Players in the USL Super League, a women's league which has Division I status from the U.S. Soccer Federation, have voted to unionize and will be part of the USL Players Association going forward.

The USLPA is now the exclusive bargaining representative of the USL Super League players.

Earlier this week, the players engaged in what is called an "authorization card check" in which a majority of players voted that they wanted union representation, and that they wanted the USLPA to bargain on their behalf.

According to USLPA spokesperson Bri Visalli, a former professional player with the Houston Dash, 97% of eligible players voted for union representation, easily exceeding the simple majority required.

These players included only USL standard contracted players, and therefore, didn't include loaned or academy players.

The USL then voluntarily recognized that the players are represented by the USLPA, which also represents players in the USL Championship and USL League One.

"Today is an important day in U.S. women's soccer history with the USL granting voluntary recognition to the USLPA on behalf of the USL Super League players," the USLPA said in a statement.

"There has been a clear need for increased opportunities for women professional players in this country for some time. However, it is also imperative that these opportunities are ones which provide players with respect and the ability to self-advocate.

"Voluntary recognition is an important step towards accomplishing those important goals. The USLPA looks forward to working with the USL in the best interests of all Super League players, and to beginning the collective bargaining process in earnest."

The USL Super League said in a release that it will establish a "Labor Committee," consisting of representatives from Super League clubs, to work in partnership with the USLPA. The two sides will negotiate and work to ratify a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that will define the employment terms of the league moving forward.

"We're pleased and we're excited to work with the USL Players Association on behalf of the players to collaboratively build the future of the Super League in a long-term sustainable manner," USL Super League president Amanda Vandervort told ESPN in an exclusive interview.

The USLPA and USL have previously negotiated two CBAs, the first was for USL Championship players in 2021, with the second agreed upon with the USL for League One players just over a year later.

Vandervort added, "I'm optimistic to work with the PA, and the USL has had a great relationship with USLPA over time, so we look forward to those conversations."

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca hopes to have Cole Palmer fit and raring to go when they face Arsenal in a Premier League London derby on Sunday after the playmaker injured his knee in the draw with Manchester United last weekend.

Palmer has started this season with seven goals and five assists in 10 Premier League games, helping to lift Chelsea up to fourth in the standings.

Palmer was not registered in Chelsea's Conference League squad for the group stages, which meant he did not play in Thursday's 8-0 win over Noah, but the 22-year-old has not trained this week.

"Cole is getting better, but because he can walk and have dinner doesn't mean he is completely fit," Maresca said.

"He is getting better and we still have two days to prepare for the game. Hopefully, we can have him for a session -- at least on Saturday -- and then we take a decision."

Arsenal are level with Chelsea on 18 points as the north London side look to get out of a slump and gain a foothold in the title race with Liverpool and Manchester City surging ahead.

"I like to get pressure from these kinds of games. The pressure is also for us. For sure, they are the closest one with City. Both I consider better than the rest," Maresca said.

"The reason why is because one club is working with the same manager for nine years and the other one is working with the same manager for five years. This is a big advantage compared to the rest.

"But we're going to try to make life difficult for them on Sunday."

Arsenal beat Chelsea 5-0 in their last meeting before Maresca took charge and the Italian said he is wary of their set-piece threat.

"Mentally it will be very tough. Set pieces, they are very good. I watched the Champions League game against Inter Milan and every corner was smelling of a goal," Maresca said.

The 2024-25 NHL season turned one month old this week. That's too small of a sample to draw too many conclusions, right?

Forget it. For this edition of the Power Rankings, we'll be taking a look at the preseason over/under point total futures from ESPN BET compared to each team's current points pace. Which teams are the furthest off of their projections?

How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday, which generates our master list here.

Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published Nov. 7. Points percentages are through Thursday's games.

1. Winnipeg Jets

Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 92.86%

Preseason O/U: 95.5
Current points pace: 152.3

The Jets were not believed to be an all-time great team heading into this season, and yet here we are. Led by balanced scoring and an all-world goalie in Connor Hellebuyck, this is the most complete team after one month.

Next seven days: vs. DAL (Nov. 9), @ NYR (Nov. 12), @ TB (Nov. 14)

2. Carolina Hurricanes

Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 83.33%

Preseason O/U: 100.5
Current points pace: 136.7

Reports of the Canes' demise have been greatly exaggerated. Despite a talent drain in free agency this summer, the team maintains its grip on a top spot in the Metro Division.

Next seven days: @ COL (Nov. 9), @ VGK (Nov. 11), @ UTA (Nov. 13)

3. New York Rangers

Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 70.83%

Preseason O/U: 100.5
Current points pace: 116.2

Although some pundits wondered why the Rangers were so quiet this offseason as other contenders made big additions, the reigning Presidents' Trophy winners have thus far proved that retaining the same recipe was the right call.

Next seven days: @ DET (Nov. 9), vs. WPG (Nov. 12), vs. SJ (Nov. 14)

4. Florida Panthers

Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 75.00%

Preseason O/U: 102.5
Current points pace: 123.0

What Stanley Cup hangover? Not only has Sam Reinhart continued scoring as if he has another contract to negotiate next summer, but it appears the patience the franchise had with Spencer Knight has paid off, to the tune of a 3-1-0 record, 2.79 goals-against average and .902 save percentage.

Next seven days: vs. PHI (Nov. 9), vs. NJ (Nov. 12), vs. NJ (Nov. 14)

5. Minnesota Wild

Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 76.92%

Preseason O/U: 93.5
Current points pace: 126.2

Kirill Kaprizov continues to produce -- with 21 points through 12 games -- and if the Wild continue on this trajectory, the voters for the major awards should make long-awaited notice of him too.

