All posts by Kevin

2016 MLB Trade Rumors: 6 Players That Need to Be Traded

Sports News & Picks

The 2016 MLB season is going roughly as planned, as the World Series favorites – the Chicago Cubs – look the part of a champion and most of the other top playoff threats are following closely behind. The Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals, New York Mets, and Los Angeles Dodgers are all as good as ever – either sitting pretty in first place in their respective divisions, or in position to strike.

There are several teams that aren’t in a great spot, however, and if they want to improve this year or in the near future, they’re going to want to start making some news. This means acquiring a big name star, bringing in assets or simply cutting dead weight. There are a number of players that represent a problem for some teams, and they could soon be on the move. We detail the six that should be moved the fastest:

Ryan Braun, OF, Milwaukee Brewers

Braun is past his steroids issue of over a year ago and is actually enjoying a fantastic season, but the time could be now for the Brewers to part ways with their franchise player. Not only does Milwaukee have some nice young talent waiting to rise up the ranks, but the clock is ticking on getting something in return for the 32-year old outfielder. Braun can still mash the ball and is hitting a blistering .321 on the year, making now the best possible time to get value in return for him.

Braun is understandably a “hot name” out on the trading block, and with numerous teams looking for quality hitting and veteran leadership, he’s one of the leading candidates to be moved before this year’s MLB trade deadline.

Prediction: Milwaukee sheds their franchise player’s bloated salary and brings in some youth to keep building.

Julio Teheran, SP, Atlanta Braves

The Braves are one of the worst teams in the league and badly need to address their offense if they’re ever going to turn things around. Teheran may be their best trading chip, as he’s actually having a stellar 2016 run and at this point may be their best player.

It could be tough to part ways with the 25-year old hurler, but Teheran could get back quite a haul if the Braves deal with the right team. The New York Yankees could make some sense at first glance, as they aren’t getting a ton of consistency out of their starting pitchers and they have some bats they could potentially shed.

We could keep it in the AL East here and look at the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles, as well. In fact, both Boston and Baltimore are in better shape than New York offensively these days and may need pitching help even more.

Prediction: The Braves cut their losses and load up on some offense, dealing Teheran to the Orioles.

Jonathan Lucroy, C, Milwaukee Brewers

You can toss Lucroy’s name in with teammate Braun’s, as there have been many whispers about a full rebuild for a young Milwaukee team.

It may not be a great idea to shed all of their stud veterans, but the Brewers want to get better with young talent, and not hold onto bloated salaries that are weighing down a losing organization. Lucroy could fit right in there, as the 29-year old catcher is enjoying a strong season of his own, but faces a club option next year. Getting rid of Lucroy before he possibly comes off the books could be just as big of a move as shipping away Braun’s meaty salary.

Prediction: Milwaukee holds onto Lucroy for now and instead deals Braun for all they can get, freeing up some cap room and keeping the lineup solid in the process.

Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Colorado Rockies

Cargo was involved in trade rumors for much of 2015, a season that ended with star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki getting dealt. Gonzalez hasn’t been shipped off yet and is actually enjoying a great year, but the Rockies are slipping out of contention after a fairly good start to the season and may see now as a good time to get all they can for one of their best offensive weapons.

Blessed with solid offensive depth, Colorado can afford to give up one of their best bats, provided they can get some pitching help and/or valuable assets in return.

Prediction: The Rockies keep building with their young pitching, hold onto Cargo and hope next year is their time to rise up.

Andrew Cashner, SP, San Diego Padres

The Padres have been rumored to be interested in dealing some of their top arms for a while now and finally just unloaded James Shields to the White Sox. They continue to flounder and aren’t going anywhere this year, so it may pay to get rid of The Cash Man, as well.

Cashner hasn’t enjoyed the best 2016 run (4.78 ERA), but he has shown a propensity to get guys to swing in the past. He’d be a quality depth piece for the right contender and San Diego wants to move the 29-year old.

Prediction: San Diego gets rid of yet another pitcher in Cashner, cutting their losses and taking whatever they can in return.

Jay Bruce, OF, Cincinnati Reds

The Reds are yet again far out of the MLB playoff picture, which should have them thinking about a fire sale.

You could probably throw Joey Votto into the mix here, but one way or another Cincy needs to get young and find a way to bring in some defensive help. That may be needed most in the form of pitching and shopping a strong hitter like Bruce might be the best way to get it.

Prediction: Reds try to trade Bruce but don’t find a deal they love. They can exercise their club option next year and try to trade him again then.

Johnny Manziel Still Thinks He’s Playing Football in 2016

Sports News & Picks

Johnny Manziel has been all over the news since the 2015 NFL season ended, and for all the wrong reasons. He’s reportedly trashed a rented house, been seen boozing and close friends suggest their friend may not survive the party scene he’s fallen into. His own father has gone public with his fear that Manziel may not live to see his 24th birthday.

Oh, and Manziel is currently facing domestic abuse charges for an alleged assault on his former girlfriend.

Manziel Wants to Play

Despite it all, the man once known as Johnny Football still has a desire to return to the NFL, per his lawyer, Jim Darnell. Darnell suggested Manziel has an eye on the 2016 NFL season, but realizes it may be more realistic to plan a return for 2017.

