National

Editor’s Note: This story has been corrected to make clear that Trevor Bauer was never charged with a crime.

Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer has been suspended for two seasons — or 324 games — after an "extensive investigation" for violating MLB's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy, the league announced on Friday. 

The big picture:  The former All-Star had faced allegations of beating and sexually abusing a San Diego woman, but prosecutors declined to file charges in February after investigators said they were unable to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

Bauer had previously denied her allegations, and has filed suit against his accuser, AP reports.

What they're saying: Bauer said in a statement that he intends to appeal the suspension and expects to prevail.

"In the strongest possible terms, I deny committing any violation of the league’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy," Bauer said.

Details: Commissioner Rob Manfred said that Bauer would be suspended without pay, effective immediately. 

Bauer had been placed on leave in July 2021 when allegations first surfaced.

The league and MLB Players Association eventually agreed to extend his paid leave through the rest of the season. 

MLB suspends Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer for 2 seasons for violating domestic violence policy

The former All-Star said he intends to appeal the suspension.

Trevor Bauer. Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images

Major League Baseball (MLB)

NFL, NBA, MLB & NHL

Shifts in technology and media are changing the way we play, watch and understand sports. Business models are adapting and social change is forcing those in charge of teams and leagues to reconsider decades-old practices.

Sports

Data: Baseball Reference; Chart: Axios Visuals

MLB rosters were reduced from 28 to 26 players on Monday, and no more than 14 can be pitchers, marking the first position-specific cap in league history.

Why it matters: There's no stopping the technological advancements that have made pitchers better than ever, but this limit should at least mitigate their dominance, which has yielded historically low offense.

State of play: In April, league-wide batting average (.231) was its lowest since 1968, while slugging percentage (.369) and runs scored per nine innings (4.12) were their lowest since 1992, per The Ringer.

Starting pitchers have faced opposing hitters for at least a third time in a game in a record-low 15.3% of plate appearances through Sunday, indicative of managers' militant use of analytics, which tells them when starters will be least effective.

Batters are hitting .273 in their third (or more) appearance against a starter this season, compared to .232 in their first two appearances. A pitcher cap will force managers to leave them on the mound longer.

On May 30, the 14-pitcher cap will be reduced to 13, and there have been reports of further reductions to 12 or even 11 in the future.

The bottom line: MLB hopes fewer pitchers leads to more offense, while also limiting the barrage of pitching changes that slow the game down.

MLB implements first-ever position-specific cap

MLB rosters were reduced to 26 players, and no more than 14 can be pitchers.

Jersey advertisements have long evaded the Big Four leagues, but that valuable real estate has become too tempting to ignore.

Driving the news: The Padres on Tuesday became the first MLB team to announce a jersey patch sponsor, signing a multi-year deal with Motorola reportedly worth $10 million annually.

The deal includes a Motorola patch on the right sleeve and branding throughout Petco Park.

The Dodgers also enlisted a marketing firm on Tuesday to help strike a jersey sponsorship deal.

The big picture: Five years ago, no Big Four sports leagues had jersey sponsors. By 2023, three of them will.

NBA: Jersey patches debuted in 2017, and this season the program is expected to generate $225 million in revenue, per Boardroom.

NHL:  Helmet ads debuted in 2020 to offset pandemic losses and stuck around after generating $15 million total in the first year. Jersey ads —  expected to generate $5–10 million per team — will debut next season.

MLB: Last month's CBA gave teams the right to sell sleeve patches beginning in 2023, which could generate $8–10 million per team, per SBJ. Helmet decals could debut as soon as this postseason.

NFL: Teams began selling ads on practice jerseys in 2009. There's no word yet on game day jerseys, but it feels somewhat inevitable.

By the numbers: The change is already bearing fruit for MLB. The average team is worth 5% more now than last year, per Sportico, thanks in part to the promise of jersey patches.

Zoom out: Jersey sponsorships stateside still pale in comparison to those in  European soccer, where some clubs make as much in a year as entire leagues do here.

Manchester United, for example, make $185 million annually on their jerseys alone.

Breakdown: $98 million from Adidas (kit supplier), $61 million from TeamViewer (jersey sponsor) and $26 million from Kohler (sleeve sponsor).