Next seven days: @ ANA (Nov. 8), @ CHI (Nov. 10), vs. MTL (Nov. 14)

6. Washington Capitals

Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 75.00%

Preseason O/U: 89.5
Current points pace: 123.0

This was supposed to be the era when the Caps existed solely to be the stage for Alex Ovechkin to chase Wayne Gretzky's record. No one told them, and they appear poised to prove last season's playoff berth was no fluke.

Next seven days: vs. PIT (Nov. 8), @ STL (Nov. 9), vs. TOR (Nov. 13)

7. Vegas Golden Knights

Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 73.08%

Preseason O/U: 97.5
Current points pace: 119.8

"Life finds a way," as we learned in the Jurassic Park movies. In this case, it's the Golden Knights finding a way to stay near the top of the standings despite constant flux in their roster.

Next seven days: @ SEA (Nov. 8), vs. CAR (Nov. 11), @ ANA (Nov. 13)

8. Dallas Stars

Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 66.67%

Preseason O/U: 103.5
Current points pace: 109.3

The current pace is a bit behind last season's total, but some Stars have yet to really begin scoring this season. Once they do, look out.

Next seven days: @ WPG (Nov. 9), @ PIT (Nov. 11), vs. BOS (Nov. 14)

9. Los Angeles Kings

Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 63.33%

Preseason O/U: 96.5
Current points pace: 103.9

A third straight first-round playoff loss to the Oilers portended perhaps not the greatest season upcoming for L.A. But the early returns have been strong -- despite being without veteran defenseman Drew Doughty.

Next seven days: vs. CBJ (Nov. 9), @ CGY (Nov. 11), @ COL (Nov. 13)

10. New Jersey Devils

Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 62.50%

Preseason O/U: 101.5
Current points pace: 102.5

A few hiccups aside, the Devils are in a much better place than recent seasons thanks to the investment made in goaltending and defense.

Next seven days: @ NYI (Nov. 9), vs. SJ (Nov. 10), @ FLA (Nov. 12), @ FLA (Nov. 14)

11. Vancouver Canucks

Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 70.83%

Preseason O/U: 99.5
Current points pace: 116.2

The goal differential (plus-3) isn't what the team would like to see -- nor is Elias Pettersson's slow start -- but the Canucks are tracking ahead of projections in the standings.

Next seven days: vs. EDM (Nov. 9), vs. CGY (Nov. 12), vs. NYI (Nov. 14)

12. Tampa Bay Lightning

Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 53.57%

Preseason O/U: 98.5
Current points pace: 87.9

Although the Lightning are currently in playoff position in the Atlantic, they are a bit behind their projection.

Next seven days: vs. WPG (Nov. 14)

13. Toronto Maple Leafs

Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 57.14%

Preseason O/U: 102.5
Current points pace: 93.7

Another Atlantic team in the playoff mix but behind projection, the Leafs could be without Auston Matthews in the short term as he deals with an upper-body injury.

Next seven days: vs. DET (Nov. 8), vs. MTL (Nov. 9), vs. OTT (Nov. 12), @ WSH (Nov. 13)

14. Calgary Flames

Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 57.14%

Preseason O/U: 81.5
Current points pace: 93.7

One of the surprises of the first month, the Flames are easily outpacing their Battle of Alberta rivals -- though one would be hard-pressed to find anyone outside Calgary who doesn't believe the Oilers will catch them by season's end.

Next seven days: @ BUF (Nov. 9), vs. LA (Nov. 11), @ VAN (Nov. 12)

15. Ottawa Senators

Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 46.15%

Preseason O/U: 90.5
Current points pace: 75.7

The Sens have cooled a bit since a 4-2-0 start. Nevertheless, the vibes are strong, and make us feel this team could remain in the battle for a playoff spot.

Next seven days: @ BOS (Nov. 9), @ TOR (Nov. 12), vs. PHI (Nov. 14)

16. St. Louis Blues

Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 50.00%

Preseason O/U: 86.5
Current points pace: 82.0

The sportsbooks had modest expectations for the Blues this season, and the club has pretty much matched them.

Next seven days: vs. WSH (Nov. 9), vs. BOS (Nov. 12), @ BUF (Nov. 14)

17. Edmonton Oilers

Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 46.43%

Preseason O/U: 108.5
Current points pace: 76.1

The Oilers are well behind their expected point total. And yet, if there's one team that can turn things around, it's this one. After all, they pulled a similar trick last season.

Next seven days: @ VAN (Nov. 9), vs. NYI (Nov. 12), vs. NSH (Nov. 14)

18. Utah Hockey Club

Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 53.57%

Preseason O/U: 87.5
Current points pace: 87.9

The expectation was that the UHC could be on the playoff bubble in Year 1, and a month in, they're in range. Will the front office push some trade chips to the middle to add some more veteran help?

Next seven days: @ NSH (Nov. 9), vs. CAR (Nov. 13)

19. Colorado Avalanche

Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 42.86%

Preseason O/U: 102.5
Current points pace: 70.3

Another juggernaut that is well off expected points pace, at least the injury to Cale Makar appears to be a short-term blip as opposed to an extended absence.

Next seven days: vs. CAR (Nov. 9), vs. NSH (Nov. 11), vs. LA (Nov. 13)

20. Boston Bruins

Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 50.00%

Preseason O/U: 99.5
Current points pace: 82.0

The Jeremy Swayman contract drama did not do anyone any favors, but is he also the cause of the short-circuiting of the team's secondary scoring?

Next seven days: vs. OTT (Nov. 9), @ STL (Nov. 12), @ DAL (Nov. 14)

21. Detroit Red Wings

Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 54.17%

Preseason O/U: 90.5
Current points pace: 88.8

A carry-over trend from 2023-24? Cam Talbot started off strong for the Kings last season, only to struggle thereafter. Can he maintain this season's optimistic first month?

