Jokic remains the undisputed King of fantasy basketball. Justifiably, French phenom Victor Wembanyama pressed Jokic for the top spot last season, going No. 1 overall in many drafts, but the youngster couldn't stay on the court, allowing Jokic to retain his title with ease. In 2024-25, the Serbian superstar averaged a triple-double for the first time in his career, setting high-water marks in points (29.6), assists (10.2) and steals (1.8) while grabbing at least 12 boards per game for the third time in four years. He also posted career-high marks in three-point attempts per game (4.7) and three-point percentage (41.7). More outside shots caused Jokic's field-goal percentage to drop, finishing with his lowest mark (57.7%) since 2020-21. However, the only player in the league who attempted at least 18 shots a night with a higher field-goal percentage was Giannis Antetokounmpo (60.1% on 19.7 FGA/G). Despite a solid record and past success, Denver fired Michael Malone ahead of the 2024-25 playoffs, and David Adelman seized the opportunity. He led Jokic and company as they pushed the eventual champion Thunder to Game 7 in the second round and was rewarded with the full-time head coaching job. The Nuggets also made a couple of big splashes this offseason, trading Michael Porter for Cameron Johnson and Dario Saric for Jonas Valanciunas, while bringing back Bruce Brown, who was an integral part of their 2023 title run. The rest of last year's rotation remains intact, and Jokic's spot as the offensive fulcrum is as secure as it gets. Not to mention, Jokic is an Iron Man in this era, appearing in at least 69 regular-season games in each of his first 10 NBA seasons. Don't think twice, take Jokic No. 1 in every league.
Jokic remains the undisputed King of fantasy basketball. Justifiably, French phenom Victor Wembanyama pressed Jokic for the top spot last season, going No. 1 overall in many drafts, but the youngster couldn't stay on the court, allowing Jokic to retain his title with ease. In 2024-25, the Serbian superstar averaged a triple-double for the first time in his career, setting high-water marks in points (29.6), assists (10.2) and steals (1.8) while grabbing at least 12 boards per game for the third time in four years. He also posted career-high marks in three-point attempts per game (4.7) and three-point percentage (41.7). More outside shots caused Jokic's field-goal percentage to drop, finishing with his lowest mark (57.7%) since 2020-21. However, the only player in the league who attempted at least 18 shots a night with a higher field-goal percentage was Giannis Antetokounmpo (60.1% on 19.7 FGA/G). Despite a solid record and past success, Denver fired Michael Malone ahead of the 2024-25 playoffs, and David Adelman seized the opportunity. He led Jokic and company as they pushed the eventual champion Thunder to Game 7 in the second round and was rewarded with the full-time head coaching job. The Nuggets also made a couple of big splashes this offseason, trading Michael Porter for Cameron Johnson and Dario Saric for Jonas Valanciunas, while bringing back Bruce Brown, who was an integral part of their 2023 title run. The rest of last year's rotation remains intact, and Jokic's spot as the offensive fulcrum is as secure as it gets. Not to mention, Jokic is an Iron Man in this era, appearing in at least 69 regular-season games in each of his first 10 NBA seasons. Don't think twice, take Jokic No. 1 in every league.
Wembanyama was well on his way to being the best fantasy basketball player not named Nikola Jokic before being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder following the All-Star break last season. The French phenom was shut down for the rest of the campaign and still finished as a top-20 player in eight-category leagues despite only 46 regular-season appearances. Before Wembanyama, no player in NBA history averaged at least three blocks and three made three-pointers per game for an entire campaign. He reached those plateaus in 2024-25, averaging 3.8 blocks and 3.1 threes, and that could be a yearly occurrence for the Unicorn of Unicorns. He was also one of eight players to average at least 11 rebounds per game. As for percentages, Wembanyama shot 35.2 percent on 8.8 3PA/G after shooting 32.5 percent on 5.5 tries as a rookie. He also improved his percentage from the charity stripe to 83.6, but attempted one fewer free throw per game. There isn't a player in the league with a higher upside than Wembanyama, but he comes with considerable risk, even if San Antonio's medical staff is confident they have found the crux of his medical issues and don't have any long-term concerns. The Spurs are expected to take a step forward in 2025-26, but it'll take significant internal growth. Mid-season acquisition De'Aaron Fox should be at his best after a full year adapting to his new squad, plus development from Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, who've won the last two Rookie of the Year awards. However, Devin Vassell has struggled to stay healthy, while Jeremy Sochan and Keldon Johnson have taken steps backward over the past two seasons. If they don't evolve as a team, it'll be difficult for Wembanyama to reach his fantasy potential and surpass Jokic as the consensus No. 1 pick.
Wembanyama was well on his way to being the best fantasy basketball player not named Nikola Jokic before being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder following the All-Star break last season. The French phenom was shut down for the rest of the campaign and still finished as a top-20 player in eight-category leagues despite only 46 regular-season appearances. Before Wembanyama, no player in NBA history averaged at least three blocks and three made three-pointers per game for an entire campaign. He reached those plateaus in 2024-25, averaging 3.8 blocks and 3.1 threes, and that could be a yearly occurrence for the Unicorn of Unicorns. He was also one of eight players to average at least 11 rebounds per game. As for percentages, Wembanyama shot 35.2 percent on 8.8 3PA/G after shooting 32.5 percent on 5.5 tries as a rookie. He also improved his percentage from the charity stripe to 83.6, but attempted one fewer free throw per game. There isn't a player in the league with a higher upside than Wembanyama, but he comes with considerable risk, even if San Antonio's medical staff is confident they have found the crux of his medical issues and don't have any long-term concerns. The Spurs are expected to take a step forward in 2025-26, but it'll take significant internal growth. Mid-season acquisition De'Aaron Fox should be at his best after a full year adapting to his new squad, plus development from Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, who've won the last two Rookie of the Year awards. However, Devin Vassell has struggled to stay healthy, while Jeremy Sochan and Keldon Johnson have taken steps backward over the past two seasons. If they don't evolve as a team, it'll be difficult for Wembanyama to reach his fantasy potential and surpass Jokic as the consensus No. 1 pick.
Gilgeous-Alexander won the scoring title, MVP and Finals MVP while leading the Thunder to their first title in 2024-25, joining a list of NBA legends that includes Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal. Oklahoma City wasted no time signing Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams to long-term extensions this summer, locking in their championship core for years to come. After struggling to stay healthy early in his career, Gilgeous-Alexander has missed only 13 regular-season games over the last two seasons. He has improved steadily in each of his first seven seasons, with three-point shooting his current primary focus. In 2024-25, he set career highs in three-point attempts (5.7) and makes (2.1) per game, shooting 37.5 percent from deep. Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the most efficient scorers of this generation, shooting at least 51 percent from the field and 87 percent from the charity stripe in three straight seasons. He's no slouch defensively either, totaling at least 2.5 stocks in each of those campaigns. During that stretch, SGA has finished as a top-three player in eight-category leagues each year. While Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama have higher upside than SGA, the reigning MVP is one of the safest bets in all of fantasy sports.
Gilgeous-Alexander won the scoring title, MVP and Finals MVP while leading the Thunder to their first title in 2024-25, joining a list of NBA legends that includes Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal. Oklahoma City wasted no time signing Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams to long-term extensions this summer, locking in their championship core for years to come. After struggling to stay healthy early in his career, Gilgeous-Alexander has missed only 13 regular-season games over the last two seasons. He has improved steadily in each of his first seven seasons, with three-point shooting his current primary focus. In 2024-25, he set career highs in three-point attempts (5.7) and makes (2.1) per game, shooting 37.5 percent from deep. Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the most efficient scorers of this generation, shooting at least 51 percent from the field and 87 percent from the charity stripe in three straight seasons. He's no slouch defensively either, totaling at least 2.5 stocks in each of those campaigns. During that stretch, SGA has finished as a top-three player in eight-category leagues each year. While Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama have higher upside than SGA, the reigning MVP is one of the safest bets in all of fantasy sports.
A points-league maven, Antetokounmpo hasn't delivered first-round value in category leagues since 2021-22, when he shot 72.2 percent from the free-throw line. Since then, he's shot 64.5, 65.7 and 61.7 percent from the charity stripe. For a guy who takes double-digit trips to the line every night, those numbers can irritate fantasy managers in category leagues who aren't punting free-throw percentage. The other glaring concern in Antetokounmpo's profile is missed time, as he's been in street clothes for at least 15 regular-season games in five of the last six seasons. Despite the obvious flaws, the two-time MVP remains an elite producer and could see even more usage in 2025-26 after the Bucks waived Damian Lillard, who tore his Achilles during their last playoff run. The roster around Antetokounmpo has changed drastically since winning the title in 2020-21, with Kevin Porter, Gary Trent, Kyle Kuzma and Myles Turner now surrounding the Greek superstar in the first five. It's unclear if that supporting cast will be enough to elevate the Bucks back into contention, but the idea is clear: add floor spacers to create more room for Antetokounmpo to operate offensively. If you're paying up for Antetokounmpo, you have to be wary of his flaws, but when available, he's as consistent an option as it gets. He's averaged at least 30 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and two stocks while shooting over 60 percent from the field in back-to-back campaigns.
A points-league maven, Antetokounmpo hasn't delivered first-round value in category leagues since 2021-22, when he shot 72.2 percent from the free-throw line. Since then, he's shot 64.5, 65.7 and 61.7 percent from the charity stripe. For a guy who takes double-digit trips to the line every night, those numbers can irritate fantasy managers in category leagues who aren't punting free-throw percentage. The other glaring concern in Antetokounmpo's profile is missed time, as he's been in street clothes for at least 15 regular-season games in five of the last six seasons. Despite the obvious flaws, the two-time MVP remains an elite producer and could see even more usage in 2025-26 after the Bucks waived Damian Lillard, who tore his Achilles during their last playoff run. The roster around Antetokounmpo has changed drastically since winning the title in 2020-21, with Kevin Porter, Gary Trent, Kyle Kuzma and Myles Turner now surrounding the Greek superstar in the first five. It's unclear if that supporting cast will be enough to elevate the Bucks back into contention, but the idea is clear: add floor spacers to create more room for Antetokounmpo to operate offensively. If you're paying up for Antetokounmpo, you have to be wary of his flaws, but when available, he's as consistent an option as it gets. He's averaged at least 30 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and two stocks while shooting over 60 percent from the field in back-to-back campaigns.
From an accolades perspective, Edwards' 2024-25 season was nearly identical to his 2023-24 season. Both years, he made Second Team All-NBA, finished seventh in MVP voting and lost in the Western Conference Finals. The most significant change to Edwards' game was his prolific three-point shooting, especially pull-up threes. After taking 6.7 triples per game in 2023-24, he took 10.3 triples last season, drilling 4.1 per game. Edwards achieved this while also maintaining his free-throw rate, mainly cutting down on his mid-range jumper attempts. With Minnesota bringing back the same core roster, minus the loss of Nickeil Alexander-Walker, not much is expected to change for Edwards. He'll be entering his age-24 season, having consistently made minor improvements to his game and making the All-Star team each of the past three campaigns. He's also been one of the healthiest players in the NBA, playing at least 72 games in each of his five seasons. Fantasy managers can consider drafting him near the end of the first round in all formats.
From an accolades perspective, Edwards' 2024-25 season was nearly identical to his 2023-24 season. Both years, he made Second Team All-NBA, finished seventh in MVP voting and lost in the Western Conference Finals. The most significant change to Edwards' game was his prolific three-point shooting, especially pull-up threes. After taking 6.7 triples per game in 2023-24, he took 10.3 triples last season, drilling 4.1 per game. Edwards achieved this while also maintaining his free-throw rate, mainly cutting down on his mid-range jumper attempts. With Minnesota bringing back the same core roster, minus the loss of Nickeil Alexander-Walker, not much is expected to change for Edwards. He'll be entering his age-24 season, having consistently made minor improvements to his game and making the All-Star team each of the past three campaigns. He's also been one of the healthiest players in the NBA, playing at least 72 games in each of his five seasons. Fantasy managers can consider drafting him near the end of the first round in all formats.
After a blockbuster mid-season trade sent Doncic to Los Angeles in exchange for Anthony Davis, the new-look Lakers took some time to find their groove. They eventually started to click and made it through the Play-In Tournament, but couldn't pull off an upset against the Timberwolves in the first round. Doncic's first action in Purple and Gold was limited, and the production was a bit strange. When comparing his regular-season action with the Mavericks (22 games) and Lakers (28) last season, Doncic had a lower field-goal percentage but a higher three-point percentage with his new team. He also had more free-throw attempts and shot a higher percentage from the charity stripe. However, he turned the ball over more. The overall production in 2024-25 was still gaudy in relation to the rest of the league, but it was a significant drop compared to his final full year in Dallas, when he averaged 33.9 points, 9.8 assists and 9.2 rebounds in 2023-24. Doncic, Austin Reaves and newcomers Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart are the core players under contract through the next two years, while LeBron James will be operating on an expiring deal after picking up his $52.6 million player option for 2025-26. The front office is clearly pushing all of their chips into the middle to fit Doncic's timeline, and he's expected to be the franchise's future, though James' presence likely caps Doncic's fantasy upside. Surprisingly, Doncic has finished inside the top five in eight-category leagues only once in his seven-year career, and last season was the first time he failed to crack the top 15 since his rookie campaign.
After a blockbuster mid-season trade sent Doncic to Los Angeles in exchange for Anthony Davis, the new-look Lakers took some time to find their groove. They eventually started to click and made it through the Play-In Tournament, but couldn't pull off an upset against the Timberwolves in the first round. Doncic's first action in Purple and Gold was limited, and the production was a bit strange. When comparing his regular-season action with the Mavericks (22 games) and Lakers (28) last season, Doncic had a lower field-goal percentage but a higher three-point percentage with his new team. He also had more free-throw attempts and shot a higher percentage from the charity stripe. However, he turned the ball over more. The overall production in 2024-25 was still gaudy in relation to the rest of the league, but it was a significant drop compared to his final full year in Dallas, when he averaged 33.9 points, 9.8 assists and 9.2 rebounds in 2023-24. Doncic, Austin Reaves and newcomers Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart are the core players under contract through the next two years, while LeBron James will be operating on an expiring deal after picking up his $52.6 million player option for 2025-26. The front office is clearly pushing all of their chips into the middle to fit Doncic's timeline, and he's expected to be the franchise's future, though James' presence likely caps Doncic's fantasy upside. Surprisingly, Doncic has finished inside the top five in eight-category leagues only once in his seven-year career, and last season was the first time he failed to crack the top 15 since his rookie campaign.
One of the best rebounders in the league, Sabonis has an incredibly high fantasy floor. However, his ceiling took a hit last season because his assists dropped to 6.0 per game, his lowest mark since he was a Pacer. He was still efficient, posting career highs from the line (75.4) and beyond the arc (41.7) while shooting at least 59 percent from the field for a third straight campaign. He got to the charity stripe only 4.1 times per game, his fewest since 2018-19, but Sabonis' 2.2 three-point attempts per game were his most in a Kings' uniform. The mid-season trade of De'Aaron Fox to the Spurs shook up the timeline, but it appears Sacramento will run it back with the same starting lineup they finished 2024-25 - Sabonis, Malik Monk, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Keegan Murray. However, they made changes to their depth, swapping Jonas Valanciunas for Dario Saric, while signing Dennis Schroder in free agency. The Kings also drafted Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud. Regardless, none of the changes should impact Sabonis' bottom line. Even if the Kings fall out of contention, the talented big man's ability to rack up double-doubles on efficient shooting makes him a valuable fantasy asset. However, with so many Iso scorers around him now, it'll be difficult for Sabonis to match his lofty assist totals from his first two years in Sacramento.
One of the best rebounders in the league, Sabonis has an incredibly high fantasy floor. However, his ceiling took a hit last season because his assists dropped to 6.0 per game, his lowest mark since he was a Pacer. He was still efficient, posting career highs from the line (75.4) and beyond the arc (41.7) while shooting at least 59 percent from the field for a third straight campaign. He got to the charity stripe only 4.1 times per game, his fewest since 2018-19, but Sabonis' 2.2 three-point attempts per game were his most in a Kings' uniform. The mid-season trade of De'Aaron Fox to the Spurs shook up the timeline, but it appears Sacramento will run it back with the same starting lineup they finished 2024-25 - Sabonis, Malik Monk, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Keegan Murray. However, they made changes to their depth, swapping Jonas Valanciunas for Dario Saric, while signing Dennis Schroder in free agency. The Kings also drafted Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud. Regardless, none of the changes should impact Sabonis' bottom line. Even if the Kings fall out of contention, the talented big man's ability to rack up double-doubles on efficient shooting makes him a valuable fantasy asset. However, with so many Iso scorers around him now, it'll be difficult for Sabonis to match his lofty assist totals from his first two years in Sacramento.
Cunningham is coming off his best season in the NBA, setting career highs in points (26.1), assists (9.1) and rebounds (6.1) per game. He also improved his efficiency from the floor and took more trips to the free-throw line. Turnovers remained an issue, but the Pistons relied on him heavily as the primary playmaker, and a 2:1 AST:TO ratio is still strong. Health was another reason for Cunningham's jump in Year 4, making 70 regular-season appearances for the first time. Outside of his sophomore season, he's been relatively healthy, no more than 20 missed games in his other three campaigns, but it was important for Cunningham to submit a near-full campaign and put his early-career injury concerns to rest. After a historic bounce-back season, the Pistons were busy this offseason, replacing Tim Hardaway, Malik Beasley and Dennis Schroder with Duncan Robinson and Caris LeVert. Jaden Ivey is going to be healthy and will likely rejoin the returning starters - Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren, plus second-year guys Ronald Holland and Marcus Sasser could be more involved. Chaz Lanier could provide value as a floor spacer in Year 1, especially after losing 487 made threes between Beasley and Hardaway, but it'll be difficult for the rookie to carve out a role on a contending team. Early in his career, efficiency and injuries kept Cunningham out of the Top 50, but if he stays on the court and maintains strong efficiency on high usage, he'll be a perennial first-round pick as long as this Pistons squad stays relevant.
Cunningham is coming off his best season in the NBA, setting career highs in points (26.1), assists (9.1) and rebounds (6.1) per game. He also improved his efficiency from the floor and took more trips to the free-throw line. Turnovers remained an issue, but the Pistons relied on him heavily as the primary playmaker, and a 2:1 AST:TO ratio is still strong. Health was another reason for Cunningham's jump in Year 4, making 70 regular-season appearances for the first time. Outside of his sophomore season, he's been relatively healthy, no more than 20 missed games in his other three campaigns, but it was important for Cunningham to submit a near-full campaign and put his early-career injury concerns to rest. After a historic bounce-back season, the Pistons were busy this offseason, replacing Tim Hardaway, Malik Beasley and Dennis Schroder with Duncan Robinson and Caris LeVert. Jaden Ivey is going to be healthy and will likely rejoin the returning starters - Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren, plus second-year guys Ronald Holland and Marcus Sasser could be more involved. Chaz Lanier could provide value as a floor spacer in Year 1, especially after losing 487 made threes between Beasley and Hardaway, but it'll be difficult for the rookie to carve out a role on a contending team. Early in his career, efficiency and injuries kept Cunningham out of the Top 50, but if he stays on the court and maintains strong efficiency on high usage, he'll be a perennial first-round pick as long as this Pistons squad stays relevant.
Davis has averaged at least 20 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and one steal in all but one season since his rookie campaign in 2012-13, making him an elite per-game fantasy option. However, he's made more than 56 regular-season appearances only twice in the past seven years, making him one of the riskiest picks in fantasy sports. One of the most surprising trades of this generation saw Dallas ship Luka Doncic overnight to the Lakers in exchange for Davis last February. The superstar big man struggled to stay on the court for the Mavericks, who also lost Kyrie Irving to a torn ACL. However, when available, Davis was a force and nearly led his new squad through the Play-In Tournament as the 10th seed. He underwent offseason surgery to repair a detached retina but is expected to be healthy to start 2025-26. With Irving sidelined to start the year, Davis and 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg will have added offensive responsibility early on. Dallas also has a deep frontcourt, with Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively, Dwight Powell and P.J. Washington, so Davis shouldn't have to exclusively play center, which he's been vocally opposed to in the past. The shift to power forward likely wouldn't be the best thing for his overall fantasy potential, as the farther away he gets from the basket, the more his key fantasy categories would drop (REBs, BLKs, FG%). Regardless, when he's consistently playing, Davis has always been a top-tier fantasy contributor.
Davis has averaged at least 20 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and one steal in all but one season since his rookie campaign in 2012-13, making him an elite per-game fantasy option. However, he's made more than 56 regular-season appearances only twice in the past seven years, making him one of the riskiest picks in fantasy sports. One of the most surprising trades of this generation saw Dallas ship Luka Doncic overnight to the Lakers in exchange for Davis last February. The superstar big man struggled to stay on the court for the Mavericks, who also lost Kyrie Irving to a torn ACL. However, when available, Davis was a force and nearly led his new squad through the Play-In Tournament as the 10th seed. He underwent offseason surgery to repair a detached retina but is expected to be healthy to start 2025-26. With Irving sidelined to start the year, Davis and 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg will have added offensive responsibility early on. Dallas also has a deep frontcourt, with Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively, Dwight Powell and P.J. Washington, so Davis shouldn't have to exclusively play center, which he's been vocally opposed to in the past. The shift to power forward likely wouldn't be the best thing for his overall fantasy potential, as the farther away he gets from the basket, the more his key fantasy categories would drop (REBs, BLKs, FG%). Regardless, when he's consistently playing, Davis has always been a top-tier fantasy contributor.
Young continues to put up 25-and-10 with ease, being voted to his fourth All-Star team last season. It marked his sixth straight campaign averaging at least 24.2 points and 9.3 assists. His 11.6 assists per game last season led the NBA, with Young adding 24.2 points and 2.9 threes on 41/34/88 shooting, 3.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 36.0 minutes. While his efficiency wasn't great, Young wasn't surrounded by other reliable sources of offense following Jalen Johnson's season-ending injury - forcing him to launch tons of tough pull-up triples. The Hawks revamped this offseason, however. The biggest addition is Kristaps Porzingis, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard are also in the mix. Zaccharie Risacher is also due for second-year development. A better, and hopefully healthier, supporting cast should allow Young's assist rate to stay high while potentially allowing for better shooting efficiency. Ultimately, he still projects as one of the league's most productive point guards and is in contention to be drafted at the end of the first round in fantasy.
Young continues to put up 25-and-10 with ease, being voted to his fourth All-Star team last season. It marked his sixth straight campaign averaging at least 24.2 points and 9.3 assists. His 11.6 assists per game last season led the NBA, with Young adding 24.2 points and 2.9 threes on 41/34/88 shooting, 3.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 36.0 minutes. While his efficiency wasn't great, Young wasn't surrounded by other reliable sources of offense following Jalen Johnson's season-ending injury - forcing him to launch tons of tough pull-up triples. The Hawks revamped this offseason, however. The biggest addition is Kristaps Porzingis, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard are also in the mix. Zaccharie Risacher is also due for second-year development. A better, and hopefully healthier, supporting cast should allow Young's assist rate to stay high while potentially allowing for better shooting efficiency. Ultimately, he still projects as one of the league's most productive point guards and is in contention to be drafted at the end of the first round in fantasy.
Giddey currently remains a restricted free agent, and while reports say they are far apart on a deal, the expectation is he'll return to Chicago after signing an extension due to a lack of major interest elsewhere. Giddey dealt with off-court issues and a reduced role in Oklahoma City before being swapped for Alex Caruso ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. The deal worked out perfectly for both sides, as Caruso was an integral part of the Thunder's first championship while Giddey excelled in a prominent playmaking role for the Bulls. Giddey posted career highs in rebounds (8.1), assists (7.2), steals (1.2) and made three-pointers (1.5) per game. He shot 78 percent on 3.2 trips to the free-throw line a night, both high-water marks as well. Giddey has also been durable, playing in at least 70 regular-season games in three straight campaigns. The rotation that finished last season strong, albeit losing once again in the Play-In Tournament, is nearly all returning, save for Isaac Okoro replacing Lonzo Ball. The loss of Ball could mean even more usage for Giddey, who was certainly a primary option but trailed Nikola Vucevic and Coby White in usage last season. Heading into his age-23 campaign, Giddey has already established a top-50 fantasy floor when healthy and playing a consistent role. However, his overall upside is tied to how well he can shoot from deep, which has steadily improved in each of his first four campaigns.
Giddey currently remains a restricted free agent, and while reports say they are far apart on a deal, the expectation is he'll return to Chicago after signing an extension due to a lack of major interest elsewhere. Giddey dealt with off-court issues and a reduced role in Oklahoma City before being swapped for Alex Caruso ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. The deal worked out perfectly for both sides, as Caruso was an integral part of the Thunder's first championship while Giddey excelled in a prominent playmaking role for the Bulls. Giddey posted career highs in rebounds (8.1), assists (7.2), steals (1.2) and made three-pointers (1.5) per game. He shot 78 percent on 3.2 trips to the free-throw line a night, both high-water marks as well. Giddey has also been durable, playing in at least 70 regular-season games in three straight campaigns. The rotation that finished last season strong, albeit losing once again in the Play-In Tournament, is nearly all returning, save for Isaac Okoro replacing Lonzo Ball. The loss of Ball could mean even more usage for Giddey, who was certainly a primary option but trailed Nikola Vucevic and Coby White in usage last season. Heading into his age-23 campaign, Giddey has already established a top-50 fantasy floor when healthy and playing a consistent role. However, his overall upside is tied to how well he can shoot from deep, which has steadily improved in each of his first four campaigns.
The Suns officially turned a page this offseason after trading Kevin Durant and buying out Bradley Beal. However, Booker remains the franchise player, signing a two-way extension that puts him under team control through the 2029-30 campaign. Phoenix also lost Tyus Jones this summer, but the overall depth should actually be better in 2025-26, with Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Mark Williams and Khaman Maluach joining returning rotation players in Booker, Grayson Allen, Ryan Dunn, Royce O'Neale, Nick Richards and Collin Gillespie. The Suns also signed Euroleague Finals MVP Nigel Hayes-Davis, plus they have 2024 second-round pick Oso Ighodaro and 2025 second-round pick Rasheer Fleming as intriguing prospects. While there are plenty of guys worthy of consistent minutes, the talent at the top will be thin, and this squad isn't expected to make the postseason. Regardless, Booker is a true star, finishing as a top-25 player in eight-category leagues in five of the last six seasons. The only time he failed to crack that benchmark was in 2022-23, when he played in a career-low 53 regular-season games. Booker was still a productive fantasy player last season, but his work from deep wasn't great. He attempted a career-high 7.3 three-pointers per game but shot 33.2 percent, his lowest mark since 2018-19, when the Suns won only 19 games, fewest since their inaugural season in 1968. That's a concerning trend, but over the last seven seasons, Booker has posted 48/88/35 shooting splits and will have the greenest of lights to shoot through any slumps moving forward.
The Suns officially turned a page this offseason after trading Kevin Durant and buying out Bradley Beal. However, Booker remains the franchise player, signing a two-way extension that puts him under team control through the 2029-30 campaign. Phoenix also lost Tyus Jones this summer, but the overall depth should actually be better in 2025-26, with Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Mark Williams and Khaman Maluach joining returning rotation players in Booker, Grayson Allen, Ryan Dunn, Royce O'Neale, Nick Richards and Collin Gillespie. The Suns also signed Euroleague Finals MVP Nigel Hayes-Davis, plus they have 2024 second-round pick Oso Ighodaro and 2025 second-round pick Rasheer Fleming as intriguing prospects. While there are plenty of guys worthy of consistent minutes, the talent at the top will be thin, and this squad isn't expected to make the postseason. Regardless, Booker is a true star, finishing as a top-25 player in eight-category leagues in five of the last six seasons. The only time he failed to crack that benchmark was in 2022-23, when he played in a career-low 53 regular-season games. Booker was still a productive fantasy player last season, but his work from deep wasn't great. He attempted a career-high 7.3 three-pointers per game but shot 33.2 percent, his lowest mark since 2018-19, when the Suns won only 19 games, fewest since their inaugural season in 1968. That's a concerning trend, but over the last seven seasons, Booker has posted 48/88/35 shooting splits and will have the greenest of lights to shoot through any slumps moving forward.
In his fourth game of the 2024-25 season, Banchero dropped 50 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists, two blocks and a steal against the eventual Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers. He scored 31 points during Orlando's next game in Chicago but was forced to miss the following 34 contests due to a right oblique strain. The injury obviously impacted Banchero's bottom line in fantasy. However, even when on the court, his inefficient shooting and lackluster defensive production stopped him from being an elite per-game producer in category leagues for a third straight season to start his career. Jalen Suggs also missed the majority of the campaign due to injuries, and despite the trio of Suggs, Banchero and Franz Wagner appearing in only six games together, the Magic made the playoffs. They head into 2025-26 believing they're contenders after trading Kentavious Caldwell-Pope for Desmond Bane and signing Tyus Jones in free agency to replace Cole Anthony. The entire starting lineup is locked in until at least 2028-29 after Banchero landed a five-year rookie max extension this offseason. The talent is ever-present, and Banchero has shown a knack for improving across the board each summer, but until he fixes his obvious flaws, the youngster is better suited for points leagues.
In his fourth game of the 2024-25 season, Banchero dropped 50 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists, two blocks and a steal against the eventual Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers. He scored 31 points during Orlando's next game in Chicago but was forced to miss the following 34 contests due to a right oblique strain. The injury obviously impacted Banchero's bottom line in fantasy. However, even when on the court, his inefficient shooting and lackluster defensive production stopped him from being an elite per-game producer in category leagues for a third straight season to start his career. Jalen Suggs also missed the majority of the campaign due to injuries, and despite the trio of Suggs, Banchero and Franz Wagner appearing in only six games together, the Magic made the playoffs. They head into 2025-26 believing they're contenders after trading Kentavious Caldwell-Pope for Desmond Bane and signing Tyus Jones in free agency to replace Cole Anthony. The entire starting lineup is locked in until at least 2028-29 after Banchero landed a five-year rookie max extension this offseason. The talent is ever-present, and Banchero has shown a knack for improving across the board each summer, but until he fixes his obvious flaws, the youngster is better suited for points leagues.
Adebayo isn't the flashiest player in the league but has finished as a top-30 fantasy option in eight-category leagues in five of the last six seasons. The lone time he failed to reach that plateau was in 2021-22, when he appeared in a career-low 56 games. Extending that streak last season was even more impressive given the constant changes to Miami's rotation. Adebayo started at power forward often in the second half, allowing rookie Kel'el Ware to get important developmental minutes at center after Jimmy Butler's injury and trade demand pushed Miami out of contention. The move resulted in fewer rebounds for Adebayo but more three-pointers. Despite the change in his profile, his overall fantasy value remained the same. The Heat's biggest move of the offseason was trading for Norman Powell, plus they replaced Duncan Robinson with Simone Fontecchio and drafted Kasparas Jakucionis. Miami will also return Tyler Herro and Andrew Wiggins, who should soak up most of the usage. None of the changes should impact Adebayo's consistency, unless Miami's offense is horrendous and his recently developed three-point shot falls off a cliff. Adebayo missed only four games last season and 22 over his past three campaigns, making him one of the safest picks in fantasy hoops.
Adebayo isn't the flashiest player in the league but has finished as a top-30 fantasy option in eight-category leagues in five of the last six seasons. The lone time he failed to reach that plateau was in 2021-22, when he appeared in a career-low 56 games. Extending that streak last season was even more impressive given the constant changes to Miami's rotation. Adebayo started at power forward often in the second half, allowing rookie Kel'el Ware to get important developmental minutes at center after Jimmy Butler's injury and trade demand pushed Miami out of contention. The move resulted in fewer rebounds for Adebayo but more three-pointers. Despite the change in his profile, his overall fantasy value remained the same. The Heat's biggest move of the offseason was trading for Norman Powell, plus they replaced Duncan Robinson with Simone Fontecchio and drafted Kasparas Jakucionis. Miami will also return Tyler Herro and Andrew Wiggins, who should soak up most of the usage. None of the changes should impact Adebayo's consistency, unless Miami's offense is horrendous and his recently developed three-point shot falls off a cliff. Adebayo missed only four games last season and 22 over his past three campaigns, making him one of the safest picks in fantasy hoops.