The bottom line: What was once jarring — like a "bibigo" logo on the iconic Lakers jersey or a  Nike swoosh atop the Yankees pinstripes — now feels normal. And it's only the beginning.

Advertising invades sports jerseys

Five years ago, no Big Four sports leagues had jersey sponsors. By 2023, three of them will.

Illustration of a megaphone beaming up sports balls like a UFO. 

Washington Commanders fire back at FTC

The Commanders rebutted alleged schemes involving improper ticket sales, withholding ticket revenue, and keeping $5M of customers' deposits.

Illustration of the Washington Commander's logo peeling back to reveal a hundred dollar bill on the reverse side.

MLB's instant replay system was upgraded in a small but critical way this year, as umpires now announce the results of every challenge over the stadium's PA system.

Why it matters:  The change provides clarity compared to the old format, wherein umpires non-verbally signaled the result of challenges, and triggers the type of epic crowd reaction one doesn't normally see at a baseball game.

Multiple monitors show different camera angles of play under review.

How it works: When a manager challenges a call, the umpires on the field cede control to a team of umps and technicians stationed at MLB's HQ in midtown Manhattan, which I recently had a  chance to tour.

The setup above is one of nine identical stations, each of which has one seat for a technician and one for an umpire, about five of whom are stationed there every game day.

When a challenge comes through, the tech and ump work together to view as many angles as necessary to get the call right. The goal is to complete the review in under two minutes.

Once the ump makes a decision, the call is relayed to the field umpire, who announces the result to the stadium.

By the numbers:  There were 1,287 challenges and another 155 reviews requested by the crew chief during the 2021 regular season. 47.2% were overturned, 31.7%  stood as called and 20% were confirmed.

Inside MLB's replay room

When a manager challenges a call, the umpires on the field cede control to MLB's HQ in Manhattan.

Umpires confer during an official review.

Photo: Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images

Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color barrier 75 years ago today when he started at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Driving the news: MLB will celebrate the occasion across the country today, with players wearing his No. 42, as has been tradition since 2009.

In New York, part of 42nd Street will be temporarily renamed Jackie Robinson Way and the Empire State Building will glow blue and white with his No. 42.

In Los Angeles, his nearly 100-year-old widow, Rachel, will attend the Dodgers-Reds game, and the team will pay tribute at his statue.

In Cairo, Georgia, his birthplace, the Braves' World Series trophy will be on display at the Jackie Robinson Boys & Girls Club.

What they're saying: "I marvel at how much this man did in such a short period of time," former MLB player and current ESPN analyst Doug Glanville told NYT. "He lived, like, five lifetimes."

Martin Luther King Jr. in conversation with Jackie Robinson  in 1962.

Martin Luther King Jr. and Jackie Robinson, pictured in 1962. Photo: Bettmann Archives/Getty Images

The big picture: Here's just some of what those "five lifetimes" comprised during Robinson's 53 years on Earth:

The ballplayer: The 1947 Rookie of the Year and 1949 MVP was even better than most realize. His MLB ranks across his first seven seasons: stolen bases (1st), runs (2nd), hits (2nd), WAR (2nd), batting average (4th).

The athlete: Baseball was just one of seven sports Robinson excelled in at UCLA, joining football, basketball, track, golf, swimming and tennis.

The trailblazer: His courage paved the way for Black athletes across all sports. "What he faced was almost unreal," Oscar Robertson told ESPN. "He took the blow for everybody."

The activist: Robinson was friends with Martin Luther King Jr., and spent his post-playing career as a civil rights activist. "Jackie Robinson made my success possible," King said shortly before his death in 1968.

The last word: Robinson's legacy is summed up perfectly in his epitaph: "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives."

Baseball celebrates 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking color barrier

MLB will celebrate the occasion across the country today, with players wearing his No. 42, a tradition since 2009.

Rachel Balkovec debuted as the first woman to manage a minor league baseball team with a win on Friday night.

Driving the news: Balkovec led the Tampa Tarpons, the Single-A affiliate of the Yankees, to a 9-6 victory against the Lakeland Flying Tigers. 

"I've never heard my name chanted like that," Balkovec said, per MLB. 