Next seven days: @ TOR (Nov. 8), vs. NYR (Nov. 9), @ PIT (Nov. 13)

22. Columbus Blue Jackets

Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 50.00%

Preseason O/U: 69.5
Current points pace: 82.0

For some teams, an 82-point pace would not be that encouraging. For the Blue Jackets, it's fantastic.

Next seven days: @ LA (Nov. 9), @ ANA (Nov. 10), @ SEA (Nov. 12)

23. Buffalo Sabres

Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 46.43%

Preseason O/U: 88.5
Current points pace: 76.1

One of these seasons, the Sabres are going to return to the playoffs. It might still be this one, but they'll need to vastly improve on their current trajectory.

Next seven days: vs. CGY (Nov. 9), vs. MTL (Nov. 11), vs. STL (Nov. 14)

24. New York Islanders

Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 50.00%

Preseason O/U: 91.5
Current points pace: 82.0

The Isles' failure to launch last season led to the firing of Lane Lambert, hiring of Patrick Roy, and a run to the playoffs. Can Roy turn them around again this season?

Next seven days: vs. NJ (Nov. 9), @ EDM (Nov. 12), @ VAN (Nov. 14)

25. Seattle Kraken

Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 39.29%

Preseason O/U: 87.5
Current points pace: 64.4

The Kraken are 21st in scoring goals this season, and tied for 19th in preventing them. One of those two factors will need to change for them to get back on pace.

Next seven days: vs. VGK (Nov. 8), vs. CBJ (Nov. 12), vs. CHI (Nov. 14)

26. Pittsburgh Penguins

Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 40.00%

Preseason O/U: 90.5
Current points pace: 65.6

Thanks to Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, Penguins fans at least have some milestones to observe this season. But a playoff run seems remote at this juncture.

Next seven days: @ WSH (Nov. 8), vs. DAL (Nov. 11), vs. DET (Nov. 13)

27. Chicago Blackhawks

Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 36.67%

Preseason O/U: 73.5
Current points pace: 60.1

Will the Blackhawks finish higher in Year 2 of the Connor Bedard era than Year 1? For now, they are trending slightly ahead of the 52 points with which they finished 2023-24.

Next seven days: vs. MIN (Nov. 10), @ SEA (Nov. 14)

28. Nashville Predators

Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 32.14%

Preseason O/U: 98.5
Current points pace: 52.7

No team is further behind its preseason points projection than the Predators -- and it's not particularly close. A team this talented should not be in this spot.

Next seven days: vs. UTA (Nov. 9), @ COL (Nov. 11), @ EDM (Nov. 14)

29. Anaheim Ducks

Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 41.67%

Preseason O/U: 72.5
Current points pace: 68.3

The Ducks are about what most thought they'd be this season, with a number of young players still learning the ropes at the NHL level.

Next seven days: vs. MIN (Nov. 8), vs. CBJ (Nov. 10), vs. VGK (Nov. 13)

30. Montreal Canadiens

Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 35.71%

Preseason O/U: 76.5
Current points pace: 58.6

There are some good things happening in Montreal, but seemingly not enough of them to climb far out of the Atlantic Division basement just yet.

Next seven days: @ TOR (Nov. 9), @ BUF (Nov. 11), @ MIN (Nov. 14)

31. Philadelphia Flyers

Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 39.29%

Preseason O/U: 85.5
Current points pace: 64.4

Was the 2023-24 season an aberration? It would appear so based on the returns so far in 2024-25. At least Matvei Michkov is fun to watch (when he's not a healthy scratch).

Next seven days: @ FLA (Nov. 9), vs. SJ (Nov. 11), @ OTT (Nov. 14)

32. San Jose Sharks

Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 33.33%

Preseason O/U: 63.5
Current points pace: 54.7

The Sharks aren't world-beaters again, but they're icing a competitive team this season, and help is on the way thanks to the NHL's No. 1 prospect pipeline.

Next seven days: @ NJ (Nov. 10), @ PHI (Nov. 11), @ NYR (Nov. 14)

Midfielder Frenkie de Jong is back in the Netherlands squad and in line to play his first international in 14 months after being selected on Friday for this month's Nations League matches against Hungary and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

De Jong, who has struggled with an ankle injury, last competed for the Dutch in a European Championship qualifier against Ireland in Dublin in September last year.

The Barcelona midfielder was included in the Netherlands squad for the Euros in Germany, but had to pull out due to persistent injury and was a big loss for the side.

There is no return for striker Memphis Depay, who has scored twice in the last two months for his new Brazilian team Corinthians. The 30-year-old last played at Euro 2024.

Manchester City defender Nathan Aké has also not been included despite his return to fitness last month.

Ajax right back Devyne Rensch and PSV Eindhoven winger Noa Lang return to the squad for the matches against Hungary in Amsterdam on Nov. 16 and then away in Bosnia-Herzegovina three days later.

Rensch won his only cap in 2021 and this is the first time he has been selected by coach Ronald Koeman. Lang is rewarded for some good form with PSV and is back after more than a year without being picked.

Netherlands are second in Group A3, five points behind leaders Germany and ahead of Hungary in third on goal difference.

They need to at least remain in second spot to earn a place in the quarter-finals next March.

Netherlands squad:

Goalkeepers: Mark Flekken (Brentford), Nick Olij (Sparta Rotterdam), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Defenders: Matthijs de Ligt (Manchester United), Stefan de Vrij, Denzel Dumfries (both Inter Milan), Jorrel Hato, Devyne Rensch (both Ajax Amsterdam), Jurriën Timber (Arsenal), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan), Quinten Timber (Feyenoord), Mats Wieffer (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Forwards: Brian Brobbey (Ajax Amsterdam), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Noa Lang (PSV Eindhoven), Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund), Wout Weghorst (Ajax Amsterdam), Joshua Zirkzee (Manchester United).