Towns' first season with the Knicks was excellent. Moving back to the center position after playing power forward next to Rudy Gobert, Towns upped his rebounding production back to double digits (12.8 RPG). The rest of his game remained fairly steady, with 24.4 points and 2.0 made threes on 53/42/83 shooting, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.7 blocks in 35.0 minutes. He re-established himself as a first-round value in fantasy. New York has a new head coach in Mike Brown, but that isn't expected to shift KAT's role significantly, unless the decision is made to move him back to power forward. More likely, Towns will see a slight reduction in minutes. Heading into his age-30 season, Towns is one of the best fantasy options available at the center position, except for the fact that he doesn't block many shots.
Towns' first season with the Knicks was excellent. Moving back to the center position after playing power forward next to Rudy Gobert, Towns upped his rebounding production back to double digits (12.8 RPG). The rest of his game remained fairly steady, with 24.4 points and 2.0 made threes on 53/42/83 shooting, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.7 blocks in 35.0 minutes. He re-established himself as a first-round value in fantasy. New York has a new head coach in Mike Brown, but that isn't expected to shift KAT's role significantly, unless the decision is made to move him back to power forward. More likely, Towns will see a slight reduction in minutes. Heading into his age-30 season, Towns is one of the best fantasy options available at the center position, except for the fact that he doesn't block many shots.
After a promising start to his career, Barnes dealt with injuries during the past two campaigns and experienced a drop in efficiency (45/27/76) last season. He also played a career-low 32.8 minutes per game, which led to reduced totals across the board. Despite the lack of significant improvements, Barnes remains a stat-stuffing machine when healthy and has finished as a top-55 player in eight-category leagues in each of his first four campaigns. He still has plenty of time to reach his peak and will be a go-to player in 2025-26, but the team around him remains a mystery. RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley have shown flashes since coming over from New York, but consistency has been lacking, plus they've also struggled to stay on the court. The Raptors made an aggressive mid-season trade for oft-injured Brandon Ingram, who still has yet to debut for Toronto but signed an extension that included a $42 million player option for 2027-28. Jakob Poeltl also signed an extension this summer and has been the most reliable piece for the Raptors since they traded Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby. They also drafted Collin Murray-Boyles, who joins a group of solid wing prospects in Ochai Agbaji and Jonathan Mogbo. Team success should mean fantasy success for Barnes, who'll be the straw that stirs the drink if things break right. The Eastern Conference should be ripe for the taking after postseason Achilles injuries to Jayson Tatum, Damian Lillard and Tyrese Haliburton weakened teams at the top.
After a promising start to his career, Barnes dealt with injuries during the past two campaigns and experienced a drop in efficiency (45/27/76) last season. He also played a career-low 32.8 minutes per game, which led to reduced totals across the board. Despite the lack of significant improvements, Barnes remains a stat-stuffing machine when healthy and has finished as a top-55 player in eight-category leagues in each of his first four campaigns. He still has plenty of time to reach his peak and will be a go-to player in 2025-26, but the team around him remains a mystery. RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley have shown flashes since coming over from New York, but consistency has been lacking, plus they've also struggled to stay on the court. The Raptors made an aggressive mid-season trade for oft-injured Brandon Ingram, who still has yet to debut for Toronto but signed an extension that included a $42 million player option for 2027-28. Jakob Poeltl also signed an extension this summer and has been the most reliable piece for the Raptors since they traded Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby. They also drafted Collin Murray-Boyles, who joins a group of solid wing prospects in Ochai Agbaji and Jonathan Mogbo. Team success should mean fantasy success for Barnes, who'll be the straw that stirs the drink if things break right. The Eastern Conference should be ripe for the taking after postseason Achilles injuries to Jayson Tatum, Damian Lillard and Tyrese Haliburton weakened teams at the top.
After two quiet seasons to start his career, Johnson exploded onto the scene in Year 3. Over the last two seasons, Johnson averaged 17.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.9 blocks while posting 51/34/74 shooting splits. From a per-game perspective, Johnson was a top-20 player in eight-category leagues last season as a 22-year-old. The sky is the limit for this versatile youngster, but there's one glaring hole in his fantasy profile: health. Johnson was injured during his lone season at Duke, made only 22 appearances as a rookie and has appeared in 92 regular-season games over the past two years. His most recent injury, a torn labrum in his left shoulder, required surgery in January, but he's expected to be at full strength for training camp. Before the injury, Johnson and Trae Young were operating a beautiful two-man game that was nearly impossible for opposing defenses to stop consistently. That should get only better in 2025-26, as Atlanta loaded up on shooters, bringing in Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kennard and Nickeil Alexander-Walker while losing Clint Capela, Caris LeVert and Georges Niang. The Hawks will also be looking for internal development from Johnson, Zaccharie Risacher, Dyson Daniels and Onyeka Okongwu. You'll be assuming significant risk when selecting Johnson at his ADP, as his highest finish in eight-category leagues in 96th, but his first-round upside could make him the steal of the draft if he submits a career high in appearances.
After two quiet seasons to start his career, Johnson exploded onto the scene in Year 3. Over the last two seasons, Johnson averaged 17.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.9 blocks while posting 51/34/74 shooting splits. From a per-game perspective, Johnson was a top-20 player in eight-category leagues last season as a 22-year-old. The sky is the limit for this versatile youngster, but there's one glaring hole in his fantasy profile: health. Johnson was injured during his lone season at Duke, made only 22 appearances as a rookie and has appeared in 92 regular-season games over the past two years. His most recent injury, a torn labrum in his left shoulder, required surgery in January, but he's expected to be at full strength for training camp. Before the injury, Johnson and Trae Young were operating a beautiful two-man game that was nearly impossible for opposing defenses to stop consistently. That should get only better in 2025-26, as Atlanta loaded up on shooters, bringing in Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kennard and Nickeil Alexander-Walker while losing Clint Capela, Caris LeVert and Georges Niang. The Hawks will also be looking for internal development from Johnson, Zaccharie Risacher, Dyson Daniels and Onyeka Okongwu. You'll be assuming significant risk when selecting Johnson at his ADP, as his highest finish in eight-category leagues in 96th, but his first-round upside could make him the steal of the draft if he submits a career high in appearances.
Not only did Williams win his first title in 2024-25, but he was also selected to his first All-Star Game while receiving All-NBA Third-Team and All-Defensive Second-Team honors. He also got a handful of votes for the Most Improved Player award. The accolades were well deserved, as Williams has steadily improved across the board in each season. His efficiency regressed in Year 3, but he made up for it with volume. Johnson also appeared in a career-low 69 regular-season games after missing only 18 such contests through his first two seasons. He underwent offseason wrist surgery to address an injury that bothered him throughout the playoffs. He's expected to be healthy for training camp. The issue didn't stop the Thunder from signing Williams to a long-term extension this offseason, along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, as they locked down their core for years to come. Coming off a championship and surgery, there are fair concerns about what Williams' workload will look like in Year 4. However, the 24-year-old wing has been a top-50 player in eight-category leagues in each of his first three seasons and has second-round upside when operating at 100 percent.
Not only did Williams win his first title in 2024-25, but he was also selected to his first All-Star Game while receiving All-NBA Third-Team and All-Defensive Second-Team honors. He also got a handful of votes for the Most Improved Player award. The accolades were well deserved, as Williams has steadily improved across the board in each season. His efficiency regressed in Year 3, but he made up for it with volume. Johnson also appeared in a career-low 69 regular-season games after missing only 18 such contests through his first two seasons. He underwent offseason wrist surgery to address an injury that bothered him throughout the playoffs. He's expected to be healthy for training camp. The issue didn't stop the Thunder from signing Williams to a long-term extension this offseason, along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, as they locked down their core for years to come. Coming off a championship and surgery, there are fair concerns about what Williams' workload will look like in Year 4. However, the 24-year-old wing has been a top-50 player in eight-category leagues in each of his first three seasons and has second-round upside when operating at 100 percent.
Late-season injuries limited Maxey to 52 games, though he likely would have played if the 76ers were competitive. Philadelphia won just 24 games as Joel Embiid and Paul George combined for 60 appearances. That left a lot on Maxey's shoulders. His efficiency from the field took a hit (43.7 FG%), but the point guard averaged a career-high 26.3 points in addition to 6.1 assists and 1.8 steals with just 2.4 turnovers. He also played over 37 minutes per game (37.7) for the second straight season. Healthier seasons from George and Embiid could mean an efficiency bounceback and more assists for Maxey. If they continue to struggle with injuries, we know Maxey can pick up the scoring slack. All of that is to say that he's become the team's most reliable player - one who is producing All-Star numbers at 24 years old. There aren't many guards in the NBA better than Maxey in real life or fantasy. He should be considered for fantasy managers in the middle of the second round.
Late-season injuries limited Maxey to 52 games, though he likely would have played if the 76ers were competitive. Philadelphia won just 24 games as Joel Embiid and Paul George combined for 60 appearances. That left a lot on Maxey's shoulders. His efficiency from the field took a hit (43.7 FG%), but the point guard averaged a career-high 26.3 points in addition to 6.1 assists and 1.8 steals with just 2.4 turnovers. He also played over 37 minutes per game (37.7) for the second straight season. Healthier seasons from George and Embiid could mean an efficiency bounceback and more assists for Maxey. If they continue to struggle with injuries, we know Maxey can pick up the scoring slack. All of that is to say that he's become the team's most reliable player - one who is producing All-Star numbers at 24 years old. There aren't many guards in the NBA better than Maxey in real life or fantasy. He should be considered for fantasy managers in the middle of the second round.
Sengun delivered another quality fantasy season in 2024-25, as the Rockets evolved into a contender. However, the big man did things a bit differently compared to his breakout 2023-24 campaign, when he averaged a career-high 21.1 points per game on 53.7 percent from the field and 29.7 percent from deep. Last season, Sengun's efficiency dropped, shooting below 50 percent from the field for the first time since his rookie year while posting a career-low 23.3 percent mark from deep. He offset that drop with an increase in rebounds (10.3 per game) and regular-season appearances (76), both career highs. Sengun has missed 10 or fewer games in three of his first four campaigns and has never missed 20 or more games in a regular season. Despite ascending the standings, the Rockets flamed out in the playoffs and made major changes this offseason. They shipped Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green and Cam Whitmore out, while bringing in Kevin Durant, Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela. With Capela and Steven Adams in town, Sengun won't need to play Knicks-type minutes every night, but he'll remain a focal point of Houston's budding offense, which returns Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith and Tari Eason. Sengun is a high-floor pick with significant upside if the team around him can be more efficient in Year 5, which is expected to be the case with Durant leading the charge.
Sengun delivered another quality fantasy season in 2024-25, as the Rockets evolved into a contender. However, the big man did things a bit differently compared to his breakout 2023-24 campaign, when he averaged a career-high 21.1 points per game on 53.7 percent from the field and 29.7 percent from deep. Last season, Sengun's efficiency dropped, shooting below 50 percent from the field for the first time since his rookie year while posting a career-low 23.3 percent mark from deep. He offset that drop with an increase in rebounds (10.3 per game) and regular-season appearances (76), both career highs. Sengun has missed 10 or fewer games in three of his first four campaigns and has never missed 20 or more games in a regular season. Despite ascending the standings, the Rockets flamed out in the playoffs and made major changes this offseason. They shipped Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green and Cam Whitmore out, while bringing in Kevin Durant, Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela. With Capela and Steven Adams in town, Sengun won't need to play Knicks-type minutes every night, but he'll remain a focal point of Houston's budding offense, which returns Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith and Tari Eason. Sengun is a high-floor pick with significant upside if the team around him can be more efficient in Year 5, which is expected to be the case with Durant leading the charge.
Due to the absence of Jayson Tatum (Achilles) in 2025-26, the Boston Celtics will be Jaylen Brown's team this upcoming season. The star wing will be expected to carry a heavy scoring burden with the loss of Tatum, as well as the departures of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. Brown, Derrick White and newly acquired Anfernee Simons will lead an attack not quite as fearsome as the lineups Boston has rolled out over the past few seasons. As the soon-to-be 29-year-old enters his 10th NBA season, Brown has demonstrated some interesting statistical trends that will probably change in his new role of "scoring option number 1". Last season, Brown distributed a career-high 4.5 assists per game. He also took 17.7 shot attempts, a five-year low. This season, expect Brown to shoot more and pass less, which might hurt his field goal percentage. Last year, Brown shot 46.3 percent from the field, his worst effort since his 2016-17 rookie season. He also struggled a bit from three, shooting only 32.4 percent from behind the arc. Regardless, Boston will look to Brown and White to lead the offense. In what could be a bridge season for the Celtics, Brown has the opportunity to prove that his 2024 Finals MVP award was the harbinger of greater things to come.
Due to the absence of Jayson Tatum (Achilles) in 2025-26, the Boston Celtics will be Jaylen Brown's team this upcoming season. The star wing will be expected to carry a heavy scoring burden with the loss of Tatum, as well as the departures of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. Brown, Derrick White and newly acquired Anfernee Simons will lead an attack not quite as fearsome as the lineups Boston has rolled out over the past few seasons. As the soon-to-be 29-year-old enters his 10th NBA season, Brown has demonstrated some interesting statistical trends that will probably change in his new role of "scoring option number 1". Last season, Brown distributed a career-high 4.5 assists per game. He also took 17.7 shot attempts, a five-year low. This season, expect Brown to shoot more and pass less, which might hurt his field goal percentage. Last year, Brown shot 46.3 percent from the field, his worst effort since his 2016-17 rookie season. He also struggled a bit from three, shooting only 32.4 percent from behind the arc. Regardless, Boston will look to Brown and White to lead the offense. In what could be a bridge season for the Celtics, Brown has the opportunity to prove that his 2024 Finals MVP award was the harbinger of greater things to come.
After exercising his $52.6 million player option for 2025-26, rumors started to swirl that James' time with the Lakers may be coming to an end soon. The veteran superstar has yet to put those notions to rest, notably declining an interview while watching Summer League action in Las Vegas. However, reports indicate that James and the Lakers have not discussed a potential trade or buyout, and it'd be a short list of teams that could acquire him in either instance without massive tax implications. For now, it appears James will run it back in Los Angeles after earning All-NBA Second-Team honors last season. The mid-season blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Mavericks in exchange for Luka Doncic has completely altered the Lakers' outlook, and they made two more impactful moves this offseason to fit their new timeline, signing Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart. The latest arrivals, along with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, are under contract through the 2026-27 campaign, which could make it difficult to re-sign James. On the court, James is still putting up strong numbers, though his 24.4 points per game last season was a career low. He's played in at least 70 regular-season matchups in back-to-back seasons, marking the first time he's cracked that plateau since appearing in all 82 during his final season in Cleveland (2017-18). There are plenty of warranted concerns when taking a player heading into their age-40 season, but James has defied Father Time before, finishing outside the top 20 in eight-category leagues only three times during his 21-year career.
After exercising his $52.6 million player option for 2025-26, rumors started to swirl that James' time with the Lakers may be coming to an end soon. The veteran superstar has yet to put those notions to rest, notably declining an interview while watching Summer League action in Las Vegas. However, reports indicate that James and the Lakers have not discussed a potential trade or buyout, and it'd be a short list of teams that could acquire him in either instance without massive tax implications. For now, it appears James will run it back in Los Angeles after earning All-NBA Second-Team honors last season. The mid-season blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Mavericks in exchange for Luka Doncic has completely altered the Lakers' outlook, and they made two more impactful moves this offseason to fit their new timeline, signing Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart. The latest arrivals, along with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, are under contract through the 2026-27 campaign, which could make it difficult to re-sign James. On the court, James is still putting up strong numbers, though his 24.4 points per game last season was a career low. He's played in at least 70 regular-season matchups in back-to-back seasons, marking the first time he's cracked that plateau since appearing in all 82 during his final season in Cleveland (2017-18). There are plenty of warranted concerns when taking a player heading into their age-40 season, but James has defied Father Time before, finishing outside the top 20 in eight-category leagues only three times during his 21-year career.
Siakam was one game away from becoming a two-time NBA champion, but Tyrese Haliburton's Achilles injury was too difficult for the Pacers to overcome in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Thunder. Still, Siakam delivered another strong fantasy campaign, finishing inside the top 50 in eight-category leagues for a seventh straight season. During his first full campaign in Indiana, Siakam's production looked a bit different compared to his time in Toronto. He recorded fewer assists and attempted fewer free throws, but his efficiency spiked, shooting at least 52 percent from the field for a second straight season while posting a career-high 38.9 percent mark from deep. He also scored at least 20 points per game for a sixth straight season and missed five or fewer regular-season appearances for the fourth time in his nine-year career. Despite making the championship, the Pacers are trending in the wrong direction with Haliburton out for the 2025-26 campaign. They also lost Myles Turner to the Bucks in free agency. That leaves a lot of production holes across the board. Siakam should be a leading candidate to absorb as much usage and responsibility as he can handle, especially given Kam Jones, Tony Bradley and Jay Huff were Indiana's only additions this offseason. The Pacers will be looking for internal development from Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, Aaron Nesmith, Johnny Furphy, Ben Sheppard and Obi Toppin, but Siakam should be the Pacers' go-to player.
Siakam was one game away from becoming a two-time NBA champion, but Tyrese Haliburton's Achilles injury was too difficult for the Pacers to overcome in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Thunder. Still, Siakam delivered another strong fantasy campaign, finishing inside the top 50 in eight-category leagues for a seventh straight season. During his first full campaign in Indiana, Siakam's production looked a bit different compared to his time in Toronto. He recorded fewer assists and attempted fewer free throws, but his efficiency spiked, shooting at least 52 percent from the field for a second straight season while posting a career-high 38.9 percent mark from deep. He also scored at least 20 points per game for a sixth straight season and missed five or fewer regular-season appearances for the fourth time in his nine-year career. Despite making the championship, the Pacers are trending in the wrong direction with Haliburton out for the 2025-26 campaign. They also lost Myles Turner to the Bucks in free agency. That leaves a lot of production holes across the board. Siakam should be a leading candidate to absorb as much usage and responsibility as he can handle, especially given Kam Jones, Tony Bradley and Jay Huff were Indiana's only additions this offseason. The Pacers will be looking for internal development from Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, Aaron Nesmith, Johnny Furphy, Ben Sheppard and Obi Toppin, but Siakam should be the Pacers' go-to player.
Fresh off winning the Defensive Player of the Year award, Mobley also earned Second-Team All-NBA and All-Star honors for the first time in his career last season. He was an integral part of a Cleveland squad that finished with the best regular-season record in the Eastern Conference. Despite falling flat in the playoffs again, the Cavaliers are running it back in 2025-26, with a few minor changes. They replaced Ty Jerome with Lonzo Ball, while adding Larry Nance to shore up their frontcourt depth. Versatility is Mobley's strong suit, but his upside is tied to his three-point development, which showed significant improvement in 2024-25. In 2023-24, Mobley appeared in a career-low 50 regular-season games, but he shot 37 percent from deep on 1.2 attempts per game. He upped his tries from beyond the arc to 3.2 a night last season and maintained his percentage, helping him reach a new level. Mobley has also improved his efficiency from the charity stripe, shooting 72 percent over the past two campaigns while posting a career-high 4.3 attempts per game last season. The upgrade to his outside shot is notable, but there's still plenty of room for Mobley to grow in that department, and it's unclear if it's sustainable yet. Regardless, Mobley has averaged at least 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 stocks in each of his first four NBA campaigns, giving him a strong fantasy floor.
Fresh off winning the Defensive Player of the Year award, Mobley also earned Second-Team All-NBA and All-Star honors for the first time in his career last season. He was an integral part of a Cleveland squad that finished with the best regular-season record in the Eastern Conference. Despite falling flat in the playoffs again, the Cavaliers are running it back in 2025-26, with a few minor changes. They replaced Ty Jerome with Lonzo Ball, while adding Larry Nance to shore up their frontcourt depth. Versatility is Mobley's strong suit, but his upside is tied to his three-point development, which showed significant improvement in 2024-25. In 2023-24, Mobley appeared in a career-low 50 regular-season games, but he shot 37 percent from deep on 1.2 attempts per game. He upped his tries from beyond the arc to 3.2 a night last season and maintained his percentage, helping him reach a new level. Mobley has also improved his efficiency from the charity stripe, shooting 72 percent over the past two campaigns while posting a career-high 4.3 attempts per game last season. The upgrade to his outside shot is notable, but there's still plenty of room for Mobley to grow in that department, and it's unclear if it's sustainable yet. Regardless, Mobley has averaged at least 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 stocks in each of his first four NBA campaigns, giving him a strong fantasy floor.
Harden was a perennial top-5 fantasy player during his time in Houston, and returned to that echelon in 2024-25 thanks to 79 regular-season appearances, most since 2016-17. Not only was he healthier, but he also got back to shooting more three-pointers (3.0 makes on 8.5 attempts per game, highest marks since 2019-20), which boosted his scoring totals. Even when Harden wasn't flirting with the top tier, he was still a quality fantasy option, finishing inside the top-30 players in eight-category leagues in four straight seasons before his bounce-back campaign. Harden's resurgence can be partly attributed to his pick-and-roll connection with Ivica Zubac, who emerged as one of the best centers in basketball. There is even more room for Harden's offensive creativity to grow in this offense after the Clippers added floor-spacing big man Brook Lopez and high-flying John Collins to the frontcourt. They also swapped Norman Powell for Bradley Beal while signing veteran Chris Paul to add depth in the backcourt. Not to mention, returning rotation players like Kris Dunn, Derrick Jones, Nicolas Batum and Bogdan Bogdanovic will also command sizable roles. Head coach Tyronn Lue will have his hands full trying to get the most out of this deep roster, but the health of Harden and Kawhi Leonard will be paramount. If the star duo is available and firing on all cylinders, this could be one of the best teams in the league. Either way, Harden is in a position to submit another stellar statistical campaign as long as he can stay on the court.
Harden was a perennial top-5 fantasy player during his time in Houston, and returned to that echelon in 2024-25 thanks to 79 regular-season appearances, most since 2016-17. Not only was he healthier, but he also got back to shooting more three-pointers (3.0 makes on 8.5 attempts per game, highest marks since 2019-20), which boosted his scoring totals. Even when Harden wasn't flirting with the top tier, he was still a quality fantasy option, finishing inside the top-30 players in eight-category leagues in four straight seasons before his bounce-back campaign. Harden's resurgence can be partly attributed to his pick-and-roll connection with Ivica Zubac, who emerged as one of the best centers in basketball. There is even more room for Harden's offensive creativity to grow in this offense after the Clippers added floor-spacing big man Brook Lopez and high-flying John Collins to the frontcourt. They also swapped Norman Powell for Bradley Beal while signing veteran Chris Paul to add depth in the backcourt. Not to mention, returning rotation players like Kris Dunn, Derrick Jones, Nicolas Batum and Bogdan Bogdanovic will also command sizable roles. Head coach Tyronn Lue will have his hands full trying to get the most out of this deep roster, but the health of Harden and Kawhi Leonard will be paramount. If the star duo is available and firing on all cylinders, this could be one of the best teams in the league. Either way, Harden is in a position to submit another stellar statistical campaign as long as he can stay on the court.
Over the 2024-25 season, White delivered career highs in points (16.4), made threes (3.5) and rebounds (4.5) per game, while also delivering 4.8 dimes per contest. And yet, White could be headed for an even more impressive season in 2025-26 due to the absence of Jayson Tatum (Achilles), Jrue Holiday (trade) and Kristaps Porzingis (trade). That's 43.2 field goal attempts per game out the door, with only new Celtic Anfernee Simons (16.1 FGA's with Portland) added to fill the void. White should exceed last season's meager 12.6 shots per game by a wide margin. Boston is now a two-star team, with White and Jaylen Brown expected to carry a heavy burden. That said, don't expect White to exceed last year's 33.9 minutes per game, also a career high. It will be very interesting to see how Coach Joe Mazzulla decides to distribute backcourt minutes amongst tweener guards White, Simons and Pritchard. There should be plenty for everyone. The only negative concern for White was his slight dip in free-throw percentage, which declined from "elite" (90.1 percent in 2023-24) to "pretty good" (83.9% in 2024-25). For 2025-26, expect offensive improvement across the board, yet again, for White as he steps into a much-deserved leadership role.
Over the 2024-25 season, White delivered career highs in points (16.4), made threes (3.5) and rebounds (4.5) per game, while also delivering 4.8 dimes per contest. And yet, White could be headed for an even more impressive season in 2025-26 due to the absence of Jayson Tatum (Achilles), Jrue Holiday (trade) and Kristaps Porzingis (trade). That's 43.2 field goal attempts per game out the door, with only new Celtic Anfernee Simons (16.1 FGA's with Portland) added to fill the void. White should exceed last season's meager 12.6 shots per game by a wide margin. Boston is now a two-star team, with White and Jaylen Brown expected to carry a heavy burden. That said, don't expect White to exceed last year's 33.9 minutes per game, also a career high. It will be very interesting to see how Coach Joe Mazzulla decides to distribute backcourt minutes amongst tweener guards White, Simons and Pritchard. There should be plenty for everyone. The only negative concern for White was his slight dip in free-throw percentage, which declined from "elite" (90.1 percent in 2023-24) to "pretty good" (83.9% in 2024-25). For 2025-26, expect offensive improvement across the board, yet again, for White as he steps into a much-deserved leadership role.
At 27 years old, Zubac had a breakout campaign in 2024-25. He posted career-high numbers nearly across the board - 16.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 blocks in 32.8 minutes - while making the All-Defensive Second Team. The only part of his game that took a hit was his free-throw percentage, which oddly declined from 72.3 percent to 66.1 percent year-to-year. Still, regardless of league type, managers who drafted Zubac in the 80-90 range last season were more than happy with the big man's production. With all that said, his production may have plateaued. During the offseason, the front office acquired both Brook Lopez and John Collins - capable backup options to Zubac. Last season, Zubac may have played his career high in minutes, partially out of necessity. Now, coach Tyronn Lue has the option to keep his starting center fresher game-to-game. Zubac should still be one of the first centers in fantasy consideration after the elite producers are off the board, but there shouldn't be an expectation of another leap.
At 27 years old, Zubac had a breakout campaign in 2024-25. He posted career-high numbers nearly across the board - 16.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 blocks in 32.8 minutes - while making the All-Defensive Second Team. The only part of his game that took a hit was his free-throw percentage, which oddly declined from 72.3 percent to 66.1 percent year-to-year. Still, regardless of league type, managers who drafted Zubac in the 80-90 range last season were more than happy with the big man's production. With all that said, his production may have plateaued. During the offseason, the front office acquired both Brook Lopez and John Collins - capable backup options to Zubac. Last season, Zubac may have played his career high in minutes, partially out of necessity. Now, coach Tyronn Lue has the option to keep his starting center fresher game-to-game. Zubac should still be one of the first centers in fantasy consideration after the elite producers are off the board, but there shouldn't be an expectation of another leap.
Fox has been one of the steadier sources of fantasy value over the past seven years. For the fifth straight season, he averaged at least 23.2 points, 5.6 assists and 1.1 steals. He began the 2024-25 campaign with the Kings - the team that drafted him. However, the point guard expressed his desire to be traded, and he got his wish, being dealt to the Spurs. San Antonio is effectively Victor Wembanyama's team, but Fox should run the show as the primary facilitator and No. 2 scoring option. In his 17 games with the Spurs last season, he averaged 19.7 points, 6.8 assists and 1.5 steals. The decrease in scoring coincided with a dropoff in three-point percentage - 27.4 percent compared to 32.2 percent with the Kings - not to mention seeing three fewer minutes per game. Fantasy managers shouldn't be concerned that a sizable dropoff is on the way for Fox.
Fox has been one of the steadier sources of fantasy value over the past seven years. For the fifth straight season, he averaged at least 23.2 points, 5.6 assists and 1.1 steals. He began the 2024-25 campaign with the Kings - the team that drafted him. However, the point guard expressed his desire to be traded, and he got his wish, being dealt to the Spurs. San Antonio is effectively Victor Wembanyama's team, but Fox should run the show as the primary facilitator and No. 2 scoring option. In his 17 games with the Spurs last season, he averaged 19.7 points, 6.8 assists and 1.5 steals. The decrease in scoring coincided with a dropoff in three-point percentage - 27.4 percent compared to 32.2 percent with the Kings - not to mention seeing three fewer minutes per game. Fantasy managers shouldn't be concerned that a sizable dropoff is on the way for Fox.
Holmgren missed his true rookie season due to a broken foot and debuted two seasons ago, putting together a great campaign that resulted in a second-place Rookie of the Year finish. Last season was also hampered by injury - this time, a broken hip limited Holmgren to just 32 appearances. Still, he played well as Oklahoma City's No. 3 option, and it ultimately resulted in a championship, plus a five-year maximum contract extension. In Holmgren's 27.4 minutes per game, he averaged 15.0 points and 1.4 threes on 49/38/75 shooting, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.2 blocks. In terms of fantasy production, it was technically worse than his rookie season. However, it's important to keep in mind his limited minutes due to injury and the Thunder's blowout wins amid their dominant 68-win season. The next step in Holmgren's game, more than anything, will be staying healthy and crossing the 30-minute threshold. Increased minutes alone could vault Holmgren into second-round fantasy value, putting aside any potential development. Development for Holmgren should primarily focus on improving efficiency. Increased playmaking volume may be tough to come by while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams are ahead of him in the pecking order.
Holmgren missed his true rookie season due to a broken foot and debuted two seasons ago, putting together a great campaign that resulted in a second-place Rookie of the Year finish. Last season was also hampered by injury - this time, a broken hip limited Holmgren to just 32 appearances. Still, he played well as Oklahoma City's No. 3 option, and it ultimately resulted in a championship, plus a five-year maximum contract extension. In Holmgren's 27.4 minutes per game, he averaged 15.0 points and 1.4 threes on 49/38/75 shooting, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.2 blocks. In terms of fantasy production, it was technically worse than his rookie season. However, it's important to keep in mind his limited minutes due to injury and the Thunder's blowout wins amid their dominant 68-win season. The next step in Holmgren's game, more than anything, will be staying healthy and crossing the 30-minute threshold. Increased minutes alone could vault Holmgren into second-round fantasy value, putting aside any potential development. Development for Holmgren should primarily focus on improving efficiency. Increased playmaking volume may be tough to come by while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams are ahead of him in the pecking order.
Mitchell provided first-round fantasy value in 2023-24, but he saw nearly four fewer minutes per game last season, resulting in a sizeable dip in production. The reduced workload was partially due to the health of Darius Garland, general backcourt depth, and a ton of blowout wins amidst the Cavaliers' 64-18 campaign. The loss of Ty Jerome to the Grizzlies, being replaced by Lonzo Ball, hurts the backcourt depth somewhat - but the rest of the equation projects to be the same, as the East is even weaker this season than it was last season. However, Mitchell ultimately remains one of the best shooting guards in the NBA and is coming off a sixth consecutive All-Star nod. Across his 31.4 minutes per game, he averaged 24.0 points and 3.3 threes on 44/37/82 shooting, 5.0 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals. Regardless of format, Mitchell probably shouldn't slip past the third round. His upside might not be what it was last year, or even during his time in Utah, but his floor is extremely reliable.
