The Arizona Cardinals are entering a new era. With a few roster changes and a rejuvenated locker room, fans are excited. Earlier this week, Arizona faced the Dallas Cowboys, and the offense was very sluggish in the first half. Jacoby Brissett started the game, but against a weak Cowboys secondary, he didn’t perform.

Brissett was 10-for-23 with an interception, and the Cardinals couldn’t get anything going. In the third quarter, head coach Mike Lafleur made the change fans have been calling for, kind of.

The Cardinals benched Brissett after the offense was only able to put up three points in nearly three quarters. In came veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew, who signed a one-year deal with Arizona in the offseason. Many fans have called for Carson Beck to get the start amid Brissett’s struggles.

Lafleur instead went with Gardner Minshew, a decision that worked out flawlessly. Minshew, in about two quarters of action, went for 188 yards and three touchdowns. He led a remarkable comeback, as the Cardinals upset the Cowboys in overtime, 33-30.

Minshew was named the starting quarterback just one day after the win. He’ll make his first start with the Cardinals this Sunday in Seattle, facing the defending champs. Brissett, disappointed by this decision, requested a trade from the team on Monday.

Brissett was ultimately traded to the Baltimore Ravens. Given the Ravens’ current quarterback room, which is plagued by injuries, this was a solid move for them. Injuries to Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley have continued to halt the Ravens’ offense. Bringing in Brissett after the trade is finalized will bring much-needed help for their offense.

The Arizona Cardinals will now roll with two quarterbacks: veteran Gardner Minshew and rookie third-round pick Carson Beck.

Given Beck is the younger, higher-upside QB of the two, Cardinals fans are wondering when LaFleur will give Beck his opportunity.

Gardner Minshew is QB1

Gardner Minshew has been one of the NFL’s recent journeymen. He had stints with the Jaguars, Eagles, Colts, Raiders, Chiefs, and now he stands with the Cardinals. Throughout Minshew’s career, he’s been an average starter and reliable backup. He has a career completion percentage of 63.3% and an 88.8 passer rating.

Minshew has been in the league for eight years. His experience and high energy will be very beneficial to Beck and the rest of the Cardinals’ offense. Beck and Minshew have been in the same quarterback room all season, but now Beck will see the fire Minshew plays with in action.

Minshew becoming the starter benefited the offense as a whole against Dallas. Michael Wilson saw substantial success once Minshew stepped on the field. Wilson finished with eight receptions, 111 yards, and one touchdown. Trey McBride also saw an increase in action, as he caught five of his seven receptions from Minshew, four of those being in the fourth quarter.

This Sunday, the 3-5 Cardinals will face off against the 4-4 Seahawks. Minshew will make his first start with Arizona, looking to continue their momentum from Dallas. A pivotal division matchup will be a strong test for Minshew under center.

Rookie Quarterback Close to Action

Jacoby Brissett’s trade to the Ravens now raises more hypotheticals about Carson Beck’s rookie season.

Beck’s door is starting to open for the Cardinals. The third-round pick is now the backup quarterback to Minshew, but the talent drop-off between the two is not that large. Beck looked very solid in the preseason against the Panthers. In college, Beck led Georgia and Miami to multiple playoff appearances.

Mike LaFleur’s offensive scheme fits Beck’s playstyle. In the lone game Carson Beck played in the preseason, he operated the offense very efficiently. Beck completed 79% of his 19 passes for 188 yards and one touchdown.

LaFleur recently acknowledged fans demanding Beck to see some action, saying, “It’d be nice to know what we have right there.” LaFleur went on to say, “I feel really good about where he is with his development, so if that were to come up, then obviously he’d be the next one in.” LaFleur’s statement is optimistic for Beck’s near future.

Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett also spoke about Carson Beck’s development, his readiness, and how well prepared he would be if he were to go in. “We’ll find out whenever he goes in.”

Despite statements from LaFleur and Hackett, the Cardinals’ starter remains Minshew. It’s currently unknown when Carson Beck will see the field for Arizona.

Brighter Future in Arizona

The first eight games of the season have been arguably disappointing for Arizona. Despite this, the Cardinals sit at 3-5, which is just one game behind second place in the NFC West. The Cardinals’ recent upset win over Dallas shows that Arizona competes. However, they need a consistent quarterback to operate LaFleur’s offense for a winning shot.

Minshew, in a perfect world, runs the offense flawlessly and ignites the Cardinals’ pass game. Realistically, Carson Beck might end up being the better option after a couple of weeks of Minshew-Mania.

Beck will play at some point, it’s just a matter of when. The Cardinals didn’t draft the 23-year-old third-round pick to sit on the bench all season. For now, it’ll be Minshew under center, but the question is how long he will remain the starter.

It’ll be tough for Arizona this week going into Seattle. Although, given how the offense looked with Minshew under center, the Cardinals could shock the league. However, the matchup against Seattle’s defense is tougher than the matchup against a lackluster Dallas secondary. Minshew has struggled against top-tier defenses in the past.