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has said he believes he has found the solution to his team's problems and is hopeful results will follow.

Ancelotti's side head into Saturday's league game against fifth-place Osasuna on the back of two painful home defeats.

Ancelotti's side lost 3-1 to AC Milan on Tuesday having previously fallen 4-0 to Barcelona in the league Clásico.

"It's a difficult time for everyone," Ancelotti said on Friday. "We have evaluated the situation with the players. We think we have found the solution. But we need to put that into practice. That is what we are hoping to do, to play differently."

Ancelotti also demanded more from his players.

"It's about sacrifice, focus and team work," he said. "That's nothing new.

"We have to be a tight unit and that takes sacrifice, focus to choose the right pass. If you play as a team, you defend as a team and we did that brilliantly last season."

Madrid's biggest problem has been their injury-hit defence. Without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defenders Dani Carvajal and David Alaba, they have conceded nine goals in three games.

"We've had time to think and find solutions," he said. "We know we can do better."

Madrid trail Liga leaders Barcelona by nine points but have a game in hand. They are 18th in the Champions League league table.

"We are not accustomed because things have gone perfectly well for a long time," Ancelotti said of his team's poor spell. "Now it's a difficult time and we accept this moment but we can't give up.

"I'm happy to be at this club because it's the best club in the world to bounce back even stronger. This is a healthy, strong, motivated group. "We are in the best club in the world to try to come out of this difficult situation. We are all in the same boat, the players, the club, me. We are united more than ever."

Ancelotti is confident they can turn things around.

"Despite the issues we are having, I believe this season can be successful," he said."We will fight for every title in every competition. That's how I see it and that's how it will be."

While Madrid may need reinforcements, Ancelotti said the focus should not be on the transfer window.

"Now is the time not to talk about signings," he said. "To think about signings now is not doing a good job of evaluating the problems that we have. We can't sign now, we will talk about that in the coming months."

Meanwhile, Ancelotti said he believes Kylian Mbappé will rediscover his best form.

The French captain was again left out of France's squad after failing to shine for Madrid since joining the club in the summer.

While Mbappé has scored six goals and provided one assist in 10 games, he has not yet found chemistry on the pitch with Madrid star Vinícius Júnior.

"I haven't spoken to him and I will not talk to him about that [being left out of the France squad]," Ancelotti said. "We have to accept it.

"Mbappe is well, motivated. He is going through a difficult time just as all of us. It's an opportunity when things are not going well to bring that run to an end and face those challenges head on. We are not playing our full potential. I'm certain he will just as the others will."

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have donated $10,000 to the family involved in a car accident on their way to the Bucs' Nov. 4 "Monday Night Football" game at the Kansas City Chiefs. The accident killed Connor Barba, 18, of Norman, Oklahoma, and seriously injured his mother, Megan Barnett.

Barnett surprised her son with tickets ahead of his birthday so he could see his favorite player, Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield, who said through a Bucs spokesperson that he and his wife Emily plan to reach out to the family.

"My thoughts and prayers go out to Megan and her family as they deal with this heartbreaking loss," Mayfield said in a statement. "I am honored and humbled knowing that Connor was such a big fan. I would have loved to have met him. As a new parent, this really hits home for me. I realize there are no words that can provide true comfort at a time such as this, but I hope that Megan makes a full recovery and that she draws strength from the outpouring of support she is receiving from around the country."

Barba's uncle Collin Barnett told "Good Morning America," "He was a football fan in general and a big-time Baker fan. He wanted to see Baker play. It was just going to be a great game."

The accident happened in Montgomery County, Kansas -- about 170 miles southwest of Kansas City -- just before 4 p.m. Nov. 2, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol. For unknown reasons, a 2014 Chevy Camaro veered into the other lane of a two-lane road and hit Barba, who was driving, and Barnett head-on. Police said the other driver, Joseph Savage, of Coffeyville, Kansas, was also killed.

Collin Barnett also told "Good Morning America" that Barba's quick actions likely saved his mother's life.

"We were told that the [other car] was in Connor's lane, and Connor swerved, [and] that he hit the brakes tremendously hard and got Megan out of the way," Collin Barnett said. "He took the full impact and was kind of heroic in that."

Barnett is currently in the ICU at a hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, according to a GoFundMe set up by her employer.

THE CROWD AT Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee was still standing on its feet, waiting for the outcome of one final possession to determine if the Bucks could stop their losing skid. Moments earlier, Damian Lillard made a go-ahead jumper to give the Bucks a one-point lead, leaving 9.8 seconds on the game clock, allowing the building a brief moment to celebrate. Now they just wanted one more defensive stop.

Cavs forward Evan Mobley lofted a high inbounds pass to Donovan Mitchell, who tipped the ball to himself near the half-court line. As Mitchell broke for the basket, he was met on the drive by Gary Trent Jr., who knocked the ball away from Mitchell, forcing the five-time All-Star to recollect himself.

With Trent and Giannis Antetokounmpo providing help defense to clog the space toward the sidelines, Mitchell dribbled back to the middle of the floor. He rose up a few steps from the free throw line and knocked down a game-winning jumper.

The 114-113 loss was another letdown during a nightmare opening stretch for Milwaukee. After a victory against the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers on opening night, the Bucks dropped six straight games, before finally snapping their losing streak with a 123-100 win on Thursday against the rebuilding Utah Jazz. Still, the Bucks are off to their worst start since 2013-14, Antetokounmpo's rookie season.

Winning only one of their first seven games put the Bucks in a hole only a few teams have ever successfully climbed out of. Over the past 25 seasons, only three teams have started 1-6 or worse and made the playoffs: the 2021-22 New Orleans Pelicans, the 2004-05 Chicago Bulls and the 2003-04 Miami Heat, according to ESPN Research.