Mitchell provided first-round fantasy value in 2023-24, but he saw nearly four fewer minutes per game last season, resulting in a sizeable dip in production. The reduced workload was partially due to the health of Darius Garland, general backcourt depth, and a ton of blowout wins amidst the Cavaliers' 64-18 campaign. The loss of Ty Jerome to the Grizzlies, being replaced by Lonzo Ball, hurts the backcourt depth somewhat - but the rest of the equation projects to be the same, as the East is even weaker this season than it was last season. However, Mitchell ultimately remains one of the best shooting guards in the NBA and is coming off a sixth consecutive All-Star nod. Across his 31.4 minutes per game, he averaged 24.0 points and 3.3 threes on 44/37/82 shooting, 5.0 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals. Regardless of format, Mitchell probably shouldn't slip past the third round. His upside might not be what it was last year, or even during his time in Utah, but his floor is extremely reliable.
Last year was another injury-riddled campaign for Williamson, who appeared in just 30 games - the fourth time in his six-year career that he's played 30 or fewer games. For context, he's played fewer total minutes in his career than Paolo Banchero. Despite that, Williamson arguably played at the highest level of his career when available, setting per-36-minute career highs nearly across the board. However, he actually saw just 28.6 minutes per game due to injury management and the Pelicans' overall struggles - posting 24.6 points on 56.7 field-goal percentage, 7.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks. New Orleans will look a bit different this season, namely due to trading CJ McCollum for Jordan Poole. Dejounte Murray is still recovering from an Achilles tear as well. The team probably can't perform much worse than the 21 wins they accrued last season, but it's probably not wise to expect a major leap in a loaded Western Conference. Some of that will also depend on Williamson's health. All in all, there are plenty of reasons to be skeptical of Williamson's fantasy value for the upcoming season. He showed growth, but can he be trusted to play 50 games? He's routinely been drafted in the 30-40 range depending on format, but don't be surprised if he starts to slip into the 50 range in 2025-26 fantasy drafts.
Last year was another injury-riddled campaign for Williamson, who appeared in just 30 games - the fourth time in his six-year career that he's played 30 or fewer games. For context, he's played fewer total minutes in his career than Paolo Banchero. Despite that, Williamson arguably played at the highest level of his career when available, setting per-36-minute career highs nearly across the board. However, he actually saw just 28.6 minutes per game due to injury management and the Pelicans' overall struggles - posting 24.6 points on 56.7 field-goal percentage, 7.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks. New Orleans will look a bit different this season, namely due to trading CJ McCollum for Jordan Poole. Dejounte Murray is still recovering from an Achilles tear as well. The team probably can't perform much worse than the 21 wins they accrued last season, but it's probably not wise to expect a major leap in a loaded Western Conference. Some of that will also depend on Williamson's health. All in all, there are plenty of reasons to be skeptical of Williamson's fantasy value for the upcoming season. He showed growth, but can he be trusted to play 50 games? He's routinely been drafted in the 30-40 range depending on format, but don't be surprised if he starts to slip into the 50 range in 2025-26 fantasy drafts.
Since being the No. 3 overall pick in 2020, Ball is averaging only 46.2 games played per season. He was an All-Star during his sophomore campaign, where he appeared in a career-high 75 games. The talent and ability to put up numbers are undeniable. The point guard is coming off his third straight season averaging at least 23.3 points, 3.2 made threes, 7.4 assists and 1.1 steals. Still, confidence in Ball has waned in the fantasy space, with managers often drafting him in the 20-30 range last season despite his age and upside. The fall could be farther this season, given that the NBA has no shortage of All-Star caliber guards with fewer health concerns. There's also the potential for Ball's usage to decrease as Brandon Miller's increases. The front office also wasn't shy about adding backcourt depth in the offseason, nabbing Collin Sexton, Spencer Dinwiddie and Kon Kneuppel while re-signing Tre Mann. There's still plenty of fantasy upside to be had in drafting Ball, but the risk/reward equation hasn't been tilting positively.
Since being the No. 3 overall pick in 2020, Ball is averaging only 46.2 games played per season. He was an All-Star during his sophomore campaign, where he appeared in a career-high 75 games. The talent and ability to put up numbers are undeniable. The point guard is coming off his third straight season averaging at least 23.3 points, 3.2 made threes, 7.4 assists and 1.1 steals. Still, confidence in Ball has waned in the fantasy space, with managers often drafting him in the 20-30 range last season despite his age and upside. The fall could be farther this season, given that the NBA has no shortage of All-Star caliber guards with fewer health concerns. There's also the potential for Ball's usage to decrease as Brandon Miller's increases. The front office also wasn't shy about adding backcourt depth in the offseason, nabbing Collin Sexton, Spencer Dinwiddie and Kon Kneuppel while re-signing Tre Mann. There's still plenty of fantasy upside to be had in drafting Ball, but the risk/reward equation hasn't been tilting positively.
Fantasy managers were excited to see what Thompson could do at the end of his rookie season, and he built on that even more as a sophomore. He began the year coming off the bench but eventually took a starting spot from fellow young-gun Jabari Smith. In Thompson's final 41 regular-season appearances, he averaged 15.6 points on 55.8 percent from the floor, 9.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.5 blocks in 36.0 minutes. He established himself first and foremost as a defender, earning First Team All-Defense honors. And while Thompson is also a gifted passer and rebounder, the most important upgrade he'll need to make to his game is shooting. For his career, he's just 33-for-149 (22.1%) from distance and 275-for-402 (68.5%) from the charity stripe. But even if that never develops in a meaningful way, Thompson is already a starting-caliber NBA player and a top-50 fantasy asset. This season, the Rockets look different, swapping out Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks for Kevin Durant and Dorian Finney-Smith. It's a major team upgrade, but very similar usage-to-usage. That means Thompson still has a runway to grow as a player, especially as Fred VanVleet ages. There's a ceiling to what Thompson can do given his limited shooting and the relatively high-usage players around him, but he's still one of the best upside picks in fantasy.
Fantasy managers were excited to see what Thompson could do at the end of his rookie season, and he built on that even more as a sophomore. He began the year coming off the bench but eventually took a starting spot from fellow young-gun Jabari Smith. In Thompson's final 41 regular-season appearances, he averaged 15.6 points on 55.8 percent from the floor, 9.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.5 blocks in 36.0 minutes. He established himself first and foremost as a defender, earning First Team All-Defense honors. And while Thompson is also a gifted passer and rebounder, the most important upgrade he'll need to make to his game is shooting. For his career, he's just 33-for-149 (22.1%) from distance and 275-for-402 (68.5%) from the charity stripe. But even if that never develops in a meaningful way, Thompson is already a starting-caliber NBA player and a top-50 fantasy asset. This season, the Rockets look different, swapping out Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks for Kevin Durant and Dorian Finney-Smith. It's a major team upgrade, but very similar usage-to-usage. That means Thompson still has a runway to grow as a player, especially as Fred VanVleet ages. There's a ceiling to what Thompson can do given his limited shooting and the relatively high-usage players around him, but he's still one of the best upside picks in fantasy.
Among other things, a lingering left knee injury, which later required surgery, limited Embiid to just 19 appearances last season. He looked far from healthy when he did play, and he arguably produced the worst numbers of his career. It's impossible to discuss Embiid at this point without first caveating the entire conversation with "if he's healthy." Embiid has appeared in just 58 total regular-season games across the past two years and holds an average of 50.2 games played per season, excluding the first two years of his career. The center will also be entering his age-31 season, so youth is no longer on his side. Risk/reward has been the name of the game when drafting Embiid in fantasy, but it's starting to feel much more tilted toward risk. Is there upside for the 76ers to attempt to play him 60 games, or even 30 minutes per game? Keeping him as healthy as possible for the postseason seems like it has to be the priority. Last season in fantasy, he was typically being drafted in the late rounds. Now, he feels like a firm second-round selection, and maybe late second round. He carries more value in shallower, daily moves leagues - especially ones where starting two centers is required. But regardless of league format, managers should probably bolster their roster with another reliable center after drafting Embiid.
Among other things, a lingering left knee injury, which later required surgery, limited Embiid to just 19 appearances last season. He looked far from healthy when he did play, and he arguably produced the worst numbers of his career. It's impossible to discuss Embiid at this point without first caveating the entire conversation with "if he's healthy." Embiid has appeared in just 58 total regular-season games across the past two years and holds an average of 50.2 games played per season, excluding the first two years of his career. The center will also be entering his age-31 season, so youth is no longer on his side. Risk/reward has been the name of the game when drafting Embiid in fantasy, but it's starting to feel much more tilted toward risk. Is there upside for the 76ers to attempt to play him 60 games, or even 30 minutes per game? Keeping him as healthy as possible for the postseason seems like it has to be the priority. Last season in fantasy, he was typically being drafted in the late rounds. Now, he feels like a firm second-round selection, and maybe late second round. He carries more value in shallower, daily moves leagues - especially ones where starting two centers is required. But regardless of league format, managers should probably bolster their roster with another reliable center after drafting Embiid.
It feels as if the start of Morant's career has constantly been disrupted. He put personal matters behind him but still struggled with injuries last season, appearing in 50 games. The 26-year-old has yet to play 70 games in a regular season, with his career-high 67 appearances coming as a rookie. Despite that, his performance has been fairly steady over the past four years, which began with two consecutive All-Star nods. The biggest change in his playstyle over that time has been replacing some of his high-flying, acrobatic attempts at the rim with floaters or three-pointers. During his age-23 season, he averaged 9.2 free-throw attempts and 5.5 three-point attempts per 36 minutes. Last year, those numbers shifted to 7.6 free-throw attempts and 6.8 three-point attempts. Injuries are still a concern this season, but his upside projects to be as high as ever. During the summer, the Grizzlies traded No. 2 option Desmond Bane to the Magic without getting a high-usage player in return. That should mean more shot attempts and playmaking opportunities for Morant. He's shown the potential to be worth a third-round pick in fantasy before. Managers may not have to select him that high given his history of missed games, but it's an outcome that will be on plenty of drafters' minds.
It feels as if the start of Morant's career has constantly been disrupted. He put personal matters behind him but still struggled with injuries last season, appearing in 50 games. The 26-year-old has yet to play 70 games in a regular season, with his career-high 67 appearances coming as a rookie. Despite that, his performance has been fairly steady over the past four years, which began with two consecutive All-Star nods. The biggest change in his playstyle over that time has been replacing some of his high-flying, acrobatic attempts at the rim with floaters or three-pointers. During his age-23 season, he averaged 9.2 free-throw attempts and 5.5 three-point attempts per 36 minutes. Last year, those numbers shifted to 7.6 free-throw attempts and 6.8 three-point attempts. Injuries are still a concern this season, but his upside projects to be as high as ever. During the summer, the Grizzlies traded No. 2 option Desmond Bane to the Magic without getting a high-usage player in return. That should mean more shot attempts and playmaking opportunities for Morant. He's shown the potential to be worth a third-round pick in fantasy before. Managers may not have to select him that high given his history of missed games, but it's an outcome that will be on plenty of drafters' minds.
Wagner took a step forward as a playmaker in 2024-25, posting career highs in usage rate (31.0%) and assist rate (26.6%). That was partially fueled out of necessity, as Paolo Banchero was limited to 46 games, and Jalen Suggs was limited to 23 games. Regardless, Wagner played well with increased responsibilities, averaging 24.2 points and 1.7 threes on 46/30/87 shooting, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals in 33.7 minutes. His three-point shooting is the biggest area of concern. After shooting 35.8 percent from distance over his first two seasons, Wagner has shot 28.9 percent since. The dip has not come with a dip in free-throw percentage, however, making the situation a bit confusing. If he can manage to get back on track from distance, he'll become one of the most efficient high-volume forwards in the NBA. This season, it may be easier for Wagner to increase his efficiency, as Orlando added another quality scorer and playmaker to the mix in Desmond Bane. That could mean a reduction in responsibility for Wagner, but his usage had possibly hit its ceiling anyway while playing next to Banchero - especially if the team is healthier overall. Either way, Wagner is capable of putting up All-Star-caliber numbers and can start to be considered in fantasy around the third or fourth round.
Wagner took a step forward as a playmaker in 2024-25, posting career highs in usage rate (31.0%) and assist rate (26.6%). That was partially fueled out of necessity, as Paolo Banchero was limited to 46 games, and Jalen Suggs was limited to 23 games. Regardless, Wagner played well with increased responsibilities, averaging 24.2 points and 1.7 threes on 46/30/87 shooting, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals in 33.7 minutes. His three-point shooting is the biggest area of concern. After shooting 35.8 percent from distance over his first two seasons, Wagner has shot 28.9 percent since. The dip has not come with a dip in free-throw percentage, however, making the situation a bit confusing. If he can manage to get back on track from distance, he'll become one of the most efficient high-volume forwards in the NBA. This season, it may be easier for Wagner to increase his efficiency, as Orlando added another quality scorer and playmaker to the mix in Desmond Bane. That could mean a reduction in responsibility for Wagner, but his usage had possibly hit its ceiling anyway while playing next to Banchero - especially if the team is healthier overall. Either way, Wagner is capable of putting up All-Star-caliber numbers and can start to be considered in fantasy around the third or fourth round.
After four roller-coaster seasons in Houston, Green was packaged in a deal with Dillon Brooks and sent to Phoenix in exchange for Kevin Durant. Green plateaued in Houston and struggled mightily to end the year. He scored single digits in 16 of 89 total games in 2024-25, with seven of those coming during the Rockets' last 10 contests, including playoffs. While his highest-scoring campaign came in 2022-23 (22.1 points per game), Green was more efficient in all three phases during the following two seasons, elevating his value in category leagues. However, he's yet to crack the top 50, despite missing only six regular-season games over the last three years. Phoenix's roster construction for 2025-26 is puzzling overall, and one of the bigger questions is how Green will mesh with Devin Booker. Both are excellent 1-on-1 players, but for them to reach their peak fantasy value, they'll have to find a way to get each other open looks. Regardless of how well they work together, there isn't a player on this team who'll compete with the duo for usage, theoretically giving Green free rein offensively. That certainly bodes well for Green's overall value in points leagues, but managers in category leagues need to be aware that the 23-year-old guard has yet to shoot above 42 percent from the floor in four seasons. That likely won't change while operating as a go-to player in the Suns' clunky offense.
After four roller-coaster seasons in Houston, Green was packaged in a deal with Dillon Brooks and sent to Phoenix in exchange for Kevin Durant. Green plateaued in Houston and struggled mightily to end the year. He scored single digits in 16 of 89 total games in 2024-25, with seven of those coming during the Rockets' last 10 contests, including playoffs. While his highest-scoring campaign came in 2022-23 (22.1 points per game), Green was more efficient in all three phases during the following two seasons, elevating his value in category leagues. However, he's yet to crack the top 50, despite missing only six regular-season games over the last three years. Phoenix's roster construction for 2025-26 is puzzling overall, and one of the bigger questions is how Green will mesh with Devin Booker. Both are excellent 1-on-1 players, but for them to reach their peak fantasy value, they'll have to find a way to get each other open looks. Regardless of how well they work together, there isn't a player on this team who'll compete with the duo for usage, theoretically giving Green free rein offensively. That certainly bodes well for Green's overall value in points leagues, but managers in category leagues need to be aware that the 23-year-old guard has yet to shoot above 42 percent from the floor in four seasons. That likely won't change while operating as a go-to player in the Suns' clunky offense.
Miller's sophomore season was cut short due to a wrist injury that required surgery, limiting him to 27 appearances. Despite that, it was clear the Alabama product made strides in his game. Offensively, he slightly improved upon his true shooting percentage while adding more shot volume, and he became a better passer. He also marginally improved his defensive contributions. Altogether, he averaged 21.0 points and 3.9 made threes on 40/36/86 shooting, 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.8 combined steals-plus-blocks. He may not develop into a No. 1 option while next to LaMelo Ball, and he still has some competition for usage with Miles Bridges, but all signs point to Miller establishing himself as a clear No. 2 in Charlotte's offense. Given that his biggest step forward next season could be efficiency, Miller projects as slightly more valuable in category leagues, but he's well-rounded enough to be nearly as valuable in points formats. Aggressive fantasy managers have plenty of reason to target him in the 30-40 range given his Year 2 progression, overall pedigree and position in Charlotte's hierarchy.
Miller's sophomore season was cut short due to a wrist injury that required surgery, limiting him to 27 appearances. Despite that, it was clear the Alabama product made strides in his game. Offensively, he slightly improved upon his true shooting percentage while adding more shot volume, and he became a better passer. He also marginally improved his defensive contributions. Altogether, he averaged 21.0 points and 3.9 made threes on 40/36/86 shooting, 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.8 combined steals-plus-blocks. He may not develop into a No. 1 option while next to LaMelo Ball, and he still has some competition for usage with Miles Bridges, but all signs point to Miller establishing himself as a clear No. 2 in Charlotte's offense. Given that his biggest step forward next season could be efficiency, Miller projects as slightly more valuable in category leagues, but he's well-rounded enough to be nearly as valuable in points formats. Aggressive fantasy managers have plenty of reason to target him in the 30-40 range given his Year 2 progression, overall pedigree and position in Charlotte's hierarchy.
The 2nd pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Sarr finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting. He proved to be much more polished on defense than offense. Despite being just 19 years old, he was eighth in the league in block percentage (5.0%). However, he didn't rebound the ball especially well (8.6 REB per 36 minutes). Some of that could have been due to sharing the court often with Jonas Valanciunas, who is now on the Nuggets. This season, Sarr should play center for nearly all of his time on the court, which should benefit him both as a rebounder and shot-blocker. Offensively, Sarr was raw. His true-shooting percentage (48.2%) was the lowest of all qualifiers. Some of that was due to trying to make plays for himself rather than fall into the mold of being a pick-and-roll rim-runner. That often resulted in tough, contested mid-range looks. Getting to the rim more, especially given his size (7-foot, 224 pounds), will be important. On a positive note offensively, he flashed upside as a passer, with 3.2 assists to 2.3 turnovers per 36 minutes. That's a solid ratio for a young big man looking to do a lot for himself. Sarr also saw just 27.1 minutes per game as a rookie, which has a strong chance of increasing into the low-30s. That alone would do wonders for his fantasy value. All-in-all, Sarr should be considered inside the top-100 picks for category formats, and probably much higher in points formats.
The 2nd pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Sarr finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting. He proved to be much more polished on defense than offense. Despite being just 19 years old, he was eighth in the league in block percentage (5.0%). However, he didn't rebound the ball especially well (8.6 REB per 36 minutes). Some of that could have been due to sharing the court often with Jonas Valanciunas, who is now on the Nuggets. This season, Sarr should play center for nearly all of his time on the court, which should benefit him both as a rebounder and shot-blocker. Offensively, Sarr was raw. His true-shooting percentage (48.2%) was the lowest of all qualifiers. Some of that was due to trying to make plays for himself rather than fall into the mold of being a pick-and-roll rim-runner. That often resulted in tough, contested mid-range looks. Getting to the rim more, especially given his size (7-foot, 224 pounds), will be important. On a positive note offensively, he flashed upside as a passer, with 3.2 assists to 2.3 turnovers per 36 minutes. That's a solid ratio for a young big man looking to do a lot for himself. Sarr also saw just 27.1 minutes per game as a rookie, which has a strong chance of increasing into the low-30s. That alone would do wonders for his fantasy value. All-in-all, Sarr should be considered inside the top-100 picks for category formats, and probably much higher in points formats.
Daniels was the 2024-25 steals leader and Most Improved Player. After two seasons struggling to find a role with the Pelicans, he was dealt to the Hawks, who sent back Dejounte Murray. Daniels' defensive potential was able to shine through next to Trae Young, with the former averaging a league-high 3.0 steals per game, not to mention a solid 0.7 blocks. He also made strides offensively, becoming a better shooter from the field and averaging 14.1 points and 1.1 threes on 49/34/59 shooting with 5.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 33.8 minutes. Despite the massive boost last season, 2025-26 has the potential to be a plateau year. Realistically, can Daniels improve on his steal numbers? This century, he owns the highest average for a season, while the highest average since the three-point line was introduced is 3.7, set by Alvin Robertson in 1986. Plus, the Hawks retooled in the offseason, adding Kristaps Porzingis and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. A healthy year of Jalen Johnson and improvement from Zaccharie Risacher could also take offensive responsibility away from Daniels, who was never billed as a strong offensive prospect in the first place. In fantasy drafts, Daniels still deserves to be in consideration around picks 30-40, but there's probably a hard cap on his potential.
Daniels was the 2024-25 steals leader and Most Improved Player. After two seasons struggling to find a role with the Pelicans, he was dealt to the Hawks, who sent back Dejounte Murray. Daniels' defensive potential was able to shine through next to Trae Young, with the former averaging a league-high 3.0 steals per game, not to mention a solid 0.7 blocks. He also made strides offensively, becoming a better shooter from the field and averaging 14.1 points and 1.1 threes on 49/34/59 shooting with 5.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 33.8 minutes. Despite the massive boost last season, 2025-26 has the potential to be a plateau year. Realistically, can Daniels improve on his steal numbers? This century, he owns the highest average for a season, while the highest average since the three-point line was introduced is 3.7, set by Alvin Robertson in 1986. Plus, the Hawks retooled in the offseason, adding Kristaps Porzingis and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. A healthy year of Jalen Johnson and improvement from Zaccharie Risacher could also take offensive responsibility away from Daniels, who was never billed as a strong offensive prospect in the first place. In fantasy drafts, Daniels still deserves to be in consideration around picks 30-40, but there's probably a hard cap on his potential.
Vucevic's career has been the epitome of consistency, and that hasn't changed during his time in Chicago. The big man has averaged at least 17 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and 1.5 stocks in seven consecutive campaigns, appeared in at least 70 regular-season games in five straight seasons and finished as a top-40 player in eight-category leagues in each season as a Bull. While the overall production has been consistent, there are parts of Vucevic's game that have waned. Notably, he struggled from deep in 2023-24, shooting 29.4 percent, his lowest mark since adding a three-point shot to his arsenal in 2016-17. However, there was a major bounceback in 2024-25. Vucevic shot over 40 percent from beyond the arc for only the second time in his career while attempting at least four shots per game from long range for a fourth straight year. While Josh Giddey hasn't been signed yet, the expectation is that the Bulls will start 2025-26 with essentially the same rotation that ended 2024-25, save for swapping Isaac Okoro for Lonzo Ball. That group, led by Vucevic, Giddey, Coby White and Matas Buzelis, started to click toward the end of last season, but the Bulls once again lost in the Play-In Tournament. Internal development from the young core, plus the veteran consistency of Vucevic, could mean more team success for the Bulls. However, it's hard to envision Vucevic taking another step forward in fantasy.
Vucevic's career has been the epitome of consistency, and that hasn't changed during his time in Chicago. The big man has averaged at least 17 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and 1.5 stocks in seven consecutive campaigns, appeared in at least 70 regular-season games in five straight seasons and finished as a top-40 player in eight-category leagues in each season as a Bull. While the overall production has been consistent, there are parts of Vucevic's game that have waned. Notably, he struggled from deep in 2023-24, shooting 29.4 percent, his lowest mark since adding a three-point shot to his arsenal in 2016-17. However, there was a major bounceback in 2024-25. Vucevic shot over 40 percent from beyond the arc for only the second time in his career while attempting at least four shots per game from long range for a fourth straight year. While Josh Giddey hasn't been signed yet, the expectation is that the Bulls will start 2025-26 with essentially the same rotation that ended 2024-25, save for swapping Isaac Okoro for Lonzo Ball. That group, led by Vucevic, Giddey, Coby White and Matas Buzelis, started to click toward the end of last season, but the Bulls once again lost in the Play-In Tournament. Internal development from the young core, plus the veteran consistency of Vucevic, could mean more team success for the Bulls. However, it's hard to envision Vucevic taking another step forward in fantasy.
Amid the drama of Jimmy Butler during the first half of last season, Herro put together his best campaign as a pro. He made his first All-Star game with averages of 23.9 points and 3.3 threes on 47/38/88 shooting, 5.5 assists and 5.2 rebounds. His biggest stride as a player was creating for himself more off the dribble and getting to the rim. After shooting 2.6 free throws per game in 2023-24, Herro shot 4.2 free throws last year, and he upped his two-point field-goal percentage from 44.1 percent to 47.2 percent. In the process, he eliminated many of the long mid-rangers from his shot profile. Miami will look somewhat different this season, with essentially all of Butler's usage set to be taken up by Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins. Either way, Herro is the clear No. 1 option on the team and can still make development strides as a 26-year-old. Health is a bit of a concern, though. Herro played 77 games last year but had never played more than 67 games in a prior season. Fantasy managers willing to take the risk will have to pay up following last season's progress, but Herro can probably be drafted with relative confidence in the third or fourth round.
Amid the drama of Jimmy Butler during the first half of last season, Herro put together his best campaign as a pro. He made his first All-Star game with averages of 23.9 points and 3.3 threes on 47/38/88 shooting, 5.5 assists and 5.2 rebounds. His biggest stride as a player was creating for himself more off the dribble and getting to the rim. After shooting 2.6 free throws per game in 2023-24, Herro shot 4.2 free throws last year, and he upped his two-point field-goal percentage from 44.1 percent to 47.2 percent. In the process, he eliminated many of the long mid-rangers from his shot profile. Miami will look somewhat different this season, with essentially all of Butler's usage set to be taken up by Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins. Either way, Herro is the clear No. 1 option on the team and can still make development strides as a 26-year-old. Health is a bit of a concern, though. Herro played 77 games last year but had never played more than 67 games in a prior season. Fantasy managers willing to take the risk will have to pay up following last season's progress, but Herro can probably be drafted with relative confidence in the third or fourth round.
Both Curry and the Warriors underwhelmed to begin the 2024-25 season. Trading for Jimmy Butler re-ignited things for the team and gave Curry room to breathe offensively, improving his efficiency. In his final 24 regular-season appearances following the All-Star break, Curry averaged 26.7 points and 4.6 threes on 48/41/95 shooting, 5.9 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals. Golden State's new primary core of Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler is back this season and gunning for a title. The only questions surrounding Curry at this point revolve around his age (37) and his injury history. While he's played an impressive 144 games across the past two seasons, those are an outlier compared to the prior six years, where he averaged 51.3 appearances. His minutes per game have also declined each of the past three seasons. Despite some of the risk, Curry remains an option as a first-round pick in category leagues, where his efficiency and three-point shooting shine. In points leagues, managers can wait until the second or third round.
Both Curry and the Warriors underwhelmed to begin the 2024-25 season. Trading for Jimmy Butler re-ignited things for the team and gave Curry room to breathe offensively, improving his efficiency. In his final 24 regular-season appearances following the All-Star break, Curry averaged 26.7 points and 4.6 threes on 48/41/95 shooting, 5.9 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals. Golden State's new primary core of Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler is back this season and gunning for a title. The only questions surrounding Curry at this point revolve around his age (37) and his injury history. While he's played an impressive 144 games across the past two seasons, those are an outlier compared to the prior six years, where he averaged 51.3 appearances. His minutes per game have also declined each of the past three seasons. Despite some of the risk, Curry remains an option as a first-round pick in category leagues, where his efficiency and three-point shooting shine. In points leagues, managers can wait until the second or third round.
There isn't much left to say about Durant, the player. He's one of the best pure scorers of all time, and a quality playmaker and defender. Age, injury history and a new situation are the primary swing factors for the 2025-26 campaign. Durant is turning 37 years old, has played 70 games just three times in the past 10 years and is joining a team with high-upside young players. Usage-wise, it could be simple enough for Durant to take all the shots Jalen Green was previously getting, leaving plenty of touches for the players like Alperen Sengun, Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith to stay happy and productive. Durant has also played at least 35.6 minutes per game each of the past four seasons, something that should be able to come down given the team's overall talent and potential for blowout wins. While Durant still has the potential to return first-round value, taking him in the late second round is probably more appropriate given the situation and stage of his career.
There isn't much left to say about Durant, the player. He's one of the best pure scorers of all time, and a quality playmaker and defender. Age, injury history and a new situation are the primary swing factors for the 2025-26 campaign. Durant is turning 37 years old, has played 70 games just three times in the past 10 years and is joining a team with high-upside young players. Usage-wise, it could be simple enough for Durant to take all the shots Jalen Green was previously getting, leaving plenty of touches for the players like Alperen Sengun, Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith to stay happy and productive. Durant has also played at least 35.6 minutes per game each of the past four seasons, something that should be able to come down given the team's overall talent and potential for blowout wins. While Durant still has the potential to return first-round value, taking him in the late second round is probably more appropriate given the situation and stage of his career.
White cracked 20 points per game for the first time in his career last season, but his assists and rebounds dropped slightly. The sharpshooter posted 45/90/37 shooting splits and attempted a career-high 4.1 free throws a night. White got more efficient looks during Josh Giddey's first season in Chicago, but the former had the ball in his hands less until the Bulls shipped Zach LaVine to Sacramento mid-season. Lonzo Ball, another guy who needs the ball in his hands a lot, was traded to Cleveland in exchange for Isaac Okoro this offseason, which could boost White's usage heading into 2025-26. However, the loss of Ball may be mitigated by a Year 2 leap from Matas Buzelis, who showed flashes of stardom to end his rookie campaign. The rest of the rotation that ended 2024-25 is expected back this season, despite the yearly trade rumors surrounding Nikola Vucevic. Despite the moving parts around him, White has been a top-50 asset in eight-category leagues in each of the past two seasons and will remain a focal point of Chicago's offense, regardless of what happens with Giddey's extension. White has made at least 2.0 three-pointers per game in five of his first six seasons, including a career-high 2.9 a night last season.
White cracked 20 points per game for the first time in his career last season, but his assists and rebounds dropped slightly. The sharpshooter posted 45/90/37 shooting splits and attempted a career-high 4.1 free throws a night. White got more efficient looks during Josh Giddey's first season in Chicago, but the former had the ball in his hands less until the Bulls shipped Zach LaVine to Sacramento mid-season. Lonzo Ball, another guy who needs the ball in his hands a lot, was traded to Cleveland in exchange for Isaac Okoro this offseason, which could boost White's usage heading into 2025-26. However, the loss of Ball may be mitigated by a Year 2 leap from Matas Buzelis, who showed flashes of stardom to end his rookie campaign. The rest of the rotation that ended 2024-25 is expected back this season, despite the yearly trade rumors surrounding Nikola Vucevic. Despite the moving parts around him, White has been a top-50 asset in eight-category leagues in each of the past two seasons and will remain a focal point of Chicago's offense, regardless of what happens with Giddey's extension. White has made at least 2.0 three-pointers per game in five of his first six seasons, including a career-high 2.9 a night last season.
After being acquired by the Knicks at the 2023-24 trade deadline, the Raptors swiftly committed to Quickley long-term by signing him to a five-year, $175 million contract in June of 2024. The Kentucky product was expected to serve as a key piece in the franchise alongside Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett. Still, Quickley missed 30 of Toronto's first 33 regular-season games due to pelvic and elbow injuries and had scheduled rest days over the final quarter of the season. Quickly has the scoring punch and playmaking ability to lead an offense, but health will be a big question mark for him heading into his second full season with the Raptors. The challenge facing Quickley will be how to balance the offense, given that Barnes, Barrett and a healthy Brandon Ingram will all be asking for the ball. Quickley's usage and shooting output will probably dip, but he could make up for that with an uptick in assists; he averaged a career-high 5.8 dimes per game last season.
After being acquired by the Knicks at the 2023-24 trade deadline, the Raptors swiftly committed to Quickley long-term by signing him to a five-year, $175 million contract in June of 2024. The Kentucky product was expected to serve as a key piece in the franchise alongside Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett. Still, Quickley missed 30 of Toronto's first 33 regular-season games due to pelvic and elbow injuries and had scheduled rest days over the final quarter of the season. Quickly has the scoring punch and playmaking ability to lead an offense, but health will be a big question mark for him heading into his second full season with the Raptors. The challenge facing Quickley will be how to balance the offense, given that Barnes, Barrett and a healthy Brandon Ingram will all be asking for the ball. Quickley's usage and shooting output will probably dip, but he could make up for that with an uptick in assists; he averaged a career-high 5.8 dimes per game last season.