The Cardinals have yet to conjure a win at home. Once they leave Seattle, they’ll head back to Arizona for another NFC West matchup against the Rams. If Arizona’s offensive struggles resurface, don’t be shocked if Beck is named the starter before their matchup with Los Angeles.

The Cardinals have been searching for a franchise quarterback for quite some time now. Kyler Murray failed, but Carson Beck could be the next young quarterback for Arizona.

The post When Will Carson Beck Get His Opportunity in Arizona? appeared first on The Lead.

Through the first week of the season, it looked like the Pelicans were on the same trajectory as last year. They lost each of their first four games, including multiple by one possession.

However, with some key adjustments, Jamahl Mosley’s team has found a second wind and has not lost a game since Oct. 28 when they fell to the Denver Nuggets 104-91.

After digging themselves into a 0-4 hole, how have the Pelicans managed to reassert themselves in the Western Conference?

Pelicans Are Learning How to Close Games

One of the main reasons the Pelicans had to wait until almost November to earn their first win was their inability to close games.

This is something Pelicans fans are reluctantly accustomed to, as over the past three seasons the Pelicans have been in the top half of the NBA in blown double-digit leads.

Despite a complete coaching overhaul, that trend looked like it was going to rear its ugly head again to start the 2026-27 season. Through the first four games, the Pelicans found themselves up double digits in two of them and lost both.

This includes a 141-135 overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets that saw the Pelicans leading by 19 entering the fourth quarter.

However, early into November, the Pelicans have flipped this script by picking up two overtime wins, including a one-point thriller over the Memphis Grizzlies, who at the time were 6-0, and a 120-113 victory over the Utah jazz.

For the Pelicans, when a game enters crunch time there is no one person they look to, but rather a committee.

In the win over Memphis, Zion Williamson scored nine of the team’s 11 overtime points. Then in the game versus the Jazz, it was Saddiq Bey who did the heavy lifting in overtime.

Going by committee plays perfectly into Jamahl Mosley’s plan while closing games as defenses have cannot key in on one player.

“It creates confusion,” Mosley said following the Pelicans’ 121-99 vin over the Atlanta Hawks. “If you have guys who can get downhill and attack the basket, it creates confusion on who guards what.”

More Herb Jones Minutes

Another facet that plagued the Pelicans during their early season skid was their defense, or rather lack thereof.

During their 0-4 start, the Pelicans’ defensive rating sat at 118.2 which was 23rd in the NBA. However, during the team’s four-game win streak, their defensive rating has jumped up to 13th at 111.1.

This improvement did not just happen by chance. It happened because Herb Jones has seen significantly more playing time during the team’s win streak.

With a defensive-minded head coach coming to town in Jamahl Mosley, the thought was that Jones, being an All-Defensive player, would play a massive role for the team as just a season ago he started 56 games.

This, however, was not the case at all as through the first four games; Jones had only logged a career low 17 minutes per game and started none of them.

With the Pelicans’ early season defensive struggles, Mosley knew that he would have to find a way to get Jones on the hardwood.

“Herb is the ultimate professional,” Mosley said in a post-practice press conference. “Finding more time for him is going to be a priority for me.”

Early into his tenure as the Pelicans’ head coach, carving out a role for Jones is the best decision Mosley has made.

The Alabama native has played lock down defense on opponent’s top scorers while still contributing offensively as he can space the floor particularly in the corner.

With providing an impact on both ends of the floor, Jones has racked up a +85 plus-minus which is good for tenth in the entire NBA.

Since placing Jones back in the starting five, the Pelicans are undefeated and have risen from last in the Western Conference to 10th, which would be good for a post-season appearance.

The Pelicans will look to continue their momentum, going for a fifth straight win, when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA Cup on Friday night.

The post Herb Jones, Late-Game Execution Have Lifted Pelicans From Rock Bottom appeared first on The Lead.

The Washington Wizards walked into the 2026-27 season as one of the NBA’s most intriguing stories. Washington combined two midseason additions in Trae Young and Anthony Davis with the No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa. As far as role players, the Wizards wield ascending youngsters like Kyshawn George, Alex Sarr, and Tre Johnson.

Fans could forecast what might come next with the new lineup and new expectations. The Wizards will unlock a reliable pick-and-roll game. They can put the paint on lockdown. Dybantsa will create a needed second offensive layer.

Eight games into the season, the Wizards are 4-4 and have fit their expected mold.

Trae Unlocks His Teammates

Washington is used to having the luxury of great distributors. Take a decade of John Wall, a season of Russell Westbrook, or even Rod Strickland in the 1990’s as evidence. The Wizards were starved of that in recent years. Trae Young has brought it back.

He showed glimpses of it through five games in the nation’s capital last year, but has cemented it in 2026-27. Young is averaging 9.5 assists per game, tied for first in the league, and brings control to the half-court.

Davis and Deandre Ayton have benefited the most from Young’s presence. As pick-and-roll partners, they flow effortlessly with Young, who can turn his dribbles into a floater if the defender drops or a lob if they meet him. Young also demands so much attention in the paint on these two-man actions that it leaves shooters with more space. He has assisted 40% of his teammates’ made shots this season.

