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Glue guys, big men and a former MVP: 13 NBA players who can swing the first round

Stars win titles, but not without plenty of help. We're examining 13 key role players who could swing a series.

9hZach Kram
AP Photo/David Zalubowski

20 players and 5 coaches with plenty at stake in the postseason

Big-name stars, players aiming for new deals, and title-hunting coaches. These are 25 names to watch.

1dKevin Pelton

TOP HEADLINES

IN THE END, VOLS JUST SAID NO

How Tennessee coach Josh Heupel scored one for coaches everywhere

By refusing quarterback Nico Iamaleava's NIL demand, Heupel and Tennessee took a stand for the good of the program.

8hDan Wetzel
Photo by Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images

Dinich: 'No winners' in contract dispute between Tennessee-Iamaleava

7h
1:18

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

As it happened: Barcelona, PSG survive in quarterfinals, advance to Champions League semis

6hESPN
Marcel Bonte/Getty Images

WHO GOES WHERE?

NFL DRAFT: APRIL 24-26

Kiper and Yates' latest mock draft goes 102 picks: Trades for QBs? Shocking team fits?

Two trades? Six quarterbacks? A bunch of tough calls? Mel and Field alternate making projections for every pick across Days 1 and 2 of the NFL draft.

10hMel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates
Illustration by ESPN

10 teams, 10 first-round trade candidates: Who could shake things up with a move?

Zero first-round picks have been traded, but moves should come on draft night.

1mField Yates

DRAFT TALK

Chris Canty pleads with Giants not to draft Shedeur Sanders

7h
1:00

Clark: Sanders' Giants workout is about No. 3 pick

8h
2:45

PICKING THE PLAYOFFS

Stephen A: It'd be 'disastrous' for Warriors if they miss playoffs

6h
0:48

NBA experts' picks for Warriors-Grizzlies and every play-in showdown

Our experts pick which teams make it out of the play-in tournament and which will survive the first round.

1dNBA insiders

LOOKING AHEAD

'There's no justification for this': What comes next for the flailing Phoenix Suns -- and Kevin Durant

After firing their third coach in three years, the Suns' next -- and perhaps only -- move is trading the superstar whom owner Mat Ishbia acquired just hours after buying the team: Kevin Durant.

9hBrian Windhorst
Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Stephen A.: Mat Ishbia is on the verge of being worst owner in NBA history

5h
1:56

MOST FUN TO WATCH

Why Luis Robert Jr. could be MLB trade deadline's most sought-after slugger

He had a disastrous 2024, but if Robert can play to his potential, the phones in Chicago will be ringing off the hook.

10hBradford Doolittle
Brandon Sloter/Getty Images

Who are the most fun teams to watch this season? Let's rank all 30

Star power, mammoth home runs and ... cotton candy fries? Here are baseball's most exciting squads.

1dDavid Schoenfield

ON THE ICE

Stanley Cup playoff watch: Your guide to the 10 games on Tuesday's schedule

Here's what is at stake in each matchup, with playoff seeding and draft lottery position on the line.

10hESPN Staff
Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images

Meet the Wild's secret weapon -- who won't play a single minute this season

With a roster tight against the salary cap, the club has needed to make the most of its roster spots.

10hRyan Clark

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