Duren continues making small strides in his game, but his defensive issues either get him played off the floor or in foul trouble. Last season, that limited him to 26.1 minutes per game. He was still able to post strong numbers, averaging 11.8 points on 69.2 FG% and 66.9 FT%, 10.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 blocks and 0.7 steals. Given that Duren won't even be 22 years old by the time the season starts, and he's already averaging 1.2 fantasy points per minute, there's a ton of upside for managers to be attracted to. If he's able to break through and consistently see minutes in the low-30s, he'll be one of the best centers in fantasy basketball. Over the past two seasons, he's ranked third in total rebound percentage (22.2%; 22.0%), and he was second in the league in true shooting percentage (70.3%) last year.
Duren continues making small strides in his game, but his defensive issues either get him played off the floor or in foul trouble. Last season, that limited him to 26.1 minutes per game. He was still able to post strong numbers, averaging 11.8 points on 69.2 FG% and 66.9 FT%, 10.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 blocks and 0.7 steals. Given that Duren won't even be 22 years old by the time the season starts, and he's already averaging 1.2 fantasy points per minute, there's a ton of upside for managers to be attracted to. If he's able to break through and consistently see minutes in the low-30s, he'll be one of the best centers in fantasy basketball. Over the past two seasons, he's ranked third in total rebound percentage (22.2%; 22.0%), and he was second in the league in true shooting percentage (70.3%) last year.
During Year 3, Kessler set career highs across the board in per-game stats, averaging 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 3.0 stocks on 66.3 percent shooting in 30.0 minutes a night. However, the 2022 No. 22 overall pick appeared in a career-low 58 contests. He also shot only 52 percent from the free-throw line (2.6 tries per game) and 17.6 percent from deep (34 total attempts). Despite limited playing time to start his career, Kessler has always been a standout performer in the typical big-man categories (REBs, BLKs, FG%), but his upside has been limited due to his lack of production elsewhere. With that said, it's unclear if Kessler has even scratched the surface of his potential, as he's yet to have a consistent role for an entire season. Occam's razor suggests that Kessler is more effective when deployed in a matchup-based rotational role; however, Utah has made questionable rotation decisions over the last three seasons, as the Jazz appeared to be tanking. The frontcourt lost John Collins and a few reserve options this offseason but added Ace Bailey, Jusuf Nurkic, Georges Niang and Kevin Love to a group that returns Kessler, Lauri Markkanen, Kyle Filipowski, Brice Sensabaugh and Cody Williams. After starting all 58 of his appearances last season, Kessler is projected to be the starting center yet again, but he could be played off the court when opposing teams go small, and Utah has plenty of depth behind him, so he may not need to play 30-plus minutes a night. When healthy, Kessler has a top-100 floor, but he's yet to crack the top 75 in eight-category leagues, and it's difficult to envision him working his way into the top 50 unless he improves from the charity stripe.
During Year 3, Kessler set career highs across the board in per-game stats, averaging 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 3.0 stocks on 66.3 percent shooting in 30.0 minutes a night. However, the 2022 No. 22 overall pick appeared in a career-low 58 contests. He also shot only 52 percent from the free-throw line (2.6 tries per game) and 17.6 percent from deep (34 total attempts). Despite limited playing time to start his career, Kessler has always been a standout performer in the typical big-man categories (REBs, BLKs, FG%), but his upside has been limited due to his lack of production elsewhere. With that said, it's unclear if Kessler has even scratched the surface of his potential, as he's yet to have a consistent role for an entire season. Occam's razor suggests that Kessler is more effective when deployed in a matchup-based rotational role; however, Utah has made questionable rotation decisions over the last three seasons, as the Jazz appeared to be tanking. The frontcourt lost John Collins and a few reserve options this offseason but added Ace Bailey, Jusuf Nurkic, Georges Niang and Kevin Love to a group that returns Kessler, Lauri Markkanen, Kyle Filipowski, Brice Sensabaugh and Cody Williams. After starting all 58 of his appearances last season, Kessler is projected to be the starting center yet again, but he could be played off the court when opposing teams go small, and Utah has plenty of depth behind him, so he may not need to play 30-plus minutes a night. When healthy, Kessler has a top-100 floor, but he's yet to crack the top 75 in eight-category leagues, and it's difficult to envision him working his way into the top 50 unless he improves from the charity stripe.
Last season marked Avdija's first away from Washington - the franchise that drafted him No. 9 overall in 2020. His role was expected to decline in Portland. At first, it did. The forward came off the bench for 18 of his first 30 appearances, seeing just 26.4 minutes per game. However, he became a full-time starter from Dec. 28 onward, averaging 19.7 points and 1.9 threes on 49/37/78 shooting, 8.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.0 steals in 32.6 minutes. Impressively, Avdija reached both career highs in assists-included usage rate (23.8%) and true-shooting percentage (60.5%). Arguably, the biggest stride in his game was creating for himself off the dribble to finish at the rim. He took 6.2 free throws per 36 minutes, which ranked 12th in the NBA, and was up from his prior season of 4.4 free throws per 36. With Anfernee Simons now in Boston and Deandre Ayton on the Lakers, a lot of usage has opened up in Portland. Some of that will presumably go to Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe and Jrue Holiday. But Avdija may be able to expand his role more, too. At the very least, Avdija should be able to maintain what he accomplished across the whole of last season - 16.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.0 steals in 30.0 minutes. Assuming that's the case, Avdija projects as a top-75 fantasy player.
Last season marked Avdija's first away from Washington - the franchise that drafted him No. 9 overall in 2020. His role was expected to decline in Portland. At first, it did. The forward came off the bench for 18 of his first 30 appearances, seeing just 26.4 minutes per game. However, he became a full-time starter from Dec. 28 onward, averaging 19.7 points and 1.9 threes on 49/37/78 shooting, 8.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.0 steals in 32.6 minutes. Impressively, Avdija reached both career highs in assists-included usage rate (23.8%) and true-shooting percentage (60.5%). Arguably, the biggest stride in his game was creating for himself off the dribble to finish at the rim. He took 6.2 free throws per 36 minutes, which ranked 12th in the NBA, and was up from his prior season of 4.4 free throws per 36. With Anfernee Simons now in Boston and Deandre Ayton on the Lakers, a lot of usage has opened up in Portland. Some of that will presumably go to Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe and Jrue Holiday. But Avdija may be able to expand his role more, too. At the very least, Avdija should be able to maintain what he accomplished across the whole of last season - 16.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.0 steals in 30.0 minutes. Assuming that's the case, Avdija projects as a top-75 fantasy player.
Jackson played 74 games last season, crossing the 70 threshold for just the second time in his seven-year career. That resulted in his second All-Star appearance, with the big man averaging 22.2 points and 2.0 threes on 49/38/78 shooting, 5.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals. This season, Jackson should have more room to expand his game offensively, as Desmond Bane was traded to the Magic. At the same time, a true peak season from Jackson will also require a clean bill of health and an ability to see minutes in the low-to-mid 30s, something he's had trouble achieving because of foul trouble. His block numbers also aren't what they once were, with his block rate half of his peak season. That's not expected to return with Zach Edey manning the paint. So Jackson's fantasy upside for this season is, in theory, as high as ever. But he still has downside risk associated with him. He's also not starting the season healthy, as he needed toe surgery during the offseason and could be limited to begin the campaign.
Jackson played 74 games last season, crossing the 70 threshold for just the second time in his seven-year career. That resulted in his second All-Star appearance, with the big man averaging 22.2 points and 2.0 threes on 49/38/78 shooting, 5.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals. This season, Jackson should have more room to expand his game offensively, as Desmond Bane was traded to the Magic. At the same time, a true peak season from Jackson will also require a clean bill of health and an ability to see minutes in the low-to-mid 30s, something he's had trouble achieving because of foul trouble. His block numbers also aren't what they once were, with his block rate half of his peak season. That's not expected to return with Zach Edey manning the paint. So Jackson's fantasy upside for this season is, in theory, as high as ever. But he still has downside risk associated with him. He's also not starting the season healthy, as he needed toe surgery during the offseason and could be limited to begin the campaign.
Flagg's storybook rise to the NBA started when he became the first freshman ever to be named the Maine Gatorade Player of the Year, leading Nokomis Regional to the state title in 2021. He transferred to a national powerhouse, Montverde Academy, the following year, winning the 2022 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year and the 2024 National High School Player of the Year. The awards kept coming in college, including ACC Rookie of the Year, ACC All-Defensive Team and National College Player of the Year during his lone season at Duke. Flagg has the height, strength and instincts to play down low as a shot blocker, but he also has the quickness and athleticism to lock down on the perimeter. Plus, his motor never wanes on that end of the court. Flagg put up elite offensive numbers at Duke and has immense potential, but is far from a polished prospect. However, the phenom showed vast improvements early at the collegiate level and eventually emerged as Duke's go-to offensive player in clutch situations. There's nothing Flagg can't do on a basketball court, which is why he was the consensus No. 1 overall pick, but he'll have to continue to improve to live up to his lofty expectations. With Kyrie Irving slated to miss at least the first half of the season, Flagg will be forced into uncomfortable offensive situations early in his career, but the Mavericks' new franchise player's ability to stuff the stat sheet makes him an intriguing fantasy option, even if there are concerns about how his offensive game will translate to the NBA.
Flagg's storybook rise to the NBA started when he became the first freshman ever to be named the Maine Gatorade Player of the Year, leading Nokomis Regional to the state title in 2021. He transferred to a national powerhouse, Montverde Academy, the following year, winning the 2022 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year and the 2024 National High School Player of the Year. The awards kept coming in college, including ACC Rookie of the Year, ACC All-Defensive Team and National College Player of the Year during his lone season at Duke. Flagg has the height, strength and instincts to play down low as a shot blocker, but he also has the quickness and athleticism to lock down on the perimeter. Plus, his motor never wanes on that end of the court. Flagg put up elite offensive numbers at Duke and has immense potential, but is far from a polished prospect. However, the phenom showed vast improvements early at the collegiate level and eventually emerged as Duke's go-to offensive player in clutch situations. There's nothing Flagg can't do on a basketball court, which is why he was the consensus No. 1 overall pick, but he'll have to continue to improve to live up to his lofty expectations. With Kyrie Irving slated to miss at least the first half of the season, Flagg will be forced into uncomfortable offensive situations early in his career, but the Mavericks' new franchise player's ability to stuff the stat sheet makes him an intriguing fantasy option, even if there are concerns about how his offensive game will translate to the NBA.
Hart's do-it-all mindset, coupled with Tom Thibodeau's reckless minute usage, made the Villanova guard one of the biggest fantasy surprises last season. Hart posted career highs in rebounds (9.6), assists (5.9), steals (1.5) and minutes (37.6) per game. He also shot over 50 percent from the field for a third time in four years, boosting his value immensely in category leagues. Hart's willingness to do whatever is needed on any given night, and the fact that he's missed only 12 regular-season games over the past three campaigns, gives him a high fantasy floor to go with a top-25 ceiling. However, with Thibodeau no longer in town, it's unclear how an inevitably lower minutes total will impact Hart's bottom line in 2025-26. After a disappointing loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks' front office blamed the coach, as the starting five is all set to return. Miles McBride and Mitchell Robinson will also return to key depth roles. Still, New York made a few upgrades around the edges, replacing Cameron Payne with Jordan Clarkson and Precious Achiuwa with Guerschon Yabusele. Hart will remain the Knicks' lynchpin in real life, but a perfect storm last season may have led to an unrepeatable fantasy performance.
Hart's do-it-all mindset, coupled with Tom Thibodeau's reckless minute usage, made the Villanova guard one of the biggest fantasy surprises last season. Hart posted career highs in rebounds (9.6), assists (5.9), steals (1.5) and minutes (37.6) per game. He also shot over 50 percent from the field for a third time in four years, boosting his value immensely in category leagues. Hart's willingness to do whatever is needed on any given night, and the fact that he's missed only 12 regular-season games over the past three campaigns, gives him a high fantasy floor to go with a top-25 ceiling. However, with Thibodeau no longer in town, it's unclear how an inevitably lower minutes total will impact Hart's bottom line in 2025-26. After a disappointing loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks' front office blamed the coach, as the starting five is all set to return. Miles McBride and Mitchell Robinson will also return to key depth roles. Still, New York made a few upgrades around the edges, replacing Cameron Payne with Jordan Clarkson and Precious Achiuwa with Guerschon Yabusele. Hart will remain the Knicks' lynchpin in real life, but a perfect storm last season may have led to an unrepeatable fantasy performance.
A mid-season ankle injury and a significant shoulder injury in March cut Murphy's fourth season in the NBA short, but it was his best. He took on a higher usage rate than ever before, showing off his potential to be an efficient, two-way playmaker in a leading role. In his 35.0 minutes per game, the forward averaged 21.2 points and 3.0 threes on 45/36/89 shooting, 5.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.7 blocks. The biggest developments in his game were passing and self-creation, especially in terms of driving to the basket off the dribble and drawing defenders with his dunk-contest athleticism. That sort of usage could still be available for Murphy again this season. Brandon Ingram was traded to the Raptors and Dejounte Murray is recovering from a torn Achilles. Jordan Poole was added in the swap that sent CJ McCollum to the Wizards as the Pels shook up their roster. How much can we trust Zion Williamson to stay healthy? This team lacks depth in trustworthy offensive talent. There will be plenty of situations where Murphy has to drive playmaking, whether that be in the flow of a normal game or due to injuries to teammates. Maybe the situation is still more murky than optimists would like, but Murphy finished in the top-40 last season in per-game production in 8-category formats.
A mid-season ankle injury and a significant shoulder injury in March cut Murphy's fourth season in the NBA short, but it was his best. He took on a higher usage rate than ever before, showing off his potential to be an efficient, two-way playmaker in a leading role. In his 35.0 minutes per game, the forward averaged 21.2 points and 3.0 threes on 45/36/89 shooting, 5.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.7 blocks. The biggest developments in his game were passing and self-creation, especially in terms of driving to the basket off the dribble and drawing defenders with his dunk-contest athleticism. That sort of usage could still be available for Murphy again this season. Brandon Ingram was traded to the Raptors and Dejounte Murray is recovering from a torn Achilles. Jordan Poole was added in the swap that sent CJ McCollum to the Wizards as the Pels shook up their roster. How much can we trust Zion Williamson to stay healthy? This team lacks depth in trustworthy offensive talent. There will be plenty of situations where Murphy has to drive playmaking, whether that be in the flow of a normal game or due to injuries to teammates. Maybe the situation is still more murky than optimists would like, but Murphy finished in the top-40 last season in per-game production in 8-category formats.
In 2024-25, Reaves averaged 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 2.7 made threes, which are all career highs. He shot 38 percent from deep on a career-high 7.3 attempts per game and made 88 percent from the charity stripe on 5.0 tries a night, also career highs. His production and role didn't change after the addition of Luka Doncic. However, the Lakers may move Reaves to the bench to make room in the first five for Deandre Ayton and/or Marcus Smart, who were both acquired this offseason. If Reaves is forced into a reserve role, his usage might actually go up, as he wouldn't have to share the court with Luka Doncic and LeBron James as often. Given the lofty standards he's set for himself, it'll be difficult for Reaves to take a step forward in fantasy. He has finished as a top-35 player in eight-category leagues in each of the past two seasons, including a top-25 finish last year. Reaves' strong finishes were propelled by missing only nine regular-season games during those two years. Whether he's starting or not, Reaves should be a go-to player whenever he's on the court, but this may be his final year under contract, as he owns a $14.9 million player option for 2026-27.
In 2024-25, Reaves averaged 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 2.7 made threes, which are all career highs. He shot 38 percent from deep on a career-high 7.3 attempts per game and made 88 percent from the charity stripe on 5.0 tries a night, also career highs. His production and role didn't change after the addition of Luka Doncic. However, the Lakers may move Reaves to the bench to make room in the first five for Deandre Ayton and/or Marcus Smart, who were both acquired this offseason. If Reaves is forced into a reserve role, his usage might actually go up, as he wouldn't have to share the court with Luka Doncic and LeBron James as often. Given the lofty standards he's set for himself, it'll be difficult for Reaves to take a step forward in fantasy. He has finished as a top-35 player in eight-category leagues in each of the past two seasons, including a top-25 finish last year. Reaves' strong finishes were propelled by missing only nine regular-season games during those two years. Whether he's starting or not, Reaves should be a go-to player whenever he's on the court, but this may be his final year under contract, as he owns a $14.9 million player option for 2026-27.
DeRozan remains a certified bucket getter, averaging at least 20 points per game in 12 straight seasons with four different teams. However, the rest of his game regressed in 2024-25, as he posted 4.4 assists (fewest since 2016-17), 3.9 rebounds (fewest since 2012-13) and 0.8 steals (fewest since rookie season in 2009-10). While DeRozan changed teams ahead of last season, he ended the campaign handling a similar role to his time in Chicago, sharing usage with Zach LaVine, a playmaking center (formerly Nikola Vucevic, now Domantas Sabonis) and a microwave scorer (formerly Coby White, now Malik Monk). The Kings also don't have a true starting point guard, though free-agent acquisition Dennis Schroder could earn that role eventually. They also swapped Jonas Valanciunas for Dario Saric and drafted two rookies who could carve out roles right away - Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud. The depth changes won't impact DeRozan's bottom line, and the same core that ended 2024-25 will return in 2025-26. He finished as the 51st player in eight-category leagues last season, his first time outside the top 40 since 2014-15, when he appeared in a career-low 60 regular-season games. However, heading into his age-36 campaign, the veteran has been healthy and heavily utilized, appearing in at least 74 regular-season games and averaging at least 36 minutes a night in four straight seasons. DeRozan is a go-to offensive player in Sacramento, but his days of all-around production may be sporadic.
DeRozan remains a certified bucket getter, averaging at least 20 points per game in 12 straight seasons with four different teams. However, the rest of his game regressed in 2024-25, as he posted 4.4 assists (fewest since 2016-17), 3.9 rebounds (fewest since 2012-13) and 0.8 steals (fewest since rookie season in 2009-10). While DeRozan changed teams ahead of last season, he ended the campaign handling a similar role to his time in Chicago, sharing usage with Zach LaVine, a playmaking center (formerly Nikola Vucevic, now Domantas Sabonis) and a microwave scorer (formerly Coby White, now Malik Monk). The Kings also don't have a true starting point guard, though free-agent acquisition Dennis Schroder could earn that role eventually. They also swapped Jonas Valanciunas for Dario Saric and drafted two rookies who could carve out roles right away - Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud. The depth changes won't impact DeRozan's bottom line, and the same core that ended 2024-25 will return in 2025-26. He finished as the 51st player in eight-category leagues last season, his first time outside the top 40 since 2014-15, when he appeared in a career-low 60 regular-season games. However, heading into his age-36 campaign, the veteran has been healthy and heavily utilized, appearing in at least 74 regular-season games and averaging at least 36 minutes a night in four straight seasons. DeRozan is a go-to offensive player in Sacramento, but his days of all-around production may be sporadic.
Coming off a disappointing 2023-24 campaign - his first away from the Warriors - Poole had a bounceback 2024-25 season with the Wizards. He improved essentially every aspect of his game, leading to 20.5 points and 3.5 threes on 43/38/88 shooting, 4.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 29.4 minutes. The biggest change in his game was replacing mid-range shots with three-pointers. In 2023-24, 33 percent of his overall attempts came from the mid-range, while 45 percent came from three. Last year, it was 22 percent from midrange and 54 percent from three. Poole was also tough for opposing players to guard in isolation, as he drew a non-shooting foul on 3.4 percent of team plays - in the 98th percentile for point guards. He'll be taking his improved game to a new team this season, as Poole was dealt to the Pelicans in exchange for CJ McCollum. Poole should start the whole season but will presumably shift into more of an off-ball role once Dejounte Murray returns from a torn Achilles suffered in late January. Regardless, decreased usage is probably in store for Poole playing alongside Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy on a team with winning aspirations, unlike the Wizards. But with Williamson constantly on the injury report, there will be plenty of nights where Poole is asked to run the offense. Fantasy managers were drafting Poole in the 60-85 range last season. This year, the same range is probably appropriate, but there's still plenty of room for optimism.
Coming off a disappointing 2023-24 campaign - his first away from the Warriors - Poole had a bounceback 2024-25 season with the Wizards. He improved essentially every aspect of his game, leading to 20.5 points and 3.5 threes on 43/38/88 shooting, 4.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 29.4 minutes. The biggest change in his game was replacing mid-range shots with three-pointers. In 2023-24, 33 percent of his overall attempts came from the mid-range, while 45 percent came from three. Last year, it was 22 percent from midrange and 54 percent from three. Poole was also tough for opposing players to guard in isolation, as he drew a non-shooting foul on 3.4 percent of team plays - in the 98th percentile for point guards. He'll be taking his improved game to a new team this season, as Poole was dealt to the Pelicans in exchange for CJ McCollum. Poole should start the whole season but will presumably shift into more of an off-ball role once Dejounte Murray returns from a torn Achilles suffered in late January. Regardless, decreased usage is probably in store for Poole playing alongside Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy on a team with winning aspirations, unlike the Wizards. But with Williamson constantly on the injury report, there will be plenty of nights where Poole is asked to run the offense. Fantasy managers were drafting Poole in the 60-85 range last season. This year, the same range is probably appropriate, but there's still plenty of room for optimism.
Bane's 2024-25 season got off to a slow start while dealing with an oblique issue, causing him to average just 13.8 points in 27.2 minutes on a 41.0 field-goal percentage through his first 13 games. After that, Bane averaged 20.5 points on 49.8 shooting, 6.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.2 steals in 33.0 minutes. Bane will be bringing his All-Star-caliber numbers to a new team in 2025-26 after being dealt to the Magic. Paolo Banchero will still be Orlando's go-to option, but Bane has the opportunity to get similar secondary touches to Franz Wagner. That's a role he's already been playing while next to Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect a significant decrease in usage for the shooting guard. In fantasy terms, Bane has recently been a solid option between picks 30-50, which is the range managers should likely consider drafting him again this season.
Bane's 2024-25 season got off to a slow start while dealing with an oblique issue, causing him to average just 13.8 points in 27.2 minutes on a 41.0 field-goal percentage through his first 13 games. After that, Bane averaged 20.5 points on 49.8 shooting, 6.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.2 steals in 33.0 minutes. Bane will be bringing his All-Star-caliber numbers to a new team in 2025-26 after being dealt to the Magic. Paolo Banchero will still be Orlando's go-to option, but Bane has the opportunity to get similar secondary touches to Franz Wagner. That's a role he's already been playing while next to Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect a significant decrease in usage for the shooting guard. In fantasy terms, Bane has recently been a solid option between picks 30-50, which is the range managers should likely consider drafting him again this season.
Bridges appeared in a career-low 64 games last season and played nearly six fewer minutes a night than 2023-24, but his overall production remained steady, averaging at least 20 points, seven rebounds and three assists for a third straight campaign. Notably, Bridges missed the 2021-22 campaign due to a domestic violence charge, but with that in the past, the Hornets gave him an extension ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, putting him under contract for at least the next two seasons. Bridges wasn't the only Hornet to miss time last year, as LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller were also sidelined for extended stretches, causing Charlotte to finish near the bottom of the standings yet again. The Hornets made a few splashes this offseason, drafting Kon Knueppel with the No. 4 overall pick, signing Spencer Dinwiddie and trading for Collin Sexton. The backcourt additions shouldn't impact Bridges' bottom line, but they are high-usage players who could eat into the team's overall usage when they are playing well. Second-year forward Tidjane Salaun, veteran Grant Williams and rookie Liam McNeeley will be the primary backup power forwards, but they don't pose a threat to Bridges' starting job. While Bridges' season-long averages have been steady, there have been fluctuations with his shooting percentages. After shooting 49.1 percent from the field in 2021-22, Bridges shot 46.2 percent in 2023-24 and 43.1 percent last season, including a career-low 31.3 percent from deep on a career-high 7.0 attempts per game. However, he's improved from the charity stripe, knocking down 80.2 percent in 2021-22 compared to a career-high 87.0 percent last season. Bridges has finished inside the top 100 in eight-category leagues in five straight seasons, cracking the top 70 three times, including a top-15 finish when he played 80 regular-season games in 2021-22.
Bridges appeared in a career-low 64 games last season and played nearly six fewer minutes a night than 2023-24, but his overall production remained steady, averaging at least 20 points, seven rebounds and three assists for a third straight campaign. Notably, Bridges missed the 2021-22 campaign due to a domestic violence charge, but with that in the past, the Hornets gave him an extension ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, putting him under contract for at least the next two seasons. Bridges wasn't the only Hornet to miss time last year, as LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller were also sidelined for extended stretches, causing Charlotte to finish near the bottom of the standings yet again. The Hornets made a few splashes this offseason, drafting Kon Knueppel with the No. 4 overall pick, signing Spencer Dinwiddie and trading for Collin Sexton. The backcourt additions shouldn't impact Bridges' bottom line, but they are high-usage players who could eat into the team's overall usage when they are playing well. Second-year forward Tidjane Salaun, veteran Grant Williams and rookie Liam McNeeley will be the primary backup power forwards, but they don't pose a threat to Bridges' starting job. While Bridges' season-long averages have been steady, there have been fluctuations with his shooting percentages. After shooting 49.1 percent from the field in 2021-22, Bridges shot 46.2 percent in 2023-24 and 43.1 percent last season, including a career-low 31.3 percent from deep on a career-high 7.0 attempts per game. However, he's improved from the charity stripe, knocking down 80.2 percent in 2021-22 compared to a career-high 87.0 percent last season. Bridges has finished inside the top 100 in eight-category leagues in five straight seasons, cracking the top 70 three times, including a top-15 finish when he played 80 regular-season games in 2021-22.
After five seasons with the Knicks, Randle was dealt to the Timberwolves before the start of last season. His offensive production decreased alongside Anthony Edwards, as did his rebounding alongside Rudy Gobert, posting averages of 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 32.3 minutes. However, managers in category leagues could be pleased with increased shooting percentages, not to mention fewer turnovers. Randle's role projects to be the same in 2025-26. He'll function as Minnesota's No. 2 offensive option, but one who may see his minutes occasionally limited if Naz Reid is running hot. Randle is a solid option for most fantasy managers in the mid-to-late rounds as a player with a high floor given his role and relatively good health across his career.
After five seasons with the Knicks, Randle was dealt to the Timberwolves before the start of last season. His offensive production decreased alongside Anthony Edwards, as did his rebounding alongside Rudy Gobert, posting averages of 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 32.3 minutes. However, managers in category leagues could be pleased with increased shooting percentages, not to mention fewer turnovers. Randle's role projects to be the same in 2025-26. He'll function as Minnesota's No. 2 offensive option, but one who may see his minutes occasionally limited if Naz Reid is running hot. Randle is a solid option for most fantasy managers in the mid-to-late rounds as a player with a high floor given his role and relatively good health across his career.
Garland played a pivotal role in the Cavaliers obtaining the top seed in the East. The Vanderbilt product played a career-high 75 regular-season games and was named to his second All-Star game after averaging 21.6 points, 6.7 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals over 30.2 minutes per game through the first two-thirds of the season. The Cavs' regular-season success didn't carry over into the playoffs, mainly due to Garland spraining his left big toe at the tail end of the regular season. This injury limited him to just 14.0 points and 4.0 assists in 28.3 minutes per game over his final three appearances in the postseason. He underwent surgery in early June, but with a recovery timeline of about five months, he's expected to miss the start of the 2025-26 season. Garland has connected on over 40 percent of his three-point attempts in two of the last three seasons and has averaged 20-plus points in three of the last four campaigns, so he'll give the Cavaliers an offensive boost once he has fully recovered from his procedure.
Garland played a pivotal role in the Cavaliers obtaining the top seed in the East. The Vanderbilt product played a career-high 75 regular-season games and was named to his second All-Star game after averaging 21.6 points, 6.7 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals over 30.2 minutes per game through the first two-thirds of the season. The Cavs' regular-season success didn't carry over into the playoffs, mainly due to Garland spraining his left big toe at the tail end of the regular season. This injury limited him to just 14.0 points and 4.0 assists in 28.3 minutes per game over his final three appearances in the postseason. He underwent surgery in early June, but with a recovery timeline of about five months, he's expected to miss the start of the 2025-26 season. Garland has connected on over 40 percent of his three-point attempts in two of the last three seasons and has averaged 20-plus points in three of the last four campaigns, so he'll give the Cavaliers an offensive boost once he has fully recovered from his procedure.
Better suited for points leagues, Barrett has finished inside the top 150 in eight-category leagues only once in six years. The only time he reached that plateau was during his sophomore campaign with the Knicks in 2020-21, when he made 72 regular-season appearances and shot a career-high 40.1 percent from deep. The lack of production in category leagues is due to missed time (58 regular-season appearances in each of the last two seasons), lackluster defense (career-high 1.3 stocks as a rookie) and poor shooting percentages. He appears to have turned a corner in the efficiency department since joining the Raptors. After a mid-season trade to Toronto in 2023-24, Barrett went from shooting 42.3 percent with the Knicks through 26 games to 55.3 percent in 32 games with the Raptors. He wasn't able to replicate that during a full season, but his 46.8 percent mark last year was nearly three points higher than his best finish in New York. However, the real concern is Barrett's work from the charity stripe. Since joining Toronto, he's shot 63 percent. That was never the strongest part of his game, but he shot over 71 percent in each of his final three full seasons with the Knicks and was shooting 83.1 percent before the trade. Barrett wasn't the only Raptor to miss time in 2024-25, as Immanuel Quickley and Scottie Barnes also missed large chunks of the season due to injuries, plus Brandon Ingram, who was acquired at the trade deadline and given an extension, never made his debut. That allowed Barrett to handle more playmaking duties, and he finished with a career-high 5.4 assists per game. While his starting spot is secure to begin the campaign, there'll be plenty of mouths to feed in Toronto when everyone is healthy, and if Barrett's efficiency slips again, he may be the odd man out at the top in terms of usage.
Better suited for points leagues, Barrett has finished inside the top 150 in eight-category leagues only once in six years. The only time he reached that plateau was during his sophomore campaign with the Knicks in 2020-21, when he made 72 regular-season appearances and shot a career-high 40.1 percent from deep. The lack of production in category leagues is due to missed time (58 regular-season appearances in each of the last two seasons), lackluster defense (career-high 1.3 stocks as a rookie) and poor shooting percentages. He appears to have turned a corner in the efficiency department since joining the Raptors. After a mid-season trade to Toronto in 2023-24, Barrett went from shooting 42.3 percent with the Knicks through 26 games to 55.3 percent in 32 games with the Raptors. He wasn't able to replicate that during a full season, but his 46.8 percent mark last year was nearly three points higher than his best finish in New York. However, the real concern is Barrett's work from the charity stripe. Since joining Toronto, he's shot 63 percent. That was never the strongest part of his game, but he shot over 71 percent in each of his final three full seasons with the Knicks and was shooting 83.1 percent before the trade. Barrett wasn't the only Raptor to miss time in 2024-25, as Immanuel Quickley and Scottie Barnes also missed large chunks of the season due to injuries, plus Brandon Ingram, who was acquired at the trade deadline and given an extension, never made his debut. That allowed Barrett to handle more playmaking duties, and he finished with a career-high 5.4 assists per game. While his starting spot is secure to begin the campaign, there'll be plenty of mouths to feed in Toronto when everyone is healthy, and if Barrett's efficiency slips again, he may be the odd man out at the top in terms of usage.