Young is also adept at recognizing mismatches with throw-ahead passes in transition. He’s been quick to send 40+ foot passes to Davis and Ayton whenever they flash to the paint with a smaller defender on them.

Dybantsa Has Stepped Up

Wizards fans had to wait an extra week before watching their first No. 1 overall pick since 2010 make his debut.

Dybantsa injured his ankle during Washington’s last preseason game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Oct. 16 after missing a jumper. Instead of lacing up in the season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks on Oct. 21, he was sidelined for seven days until the Wizards traveled to Cleveland.

Dybantsa’s first bucket was no surprise: a full-streamed drive that led to free throws. He totaled 19 points on hyper-efficient 66% shooting. Production has followed since. Dybantsa is averaging 16.5 points per game and is shooting 46.2 percent — the highest mark of this draft’s electric top six picks.

His shot diet has looked very similar to his college days at Brigham Young. He’s met defenders with jab steps and aggressive crossovers into wild layups at the rim. If he’s not attacking the basket, Dybantsa is stopping on a dime and pivoting into a turnaround.

Perhaps most importantly, he’s been a defensive hound and used his length to be disruptive. One of Dybantsa’s few criticisms entering the league was effort on the other end of the ball, but many projected growth come October. He’s fulfilled that so far.

Ice Cold From Distance

Besides the starting five’s sheer height, there was something else that stood out before the season opener: They can’t shoot. Sarr and Dybantsa shot 33% from 3-point range in their respective latest seasons. Davis shot it at just a 27% clip his final year in Dallas, and Young hadn’t shot above 34% since the 2023-24 season. The spacing would be unideal, and the paint packed.

Those worries have translated this season. Washington stands at second-to-last in the NBA in 3-point percentage, making just 29.4% of its attempts. The Wizards have refrained from the long ball as well; they only take 29.8 shots on average. The last time NBA teams shot around just 29 threes a night on average was the 2017-18 season.

Washington’s inability to stretch the floor has hurt it. Opponents have been loading up in the restricted area, making the Wizards’ only bread and butter that much harder. D.C.’s dedicated shooter, Tre Johnson, would ideally lessen the blow. But even he is shooting just 26.7% from three in seven games.

When Washington features mid-range-heavy players like Dybantsa and Davis, 3-point shooting teams can slowly outgain the Wizards because of their shot diet. This was evident in their 120-105 loss to Atlanta on Nov. 4. The Hawks took 49 threes and converted 39% of them. Nickeil Alexander-Walker made six threes. Washington as a whole made six.

The District is meeting expectations, for better and for worse.

The post The Washington Wizards Are Playing as Advertised appeared first on The Lead.

The Chicago Bears made one of the biggest moves of the NFL season when they acquired defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans. After just one game in a Bears uniform, the trade is already looking like a game-changer. Simmons immediately showed why general manager Ryan Poles was willing to surrender two first-round picks to bring him to Chicago.

In his Bears debut against the Seattle Seahawks, Simmons delivered a dominant performance that helped Chicago secure a convincing 34-17 victory. The three-time All-Pro recorded a sack, six tackles, two tackles for loss, and a pass defended, making his presence felt throughout the game. Head coach Ben Johnson described Simmons’ impact as “profound,” and it was easy to understand why after watching the defensive line control the game.

The Bears Can Win Without Blitzing

Perhaps the biggest difference Simmons brings to Chicago is the freedom he gives defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Before the trade, the Bears relied heavily on blitzing to generate pressure, often leaving their secondary vulnerable against opposing quarterbacks. Simmons changes that equation by creating pressure directly from the defensive line.

Against Seattle, Chicago blitzed less frequently than it had in previous weeks, yet still consistently disrupted quarterback Sam Darnold. The Bears recorded three sacks, three additional quarterback hits, and multiple tackles for loss. Simmons’ ability to attract double teams opened opportunities for Montez Sweat, Devin Bush, and other defenders to attack the backfield.

That development could prove especially important as the Bears enter the tougher portion of their schedule. Rather than sending extra defenders and hoping to create pressure, Allen can trust his defensive front to win individual matchups while keeping more players in coverage.

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Montez Sweat Could Be the Biggest Beneficiary

Simmons’ arrival could also unlock another level of production from  Sweat. The two played together at Mississippi State, and their reunion in Chicago immediately showed promise.

Sweat recorded a sack against Seattle while benefiting from the attention Simmons commanded inside. While opposing offensive lines are forced to account for Simmons, Sweat should see more favorable one-on-one opportunities on the edge.

That combination gives Chicago a defensive line capable of creating consistent pressure without depending entirely on complicated blitz packages, which is something they desperately needed.

A Suddenly More Dangerous Defense

The Bears were already showing improvement defensively before the Simmons trade, but this arrival raises their ceiling considerably. He has the ability to stop the run, pressure quarterbacks, and command attention from opposing offenses.