Major Obstacles

That sounds great, but Manziel still faces some serious obstacles. The first, which is obvious for any player – let alone a quarterback that is to lead a team and be the face of a franchise – is to stop the partying and distance himself from the entire drinking/drug scene. That could be tough for Manziel to do in just three month’s time in order to get ready for a new season, and there probably just isn’t enough time.

Not only would Manziel need to stop boozing, he’d likely have to go back to rehab to truly prove he’s ready to mature and take responsibility for his wild behavior. Even if he does that, a true rehab stay would last weeks if not over a month and that would lead Manziel to an attempt at latching on with a new team in July at the earliest.

That may be too big of a risk for anyone to take on. Manziel would be fresh out of rehab and the fear of a relapse or taking on too much with a new team, new city, new playbook and new expectations would be all too real.

Add on Manziel’s pending court case, any potential jail time and a suspension that could be handed out by the league, no matter the case result, and Manziel is about as toxic as a player gets right now.

Realistic Path

If Manziel is serious about playing again, he first needs to be serious about being an adult. He needs to first get his life back on track by going to rehab, taking it seriously, and put rehabbing his mental and emotional health, as well as his public image, ahead of everything else. It’s clear that being a star in college and the NFL has weighed on him and outside of achieving fame, earning more money or being successful, he needs to take time to figure out if this is the right career path for him.

He can’t do all of that in just three months and even if he somehow could, no NFL team is going to buy that he’s turned a new leaf in such a small amount of time.

Instead, what is best for Manziel is to scratch the 2016 season, enter rehab immediately and once he’s mentally and emotionally stable, get back to training in a sound environment with good people around him that care about him. He can slowly build back trust from there, gain confidence and regain the competitive chip and swagger he once had and clearly lost over the course of two seasons with the Cleveland Browns.

Interested Teams

If Manziel can do all of that, we could then start getting serious about where he could play come next summer. Perhaps even late in the year, if he’s done all the right things, he could latch on with a team needing help at quarterback or sign a futures contract to start training with a team that makes sense for him.

He originally was set up to have a ton of great options after leaving the Browns, but he’s gone in such a downward spiral that most of the teams needing help under center have already signed or drafted a new quarterback. The only teams that desperately need an answer at the position right now are the New York Jets and maybe the San Francisco 49ers. However, in a year’s time, it’s very possible teams with shaky situations or older veterans like the Chargers, Cardinals, Vikings, Bills, Redskins or Chiefs could express some interest.

The other harsh part of Manziel’s reality is that he hasn’t proven much on the field yet. He’s flashed some nice athletic ability and appears to be a bit of a gamer, but his off field antics have thus far over-shadowed any of his upside. If he bides his time, gets better in every way he can and is ready when an opportunity arises, however, there is still a chance his story could end up being a positive one.

Then again, if Manziel doesn’t change or attempts to do so too late, we may not be running into problems with a small number of interested teams, legal issues or whether the timing is right. Manziel may just run out of opportunities, altogether. The clock is ticking, and while the NFL well isn’t dry just yet for the 23-year old, it’s getting harder and harder to see the water at the bottom.

Does Absence of Kevin Love Doom Cavs in Game 3?

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The Cleveland Cavaliers enter game three of the 2016 NBA Finals with their backs firmly against the wall. LeBron James and co. are in a rough 2-0 hole to the defending champion Golden State Warriors and face a near certain playoff death – a deficit just three teams have survived to win a title in the Finals before.

Love Hurt

It’s likely an uphill climb the Cavs welcome with the next two games at home at Quicken Loans Arena, but the challenge got even stiffer on Wednesday, when news broke that star power forward Kevin Love would be unable to take the court.

Love suffered a concussion in game two’s loss in Oakland, and despite making the flight back with the team after the loss, has still not been cleared to play.

There were early indications that Love may not be available for the crucial game three, as he wasn’t seen taking the court on Tuesday for the team’s shoot around. Love is reportedly “frustrated” with the decision to hold him out and has been informed that the earliest he will be able to play again in this series is game four on Friday night.

Replacements

Love has never been known as anything more than a passable defender, but he was one of Cleveland’s few bright spots in game one. Game two didn’t see him showing up on either side of the court, but he did spend some time at both the four and five spot, which helped the Cavs’ rebounding, outside shooting and lineup versatility – at least on paper.

Many experts and fans alike have called for Love’s benching in this series due to his shaky defense and inconsistent offense, but it’s still arguable that losing Love will hurt Cleveland dramatically. At the very least, the absence of Love puts added pressure on both LeBron James and Kyrie Irving and may demand that the team’s supporting cast step up and provide some extra rebounding and scoring.

That may be a lot to ask given the poor play of Cleveland’s star players to this point, while their bench has yet to show up in this series.

As for specific Love replacements, the Cavs can go in a number of directions, with Channing Frye, Tristan Thompson and Timofey Mozgov all in line to see increased playing time. Mozgov would be dusted off after spending very little time on the floor through the first two games, while Thompson should see the bulk of his time at center. Frye could see an enhanced role, as well, provided he can finally start chipping in offensively.