After spending a year and a half as a lead option for the struggling Nets, Bridges was dealt to the Knicks ahead of last season. He was decidedly behind Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns in the offensive pecking order. While Bridges' usage rate declined significantly - from 24.3 USG% to 19.6 USG% - his numbers didn't sink drastically since he saw an extra 2.2 minutes per game. The result was 17.6 points and 2.0 threes on 50/35/81 shooting with 3.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.4 combined steals-plus-blocks in 37.0 minutes. New York's starting five should be the same this season, but coach Tom Thibodeau has been replaced with Mike Brown. Thibodeau is notorious for playing his key players massive minutes. Will Brown do the same, or will Bridges' workload drop down to a more normal 33-35 minutes? If so, that could result in another decrease in overall production. The 29-year-old wing should remain efficient, and he never gets injured, but that can only get him so far. He has a relatively high floor in fantasy, but there are going to be a lot of players with more upside in his draft range.
After spending a year and a half as a lead option for the struggling Nets, Bridges was dealt to the Knicks ahead of last season. He was decidedly behind Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns in the offensive pecking order. While Bridges' usage rate declined significantly - from 24.3 USG% to 19.6 USG% - his numbers didn't sink drastically since he saw an extra 2.2 minutes per game. The result was 17.6 points and 2.0 threes on 50/35/81 shooting with 3.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.4 combined steals-plus-blocks in 37.0 minutes. New York's starting five should be the same this season, but coach Tom Thibodeau has been replaced with Mike Brown. Thibodeau is notorious for playing his key players massive minutes. Will Brown do the same, or will Bridges' workload drop down to a more normal 33-35 minutes? If so, that could result in another decrease in overall production. The 29-year-old wing should remain efficient, and he never gets injured, but that can only get him so far. He has a relatively high floor in fantasy, but there are going to be a lot of players with more upside in his draft range.
Coming off a solid 2023-24 season, Thomas was expected to be the No. 1 option on offense after Mikal Bridges was traded to the Knicks during the offseason. Thomas showed off his scoring chops early in the 2024-25 season, scoring 30-plus points in six of his first 17 games while averaging 24.7 points on 46.1 percent shooting and 38.9 percent from three. However, the prolific scoring guard was bothered by a left hamstring strain in late November, which impacted his shooting efficiency for the rest of the season and forced him to miss 56 of the Nets' final 64 games. A full offseason should be enough for him to enter training camp with a clean bill of health, and even with the addition of Michael Porter, Thomas should still get the lion's share of usage on offense. It's also worth noting, despite his hamstring issues and shoot-first mentality, that Thomas averaged a career-high 3.8 assists per game, which should make him more appealing to fantasy managers.
Coming off a solid 2023-24 season, Thomas was expected to be the No. 1 option on offense after Mikal Bridges was traded to the Knicks during the offseason. Thomas showed off his scoring chops early in the 2024-25 season, scoring 30-plus points in six of his first 17 games while averaging 24.7 points on 46.1 percent shooting and 38.9 percent from three. However, the prolific scoring guard was bothered by a left hamstring strain in late November, which impacted his shooting efficiency for the rest of the season and forced him to miss 56 of the Nets' final 64 games. A full offseason should be enough for him to enter training camp with a clean bill of health, and even with the addition of Michael Porter, Thomas should still get the lion's share of usage on offense. It's also worth noting, despite his hamstring issues and shoot-first mentality, that Thomas averaged a career-high 3.8 assists per game, which should make him more appealing to fantasy managers.
With Anfernee Simons and Deandre Ayton no longer on the team, a lot of increased usage has opened up on the Trail Blazers. Some of that will be filled by Jrue Holiday, but Portland's young players - like Sharpe, Scoot Henderson and Deni Avdija - are in contention for more responsibilities. Sharpe's assists-included usage rate has increased each season in the NBA, and this year shouldn't be an exception. While he's improved as a creator - and is a good long-mid-range jumpshooter - Sharpe's three-point percentage continues to drop, and he hit only 31.1 percent of his 6.6 attempts per game in 2024-25. He also shot under 80 percent from the free-throw line for the second time in his career (78.5%). But he's just 22 years old, and there's potential for a mini-breakout season with both increased usage and efficiency. Given the presumed upward trajectory, fantasy managers should consider drafting Sharpe inside the top 100.
With Anfernee Simons and Deandre Ayton no longer on the team, a lot of increased usage has opened up on the Trail Blazers. Some of that will be filled by Jrue Holiday, but Portland's young players - like Sharpe, Scoot Henderson and Deni Avdija - are in contention for more responsibilities. Sharpe's assists-included usage rate has increased each season in the NBA, and this year shouldn't be an exception. While he's improved as a creator - and is a good long-mid-range jumpshooter - Sharpe's three-point percentage continues to drop, and he hit only 31.1 percent of his 6.6 attempts per game in 2024-25. He also shot under 80 percent from the free-throw line for the second time in his career (78.5%). But he's just 22 years old, and there's potential for a mini-breakout season with both increased usage and efficiency. Given the presumed upward trajectory, fantasy managers should consider drafting Sharpe inside the top 100.
Braun broke out last season. With Kentavious Caldwell-Pope leaving the team, Braun was slotted into the starting shooting guard spot. He proved himself to be one of the most efficient transition players in the NBA while drilling his limited three-point attempts, resulting in 15.4 points per game with 1.1 threes on 58/40/83 shooting. The athletic Kansas product also contributed 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.5 blocks in his 33.9 minutes. There's room for the 24-year-old to grow as a secondary ballhandler, though he may not be asked to do so this season. The Nuggets swapped Michael Porter for Cam Johnson over the summer, with Johnson being a better playmaker than Porter was and Braun is. Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway and Jonas Valanciunas were also added, taking some pressure off Braun and even higher-level players like Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic. Given what we saw from Braun last season, there's reason to draft him around pick 100, but it's probably not a selection that comes with major upside.
Braun broke out last season. With Kentavious Caldwell-Pope leaving the team, Braun was slotted into the starting shooting guard spot. He proved himself to be one of the most efficient transition players in the NBA while drilling his limited three-point attempts, resulting in 15.4 points per game with 1.1 threes on 58/40/83 shooting. The athletic Kansas product also contributed 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.5 blocks in his 33.9 minutes. There's room for the 24-year-old to grow as a secondary ballhandler, though he may not be asked to do so this season. The Nuggets swapped Michael Porter for Cam Johnson over the summer, with Johnson being a better playmaker than Porter was and Braun is. Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway and Jonas Valanciunas were also added, taking some pressure off Braun and even higher-level players like Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic. Given what we saw from Braun last season, there's reason to draft him around pick 100, but it's probably not a selection that comes with major upside.
Porter is coming off two strong seasons where he got his health back on track, appearing in 158 games after totaling 187 appearances across his prior five years. The 2025-26 season will be a change in scenery for the forward, as he was traded from the Nuggets to the Nets during the offseason. Porter may have to take on more usage than ever. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray won't be feeding him easy dimes for relocation threes and backdoor cuts, and Brooklyn has a severe lack of scorers besides Cam Thomas. It's not clear how being away from Jokic will affect Porter's game, but it seems unlikely he'll change his playstyle as a quick-trigger, catch-and-shoot wing. Fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if he posts career-high counting stats but career lows in efficiency. His injury issues also loom over his fantasy value, even if the past two years have been healthy. There's plenty of reason to take a gamble on Porter sooner than in the prior two seasons, though, which was roughly the 65-90 range.
Porter is coming off two strong seasons where he got his health back on track, appearing in 158 games after totaling 187 appearances across his prior five years. The 2025-26 season will be a change in scenery for the forward, as he was traded from the Nuggets to the Nets during the offseason. Porter may have to take on more usage than ever. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray won't be feeding him easy dimes for relocation threes and backdoor cuts, and Brooklyn has a severe lack of scorers besides Cam Thomas. It's not clear how being away from Jokic will affect Porter's game, but it seems unlikely he'll change his playstyle as a quick-trigger, catch-and-shoot wing. Fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if he posts career-high counting stats but career lows in efficiency. His injury issues also loom over his fantasy value, even if the past two years have been healthy. There's plenty of reason to take a gamble on Porter sooner than in the prior two seasons, though, which was roughly the 65-90 range.
For the second year in a row, Claxton took a step back as a fantasy producer. At his peak in 2022-23, he was averaging 12.6 points on 70.5 shooting, 9.2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in 29.9 minutes. Last year, he averaged 10.3 points on 56.3 shooting, 7.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 26.9 minutes. While Claxton has become a better passer and has attempted to expand his game beyond being just a rollman, the results have not been promising and have ultimately damaged his fantasy value. At the same time, backup center Day'Ron Sharpe's minutes and role have been increasing, as have Noah Clowney's - who can play the four or the five. Claxton is probably still worth rostering in fantasy, especially in two-center formats. He has some upside, but a lot of that depends on his workload and whether or not he goes back to what he does best.
For the second year in a row, Claxton took a step back as a fantasy producer. At his peak in 2022-23, he was averaging 12.6 points on 70.5 shooting, 9.2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in 29.9 minutes. Last year, he averaged 10.3 points on 56.3 shooting, 7.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 26.9 minutes. While Claxton has become a better passer and has attempted to expand his game beyond being just a rollman, the results have not been promising and have ultimately damaged his fantasy value. At the same time, backup center Day'Ron Sharpe's minutes and role have been increasing, as have Noah Clowney's - who can play the four or the five. Claxton is probably still worth rostering in fantasy, especially in two-center formats. He has some upside, but a lot of that depends on his workload and whether or not he goes back to what he does best.
Ware was the No. 15 overall pick in 2024, and after a quiet start to his rookie season, he burst onto the scene and claimed the starting center job, pushing Bam Adebayo to power forward. Part of the reason Ware was thrust into a larger role was due to Jimmy Butler, who was injured and then refused to play when cleared to suit up. Butler was eventually rewarded with a trade to Golden State. Ware recorded 15 double-doubles in 64 regular-season appearances (36 starts) and averaged 1.1 blocks per game, giving him a strong fantasy floor. As a starter, he averaged 10.1 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. Ware attempted the occasional three, hardly ever got to the line, and his percentages in those categories were lackluster. The Heat added more offense this offseason by trading for Norman Powell, but that shouldn't impact Ware, who has a lengthy runway in the frontcourt due to a lack of depth. Behind Ware and Adebayo, Miami has Nikola Jovic, Simone Fontecchio, Jaime Jaquez and two-way rookie Vladislav Goldin. Given his poor free-throw percentage, Ware is safer in points leagues, but he should be a top-100 pick either way.
Ware was the No. 15 overall pick in 2024, and after a quiet start to his rookie season, he burst onto the scene and claimed the starting center job, pushing Bam Adebayo to power forward. Part of the reason Ware was thrust into a larger role was due to Jimmy Butler, who was injured and then refused to play when cleared to suit up. Butler was eventually rewarded with a trade to Golden State. Ware recorded 15 double-doubles in 64 regular-season appearances (36 starts) and averaged 1.1 blocks per game, giving him a strong fantasy floor. As a starter, he averaged 10.1 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. Ware attempted the occasional three, hardly ever got to the line, and his percentages in those categories were lackluster. The Heat added more offense this offseason by trading for Norman Powell, but that shouldn't impact Ware, who has a lengthy runway in the frontcourt due to a lack of depth. Behind Ware and Adebayo, Miami has Nikola Jovic, Simone Fontecchio, Jaime Jaquez and two-way rookie Vladislav Goldin. Given his poor free-throw percentage, Ware is safer in points leagues, but he should be a top-100 pick either way.
Murray has struggled staying healthy, having not crossed the 70-game threshold since 2018-19, but appeared in 67 regular-season games and saw 36.1 minutes per game last season. That resulted in a quality season, and one arguably worthy of an All-Star nod, though he didn't make the cut. The point guard averaged career highs in points (21.4) and steals (1.4) per game, while also averaging 6.0 assists and 3.9 rebounds. Denver made several key offseason moves ahead of 2025-26, including trading Michael Porter Jr. for Cam Johnson, plus signing role players Bruce Brown, Jonas Valanciunas and Tim Hardaway. None of those moves should drastically affect Murray's production, unless coach David Adelman wants to, or is able to, reduce Murray's minutes. Ultimately, the Murray/Nikola Jokic two-man game is one of the most reliable sources of production in the NBA. That's not expected to change. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable targeting Murray around the fourth or fifth round of drafts.
Murray has struggled staying healthy, having not crossed the 70-game threshold since 2018-19, but appeared in 67 regular-season games and saw 36.1 minutes per game last season. That resulted in a quality season, and one arguably worthy of an All-Star nod, though he didn't make the cut. The point guard averaged career highs in points (21.4) and steals (1.4) per game, while also averaging 6.0 assists and 3.9 rebounds. Denver made several key offseason moves ahead of 2025-26, including trading Michael Porter Jr. for Cam Johnson, plus signing role players Bruce Brown, Jonas Valanciunas and Tim Hardaway. None of those moves should drastically affect Murray's production, unless coach David Adelman wants to, or is able to, reduce Murray's minutes. Ultimately, the Murray/Nikola Jokic two-man game is one of the most reliable sources of production in the NBA. That's not expected to change. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable targeting Murray around the fourth or fifth round of drafts.
Portis once again served as the Bucks' top option off the bench for the 2024-25 season, though he did end up starting in seven games when Giannis Antetokounmpo was forced to sit due to injury. Portis did miss 25 regular-season games after being suspended for violating the NBA's anti-drug policy. Still, he quickly found his form in his return and averaged 14.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.8 steals over 30.3 minutes per game over his last eight games (including five playoff contests). Although the Bucks waived Damian Lillard and allowed Brook Lopez to sign with the Clippers, they committed to Portis with a three-year, $44 million contract, which solidifies him as Milwaukee's first big man off the bench behind Antetokounmpo and new starting center Myles Turner. It is worth noting that Portis shot 46.6 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from three-point range last season, both his worst marks since the 2019-20 season as a member of the Knicks.
Portis once again served as the Bucks' top option off the bench for the 2024-25 season, though he did end up starting in seven games when Giannis Antetokounmpo was forced to sit due to injury. Portis did miss 25 regular-season games after being suspended for violating the NBA's anti-drug policy. Still, he quickly found his form in his return and averaged 14.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.8 steals over 30.3 minutes per game over his last eight games (including five playoff contests). Although the Bucks waived Damian Lillard and allowed Brook Lopez to sign with the Clippers, they committed to Portis with a three-year, $44 million contract, which solidifies him as Milwaukee's first big man off the bench behind Antetokounmpo and new starting center Myles Turner. It is worth noting that Portis shot 46.6 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from three-point range last season, both his worst marks since the 2019-20 season as a member of the Knicks.
Allen's workload and usage took a significant hit last season as Evan Mobley stepped into a larger role. Efficiency wasn't an issue, though, as Allen led the league with a 70.6 field-goal percentage. Still, that could only make up so much for relatively modest averages of 13.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.9 blocks in 28.0 minutes. That slight downward trend could continue again this season, with no major roster changes for Cleveland and more presumptive development from Mobley, who probably is best playing center. From a fantasy perspective, Allen is grouped together with a variety of other centers who provide a high floor, with efficient double-doubles. In two-center formats, he should probably be drafted around the 50-60 range, but managers in one-center leagues can probably opt more for 60-70.
Allen's workload and usage took a significant hit last season as Evan Mobley stepped into a larger role. Efficiency wasn't an issue, though, as Allen led the league with a 70.6 field-goal percentage. Still, that could only make up so much for relatively modest averages of 13.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.9 blocks in 28.0 minutes. That slight downward trend could continue again this season, with no major roster changes for Cleveland and more presumptive development from Mobley, who probably is best playing center. From a fantasy perspective, Allen is grouped together with a variety of other centers who provide a high floor, with efficient double-doubles. In two-center formats, he should probably be drafted around the 50-60 range, but managers in one-center leagues can probably opt more for 60-70.
After operating as a sixth man during his first two years in Sacramento, Monk made a career-high 45 starts last season. He also posted career-best marks in points (17.2), assists (5.6), rebounds (3.8) and steals (0.9) per game. Furthermore, despite shooting lower than 35 percent from deep for the first time since 2019-2020, Monk still made at least two three-pointers a night for the fourth time in five seasons. With De'Aaron Fox no longer in the picture following a mid-season trade to San Antonio, Monk took over as the Kings' full-time starting point guard, sharing the backcourt with Zach LaVine. Sacramento added Dennis Schroder to the backcourt depth mix this offseason, and he'll compete with returnees Keon Ellis and Devin Carter for playing time. Monk's role as a go-to playmaker appears safe, but the backups will be chomping at the bit for more usage if Monk struggles. Monk's breakout in Year 8 helped him crack the top 75 in eight-category leagues for the first time in his career. However, despite a few close calls, he's finished inside the top 100 only twice. Things will need to break right for Monk to repeat his performance from last season, but he's heading into 2025-26 in the same spot he finished 2024-25 and is worth consideration around pick 70.
After operating as a sixth man during his first two years in Sacramento, Monk made a career-high 45 starts last season. He also posted career-best marks in points (17.2), assists (5.6), rebounds (3.8) and steals (0.9) per game. Furthermore, despite shooting lower than 35 percent from deep for the first time since 2019-2020, Monk still made at least two three-pointers a night for the fourth time in five seasons. With De'Aaron Fox no longer in the picture following a mid-season trade to San Antonio, Monk took over as the Kings' full-time starting point guard, sharing the backcourt with Zach LaVine. Sacramento added Dennis Schroder to the backcourt depth mix this offseason, and he'll compete with returnees Keon Ellis and Devin Carter for playing time. Monk's role as a go-to playmaker appears safe, but the backups will be chomping at the bit for more usage if Monk struggles. Monk's breakout in Year 8 helped him crack the top 75 in eight-category leagues for the first time in his career. However, despite a few close calls, he's finished inside the top 100 only twice. Things will need to break right for Monk to repeat his performance from last season, but he's heading into 2025-26 in the same spot he finished 2024-25 and is worth consideration around pick 70.
Reid won the 2023-24 Sixth Man of the Year award, but last season may have been his best campaign of his career, seeing an increased workload for a third straight season. Functioning as a frontcourt reserve, the LSU product averaged 14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 27.5 minutes last season - all career highs. His development as a passer was significant, as he went from averaging 1.9 assists per 36 minutes in 2023-24 to 3.0 assists per 36 in 2024-25. Reid made that improvement while lowering his turnover rate. While his fantasy ceiling is limited when both Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert are healthy, Reid's workload is set to increase whenever either of those players misses time. He's also a decent enough option coming off the bench to be worth rostering in 12-team formats.
Reid won the 2023-24 Sixth Man of the Year award, but last season may have been his best campaign of his career, seeing an increased workload for a third straight season. Functioning as a frontcourt reserve, the LSU product averaged 14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 27.5 minutes last season - all career highs. His development as a passer was significant, as he went from averaging 1.9 assists per 36 minutes in 2023-24 to 3.0 assists per 36 in 2024-25. Reid made that improvement while lowering his turnover rate. While his fantasy ceiling is limited when both Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert are healthy, Reid's workload is set to increase whenever either of those players misses time. He's also a decent enough option coming off the bench to be worth rostering in 12-team formats.
Murray took a step back in scoring but a step forward in rebounding last season. He's been a top-100 fantasy asset in each of his first three seasons, and that should continue in 2025-26, though it's become apparent his upside is limited. After shooting 41.1 percent from deep as a rookie, his production from beyond the arc has dropped in each of the past two campaigns, posting 34.3 percent on a career-low 5.9 attempts per game in 2024-25. However, his work from three-point range remains a plus overall, and coupled with elite defensive production, strong rebounding numbers and a consistent bill of health, Murray has established a safe fantasy floor. He will start and play 30-plus minutes, but with Zach LaVine, Malik Monk, DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis all demanding usage, there won't be a ton of offensive opportunities to go around. Murray will also face pressure from rookie Nique Clifford, but it'd take significant regression for the Iowa product to lose his spot in the rotation.
Murray took a step back in scoring but a step forward in rebounding last season. He's been a top-100 fantasy asset in each of his first three seasons, and that should continue in 2025-26, though it's become apparent his upside is limited. After shooting 41.1 percent from deep as a rookie, his production from beyond the arc has dropped in each of the past two campaigns, posting 34.3 percent on a career-low 5.9 attempts per game in 2024-25. However, his work from three-point range remains a plus overall, and coupled with elite defensive production, strong rebounding numbers and a consistent bill of health, Murray has established a safe fantasy floor. He will start and play 30-plus minutes, but with Zach LaVine, Malik Monk, DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis all demanding usage, there won't be a ton of offensive opportunities to go around. Murray will also face pressure from rookie Nique Clifford, but it'd take significant regression for the Iowa product to lose his spot in the rotation.
From a fantasy perspective, Gobert is arguably coming off his worst campaign since his rookie year. While he remained incredibly efficient from the field (66.9 FG%), his shot attempts decreased, and he averaged just 12.0 points per game. He also averaged fewer rebounds (10.9) and blocks (1.4) than in prior seasons, which contributed to an overall decline in fantasy value. Heading into his age-33 season, Gobert's best years are behind him. He still has a relatively high floor given his length and general skillset, but he's no longer among the elite role centers in fantasy basketball - now being thrown into a group of bigs like Jakob Poeltl, Nic Claxton, Jalen Duren, Jarrett Allen and others who feel somewhat interchangeable. Gobert is probably best as a second center in fantasy after drafting an elite big or taking a chance on a younger one with upside.
From a fantasy perspective, Gobert is arguably coming off his worst campaign since his rookie year. While he remained incredibly efficient from the field (66.9 FG%), his shot attempts decreased, and he averaged just 12.0 points per game. He also averaged fewer rebounds (10.9) and blocks (1.4) than in prior seasons, which contributed to an overall decline in fantasy value. Heading into his age-33 season, Gobert's best years are behind him. He still has a relatively high floor given his length and general skillset, but he's no longer among the elite role centers in fantasy basketball - now being thrown into a group of bigs like Jakob Poeltl, Nic Claxton, Jalen Duren, Jarrett Allen and others who feel somewhat interchangeable. Gobert is probably best as a second center in fantasy after drafting an elite big or taking a chance on a younger one with upside.
Poeltl is quietly coming off a career year where he reached highs in points (14.5), rebounds (9.6) and steals (1.2) per game - also contributing 9.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 29.6 minutes. The center also shot a career-high 67.4 percent from the charity stripe. He's a prototypical center, controlling the paint on both offense and defense. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect much to change this year. A fully healthy and reloaded Raptors team could mean fewer offensive touches for Poeltl, but he should remain a consistent double-double threat with upside for multiple assists, blocks and steals. It also benefits his fantasy potential that the Raptors don't have a traditional center backing him up. While Poeltl is unlikely to play minutes in the low-to-mid 30s, he doesn't have anyone on his corner. In two-center leagues, he makes for a great second center. And if managers in a one-center league reach the seventh round and don't have one yet, Poeltl is one of the last quality high-floor options out there.
Poeltl is quietly coming off a career year where he reached highs in points (14.5), rebounds (9.6) and steals (1.2) per game - also contributing 9.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 29.6 minutes. The center also shot a career-high 67.4 percent from the charity stripe. He's a prototypical center, controlling the paint on both offense and defense. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect much to change this year. A fully healthy and reloaded Raptors team could mean fewer offensive touches for Poeltl, but he should remain a consistent double-double threat with upside for multiple assists, blocks and steals. It also benefits his fantasy potential that the Raptors don't have a traditional center backing him up. While Poeltl is unlikely to play minutes in the low-to-mid 30s, he doesn't have anyone on his corner. In two-center leagues, he makes for a great second center. And if managers in a one-center league reach the seventh round and don't have one yet, Poeltl is one of the last quality high-floor options out there.
The oft-injured Leonard made only 37 regular-season appearances last year, the second fewest in his career. His fewest came in 2017-18, when he appeared in only nine during his final year with the Spurs. Leonard has never been fully healthy, failing to crack 70 regular-season appearances in each season since 2014-15. However, the veteran superstar has still been able to deliver quality fantasy campaigns when he plays in enough games, proving time and time again that he can rebound from even the most devastating of injuries. Across five years in Los Angeles, Leonard has finished inside the top 25 in eight-category leagues three times. Despite the lack of regular-season games in 2024-25, Leonard actually finished the campaign healthy and playing extremely well. During a seven-game playoff series versus Denver, Leonard averaged 25 points, eight rebounds, five assists and nearly two stocks in 38 minutes per game while posting 54/78/40 shooting splits. A healthy offseason should bode well for Leonard's early-season outlook, but it would be shocking if he weren't monitored and/or limited, especially during back-to-back sets. The team around him has also been revamped, with the Clippers adding Brook Lopez, Chris Paul and John Collins while replacing Norman Powell with Bradley Beal. Los Angeles will certainly have to play games without Leonard next season, and James Harden has proven he's still capable of picking up the slack, but when Leonard is on the court, there are few players in the league who rival his impact.
The oft-injured Leonard made only 37 regular-season appearances last year, the second fewest in his career. His fewest came in 2017-18, when he appeared in only nine during his final year with the Spurs. Leonard has never been fully healthy, failing to crack 70 regular-season appearances in each season since 2014-15. However, the veteran superstar has still been able to deliver quality fantasy campaigns when he plays in enough games, proving time and time again that he can rebound from even the most devastating of injuries. Across five years in Los Angeles, Leonard has finished inside the top 25 in eight-category leagues three times. Despite the lack of regular-season games in 2024-25, Leonard actually finished the campaign healthy and playing extremely well. During a seven-game playoff series versus Denver, Leonard averaged 25 points, eight rebounds, five assists and nearly two stocks in 38 minutes per game while posting 54/78/40 shooting splits. A healthy offseason should bode well for Leonard's early-season outlook, but it would be shocking if he weren't monitored and/or limited, especially during back-to-back sets. The team around him has also been revamped, with the Clippers adding Brook Lopez, Chris Paul and John Collins while replacing Norman Powell with Bradley Beal. Los Angeles will certainly have to play games without Leonard next season, and James Harden has proven he's still capable of picking up the slack, but when Leonard is on the court, there are few players in the league who rival his impact.
Pritchard experienced a boost in production across the board in 2024-25, which led to his first-ever Sixth Man of the Year award. The scrappy guard had career highs in points (14.3), assists (3.5), made threes (3.2), rebounds (3.8) and steals (0.9) per game, while posting strong percentages (47/85/41). The generously listed 6-foot-1 guard could experience yet another boost in 2025-26. The 2025-26 Celtics have lost Jayson Tatum (Achilles), Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis (trades) with the only significant addition being Anfernee Simons. Those lineup changes should free up a lot of shots for Pritchard, who prefers to shoot first and ask permission later. Coach Joe Mazzulla loves high-volume three-point shooting. Boston led the league in attempted threes last season (47.2 per game). Expect Pritchard, Derrick White and Simons to each jack more threes this season. And considering Boston's shallow depth at forward, Mazzulla will experiment with plenty of three-guard lineups. Pritchard should improve on his 28.4 minutes per game from last season and enjoy, yet again, higher shooting volume.
Pritchard experienced a boost in production across the board in 2024-25, which led to his first-ever Sixth Man of the Year award. The scrappy guard had career highs in points (14.3), assists (3.5), made threes (3.2), rebounds (3.8) and steals (0.9) per game, while posting strong percentages (47/85/41). The generously listed 6-foot-1 guard could experience yet another boost in 2025-26. The 2025-26 Celtics have lost Jayson Tatum (Achilles), Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis (trades) with the only significant addition being Anfernee Simons. Those lineup changes should free up a lot of shots for Pritchard, who prefers to shoot first and ask permission later. Coach Joe Mazzulla loves high-volume three-point shooting. Boston led the league in attempted threes last season (47.2 per game). Expect Pritchard, Derrick White and Simons to each jack more threes this season. And considering Boston's shallow depth at forward, Mazzulla will experiment with plenty of three-guard lineups. Pritchard should improve on his 28.4 minutes per game from last season and enjoy, yet again, higher shooting volume.
After years of waiting, fantasy managers finally got their wish, as Okongwu became a starter at the end of last season. Across his final 40 appearances (all starts), the center averaged 15.0 points and 0.9 threes on 58/36/76 shooting, 10.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks in 31.2 minutes. Okongwu is showing some ability to take on more usage and has developed as a passer, but there are only so many shots to go around on an offensively talented Hawks team led by Trae Young. Okongwu is mainly set to catch lobs, make some floaters and take catch-and-shoot triples. It's his general efficiency, especially from the charity stripe, that makes him valuable in fantasy rather than gaudy box score stats. And though fantasy managers got their wish for Okongwu to start last season, Kristaps Porzingis was added during the summer to replace Clint Capela. It's not clear how the Hawks' starting five or frontcourt rotation will play out, but it seems unlikely Okongwu will be playing minutes in the mid-30s. The high-20s to low-30s seem more likely. Porzingis is also a high-usage player. Jalen Johnson also missed time last season and will begin the year healthy - another relatively high-usage player. Both Dyson Daniels and Zaccharie Risacher will also be developing. There may not be many extra shots or minutes for Okongwu compared to 2024-25. Okongwu should still be drafted in the top-100, but a lot would have to go right for him to become one of the league's best bigs.
After years of waiting, fantasy managers finally got their wish, as Okongwu became a starter at the end of last season. Across his final 40 appearances (all starts), the center averaged 15.0 points and 0.9 threes on 58/36/76 shooting, 10.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks in 31.2 minutes. Okongwu is showing some ability to take on more usage and has developed as a passer, but there are only so many shots to go around on an offensively talented Hawks team led by Trae Young. Okongwu is mainly set to catch lobs, make some floaters and take catch-and-shoot triples. It's his general efficiency, especially from the charity stripe, that makes him valuable in fantasy rather than gaudy box score stats. And though fantasy managers got their wish for Okongwu to start last season, Kristaps Porzingis was added during the summer to replace Clint Capela. It's not clear how the Hawks' starting five or frontcourt rotation will play out, but it seems unlikely Okongwu will be playing minutes in the mid-30s. The high-20s to low-30s seem more likely. Porzingis is also a high-usage player. Jalen Johnson also missed time last season and will begin the year healthy - another relatively high-usage player. Both Dyson Daniels and Zaccharie Risacher will also be developing. There may not be many extra shots or minutes for Okongwu compared to 2024-25. Okongwu should still be drafted in the top-100, but a lot would have to go right for him to become one of the league's best bigs.
After career-high numbers during his first season in Utah, Markkanen's production and availability have taken a turn for the worse. He's never been the epitome of health, surpassing 60 regular-season games played only three times in eight years, but he hit an all-time low in 2024-25. He appeared in a career-low 47 contests and averaged fewer than 20 points a night for the first time as a member of the Jazz. Despite an all-around skill set that should allow him to flourish, Markkanen has finished inside the top 100 in eight-category leagues only three times, including a top-30 finish in 2022-23. Utah's frontcourt lost John Collins and a few reserve options this offseason but added Ace Bailey, Jusuf Nurkic, Georges Niang and Kevin Love to a group that returns Markkanen, Walker Kessler, Kyle Filipowski, Brice Sensabaugh and Cody Williams. Markkanen is projected to start at power forward again and could experience a boost in fantasy value if the Jazz can avoid the bottom of the standings for the first time in four seasons. However, if things continue to trend in the wrong direction, Utah may look to prioritize some of its younger options during the fantasy playoffs again. Despite the recent struggles, Markkanen signed a massive four-year extension in 2024, putting him under contract through the 2028-29 campaign. Hence, the Jazz have ample financial incentive to give Markkanen as long a leash as possible. While Markkanen's talent is undeniable, his health and Utah's lack of internal improvement are glaring red flags. Nonetheless, fantasy managers shouldn't be afraid to take a risk on the seven-foot Fin after pick 75.
