the Zone of Shame. I'm open to other ideas, that's just the best one I heard.
Final note: I know more than 16 teams are listed as playoff teams and more than 20 are at play-in level or above, this ranking is more about potential and expectations than a hard count. That comes much later in the season.
Title Contenders
1. New York Knicks
Last season 53-29 Games in first week: 76ers, at Celtics, Magic
New York has 10 of its top 12 rotation players back from the team that just won 53 games and an NBA title — they are the most complete team in the East, and the one with the fewest questions. The Knicks kicked the Karl-Anthony Towns/Josh Hart contract extension drama down the road, although Towns wasn't a fan of that move. Knicks management saw it as a distraction, and now it's been put off. New York was a good regular season team a season ago (+6.4 net rating, fifth-best in the league) that found a magical groove in the playoffs. Don't be shocked if we get the good team, but not the magical one, for long stretches of the regular season. Watch the Knicks get their rings and see the first banner in 53 years go up to the rafters in Madison Square Garden on NBC and Peacock on opening night (taking on the 76ers).
2. San Antonio Spurs
Last season 62-20 Games in first week: Thunder, Rockets, at Mavericks
In the preseason opener, Mitch Johnson started De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper together, moving Julian Champagnie to the bench. That's the kind of thing to try in the preseason, but it might carry over to the regular season. Those three make a powerful defensive force (especially with Victor Wembanyama behind them), but do they have enough shooting, and will the second unit lose too much shot creation? It may not last, but keeping those three guards happy and dialed in is a legit concern for a motivated team coming off an NBA Finals loss. Big game right out of the gate on opening night, the final game in the NBC and Peacock triple-header to tip off the season (9:30 p.m. ET start).
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
Last season 64-18 Games in first week: at Spurs, Nuggets, Clippers
We know how good this team's starting five is, especially with Jalen Williams back and healthy, but what might really scare teams is how strong the second unit has looked in preseason, led by Jared McCain and Ajay Mitchell. Those two are lighting teams up with movement and scoring. Also worth noting, rookie big Aday Mara has looked pretty good in the preseason, and while he won't get much run on a deep team like this, if (really, when) they need him for a stretch, he looks like a guy who can help.
Aday Mara has been HOOPING
The #12 overall pick has scored 34 PTS shooting a perfect 15-15 from the field in his first 2 preseason games! pic.twitter.com/fk64WVpmhJ
Last season 45-37 Games in first week: at Knicks, Cavaliers, Bucks, Pistons
A lot of things have to go right — and Joel Embiid's knees have to hold up — for this team to be a true contender, but I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt to start the season. That said, don't be surprised if this team gets off to a relatively slow start. We've seen this before when "superteams" were assembled: When LeBron James and Chris Bosh joined the Heat in 2010, that team started 9-8 while it found its bearings, but went on to win 58 games and reach the Finals. My prediction for the 76ers: Somewhere between December and February, there will be a four-week stretch where they will look like title contenders, but physically they won't be able to hold up when it matters most.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
Last season 52-30 Games in first week: at 76ers, Nets
Cleveland is going to win a lot of games and it wouldn't be the least bit surprising if it is the No. 1 seed in the East at the end of the regular season. That is not how the Cavaliers' season will be judged. After four consecutive years of uninspiring playoff exits — including being swept by the Knicks last May — this feels like a make-or-break season in Cleveland. That said, they locked up Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, then filled the hole at the three with Peyton Watson, so Cleveland can largely run this back for a few years.
6. Detroit Pistons
Last season 60-22 Games in first week: Celtics, at Heat, at 76ers
The most interesting development in the preseason has been Ausar Thompson maybe developing a bit of a jump shot. He's not suddenly trying to be a Splash Brother (think more DeMar DeRozan), but in his preseason debut, he went 3-of-3 from beyond 8 feet, including a 20-foot pull-up jumper. Then, on Saturday, he was 0-of-5 in the midrange. A working jumper matters because in the playoffs teams sagged off him and packed the paint (making life even more difficult for Jalen Duren). If Thompson can't space the floor, it becomes increasingly difficult to play him and Duren together in the playoffs. Hit some mid-range shots, and that spacing suddenly looks better. Also, John Collins is a solid addition, but this team is going to miss everything Tobias Harris brought to the table.
7. Houston Rockets
Last season 52-30 Games in first week: Mavericks, at Spurs, at Hawks
It's tough to draw too much of a correlation between a couple of preseason games played in an arena next to a casino on another continent and a regular season NBA game, but the Rockets looked promising in their NBA China games. Fred VanVleet is back and looked comfortable, scoring 17 points and adding seven assists in the opener, while much of the offense still ran through Alperen Sengun, who had a triple-double in 22 minutes. Houston remains the team I think is most likely to challenge the Spurs and Thunder in the West.
Alperen Sengun recorded a triple-double in 22 minutes of action in Game 1 of the NBA China Games!
Last season 53-29 Games in first week: Warriors, Clippers, at Jazz
JJ Reddick may have had to walk this back politically, but he was correct when he said, "I think with this group, probably the first time in my three years here, that I feel like the pieces actually fit together." This is the best roster they've had to maximize Luka Dončić's style of play. This team should be an elite offense and win a lot of games, but their ceiling ultimately depends on Walker Kessler living up to that contract and becoming a defensive force (expect much more drop coverage and much less switching from the Lakers). Also, this preseason, Ziaire Williams has been a key on-ball defender, a role he could thrive in, plus Jake LaRavia and Sandro Mamukelashvili have looked good.