LeBron James could also help the team out by playing power forward more, should the Cavs continue to try to run with the Warriors’ small ball lineup. Efforts to keep up with that lineup have not fared well through two contests, however.

Game 3 Odds

At this time, Bovada still lists the Warriors as -1.5 favorites and even with the Love news, that may not change. However, with Love out, there is no denying the Cavs lose a skilled player who could have provided a considerably boost as an outside shooter, rebounder and passer. Love never helped Cleveland’s defense, but they may not have enough extra offense to make up for this hit.

It’s still worth noting that Cleveland won 30+ home games during the regular season and didn’t lose once at Quicken Loans Arena to this point during the playoffs, though. That being said, the Love news does not help make a bet in favor of the Cavs look any better. Bet on the Cavaliers at your own risk tonight.

2016 NFL Odds: Ezekiel Elliott and Top Threats For Rookie of the Year

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With June here, it’s time to start getting serious about the upcoming 2016 NFL season. Before we know it, training camps will be here, preseason games will be sounding off and suddenly the regular season will be drawing near. The time for predictions, prognostications, declarations and any NFL betting is now – especially when it comes to picking an offensive rookie of the year.

The 2016 NFL Draft provided some very strong talent and some of those players landed in ideal spots that could allow for them to have huge seasons in just their first year. But which players have the best odds to enjoy a stellar rookie campaign, and are they worth betting on? That’s something to consider as the days of June start to trickle away and all of these newbies start hitting the practice fields.

2016 NFL ROY Odds

Per Bovada, the Dallas Cowboys have the favorite for offensive rookie of the year. The ‘Boys spent the 4th overall pick on Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott, who opens the year as a massive -125 favorite. Let’s see where everyone else falls in line in the latest Rookie of the Year Odds:

  • Ezekiel Elliott -125
  • Jared Goff +650
  • Josh Doctson +1200
  • Laquon Treadwell +1200
  • Derrick Henry +1600
  • Corey Coleman +1600
  • Kenneth Dixon +1600
  • Jordan Howard +1600
  • Sterling Shepard +1600
  • Will Fuller +2500
  • Paul Perkins +3300
  • Braxton Miller +3300
  • Devontae Booker +3300
  • C.J. Prosise +3300
  • Carson Wentz +4000

Best Bets

Elliott is the obvious favorite for a few reasons.

First, he’s an amazing, versatile rusher who was incredibly productive and durable for the Buckeyes. He’s proven he can be a workhorse for a winning team and Dallas has been at their best when they can feed a stud running back 300+ carries and not look back. On the surface, it appears they can do that with Zeke, who should vie for 1,000+ yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie. Even if those numbers don’t help get Dallas back to the playoffs, they’ll probably earn Elliott offensive ROY honors.

While Elliott is the clear leader here, he’s not alone. Among the best, most logical bets, are Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Laquon Treadwell. Goff is set up to be an immediate starter under center for the Rams, and part of the process of winning ROY is actually seeing the field. Whether or not he can be productive right away is open for debate, but the Rams have said only good things about him so far.

The same goes for Treadwell, who was a terror at Ole Miss, but has some questions about his deep speed, as well as his quarterback play. He could be totally fine, yet still held back by Teddy Bridgewater’s slow development.

Interesting Sleepers

There are several sleepers to monitor. Sticking with role, talent and natural logic, we can point to Derrick Henry, Sterling Shepard, Will Fuller, Devontae Booker and Carson Wentz as the most interesting sleepers.

Henry is one DeMarco Murray injury away from a massive role as a first year rusher, while the Titans have been loud about their desire to improve their running game. Henry is a total masher in between the piles and actually has a rare size/speed combination that could turn him into a lethal every down back. There are questions about his hands in the passing game, however, so for now Murray looks like the unquestioned starter in Tennessee.

Shepard and Fuller are both immensely talented and could blow the lid off the league. Their impact is going to depend a lot on what goes on around them, as both guys will be the clear number two option (at best) to the likes of Odell Beckham Jr. and DeAndre Hopkins. If they’re even lower, their odds of claiming the ROY throne dip even lower.

Booker is next up on my list, if for no other reason than he’s talented and has already declared war in Denver at the running back position.

Booker was sensational at Utah and looks like he has the athleticism, demeanor and versatility to be a very good lead back in the NFL. Rolling in Denver’s system, that could be great for him early on. The only trouble is that he’s currently behind both C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman. It’s quite likely that doesn’t change at any point during his first season.

Last, but certainly not least, is Philadelphia Eagles rookie passer, Carson Wentz. Seen as far more raw then #1 pick Jared Goff, Wentz figures to be glued to the bench holding a clipboard during his first pro season. However, all signs have been extremely positive coming out of Philly thus far, with coaches suggesting he already knows the offense and has looked great in early practices.

Given Sam Bradford’s shaky play and injury history, we need to look at Wentz as probably the top sleeper out of this entire group. The Eagles may prefer to let him learn from the sidelines, but what if he’s already too good to keep off the field? At +4000 odds, a $100 bet could garner you a crips $4,000 – potentially making it a bet worth considering.

