Former NBA champion Stephen Jackson says LeBron James removed himself from the conversation as basketball’s greatest player of all time by signing with the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason instead of returning home to Cleveland, arguing the move reflects a safer path than James’ legacy required.

Jackson made the comments on the “All the Smoke” podcast, saying he never anticipated James would land in Philadelphia. “I thought everywhere in the world, but Philly,” Jackson said, according to comments reported by multiple outlets including Yardbarker and Fadeaway World. “I did not think Philly. I’m sorry. I didn’t. I was one of those guys that thought he would go somewhere he was familiar with, even go to Cleveland.”

Jackson argued that a third stint in Cleveland, rather than joining an already loaded Sixers roster, would have been the only choice capable of keeping James in the same tier as Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant in debates over the sport’s greatest player. “All the talk you hear about, you know, the GOATs and him comparing him to Jordan and Kobe, for me, if he was thinking about it, which he probably never did, but Cleveland only thing that made sense for me to keep him in that conversation,” Jackson said, according to a transcript carried by BasketballNews. “I don’t think that was a best player in the league move of what a guy that I respect as being the best player in the league would do.”

James announced his decision to sign with Philadelphia in late July, ending months of speculation over where the NBA’s all-time leading scorer would play for his 24th professional season. In a social media post at the time, James described the choice as his “last decision” and said he had strongly considered retirement before committing to one more chapter of his career. “I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time,” James wrote, according to NBA.com. He signed a two-year contract that includes a player option for the second season, positioning him for a potential 25th NBA season if he chooses to exercise it.

The move places James alongside center Joel Embiid, guard Tyrese Maxey, forward Jaylen Brown and rookie guard VJ Edgecombe on a Philadelphia roster that finished last season 45-37 and secured the Eastern Conference’s seventh seed. The Sixers pulled off a stunning first-round comeback against the Boston Celtics, winning that series 3-1, before being swept in four games by the New York Knicks in the conference semifinals. James’ decision to leave the Los Angeles Lakers, where he spent parts of eight seasons and won an NBA championship in the pandemic-affected 2020 bubble, marks his third different franchise in six years and comes after a 2025-26 season in which he averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds across 60 regular-season games, numbers that climbed to 23.2 points, 7.3 assists and 6.7 rebounds during the playoffs at age 41.

Jackson’s take has become one of several prominent voices weighing in on how the move affects James’ legacy. Analyst Byron Scott separately noted that most fans judge James against the same historical figures Jackson referenced, pointing out that legends including Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar built the bulk of their championship legacies largely with a single franchise, unlike James, who is now entering a third different team in six seasons. Sixers coach Doc Rivers has also publicly questioned whether Philadelphia’s current roster construction is built to win a title, while Shaquille O’Neal has cautioned about the pressure now facing the group following James’ arrival.

The debate arrives during what has already been described as an unusually turbulent 2026 NBA offseason, one that also included high-profile trades sending stars Giannis Antetokounmpo, LaMelo Ball, Ja Morant, Jaylen Brown and Kawhi Leonard to new teams. Even amid that broader shakeup, James’ free agency decision was widely regarded as the offseason’s most closely watched storyline, drawing attention from figures including NBA Commissioner Adam Silver as speculation mounted over where the league’s most decorated active player would ultimately land.

For his part, James has given no indication that outside commentary about his legacy is shaping how he approaches this next stage of his career. According to reporting from ClutchPoints and other outlets covering his decision, James remains focused on pursuing what would be a fifth NBA championship as he enters this new chapter with the Sixers, regardless of how analysts like Jackson choose to score the move within the sport’s ongoing debate over its greatest player of all time.

Fantasy football analysts are finalizing their DraftKings best ball rankings for the 2026 NFL season as the platform prepares to launch its largest best ball tournament in company history, a contest offering 20 million dollars in total prizes and three separate millionaire winners.

Best ball leagues have surged in popularity in recent years because they require no in-season roster management. Players draft a full squad, typically 18 to 20 players, at the start of the season, and the platform’s software automatically assembles the highest-scoring lineup each week from the players on that roster, eliminating the need for weekly waiver claims or lineup swaps. On DraftKings specifically, best ball rosters are built around four position groups: quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end.

Because a best ball roster is locked in on draft day and never adjusted afterward, analysts across the industry stress that draft-day rankings carry more weight in this format than in traditional season-long leagues. Draft Sharks, one of several outlets publishing 2026 best ball rankings, put it bluntly in its published guidance for the format: “Your Best Ball draft will define you for the balance of the year. The cold, hard truth is — after you draft, your team is set in stone. So you’ll either be a savage on draft day … or spend the rest of the year in pain.”