9. Indiana Pacers
Last season 19-63
Games in first week: at New Orleans, Mavericks, at Nets
I am higher on a bounce-back year from Indiana than many pundits. The offense has looked dramatically better and has had a flow, even with a rusty Tyrese Haliburton back in the preseason. It's a very positive sign. Haliburton has a Steve Nash-like impact on a team and an offense because of his pace and style of play, this team was built to maximize that. However, like all the teams at this level in this ranking, the Pacers have questions to answer. For one, how Haliburton and Ivica Zubac mesh will be one thing to watch early in the season.
10. Boston Celtics
Last season 56-26 Games in first week: at Pistons, Knicks
This ranking feels a little low for a Boston team that is going to win a lot of regular season games, but this first ranking is focused on title contention, and I don't believe these Celtics, as constructed, are as serious a postseason threat (I am higher on the potential of the Pacers and Rockets). That said, just having Jayson Tatum back on the court will be welcome, he is a joy to watch. Plus, this team will defend, has depth and athleticism, and will be disciplined under reigning Coach of the Year Joe Mazzulla.
11. Minnesota Timberwolves
Last season 49-33 Games in first week: at Heat, at Magic, Raptors
A huge key to the Timberwolves living up to LaMelo Ball-fueled hype is getting a big season from Jaden McDaniels. Particularly on offense. It's only a couple of preseason games, but he's played with confidence, and that's very promising. This preseason the team has lived up to the hype of being incredibly entertaining, Jonathan Kuminga has been fitting in, and Rudy Gobert is adjusting to catching more lobs. A lot of people think this team could challenge the Thunder/Spurs dominance, if it all comes together, they might.
12. Denver Nuggets
Last season 54-28 Games in first week: at Thunder, Pelicans
Any team with Nikola Jokić has to be considered a potential serious playoff threat, and Denver's potential starting/closing five of Jokić, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson and Christian Braun is very good — if everyone can stay healthy and on the floor. Particularly Gordon. DeMar DeRozan will provide some scoring punch off the bench, but depth is a genuine concern. That said, if the core five is healthy come the playoffs, the Nuggets are a threat because of Jokić.
Playoff Teams
13. Miami Heat
Last season 46-36 Games in first week: Bulls, at Wizards, at Timberwolves
Giannis Antetokounmpo is praising Heat Culture and has fully bought in, and when you put the league's best downhill player in an uptempo offense, good things happen. Miami is going to be a good defensive team, but questions about depth and how the offense looks when the game slows down in the clutch (and playoffs) are legitimate. The Heat will need to prove they deserve a higher ranking, and opening-week games against Minnesota and Detroit can help with that.
Last season 46-36 Games in first week: Bulls, at Wizards, at Timberwolves
This ranking may be too low for the Raptors — if Kawhi Leonard stays healthy (similar to last season), this is a team that could (and maybe should) be a top-four team in the East. I personally am optimistic about their season and think they will climb from this ranking. The only reason they are not there right now is that I have to see it, and I need to see Jakob Poeltl stay healthy for a season. This will be an impressive defensive team, with Scottie Barnes and Leonard on the wing, not to mention Jamal Shead at guard.
15. Atlanta Hawks
Last season 46-36 Games in first week: at Magic, at Hornets, Rockets
Atlanta will be a fearsome defensive team after trading for Lu Dort to come off the bench, joining a roster that already has Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker on the perimeter. That defense gives them an identity. They have an All-NBA level player in Jalen Johnson to lead the offense. Most importantly, there is a real sense of possibility and opportunity around a team that was tied to — and their ceiling capped by — Trae Young for so many years. That should excite the fan base.
16. Orlando Magic
Last season 45-37 Games in first week: Hawks, Timberwolves, at Knicks
This is a make-or-break-it-up season in Orlando — this team has the third-highest payroll in the NBA and nothing to show for it (this franchise hasn't made it out of the first round of the playoffs since the animated version of "How to Train Your Dragon" hit theaters). Orlando is running it back, betting on better health from Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs, and that new coach Sean Sweeney can make all the puzzle pieces fit.
17. Dallas Mavericks
Last season 26-56 Games in first week: at Rockets, at Pacers, Spurs
This ranking is based on two things: How good Kyrie Irving looked in his one game in China and Cooper Flagg's expected growth in his second season. I also like some of their pickups, such as Santi Aldama, drafting Morez Johnson Jr., and taking a flier on a still-young Zaccharie Risacher. That said, there are still a lot of questions to answer, starting with how coach Dusty May will adjust to the NBA game after college.
After 586 days... KYRIE. IS. BACK.
He led the @dallasmavs in scoring with 17 points in 22 minutes to help Dallas secure the Game 2 victory at the NBA China Games 2026 pic.twitter.com/yhaPrN9knv
Last season 22-60
Games in first week: at Grizzlies, Pelicans, Lakers
Count me among the people excited for this Jazz season — I am picking Darryn Peterson to win Rookie of the Year, and I think Utah is going to be a playoff team in the West. But they have a lot to prove. I expect big years from Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr., who flew a little under the radar last season. That said, the loss of Jusuf Nurkic at center to start the season is rough as this team really lacks depth up front (Jackson Jr. may not love playing the five a lot, but will have to early).
19. Phoenix Suns
Last season 45-37 Games in first week: at Trail Blazers, Warriors
The Suns built a new, Dillon Brooks-inspired culture last season and caught the league off guard by playing harder and caring more about each possession than their opponents. I'm less sold that they can replicate that, despite Devon Booker's greatness. The Suns need Miles Bridges to hit his 3s at a higher rate, and while I like the young front line of Khaman Maluach and Oso Ighodaro, a lot is going to be asked of them. This is a solid team but one poised for a small step back.