Our Pick

As it stands, the safe money is on Elliott. If we’re not aiming high or dealing with hypotheticals or wishful thinking, he just makes the most sense. Dallas has one of the best offensive lines in the entire league and they certainly would love to run the ball a ton. If Elliott is healthy and effective, they’ll do just that and he’ll probably hoist the rookie of the year trophy at the end of the year.

UFC 200: Brock Lesnar vs. Mark Hunt Odds and Pick

Sports News & Picks

Brock Lesnar is back in the UFC. The phenom MMA and WWE star is set to interrupt a four-year hiatus from the octagon and will return to take on fellow legendary fighter Mark Hunt at UFC 200 in July.

Lesnar Returns

After leaving the combat sport four years ago partially due to a digestive disease, Lesnar has decided to return to the UFC for a “one-off” fight with Hunt. The two fighters have no prior history with each other but, set up what should be an epic UFC 200 stage and gives MMA fans an intense heavyweight bout.

Reason For Return

The easiest reason to point to for Lesnar’s return is money, and even he openly admitted that he’s set to be paid “boatloads” for this massive fight. On top of the major green coming Lesnar’s way, however, he also seems to have both missed the sport, while also questioned his decision to retire in the first place.

His return on July 9th could be an attempt to prove to himself he can exit the UFC with a win and on his own terms, or it could mean much more.

Sticking Around?

At least at the moment, this surprising return is looking like a short-lived one. Currently still under contract with the WWE, Lesnar is set to return to his current employer after this huge fight, as early as August. From there, it’s anyone’s guess what happens – especially if this return fight goes well. After all, he did exhibit regrets about retiring four years ago and could be eyeing one more title bid to go out on top.

Then again, Lesnar has a cushy spot at WWE, where he is a superstar and knows he’ll have better longevity.

Lesnar vs. Hunt

Lesnar was one of the more compelling UFC champions we’ve seen, as he had a very modest 5-3 record in just eight fights, but had very impressive wins over the likes of Randy Couture (to win the title belt), Frank Mir and a true masher in Shane Carwin. However, Lesnar wilted in his third title defense, succumbing to the power of Cain Velasquez. His last fight was an unimpressive run against another powerful fighter in Alistair Overeem.

Lesnar is a physical specimen, bringing bulk, athleticism and brute strength to the table, which allows him to hang in with most as a stand-up fighter. His best game is done by taking his opponent down and finishing him off on the ground, however.

Hunt, best known as The Super Samoan, is about as battle tested as a fighter can be. He’s just 12-10-1 throughout his UFC career, but the 42-year old is an incredibly accomplished fighter with years of championship experience even before he entered the octagon. He began his career with a nice 5-1 run and has lived to talk about losses to the likes of Fedor Emelianko, Josh Barnett, Alistair Overeem, Junior dos Santos, Fabircio Werdum and Stipe Miocic.

Losing to great fighters isn’t necessarily the best argument for a fighter, but few out-lasted Fedor during his prime and Hunt did manage to go at least three rounds deep with both dos Santos and Miocic. He also owns solid wins over Ben Rothwell and has a two-fight win streak after taking down both Antonio Silva and Frank Mir.

The big question is how will these two match up?

Our Pick

There is no denying that Hunt (+103)has been around the sport longer and has faced even more headlining acts than Lesnar (-116) has. He’s a skilled fighter in his own right, has won his last two fights and has remained in the fighting scene. Lesnar could be rusty, may not take this fight overly seriously and possibly could be doing it for all the wrong reasons.

Hunt may have a skill advantage due to his kick-boxing background, but the 42-year old hasn’t had a ton of success against top flight opponents in, well, quite some time. He’s hung around or made things interesting, but even throughout his entire career, his opponent names are far more impressive then the names of the guys he’s actually beaten. Hunt is four years older, he’s not in nearly as good of shape as Lesnar and he’s not as athletic in general.

All of that being said, Hunt has a shot here if the fight stays off the ground. That doesn’t mean he has the clear edge, as Lesnar could over power him with his movement and strength and he could easily take things to the ground in a moment’s notice. It’s also worth noting that while Lesnar got abused in his last two fights, he’s been known to handle a beating or two and could have a massive chip on his shoulder in regards to his exit from the UFC the first time around.

This could be a true one-off fight and we never see Lesnar again, and he has to know that. I expect him to train hard, come in focused and keep himself from getting embarrassed by the aging Hunt.

2016 Belmont Stakes: 5 Sleepers to Take a Chance On

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The 2016 Belmont Stakes arrives in full force this Saturday, when Exaggerator will try to make it two wins in a row to wrap up this year’s Triple Crown. Nyquist is sitting this one out, so we won’t get a ferocious rematch, and the oddsmakers have listed Exaggerator as the clear favorite to take home first place at Belmont Park.

Of course, everyone thought Nyquist was going to win the Preakness Stakes, and that didn’t exactly go as planned. Due to that upset and horse racing being subject to upsets so often, many bettors are wondering if there are any other sleepers that could shock with a first place finish.