Rankings across major fantasy outlets show some disagreement at the very top of the board, reflecting genuine uncertainty about which running back deserves the first overall pick this year. FTN Fantasy’s published 2026 DraftKings best ball rankings list Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson as the top overall selection, followed by Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs at the No. 2 slot and Cincinnati wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase at No. 3. Rounding out FTN’s top 10 are Los Angeles Rams wideout Puka Nacua, Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown, Indianapolis running back Jonathan Taylor, Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb, Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson and San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey.

Other outlets have reached a different conclusion on the top overall pick. NBC Sports’ fantasy football rankings, compiled ahead of this year’s DraftKings Best Ball Millionaire contest, instead list Gibbs as the new 1.01, describing him as the “runaway” choice for the top overall selection heading into 2026 drafts. The split among experts underscores how thin the margin has become between the league’s top handful of running backs and elite pass-catchers, with wide receivers increasingly being drafted earlier than in past seasons as best ball scoring has evolved to reward high target volume and big-play upside.

RotoBaller, which publishes tiered rankings covering the top 300 players across all four roster positions for DraftKings formats, has emphasized that its 2026 rankings differ meaningfully from the outlet’s parallel rankings built for the rival platform Underdog, since the two sites use different scoring rules and roster construction requirements. The outlet advises drafters to consult format-specific rankings rather than assuming a single universal cheat sheet will translate cleanly between platforms.

Beyond the individual player rankings, this year’s headline storyline for DraftKings’ best ball offerings is the scale of its marquee contest. The platform is promoting a Best Ball Millionaire tournament carrying a total prize pool of 20 million dollars, which DraftKings has described as the largest best ball contest in the company’s history, with three separate participants set to be crowned millionaires by the end of the competition. As part of a promotional push tied to the contest, DraftKings has also rolled out a “Draft One, Get One” offer, under which entering a lineup in the 20 million dollar contest for 25 dollars earns players a bonus ticket to enter a second, free best ball lineup for an additional shot at the prize pool without paying twice.

Analysts building best ball rankings say their models draw on a wide range of statistical inputs beyond simple projected point totals. RotoGrinders, another outlet publishing 2026 rankings for both DraftKings and Underdog, said its process incorporates millions of data points, including historical usage metrics such as targets, touches and overall opportunity share, layered with the site’s own statistical modeling built specifically around best ball scoring dynamics. Similarly, Draft Sharks said its rankings begin with baseline player projections before layering in ceiling and floor outcomes designed to capture each player’s realistic range of weekly performance, along with an additional multiplier the site applies to boost players it identifies as having elevated spike-week scoring potential, a trait considered especially valuable in a format where a single monster performance can be enough to carry a fantasy roster through the playoffs.

With NFL training camps having wrapped up and the regular season set to begin, fantasy analysts across outlets including RotoBaller, FTN Fantasy, NBC Sports, RotoWire and FantasyPros are continuing to update their DraftKings best ball rankings on a near-daily basis to account for late roster moves, depth chart changes and preseason performance, guidance that industry outlets say remains especially critical in the run-up to a format where, unlike traditional leagues, there is no opportunity to correct a mistake once the draft clock starts ticking.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s return to the United Kingdom is being financially backed in part by a British hedge fund billionaire and longtime friend of the couple, according to new reporting that has emerged in the days since the family relocated from California.

Ian Wace, the 63-year-old founding partner, chief executive and chief risk officer of Marshall Wace LLP, one of the world’s largest hedge fund firms, is helping finance the couple’s move, according to two sources cited by Page Six. The outlet reported the couple’s plans to return to Britain on Aug. 20, and the details of Wace’s involvement followed several days later. Wace’s estimated net worth stands at roughly 1.2 billion dollars, according to Page Six’s reporting.

Harry and Meghan arrived privately from California to Birmingham on Aug. 26, a trip that cost roughly 120,000 dollars, according to Page Six. The couple, who are not expected to receive a royal residence, plan to settle into a private, non-royal home outside London rather than moving into official accommodations, and neither has indicated any intention of resuming senior royal duties. The exact amount Wace is contributing to the move has not been made public.

Wace and Harry have maintained a close and personal friendship for years, one shaped in part by a shared experience of tragedy. Wace lost his first wife and two children in a car crash in 1997, the same year Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, died in a car crash in Paris. That parallel has been cited by multiple outlets, including Page Six and the celebrity news site Style.news.am, as a foundation for the bond between the two men.