"It was so much fun. Again, I just see, it's like I see me sitting in the stands, whatever 15, 20 years ago, and so it's just really cool."

The Tarpons broke a 4-all tie in the seventh inning on a grand slam by Anthony Garcia, per MLB. 

The big picture: Balkovec was named manager of the Tarpons in January. 

The Yankees hired Balkovec in November 2019 as a minor league hitting coach, when she became the first woman named to such a role in the history of professional baseball.

Balkovec also was the first woman to become a full-time minor league strength and conditioning coach.

What she's saying: "It's been 10 years of just working to this point," Balkovec told reporters before the game. 

"Things have evolved. I was blatantly discriminated against back then. Some people say not to say that, but it's just part of what has happened, and I think it's important to say because it lets you know how much change has happened."

Go deeper: Yankees name Rachel Balkovec as 1st woman to manage minor league team

Rachel Balkovec wins debut as manager of Yankees affiliate

"It's been 10 years of just working to this point," she said.

 Bench Coach Jerry Manuel #11 and Hitting Coach Rachel Balkovec #9 of the American League Team look on during the 2021 Sirius XM Futures Game.

Then-hitting Coach Rachel Balkovec of the American League Team looks on during the 2021 Sirius XM Futures Game at Coors Field on Sunday, July 11, 2021, in Denver. Photo: Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images

Baseball

Axios Sports

The Sacramento Kings and Buffalo Sabres were both officially eliminated from postseason contention this week.

Why it matters: We're currently witnessing the longest playoff drought in both NBA and NHL history.

NHL: Sabres — 11 seasons (2012-present)

MLB: St. Louis Browns* — 41 seasons (1903-44)

NFL: Washington Redskins* (1946-70); Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals* (1949-73) — 25 seasons

Of note: The longest active droughts in the NFL and MLB belong to the Jets (11 seasons) and Mariners (20).

*Now the Baltimore Orioles, Washington Commanders and Arizona Cardinals

All-time playoff droughts hit teams on both coasts

A close up shot of the logo belonging to the Sacramento Kings, one of the teams that missed the playoffs again this week. Photo: Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images

Two more coaches joined former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores as plaintiffs in a racial discrimination lawsuit against the NFL, according to the law firm representing them.

Driving the news: For decades, the league has faced criticism for its lack of Black coaches.

The additional plaintiffs, Steve Wilks and Ray Horton, join the lawsuit a day after the attorneys general of six states threatened to investigate the NFL's treatment of female employees.

Flores sued the league for discrimination in February after interviewing for the New York Giants head coach position.

He claims that he was informed by New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick that the head coaching job had gone to another coach, three days before Flores was scheduled to interview for the position.

Flores also alleged in the suit that he was only interviewed for the Denver Broncos' head coaching position because of the Rooney Rule, an NFL policy requiring teams to interview minority candidates for head coaching jobs.

The amended lawsuit claims that Wilks was discriminated against by the Arizona Cardinals "in a manner consistent with the experiences of many Black coaches" by not being given a "meaningful chance to succeed." 

It alleges that Wilks was only hired in 2018 as a "bridge coach" and was "unfairly and discriminatorily fired" after one season. He was replaced by Kliff Kingsbury, who is white and had no prior NFL coaching experience.

The lawsuit alleges that Horton was only interviewed for the Tennessee Titans head coaching position in January 2016 because of the Rooney Rule.

It cites a 2020 podcast interview with Mike Mularkey, the white candidate that was hired over Horton. In the interview, Mularkey said the Titans had told him they were going to hire him for the position before the team had interviewed a Black candidate.

What they're saying: "I continue to be humbled by the outpouring of support in connection with my claims against the NFL and applaud Steve Wilks and Ray Horton for standing up against systemic race discrimination," Flores said in a statement.

"Their claims are the unfortunate reality of the problems facing Black coaches in the NFL which our collective hope in this case is to end once and for all," he added.

"When Coach Flores filed this action, I knew I owed it to myself, and to all Black NFL coaches and aspiring coaches, to stand with him," Wilks said in a statement. "This lawsuit has shed further important light on a problem that we all know exists, but that too few are willing to confront."