His debut also demonstrated the leadership and energy he brings to the locker room. Teammates immediately responded to his intensity, while his performance provided an example of the physical dominance Chicago hopes to establish moving forward.

Of course, one game doesn’t guarantee that the Bears will suddenly become an elite defense. Maintaining that level of performance against increasingly difficult opponents will be the real test. Still, the early signs are extremely encouraging.

The Jeffery Simmons Trade Is Already Paying Off

Ryan Poles made an enormous investment when he traded two first-round picks and a fourth-round selection for Simmons. However, the Bears weren’t simply acquiring another defensive tackle. They were bringing in a player capable of transforming how their entire defense operates.

His first game in Chicago provided an immediate glimpse of that potential. If Simmons continues playing at this level, the Bears could have one of the most dangerous fronts in the NFC. More importantly, Chicago now has a defense that can complement its explosive offense rather than simply trying to survive alongside it.

Simmons has already changed the Bears’ defense. And after what Chicago showed against Seattle, the rest of the NFL has plenty of reasons to pay attention.

The post Jeffery Simmons Has Already Changed the Bears’ Defense appeared first on The Lead.

In what many viewed as a retooling year for the Buffalo Bills, they sit at the top of the AFC. They currently sport a 6-1 record with wins over teams like the Houston Texans, Detroit Lions, and Los Angeles Rams.

While most teams on their schedule have had their own struggles, it’s still an impressive start to the season. They’ve taken advantage of what’s in front of them and have set themselves up for success in a tough conference.

However, one question remains: Is this the best team in the AFC? In short, yes. This Bills team is the best in the AFC, but it’s deeper than that. What makes them the best isn’t just where they stand now. Their best football is still ahead of them.

The Best Offense in the League

At times, the Bills offense hasn’t looked pretty, but they continue to put up points anyway. Out of their first seven games, they’ve scored over 30 in five of them. At the end of the day, the only statistic that matters is how many points a team scores. How they get there doesn’t matter.

This season, the Bills lead the league in points per game with 33.3. They also rank second in yards per game, tenth in passing yards per game, and third in rushing yards per game. From top to bottom, no other team has been this successful. 

What makes this even more impressive is that their best wide receiver, D.J. Moore, missed three games. 

When the Bills’ offense comes onto the field every week, it’s become easy to predict what’s going to happen. Opposing defenses are going to face a balanced attack, while also having to account for Josh Allen’s legs.

Even if the Bills don’t have the most stellar supporting cast outside of James Cook, they keep defenses honest. If they can stop one aspect of the offense, it leaves them vulnerable to another. This makes the Bills’ upcoming Monday Night Football matchup against the Vikings so exciting.

The league’s best offense will face its best defense on primetime. Even if the Vikings’ offense and Bills’ defense leave a lot to be desired, great football will be played.

If the Bills are able to score 30 or more points on Monday Night, them being the best offense will no longer be a debate.

The Defense Will Get Better with Time

If it’s not the offense’s success, the discussion has been about the Bills’ defensive woes. During the first eight weeks of the season, they’ve had their fair share of struggles. However, there are a few positives to take away.

By this point, most people have heard about Greg Rousseau and Deone Walker becoming impactful players. The defense has started showing more bright spots in recent weeks, though.

Rookie corner Davison Igbinosun has slowly taken over as the starting corner opposite Christian Benford. While the beginning of the season was shaky between Igbinosun and Maxwell Hairston, it seems the Bills found their guy.

With the secondary getting healthy, it makes matters easier for defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. Leonhard now has an impactful defensive line and two corners he can have confidence in.

Last week against the Ravens, the defense faced an undrafted free-agent quarterback, but it could be the get-right game they needed. On top of the improved corner play, Cole Bishop finally looked like the player the team expected.

There are a lot of positives going into the Vikings game this week. The team can’t get complacent, though. They might have some momentum, but they need to add more talent at the trade deadline.

There are enough in-house options to patch up the linebacker position, so safety should be the main concern. Acquiring a player like Amani Hooker or Budda Baker would push this team’s defense to new heights.

Taking the momentum they gained in the Ravens game and adding a new player is exactly what they need. With an opportunity like the Bills have this year, they need to seize it. Even with a quarterback like Josh Allen, the league’s best offense is no guarantee.

Special Teams Is the Unsung Hero

For most people, special teams often go overlooked until a huge mistake occurs. In the Bills’ case, their unit doesn’t get enough recognition for the work they’ve put in.

Just a few weeks ago, Greg Rousseau blocked a potential game-winning field goal against the Rams, leading to an overtime win.

Another highlight has been the kick and punt return game for the Bills. Last year’s first-team All-Pro kick returner, Ray Davis, has continued to impress. He ranks second in the league for average yards per return at 31.

The team also added return specialist Greg Dortch for punts. While he ranks fifteenth in average yards per return at 10.7, Dortch looks good doing it. Every time he returns a punt, it feels like he’s just one broken tackle away from a big return. Having not one, but two great returners is something that sets the Bills apart from other contenders.