Latest Belmont Stakes Odds

  • Exaggerator EVEN
  • Suddenbreakingnews +750
  • Cherry Wine +1000
  • Governor Malibu +1000
  • Stradivari +1200
  • Destin +1400
  • Brody’s Cause +1600
  • Lani +1600
  • Unified +2500
  • Mo Tom +2500
  • Creator +2500
  • Adventist +2500
  • Wild About Deb +3300
  • Trojan Nation +3300
  • Its All Relevant +3300

Per Bovada, Exaggerator still opens things up ahead of the pack, followed fairly closely by Suddenbreakingnews. There are really a ton of horses log-jammed here, though, which could open the door to a surprise run late. In other words, we need to be on sleeper watch, starting now.

Cherry Wine

It’s tough to be a true sleeper when you sport the third best odds to win the 2016 Belmont Stakes, but we digress. The point is Cherry Wine is a legit threat after closing the Preakness Stakes in second place. The trouble with Cherry Wine is he’s had a very erratic career, earning just one win and finishing in third or worse a whopping five times.

That being said, there could be quiet momentum building here, as Cherry Wine did finish third at the Blue Grass Stakes and obviously second in his last race. Could he be warming up to a big Belmont Stakes win? Maybe, especially since the horse has displayed good stamina and seems to be better suited for the longer tracks. That could be the perfect recipe for Cherry Wine next weekend.

Destin

The odds drop down a bit, giving us our first true sleeper on this list in Destin. Destin disappointed at the Kentucky Derby, but against a big, talented field, he actually ran well and ended up finishing sixth. You can’t ask for much more than that and after skipping out on the Preakness Stakes, he figures to be well rested again and could have a shot at pulling off the upset.

Destin certainly sports a strong resume, having nabbed three wins in his career, as well as a second and fourth place finish in his two races outside of the Derby. Destin faces questions about the long game here, but the speed and competitiveness is there without a doubt. A fast start may be needed for a serious chance, but he’s proven numerous times he can get it done, either way.

Creator

Creator sports shaky 25/1 odds, but this is not a horse we should write off right away. Creator was impressive in his win at the Arkansas Derby and has the talent to make a late run in the Belmont Stakes. His poor showing at the Kentucky Derby (13th) takes him down a peg or two and clearly hurt his odds, but this horse is beyond battle tested with nine starts in his career and seven finishes of third place or better. We know he can go the distance, too, as he has two career wins and in all, has been close to the top spot in six career races.

If Creator can avoid trouble and have a better run than he did two races ago, he could be one of the best pure sleepers in the lot.

Stradivari

I can’t shake Stradivari, who got a tough draw in post position in the Preakness Stakes, yet still managed to finish fourth. That tied for his worst finish ever in four career races, which both magnifies his lack of experience, as well as his impressive running in four career starts. The other two races? Wins.

Stradivari brings good talent and excellent training to the table and an argument can be made that he’s really just getting started. If he can get off to a better start this time around – and hopefully from a better spot – he could be the sleeper to watch.

Lani

Speaking of an inability to shake a horse, the Japan-based Lani is another I just can’t quit. He’s fared well in the first two legs of the Triple Crown, finishing 9th at the Kentucky Derby and improving with a 5th place run at the Preakness Stakes. Most horse racing fans only know Lani won the UAE Derby to get into the Triple Crown races, but he has two more wins on his resume and six non-Triple Crown runs, has finished worse than fourth place just one time.

Lani is for some reason not the sexiest play, but he’s looked better and better through his first two Triple Crown races and his ability to gain steam late could make him the perfect play for the longer Belmont Park. His 16/1 odds also offer a solid payout, depending on what you throw down in a bet.

Overall, it’s clear this field is a little more wide open then we originally thought. Exaggerator is still the understandable favorite and will probably win, but if you’re looking for a sneaky sleeper that could earn you some solid cash on June 11th, these five sleepers could do the trick.

Got a Belmont Stakes sleeper of your own? Share it with us in the comments below!

Kevin Durant Rumors: 5 Teams He Could Sign With

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The Kevin Durant rumors are going to leak into the summer and no matter what we hear, nothing will be official until KD signs his new contract. There have been whispers from high up that Durant intends to sign a two-year deal with OKC that would allow him to opt out again in one or two years. There has also been chatter about Durant jumping ship to go play with someone in the Eastern Conference.

One big rumor has Durant actually letting the Boston Celtics know who they need to go get to lure him away from the Thunder.

At this point, it’s really anyone’s guess if KD is at all entertaining the idea of jetting. And if that is the case, good luck figuring out where he might go.

Odds are he does stay in OKC. It’s the team that drafted him, the only team he’s ever know, he has a strong bond with star point guard Russell Westbrook and just this year the Thunder were one win from getting back to the NBA Finals. It might be silly for him to leave, but then again, perhaps Durant doesn’t see himself winning in Oklahoma City. Or maybe he likes the idea of joining up with other stars in a more versatile market – or specifically finding an easier path to the Finals in the Eastern Conference.

Everything needs to be considered, so let’s break down his top options with some logic and find five spots we could see KD playing come the 2016-17 NBA season:

Boston Celtics

We know the Celtics have been eyeing a massive move to land a marquee player that can push a well-managed, well-coached and a nicely built competitive squad over the top. KD surely would do that, but per reports, his agents have supposedly sat down with the Celtics and suggested they go out and get some specific players. If they get who he wants, he’d then consider signing with them.