"By joining this case, I am hoping to turn that experience into a positive and make lasting change and create true equal opportunity in the future," Horton said in a statement.

Go deeper: 6 states threaten to investigate NFL over treatment of female employees

Editor's note: This story has been updated with details from the amended lawsuit and statements from the coaches.

2 more coaches join Brian Flores' lawsuit against the NFL

For decades, the league has faced criticism for its lack of Black coaches.

Former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores taking the field in December 2021.

Former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores taking the field in December 2021. Photo: John McCall/Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

National Football League (NFL)

The attorneys general of six states threatened to investigate the National Football League's treatment of female employees in a letter sent Tuesday to Commissioner Roger Goodell, saying they have "grave concerns about the recent allegations" against the league.

Why it matters: The accusations against the NFL stem from a February report published by the New York Times in which more than 30 women described their experience working at the NFL.

The women in the report described a corporate culture that demoralized some female employees and left some feeling sidelined, despite a 2014 promise from Goodell to increase support for women in the league after a video emerged showing former running back Ray Rice physically abusing his fiancée.

What they're saying: The attorneys general of New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington told Goodell they are "deeply committed to enforcing federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws that protect workers and further equality of opportunity for employees throughout our states."

"We all watched in horror in 2014 when the video of Ray Rice striking, knocking out and spitting on his fiancée was made public. In the aftermath, you promised to take gender violence seriously and improve the institutional culture for women at the NFL," they added. "These recent allegations suggest that you have not."

"All of this is entirely unacceptable and potentially unlawful," they warned. "Our offices will use the full weight of our authority to investigate and prosecute allegations of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation by employers throughout our states, including at the National Football League."

The big picture: The league was sued in February for racial discrimination in its hiring practices by former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, and the league has for decades been criticized for its lack of Black coaches.

Go deeper: NFL launches committee to review diversity hiring policies

6 states threaten to investigate NFL over treatment of female employees

Commissioner Roger Goodell promised in 2014 to increase support for women in the league.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaking in New York City in October 2021.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks in New York City in October 2021. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Robin Hood Foundation

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Politics & Policy

America's pro sports leagues sputtered back to life in 2020 with bubbles, comprehensive testing programs and a host of other changes that still seem unimaginable after the fact.

The state of play: The leagues succeeded because they have enormous wealth and were operating mostly in "salvage the season" mode — but now comes the hard part: Figuring out how to do it again — this time from an even worse financial position and amid a third coronavirus wave.

The state of play: If 2020 had been a normal year, the NBA and NHL would already be in the midst of their 2021 campaigns. Instead, they don't even know when they'll start.

MLB, which nearly canceled its season in July as owners and players bickered over money, is likely headed for another brutal labor fight this winter.

And don't forget about the many other leagues in this country that are hoping to have a season next year, all while trying to recover from lost revenue and adjust to new realities.

The third coronavirus wave means even more sports uncertainty

They have to figure out how to keep going from an even worse financial position.

Illustration of a giant wave casting a shadow over a stadium. 

NCAA

Coronavirus

The U.S. faces a range of health care flashpoints — unaffordable drugs, opioids, vaping — as we debate whether to adopt universal care. For now, the Affordable Care Act is the law of the land, but Republicans want to issue it a final death blow.

Health

We've compiled and ranked the all-time rosters for all 30 MLB franchises (as we did with the NBA), taking into account players, franchise success and a little bit of gut feeling. 

Note: Each team has six, position-agnostic outfielders. When, for example, you see Willie Mays in left field instead of center in the Giants' graphic, it's not a mistake — he's just one of their starting outfielders.

30-21: No. 30 Tampa Bay Rays, No. 29 Kansas City Royals, No. 28 Arizona Diamondbacks, No. 27 Toronto Blue Jays, No. 26 Los Angeles Angels, No. 25 San Diego Padres, No. 24 Colorado Rockies, No. 23 Milwaukee Brewers, No. 22 Washington Nationals, No. 21 New York Mets.

20-11: No. 20 Miami Marlins, No. 19 Baltimore Orioles, No. 18 Minnesota Twins, No. 17 Houston Astros, No. 16 Chicago White Sox, No. 15 Philadelphia Phillies, No. 14 Atlanta Braves, No. 13 Pittsburgh Pirates, No. 12 Seattle Mariners, No. 11 Texas Rangers.