"We will make the playoffs," Bucks coach Doc Rivers said after Monday's loss in Cleveland. "I'm not worried about that."

Simply making the playoffs is not the goal for a Bucks team that is four seasons removed from winning a championship. But they've won only a single playoff series since, despite having Antetokounmpo -- one of the most dominant forces in the NBA -- in his prime. The 29-year-old forward is averaging 31 points, 12 rebounds and six assists on 63% shooting, even better numbers than those from when he won his two MVP awards.

Antetokounmpo's presence led the Bucks to push in all of their remaining assets to trade for Lillard last September, after they'd fired their championship coach, Mike Budenholzer, despite a season in which he had the best record in the NBA. They then fired Budenholzer's replacement, Adrian Griffin, despite him leading Milwaukee to a 30-13 start last season, because they believed another coach was better suited to help them reach their championship ceiling.

Instead, the Bucks have dropped to 18-25 since Rivers took over at the end of January. They are currently ranked in the bottom half of the league in both offensive efficiency (18th) and defensive efficiency (19th), per NBA.com.

"Right now, we don't have an identity," Antetokounmpo said following a loss to the Brooklyn Nets late last month. "Like, how are we going to win the game? Are we going to defend for 48 minutes? Are we going to move the ball for 48 minutes? Are we going to attack and play fast for 48 minutes -- or 36 minutes and slow down in the last 12? We got to find an identity. We don't have that right now."

Milwaukee's slow start does not damn their season and internally the Bucks say they are making steps toward a turnaround. After blowout losses to the Brooklyn Nets and Memphis Grizzlies, the Bucks played two tight games against the 9-0 first-place Cleveland Cavaliers, even with Antetokounmpo sidelined Monday. Three-time All-Star Khris Middleton has not played in a game this season and the Bucks are optimistic his presence will help cure some of the team's ills.

"As a leader of this team, I think we are headed toward the right direction," Antetokounmpo said last week. "That doesn't mean we're going to go on a five-game winning streak, but I know we are playing better and trusting one another. The ball is moving. There's a lot of good things we're doing."

The Bucks have few options other than trusting things will get better. They've already changed coaches twice in the past 18 months. The win-now trades they've made this decade have left them without tradable assets and their payroll leaves them without flexibility. Their slow start has left executives around the NBA wondering, how much longer can the Bucks hold on?

"The worry is outside the building," Rivers told reporters after practice this week. "I guarantee you that. There is none inside the building."

AT MEDIA DAY on Sept. 30, Antetokounmpo sat on a high-top chair and fielded questions for about 20 minutes on a range of topics: from being a flag bearer at the 2024 Paris Olympics for Greece and getting married to his long-time girlfriend, Mariah, in September. Those events, and some time rehabbing an injury from the Olympics, prevented him from working out with Lillard over the summer, but he said he was still optimistic about their partnership in Year 2.

When a question was posed about the team's new role players -- veterans such as Taurean Prince, Gary Trent Jr. and Delon Wright -- and how their skills could help the team get back to the Conference Finals or Finals, Antetokounmpo first responded with a pause.

"First of all -- conference finals or finals -- we got to out of the first round," he said. "Let's do that."

That's been a challenge for Milwaukee since winning the title in 2021, when Antetokounmpo spoke about how winning that title made him hungry to win more. The following season, Milwaukee lost a hard-fought seven-game series to the Boston Celtics in the second round. In each of the past two seasons, the Bucks have been upset as a higher seed in the first round, losing to the eighth-seeded Miami Heat in five games in 2023 and the sixth-seeded Indiana Pacers in six games this past April.

The loss to the Heat set Milwaukee on a dramatic course to reshape its team and maximize Antetokounmpo's prime, trading for Lillard to serve as his co-star and bringing in Rivers, a championship coach with experience handling star talents.

However, the returns haven't been there. Individually, both Antetokounmpo and Lillard have started the year strong, ranking second (31.0) and seventh (28.4), respectively, in the NBA in scoring. But Milwaukee is outscoring teams by a modest 1.6 points per 100 possessions when the two share the court, and questions remain about their chemistry on offense.

"I feel like we're getting more comfortable with one another," Antetokounmpo said. "We're not letting guys off the hook when we play, me and him."

"It's a lot more natural as far as I'm seeing it and feeling it," Lillard said Thursday about their chemistry. "Last year everybody was like oh they got to play two-man, you got to do this and in practice it was so scripted all the time.

"Just time, reps and us just getting to know each other, now we're just having a lot of communication among the two of us, without Doc or without anybody else. And talking about what I want him to do, what I see. And he'll tell me what he's trying to do, what he sees."

Defensively, teams are attacking Lillard, exacerbating the contrast between him and Jrue Holiday, the player Milwaukee traded to acquire Lillard -- and who ended up helping Boston win a title last season. Opponents are forcing Lillard to defend an average of 11.3 on-ball screens per 100 possessions -- up from 7.0 last season and by far his highest rate since tracking began in 2013-14, according to ESPN Research -- and having success in doing so. In each of the first seven games, the Bucks allowed an opposing guard to score at least 25 points against them. And they are getting cooked in transition, ranking 28th in points per possession allowed in transition, ahead of the Lakers and the Spurs.

But the Bucks have little choice than to hope the Antetokounmpo-Lillard pairing starts to pay dividends, because the cost of contending for the past seven years has left Milwaukee without options.

The only first-round pick the Bucks have available to trade is in 2031 and they have one second-round pick available. The 2025 pick they owe to either New Orleans or Brooklyn this season was a part of a trade to acquire Holiday in 2020.