As if the return game wasn’t enough, the Bills have been great at the other aspects of special teams, too. While they don’t punt a lot, rookie Tommy Doman has been solid. Of his 14 punts this year, he’s pinned the opposing team inside their own 20-yard line six times.

Another player on the special teams unit who deserves their flowers is Tyler Bass. After missing all of last season due to injury, he’s returned and has been better than ever. Other than a missed extra point against the Rams, he’s been incredible. Even the missed extra point can be forgiven because he ended up kicking the game-winner in overtime.

The Bills’ special teams unit as a whole deserves their recognition because without them, this team isn’t 6-1.

How do they stack up?

The AFC is going to be difficult for the Bills to win this year. There are a lot of contenders with elite defenses that could potentially give the Bills’ offense fits. Every single team in the playoff picture could beat each other right now.

This is why the Bills need to continue handling their own business. As the current top seed in the conference, everything is still in front of them. If they’re able to carry their current momentum and progress on defense, they’ll be the best team in the AFC.

It won’t be easy, given their schedule and having the Patriots in the division, but they’re set up to compete. Right now, the Bills are the best team in the AFC, and they’re yet to play their best football.

The post The Bills Are the Best Team In the AFC appeared first on The Lead.

Running backs are an odd group for fantasy managers. Sometimes, they exceed all expectations and deliver brilliant performances. However, more often than not, running backs are like first-timers in Vegas—there are a whole lot of options with tremendously low odds. Despite that, there are still those running backs who have a much better chance at winning the hearts of fantasy players.

Here are four running backs who are prepped for a big performance in an action-packed NFL Week 9.

Chase Brown – Cincinnati Bengals

Behind the second-ranked quarterback in fantasy scoring, Chase Brown continues to live in Joe Burrow’s shadow. A running back who was highly touted entering the season, Brown has only scored one rushing touchdown thus far this season. However, one saving grace that keeps Brown off the bench is his receiving ability. With 36 catches for 189 yards, including eight catches for 46 yards against the Titans last week, Brown is clearly evolving in the pass-heavy Bengals offense.

Entering Week 9, Brown is facing an Atlanta defense that has allowed the fourth-highest fantasy points per game to backs, per ESPN. On top of this, the Falcons also give up 118 rushing yards per game, as well as nine rushing touchdowns on the season. Brown may not recover his fantasy season this year, but he has a tremendous opportunity to get both rushing and receiving yards on Sunday.

Jonah Coleman – Denver Broncos

Jonah Coleman took the trade rumors of Jonathan Taylor personally.

The rookie out of Washington played a huge role in Denver’s win against the Kansas City Chiefs. He tallied 11 carries for 41 yards and a touchdown, along with four catches for 63 yards, which propelled Coleman to his first 100+ yard game. In the midst of a competitive running back room, Coleman is proving his worth for the Denver Broncos and fantasy managers alike.

So, why should that matter this week? The Broncos take on the Carolina Panthers, a team’s defense that is ranked 30th in the NFL, giving up a whopping 140.7 rush yards a game. Not only that, opposing teams have rushed for 12 touchdowns against this fragile Carolina defense. Even if Coleman does not play the entirety of the game, expect his numbers to soar against a much easier defense.

Kyren Williams – Los Angeles Rams

Kyren Williams is in a league of his own. With 548 rushing yards, six touchdowns, and 242 receiving yards, Williams enters Week 9 as the ninth-ranked fantasy running back. His continued use in the struggling Rams’ offense shows the type of trust Sean McVay has in him.

Although Blake Corum continues to get respectable reps, Williams is clearly the No. 1 back. With Davante Adams’ ruptured hamstring, the Rams will need to rely on the running game even more, which was evident in their last two wins. After an 18.1-point performance against the Raiders and 12.9 against the Chargers, Williams now faces a tough Commanders defense. However, even if the Commanders perform against the run, Williams will be just as deadly through the air.

Expect another strong fantasy performance from the fourth-year back out of Notre Dame.

Quinshon Judkins – Cleveland Browns

Quinshon Judkins has had a relatively quiet campaign in his second year. Now, as the Browns face an injury to quarterback Deshaun Watson, Judkins must step up to the plate. Against the Steelers, Judkins finished with his second-lowest rushing yards of the season, with only 25. This came after a dominating 23.4 fantasy points against the Titans, which broke the heart of many fantasy players.

Judkins has proven he can amass points against lesser defenses. Now he faces the New Orleans Saints, a team that is ranked 29th in rushing defense. If that doesn’t sound bad enough as it is, they give up the most fantasy points to opposing running backs across the league.

Judkins may not be a fantasy favorite, but he should win the starting job this week.

The post Four Fantasy Running Backs With the Highest Boom Potential in Week 9 appeared first on The Lead.

The NBA season is officially back, and with a new season comes new rules. One of the biggest changes involves the NBA draft lottery.

The new rules, called the 3-2-1 lottery system, will debut for the 2026-2027 season. And these reforms could forever change the landscape of the NBA.