20. Washington Wizards
Last season 17-65 Games in first week: Bucks, Raptors, at Bulls
Trae Young will get a lot of attention for his passing — he had eight assists in the first quarter in a preseason game against the Pistons over the weekend — but watch them and what stands out is the passing among the big men of Anthony Davis, AJ Dybantsa and Alex Sarr. This is going to be a very entertaining team to watch, how much that leads to winning remains to be seen, but the Wizards will be a League Pass favorite this season.
Last season 42-40 Games in first week: Suns, at Kings
It's just good to see Damian Lillard back on an NBA court again — and in Portland (it always felt off to see him in Bucks green). What looked promising this preseason is how well Deni Avdija seemed to fit and play off the Lillard-and-Ja Morant backcourt, and Scoot Henderson had his moments, too. Making that guard rotation work — don't forget about Jrue Holiday — is new coach Micah Nori, who deserved a shot (and not to instantly be on a lame-duck contract that undercuts his authority). This ranking may be low for a Portland team that will be fun to watch.
22. Chicago Bulls
Last season 31-51 Games in first week: at Raptors, at Bucks, Wizards
It feels like a new era in Chicago. Caleb Wilson is the young star, Matas Buzelis is coming into his own as the potential No. 2 on this team (maybe 1A this season), and there will be plenty of Josh Giddey. There is a lot of changeover. All that change is welcomed and needed, but can lead to a slow start to the season. Add to that Nic Claxton's hamstring injury, and there are legitimate concerns about the defense. Still, there are reasons for hope in the Windy City, which is a welcome change of pace
23. LA Clippers
Last season 42-40 Games in first week: Kings, at Lakers, at Thunder
The season hasn't even started and the Clippers are racked by injuries: Brandon Ingram (Achilles), Max Strus (foot), Yanic Konan Niederhauser (foot) and Jordan Miller (shoulder) — and that is not including Bradley Beal, who is closer to a return and may be ready by the start of the season (the others won't). The Clippers have an interesting young backcourt with Darius Garland and Keaton Wagler, plus some solid veterans in Derrick Jones Jr., Rui Hachimura and Brook Lopez. In a deep West, it's tough to see this team's path to a lot of wins.
24. Golden State Warriors
Last season 37-45 Games in first week: at Lakers, Grizzlies, at Suns
The Warriors have locked up Stephen Curry, he isn't going to play anywhere else, and that will keep the fans — and the $$$ — flowing in. They also locked up Brandin Podziemski on a deal that feels like a bit of an overpay to me, but isn't outrageous. Yaxel Lendeborg has impressed in the preseason. Both Draymond Green and Kristaps Porziņģis are under contract, although Porziņģis is away from the team with a health issue and nobody knows when he will return. That's kind of the story with the Warriors: When Jimmy Butler gets healthy midseason and if Porziņģis is around, this team can win some games. But how much of that version of the Warriors are we going to see?
25. Memphis Grizzlies
Last season 25-57 Games in first week: Jazz, at Warriors, at Kings
This is a bit of a low ranking for an interesting team — I like what the Grizzlies are building with a front line of Cameron Boozer, Cedric Coward and Zach Edey (with Isaiah Stewart off the bench). Boozer is everything that was advertised and more. The Grizzlies have looked good at moments this preseason, and starting Jaylen Wells makes sense for spacing. That said, I'm not sure this team will win a lot of games in a deep West, but we might be sleeping on them as a play-in team.
No. 3 overall pick Cameron Boozer showed off his skillset in front of the @memgrizz faithful tonight!
Last season 44-38 Games in first week: at Nets, Hawks, Heat
Trading away fan favorite LaMelo Ball was a bet against Ball, but also a bigger bet on Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel becoming stars in their own right. They have the freedom now. I like the additions of Coby White at the point to replace Ball and Naz Reid at the four, plus Grayson Allen and SF Royce O'Neale give them some solid veterans to lean on. This team has plenty of shooting and could surprise and move up to become a play-in team.
27. New Orleans Pelicans
Last season 26-56 Games in first week: Pacers, at Jazz, at Nuggets
What are we doing here? Running it back with a 26-win roster and betting that Jamahl Mosley as coach will be the difference? Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears should improve, and hopefully the Pelicans get better health from Zion Williamson, Herb Jones and Dejounte Murray, but what does that really get them? Free Trey Murphy.
28. Brooklyn Nets
Last season 20-62 Games in first week: Hornets, at Cavaliers, Pacers
Julius Randle is a floor raiser and Michael Porter Jr. is going to put up points — increasing his trade value before the deadline — all of which means Brooklyn will win more games than it did a season ago. I was high on Mikel Brown Jr. before the draft and remain bullish on him, and Egor Demin showed how much he's grown at Summer League. All of which is to say, there are reasons for optimism in Brooklyn.
29. Sacramento Kings
Last season 22-60 Games in first week: at Clippers, Trail Blazers, Grizzlies
Sacramento will give the keys to Darius Acuff Jr., and he has had some promising preseason moments playing off veteran big man Domantas Sabonis. The real future pairing was supposed to be Acuff and Maxime Raynaud, but the French big man is going to miss the start of the season with a knee injury, but fortunately it was not as bad as it looked when it happened. Ben Simmons is going to draw an outsized portion of headlines, but we haven't seen enough of him this preseason to have a sense of whether he can really take some of the shot-creation load off Acuff.