Because they are over the second apron, the Bucks aren't allowed to take back more salary in a trade or aggregate contracts sent out. They also aren't allowed to sign a player waived during the season who had a salary greater than $12.8 million before being waived.

With the second-apron restrictions in place, the team tried to do the best it could this summer in adding veterans willing to take minimum salaries to play for a potential contender, but those moves haven't paid off. Trent is shooting 23% from 3, the worst mark of his career. Wright has scored just 15 points in limited action. Prince has been one of the lone bright spots, shooting 55% overall and from 3, blowing away his previous career high of 40%.

The returning supporting cast hasn't been much better. Bobby Portis is averaging his lowest scoring total in four seasons with the Bucks and shooting a career-worst 29% from 3, while both Brook Lopez and Pat Connaughton are shooting 27% from deep.

Bucks role players were expected to help round out the roster, but ultimately the team was counting on the continuity of their star players to prevail.

"We know what we're capable of," Lillard told reporters Monday. "It's just a matter of putting it together and we got a lot of games to do it. For that reason we've got every reason to keep fighting because we're going to find our way back and be looking back at this at some point. You can never be the team to fold."

MIDDLETON'S ABSENCE HAS loomed large for the Bucks to start the season.

He underwent surgery on both his ankles in the offseason, a left ankle surgery in May to fix an injury caused from landing on Kevin Durant's foot during a game in February, and a right ankle surgery in June to fix an injury that occurred during the first round of the playoffs in April. At the start of training camp, Rivers had been optimistic about Middleton's chances to start the season on time, but for weeks he and the team have avoided linking themselves to any timeline for his return.

Middleton, 33, has played in just 88 games since the start of the 2022-23 season. But his performance during last year's playoffs, 24.7 points on 48% shooting, showed he can still be effective when healthy.

When the Bucks had Antetokounmpo, Lillard and Middleton share the floor last season, they had a plus-17.5 net efficiency, the second best among trios to play at least 600 minutes together. However, under Rivers, the trio has rarely been healthy at the same time. They played in just five games together after the All-Star break and none in the playoffs.

Middleton participated in a 3-on-3 scrimmage Thursday, the first time he's done so since training camp. The team hopes he can start playing in 5-on-5 scrimmages soon before he's ready to return to games.

"I haven't coached him much at all. I had him in the playoffs, but other than that, not a lot of games," Rivers said. "But I know he can play. I know how good he is, but right now that's not the focus for me. I'm more focused on what we have and who's playing right now."

Rivers made a lineup switch before Thursday's game against the Jazz, inserting second-year wing Andre Jackson Jr. into the starting lineup to replace the struggling Trent. Jackson began the year out of the rotation, playing one minute of garbage time in the first two games combined, but on Thursday he played a season-high 28 minutes. A.J. Green, a sharpshooting 25-year-old who signed with the team a few years ago on a two-way deal as an undrafted free agent, logged 18 minutes off the bench and knocked down 4 of his 6 3-pointers. Increasing playing time has been Rivers' chance to inject youth into the rotation for one of the oldest rosters in the NBA.

Their presence helped the Bucks capitalize on a combined 65 points from Lillard and Antetokounmpo en route to a victory over the Jazz.

"Every good team has somebody that you can point to that's a disruptor," Lillard said after Thursday's win. "A lot of those hustle plays that can bring energy to a team, but also those moments where it looks like the other team is about to have something happen for him and then [Jackson's] energy, effort and his motor comes into play for us."

That game was the first in a five-games-in-seven-night stretch, which includes a visit to New York Friday night and a home game against the defending champion Celtics on Sunday. The schedule begins to ease after that with games against the Raptors, Pistons and Hornets, but the Bucks know they need to start piling up wins to deliver on Rivers' promise of a playoff berth. Despite the slow start, ESPN Analytics' Basketball Power Index still gives Milwaukee a 65% chance of reaching the playoffs.

"There's anxiety always because you don't like losing," Rivers said before his team snapped their losing streak Thursday. "There's also a more calm state when you're a team that knows that you can be a good team. You know you're going to get it going. Sometimes that can be fool's gold too because you just assume that instead of going to do something about it. Hopefully we're not the latter."

As MLB's free agency officially opened this week, baseball's top executives gathered in San Antonio for the annual general manager meetings, offering the first opportunity to hear front offices discuss their offseason goals.

From teams coming off deep October runs to clubs at a crossroads, we checked in with some of this winter's most intriguing teams for insight on their hot stove priorities.

Teams fresh off a playoff appearance

Detroit Tigers: Harris aiming to raise bar after unexpected October success

After a playoff run nobody saw coming, the Tigers are in a strong position entering the offseason. Given the performance of their young core, they plan to continue to build from within but also have the opportunity to add from outside the organization this offseason.

In a subtle twist from the usual executive talk that "every team has a budget," president of baseball operations Scott Harris indicated Detroit does things a little differently.

"We don't go into an offseason with a firm floor or ceiling that we have to get to no matter what," Harris said about his payroll. "We just go into the offseason trying to get better. I know Chris [Ilitch] is going to support us if we find compelling opportunities to get better that cost money -- we're going to do it."

The Ilitches were big spenders while Chris' dad, Mike, ran the team. The baseball world should find out in the coming years -- as the Tigers keep growing -- if Chris has the same propensity for high payrolls. In the meantime, Harris has been delivering a message to his team after a successful season.

"The message I've been sharing is we have to hold two thoughts at the same time ... we can be proud of what we just did ... but that second thought is we have to stay very hungry. We have to raise the bar for all of us. The beauty of a young team is it gets better."

Milwaukee Brewers: Arnold preparing for possibility of life after Adames

General manager Matt Arnold was asked how his team will replace the production it received from shortstop Willy Adames, who had a career year and is now likely to leave via free agency because of the nine-figure payday he is projected to get this offseason.