Durant has also gone public about not wanting to go on a big free agent tour, though, so it’s tough to completely buy this, as this is even more of a power play than merely interviewing with interested franchises. However, per the rumor, KD wants to form a “Big 3” like LeBron James has done twice and it sounds like he sees Boston as the best spot to make it happen. That’s debatable, but consider the Celtics already are in a good place, it’s hard to argue too much.

Los Angeles Lakers

Durant apparently loves him some Los Angeles and we’ve seen numerous reports stemming all the way back to last summer that tie KD to L.A. Is it a realistic landing spot? Financially, perhaps, but if Durant wants to win now, the Lakers probably aren’t the ideal setting. Unless, of course, they get him exactly the supporting cast he covets and guarantee him a commitment toward building an immediate title contender.

But Durant has that right now in OKC and he knows it. Wouldn’t it be better to just stick in OKC, get a little bit better and try one more time next season? Probably, but there isn’t much like the draw of being a part of the Lake Show. Whether Durant is serious about the move or not, it’s been reported that the Lakers are at least expected to try to pull it off.

Golden State Warriors

If you can’t bet’em, join’em, right? I don’t know if Durant is so chill that he’d ditch his current team for the team that just ousted him in seven games, but if he doesn’t see a way around the Warriors, he may decide joining the champs is the best way to become a champ. LeBron James did something similar and LaMarcus Aldridge tried to do that in a sense last summer, so it wouldn’t be a crazy move.

It’s a tricky proposition for Golden State, who would have to shed a ton of salary cap, not to mention actual bodies, to make it happen. Of course, it doesn’t make too much sense financially for Durant and the Dubs would be breaking up a very cohesive bunch and suddenly assuming a guy who has never won anything will prolong their success. It’s a risky move on both ends, but one all NBA fans probably secretly salivate over.

Washington Wizards

There is always the though of “going home”. Durant is from the D.C. area and going to the Washington Wizards would certainly fulfill a potential dream of playing in an easier conference, which would really make LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers his only yearly obstacle to getting to the NBA Finals.

Doing that for his hometown team would feel pretty good, while guys like John Wall and Brad Beal are no slouches to go to war with. The Wiz are getting a little long in the tooth down low, but otherwise could quickly be built to make title runs for years. It all depends if the Wiz can entice KD enough and if going back home is something he’s seriously considering. There is also the added note of former Thunder coach Scott Brooks taking over the team, but recent reports suggest this is not a likely move for KD. We’ll see.

Oklahoma City Thunder

For now, this looks like what is probably going to happen. It’s not going to be a long-term deal and he won’t be with the Thunder forever, but with the CBA opening the cash floodgates next year, it makes more sense to sign a short-term deal Durant can opt out of now, rather than set up shop anywhere for more than 1-2 years.

In this scenario, KD stays loyal for a two-year pact, gets paid, and gives the OKC fan base one or two more years to chase a title for. By the time next year rolls around, he will be able to be a free agent again, at the same time both Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka are slated to hit free agency. That’s where the players arguably hold the power and they can all go their separate ways or maybe even take a pay cut to land one more big star to put them over the top.

The Thunder are already close and have a good team. Durant knows that. He just can’t be sure if this will be his absolute best chance to win and get paid all of the money. Look for him to take a little time to think it over, but ultimately the smart move is to stay on a short-term deal and then think about a long-term plan next summer.

2016 MLB World Series Odds: 3 Fun Bets to Consider

Sports News & Picks

The 2016 MLB World Series is still months away, which leaves us plenty of time to throw down some solid MLB bets when it comes to which teams we think can win it all. The favorites won’t be surprising anyone, as the Chicago Cubs have the best overall odds per Bovada (+350) and unsurprisingly have the best record in all of baseball at 35-14. They boast elite pitching and have an offense that can match wits with just about anyone.

As mighty as the preseason favorites appear, they do have some stiff challengers right behind them, as five other teams have at least 30 wins and/or boast elite offenses. The Boston Red Sox have emerged as a real threat, while the Seattle Mariners might be one of the biggest surprises of the young season.

We could be in for more surprise, though, especially if a team with middling or terrible odds heats up and makes a late run. But are there actually some sleepers to fear?

Feared or not, there certainly are a few that would make for a fun bet, and we’ve got three you should probably consider before the odds see a shift:

Houston Astros (+4000)

Houston is the most fun bet at the moment due to actual talent, upside and odds. Vegas doesn’t see them as a total failure here, but these odds also don’t paint them as a playoff team just yet. We know they can be, though, especially if their top arms end up coming around and consistently producing on the mound. The return of Lance McCullers seems to have re-energized their defense, and hopefully a solid outing by Dallas Keuchel recently can also get him back on track. The big question mark continues to be Houston’s bullpen and erratic offense, however.

We know they have the top level pitching and power to compete with anyone, but closing out close games and getting consistent offense will be the two keys. Right now they’re still under .500 and have an uphill battle with the Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners ahead of them, but a recent 7-3 run shows how good they can be if they put it all together. Just a $100 bet on them to win it all now could net you $4,000 if they somehow pull it off later this year.