The families have spent time together away from public attention in recent years. In July, Harry and Meghan brought their children, 7-year-old Prince Archie and 5-year-old Princess Lilibet, to Wace’s private Scottish island, Tanera Mor, according to multiple reports. Meghan also maintains her own connection to Wace’s family through her friendship with Saffron Aldridge, a former model who was previously married to Wace before the couple divorced in 2023. According to reporting from the Sun cited by Style.news.am, Aldridge helped guide Meghan through British aristocratic social customs following her 2018 marriage to Harry, including advice on style.

The couple’s return marks the end of a roughly six-year stretch based primarily in Montecito, California, following their 2020 decision to step back from senior royal duties. They will retain their Montecito property along with a home in Portugal, according to Page Six, meaning the family’s move to Britain does not represent a complete departure from their life abroad. Harry is expected to devote more time to UK-based charitable work, particularly with the 2027 Invictus Games set to take place in Birmingham, while Meghan is expected to continue running her lifestyle brand, As Ever, from Britain.

A central factor in the family’s decision to return appears to be their children’s education. Archie and Lilibet are expected to begin attending school in Britain starting in September, giving them closer ties to the country where their grandfather, King Charles III, serves as monarch. According to Page Six, it will mark a significant shift for two children who have spent most of their lives in California, with Archie born in Britain in 2019 and Lilibet born in California in 2021.

Settling in Britain is expected to carry substantial costs beyond the initial relocation. Page Six has reported that a suitable property in areas such as the Cotswolds could run into the millions of pounds to purchase outright, while comparable luxury rentals can cost tens of thousands of pounds per month. The Times has separately reported that private school fees at some top day schools in the Cotswolds can reach as much as 50,000 pounds annually for two children. Security is expected to represent another significant expense, particularly after Harry’s unsuccessful legal battle over the level of police protection he receives while in the UK, a dispute that has left the family reliant on privately funded security arrangements.

The couple’s financial position today differs substantially from their circumstances immediately following their 2020 departure from royal duties, when they no longer received direct financial support from the royal family and instead built income through commercial ventures including deals with Netflix, Harry’s memoir “Spare,” and Meghan’s various business projects. Fortune has separately reported that the timing of their return to Britain could cause the couple to miss out on potential tax savings worth millions of dollars that a later move might have preserved.

The relocation also comes at a notable moment in Harry’s relationship with his family. King Charles was informed of the couple’s plans ahead of the public announcement, and the family spent time with Charles and Camilla during a visit to Britain in July that reportedly marked the first time Archie and Lilibet had seen their grandfather since Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022. Harry has spoken previously about wanting to spend more time with his father, who continues treatment for cancer, though his relationship with his brother, Prince William, remains considerably more strained. The family’s return to Britain does not appear to signal a full resolution of that broader rift, even as Harry and Meghan work to establish a quieter, more private chapter of their lives in the country.

Before the U.S. attacked Iran, Beijing spent years and tens of billions of dollars amassing the world’s biggest stockpile of oil. Now, with the conflict likely to last for some time, those reserves have given China huge power over the global oil market—and a critical new defense against the West.

By some estimates, China’s reserves last year were nearly 600 million barrels bigger than those in the U.S. That stockpile allowed it to dramatically slash its oil imports when the war broke out, keeping a lid on global oil prices and safeguarding its own economy.

It has been a major vindication for Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who has sought to buttress China against what he sees as a hostile U.S.-led West. For decades, Chinese leaders have worried about the country’s heavy reliance on imported crude, most of which transits through straits that the U.S. or other militaries could seek to block in a conflict.

Now, the Iran crisis has demonstrated that China’s muscular energy policy has afforded Beijing a major tool it could use, for instance, in a war over Taiwan.

This article was written by

Follow

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodriguez on Saturday touted a “historic” oil agreement with the United States announced by President Donald Trump.

Speaking during an evening address, Rodriguez celebrated the agreement, saying it would help revive Venezuela’s economy. She said the deal would remain in effect for 25 years and initially target crude production of more than 1.5 million barrels per day while preserving the South American country’s sovereignty over its natural resources.

“This 25-year bilateral project envisages the development of 17 strategic oilfields with a production target of more than 1.5 million barrels per day,” Rodriguez said on state broadcaster VTV.

“That figure relates solely to the bilateral agreement between Venezuela and the United States,” she added.