After career-high numbers during his first season in Utah, Markkanen's production and availability have taken a turn for the worse. He's never been the epitome of health, surpassing 60 regular-season games played only three times in eight years, but he hit an all-time low in 2024-25. He appeared in a career-low 47 contests and averaged fewer than 20 points a night for the first time as a member of the Jazz. Despite an all-around skill set that should allow him to flourish, Markkanen has finished inside the top 100 in eight-category leagues only three times, including a top-30 finish in 2022-23. Utah's frontcourt lost John Collins and a few reserve options this offseason but added Ace Bailey, Jusuf Nurkic, Georges Niang and Kevin Love to a group that returns Markkanen, Walker Kessler, Kyle Filipowski, Brice Sensabaugh and Cody Williams. Markkanen is projected to start at power forward again and could experience a boost in fantasy value if the Jazz can avoid the bottom of the standings for the first time in four seasons. However, if things continue to trend in the wrong direction, Utah may look to prioritize some of its younger options during the fantasy playoffs again. Despite the recent struggles, Markkanen signed a massive four-year extension in 2024, putting him under contract through the 2028-29 campaign. Hence, the Jazz have ample financial incentive to give Markkanen as long a leash as possible. While Markkanen's talent is undeniable, his health and Utah's lack of internal improvement are glaring red flags. Nonetheless, fantasy managers shouldn't be afraid to take a risk on the seven-foot Fin after pick 75.
Clingan's rookie season was a rollercoaster ride that ended on a high note. He had to battle for minutes to start the campaign, playing behind Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams. Clingan was thrown into prominent roles on occasion when there were injuries ahead of him, but he took off in mid-February. After posting 21 points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench during a blowout loss to Denver on Feb. 10, Clingan moved into the first five and never looked back, starting the final 27 regular-season games. From Feb. 10 on, the big man averaged 8.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.8 blocks and 0.6 steals in 25.3 minutes while shooting 55.6 percent from the field. While the peripheral stats were encouraging, Clingan struggled mightily from the free-throw line, dropping his value in category leagues. He also attempted multiple three-pointers eight times, shooting 29 percent from deep in those games, so even when he was feeling it, the results weren't there. He barely cracked the top 150 in eight-category leagues as a rookie, but with Ayton now in Los Angeles, it's Clingan's job to lose. Williams has struggled to stay healthy his entire career and will likely handle a limited reserve role, while Duop Reath is best used as a five in small-ball lineups. Rookie Yang Hansen will take time to develop and doesn't pose an immediate threat to Clingan, whose defensive prowess gives him a strong fantasy floor even if there are question marks about his offensive upside.
Clingan's rookie season was a rollercoaster ride that ended on a high note. He had to battle for minutes to start the campaign, playing behind Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams. Clingan was thrown into prominent roles on occasion when there were injuries ahead of him, but he took off in mid-February. After posting 21 points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench during a blowout loss to Denver on Feb. 10, Clingan moved into the first five and never looked back, starting the final 27 regular-season games. From Feb. 10 on, the big man averaged 8.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.8 blocks and 0.6 steals in 25.3 minutes while shooting 55.6 percent from the field. While the peripheral stats were encouraging, Clingan struggled mightily from the free-throw line, dropping his value in category leagues. He also attempted multiple three-pointers eight times, shooting 29 percent from deep in those games, so even when he was feeling it, the results weren't there. He barely cracked the top 150 in eight-category leagues as a rookie, but with Ayton now in Los Angeles, it's Clingan's job to lose. Williams has struggled to stay healthy his entire career and will likely handle a limited reserve role, while Duop Reath is best used as a five in small-ball lineups. Rookie Yang Hansen will take time to develop and doesn't pose an immediate threat to Clingan, whose defensive prowess gives him a strong fantasy floor even if there are question marks about his offensive upside.
Hartenstein has been bouncing around the NBA, landing with the Thunder last season after two consecutive years with the Knicks. It resulted in a title for the center, who started 53 of his 57 regular-season appearances. Many of those starts were next to Chet Holmgren, but both men missed significant time last season, with often only one of them being available. It was a career year for Hartenstein, all things considered, and he averaged 11.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.1 blocks and 0.8 steals in 27.9 minutes. Given Oklahoma City's success, it seems likely Hartenstein will remain in a starting role. However, it's possible both his minutes and usage will decline, assuming more development and better health from Holmgren. Even if that's the case, Hartenstein should remain a top-100 player given his strong per-minute contributions. He's one of the best rebounders in the NBA and is a strong passer for his position.
Hartenstein has been bouncing around the NBA, landing with the Thunder last season after two consecutive years with the Knicks. It resulted in a title for the center, who started 53 of his 57 regular-season appearances. Many of those starts were next to Chet Holmgren, but both men missed significant time last season, with often only one of them being available. It was a career year for Hartenstein, all things considered, and he averaged 11.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.1 blocks and 0.8 steals in 27.9 minutes. Given Oklahoma City's success, it seems likely Hartenstein will remain in a starting role. However, it's possible both his minutes and usage will decline, assuming more development and better health from Holmgren. Even if that's the case, Hartenstein should remain a top-100 player given his strong per-minute contributions. He's one of the best rebounders in the NBA and is a strong passer for his position.
After a mid-season trade to Sacramento, LaVine saw a slight drop in production across the board, but he was still a go-to offensive player, averaging 22.4 points, 3.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 3.2 made three-pointers in 36.6 minutes per game. However, he's never been able to produce much on the defensive end, averaging over 1.4 stocks per game only once in 11 seasons. Despite switching teams, LaVine finds himself in a familiar situation. He'll have to share usage with DeMar DeRozan, a high-usage center (formerly Nikola Vucevic, now Domantas Sabonis) and a flamethrowing guard (formerly Coby White, now Malik Monk). LaVine had no issues submitting strong fantasy campaigns when DeRozan was in Chicago. If you take away the 2023-24 campaign when he played in a career-low 25 games, the former has ended inside the top 35 in eight-category leagues in five straight seasons, including three top-20 finishes. LaVine may never take 20 shots a night again, but he has proven to be an efficient secondary scorer, and he shot career highs from the field (51.1) and three-point range (44.6) last season. He posted an 82.5 percent mark from the charity stripe, his lowest since 2019-20, but even with the slight dip, getting to the free-throw line and converting at a solid clip remains one of the strongest parts of his game. If he can maintain his efficiency, LaVine could be a draft-day steal in the middle rounds despite an expected drop in overall usage.
After a mid-season trade to Sacramento, LaVine saw a slight drop in production across the board, but he was still a go-to offensive player, averaging 22.4 points, 3.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 3.2 made three-pointers in 36.6 minutes per game. However, he's never been able to produce much on the defensive end, averaging over 1.4 stocks per game only once in 11 seasons. Despite switching teams, LaVine finds himself in a familiar situation. He'll have to share usage with DeMar DeRozan, a high-usage center (formerly Nikola Vucevic, now Domantas Sabonis) and a flamethrowing guard (formerly Coby White, now Malik Monk). LaVine had no issues submitting strong fantasy campaigns when DeRozan was in Chicago. If you take away the 2023-24 campaign when he played in a career-low 25 games, the former has ended inside the top 35 in eight-category leagues in five straight seasons, including three top-20 finishes. LaVine may never take 20 shots a night again, but he has proven to be an efficient secondary scorer, and he shot career highs from the field (51.1) and three-point range (44.6) last season. He posted an 82.5 percent mark from the charity stripe, his lowest since 2019-20, but even with the slight dip, getting to the free-throw line and converting at a solid clip remains one of the strongest parts of his game. If he can maintain his efficiency, LaVine could be a draft-day steal in the middle rounds despite an expected drop in overall usage.
Podziemski underwent surgeries on his wrist and core this offseason, but is expected to be healthy for training camp. Despite a slight boost in points, threes and steals in Year 2, it wasn't the breakout performance many were hoping for from the Santa Clara product. He's been a key part of Golden State's rotation since being drafted outside of the lottery in 2023, but his production and impact fluctuate. In 12 postseason contests last season, Podziemski scored at least 26 points twice and was held to single digits five times, a trend that continued from the regular season. While he has an all-around skill set, he's not elite in any single category, plus he has to scavenge for usage behind Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. Buddy Hield's hot shooting also puts Podziemski on the back burner at times, and it's unclear what'll happen with Jonathan Kuminga, who's currently a restricted free agent. Podziemski has undoubtedly been a valuable fantasy asset at times. However, he's finished outside the top 135 in eight-category leagues in each of his first two campaigns, despite making 138 total regular-season appearances and averaging 26.7 minutes per game. Heading into his age-22 season, there's plenty of room for growth, but this is an aging Golden State squad that'll continue to prioritize winning over developmental minutes.
Podziemski underwent surgeries on his wrist and core this offseason, but is expected to be healthy for training camp. Despite a slight boost in points, threes and steals in Year 2, it wasn't the breakout performance many were hoping for from the Santa Clara product. He's been a key part of Golden State's rotation since being drafted outside of the lottery in 2023, but his production and impact fluctuate. In 12 postseason contests last season, Podziemski scored at least 26 points twice and was held to single digits five times, a trend that continued from the regular season. While he has an all-around skill set, he's not elite in any single category, plus he has to scavenge for usage behind Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. Buddy Hield's hot shooting also puts Podziemski on the back burner at times, and it's unclear what'll happen with Jonathan Kuminga, who's currently a restricted free agent. Podziemski has undoubtedly been a valuable fantasy asset at times. However, he's finished outside the top 135 in eight-category leagues in each of his first two campaigns, despite making 138 total regular-season appearances and averaging 26.7 minutes per game. Heading into his age-22 season, there's plenty of room for growth, but this is an aging Golden State squad that'll continue to prioritize winning over developmental minutes.
After reaching the NBA Finals, it was shocking to see Turner leave Indiana for another Eastern Conference contender during free agency. Ultimately, the Achilles injury to Tyrese Haliburton in Game 7 against the Thunder, which will keep the star point guard sidelined for the entire 2025-26 campaign, caused the Pacers' brass to be conservative with their offer to Turner. The Bucks, who also lost a star guard in Damian Lillard during the 2025 playoffs, jumped at the opportunity to add a top player next to Giannis Antetokounmpo. Milwaukee let Brook Lopez leave in free agency and traded away Lillard to afford Turner's lofty four-year, $107 million contract. By all measures, Turner, a floor-spacing big man, is simply a younger version of Lopez and should fit seamlessly next to Antetokounmpo, whose relentless downhill nature opens up plenty of easy looks for shooters. Turner has never been a prolific scorer, rebounder or playmaker, but he blocks shots and hits threes, which can be a fantasy goldmine. After an injury-plagued 2021-22 campaign, Turner has finished inside the top 50 in eight-category leagues in three straight seasons. If you exclude the lost campaign, he's finished inside the top 80 for nine consecutive years. The talented big man has missed 10 or fewer regular-season games in back-to-back seasons, giving him a high fantasy floor, and he may be asked to handle more offensive responsibilities in Milwaukee as a true No. 2 option, potentially expanding his fantasy ceiling.
After reaching the NBA Finals, it was shocking to see Turner leave Indiana for another Eastern Conference contender during free agency. Ultimately, the Achilles injury to Tyrese Haliburton in Game 7 against the Thunder, which will keep the star point guard sidelined for the entire 2025-26 campaign, caused the Pacers' brass to be conservative with their offer to Turner. The Bucks, who also lost a star guard in Damian Lillard during the 2025 playoffs, jumped at the opportunity to add a top player next to Giannis Antetokounmpo. Milwaukee let Brook Lopez leave in free agency and traded away Lillard to afford Turner's lofty four-year, $107 million contract. By all measures, Turner, a floor-spacing big man, is simply a younger version of Lopez and should fit seamlessly next to Antetokounmpo, whose relentless downhill nature opens up plenty of easy looks for shooters. Turner has never been a prolific scorer, rebounder or playmaker, but he blocks shots and hits threes, which can be a fantasy goldmine. After an injury-plagued 2021-22 campaign, Turner has finished inside the top 50 in eight-category leagues in three straight seasons. If you exclude the lost campaign, he's finished inside the top 80 for nine consecutive years. The talented big man has missed 10 or fewer regular-season games in back-to-back seasons, giving him a high fantasy floor, and he may be asked to handle more offensive responsibilities in Milwaukee as a true No. 2 option, potentially expanding his fantasy ceiling.
A severe ankle injury limited Ingram to just 18 appearances last season - all of which came with the Pelicans before he was dealt to the Raptors. Ingram's production in the limited sample was what we've come to expect from the veteran wing, though he did increase his three-point attempts from 3.8 per game in 2023-24 to 6.4 per game in 2024-25. That trend should continue this season while Ingram is starting next to non-spacers Jakob Poeltl and Scottie Barnes. He may also be asked to handle the ball less, as Barnes, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley can all make plays and run the offense. In addition to potentially handling the ball less, it's a concern how often Ingram continues to get injured. In his nine years, he's played 70-plus games once and 60-plus games only four times. Ingram is a top-50 fantasy talent, but has more often finished outside of the top 100 due to absences. It may be more appropriate to draft Ingram after pick 75 this season as a result of the concerns.
A severe ankle injury limited Ingram to just 18 appearances last season - all of which came with the Pelicans before he was dealt to the Raptors. Ingram's production in the limited sample was what we've come to expect from the veteran wing, though he did increase his three-point attempts from 3.8 per game in 2023-24 to 6.4 per game in 2024-25. That trend should continue this season while Ingram is starting next to non-spacers Jakob Poeltl and Scottie Barnes. He may also be asked to handle the ball less, as Barnes, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley can all make plays and run the offense. In addition to potentially handling the ball less, it's a concern how often Ingram continues to get injured. In his nine years, he's played 70-plus games once and 60-plus games only four times. Ingram is a top-50 fantasy talent, but has more often finished outside of the top 100 due to absences. It may be more appropriate to draft Ingram after pick 75 this season as a result of the concerns.
The No. 4 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Castle is coming off his Rookie of the Year campaign. The first few months of his debut season were up and down, but he gained his stride in January. After De'Aaron Fox underwent season-ending surgery in March, Castle took on a starting job. With both Fox and Victor Wembanyama out due to a blood clot issue, the rookie became the team's lead playmaker. During his final 18 appearances, the UConn product averaged 19.1 points and 1.3 threes on 44/29/75 shooting, 6.2 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 combined steals-plus-blocks in 30.9 minutes. Shooting efficiency from anywhere outside of the paint was an issue for Castle, but he got to the rim often, and he managed an impressive 5.7 free-throw attempts per 36 minutes. Improving his shooting efficiency and making a bigger defensive impact will be key this season. Fox will be back, and the Spurs added No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper to the equation. Castle may handle the ball less than he did last season, especially compared to March and April. Optimists can certainly take Castle inside the top 100, hoping for general improvement, but heavy usage and minutes will not be available to the combo guard by default.
The No. 4 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Castle is coming off his Rookie of the Year campaign. The first few months of his debut season were up and down, but he gained his stride in January. After De'Aaron Fox underwent season-ending surgery in March, Castle took on a starting job. With both Fox and Victor Wembanyama out due to a blood clot issue, the rookie became the team's lead playmaker. During his final 18 appearances, the UConn product averaged 19.1 points and 1.3 threes on 44/29/75 shooting, 6.2 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 combined steals-plus-blocks in 30.9 minutes. Shooting efficiency from anywhere outside of the paint was an issue for Castle, but he got to the rim often, and he managed an impressive 5.7 free-throw attempts per 36 minutes. Improving his shooting efficiency and making a bigger defensive impact will be key this season. Fox will be back, and the Spurs added No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper to the equation. Castle may handle the ball less than he did last season, especially compared to March and April. Optimists can certainly take Castle inside the top 100, hoping for general improvement, but heavy usage and minutes will not be available to the combo guard by default.
Anunoby is coming off the second best fantasy campaign of his career. Playing under a head coach in Tom Thibodeau that certainly wasn't shy with his minutes, Anunoby produced averages of 18.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.9 blocks and 2.3 three-pointers across 74 games during the regular season. He also saw 36.6 minutes per night. He was a fourth-round value on a per-game basis in nine-category formats, excelling across the board. The Knicks will be a little deeper in 2025-26 with new additions in Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele, but Anunoby's role is unlikely to change. The Knicks do have a new head coach in Mike Brown, but similar to Thibodeau, defense will remain the top priority in New York to the benefit of Anunoby. Despite being surrounded by high-usage players such as Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges, Anunoby still finds ways to get his touches. He's entering the prime of his career and offers early-round upside because of his steal/block rates, making him a coveted target in fantasy drafts.
Anunoby is coming off the second best fantasy campaign of his career. Playing under a head coach in Tom Thibodeau that certainly wasn't shy with his minutes, Anunoby produced averages of 18.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.9 blocks and 2.3 three-pointers across 74 games during the regular season. He also saw 36.6 minutes per night. He was a fourth-round value on a per-game basis in nine-category formats, excelling across the board. The Knicks will be a little deeper in 2025-26 with new additions in Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele, but Anunoby's role is unlikely to change. The Knicks do have a new head coach in Mike Brown, but similar to Thibodeau, defense will remain the top priority in New York to the benefit of Anunoby. Despite being surrounded by high-usage players such as Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges, Anunoby still finds ways to get his touches. He's entering the prime of his career and offers early-round upside because of his steal/block rates, making him a coveted target in fantasy drafts.
It took only five games for Missi to become a regular starter during his rookie season. As a starter, the 2024 No. 21 overall pick averaged 9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 blocks in 27.3 minutes per game (67 appearances). He attempted only one three-pointer the entire campaign and was poor at the free-throw line (62.3 percent on 2.8 attempts per game). The Pelicans added some frontcourt depth this season, signing veteran center Kevon Looney to a two-year contract and undrafted rookie Hunter Dickinson to a two-way deal. Karlo Matkovic is also still around, and lottery pick Derik Queen could play some small-ball five. However, it's still Missi's job to lose. Despite all the playing time in Year 1, the Pelicans asked the youngster to play in Summer League again. He posted a pair of double-doubles before being shut down with a minor ankle injury. Missi has top-100 upside in points leagues, but his value takes a hit in category leagues due to his work at the charity stripe.
It took only five games for Missi to become a regular starter during his rookie season. As a starter, the 2024 No. 21 overall pick averaged 9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 blocks in 27.3 minutes per game (67 appearances). He attempted only one three-pointer the entire campaign and was poor at the free-throw line (62.3 percent on 2.8 attempts per game). The Pelicans added some frontcourt depth this season, signing veteran center Kevon Looney to a two-year contract and undrafted rookie Hunter Dickinson to a two-way deal. Karlo Matkovic is also still around, and lottery pick Derik Queen could play some small-ball five. However, it's still Missi's job to lose. Despite all the playing time in Year 1, the Pelicans asked the youngster to play in Summer League again. He posted a pair of double-doubles before being shut down with a minor ankle injury. Missi has top-100 upside in points leagues, but his value takes a hit in category leagues due to his work at the charity stripe.
After a two-year stint in Portland, Ayton finds himself back on a contending team, and Los Angeles appears to be a perfect fit. The Lakers' surprising mid-season trade that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas in exchange for Luka Doncic left a major void at center, which was going to be filled by Mark Williams before a failed physical axed the deal right before the deadline. Ayton has averaged a double-double and shot at least 55 percent from the field in each of his first seven seasons in the league. While his defensive energy can wane, he's averaged at least 1.8 stocks five times, including both seasons with the Trail Blazers. The 2018 No. 1 overall pick's work at the charity stripe is also worth taking a second look at. He attempted at least 2.3 free throws per game and shot 75 percent or better from the line in all five campaigns with Phoenix, but he shot a career-high 82.3 percent on 1.4 tries per game during his first season in Portland before shooting a career-low 66.7 percent on 1.5 tries in 2024-25. Regardless, the primary concern in Ayton's profile remains missed time. He's appeared in at least 69 regular-season games only twice in his career, finishing inside the top 50 in eight-category leagues both times. He's failed to crack the top 100 twice, appearing in 40 or fewer regular-season games both times. There are concerns Ayton won't have as many touches with his new squad, as LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves will dominate usage. However, Ayton's experience sharing the court with Chris Paul and Devin Booker in Phoenix should ease the transition. As long as Ayton is healthy, he should be locked into 30 minutes a night and won't face competition from Maxi Kleber or Jaxson Hayes. That should be enough for a top-75 floor, but the days of Ayton cracking the top 50 are likely behind him.
After a two-year stint in Portland, Ayton finds himself back on a contending team, and Los Angeles appears to be a perfect fit. The Lakers' surprising mid-season trade that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas in exchange for Luka Doncic left a major void at center, which was going to be filled by Mark Williams before a failed physical axed the deal right before the deadline. Ayton has averaged a double-double and shot at least 55 percent from the field in each of his first seven seasons in the league. While his defensive energy can wane, he's averaged at least 1.8 stocks five times, including both seasons with the Trail Blazers. The 2018 No. 1 overall pick's work at the charity stripe is also worth taking a second look at. He attempted at least 2.3 free throws per game and shot 75 percent or better from the line in all five campaigns with Phoenix, but he shot a career-high 82.3 percent on 1.4 tries per game during his first season in Portland before shooting a career-low 66.7 percent on 1.5 tries in 2024-25. Regardless, the primary concern in Ayton's profile remains missed time. He's appeared in at least 69 regular-season games only twice in his career, finishing inside the top 50 in eight-category leagues both times. He's failed to crack the top 100 twice, appearing in 40 or fewer regular-season games both times. There are concerns Ayton won't have as many touches with his new squad, as LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves will dominate usage. However, Ayton's experience sharing the court with Chris Paul and Devin Booker in Phoenix should ease the transition. As long as Ayton is healthy, he should be locked into 30 minutes a night and won't face competition from Maxi Kleber or Jaxson Hayes. That should be enough for a top-75 floor, but the days of Ayton cracking the top 50 are likely behind him.
After forcing his way off another team, Butler was a seamless fit in Golden State. His arrival before the trade deadline propelled the Warriors back into the playoff picture, through the Play-In Tournament and past the No. 2 seed Rockets in the opening round of the playoffs. However, Stephen Curry's hamstring injury stopped the Warriors in their tracks in the Western Conference Semifinals. Butler racked up more assists and steals per game in Golden State than he did in Miami last season, but he struggled from three-point range with his new squad. Butler shot 41.4 percent from deep on 2.4 three-point attempts per game in 2023-24 but only 30.8 percent from beyond the arc in 2024-25. The main crack in the veteran's fantasy profile remains missed time, making 65 or fewer regular-season appearances in every campaign since 2016-17. However, Butler has still been a quality fantasy asset even when factoring in absences, recording nine straight top-40 finishes in eight-category leagues before regressing in each of the last two campaigns. With renewed energy and a full offseason to gel with his teammates, Butler could get back to being a top-50 option. He appears to be bought in after quickly signing an extension with the Warriors. Still, storylines can quickly change for aging teams, especially in a deep, talented and young Western Conference.
After forcing his way off another team, Butler was a seamless fit in Golden State. His arrival before the trade deadline propelled the Warriors back into the playoff picture, through the Play-In Tournament and past the No. 2 seed Rockets in the opening round of the playoffs. However, Stephen Curry's hamstring injury stopped the Warriors in their tracks in the Western Conference Semifinals. Butler racked up more assists and steals per game in Golden State than he did in Miami last season, but he struggled from three-point range with his new squad. Butler shot 41.4 percent from deep on 2.4 three-point attempts per game in 2023-24 but only 30.8 percent from beyond the arc in 2024-25. The main crack in the veteran's fantasy profile remains missed time, making 65 or fewer regular-season appearances in every campaign since 2016-17. However, Butler has still been a quality fantasy asset even when factoring in absences, recording nine straight top-40 finishes in eight-category leagues before regressing in each of the last two campaigns. With renewed energy and a full offseason to gel with his teammates, Butler could get back to being a top-50 option. He appears to be bought in after quickly signing an extension with the Warriors. Still, storylines can quickly change for aging teams, especially in a deep, talented and young Western Conference.
The Bucks traded Khris Middleton for Kuzma at the deadline last season. Kuzma went on to play 33 games for Milwaukee, averaging 14.5 points and 1.5 threes on 46/33/66 shooting, 5.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 31.8 minutes. There's room for Kuzma to take on some more usage this season with Damian Lillard waived following his Achilles tear, though players like Kevin Porter and Gary Trent should also see increased touches, as could Giannis Antetokounmpo. Even when Kuzma was in his prime in Washington, he was only providing category-league value in fantasy around the 70-90 range. Now, further down in the pecking order and crossing into his age-30 season, it seems unlikely the forward will be able to reach those highs again. Optimists could draft him before pick 100, hoping for a return to form, but there's not immense upside. He's more suited for points leagues where his subpar efficiency and lack of defensive stats aren't as much of an issue.
The Bucks traded Khris Middleton for Kuzma at the deadline last season. Kuzma went on to play 33 games for Milwaukee, averaging 14.5 points and 1.5 threes on 46/33/66 shooting, 5.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 31.8 minutes. There's room for Kuzma to take on some more usage this season with Damian Lillard waived following his Achilles tear, though players like Kevin Porter and Gary Trent should also see increased touches, as could Giannis Antetokounmpo. Even when Kuzma was in his prime in Washington, he was only providing category-league value in fantasy around the 70-90 range. Now, further down in the pecking order and crossing into his age-30 season, it seems unlikely the forward will be able to reach those highs again. Optimists could draft him before pick 100, hoping for a return to form, but there's not immense upside. He's more suited for points leagues where his subpar efficiency and lack of defensive stats aren't as much of an issue.
Mathurin's third season in Indiana looked eerily similar to his first two. He had plenty of head-turning moments, but he struggled with consistency once again. Overall, Mathurin appeared in 72 games (49 starts) and produced 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.4 three-pointers on 45.8 percent shooting from the field. That wasn't enough to crack the top-150 in standard nine-category leagues on a per-game basis, and he would later see his minutes cut during the postseason with some scoring outbursts mixed in. Big things could be coming in year four, however. With Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) already ruled out for the season and with Myles Turner moving on to Milwaukee, coach Rick Carlisle already announced that Mathurin will be a full-time starter in 2025-26. Mathurin already had a high usage rate of 22.9 percent in 2024-25, but that could jump considerably. Mathurin isn't a complete fantasy asset with low steal/block rates, and his three-point shot comes and goes, not to mention on low volume. He also hasn't established himself as a reliable playmaker yet. But purely in terms of minutes, usage and the potential for him to take a leap in his fourth season with increased responsibility, there's certainly enough intrigue here to make him a worthwhile gamble in fantasy drafts.
Mathurin's third season in Indiana looked eerily similar to his first two. He had plenty of head-turning moments, but he struggled with consistency once again. Overall, Mathurin appeared in 72 games (49 starts) and produced 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.4 three-pointers on 45.8 percent shooting from the field. That wasn't enough to crack the top-150 in standard nine-category leagues on a per-game basis, and he would later see his minutes cut during the postseason with some scoring outbursts mixed in. Big things could be coming in year four, however. With Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) already ruled out for the season and with Myles Turner moving on to Milwaukee, coach Rick Carlisle already announced that Mathurin will be a full-time starter in 2025-26. Mathurin already had a high usage rate of 22.9 percent in 2024-25, but that could jump considerably. Mathurin isn't a complete fantasy asset with low steal/block rates, and his three-point shot comes and goes, not to mention on low volume. He also hasn't established himself as a reliable playmaker yet. But purely in terms of minutes, usage and the potential for him to take a leap in his fourth season with increased responsibility, there's certainly enough intrigue here to make him a worthwhile gamble in fantasy drafts.
A broken left fibula limited Ivey to 30 games in his third NBA season. However, the young guard made notable strides as a shooter. Ivey shot a career-high 40.9 percent from three while taking 5.1 per game. Overall, in his 29.9 minutes per game, the Purdue product averaged 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 0.9 steals. He was on pace to have his best fantasy season before the injury. This year, it will be about working well next to Cade Cunningham, who is coming off an All-NBA Third Team campaign and truly took over as the face of the franchise. Ivey becoming a better shooter will help, but he also needs to improve on the defensive end. In theory, Ivey should be Detroit's No. 2 offensive option above Tobias Harris, Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren. That gives him intriguing potential for 2025-26. Optimistic fantasy managers can take Ivey inside the top 100.
A broken left fibula limited Ivey to 30 games in his third NBA season. However, the young guard made notable strides as a shooter. Ivey shot a career-high 40.9 percent from three while taking 5.1 per game. Overall, in his 29.9 minutes per game, the Purdue product averaged 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 0.9 steals. He was on pace to have his best fantasy season before the injury. This year, it will be about working well next to Cade Cunningham, who is coming off an All-NBA Third Team campaign and truly took over as the face of the franchise. Ivey becoming a better shooter will help, but he also needs to improve on the defensive end. In theory, Ivey should be Detroit's No. 2 offensive option above Tobias Harris, Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren. That gives him intriguing potential for 2025-26. Optimistic fantasy managers can take Ivey inside the top 100.
After seeing his numbers rise over the last three seasons, Vassell saw a slight statistical decline in 2024-25, though that was partially due to less usage on offense. He finished the regular season averaging 16.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.3 steals over 31.0 minutes per game while connecting on 36.8 percent of his three-point attempts, though his 13.9 field-goal attempts per contest was his lowest since the 2021-22 season. It's difficult to see Vassell's usage increasing in the upcoming season, given the fact that he'll be sharing the floor with Victor Wembanyama, De'Aaron Fox, reigning ROTY Stephon Castle and 2025 second-overall pick Dylan Harper. Vassell was permanently moved into the Spurs' starting lineup just before Christmas and started in 53 of the 64 games he played in. However, his spot could be in jeopardy with veteran Harrison Barnes also on the roster.
After seeing his numbers rise over the last three seasons, Vassell saw a slight statistical decline in 2024-25, though that was partially due to less usage on offense. He finished the regular season averaging 16.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.3 steals over 31.0 minutes per game while connecting on 36.8 percent of his three-point attempts, though his 13.9 field-goal attempts per contest was his lowest since the 2021-22 season. It's difficult to see Vassell's usage increasing in the upcoming season, given the fact that he'll be sharing the floor with Victor Wembanyama, De'Aaron Fox, reigning ROTY Stephon Castle and 2025 second-overall pick Dylan Harper. Vassell was permanently moved into the Spurs' starting lineup just before Christmas and started in 53 of the 64 games he played in. However, his spot could be in jeopardy with veteran Harrison Barnes also on the roster.
Henderson's sophomore year was a mixed bag. He significantly improved his shooting efficiency and defense, and also cleaned up his turnovers. However, he saw fewer minutes per game and had decreased usage. Offensively, passing has emerged as his biggest strength. In his 26.7 minutes per game, he averaged 5.1 assists to 2.7 turnovers, plus 12.7 points and 1.6 threes on 42/35/77 shooting. Defensively, Henderson improved his steal rate and averaged 1.0 per game. There seems to be room for growth there, as he averaged nearly the same amount of deflections as Amen Thompson. During the offseason, the Blazers traded Anfernee Simons to the Celtics for Jrue Holiday. Deandre Ayton was also bought out and picked up by the Lakers. That should open up more usage and potentially more minutes for Henderson, though players like Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija will also be vying for touches. There's still plenty of reason to take a chance on the No. 3 overall pick from 2023. Simply getting more minutes would be a significant boost to his fantasy value. And any meaningful improvement in his perimeter shooting could open up his offensive game entirely.
