**stax (Kim Gu-taek), the 26-year-old T1 initiator and former DRX captain, remains active on the roster heading into late 2026 VCT events despite a reported mid-year benching.** T1 promoted academy player DH in June after early-season struggles, but stax has since returned to the lineup and posted strong playoff contributions at VALORANT Champions 2026, including a league-leading assist total. His contract status with the organization stays unconfirmed publicly, creating uncertainty around extensions or free agency. At this stage of his career, typical factors like roster fit, performance consistency, and the physical demands of the Pacific league contribute to balanced trader views on whether he steps away before year-end. Fresh roster news, strong tournament results, or explicit statements on his intentions could shift sentiment quickly either direction.