TRUMP ANNOUNCES ‘BIGGEST OIL DEAL IN WORLD HISTORY,’ SAYS IT WILL SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER GAS PRICES

President Donald Trump announced what he called the “biggest oil deal in world history” between the United States and Venezuela, saying the agreement would increase U.S. oil supplies and lower gas prices. (Al Drago/The Washington Post/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Rodriguez’s comments came after Trump announced the agreement on Truth Social on Friday, saying the U.S. had secured majority control of more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela’s proven oil reserves, which are the largest in the world.

“The United States of America has just entered into an Agreement with the Country of Venezuela on, THE BIGGEST OIL DEAL IN WORLD HISTORY!” Trump wrote.

The agreement was reached through Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Rodriguez and private businesses “at no cost to the American Taxpayer,” Trump said.

“This Historic Transaction MORE THAN DOUBLES American Oil Reserves, greatly increases our Oil Supply, and will substantially lower Gas Prices for all Americans, long into the future,” Trump said.

US ARMY PLANS NUCLEAR MICROREACTORS AT 5 MILITARY BASES AS PART OF $2.2B ENERGY SECURITY PUSH

A Venezuelan flag waves in front of oil tanker on lake in Maracaibo, Venezuela on July 27, 2026. (Jose Isaac Bula/Anadolu via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Rubio called the agreement a “huge win” for both countries, saying it would secure “stable reserves and low-cost oil” in the Western Hemisphere while lowering U.S. gas prices.

He added that the deal would also bring nearly $100 billion in private investment to Venezuela, support thousands of high-paying jobs and help rebuild the country’s economy.

Rodriguez said the production target was only an initial goal, with broader plans to develop eight greenfield oil blocks as part of a wider energy expansion.

On Saturday, the interim president predicted that the agreement could generate more than $200 billion in revenue for Venezuela.

TRUMP ORDER COULD FORCE US UTILITIES TO REPLACE FOREIGN POWER EQUIPMENT

Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodriguez said the 25-year oil agreement with the United States initially targets production of more than 1.5 million barrels per day. (Juan Barreto/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

She also said her country retained “ownership of and sovereignty” over its natural resources, “while leveraging capital, technology and operational expertise to support the recovery of a strategic industry that has been severely affected by sanctions.”

The deal was met with praise from some members of the oil industry, including oil trader Phil Flynn.

Speaking on “Fox & Friends Weekend,” Flynn praised the agreement, arguing it could lower prices for years and that U.S. technology could transform Venezuela’s oil industry.

CLICK HERE TO GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO

“I think this is a win. It’s a generational win for Americans because it is [going to] lead to a generation of low prices,” Flynn told host Kayleigh McEnany.

FOX Business’ Jasmine Baehr and Reuters contributed to this report.

Buffett is no longer Berkshire’s CEO, but remains chairman of the board and continues to be involved in the company. He has also continued to make major investment decisions, including building what is now a $36.6 billion stake in Google’s parent company, Alphabet, in recent quarters.

Buffett took control of a struggling textile company in 1965 and transformed it into Berkshire Hathaway, now valued at more than $1 trillion, with annual after-tax operating earnings of about $45 billion.

Despite his enormous financial success, Buffett has maintained a famously simple lifestyle, including his fondness for Cherry Coke and burgers. He continues to work from an office in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, rather than from Wall Street.

Buffett handed over the CEO role to longtime deputy Greg Abel on January 1, 2026, and has pledged to donate the vast majority of his wealth.

Live Events

Buffett’s six decades in business have produced a long list of investing principles and memorable quotes.
Here are the 10 investing lessons from Warren Buffett:1. Don’t overpay for stocks

Buffett has built his investment philosophy around buying quality businesses at attractive prices. He has rarely bought at more than 15 times forward earnings, maintaining discipline even when investing in high-profile companies such as Apple and Coca-Cola.

The approach puts downside protection ahead of potential upside. By analysing businesses closely and focusing on predictable cash flows and clean balance sheets, investors can reduce the risk of permanent losses during market downturns.

2. Be patient, but take profits when needed

Patience has been one of Buffett’s defining characteristics. Berkshire’s capital structure has allowed him to hold some stocks for decades rather than trade around quarterly results.

Buffett has famously said, “Our favourite holding period is forever.” His long-term holdings have included Coca-Cola, American Express and Wells Fargo.

At the same time, he has trimmed or exited major positions in companies including Apple, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup and Paramount Global in recent years.

Buffett has also openly acknowledged his investment mistakes, including what he described as his “most gruesome” investment in the bankrupt Dexter Shoe Co.