Henderson's sophomore year was a mixed bag. He significantly improved his shooting efficiency and defense, and also cleaned up his turnovers. However, he saw fewer minutes per game and had decreased usage. Offensively, passing has emerged as his biggest strength. In his 26.7 minutes per game, he averaged 5.1 assists to 2.7 turnovers, plus 12.7 points and 1.6 threes on 42/35/77 shooting. Defensively, Henderson improved his steal rate and averaged 1.0 per game. There seems to be room for growth there, as he averaged nearly the same amount of deflections as Amen Thompson. During the offseason, the Blazers traded Anfernee Simons to the Celtics for Jrue Holiday. Deandre Ayton was also bought out and picked up by the Lakers. That should open up more usage and potentially more minutes for Henderson, though players like Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija will also be vying for touches. There's still plenty of reason to take a chance on the No. 3 overall pick from 2023. Simply getting more minutes would be a significant boost to his fantasy value. And any meaningful improvement in his perimeter shooting could open up his offensive game entirely.
The No. 9 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Edey had a successful rookie year. His workload tended to fluctuate, but he established himself as a dominant rebounder and quality shot-blocker. He also showed some potential as a shooter, both from beyond the arc and from the free-throw line. Overall, in his 21.5 minutes per game, Edey averaged 9.2 points and 0.3 threes on 58/35/71 shooting, 8.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 assists. The next basic steps for Edey will be staying out of foul trouble and improving his fitness. After that, becoming a better passer and more versatile defender will be key to improving his upside in real life and fantasy. Unfortunately, he'll be starting the 2025-26 campaign on the injury report following ankle surgery. The hope is for him to make his season debut in November.
The No. 9 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Edey had a successful rookie year. His workload tended to fluctuate, but he established himself as a dominant rebounder and quality shot-blocker. He also showed some potential as a shooter, both from beyond the arc and from the free-throw line. Overall, in his 21.5 minutes per game, Edey averaged 9.2 points and 0.3 threes on 58/35/71 shooting, 8.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 assists. The next basic steps for Edey will be staying out of foul trouble and improving his fitness. After that, becoming a better passer and more versatile defender will be key to improving his upside in real life and fantasy. Unfortunately, he'll be starting the 2025-26 campaign on the injury report following ankle surgery. The hope is for him to make his season debut in November.
The No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft, Risacher finished second in Rookie of the Year voting. Based on your expectations for the class as a whole, and Risacher specifically, the campaign could be considered a success or a letdown. Either way, it's undeniable he improved as the season went along. From Jan. 1 onward, Risacher averaged 14.0 points and 1.9 threes on 50/40/73 shooting, 3.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.4 blocks across 25.3 minutes. The main knock on the 20-year-old's game right now is probably that he doesn't have a standout skill. Spot-up shooting became a positive for Risacher, but not until later in the year, and he was only strong from the corners. And while he was fine defensively, racking up some solid block and offensive rebound numbers for his position, it wasn't anything to write home about. It's also important to consider how low his usage rate was, given that Jalen Johnson - Atlanta's No. 2 option - didn't see the floor from Jan. 25 through the end of the season. He'll be healthy to start the year, and the Hawks brought in Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard this summer. Minutes and usage will be tougher to come by for Risacher this year than last. Of course, it's possible Risacher takes a sizable step forward and forces the coaching staff to play him 30 minutes per game, but his ceiling for this season still feels relatively capped.
The No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft, Risacher finished second in Rookie of the Year voting. Based on your expectations for the class as a whole, and Risacher specifically, the campaign could be considered a success or a letdown. Either way, it's undeniable he improved as the season went along. From Jan. 1 onward, Risacher averaged 14.0 points and 1.9 threes on 50/40/73 shooting, 3.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.4 blocks across 25.3 minutes. The main knock on the 20-year-old's game right now is probably that he doesn't have a standout skill. Spot-up shooting became a positive for Risacher, but not until later in the year, and he was only strong from the corners. And while he was fine defensively, racking up some solid block and offensive rebound numbers for his position, it wasn't anything to write home about. It's also important to consider how low his usage rate was, given that Jalen Johnson - Atlanta's No. 2 option - didn't see the floor from Jan. 25 through the end of the season. He'll be healthy to start the year, and the Hawks brought in Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard this summer. Minutes and usage will be tougher to come by for Risacher this year than last. Of course, it's possible Risacher takes a sizable step forward and forces the coaching staff to play him 30 minutes per game, but his ceiling for this season still feels relatively capped.
After three-plus years in New Orleans, McCollum was traded to Washington this offseason. His role with the Wizards is odd, as McCollum and Khris Middleton find themselves surrounded by youngsters on a rebuilding team. Both veterans are on expiring contracts and will be trade candidates at the deadline, especially if they are playing well. Going to a contender would likely hurt McCollum's fantasy value, and it's unclear how high his upside will be in his new setting. He's averaged at least 20 points per game and finished as a top-100 asset in category leagues in every season since 2015-16. However, his playing time could take a hit if the Wizards empty their bench for developmental minutes on nights when things get out of hand. Washington will want to see as much as it can from promising youngsters like Bub Carrington, Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George, Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson, Cam Whitmore, Will Riley and AJ Johnson. With that said, McCollum is getting paid $30 million, and he needs to produce if the Wizards hope to get any draft capital in return for a potential deal. As long as he's on the court, which has become an issue recently (at least 16 missed games in four of the last five years), McCollum should flirt with top-100 value.
After three-plus years in New Orleans, McCollum was traded to Washington this offseason. His role with the Wizards is odd, as McCollum and Khris Middleton find themselves surrounded by youngsters on a rebuilding team. Both veterans are on expiring contracts and will be trade candidates at the deadline, especially if they are playing well. Going to a contender would likely hurt McCollum's fantasy value, and it's unclear how high his upside will be in his new setting. He's averaged at least 20 points per game and finished as a top-100 asset in category leagues in every season since 2015-16. However, his playing time could take a hit if the Wizards empty their bench for developmental minutes on nights when things get out of hand. Washington will want to see as much as it can from promising youngsters like Bub Carrington, Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George, Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson, Cam Whitmore, Will Riley and AJ Johnson. With that said, McCollum is getting paid $30 million, and he needs to produce if the Wizards hope to get any draft capital in return for a potential deal. As long as he's on the court, which has become an issue recently (at least 16 missed games in four of the last five years), McCollum should flirt with top-100 value.
Since leaving Oklahoma City following the 2018-19 campaign, George has played more than 56 regular-season games only once, including 41 appearances last season. The veteran dealt with numerous injuries during the 2024-25 campaign. If that wasn't enough for the oft-injured forward, he needed another surgery this offseason after tweaking his left knee during a workout. While he's expected to be ready for training camp, it'd be malpractice to operate under the assumption that George will be able to handle a full superstar workload to start the 2025-26 campaign, regardless of how well his rehab goes. Fellow superstars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey will likely be in the same boat after missing extended time as well, but Maxey doesn't have the injury history of George or Embiid. With Philadelphia banged up last season, Quentin Grimes and Jared McCain showed flashes of immense potential. They could eat into the overall usage when they get hot, plus rookie No. 3 overall pick VJ Edgecombe will need to be integrated into the offense. That said, George will make over $50 million per year for the next three seasons (player option for 2027-28), so when he's on the court, the 76ers will need all the usage they can get out of him. The injuries have turned George into one of the more polarizing players in fantasy hoops. Over the last five years, he has had a top-10 finish in eight-category leagues and ended outside the top 150 twice.
Since leaving Oklahoma City following the 2018-19 campaign, George has played more than 56 regular-season games only once, including 41 appearances last season. The veteran dealt with numerous injuries during the 2024-25 campaign. If that wasn't enough for the oft-injured forward, he needed another surgery this offseason after tweaking his left knee during a workout. While he's expected to be ready for training camp, it'd be malpractice to operate under the assumption that George will be able to handle a full superstar workload to start the 2025-26 campaign, regardless of how well his rehab goes. Fellow superstars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey will likely be in the same boat after missing extended time as well, but Maxey doesn't have the injury history of George or Embiid. With Philadelphia banged up last season, Quentin Grimes and Jared McCain showed flashes of immense potential. They could eat into the overall usage when they get hot, plus rookie No. 3 overall pick VJ Edgecombe will need to be integrated into the offense. That said, George will make over $50 million per year for the next three seasons (player option for 2027-28), so when he's on the court, the 76ers will need all the usage they can get out of him. The injuries have turned George into one of the more polarizing players in fantasy hoops. Over the last five years, he has had a top-10 finish in eight-category leagues and ended outside the top 150 twice.
The final lottery pick of 2024, Carrington demonstrated his upside as a rookie. Arguably, his best trait was his passing, as he averaged 4.4 assists to just 1.7 turnovers in his 30.0 minutes per game. For a first-year guard, Carrington was also relatively efficient, scoring 9.8 points with 1.7 threes on 40/34/81 shooting. Defense is a room for improvement, as expected. Carrington averaged just 0.7 steals and 0.3 blocks. In addition to improving as a defender, the next step for Carrington's development will be adding more volume or more efficiency to his shooting, ideally both. However, the Wizards have a bit of a logjam in the backcourt. Around Carrington are CJ McCollum, Khris Middleton, Tre Johnson, AJ Johnson, Cam Whitmore, Corey Kispert and others like Bilal Coulibaly and Kyshawn George. The veterans will most likely be off the team come the trade deadline, but that's more than halfway through the season. Fantasy managers who want to invest in Carrington may have to deal with some ups and downs in the early portions of the season.
The final lottery pick of 2024, Carrington demonstrated his upside as a rookie. Arguably, his best trait was his passing, as he averaged 4.4 assists to just 1.7 turnovers in his 30.0 minutes per game. For a first-year guard, Carrington was also relatively efficient, scoring 9.8 points with 1.7 threes on 40/34/81 shooting. Defense is a room for improvement, as expected. Carrington averaged just 0.7 steals and 0.3 blocks. In addition to improving as a defender, the next step for Carrington's development will be adding more volume or more efficiency to his shooting, ideally both. However, the Wizards have a bit of a logjam in the backcourt. Around Carrington are CJ McCollum, Khris Middleton, Tre Johnson, AJ Johnson, Cam Whitmore, Corey Kispert and others like Bilal Coulibaly and Kyshawn George. The veterans will most likely be off the team come the trade deadline, but that's more than halfway through the season. Fantasy managers who want to invest in Carrington may have to deal with some ups and downs in the early portions of the season.
After seven seasons with the Trail Blazers, Simons was traded to Boston in June. The high-scoring guard joins a 2025-26 Celtics team that is anxious for points production after losing Jayson Tatum (injury), Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis (trades). Simons is coming off a 2024-25 season in which his shot attempts, minutes, field goal percentage, three-point accuracy and free throw percentage all dipped slightly versus the prior season. With Boston, the veteran guard will probably return to or exceed the career-high 18.2 field goal attempts he hoisted in 2023-24. Simons played in 70 games last year, a solid sign after the guard struggled with ankle and knee issues the previous season. The bulk of Boston's backcourt minutes will go to three-combo guards: Simons, Derrick White, and Sixth Man Award winner Payton Pritchard. White should be the alpha dog of the group, with Pritchard sticking to his bench role. With fellow starters White and Jaylen Brown receiving most of the defense's attention, expect Simons to enjoy more catch-and-shoot opportunities than he had in Portland. On bad Trail Blazers teams, Simons was often stuck having to create his own shot. We may see both more volume and improved accuracy from Simons in 2025-26.
After seven seasons with the Trail Blazers, Simons was traded to Boston in June. The high-scoring guard joins a 2025-26 Celtics team that is anxious for points production after losing Jayson Tatum (injury), Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis (trades). Simons is coming off a 2024-25 season in which his shot attempts, minutes, field goal percentage, three-point accuracy and free throw percentage all dipped slightly versus the prior season. With Boston, the veteran guard will probably return to or exceed the career-high 18.2 field goal attempts he hoisted in 2023-24. Simons played in 70 games last year, a solid sign after the guard struggled with ankle and knee issues the previous season. The bulk of Boston's backcourt minutes will go to three-combo guards: Simons, Derrick White, and Sixth Man Award winner Payton Pritchard. White should be the alpha dog of the group, with Pritchard sticking to his bench role. With fellow starters White and Jaylen Brown receiving most of the defense's attention, expect Simons to enjoy more catch-and-shoot opportunities than he had in Portland. On bad Trail Blazers teams, Simons was often stuck having to create his own shot. We may see both more volume and improved accuracy from Simons in 2025-26.
George was the No. 16 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, and despite flashes of stardom, he's simply been too inefficient and inconsistent. He shot exactly 39.1 percent from the field in each of his first two campaigns and committed 2.7 turnovers per game as a sophomore compared to 2.5 as a rookie. The unreliability led to George losing his starting spot to Isaiah Collier halfway through last season. While George will likely find himself behind Collier again next season, Utah's backcourt depth got some breathing room this offseason. High-usage guards Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton are now gone, but the Jazz used their No. 5 overall pick on Ace Bailey and their No. 18 overall pick on Walter Clayton, who led the Florida Gators to the 2025 National Championship. George will certainly get another chance to prove he can be a more well-rounded player, but it could be his last, at least in Utah, as the Jazz hold a $6.5 million team option for 2026-27. With immense upside, George should be taken shortly after pick 110, but he's a safer bet in points leagues, as his poor field-goal percentage could tank a category-league team.
George was the No. 16 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, and despite flashes of stardom, he's simply been too inefficient and inconsistent. He shot exactly 39.1 percent from the field in each of his first two campaigns and committed 2.7 turnovers per game as a sophomore compared to 2.5 as a rookie. The unreliability led to George losing his starting spot to Isaiah Collier halfway through last season. While George will likely find himself behind Collier again next season, Utah's backcourt depth got some breathing room this offseason. High-usage guards Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton are now gone, but the Jazz used their No. 5 overall pick on Ace Bailey and their No. 18 overall pick on Walter Clayton, who led the Florida Gators to the 2025 National Championship. George will certainly get another chance to prove he can be a more well-rounded player, but it could be his last, at least in Utah, as the Jazz hold a $6.5 million team option for 2026-27. With immense upside, George should be taken shortly after pick 110, but he's a safer bet in points leagues, as his poor field-goal percentage could tank a category-league team.
Perfect attendance last season gave McDaniels a significant boost in his overall fantasy finish, especially in category leagues. He also continues to improve across the board. He set career highs in rebounds (5.7), assists (2.0), steals (1.3) and minutes (31.9) per game. His efficiency has taken a bit of a hit as he sees more shot attempts, and it appears like his 39.8 percent from deep in 2022-23 was an outlier, as he's shot only 33.5 percent from three in his other four campaigns. He doesn't get to the free-throw line often, but he posted a career-high 81.3 percent mark in 2024-25. McDaniels will once again play second fiddle to Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle and even Naz Reid, who demands usage off the bench. There may be more opportunities opening up if Mike Conley continues to struggle with his battle against Father Time. If Conley's workload is reduced, it wouldn't all be directed toward McDaniels, as Donte DiVincenzo, Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon or Jaylen Clark could see more playing time. Nonetheless, the Timberwolves gave McDaniels a massive extension in 2023, and they will want him on the court as often as possible, even if he doesn't reach another level in his game. However, if that doesn't happen, McDaniels will likely have to rely on near-perfect attendance every season to crack the Top 100.
Perfect attendance last season gave McDaniels a significant boost in his overall fantasy finish, especially in category leagues. He also continues to improve across the board. He set career highs in rebounds (5.7), assists (2.0), steals (1.3) and minutes (31.9) per game. His efficiency has taken a bit of a hit as he sees more shot attempts, and it appears like his 39.8 percent from deep in 2022-23 was an outlier, as he's shot only 33.5 percent from three in his other four campaigns. He doesn't get to the free-throw line often, but he posted a career-high 81.3 percent mark in 2024-25. McDaniels will once again play second fiddle to Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle and even Naz Reid, who demands usage off the bench. There may be more opportunities opening up if Mike Conley continues to struggle with his battle against Father Time. If Conley's workload is reduced, it wouldn't all be directed toward McDaniels, as Donte DiVincenzo, Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon or Jaylen Clark could see more playing time. Nonetheless, the Timberwolves gave McDaniels a massive extension in 2023, and they will want him on the court as often as possible, even if he doesn't reach another level in his game. However, if that doesn't happen, McDaniels will likely have to rely on near-perfect attendance every season to crack the Top 100.
Porzingis won a championship during his first season with the Celtics, but he appeared in only 99 regular-season games over two campaigns, including a career-low 42 last year. He tried to play through an illness during the playoffs, but he scored in single digits during nine of Boston's 11 postseason games, including the final seven. Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles during the second-round series against the Knicks, and with him likely sidelined for all of 2025-26, Boston traded Porzingis to Atlanta and Jrue Holiday to Portland this offseason to alleviate cap stress. Porzingis hasn't played in more than 66 regular-season games since his rookie year, including three lost campaigns with fewer than 50. However, when he's been on the court, the Latvian big man has been productive. He's averaged at least 1.3 fantasy points per minute in four straight seasons and finished inside the top-85 players in eight-category leagues in seven of his nine NBA campaigns. Now on his fifth team, Porzingis has experience playing with other superstars and should seamlessly fit as a floor spacer in an offense led by high-usage players Trae Young and Jalen Johnson. Porzingis has operated as a reserve during only one game in his career (2016-17 with the Knicks), but if he slides into the Hawks' starting lineup, it's unclear who'd shift to the bench. The options would be up-and-coming center Onyeka Okongwu, who Clint Capela had blocked for years but finally outplayed the veteran last season, or 2024 No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher. If Porzingis comes off the bench, he'd still play 25-plus minutes a game and may even see a boost in usage if she shares the court with other reserves. The oft-injured sharpshooter will always be a risky fantasy selection, but even with missed time in the past, he's delivered strong production more often than not. Porzingis' upside is a tad higher in category leagues because of his unicorn combination of made threes and blocks.
Porzingis won a championship during his first season with the Celtics, but he appeared in only 99 regular-season games over two campaigns, including a career-low 42 last year. He tried to play through an illness during the playoffs, but he scored in single digits during nine of Boston's 11 postseason games, including the final seven. Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles during the second-round series against the Knicks, and with him likely sidelined for all of 2025-26, Boston traded Porzingis to Atlanta and Jrue Holiday to Portland this offseason to alleviate cap stress. Porzingis hasn't played in more than 66 regular-season games since his rookie year, including three lost campaigns with fewer than 50. However, when he's been on the court, the Latvian big man has been productive. He's averaged at least 1.3 fantasy points per minute in four straight seasons and finished inside the top-85 players in eight-category leagues in seven of his nine NBA campaigns. Now on his fifth team, Porzingis has experience playing with other superstars and should seamlessly fit as a floor spacer in an offense led by high-usage players Trae Young and Jalen Johnson. Porzingis has operated as a reserve during only one game in his career (2016-17 with the Knicks), but if he slides into the Hawks' starting lineup, it's unclear who'd shift to the bench. The options would be up-and-coming center Onyeka Okongwu, who Clint Capela had blocked for years but finally outplayed the veteran last season, or 2024 No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher. If Porzingis comes off the bench, he'd still play 25-plus minutes a game and may even see a boost in usage if she shares the court with other reserves. The oft-injured sharpshooter will always be a risky fantasy selection, but even with missed time in the past, he's delivered strong production more often than not. Porzingis' upside is a tad higher in category leagues because of his unicorn combination of made threes and blocks.
Breaking through Oklahoma City's rotation is no small feat, but Wallace did that and more again in his second NBA season. He averaged 8.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.1 three-pointers in 27.6 minutes per game over 68 regular-season appearances, including 43 starts. Despite his modest workload and low usage rate, Wallace managed to turn in a top-100 season for per-game value in nine-category leagues. The Thunder will be even deeper in 2025-26, however. Rookie Nikola Topic looks like an immediate rotation piece, and Alex Caruso was one of the key reasons why the Thunder were successful in the postseason. Wallace could certainly maintain his role in the rotation, however, and it's not out of the question that he benefits from some positive regression with his shot - - Wallace shot 35.6 percent from beyond the arc in 2024-25 compared to 41.9 percent as a rookie. Armed with one of the best steal rates in the NBA, Wallace has shown that he can be a valuable addition to fantasy rosters, particularly in category formats.
Breaking through Oklahoma City's rotation is no small feat, but Wallace did that and more again in his second NBA season. He averaged 8.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.1 three-pointers in 27.6 minutes per game over 68 regular-season appearances, including 43 starts. Despite his modest workload and low usage rate, Wallace managed to turn in a top-100 season for per-game value in nine-category leagues. The Thunder will be even deeper in 2025-26, however. Rookie Nikola Topic looks like an immediate rotation piece, and Alex Caruso was one of the key reasons why the Thunder were successful in the postseason. Wallace could certainly maintain his role in the rotation, however, and it's not out of the question that he benefits from some positive regression with his shot - - Wallace shot 35.6 percent from beyond the arc in 2024-25 compared to 41.9 percent as a rookie. Armed with one of the best steal rates in the NBA, Wallace has shown that he can be a valuable addition to fantasy rosters, particularly in category formats.
Russell had yet another tumultuous season in 2024-25. He began the season in Los Angeles, but he quickly fell out of favor with the Lakers as he shot 41.3 percent from the field and 33 percent from beyond the arc. A mid-season return to Brooklyn didn't change his trajectory either, as he once again struggled to find a rhythm on offense. Overall, Russell made 58 regular-season appearances with averages of 12.6 points, 5.1 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.9 three-pointers, placing him outside the top-150 in standard leagues on a per-game basis. In free agency, the Mavericks aggressively pursued him and signed him to a two-year, $13 million deal. Russell is projected to start on Opening Night, filling the void until the Mavericks get Kyrie Irving (knee) back at some point after the new year. It's also not out of the question that Russell could share the floor with Irving at times, but a starting role would be out of the question. Even while Irving is sidelined, it's fair to wonder how much usage Russell will be allotted next to the likes of Antony Davis, Cooper Flagg, Klay Thompson and PJ Washington. For that reason, Russell projects as mostly a streaming option or short-term rental at the beginning of the season.
Russell had yet another tumultuous season in 2024-25. He began the season in Los Angeles, but he quickly fell out of favor with the Lakers as he shot 41.3 percent from the field and 33 percent from beyond the arc. A mid-season return to Brooklyn didn't change his trajectory either, as he once again struggled to find a rhythm on offense. Overall, Russell made 58 regular-season appearances with averages of 12.6 points, 5.1 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.9 three-pointers, placing him outside the top-150 in standard leagues on a per-game basis. In free agency, the Mavericks aggressively pursued him and signed him to a two-year, $13 million deal. Russell is projected to start on Opening Night, filling the void until the Mavericks get Kyrie Irving (knee) back at some point after the new year. It's also not out of the question that Russell could share the floor with Irving at times, but a starting role would be out of the question. Even while Irving is sidelined, it's fair to wonder how much usage Russell will be allotted next to the likes of Antony Davis, Cooper Flagg, Klay Thompson and PJ Washington. For that reason, Russell projects as mostly a streaming option or short-term rental at the beginning of the season.
A persistent calf injury diminished Gordon's 2024-25 campaign. He appeared in just 51 games and saw 28.4 minutes per contest. However, there were positives to take away. It was the most efficient season of the forward's career, with a career-high 65.0 true shooting percentage. That was buoyed by career marks in both three-point percentage (43.6%) and free-throw percentage (81.0%), which have both been weak points in Gordon's game. The increased three-point percentage also came with more volume, with Gordon's 1.9 makes per 36 minutes marking the second-highest rate of his career. Though Gordon's offensive development was impressive, he took a step back as a rebounder and defender. All three of his rebounds (6.1), steals (0.6) and blocks (0.3) per 36 minutes were the lowest of his career. It might be easy enough to chalk that up to in-game load management due to the calf injury, but it's also possible Gordon is taking a step back in those areas as he enters his age-30 season. Regardless, his role is safe for the upcoming season. The Nuggets retooled by trading away Michael Porter and adding Cameron Johnson, Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway and Jonas Valanciunas - none of those players should threaten Gordon for minutes. In fantasy, Gordon is best for deeper formats. He's a solid contributor across the board, but doesn't have much upside. That's fine for filling out a bench in 14-team or 16-team leagues, but there's more potential to be had by drafting other players in standard 12-team formats.
A persistent calf injury diminished Gordon's 2024-25 campaign. He appeared in just 51 games and saw 28.4 minutes per contest. However, there were positives to take away. It was the most efficient season of the forward's career, with a career-high 65.0 true shooting percentage. That was buoyed by career marks in both three-point percentage (43.6%) and free-throw percentage (81.0%), which have both been weak points in Gordon's game. The increased three-point percentage also came with more volume, with Gordon's 1.9 makes per 36 minutes marking the second-highest rate of his career. Though Gordon's offensive development was impressive, he took a step back as a rebounder and defender. All three of his rebounds (6.1), steals (0.6) and blocks (0.3) per 36 minutes were the lowest of his career. It might be easy enough to chalk that up to in-game load management due to the calf injury, but it's also possible Gordon is taking a step back in those areas as he enters his age-30 season. Regardless, his role is safe for the upcoming season. The Nuggets retooled by trading away Michael Porter and adding Cameron Johnson, Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway and Jonas Valanciunas - none of those players should threaten Gordon for minutes. In fantasy, Gordon is best for deeper formats. He's a solid contributor across the board, but doesn't have much upside. That's fine for filling out a bench in 14-team or 16-team leagues, but there's more potential to be had by drafting other players in standard 12-team formats.
Normally a steady source of strong fantasy production, VanVleet took a sizable step back last season. His assists-included usage rate (19.7%) reached a career low, and his true-shooting percentage (51.5%) was the second-worst of his career. The good news is that he was still strong defensively, ranking 20th in the NBA in steal percentage (2.2). But the overall stat line - 14.1 points and 2.7 threes on 38/35/81 shooting, 5.6 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals - burned fantasy managers who drafted him in the 30-50 range. It's possible the 31-year-old will bounce back in terms of efficiency, but it wouldn't be surprising to see another low-usage season and reduced minutes given Houston's surrounding cast. Amen Thompson looks ready for increased touches, and Kevin Durant will be taking plenty of shots. Reed Sheppard struggled as a rookie, but maybe he'll be ready for a real role this year. VanVleet used to be better in fantasy than in real basketball; now the opposite is probably true. He also hasn't been especially healthy throughout his career, and there could be some rest days if the Rockets are as good as anticipated.
Normally a steady source of strong fantasy production, VanVleet took a sizable step back last season. His assists-included usage rate (19.7%) reached a career low, and his true-shooting percentage (51.5%) was the second-worst of his career. The good news is that he was still strong defensively, ranking 20th in the NBA in steal percentage (2.2). But the overall stat line - 14.1 points and 2.7 threes on 38/35/81 shooting, 5.6 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals - burned fantasy managers who drafted him in the 30-50 range. It's possible the 31-year-old will bounce back in terms of efficiency, but it wouldn't be surprising to see another low-usage season and reduced minutes given Houston's surrounding cast. Amen Thompson looks ready for increased touches, and Kevin Durant will be taking plenty of shots. Reed Sheppard struggled as a rookie, but maybe he'll be ready for a real role this year. VanVleet used to be better in fantasy than in real basketball; now the opposite is probably true. He also hasn't been especially healthy throughout his career, and there could be some rest days if the Rockets are as good as anticipated.
As of late July, it appears that the starting power forward spot for Boston is a competition between Sam Hauser and Chris Boucher. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. This, of course, is due to the Achilles injury suffered by star Jayson Tatum back in May. Tatum is out for all of 2025-26, leaving a massive void at the power forward spot. And the situation could be made worse with the retirement of veteran Al Horford. Over four seasons, Hauser averaged 18.5 minutes per game and has only started in 40 out of 256 NBA game appearances (16%). Boucher has been coming off the bench for the past eight years in Toronto. Considering Hauser's experience within Coach Joe Mazzulla's system, Hauser probably has the edge. But at 6-foot-8 and a career average of only 2.9 rebounds per game, Hauser is not a prototypical power forward. Over his career, the bulk of Hauser's minutes have come at the wing. Regardless, considering the dearth of "big" options on the Boston roster, Hauser should see an improvement over the 22 minutes per game he's averaged over the past two seasons. More minutes should produce a slight uptick in most counting categories. In what might be a "bridge season" for the Celtics, 2025-26 could be the brightest opportunity in the 27-year-old's career.
As of late July, it appears that the starting power forward spot for Boston is a competition between Sam Hauser and Chris Boucher. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. This, of course, is due to the Achilles injury suffered by star Jayson Tatum back in May. Tatum is out for all of 2025-26, leaving a massive void at the power forward spot. And the situation could be made worse with the retirement of veteran Al Horford. Over four seasons, Hauser averaged 18.5 minutes per game and has only started in 40 out of 256 NBA game appearances (16%). Boucher has been coming off the bench for the past eight years in Toronto. Considering Hauser's experience within Coach Joe Mazzulla's system, Hauser probably has the edge. But at 6-foot-8 and a career average of only 2.9 rebounds per game, Hauser is not a prototypical power forward. Over his career, the bulk of Hauser's minutes have come at the wing. Regardless, considering the dearth of "big" options on the Boston roster, Hauser should see an improvement over the 22 minutes per game he's averaged over the past two seasons. More minutes should produce a slight uptick in most counting categories. In what might be a "bridge season" for the Celtics, 2025-26 could be the brightest opportunity in the 27-year-old's career.
Smith's fantasy value has remained relatively stagnant through his first three years in the Association. The No. 3 overall pick from 2022 has taken steps forward in some areas, and arguably steps back in others. Perhaps the most concerning trend is that his assists-included usage rate has declined each season, and a significant spike in efficiency compared to his sophomore year didn't materialize. In 30.1 minutes per game last season, Smith averaged 12.2 points and 1.7 threes on 44/35/83 shooting, 7.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.7 blocks and 0.4 steals. He remains mostly a spot-up shooter offensively and hasn't made sizable strides as a self-creator or playmaker for others. And while the Auburn product is a good, versatile defender, that's not reflected in his steals or blocks production. Plus, he was moved to the bench at the end of last season to accommodate Amen Thompson's breakout. With Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks being swapped out for Kevin Durant, Smith should move back into the starting five. But that doesn't mean more shots will be available for him. He's the least offensively talented player in the projected starting five. Smith's real-life potential this season as a winning player on a good team is probably higher than his fantasy value. Optimistic fantasy managers could take Smith inside the top 100, but it's probably not necessary, if it's even necessary to draft him at all.
Smith's fantasy value has remained relatively stagnant through his first three years in the Association. The No. 3 overall pick from 2022 has taken steps forward in some areas, and arguably steps back in others. Perhaps the most concerning trend is that his assists-included usage rate has declined each season, and a significant spike in efficiency compared to his sophomore year didn't materialize. In 30.1 minutes per game last season, Smith averaged 12.2 points and 1.7 threes on 44/35/83 shooting, 7.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.7 blocks and 0.4 steals. He remains mostly a spot-up shooter offensively and hasn't made sizable strides as a self-creator or playmaker for others. And while the Auburn product is a good, versatile defender, that's not reflected in his steals or blocks production. Plus, he was moved to the bench at the end of last season to accommodate Amen Thompson's breakout. With Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks being swapped out for Kevin Durant, Smith should move back into the starting five. But that doesn't mean more shots will be available for him. He's the least offensively talented player in the projected starting five. Smith's real-life potential this season as a winning player on a good team is probably higher than his fantasy value. Optimistic fantasy managers could take Smith inside the top 100, but it's probably not necessary, if it's even necessary to draft him at all.
Harris took a sizable step back in usage last season. It was his first year in Detroit, and Cade Cunningham emerged as a high-usage All-Star. That limited Harris' touches and often turned him into a corner three-point shooter for a team that desperately needed floor spacing. While the now-33-year-old was still a quality NBA forward, he was on the fringes of fantasy relevance. In his 31.6 minutes per game, he averaged 13.7 points and 1.2 threes on 48/35/86 shooting, 5.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks. His potential this season is probably lower. Jaden Ivey will be returning following a season-ending injury, and Ausar Thompson projects to play more and see more touches. Harris should probably still be drafted in deeper formats, but fantasy managers in standard-sized leagues can probably avoid him to chase players with more upside.
