Fantasy basketball takeaways and waiver wire pickups from the MLK Day slate

Sarah Barshop covers the Los Angeles Rams for ESPN, reporting that quarterback Matthew Stafford's agent has been given permission to discuss his market value with other teams. The Rams and Stafford are in talks about a reworked contract, with two seasons left on his current deal. Stafford, who joined the Rams in 2021 and won the Super Bowl with them, completed 65.8% of his passes for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in the...

The Fresno State men's basketball program is under investigation for potential ties to sports gambling, leading to the removal of one player and suspension of two others. Guards Jalen Weaver and Zaon Collins, key scorers for the team, are being withheld from competition as the university reviews an eligibility matter. The Bulldogs, currently on a 10-game losing streak, are facing scrutiny after a tip prompted an internal investigation by the school and NCAA. Full Article

Joseph Parker knocked out Martin Bakole in just two rounds at the ANB Arena in Riyadh after Bakole stepped in to replace Daniel Dubois last minute. Bakole, coming from the DR Congo, landed a hard right in the first round, but Parker ultimately knocked him out in the second round. Parker is now eyeing a world title fight after winning the WBO Interim title. On the same card, Shakur Stevenson defeated Josh Padley after three...

The Los Angeles Rams have given Matthew Stafford's agent permission to speak with other teams to gauge his value, in case contract talks do not progress. This move would help the Rams determine the parameters for re-signing Stafford or potential trade scenarios, as they look to build around their young core. Stafford, currently signed through the 2026 season, is coming off a successful 2024 season with 3,762 yards and 20 touchdowns, indicating he plans to...

In a post-match interview, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta criticized his team's performance in their 1-0 loss to West Ham United, stating that they lacked the necessary standards to compete for the Premier League title. The absence of a recognized striker was not to blame, as Arteta emphasized the overall team performance fell short of the required level. Arteta expressed frustration at the missed opportunity to challenge their title rivals and acknowledged his responsibility for the...

Chelsea suffered another defeat under Enzo Maresca as Aston Villa secured a late 2-1 victory, with Marco Asensio scoring the winning goal after Filip Jörgensen's goalkeeping error. The result was a blow to Chelsea's Champions League hopes, as they now have four defeats in their last five games. Villa's win was their first in the Premier League since January, moving them within a point of Chelsea in the table. Full Article