30. Milwaukee Bucks
Last season 32-50 Games in first week: at Wizards, Bulls, at 76ers
This team has some interesting players, including Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware, Kasparas Jakučionis and rookie Brayden Burries, and we know Tyler Herro can put up points and will have the green light. I'm a fan of Taylor Jenkins as a coach, but he's essentially opened a particularly brutal basket on “Chopped” of mismatched ingredients — and a number of those players could be gone at the trade deadline, with new ones in their place. It's going to be a rebuilding process in Milwaukee, we'll see which players look like the franchise will keep around for the long term.
When the ABA merged with the NBA in 1976, four teams were added to the revamped NBA. This season, those four franchises are bringing back classic uniforms honoring their ABA roots 50 years later.
The Brooklyn Nets, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs officially debuted their Classic Edition uniforms for the upcoming 2026-27 season on Monday. The uniforms are nearly identical replicas of what was worn half a century ago when they entered the NBA, and now they’ll be worn again in select games this season.
Here’s a look at all four of the new/old looks:
Brooklyn Nets
Formerly known as the New York Nets, the Brooklyn-based franchise will wear its throwback red, white and blue uniforms in 16 games this season. The jerseys and shorts are white with red letters and numbers, along with red and blue down the sides. The Nets will also have a classic court design for games at the Barclays Center.
The Nuggets are completely switching up their color scheme with the throwbacks, using orange jerseys and black letters and numbers. Denver wore these uniforms from 1967-71 when the team was known as the Rockets. They rebranded to the Nuggets in 1974 with a fresh color palette, but the old orange and black will be back for seven games this season with a throwback court design.
The Pacers’ old uniforms aren’t all that different from different iterations they’ve had over the years. Still, the look is a nod to their ABA days with the lighter blue, yellow racing stripe and numbers and white “Indiana” across the chest. They’ll also have a throwback court design when wearing these jerseys at home. Indiana will wear these uniforms in 15 games this season, including seven times at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Similar to the Pacers, the Spurs haven’t undergone any drastic uniform changes over the last 50 years. The Classic Edition is gray with the old “Spurs” font on the chest, harkening back to the days of George Gervin leading the team in the 1970s. San Antonio will wear these uniforms five times at home this season. The throwback court will feature red, white and blue accents in honor of the ABA basketballs that were used and their former logo when they were the Dallas Chaparrals.
While we can’t know yet how rookies will adapt to professional basketball, how veterans will integrate with new teammates and how coaches will choose to employ individual players for the betterment of their teams, we can judge talent and skill.
From superstars and former NBA champions like LeBron James and Steph Curry to current champs Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart, from former No. 1 draft picks Anthony Edwardsand Victor Wembanyama to current No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa, we considered them all. Seven NBA reporters submitted their individual rankings, and a points system was used to determine the final results.
Here, we present the players we ranked from No. 100 to No. 51 ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season.
(Our ranking of the top 50 players will be released Tuesday, Oct. 13, so check back here for a link or go to usatoday.com/nba).
No. 100 Myles Turner
Team: Milwaukee Bucks
Position: Center
Age: 30
2025-26 stats: 11.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.6 bpg
The Bucks are likely going to have a rotten season without Giannis Antetokounmpo on the roster. But that means that some of the players remaining will step up, and Turner, who helped the Pacers make a run to the NBA Finals in 2025, is absolutely one of those guys. He is a rare archetype of floor-spacing rim protectors and one of just two players in league history to ever record 1,500 blocks and 900 field goals on 3-pointers during his NBA career, per Stathead.
No. 99 Jalen Green
Team: Phoenix Suns
Position: Guard
Age: 24
2025-26 stats: 17.8 ppg, 42.2% FG, 1.1 spg
Green is looking to find a home in Phoenix playing alongside Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks. Green adds another volume scorer to the Suns depth. He’s an exciting player who can score in bunches and also put defenders on the highlight reel with high-flying dunks. Can he be a guy that Phoenix looks to for points? He surely has the potential to be a No. 2-option next to Booker.
No. 98 Darryn Peterson
Team: Utah Jazz
Position: Guard
Age: 19
2025-26 stats: Rookie
While it’s tricky putting any rookie on a list like this, Peterson’s talent is undeniable, and his skill set should make him a problem in the pros from Day One. Peterson, who averaged 20.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg and 1.6 apg in his lone season at Kansas, can create offense, handle the ball, finish at the rim and hit his jumpers. If not for AJ Dybantsa, the former Jayhawk probably goes No. 1 to the Wizards. This was a deep draft class. Peterson has a legitimate claim to eventually be the best player of the lot.
Clingan had a reassuring 2025-26 season, averaging a double-double while leading the league in both total and offensive rebounds and playing in 77 games. The 7-foot-2 center also averaged 1.7 blocks and showed encouraging progress as a 3-point shooter. If he can expand his offensive repertoire in the paint and develop chemistry with new teammate Ja Morant in the pick-and-roll, Clingan could climb these rankings in a hurry.
No. 96 Peyton Watson
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Position: Guard
Age: 24
2025-26 stats: 14.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.1 apg
There was a stretch where Watson looked like an absolute two-way stud for the Denver Nuggets last season, and while it eventually led to a sign-and-trade to the Cavaliers during his restricted free agency, new scenery and a change of pace could reignite some of the flashes we have already seen from the wing who only recently just turned 24 years old. Watson is a sincere breakout candidate to far exceed where he ranks on this list.