Rebuilding teams like the Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz no longer have the same incentives to tank for better lottery picks. Meanwhile, teams on the bubble between making the playoffs and missing out now have a better chance of landing a lottery pick.

Explaining the New Lottery Rules

The new NBA Draft lottery format changes a lot.

It expands the lottery from 14 teams to 16 teams. The three teams with the worst records each receive two lottery balls; under the penalty of “draft regulation“, but they can’t receive a pick worse than 12th. To incentivize winning and discourage tanking, teams that finish between the fourth-worst and 10th-worst records receive three lottery balls. In exchange for gaining a third lottery ball, those teams can pick either as high as first or as low as 16th. The 9th and 10th seeds receive two lottery balls. The losers of the 7/8-seed play-in games receive one lottery ball.

Besides that, the league is implementing more changes. No team can pick first in two straight drafts or top five in three straight drafts. Teams can also no longer trade top-12- or top-15-protected picks.

The league will also discipline teams for purposely tanking, including lowering teams’ lottery odds, fines, or modifying a team’s draft position.

The NBA’s new lottery system runs for the next three years. In 2030, the NBA Board of Governors will review the system for other potential modifications.

Why the New NBA Draft Lottery Matters

The new lottery system could have drastic effects over the course of the season. Teams that fans would normally see tank for a shot at better odds at a higher draft pick, like the Brooklyn Nets, Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans, now have less incentive to tank since the three worst teams have worse odds compared to the 4th through 10th worst teams.

Under the old lottery rules, teams with the worst record had higher odds of getting the first overall pick. Under the old system, it rewarded teams who purposely tanked their performance. Thus, that system gave better odds to worse-performing teams, thus increasing the odds of a higher draft pick and a potential franchise-altering player.

The NBA put the new rules in place after an increasing number of teams were tanking their season on purpose. The hope is that by changing how the draft lottery is operated, this will fix the NBA’s tanking problem.

Will Lottery Reform Curb Tanking?

The main question about the rule change is whether it will solve the tanking problem the NBA is facing.  The reason the NBA thinks these new rules fix the problem is that the three worst teams now have only a 5.4% chance of getting the number one overall pick. Meanwhile, teams that finished with the 4th-10th-worst records have an 8.1% chance of winning the first overall pick.

It remains to be seen if these new rules will actually fix their problem. We’re only a few weeks into the season, and the NBA draft lottery is still so far away.

How We Got Here

Before the rule change this year, the NBA draft lottery operated under a system in which the 14 teams that didn’t make the playoffs all had a chance at the first overall pick. Not only that, but before the rule changes, the system ensured that the three worst teams that season each had a 14% chance of getting the number one pick. The rest of the teams’ odds of finishing number one overall worsened depending on where they finished the season.

Since its inception in 1985, the NBA lottery has undergone numerous changes over the 41 years it has existed. When it was first incorporated, the rules were that all non-playoff teams had a 1-in-7 chance of getting the first overall pick, regardless of record. The drawing process involved sealed envelopes containing the teams’ logos in a big drum. The first letter picked was the overall first pick, and this continued until the seventh team was picked. A year later, in 1986, the NBA changed the rules so that the lottery would only determine the first three selections.

The Weighted Lottery Era

Over the following decades, the lottery underwent several changes. In 1990, the weighted Lottery era began with the NBA expanding the lottery to 11 teams. This happened because the league continued to grow and add more teams. The league also weighted the odds based on standings. The league decided to do this to help struggling teams. At this point, all the teams who missed the playoffs had the same odds of getting the first pick. By doing this, it gave the worst teams greater odds of selecting great players and thus speeding up their rebuilds.

Despite these adjustments, they still had a massive flaw in their draft lottery. Before 1994, the team with the worst overall record had a 16.7% chance of getting the first overall pick. But because of what happened in 1993, the league decided to adjust the percentages and raise the odds of the team with the worst record. The chance of getting the number one overall pick rose from 16.7% to 25%.

The league made this change after the Orlando Magic finished the 1992-93  season 41-41 and won the first overall pick despite having only a 1.52% (1-in-66) chance of getting it. Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks, who finished with the worst record, had to settle for the fourth overall pick despite finishing the year 11-71.

The rules stayed the same, except for the increasing number of teams to join the lottery. With more teams wanting to join the league, like the Charlotte Bobcats, now the Hornets, joining in 2004 to make it a 14-team lottery. The rules stood until 2019, when they shortened the odds of the worst team getting the number one pick. After that change, the three worst teams all had the same odds of getting the number one pick.

The NBA did this to discourage a trend of teams purposely losing games. This rule remained in effect for eight years before the NBA once again changed the rules to discourage tanking.

Future of the NBA

Only time will tell whether the NBA’s attempt to stop incentivizing tanking actually works. It’s going to take a few years to see if the rules actually have a positive effect on the league.

Teams like the Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, and Utah Jazz will serve as the eye test for the new rules. Seeing how these teams perform as the season progresses will help both the league and fans determine whether the rules are working. Some of the signs will be whether these teams stop pulling their best players.