New York Yankees (+3300)

New York might be a more realistic bet, yet they have just slightly better odds and still offer a nice payout per a $100 bet. They have a much better shot at making the playoffs and going deep in the playoffs, too, as they have probably the best bullpen in the league and in the last few weeks have slowly overcome an awful start to the 2016 MLB season.

New York is getting a little healthier with A-Rod back in the saddle and in the pitching department they are actually getting good games out of C.C. Sabathia. If he and the other aces can hold serve long enough to see the offense pick things back up, the Yanks could push back up past the Baltimore Orioles and compete for the wild card spot. Their offense has randomly been their weakness, though, so it remains to be determined if it can figure itself out.

St. Louis Cardinals (+3300)

A legit World Series contender a year ago, the Cardinals had the league’s best record and looked like the top defensive team in all of baseball. That hasn’t really leaked into 2016, unfortunately, as their pitching has gone majorly down hill and their defense as a whole has suffered.

Thankfully St. Louis has been amazing offensively – so good in fact that they enter June with the second most runs in baseball. That looks to be something they can keep up at the moment, so the only question for the third best team in the NL Central is if their once strong pitching can raise it’s level of play. Michael Wacha and Adam Wainwright were former staples of an elite defense and they’ve been largely trash, but there also have been small signs of them getting things figured out. If they can make it all the way back and get even remotely close to where their offense is, the Cards will quickly be a real threat.

Obviously none of these teams would return payouts as insane as, say, the Atlanta Braves (+100000 to win it all), but they actually have an argument to support a hot run and, you know, a playoff appearance The Braves have fun odds, but they’re not making the playoffs.

None of that means you need to bet on the Astros, Yanks or Cardinals winning it all this year, but they all could have a shot and there is enough talent there to warrant a shot in the dark bet. Regardless of what you do, there is still a lot of season left and before you know it, any one of these fun bets could quickly turn into a smart or obvious bet. Getting in on that action early cements these playable odds while the getting is good.

Can Mike D’Antoni Hire Fix the Houston Rockets?

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The Houston Rockets as we knew them are no more. Per reports, the team has agreed in principle to a four-year deal with Mike D’Antoni to come on as head coach. The 65-year old D’Antoni will supplant interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who took over for a fired Kevin McHale last year and helped the Rockets get back to the playoffs.

Houston was only marginally better with Bickerstaff at the helm, but overall regressed after reaching the Western Conference Finals during the 2014-15 NBA season. Bickerstaff was never a lock to get a hard look at the long-term head coach, but during the season seemed to take himself out of the running by failing to get the Rockets to play consistently. Houston’s biggest struggle was on defense, where they gave up a staggering 106 points per game. The Rockets never lacked any offensive prowess, but won just 41 games and finished the year with the Western Conference’s 8th seed. They were bounced immediately in round one of the playoffs, falling to the Golden State Warriors, 4-1.

Strong Signing

While D’Antoni himself isn’t the answer for Houston’s defensive woes, he’s as good of an offensive mind as a team will find and he’s enjoyed a lot of success. In addition, talks leading into the signing suggested D’Antoni would bring with him a sound defensive assistant to help the other side of the ball. Who that ends up being and what their exact involvement is, of course, remains to be determined.

All we know is D’Antoni has been wanting back in the league for a while now and understandably got burned after signing with the Los Angeles Lakers back in 2012. He came on with what was supposed to be a title contender, but Steve Nash couldn’t stay healthy, Dwight Howard wasn’t 100% and Kobe Bryant tore his Achilles before the playoffs.

The Lakers lost in the first round of the playoffs that year, lost Howard in free agency, and never got Bryant or Nash back at full strength in D’Antoni’s second – and last – season at the helm.

He was dealt a short stack and did the best he could, much like an ugly four-year run with the New York Knicks, where he was tasked with turning a roster full of subpar talent into a winning group. The Knicks struggled mightily during his tenure, but did show mild signs of progress, winning 42 games in his second to last season.

D’Antoni will be best known in the NBA for his epic days with the Suns, who he built from the ground up and led to four straight 50+ win seasons, including two straight Western Conference Finals series.

He brings elite offensive knowledge and playoff experience to the table, including years of winning overseas. If the Rockets play things right, he could be what pushes them over the top.

Changes Coming

Of course, there are two issues: D’Antoni doesn’t care about defense and when he hasn’t had the proper pieces in the past, he’s struggled. He never had the right guys in New York and in Los Angeles the expectations were simply not realistic.

The first part could come by way of a strong assistant, as well as team effort. Then again, if the Rockets can be as efficient offensively as D’Antoni’s Suns teams were, it’s possible it doesn’t matter all that much.

That could leave the bigger issue being getting the roster right. That has to mean the end of center Dwight Howard, who didn’t seem to see eye to eye with D’Antoni in L.A. and just isn’t a great fit for the system. There is also the question of who will dominate the ball, as James Harden thrives in that role, but plays shooting guard and has complained in the past about having to handle the ball too much.

Harden is the best option to run the offense on the team right now, however. If Harden isn’t up to the task, he’d have to relinquish the ball and D’Antoni would then be on the hunt for his own version of Steve Nash. Patrick Beverley can offer solid defensive intensity and outside shooting, but he’s not going to be confused with the second coming of Nash when it comes to running an offense, penetrating and setting teammates up.