No. 95 Coby White
Team: Charlotte Hornets
Position: Guard
Age: 26
2025-26 stats: 17.4 ppg, 4.0 apg, 36.2% 3PT
White has developed into a solid NBA player, and now he has a chance to take the next step in Charlotte. The Hornets bid farewell to franchise player LaMelo Ball, so now White will likely be the starting point guard, next to Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel and Naz Reid. A quick, savvy guard, White can penetrate and get to his spot or get hot from deep.
No. 94 Devin Vassell
Team: San Antonio Spurs
Position: Guard
Age: 26
2025-26 stats: 13.9 ppg, 4 rpg, 2.5 apg
At his best, Vassell is an almost ruthless 3-point shooter who plays perfectly off all the drives to the paint the Spurs make as a function of their offense. He’s a defender who sticks into the back pocket of a ball-handler and refuses to leave. He was one of the Spurs’ brightest spots during their 2026 NBA Finals run. If he can keep that momentum going, he’ll earn an ironclad reputation as one of the league’s most dependable impact players for the foreseeable future.
No. 93 CJ McCollum
Team: Atlanta Hawks
Position: Guard
Age: 35
2025-26 stats: 18.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.9 apg
Initially an afterthought in the trade that sent him to Atlanta (and Trae Young to the Washington Wizards), McCollum was the best closer on the Hawks late in the season. He single-handedly became a villain at Madison Square Garden for his fourth quarter shooting and proved he still has plenty of veteran leadership and scoring left in his game.
No. 92 Shaedon Sharpe
Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Position: Guard
Age: 23
2025-26 stats: 20.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.6 apg
Sharpe will start the season on the injured list after tearing his right meniscus in an offseason workout, a major blow to an up-and-coming Portland team that added Ja Morant. Once healthy, expect Sharpe to continue posterizing defenders and to increase his usage rate as the Trail Blazers try to make a dent in the tough Western Conference.
Mitchell blossomed when thrust into a larger role after Jalen Williams' injury last season, and he's a strong candidate to become a full-time starter following Lu Dort's departure. The left-hander adds another layer of playmaking and shot creation to Oklahoma City's backcourt, helping ease some of the offensive burden on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. With a bigger opportunity now available, Mitchell appears well positioned to take another step forward and post the best numbers of his young career.
No. 90 Ayo Dosunmu
Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
Position: Guard
Age: 26
2025-26 stats: 14.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.6 apg
Dosunmu was an important pickup at the deadline for Minnesota after he was traded from the Chicago Bulls and an even bigger piece in the playoffs for the Timberwolves. Dosunmu averaged 15.6 points with 4.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 42.5 percent on his 3-pointers, stepping up as the team was hit with injuries. Those are genuinely impressive splits for someone who predominantly came off the bench, and now secured with a long-term deal to stay in Minnesota, fans can expect another solid campaign.
No. 89 Zach LaVine
Team: Sacramento Kings
Position: Guard
Age: 31
2025-26 stats: 19.2 ppg, 47.9% FG, 39.0% 3PT
LaVine can still score with the best of them. He’s a walking bucket who can score 20 to 25 points in his sleep easily. In fact in his last 3ight seasons, LaVine has averaged at least 19 points per game. Now, in his second season with the Kings and 13th overall in the NBA, LaVine is expected to be someone who will continue to be an offensive threat and help Sacramento take the next step in a tough Western conference.
No. 88 Jrue Holiday
Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Position: Guard
Age: 36
2025-26 stats: 16.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 6.1 apg
It’s somewhat unclear what exactly the Trail Blazers will expect of Holiday with both Damian Lillard and Ja Morant joining their backcourt this season. Whatever his responsibilities are, though, they’re likely to have a positive impact on winning as that is something that’s simply followed Holiday at every stop in his career. The two-time NBA All-Star is starting to get up there at 36 years old, but he’s still someone every team in the league could use.
No. 87 Cason Wallace
Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Position: Guard
Age: 22
2025-26 stats: 8.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.6 apg
As the departed Lu Dort wilted in last season’s Western Conference Finals, the upstart Wallace rose to the occasion. He irritated San Antonio’s top-notch guard trio like a pesky bee that just won’t quit buzzing around your ears and nailed big-time 3-point shots on the other end of the floor. Talk about rising to the occasion. The Thunder would be ecstatic if this is the sort of play they’ll get on a nightly basis as he moves into the starting lineup full time.
No. 86 Draymond Green
Team: Golden State Warriors
Position: Forward
Age: 36
2025-26 stats: 8.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 5.5 apg
The brilliance of Green’s game will go unrecognized when he doesn’t have other great players around him, which was the case most of last year after Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler went down. When the team is healthy, however, Green is still the hub of Golden State’s offense and the anchor of its defense. If the Warriors exceed expectations, Green will play a big part in that.
No. 85 Isaiah Hartenstein
Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Position: Center
Age: 28
2025-26 stats: 9.2 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 3.5 apg
Like many Thunder players, Hartenstein sacrifices eye-popping offensive numbers for the greater good of the team. He’s a smart, physical presence who anchors the Oklahoma City defense with savvy positional defense and rebounding. He’s the sort of big who can guard Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokić. If it isn’t immediately clear, those are two extremely different and extremely challenging defensive assignments that he does well with.
No. 84 Dyson Daniels
Team: Atlanta Hawks
Position: Guard
Age: 23
2025-26 stats: 11.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 5.9 apg
Daniels’ defensive prowess, at this point, is undeniable. There’s a reason he’s been a member of an All-Defensive Team in each of the last two years. The problem for the young player is his alarming tendency to be an offensive zero, especially in a playoff setting. So far in his career, Daniels has been the kind of woeful 3-point shooter who opposing teams leave open to focus more on actual threats. If Daniels doesn’t fix this glaring flaw, his elite defense will continue being canceled out.