10-1: No. 10 Cleveland Indians, No. 9 Los Angeles Dodgers, No. 8 Oakland Athletics, No. 7 Chicago Cubs, No. 6 St. Louis Cardinals, No. 5 Cincinnati Reds, No. 4 Detroit Tigers, No. 3 San Francisco Giants, No. 2 Boston Red Sox, No. 1 New York Yankees.

Player data from Baseball Reference; Graphic: Andrew Witherspoon/Axios

They're tied for the youngest franchise in MLB, so it's hard to blame Tampa Bay for coming in dead last here. It's also part of their charm, as they've become known for putting together teams who are much greater than the sum of their parts (see: the 2020 AL champion Rays!).

James Shields: Easy to forget now, but he was one of the premier pitchers in the league not so long ago. His 11 complete games in 2011 are the most since Randy Johnson had 12 in 1999.

Catchers: They're generally the weakest part of any lineup, but 7.6 combined WAR is particularly egregious. Wilson Ramos played just 142 games for them and his 25 HR is fourth all-time among Rays catchers.

Carl Crawford: What happened here?!? Nine years as a stud in Tampa (35.6 WAR) earned him a massive seven-year contract worth $142 million with the Red Sox in 2011, but he compiled just 3.6 additional WAR over the next six seasons before being released and then retiring.

I like the Royals. George Brett's an inner-circle Hall of Famer (No. 35 on The Athletic's Top-100 all-time), the bullpen is strong and the defense for this team would be stout. Still, you can't score if you can't hit, and there are just too many easy outs in this lineup.

George Brett will always be a legend for the pine tar incident. His peak five-year WAR of 38.5 (age 23-27) was pretty impressive, too. (Nolan Arenado from age 23–27? 28.3 WAR.)

3B coach Mike Jirschele probably made the right move not sending Alex Gordon, but it sure didn't feel that way at the time. Game 7, two outs, bottom nine, down one, chance for a little league homer to tie it up ... and he's held at third! Okay, probably should have sent him after all.

Tied with Tampa as the youngest franchise, at least they edged out one older club in these rankings. Seems that winning the World Series with a Game 7 walk-off against the greatest closer of all time earns you brownie points with me. (See, told ya the Royals should've sent Gordon!)

Randy Johnson was an animal. Already solidified as one of the best in the game in Seattle (one Cy Young, three other top-three finishes), he joined Arizona at 35 ... and proceeded to win four straight Cy Young awards!

Teammate Curt Schilling, meanwhile, couldn't quite get over the hump, placing second to Johnson in both '01 and '02.

Another day, another team that won a World Series on a walk-off! I feel particularly compelled to mention it for Toronto because the hero, Joe Carter, was my final cut for this roster. His overall numbers weren't quite strong enough, but he and the Blue Jays will always have this.

Roger Clemens as a Blue Jay: Two seasons, 20.3 WAR and two Cy Young awards. Absurd.

Poor Fred McGriff. DH for my last-ranked Rays lineup, where he played his twilight years; wallowing in the Blue Jays utility spot; and, spoiler alert, the Braves roster was too strong to include him. A true victim of circumstance. *Pours one out*

They may be in the bottom five overall, but they can hang their hat on having a superbly deep outfield, anchored by someone who may very well become the single greatest baseball player who ever lived. Not bad.

Nolan Ryan was a machine, spending at least five seasons on four different teams, comprising the longest career in MLB history — 27 seasons (tied with Cap Anson). He also had the most no-hitters (7), strikeouts (5,714) and walks (2,795), while allowing the fewest hits per nine innings (6.6).

Fun closer facts: Francisco Rodriguez, or K-Rod, holds the MLB single-season saves record (62 in 2008), while Bryan Harvey earned the first save in Marlins history.

For a team with the worst winning percentage of all 30 franchises and no World Series titles to its name, the Padres made out alright, beating five other teams' lineups. No team is more well equipped to hit it past the opposing shortstop while preventing balls from making it past their own, and that's to say nothing of their bright future, anchored by Manny Machado and Dominican wunderkind Fernando Tatís Jr.