3. Stick with what you know

Buffett has repeatedly stressed the importance of staying within one’s “circle of competence.”

“You only have to be able to evaluate companies within your circle of competence. The size of that circle is not very important; knowing its boundaries, however, is vital.”

Buffett famously avoided technology stocks during the dot-com boom of the late 1990s because he believed forecasting the long-term survival of young technology companies was outside his expertise.

The Nasdaq subsequently collapsed by as much as 75% between 2000 and 2002.

When Berkshire eventually made a substantial investment in Apple in 2016, Buffett based the decision on consumer habits and brand loyalty rather than technology itself.

4. Keep emotions out of investing

Buffett has repeatedly emphasised the importance of maintaining an even keel during financial crises and market downturns.

At Berkshire’s 2025 annual shareholders meeting, he told investors to “check your emotions at the door when you invest.”

He put the principle into practice following the 1987 US market crash, investing roughly $1 billion in Coca-Cola in 1988 and 1989. By 2025, Coca-Cola’s share price alone had climbed nearly 2,800% from his original purchase price.

During the 2008 global financial crisis, Buffett also sought out struggling but high-quality companies and offered cash in exchange for coveted share packages.

In 2008, he invested $5 billion in Goldman Sachs and made a profit of $500 million, excluding dividends, when the company bought back its shares in 2011.

5. Start investing early

Buffett began investing at the age of 12, when he bought Cities Service preferred stock in 1942.

His wealth accumulated gradually. At 21, Buffett’s net worth was $20,000. It took him more than 13 years to become a millionaire and more than 33 years to become a billionaire, at the age of 55.

His career illustrates the role of patience and compounding in long-term investing.

6. Learn from great teachers

Buffett was a student of economist Benjamin Graham, known as the “father of value investing.”

He studied under Graham at Columbia Business School and later worked at Graham’s investment firm before setting out on his own.

Graham’s influence helped shape Buffett’s focus on identifying companies that are undervalued, or trading below their intrinsic worth.

7. Concentrate when conviction is high

Buffett has not always followed a highly diversified approach.

At the end of the second quarter of 2025, five stocks—American Express, Apple, Bank of America, Coca-Cola and Chevron—accounted for nearly 70% of Berkshire’s roughly $300 billion equity portfolio.

Buffett himself holds more than 99% of his net worth in Berkshire shares, a stake valued at about $150 billion.

The approach is to concentrate investments when conviction is high rather than spread capital indiscriminately.

8. Hire strong managers and trust them

Buffett’s management style has long involved giving substantial autonomy to the leaders of Berkshire’s subsidiaries.

The approach is straightforward: hire capable managers and trust them to run their businesses.

Buffett’s decision to remain active after stepping down as CEO also reflects his belief that work can continue well beyond traditional retirement.

Turning 65 did not slow him down, with Berkshire shares climbing thirtyfold since then. Buffett has long said that traditional retirement is not for him or his top executives.

9. Protect shareholders from dilution

Berkshire has avoided issuing stock for acquisitions and has never granted stock-based compensation.

As a result, the company’s share count has increased by only about 40% since 1965.

Protecting shareholders from unnecessary dilution has been another important part of Buffett’s approach to capital allocation.

10. Love what you do

Buffett has famously described his daily routine as “tap dancing to the office.”

Even after handing over the CEO role, he plans to remain active as Berkshire’s chairman and continue working daily in 2026.

His career reflects a long-standing belief that work should be something a person enjoys rather than something endured until retirement.

Protecting reputation is as important as protecting capital

Buffett’s philosophy extends beyond investing to corporate governance and reputation.

“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.”

For Buffett, strong corporate governance and an ethical culture are essential for long-term survival. Protecting reputation, like protecting capital, is about avoiding losses that can be difficult to recover from.

Buffett’s lessons amid market greed and fear

Buffett’s investment philosophy has also remained relevant during periods of sharp market gains and high valuations.

He once said: “You only find out who is swimming naked when the tide goes out.”

The idea is that a rising market can make almost everything appear to be working, while a downturn exposes companies with weak financials, poor management or accounting problems. Investors, therefore, should focus on companies with robust financials and sound management.

Buffett has also said that greed, fear and folly among people are predictable, though the sequence is not.

Greed can dominate during a rising market, fear can return when sentiment deteriorates, and folly can emerge when investors rush into overheated markets despite alarming valuations.

His most famous advice remains particularly relevant in such conditions: be “fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.”

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times)