While fans may question if these rules will actually help, one thing is clear: the NBA knows it has a problem, and fans should give the league credit for trying to fix it.

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Entering the 2026 offseason, the Seattle Seahawks ranked sixth in total cap space with around . Still, they shocked the world by not retaining any of their key free agents, including Kenneth Walker, Boye Mafe, Tariq ‘Riq’ Woolen, and Coby Bryant.

The Seahawks took a much more conservative route, keeping only key players like Rashid Shaheed and Josh Jobe.

But maybe this was the plan all along; after winning Super Bowl LX, many expected Seattle to retain the stars that helped get them to the biggest stage in all of football.

Instead, Seattle let them walk with the idea of building through the draft with guys that fit their philosophy.

Building Through the Draft

Entering the 2026-27 season, Seattle is set to receive five compensatory draft picks, one for every star they lost through free agency. But where’s the fifth compensatory pick coming from? They only lost four players worthy of receiving draft compensation.

This is because of the Rooney Rule, a league policy that gives teams losing a minority‑candidate executive to another team two third‑round picks over the next two drafts.

Nolan Teasley left Seattle to become the Minnesota Vikings’ GM in 2026. Which means under the Rooney Rule, Seattle will receive a 2027 third-round pick, a 2027 third-round pick, and a 2028 third-round pick.

While it is unknown how good their compensatory picks will be, they’re expected to obtain two fourth-round picks and two fifth-round picks, but depending on the size of their contract, their snap count, and any postseason awards, those picks can either gain value or diminish in value.

After all this, Seattle is projected to have an astounding 11 draft picks for the upcoming 2027 NFL Draft. This allows Seattle to fill any positions of need and take a shot on a guy they really like.

Since Seattle isn’t necessarily in rebuild mode, their roster doesn’t have many glaring holes.

Seahawks Built Themselves for the Future

The addition of an explosive wide receiver to pair with superstar Jaxon Smith-Njigba, additional edge rusher help, a superstar running back — potentially through a trade — along with offensive line and defensive back help, would take this roster to the next level.

Losing those superstars does more than give Seattle a little more draft capital that may or may not work out. It gives them the freedom and flexibility to re-sign or extend key players like Nick Emmanwori, Byron Murphy, Uchenna Nwosu, and newly acquired Quenton Nelson.

Another important thing to note is that after the 2026 season, Seattle only has one more year left on Sam Darnold‘s contract. But what’s important to note is that Darnold is currently guaranteed no money for 2027.

And after a rocky start to this season, there is a world where Seattle cuts Darnold, receives no dead cap for doing so, and gives project quarterback Jalen Milroe the start.

After starting 4-4 and slowly falling behind the 6-1 San Francisco 49ers, Seattle needs a late-season pickup to return to its former glory.

But even if they do end up falling apart come the end of the season, it’s not crazy to say if Seattle uses these draft picks well they could return back to their former glory and reach the Super Bowl.

The post The Seahawks Set Themselves Up Beautifully By Losing Multiple Superstars appeared first on The Lead.

The Los Angeles Kings need to find ways to beat their Pacific Division opponents if they hope to stay competitive in the Western Conference. In their first 14 games of the 2026–27 season, the Kings are 5-7-2, including 1-1-2 against division opponents. That record includes overtime losses to the San Jose Sharks and Vegas Golden Knights, as well as a regulation loss to the Edmonton Oilers.

Their most recent divisional matchup came against the Sharks, where the Kings earned a convincing 7-2 victory. However, one win does not erase the importance of the points dropped in their previous divisional matchups.

Kings Find Offense Against Sharks

The victory came after losses to the Chicago Blackhawks and Buffalo Sabres, along with a narrow overtime win against the Ottawa Senators. Against Ottawa, the Kings nearly squandered a four-goal lead entering the third period, raising concerns about their ability to maintain control when protecting a substantial advantage.

Against San Jose, however, Los Angeles built momentum early, taking a 3-0 lead in the first period and maintaining control for much of the contest.

Adrian Kempe was the biggest contributor, scoring a hat trick and adding an assist in his return after missing the Buffalo game with an undisclosed injury. His offensive production provided an immediate boost to a Kings team looking for consistency.

Artemi Panarin also played a significant role, recording four assists against the Sharks. Quinton Byfield added two goals, providing another encouraging performance from a player the Kings need to continue producing offensively.

Kings Must Improve Division Record

Last season, the Kings finished with a 10-6-10 record against Pacific Division opponents. While that mark was good enough to help secure a playoff appearance, the team will need to improve its divisional performance if it hopes to make a deeper postseason run.

It is also worth considering the Pacific Division’s competitive landscape last season. Vegas won the division with 95 points, the lowest total among the four division champions. By comparison, Buffalo finished atop the Atlantic Division with 109 points, a 14-point difference.

Kings Face Early Season Pressure

The Kings currently sit seventh in the Pacific Division with 12 points, 13 behind the first-place Oilers, who have played two more games. Although there is plenty of hockey left to play, the early standings illustrate how quickly a team can fall behind when it struggles to collect points.