No. 83 Andrew Nembhard
Team: Indiana Pacers
Position: Guard
Age: 26
2025-26 stats: 16.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 7.7 apg
Maybe everyone forgot about the Pacers while Tyrese Haliburton was recovering from his torn Achilles tendon. But averaging career-highs of 16.9 points and 7.7 assists per game last season while in the starting lineup, it was obvious that Nembhard is undoubtedly actually a very good player. He was also integral to their success during Indiana’s run to the NBA Finals in 2025.
No. 82 AJ Dybantsa
Team: Washington Wizards
Position: Forward
Age: 19
2025-26 stats: Rookie
In his lone season at BYU, Dybantsa averaged 25.5 points on 51 percent from the field, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Bottomline, he’s a dynamic young player. With Washington, the No. 1 overall pick also finds himself in one of the best situations a top rookie could hope for. The presence of all-stars Trae Young and Antony Davis should open the floor for Dybansta to get easy looks, operate in space and learn on the fly.
No. 81 Paul George
Team: Boston Celtics
Position: Forward
Age: 36
2025-26 stats: 17.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.6 apg
Now in his 17th NBA season, George begins his tenure with the Celtics, his fifth team, after looking rejuvenated following his return from a suspension for violating the league's anti-drug policy. He averaged more than 17 points per game while shooting nearly 49% from the field and 39% from 3-point range, then played a pivotal role in Philadelphia's playoff run, including a series victory over Boston. The biggest question remains his durability, as George has averaged fewer than 50 games per season over the past seven years.
No. 80 Naz Reid
Team: Charlotte Hornets
Position: Forward
Age: 27
2025-26 stats: 13.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.2 apg
One of the NBA’s best long-range shooting big men, Reid is now on a team where that skill can really shine. The Hornets attempted the NBA’s second-most threes per game last season. He should also have a chance to expand his game in other areas in what’s expected to be his first season as a starter.
No. 79 VJ Edgecombe
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Position: Guard
Age: 30
2025-26 stats: 16.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.2 apg
Edgecombe made a strong first impression in Philadelphia, averaging more minutes per game than any rookie in the league last season. His role, however, could look much different after the arrivals of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown. With opposing defenses focused on the Sixers' star-studded core, Edgecombe's development as a playmaker and spot-up shooter could unlock bigger lineups and help turn him into one of the league's most valuable X-factors.
No. 78 Dillon Brooks
Team: Phoenix Suns
Position: Guard
Age: 30
2025-26 stats: 20.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.8 apg
He was known as a villain, but Brooks had a breakout offensive campaign last season, his first with the Suns. His career-high scoring average jumped 6.2 points per game over the previous season. He still is that pest that easily goads opponents into emotional mistakes – already Pistons forward John Collins grabbed Brooks by the throat just minutes into their preseason opener – but now there’s more offense behind that persona.
No. 77 Alex Caruso
Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Position: Guard
Age: 32
2025-26 stats: 6.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.0 apg
Caruso’s impact and value cannot be measured by what he does in the regular season alone. He is the sort of defender who can single-handedly break an offense with his capacity for controlled chaos, and the sort of offensive player unafraid of taking the big shot at the most important time. He’s one of the NBA’s best lead-by-example guys and the definition of a 16-game player.
No. 76 Walker Kessler
Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Position: Center
Age: 25
2025-26 stats: 14.4 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 1.8 bpg
Walker Kessler could be ranked higher but after only appearing in five games last season with a torn labrum, we're being cautious here. Nevertheless, do not sleep on Kessler's talent. The 7-foot-2 now plays alongside Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, which should open his game more. He’s the last line of defense that the Lakers will lean on as a career 2.4 blocks per game, type of guy.
No. 75 Ja Morant
Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Position: Guard
Age: 27
2025-26 stats: 19.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 8.1 apg
Morant is getting a fresh start in Portland after emerging as one of the NBA's most electrifying young stars in Memphis, and his playmaking should add a new dimension to the Trail Blazers' crunch-time lineups late in games. But he's also joining a crowded backcourt and must prove he can stay healthy and available. Morant has played just 79 of a possible 246 regular-season games over the past three years. If he can stay on the court, Morant still has the talent to be an offensive force in the league.
No. 74 Josh Hart
Team: New York Knicks
Position: Guard
Age: 31
2025-26 stats: 12.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 4.8 apg
In order to secure an NBA championship, a team needs a versatile player who is able to contribute to winning in a variety of ways. That’s exactly what Josh Hart is on the court, helping with utility like a Swiss Army Knife. His game isn’t the flashiest and won’t show up in as many of the highlight reels, but simply put, New York wouldn’t have a banner or rings without Hart. A big concern for Hart is his injured right finger and lack of contract extension with the Knicks, but the 31-year-old should still make his impact known next season.
Both with the Los Angeles Clippers and then Miami Heat, veteran shooter Norman Powell averaged at least 21.0 points per game. Now with the Chicago Bulls, this ranking is actually surprisingly low for someone who was named a 2026 NBA All-Star. Powell has shot just a notch below 40.0 percent during his 11-year career in the pros, and he should provide some firepower as an elite offensive player to a roster that needs it desperately.