Tony Gwynn is on the short list of greatest hitters of all time. His eight batting titles are tied with Rogers Hornsby for most in the NL, while his .338 lifetime average ranks 18th (but is by far the best for any player in the last 70 years). In 541 PA (nearly a full season's worth) against Hall of Famers in his career, he batted .331 with just 26 strikeouts.

Trevor Hoffman held the saves record (601) before Mariano Rivera passed him (652). The next closest total? 478, by Lee Smith.

Honestly, you look at the names in this lineup and wonder why it's not at least five or six spots higher, but then you remember the Coors Effect and say, "Ah. Right." I hate being that guy, and perhaps I'm docking them for their advantageous environment more than I should — but life goes on.

Larry Walker is one of the inductees in the most recent Hall of Fame class, making him the first member of the Rockies in the Hall.

Nolan Arenado's offensive numbers may benefit from Coors, but that glove is all him. His seven straight Gold Gloves to begin his career are the most ever for an infielder, and second only to Ichiro's 10. Will he get No. 8 this season?

What is it about stars from the 1980s that just hits different? I can't explain it except to say that Paul Molitor and Robin Yount both occupy a spot in my brain for players that I know were incredible, but can recall very few highlights or tangible reasons as to why I know that. Does that make sense? No? Cool.

Yelich's first two seasons in Milwaukee were so outrageous that he's already made their all-time roster. Two years, 14.3 WAR, two batting titles and one MVP (which probably should have been two). We'll cut him some slack for a poor 2020.

I miss Prince Fielder. He averaged 33 HR, 94 RBI and 81 walks in his seven seasons with Milwaukee, but five years later injuries forced him to retire at 32. Boo.

Just wanted to take this space to quickly mention Jayson Werth, who didn't quite make the cut with a two-year peak (8.8 WAR) that comprised nearly his entire statistical contribution to the team (seven years, 9 WAR total). But a star deciding to sign with a club mired in mediocrity and then taking the mantle of emotional leader through a decade that saw them win the fourth most games in the sport is much more impactful than his on-field production. Plus: this home run.

Year established: 1969 (as Montreal Expos)

Stephen Strasburg became just the third pitcher (Randy Johnson, Francisco Rodríguez) to earn five wins in a single postseason last October, but he's the first to go a perfect 5-0.

Anthony Rendon's success en route to the 2019 World Series, particularly in clutch situations, was staggering. The Nats played in five elimination games, and in the seventh inning or later of those games, Rendon went 5-for-7 with 3 HR, 2 doubles, and 6 RBI.

Ranking MLB's all-time rosters

We took into account players, franchise success and a little bit of gut feeling.

We compiled and ranked the all-time rosters for all 30 NBA franchises, based on a combination of championship pedigree, roster construction and a dash of gut feeling. Reminder: The ABA is part of the NBA's official record book, so it's part of our rankings, too. 

30-21: No. 30 Memphis Grizzlies, No. 29 Minnesota Timberwolves, No. 28 Charlotte Hornets, No. 27 Toronto Raptors, No. 26 New Orleans Pelicans, No. 25 Indiana Pacers, No. 24 Los Angeles Clippers, No. 23 Dallas Mavericks, No. 22 Brooklyn Nets, No. 21 Cleveland Cavaliers.

20-11: No. 20 Atlanta Hawks, No. 19 Washington Wizards, No. 18 Phoenix Suns, No. 17 Sacramento Kings, No. 16 Orlando Magic, No. 15 Milwaukee Bucks, No. 14 Denver Nuggets, No. 13 Portland Trail Blazers, No. 12 Houston Rockets, No. 11 New York Knicks.

10-1: No. 10 Oklahoma City Thunder, No. 9 Utah Jazz, No. 8 Miami Heat, No. 7 Detroit Pistons, No. 6 Chicago Bulls, No. 5 Philadelphia 76ers, No. 4 Golden State Warriors, No. 3 San Antonio Spurs, No. 2 Boston Celtics, No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers.

Player data: Basketball Reference; Graphic: Andrew Witherspoon/Axios

Ranking the NBA's all-time rosters

We compiled and ranked the all-time rosters for all 30 NBA franchises

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