The victory over San Jose was an encouraging step, but the Kings cannot afford to treat it as a solution to their larger problems. Winning against division opponents carries added importance because those games directly affect the standings of their closest competitors.

If Los Angeles wants to establish itself as a legitimate Pacific Division contender, it needs to turn performances like the one against San Jose into a consistent trend rather than an occasional bright spot.

The post The LA Kings Need To Start Winning the Games That Matter appeared first on The Lead.

This offseason brings big decisions to the Red Sox front office. From a reliable arm in Sonny Gray to a homegrown star in Jarren Duran, the Red Sox must face their toughest challenge yet. They scooted by last offseason; now they face a pair of decisions that could have both short-term and long-term effects on the organization.

Sonny Gray Has Exceeded Boston’s Expectations

Sonny Gray, 36, was acquired via trade with the St. Louis Cardinals last offseason. Upon being acquired, Red Sox fans had high hopes for what he could bring to the team – and he did not disappoint. He had a standout debut season with the Red Sox in 2026, finishing the season with a record of 18-5 and a staggering Earned Run Average (ERA) of 2.72 in a whopping 169 innings. Some argue he was snubbed for an All-Star appearance; at that point in the season, he held a 10-1 record (tied for the second-most wins in MLB).

In Gray’s 14th MLB season, he made himself a Cy Young contender for Boston. Now, one question looms overhead: what will the Red Sox do with him?

Sonny Gray’s Future

As mentioned, this past season was Gray’s 14th season in the majors. Following the disappointing end to the Red Sox’s season, there was speculation that he could retire. Since then, though, Gray has personally denied those rumors. According to the Boston Globe, Gray wrote, “My family and I have talked about it and it’s an easy decision… I still want to win a World Series, whether that is [with] Boston or with whoever wants me.” So, where will Gray be pitching next season?

Sonny Gray has expressed interest in staying with the Red Sox, but his time in Fenway hasn’t been without tension. As the game’s two-game starter in Boston’s disastrous playoff series vs. the Yankees, manager Chad Tracy pulled him in the fifth inning after he allowed two runs on just 70 pitches. Following the 9-2 loss, Gray spoke about being taken out of the game, saying, “I think I’m the best pitcher in the American League going through the order a third time. I think that’s a fact… I would have liked to have been trusted in that moment.”

The Price to Pay Gray

If the Red Sox front office does decide to stick with Gray, it won’t be cheap. As a free agent, he is projected to come in with a price tag of $60 million or more on a multi-year deal. Keeping Gray would significantly benefit the Red Sox starting rotation, given his potential and reliability. But the Red Sox have a history of dealing high-earning players; will that trend continue? This decision could alter the 2027 season, for better or for worse.

Jarren Duran – Built in Boston

Another tough decision the front office faces this offseason is whether to keep Jarren Duran. Boston drafted Duran in 2018, so there is no doubt he’s been loyal to the organization. He became a household name in 2024 with a breakout season, when he was named an All-Star. In the All-Star Game, he hit a home run that became the game-winner and helped him earn Most Valuable Player.

This was no easy feat, but 2024 was his year. He played 160 games for the Red Sox and finished the season with a .285 batting average and 191 hits. Beyond his bat, he stole an impressive 34 bases, tying for 9th in all of the majors. Following his incredible 2024 season with the Red Sox, he continued to produce above-average stats in 2025. Although he wasn’t an All-Star, he hit .256 with 159 hits in 157 games.

Jarren Duran’s Future

After two tremendous seasons, Duran’s numbers began to decline. In 2026, he posted a worrisome .207 batting average with just 114 hits in 151 games. He was also prone to strikeouts and stole only 21 bases, though he hit 20 home runs (his season high is 21 home runs – 2024). Even with a 20-20 season, fans want to see him shipped out of Boston. Not only because of his poor performance in the 2026 regular season and short postseason, where he went 0-for-3, but also because of the paycheck he will likely be looking for. According to Spotrac, Duran is projected to earn over $10.5 million in 2027.

Yet again, the Red Sox must decide on keeping or trading a player based on their paycheck. Reports suggest the Red Sox will trade Duran this offseason, clearing the traffic jam in the Fenway outfield. This would make room for the team’s young talent, such as Roman Anthony, to officially take over left field.

Trading Duran now, at his career low, may not be worthwhile. Boston would be unlikely to get a big name in return, so they would have to hope for at least a young prospect. Duran could also make a comeback year, returning to the player he was in 2024. It’s really a coin toss.

Offseason Uncertainty

Ultimately, the Red Sox front office has big decisions to make. This offseason is shaping up to be both intriguing and unpredictable. The Red Sox have many options, ranging from keeping both Gray and Duran to letting them both go. Will Boston continue the trend of moving on from high-payroll players, or will they take chances this time? These decisions will undoubtedly have major implications for the Red Sox’ future.

The post Pay Gray, Ship Duran? – The Red Sox Have a Roster Dilemma appeared first on The Lead.