No. 71 Ivica Zubac
Team: Indiana Pacers
Position: Center
Age: 29
2025-26 stats: 14.1 ppg, 10.1 rpg
Zubac was a defensive stalwart, earning a spot on the Second-team All-Defense largely for his work with the Clippers before a midseason trade. He will be a big help to a Pacers team that gave up 120 points per game, allowed nearly 49% shooting, and ranked near the bottom of the league in rebounding.
No. 70 Tyler Herro
Team: Milwaukee Bucks
Position: Guard
Age: 26
2025-26 stats: 20.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.1 apg
Herro is playing for his hometown team after being dealt from Miami to Milwaukee as part of the Giannis Antetokounmpo mega trade. Now, he gets to be the man, the No. 1 option on a team built around him. It’s scary hours. Herro only appeared in 33 games last season, so expect him to be energized and ready to prove himself after the breakup with the Heat.
No. 69 Damian Lillard
Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Position: Guard
Age: 36
2025-26 stats: Did not play
At his best, Lillard is a sharpshooter whose long-range ability forces defenses up, opening the lane for him to also get tough buckets at the rim. That’s why I feel good about his ability to bounce back from Achilles surgery. Less dependent on youthful athleticism as some of the other guards of his era, Lillard’s gifted shooting is still there, as he’s displayed all offseason.
No. 68 Jimmy Butler
Team: Golden State Warriors
Position: Forward
Age: 37
2025-26 stats: 20.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.9 apg
When Butler is right, he’s a top-25 player in the NBA and the sidekick Golden State desperately needs for Steph Curry. Through 38 games last season, he averaged those 20 points on 52/37/86 splits and also gave them 1.4 steals per game. The only question is when he’ll return and how much he’ll have left coming off an ACL injury at his age.
No. 67 Keyonte George
Team: Utah Jazz
Position: Guard
Age: 22
2025-26 stats: 23.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 6.1 apg
George broke out in a big way last season, setting career highs in nearly every major offensive category despite another difficult year for the Jazz. Utah is banking on him to be a foundational piece as the franchise looks to emerge from its rebuild and contend in the Western Conference for the first time in five years. It rewarded George with a new five-year, $157.5 million contract this offseason, and his blend of shot-making, playmaking and swagger has him positioned to become the face of the Jazz's resurgence.
No. 66 Josh Giddey
Team: Chicago Bulls
Position: Guard
Age: 23
2025-26 stats: 17.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 9.1 apg
For some reason, perhaps because the Bulls have struggled to contend, Giddey doesn’t get the publicity he deserves. He’s an offensive engine who is comfortable orchestrating offense for his teammates, made evident by his career-high assist average. His 13 triple-doubles last season were tied with Hawks forward Jalen Johnson for second best in the NBA. Giddey, though, played just 54 games last season.
No. 65 Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Team: Atlanta Hawks
Position: Guard
Age: 28
2025-26 stats: 20.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.7 apg
Alexander-Walker was something of a revelation in his first season in Atlanta. On a Hawks team still figuring out its identity, Alexander-Walker garnered a well-earned Most Improved Player Award as the rare, somewhat older player to do so. As it stands, he’s a dynamite 3-and-D, high-IQ player who is indispensable to the winning formula for any serious team.
No. 64 Ausar Thompson
Team: Detroit Pistons
Position: Forward
Age: 23
2025-26 stats: 9.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.1 apg
After helping lead the Pistons to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference during the regular season, Thompson finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting. The advanced analytics loved his impact, too. Thompson ranked behind only Victor Wembanyama in the all-in-one metric defensive estimated plus-minus, per dunksandthrees.com. He fell this far in the rankings because his offensive game is not there yet, though at just 23 years, there is plenty of time for that development.
No. 63 Payton Pritchard
Team: Boston Celtics
Position: Guard
Age: 28
2025-26 stats: 17.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 5.2 apg
Pritchard was allowed to spread his wings in his first season as a starter last year, and results for the 2024-25 Sixth Man of the Year were better than anyone could have expected. If everything the analytics people say about Jaylen Brown not maximizing his teammates is true, Pritchard should be even better with Brown out and Jayson Tatum stepping in as the lead man.
No. 62 Jarrett Allen
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Position: Center
Age: 28
2025-26 stats: 15.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.8 apg
Allen continued to be a key piece of Cleveland's success last season, thriving alongside James Harden after the Cavaliers acquired the former MVP. Allen averaged 18.5 points and 9.6 rebounds after the trade deadline and delivered several big performances during Cleveland's run to the Eastern Conference finals. His contributions often fly under the radar, but the Cavaliers have consistently been at their best with the veteran center anchoring the paint.
No. 61 Aaron Gordon
Team: Denver Nuggets
Position: Forward
Age: 31
2025-26 stats: 16.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.7 apg
When he’s healthy, the do-it-all Gordon remains the skeleton key who unlocks the Nuggets as a bona fide championship contender. That’s the issue. Soft-tissue injuries have limited Gordon to just 75 total regular-season games over the last two years and have ended his postseasons, too. If the Nuggets can better manage Gordon’s workload moving forward, they’ll finally have one of the league’s premier role players available more often to set their table.
No. 60 Michael Porter Jr.
Team: Brooklyn Nets
Position: Forward
Age: 28
2025-26 stats: 24.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 3.4 3PM
Michael Porter Jr. is a stat sheet stuffer and one of the best pure scorers in the league. His offensive talent overwhelmingly makes up for defensive deficiencies. He plays with confidence that can’t be taught. He stands at 6-foot-10, has a high vertical on his jump shot and releases at a high arc, making it almost impossible to defend his shot.