"Really tough," Arnold said. "Brice Turang and Joey Ortiz were fantastic. However we want to stagger those types of guys, I think we have depth there. They can cover us up the middle."

While leaning on two young players already excelling in the organization is in line with how the Brewers often operate, a dip into free agency for a shortstop isn't out of the question. Could that mean an unexpected reunion with Adames?

"We've always had support from ownership to do that, whether that's the [Jackson] Chourio or [Christian] Yelich extension. [Owner Mark Attanasio] is case specific."

Despite that support, it might be a tougher road to climb with Adames, as industry sources believe he'll move on from the Brewers this winter.

New York Mets: Will Stearns land Soto or Alonso? Maybe. Starting pitching? Yes.

As expected, Mets GM David Stearns wouldn't talk much about specific free agents, including Juan Soto and Pete Alonso, but he did acknowledge that he is in a different space this winter after joining an organization with money to spend on payroll compared with his time with the small-market Brewers.

"It's a great opportunity," Stearns said. "I think whenever you have access to every tier of agency and every tier available player, that's a tremendous opportunity and it opens up doors and we have to decide which door to walk through or which doors to walk through at times."

Whether the Mets will sign Soto or bring back Alonso -- or both -- will likely be the most talked-about topics surrounding the team this winter, but building up the starting rotation might be Stearns' biggest need to address this offseason.

In a year that began with rotation uncertainty after the Mets had traded away Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander at the 2023 trade deadline, New York found success in targeting veterans on short-term contracts last winter. With Sean Manaea, Luis Severino and Jose Quintana all free agents this winter, the Mets have several spots to build and multiple paths to doing so. While it's too early to know which direction they will go, there is no doubt New York will be busy adding starters this winter.

"Starting pitching is certainly a priority for us," Stearns said. "We have three free agent starting pitchers combine for a lot of starts, a lot of endings for us."

New York Yankees: Cashman isn't deterred by Game 5 meltdown

As GM Brian Cashman starts an offseason in which the focus will be on courting Juan Soto to return to New York, he's still dealing with the aftermath of a poorly played World Series that culminated with the defense unraveling in the fifth inning of Game 5. During the GM meetings, he was asked to address the team's issues in the field and on the bases.

"I think some of it is inherent to certain players that we have," he said. "I know the big fifth inning that people obviously can point to. Those players are pretty fundamentally buttoned up, but sometimes you have consistently good players make mistakes that exacerbate other circumstances.

"This team obviously wasn't the best defensive team that we've had, and this team also had obviously made some baserunning mistakes, but the Game 5 situation was involving players that ultimately are really, really good and consistent in what they do. Whether it be a Gold Glove at shortstop or typically high-end defender at first or the ace of our mound, Gerrit Cole, that's as good of a baseball mind as they come. And Aaron Judge catches a fly ball a billion times out of a billion."

Despite the frustration from the fan base about New York's World Series disappointment, it is expected that manager Aaron Boone's contract option will be picked up soon -- and he could be in line for an extension as well, especially if the Yankees want to avoid him managing with another potential expiring contract next season.

Philadelphia Phillies: Division series exit has Dombrowski searching for answers

It's not exactly a full panic in Philadelphia after the Phillies' early exit at the hands of the division-rival Mets, but president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski isn't using the notion that anything can happen in the playoffs to rationalize his team's loss in the division round. He's digging deeper, and it could lead to a busy offseason for the NL East champs.

"I never look at it as it's just what happens in the playoffs," Dombrowski said. "Other people say that. In our situation, we didn't swing the bats very well as a club, and our bullpen didn't pitch as well. I really don't know why our pen didn't pitch well. They were so efficient all year long. You scrutinize those things for sure."

Dombrowski wouldn't comment on Bryce Harper's desire, via agent Scott Boras, to possibly extend his contract a few more years to bring him to retirement. Harper still has seven years left on a 13-year, $330 million contract he signed before the 2020 season.

"Bryce wants to set up a platform where he can achieve all of his goals, long term in Philadelphia," Boras said at the meetings. "Certainly, other owners have done this with players of his ilk. That's his objective."

Dombrowski responded: "I never really discuss contract situations."

San Diego Padres: Preller enters offseason eyeing starting rotation depth

Padres president of baseball operations AJ Preller had a bit softer view than Dombrowski regarding his team's division series loss.

"We felt like we had a team that could win the World Series," Preller said at the meetings. "It's not every year you can look up and feel that way. We were up 2-1 [on the Dodgers] and the narrative changes a lot if we win that one game. But we didn't do it. I don't think we can over-evaluate that. You factor it all in and balance it the right way."

One of the reasons San Diego thought it was set up as well as anyone heading into October was the strength of its starting rotation, but pitching depth has become an area of focus after the Padres lost Joe Musgrove to Tommy John surgery.

"That was a big competitive advantage for us going into the playoffs because we had four [good starters]. [Yu] Darvish, Musgrove, [Dylan] Cease and [Michael] King can beat anyone's No. 1. We won't have Joe next year ... so we'll use our depth but that will be part of this offseason, trying to find more starting pitching options for us."

Teams on the edge of contention

Boston Red Sox: Breslow looking to find the right balance

After taking a step in the right direction with a third-place finish in the AL East, Red Sox president of baseball operations Craig Breslow is prioritizing left-handed pitchers and right-handed hitters this offseason. To find the right lineup mix, Breslow could deal from a position of strength that other teams covet: Boston's stockpile of left-handed hitters.

"We are thinking about how we can balance it out in the other direction," Breslow said.

Boston's pitching staff was one of MLB's big surprises during the first half of the season but tanked in the second half, ranking 25th in ERA after the All-Star break as opposed to fifth before it. Injuries and workload capacity led to some high-scoring affairs for the opposition.