Figuring out who will run the offense is the first step, making sure Howard is gone – and replacing him – is the second step, and step three is making sure Harden is surrounded by a strong supporting cast. Looking back on D’Antoni’s best teams, he had a roster filled with players who could fill multiple roles and brought serious versatility to the table. They would exceed at one main skill, but would still be backed by basic fundamentals. In other words, for this system to work, D’Antoni needs players that can handle the ball, shoot from outside, and know how to pass.

Houston already has a few in place, as Corey Brewer, Donatas Motiejunas and Trevor Ariza all look like good fits. Younger players like K.J. McDaniels and Sam Dekker could also end up filling bigger roles come next season.

Title Odds

D’Antoni has to merely be the start of Houston’s transformation. The team was already taking the first logical step forward offensively, as they had slowly made Howard less and less a part of their offensive system. They need to become more versatile and more fluid, but in a way that they can still compete on the boards and prevent from being out-muscled in the paint.

As they stand, the Rockets are an average, one-dimensional squad that can only go as far as Harden takes them. Clearly, to this point, that can be fairly far, but they need to cut the dead weight, add the right pieces to fill out the roster and actually buy into this new system.

D’Antoni isn’t likely to figure it all out and create a title contender right away next season, but the Rockets should be better, get closer to 50 wins again and remain in the playoff picture. That’s all they can ask in D’Antoni’s first season and if management gets the right pieces in place that he feels he needs to win, it’s possible this could be a team to fear a couple of seasons from now.

5 Teams That Could Sign Bulls Center Joakim Noah

Sports News & Picks

The Chicago Bulls were rumored to be interested in the idea of keeping long-time big man Joakim Noah going into next season. Per reports, the feeling isn’t so mutual. Instead, the center figures to move on this summer, and has told teammates that he is likely done with the organization.

Moving On?

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Noah no longer feels like a key piece to the puzzle and also has lost faith in management that they can put the correct pieces on the roster to get back to being a competitive playoff team.

It’s only natural for Noah to consider moving his playing career elsewhere, too, as the Bulls disintegrated to a non-playoff team last season and before injury, his role with the team was erratic, at best. Still, the reports have been mixed, with ESPN also reporting that Noah could stick in Chicago.

Noah is a mild injury liability and has never been a great offensive player from a scoring perspective, but at 31 years old still has the size, strength and defensive mentality to be a solid asset off the bench for the right team. The only question is, where could that fit be? Let’s take a look at five teams that should be interested in Noah’s services and could reach out to him this summer:

New York Knicks

New York has been the only team to pop up in the media, with multiple reports connecting the dots between Noah’s home state and the fact that he’s developed a good rapport with Knicks President, Phil Jackson.

New York certainly would be interested in any players they feel can get them closer to the playoffs, but they also want to be smart about it. There is also the case of Robin Lopez currently being under contract and arguably being a younger, better option at center for the Knicks at the moment. Regardless, if Noah is interested, it could be a good landing spot.

Atlanta Hawks

What Atlanta does could hinge on what soon to be free agent center Al Horford does. Horford’s name has been thrown into many an NBA rumor since the beginning of last year, and his next step could go in a number of directions.

One could be leaving the Hawks, which naturally would open the door for another center to come in and take his old job. That’s no guarantee, but if Horford does jet, Noah could find a nice starting gig next to Paul Millsap.

Dallas Mavericks

Dallas has Zaza Pachulia and nothing else at center and really has to be kicking themselves after missing out on LaMarcus Aldridge, DeAndre Jordan and Tyson Chandler last summer. They shouldn’t make that mistake again, as they desperately need help at center and could find it in the form of Noah.

Noah has a shaky injury history, but plays well, can create offense with excellent passing and can still be a quality impact defender. If he starts and Pachulia can come off the bench, Dallas gets a little stronger at a spot where they need help the most.

Houston Rockets

With Dwight Howard almost certainly done with the Rockets, it looks like the door could be open for Houston to bring in a new full-time center. One that doesn’t command a huge offensive role yet can facilitate offense and defense would be great, and it’s arguable there isn’t a better option to do all that than Noah, himself.

It’s true the Rockets could stay in house at center, as they have a bevy of bigs to work with and Clint Capela could benefit from a full-time switch to the position. However, if Howard jets, the Rockets should take a long look at Noah if they want to improve their interior defense and also get a center that won’t wine when he doesn’t get the rock.

Milwaukee Bucks

Last, but not necessarily least are the Bucks, who seem to be close to admitting their failure with Greg Monroe at center. Shifting Giannis Antetokounmpo to point guard full-time should really open up their roster, and if they can get a better defensive presence inside, they can then either shift Moose to power forward or simply trade him away.

A trade makes the most sense, as it could get Milwaukee assets back or even net them a wing player to help an offense that often struggles through ugly lulls. Noah can give them a lift defensively, and his passing can also help Giannis during tough stretches.

Got a better ideas as to where Noah could wind up playing next year or think he’s headed back to Chicago? Tell us all about it in the comments below!