No. 59 Domantas Sabonis
Team: Sacramento Kings
Position: Forward
Age: 30
2025-26 stats: 15.8 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 4.1 apg
Sabonis only played in 19 games last season. But when he played 70 games in 2024, he was the same triple-double threat you remember, and he shot the three at a career-high 41.7 percent. With better health, there’s no reason to believe he can’t still be that same player.
No. 58 Mikal Bridges
Team: New York Knicks
Position: Forward
Age: 30
2025-26 stats: 14.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.7 apg
Though he did go through a slump late in the season, Bridges absolutely erupted for the Knicks in the playoffs and, at one point, seemingly could not miss. His offensive game is measured, and he plays a secondary role there, but he’s a force on defense, particularly in high-leverage situations, when his length can be a big problem. The other thing about Bridges: he’s always on the floor. Bridges has never missed a game in his pro career, playing in 638 consecutive contests, which is eighth-most all-time.
No. 57 Brandon Miller
Team: Charlotte Hornets
Position: Forward
Age: 23
2025-26 stats: 20.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.3 apg
Now that LaMelo Ball is gone, Miller figures to have a far bigger workload coming up this season. The one thing preventing him from really ascending up this list is inconsistency and spurts of inefficient shooting; across his 65 games last season, five of those saw him score 7 points or fewer. Yet, in a four-game stretch to close out January, he averaged 26.3 points per game.
No. 56 Jaden McDaniels
Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
Position: Forward
Age: 26
2025-26 stats: 14.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.7 apg
He averaged career-highs in points and assists, but it wasn’t until the playoffs, when Minnesota had to face stretches without Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo, that McDaniels showed out. He averaged 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds in the postseason and blossomed into a more consistent offensive threat. As always, his defense has been stellar, but it was his jump in efficiency from 3-point range – from 33% in 2025-26 to a career-high 41.2% last season – that has him on the verge of cracking the Top 50.
No. 55 Julius Randle
Team: Brooklyn Nets
Position: Forward
Age: 31
2025-26 stats: 21.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 5.0 apg
Randle has been underappreciated at every stop of his career, so far. The Lakers never let him spread his wings. The Pelicans gave up on him after a single season. The Knicks thought he was a ball-stopping black hole. The Timberwolves thought trading him was a necessary evil to level up. Let’s make this clear. Randle has been one of the NBA’s best true bully-ball power forwards for a long time, and that won’t change in Brooklyn.
No. 54 Desmond Bane
Team: Orlando Magic
Position: Guard
Age: 28
2025-26 stats: 20.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 4.1 apg
Bane was one of only two players on this Top 100 list to play in all 82 games last season. After a slow start following the trade from Memphis, Bane settled into his usual form, averaging more than 20 points per game while shooting better than 39% from 3-point range. He’s one of the league’s most reliable high-volume perimeter shooters at this point and should be more effective as he enters his second season alongside the Magic's core.
No. 53 Darius Garland
Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Position: Guard
Age: 26
2025-26 stats: 18.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 6.7 apg
The Clippers don’t have nearly as much talent on their roster this year compared to what they had last season. But they also don’t have an incentive to tank with their pick already owed to the Oklahoma City Thunder. So with every incentive to win, expect them to play through their most experienced and talented player on the roster: Darius Garland. Maybe he isn’t going to play the most meaningful minutes of his career for a contender like he did with the Cavaliers, but with his responsibilities and offensive load on the Clippers, he’ll make the most of it.
No. 52 Trey Murphy III
Team: New Orleans Pelicans
Position: Forward
Age: 26
2025-26 stats: 21.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.2 3PM
Murphy has quietly emerged as one of the go-to options for the Pelicans. He’s proved to be a player who can shoot the 3-ball with consistency. His wingspan, length and use of hands give him an advantage defensively as he averaged 1.5 steals per game last season.
No. 51 Kon Knueppel
Team: Charlotte Hornets
Position: Forward
Age: 21
2025-26 stats: 18.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.4 apg
After finishing second in the 2026 NBA Rookie of the Year voting behind his collegiate teammate Cooper Flagg, it became increasingly obvious that Knueppel has a long professional career in front of him. Last season, he set the NBA record for the most 3-pointers made for a first-year player. He also led the league in 3-pointers. This season, Knueppel could step into an even bigger role in Charlotte with LaMelo Ball now on the Timberwolves.
After Jacob Fowler’s heroics in the Montreal Canadiens' shootout win over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night, the young netminder was named the game's first star, and after a live interview on Sportsnet, he was made available to the media in the dressing room. He faced a barrage of questions about the game, the shootout, and his position in the organization. The pack of journalists moved on to the next player; we chose to talk to him about something a little different.
Last week, we published an article about Fowler’s new mask and wanted to get his thoughts on it and tell him how honored Diane Bibaud was by his gesture. The Florida native explained:
Yeah, I mean, I always look for kind of different ways to honor the organization, but when they [Sylabrush’s Sylvie Marsolais and Alexandre Mathys] had the idea to put her on the side of the mask and do a little tribute to her, I saw it and immediately said that was an incredible thought, and I’m happy she likes it; I was hoping she did.
Interestingly, after we published our article about the mask last week, Curtis Cook, the Buffalo Sabres arena organist, shared it on X and said it was cool that Fowler did it. The masked man had a good laugh when we told him about that and joked:
Maybe Buffalo’s feeling a little jealous now, their guys need to do it too.
- Challenge extended as a certain How I Met Your Mother character would say...
Canadiens goaltender Jacob Fowler honored organist Diane Bibaud by including her on his mask this year. How cool! https://t.co/3YbqrVZgVs