"We had a fairly novel approach to pitching in terms of limiting fastballs," Breslow explained. "The league reacted. There was a period of time that we were slow to correct for that, but over the last month of the season our rotation was good again. We could upgrade there. It's not a secret our rotation is all right-handed, so if we can balance that out, it's something that could benefit."

Chicago Cubs: Hoyer ready to make a splash -- but maybe not the biggest splash

The Cubs aren't likely to reel in a top-of-the-market free agent, but they could add from a second tier that includes players like Max Fried and Jack Flaherty. The team will cast a wide net for a starter to join Justin Steele and Shota Imanaga near the top of the rotation. Wrigley Field played big last season. That might not be the case in 2025, so the team wants to fortify there.

"I do feel like our offense was hurt by Wrigley last year, but our pitching staff was helped," Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said. "You can't look at the Wrigley factor on one side only."

With Cody Bellinger opting to return to Chicago, the Cubs are mostly locked into their position players via long-term deals and team control for younger players. Additions to the offense are most likely to come via offseason trades or through players rising from the farm system.

"You always want to be creative, but there is room for it this year," Hoyer said. "Certainly looking to improve [on offense]."

Teams looking to level up

Pittsburgh Pirates: Cherington aiming to build a lineup that can back Paul Skenes

General manager Ben Cherington has a young ace in Paul Skenes who is emerging as a generational pitcher, so the offseason focus in Pittsburgh is on how to build a contender around him after missing the postseason for the ninth consecutive year.

"We have to score more runs," Cherington said. "That's a combination of our own internal position players taking a step forward and finding a way to add to that base."

The mantra within the building is "get better, faster." One important decision on Cherington's to-do list to help speed things along is hiring a hitting coach. He said the team is being thorough in its search after Pittsburgh ranked 24th in runs per game in 2024. The Pirates also could look to trades as a way to upgrade their offense.

"Starting about a year ago, we understood we were deeper in pitching than position players, and recognized that at some point, it was going to make sense to turn one of those pitchers into a position player. We did that a little bit at the last deadline, but we're open to it again."

One thing is certain in Pittsburgh's lineup: The Pirates are committed to playing Oneil Cruz in center field after he moved from shortstop this season.

"He's like an NFL wide receiver," Cherington said. "He's better in bigger spaces."

Washington Nationals: Don't be shocked if Rizzo has Nats in the headlines this offseason

There has been a growing buzz in the industry that Washington will be active this offseason, and president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo isn't shying away from that kind of talk. The Nationals are starting to see the fruits of their mini retool after trading Juan Soto and others to stock the system with young talent in recent years.

"I think it's important to supplement that good, young group of players and surround them with some talent," Rizzo said. "We think our time is coming. We're getting closer. This thing is cyclical. There was a time they were looking up at us, and now we're looking up at them. We feel the time is coming that we can play in that end of the pool."

Rizzo admits he has talked to Scott Boras about former Nat Soto (and other Boras clients). After trading Soto for a haul of players in 2022 that included CJ Abrams, MacKenzie Gore and James Wood, it's not impossible Rizzo could now sign him to a megadeal right when the Nationals are ready to win again -- in part because of the players they received in the trade.

"When I get a feel for where we're at after these meetings, we'll meet with ownership and construct a plan," Rizzo said.

Teams in transition

Chicago White Sox: Getz knows Crochet's trade value is high -- and Robert's could be higher

Chris Getz has displayed a level of transparency in his first season as White Sox general manager, with both reporters and those inside the industries. He showed that again during the meetings, acknowledging the high trade interest in pitcher Garret Crochet while dimming any thoughts of the team dealing center fielder Luis Robert.

"What Garret did in the second half [taking the ball every turn] answered a lot of questions," Getz said. "He goes into next year without any restrictions. Based on conversations I've had with other clubs and potential trades, Garret certainly garners a lot of attention."

Robert is a July trade candidate -- if he can stay healthy and produce like he has in the past.

"The Luis market is a tough one because of the year that he had," Getz said. "He's ultra-talented but got injured early in the year and was out of sorts when he came back. It's all about matching up on value. It needs to be appropriately valued for us to make sense."

Los Angeles Angels: Manasian focusing on adding veteran presence to Halos' roster

The Angels have been the most active team in baseball early this offseason, trading for slugger Jorge Soler and signing pitcher Kyle Hendricks. The moves are an indication GM Perry Minasian wants to supplement his young team -- and improve it -- with some veterans who have played in the postseason and understand how to win. Soler joins a group of righty hitters who surprisingly finished fifth in home runs from that side of the plate -- and that's without Mike Trout contributing much due to injury.

Speaking of Trout, Minasian provided an update after the oft-injured veteran tore his left meniscus in August:

"He's feeling good. Obviously, the last four years have been tough. He's as frustrated as anyone about that, but he's feeling really good. He's doing what he has to do to show up to spring ready."

Hendricks will be a coach in a player's uniform while hoping to regain some consistency. His ERA in the second half was a bit more respectable (4.41) than his overall number (5.92).

St. Louis Cardinals: Mozeliak and Bloom are entering a transition period in St. Louis

The Cardinals continue to be open about where the team stands with Chaim Bloom set to take over for longtime president of baseball operations John Mozeliak after the 2025 season. In the meantime, St. Louis is updating processes across the organization following consecutive seasons without a playoff berth. The Cardinals got to this point by answering one question.

"Is this sustainable forever?" Mozeliak said. "It's been a good run. There's been a lot of success. But in the last few years, we weren't as focused on where we could squeeze a little more out of the fruit; instead we're trying to squeeze more for payroll. For a collective of reasons, now is the time to try and hit that reset and reposition ourselves to have another great run."