Harris took a sizable step back in usage last season. It was his first year in Detroit, and Cade Cunningham emerged as a high-usage All-Star. That limited Harris' touches and often turned him into a corner three-point shooter for a team that desperately needed floor spacing. While the now-33-year-old was still a quality NBA forward, he was on the fringes of fantasy relevance. In his 31.6 minutes per game, he averaged 13.7 points and 1.2 threes on 48/35/86 shooting, 5.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks. His potential this season is probably lower. Jaden Ivey will be returning following a season-ending injury, and Ausar Thompson projects to play more and see more touches. Harris should probably still be drafted in deeper formats, but fantasy managers in standard-sized leagues can probably avoid him to chase players with more upside.
After two years in Utah, Collins was on the move again this offseason. The Jazz dealt the veteran forward to the Clippers in a multi-team trade centered around Norman Powell heading to Miami. Collins' production has been on a downward trend since his early years in Atlanta, and health became an issue again last season, as he appeared in a career-low 40 games. Collins has always been a good player, and his game translates to fantasy, but there have been questions about his upside. He'll have extra financial motivation this season, playing under an expiring $26 million player option. Whether starting in the frontcourt with Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac or operating as a sixth man, head coach Tyronn Lue will likely find ways to get Collins 25-plus minutes a night. However, when things aren't going well, Lue will have plenty of options to pick from given the Clippers' depth. Collins seems like an ideal fit with James Harden, as the former can be a lob threat and sink corner threes at a high rate, something the Clippers lack with Zubac and Brook Lopez at center. Collins certainly doesn't warrant a top-100 pick, but he's a safe selection after pick 125.
After two years in Utah, Collins was on the move again this offseason. The Jazz dealt the veteran forward to the Clippers in a multi-team trade centered around Norman Powell heading to Miami. Collins' production has been on a downward trend since his early years in Atlanta, and health became an issue again last season, as he appeared in a career-low 40 games. Collins has always been a good player, and his game translates to fantasy, but there have been questions about his upside. He'll have extra financial motivation this season, playing under an expiring $26 million player option. Whether starting in the frontcourt with Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac or operating as a sixth man, head coach Tyronn Lue will likely find ways to get Collins 25-plus minutes a night. However, when things aren't going well, Lue will have plenty of options to pick from given the Clippers' depth. Collins seems like an ideal fit with James Harden, as the former can be a lob threat and sink corner threes at a high rate, something the Clippers lack with Zubac and Brook Lopez at center. Collins certainly doesn't warrant a top-100 pick, but he's a safe selection after pick 125.
Suggs was in the midst of his best season before a knee injury ended his season after just 35 appearances. The Magic as a whole dealt with significant injuries, especially to Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, which forced Suggs into a bigger role. The sizable spike in usage led Suggs to average 16.2 points and 2.2 threes on 41/31/88 shooting, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.9 blocks in 28.6 minutes. His turnover rate (2.9) and efficiency are still sticking points, but he often made up for it with his All-Defensive play. Suggs' biggest improvement on offense was creating for himself and getting to the basket, where he finished well and often drew fouls. This season, Suggs will likely go back to playing a secondary offensive role. Banchero and Wagner will be starting the campaign healthy, while the team replaced Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with Desmond Bane over the summer. That makes Suggs the fourth-most talented offensive option in the starting five - and by a significant margin. Fantasy managers can still select Suggs in the top 100 with hopes of an efficient offensive season coupled with elite defensive stats, but there looks to be a hard ceiling on his upside this year.
Suggs was in the midst of his best season before a knee injury ended his season after just 35 appearances. The Magic as a whole dealt with significant injuries, especially to Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, which forced Suggs into a bigger role. The sizable spike in usage led Suggs to average 16.2 points and 2.2 threes on 41/31/88 shooting, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.9 blocks in 28.6 minutes. His turnover rate (2.9) and efficiency are still sticking points, but he often made up for it with his All-Defensive play. Suggs' biggest improvement on offense was creating for himself and getting to the basket, where he finished well and often drew fouls. This season, Suggs will likely go back to playing a secondary offensive role. Banchero and Wagner will be starting the campaign healthy, while the team replaced Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with Desmond Bane over the summer. That makes Suggs the fourth-most talented offensive option in the starting five - and by a significant margin. Fantasy managers can still select Suggs in the top 100 with hopes of an efficient offensive season coupled with elite defensive stats, but there looks to be a hard ceiling on his upside this year.
The 2024-25 campaign was a lost season for Jones, who dealt with a major injury for the first time in his pro career and made only 20 appearances. He initially missed a month early due to a right shoulder sprain, but he returned to action and played in games for another month before being shut down and getting surgery on a torn labrum in the same shoulder. The Pelicans don't seem concerned that Jones' injury will be a long-term issue. They signed Jones to an extension this offseason, and he should slide right back into the starting lineup, surrounded by Jordan Poole, Trey Murphy, Zion Williamson and Yves Missi. Jones has never been asked to do a ton offensively, and that shouldn't change with this offensive-minded group, but it shouldn't impact his fantasy value. Before his injury, the defensive-minded wing consistently flirted with the league lead in steals, though Dyson Daniels blew everyone out of the water in that area last season. Regardless, if Jones gets back to recording two steals a night and plays 75-plus games, he could crack the Top 50 again. However, given the recent injury concern and lack of production elsewhere, you won't need to use a top-100 pick to secure Jones' services.
The 2024-25 campaign was a lost season for Jones, who dealt with a major injury for the first time in his pro career and made only 20 appearances. He initially missed a month early due to a right shoulder sprain, but he returned to action and played in games for another month before being shut down and getting surgery on a torn labrum in the same shoulder. The Pelicans don't seem concerned that Jones' injury will be a long-term issue. They signed Jones to an extension this offseason, and he should slide right back into the starting lineup, surrounded by Jordan Poole, Trey Murphy, Zion Williamson and Yves Missi. Jones has never been asked to do a ton offensively, and that shouldn't change with this offensive-minded group, but it shouldn't impact his fantasy value. Before his injury, the defensive-minded wing consistently flirted with the league lead in steals, though Dyson Daniels blew everyone out of the water in that area last season. Regardless, if Jones gets back to recording two steals a night and plays 75-plus games, he could crack the Top 50 again. However, given the recent injury concern and lack of production elsewhere, you won't need to use a top-100 pick to secure Jones' services.
After two seasons in Houston, Brooks was traded to Phoenix in exchange for Kevin Durant as part of a package deal that included Jalen Green. In 2024-25, Brooks posted career highs in three-point attempts (6.3) and makes (2.5) per game while shooting 39.7 percent from deep. The Rockets jumped to the top of the standings, and it was Brooks' best category-league finish since 2020-21, when he averaged 17.2 points and 1.2 steals per game - both career highs if you exclude 2021-22 (only 32 appearances). Despite the strong regular season, Houston lost in the opening round as a No. 2 seed, prompting dramatic changes. Brooks doesn't miss time, with fewer than 10 regular-season absences in three straight campaigns, and should have a 30-plus-minute role for the rebuilding Suns. He could also see more usage, given that behind Green, Devin Booker and Grayson Allen, there aren't many players who'll demand usage in Phoenix. However, more shot attempts might mean a lower field-goal percentage, so the trade might not be a fantasy win for Brooks, who's cracked the Top 100 in eight-category leagues only once. Regardless, Brooks does just enough to be worthy of a safe selection after pick 150 in deeper leagues.
After two seasons in Houston, Brooks was traded to Phoenix in exchange for Kevin Durant as part of a package deal that included Jalen Green. In 2024-25, Brooks posted career highs in three-point attempts (6.3) and makes (2.5) per game while shooting 39.7 percent from deep. The Rockets jumped to the top of the standings, and it was Brooks' best category-league finish since 2020-21, when he averaged 17.2 points and 1.2 steals per game - both career highs if you exclude 2021-22 (only 32 appearances). Despite the strong regular season, Houston lost in the opening round as a No. 2 seed, prompting dramatic changes. Brooks doesn't miss time, with fewer than 10 regular-season absences in three straight campaigns, and should have a 30-plus-minute role for the rebuilding Suns. He could also see more usage, given that behind Green, Devin Booker and Grayson Allen, there aren't many players who'll demand usage in Phoenix. However, more shot attempts might mean a lower field-goal percentage, so the trade might not be a fantasy win for Brooks, who's cracked the Top 100 in eight-category leagues only once. Regardless, Brooks does just enough to be worthy of a safe selection after pick 150 in deeper leagues.
Jones opened last season as the starting point guard for the Suns, but the team's struggles forced a lineup change. He was benched after the All-Star break and saw roughly 10 fewer minutes per game. The veteran floor general's production ended up being roughly the same as it had been across the prior two campaigns with Washington and Memphis - 10.2 points, 5.3 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 0.9 steals in 26.8 minutes. During the offseason, Jones inked a one-year deal with the Magic. He'll be in contention with Anthony Black for backup point guard minutes, though Black also has the size to play on the wing. Ultimately, the move affects Black's fantasy viability more than Jones', who has been a fringe 12-team player lately. Black is more intriguing as the young up-and-comer, but his prospects for this season are a bit murkier. Only fantasy managers in deep formats should consider Jones, given his low ceiling.
Jones opened last season as the starting point guard for the Suns, but the team's struggles forced a lineup change. He was benched after the All-Star break and saw roughly 10 fewer minutes per game. The veteran floor general's production ended up being roughly the same as it had been across the prior two campaigns with Washington and Memphis - 10.2 points, 5.3 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 0.9 steals in 26.8 minutes. During the offseason, Jones inked a one-year deal with the Magic. He'll be in contention with Anthony Black for backup point guard minutes, though Black also has the size to play on the wing. Ultimately, the move affects Black's fantasy viability more than Jones', who has been a fringe 12-team player lately. Black is more intriguing as the young up-and-comer, but his prospects for this season are a bit murkier. Only fantasy managers in deep formats should consider Jones, given his low ceiling.
Toppin's production last season was similar to 2023-24, as he played a power forward/small-ball center role with the Pacers. He's quietly become one of the most efficient players in the NBA, scoring 10.5 points with a 64.2 true shooting percentage - adding 4.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.4 steals in his 19.6 minutes. That efficiency is fueled by corner three-point shooting and high-flying finishes in transition. In fantasy, his viability has been low, though mainly as a result of his limited playing time. There's some upside this year, however. With Myles Turner signing with the Bucks and both Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman recovering from torn Achilles tendons, the center position is open in Indiana. Jay Huff and Tony Bradley should see minutes out of the gate, but it's possible coach Rick Carlisle leans into small-ball minus Turner and Tyrese Haliburton (also a torn Achilles), which could produce more Toppin-at-center lineups. At 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan and great athleticism, that's not out of Toppin's wheelhouse. Preseason should tell us more, but if Toppin can secure a role with minutes in the mid-to-high 20s, he could be worth rostering in fantasy.
Toppin's production last season was similar to 2023-24, as he played a power forward/small-ball center role with the Pacers. He's quietly become one of the most efficient players in the NBA, scoring 10.5 points with a 64.2 true shooting percentage - adding 4.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.4 steals in his 19.6 minutes. That efficiency is fueled by corner three-point shooting and high-flying finishes in transition. In fantasy, his viability has been low, though mainly as a result of his limited playing time. There's some upside this year, however. With Myles Turner signing with the Bucks and both Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman recovering from torn Achilles tendons, the center position is open in Indiana. Jay Huff and Tony Bradley should see minutes out of the gate, but it's possible coach Rick Carlisle leans into small-ball minus Turner and Tyrese Haliburton (also a torn Achilles), which could produce more Toppin-at-center lineups. At 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan and great athleticism, that's not out of Toppin's wheelhouse. Preseason should tell us more, but if Toppin can secure a role with minutes in the mid-to-high 20s, he could be worth rostering in fantasy.
Dosunmu was a beneficiary last season of the Bulls moving on from DeMar DeRozan before the year and Zach LaVine during the year. However, he saw much less of a boost than Josh Giddey and Coby White. Dosunmu continues to leave something to be desired, as he doesn't really have a standout skill. Passing is arguably his best trait, and he averaged just 4.5 assists (1.5 turnovers) in his 30.3 minutes last season. His three-point shooting has also waxed and waned during his career, and he shot just 32.8 percent from distance last year. There's some value for fantasy managers in deep leagues to spend a late pick on him, but with Dosunmu already 25 years old and not guaranteed a starting role, there's only so much upside aside from injuries to his teammates.
Dosunmu was a beneficiary last season of the Bulls moving on from DeMar DeRozan before the year and Zach LaVine during the year. However, he saw much less of a boost than Josh Giddey and Coby White. Dosunmu continues to leave something to be desired, as he doesn't really have a standout skill. Passing is arguably his best trait, and he averaged just 4.5 assists (1.5 turnovers) in his 30.3 minutes last season. His three-point shooting has also waxed and waned during his career, and he shot just 32.8 percent from distance last year. There's some value for fantasy managers in deep leagues to spend a late pick on him, but with Dosunmu already 25 years old and not guaranteed a starting role, there's only so much upside aside from injuries to his teammates.
The 2024 No. 3 overall pick was overlooked as a rookie. The Rockets prioritized winning over developmental minutes and made a surprise leap to the top of the Western Conference playoff picture. However, Houston lost to Golden State in the first round as a No. 2 seed, prompting dramatic changes this offseason. The Rockets shipped Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks to Phoenix in a package deal to land Kevin Durant. They also sent Cam Whitmore to Washington for draft capital, signed Fred VanVleet to a multi-year extension and added Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela in free agency. VanVleet struggled with efficiency (37.8 percent overall) last season, but the team's win-loss record (41-19) with him available spoke for itself. With three rotation players, including two starters and the team's 2024-25 leading scorer, out of the picture, Sheppard should have a clearer path to consistent minutes in Year 2. The most significant addition to replace the trio of departures was Durant, who has missed fewer than 20 regular-season games only once in the past five seasons. Plus, VanVleet has made more than 70 regular-season appearances only twice in nine years. Sheppard is an obvious option for more playing time and usage when those situations arrive, but he'll have to earn everything. Veteran Aaron Holiday will be Sheppard's primary competition for backup backcourt duties, but the Kentucky product will also face stiff competition for minutes and usage from reserve wings like Jabari Smith, Tari Eason, Josh Okogie and Jeff Green, assuming Finney-Smith rounds out the starting five with VanVleet, Durant, Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun. The only thing left for Sheppard to do is prove himself at the highest level. He starred in the G League last season, averaging 30.7 points, 7.3 assists and 2.7 steals while shooting 40.5 percent from deep across three appearances. He dominated lesser competition again at Summer League, totaling 46 points and eight steals in two contests before being shut down. Sheppard played at least 20 minutes in only five NBA games as a rookie, but he posted promising results, averaging 16 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.6 steals. Given his upside, Sheppard will probably go higher than his ADP in most drafts, and there's no reason he should fall past pick 150, even if there's a chance he's not part of the regular rotation to open the campaign.
The 2024 No. 3 overall pick was overlooked as a rookie. The Rockets prioritized winning over developmental minutes and made a surprise leap to the top of the Western Conference playoff picture. However, Houston lost to Golden State in the first round as a No. 2 seed, prompting dramatic changes this offseason. The Rockets shipped Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks to Phoenix in a package deal to land Kevin Durant. They also sent Cam Whitmore to Washington for draft capital, signed Fred VanVleet to a multi-year extension and added Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela in free agency. VanVleet struggled with efficiency (37.8 percent overall) last season, but the team's win-loss record (41-19) with him available spoke for itself. With three rotation players, including two starters and the team's 2024-25 leading scorer, out of the picture, Sheppard should have a clearer path to consistent minutes in Year 2. The most significant addition to replace the trio of departures was Durant, who has missed fewer than 20 regular-season games only once in the past five seasons. Plus, VanVleet has made more than 70 regular-season appearances only twice in nine years. Sheppard is an obvious option for more playing time and usage when those situations arrive, but he'll have to earn everything. Veteran Aaron Holiday will be Sheppard's primary competition for backup backcourt duties, but the Kentucky product will also face stiff competition for minutes and usage from reserve wings like Jabari Smith, Tari Eason, Josh Okogie and Jeff Green, assuming Finney-Smith rounds out the starting five with VanVleet, Durant, Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun. The only thing left for Sheppard to do is prove himself at the highest level. He starred in the G League last season, averaging 30.7 points, 7.3 assists and 2.7 steals while shooting 40.5 percent from deep across three appearances. He dominated lesser competition again at Summer League, totaling 46 points and eight steals in two contests before being shut down. Sheppard played at least 20 minutes in only five NBA games as a rookie, but he posted promising results, averaging 16 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.6 steals. Given his upside, Sheppard will probably go higher than his ADP in most drafts, and there's no reason he should fall past pick 150, even if there's a chance he's not part of the regular rotation to open the campaign.
After tearing the ACL and meniscus in his right knee last November, Williams underwent season-ending surgery, and his status for the start of 2025-26 remains unclear. Before his injury-plagued campaign, Williams had finished around the Top 150 in eight-category leagues for three straight campaigns. While consistent, Williams never provided much upside, especially in points leagues. Even if he's healthy, there'll be added competition in Charlotte this season. LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller are healthy to start the campaign, plus newcomers Kon Knueppel, Collin Sexton and Spencer Dinwiddie will compete for usage. However, the frontcourt is thin. With Mark Williams and Nick Richards both gone, Mason Plumlee, Moussa Diabate and Ryan Kalkbrenner are the only centers on the roster, so Grant could be asked to play a lot of small-ball five. He'll also have to fend off second-year forward Tidjane Salaun and rookie forward Liam McNeeley for power forward minutes behind Miles Bridges. Grant may never have top-100 fantasy upside, but even with all the moving parts in Charlotte, his consistency makes him worth selecting after pick 150 if you're looking for a safe option in deeper leagues.
After tearing the ACL and meniscus in his right knee last November, Williams underwent season-ending surgery, and his status for the start of 2025-26 remains unclear. Before his injury-plagued campaign, Williams had finished around the Top 150 in eight-category leagues for three straight campaigns. While consistent, Williams never provided much upside, especially in points leagues. Even if he's healthy, there'll be added competition in Charlotte this season. LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller are healthy to start the campaign, plus newcomers Kon Knueppel, Collin Sexton and Spencer Dinwiddie will compete for usage. However, the frontcourt is thin. With Mark Williams and Nick Richards both gone, Mason Plumlee, Moussa Diabate and Ryan Kalkbrenner are the only centers on the roster, so Grant could be asked to play a lot of small-ball five. He'll also have to fend off second-year forward Tidjane Salaun and rookie forward Liam McNeeley for power forward minutes behind Miles Bridges. Grant may never have top-100 fantasy upside, but even with all the moving parts in Charlotte, his consistency makes him worth selecting after pick 150 if you're looking for a safe option in deeper leagues.
Dick had a promising start to his sophomore campaign before a knee injury shut him down. Injuries have become a concerning early-career trend for the Kansas product, as the 2023 lottery pick has missed 50 regular-season games over his first two seasons. It's still unclear if Dick can be more than just a three-point specialist. He posted solid defensive production in 2024-25, but his playmaking left a lot to be desired, even with added usage due to so many absences ahead of him. After an injury-plagued campaign, the Raptors are expected to be healthy to start 2025-26, putting Dick's role in question. Brandon Ingram was acquired at the trade deadline last season but has yet to make his Raptors debut. When he's inserted into the starting lineup, it'll likely be Dick heading to the bench, with Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl rounding out the first five. Even if that's the case, Dick will be a top reserve and still play around 25-plus minutes a night. As a promising player still worthy of developmental minutes, Dick has a strong floor and just enough upside to be taken after pick 150 in both points and category leagues.
Dick had a promising start to his sophomore campaign before a knee injury shut him down. Injuries have become a concerning early-career trend for the Kansas product, as the 2023 lottery pick has missed 50 regular-season games over his first two seasons. It's still unclear if Dick can be more than just a three-point specialist. He posted solid defensive production in 2024-25, but his playmaking left a lot to be desired, even with added usage due to so many absences ahead of him. After an injury-plagued campaign, the Raptors are expected to be healthy to start 2025-26, putting Dick's role in question. Brandon Ingram was acquired at the trade deadline last season but has yet to make his Raptors debut. When he's inserted into the starting lineup, it'll likely be Dick heading to the bench, with Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl rounding out the first five. Even if that's the case, Dick will be a top reserve and still play around 25-plus minutes a night. As a promising player still worthy of developmental minutes, Dick has a strong floor and just enough upside to be taken after pick 150 in both points and category leagues.
Last season marked Strus' second in Cleveland. With the team deeper and healthier, Strus took a step back, seeing 25.5 minutes per game and averaging 9.4 points with 2.3 threes on 44/39/82 shooting, 4.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists. Cleveland is bringing back essentially the same roster, minus Ty Jerome and Isaac Okoro - Lonzo Ball effectively filling in for the former. There's some potential for Strus' role to expand marginally compared to 2024-25, but it's not anything that should get managers excited enough to draft him in standard formats. From a fantasy perspective, Strus is an effective streamer who can be rostered on four-game weeks or when his teammates are injured and he sees a boost. Broadly speaking, he's a worse three-point shooter than people think, but a better rebounder and passer who can take on some extra usage when called upon.
Last season marked Strus' second in Cleveland. With the team deeper and healthier, Strus took a step back, seeing 25.5 minutes per game and averaging 9.4 points with 2.3 threes on 44/39/82 shooting, 4.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists. Cleveland is bringing back essentially the same roster, minus Ty Jerome and Isaac Okoro - Lonzo Ball effectively filling in for the former. There's some potential for Strus' role to expand marginally compared to 2024-25, but it's not anything that should get managers excited enough to draft him in standard formats. From a fantasy perspective, Strus is an effective streamer who can be rostered on four-game weeks or when his teammates are injured and he sees a boost. Broadly speaking, he's a worse three-point shooter than people think, but a better rebounder and passer who can take on some extra usage when called upon.
Life was tough for Caldwell-Pope away from Nikola Jokic last season. He posted his lowest points per game (8.7) since his rookie year and his lowest three-point percentage (34.3%) since 2015-16. He remained a solid defender, averaging 1.3 steals and 0.4 blocks in his 29.6 minutes, but those weren't numbers consequential enough to make him fantasy relevant. More of the same wouldn't be surprising from the 32-year-old. He was dealt to the Grizzlies from the Magic in the Desmond Bane deal, and he has a chance to start in the open shooting guard spot. But he'll also be contending with Ty Jerome, Jaylen Wells and other players from the Grizzlies' crowded, albeit unproven, wing rotation. There's just not much upside to be had from selecting KCP in fantasy this season, and he's probably only useful for managers in deep leagues who are desperate for three-and-D production.
Life was tough for Caldwell-Pope away from Nikola Jokic last season. He posted his lowest points per game (8.7) since his rookie year and his lowest three-point percentage (34.3%) since 2015-16. He remained a solid defender, averaging 1.3 steals and 0.4 blocks in his 29.6 minutes, but those weren't numbers consequential enough to make him fantasy relevant. More of the same wouldn't be surprising from the 32-year-old. He was dealt to the Grizzlies from the Magic in the Desmond Bane deal, and he has a chance to start in the open shooting guard spot. But he'll also be contending with Ty Jerome, Jaylen Wells and other players from the Grizzlies' crowded, albeit unproven, wing rotation. There's just not much upside to be had from selecting KCP in fantasy this season, and he's probably only useful for managers in deep leagues who are desperate for three-and-D production.
Grant hasn't made more than 63 regular-season appearances since 2019-20, when he was in Denver. He played a career-high 35.7 minutes per game during the 2022-23 season, his first in Portland, but his playing time has decreased in each subsequent campaign. Grant tried to expand his range in 2024-25, attempting a career-high 6.3 three-pointers per game, but that significantly impacted his overall percentage, as he finished with a career-low 37.3 percent mark. Grant hasn't come off the bench since 20219-20, but times are changing in Portland. High-usage guard Anfernee Simons was shipped to Boston, but Toumani Camara, Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija all still have strong cases to start over Grant. Jrue Holiday, who was acquired in the Simons deal, and third-year guard Scoot Henderson will also carve out usage, regardless of whether they are starting or not. Grant has three years left on his current contract, including a player option for 2027-28, and will be making at least $30 million each season, so the Trail Blazers will be financially incentivized to play him, even if he isn't their best chance at winning games. Grant's days of flirting with top-100 upside are likely behind him, but he's still a safe selection after pick 150 in deeper category leagues and should be taken before pick 200 in points leagues.
Grant hasn't made more than 63 regular-season appearances since 2019-20, when he was in Denver. He played a career-high 35.7 minutes per game during the 2022-23 season, his first in Portland, but his playing time has decreased in each subsequent campaign. Grant tried to expand his range in 2024-25, attempting a career-high 6.3 three-pointers per game, but that significantly impacted his overall percentage, as he finished with a career-low 37.3 percent mark. Grant hasn't come off the bench since 20219-20, but times are changing in Portland. High-usage guard Anfernee Simons was shipped to Boston, but Toumani Camara, Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija all still have strong cases to start over Grant. Jrue Holiday, who was acquired in the Simons deal, and third-year guard Scoot Henderson will also carve out usage, regardless of whether they are starting or not. Grant has three years left on his current contract, including a player option for 2027-28, and will be making at least $30 million each season, so the Trail Blazers will be financially incentivized to play him, even if he isn't their best chance at winning games. Grant's days of flirting with top-100 upside are likely behind him, but he's still a safe selection after pick 150 in deeper category leagues and should be taken before pick 200 in points leagues.
Beal's time in Phoenix, a period during which the organization spent about half its effort trying to unload his massive contract, has come to an end. He was bought out by the franchise this summer, signing a two-year deal with the Clippers (with a player option for Year 2). For as much negative press as Beal has gotten lately, he was still a highly-efficient offensive piece last year, averaging 17.0 points and 1.9 threes on 50/39/80 shooting with 3.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 32.1 minutes. That's not to say he's as great as he once was, or that his game isn't changing. Beal is handling the ball less than ever before, and he's taking more catch-and-shoot threes, especially from the corner, than he ever has before. Baked into any discussion about Beal is his injury history. The 32-year-old hasn't played 60 games since 2020-21, and the last time he played more than 60 games was 2018-19. With the Clippers, he also has plenty of competition for usage. James Harden and Kawhi Leonard run the show, while Chris Paul and Ivica Zubac will get their fair share of touches. But the team is deep in general, also employing Kris Dunn, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Derrick Jones, John Collins, Nicolas Batum and Brook Lopez. As one of the oldest teams ever assembled, there will be rest days and injuries galore, so Beal will get his chances to operate as a lead guard. But plenty of those injuries and rest days will be his, too. Ultimately, this situation doesn't project any better than his time in Phoenix from a fantasy perspective. He's fine for a pick outside of the top 100 just for the good days, but anything sooner than that is taking on significant risk.
Beal's time in Phoenix, a period during which the organization spent about half its effort trying to unload his massive contract, has come to an end. He was bought out by the franchise this summer, signing a two-year deal with the Clippers (with a player option for Year 2). For as much negative press as Beal has gotten lately, he was still a highly-efficient offensive piece last year, averaging 17.0 points and 1.9 threes on 50/39/80 shooting with 3.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 32.1 minutes. That's not to say he's as great as he once was, or that his game isn't changing. Beal is handling the ball less than ever before, and he's taking more catch-and-shoot threes, especially from the corner, than he ever has before. Baked into any discussion about Beal is his injury history. The 32-year-old hasn't played 60 games since 2020-21, and the last time he played more than 60 games was 2018-19. With the Clippers, he also has plenty of competition for usage. James Harden and Kawhi Leonard run the show, while Chris Paul and Ivica Zubac will get their fair share of touches. But the team is deep in general, also employing Kris Dunn, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Derrick Jones, John Collins, Nicolas Batum and Brook Lopez. As one of the oldest teams ever assembled, there will be rest days and injuries galore, so Beal will get his chances to operate as a lead guard. But plenty of those injuries and rest days will be his, too. Ultimately, this situation doesn't project any better than his time in Phoenix from a fantasy perspective. He's fine for a pick outside of the top 100 just for the good days, but anything sooner than that is taking on significant risk.
Initially, it appeared Niang may be Boston's starting power forward. However, he was dealt with two future second-round picks to the Jazz for RJ Luis in early August. The 32-year-old forward doesn't fit Utah's rebuilding plans and further muddies up the rotation at forward featuring Ace Bailey, Cody Williams, Lauri Markkanen, Taylor Hendricks and Kyle Filipowski. It's not immediately clear if Niang will be in the every night rotation, but it seems unlikely he'll play a sizable role. It's possible, if not likely, that he gets dealt or waived at the trade deadline. Fantasy managers shouldn't be looking to draft Niang in all but the deepest of formats.
Initially, it appeared Niang may be Boston's starting power forward. However, he was dealt with two future second-round picks to the Jazz for RJ Luis in early August. The 32-year-old forward doesn't fit Utah's rebuilding plans and further muddies up the rotation at forward featuring Ace Bailey, Cody Williams, Lauri Markkanen, Taylor Hendricks and Kyle Filipowski. It's not immediately clear if Niang will be in the every night rotation, but it seems unlikely he'll play a sizable role. It's possible, if not likely, that he gets dealt or waived at the trade deadline. Fantasy managers shouldn't be looking to draft Niang in all but the deepest of formats.
Last season, his first in Dallas, Thompson posted 14.0 points in 27.3 minutes per game, both his lowest marks since his rookie season. The sharpshooter saw a dramatic drop in usage with his new squad, but he still shot 39 percent from deep and 90 percent from the free-throw line, which is impressive given all the moving parts (injuries and trades) around him. Dallas will be looking for more continuity this season, led by a strong returning group and the 2025 No. 1 overall pick, Cooper Flagg. Kyrie Irving is expected to miss the first half of the season, which could give Thompson a slight boost to start the campaign. However, if last year made anything clear, it's that the veteran will be a secondary option, regardless of who's on the court. Thompson finished outside the Top 100 in eight-category leagues last season, marking the first time in his career he played at least 66 games and wasn't Top 80. Thompson is still a three-point specialist who can flirt with top-100 value for those in category leagues, but he doesn't have much upside at this point in his career.
Last season, his first in Dallas, Thompson posted 14.0 points in 27.3 minutes per game, both his lowest marks since his rookie season. The sharpshooter saw a dramatic drop in usage with his new squad, but he still shot 39 percent from deep and 90 percent from the free-throw line, which is impressive given all the moving parts (injuries and trades) around him. Dallas will be looking for more continuity this season, led by a strong returning group and the 2025 No. 1 overall pick, Cooper Flagg. Kyrie Irving is expected to miss the first half of the season, which could give Thompson a slight boost to start the campaign. However, if last year made anything clear, it's that the veteran will be a secondary option, regardless of who's on the court. Thompson finished outside the Top 100 in eight-category leagues last season, marking the first time in his career he played at least 66 games and wasn't Top 80. Thompson is still a three-point specialist who can flirt with top-100 value for those in category leagues, but he doesn't have much upside at this point in his career.
After a rookie season in Detroit followed by three modest seasons with the Timberwolves, Garza signed a two-year contract with Boston. Typically, such a signing would be viewed as a good team tweaking the end of its bench. But with Jayson Tatum injured (Achilles), Kristaps Porzingis traded and Al Horford contemplating retirement, the Celtics are woefully thin at power forward and center. Garza is competing with Neemias Queta, Xavier Tillman, Sam Hauser and Chris Boucher for minutes. The upcoming season is the first real opportunity for Garza to play meaningful NBA minutes. But fans expecting a Luke Kornet-like breakout should dampen expectations. For one, Garza is not a rim protector. Over the past four years, Garza has averaged 0.4 blocks per 36 minutes. On the positive, Boston really needs his rebounding -- he averaged 9.2 boards over those same 36 minutes. And Garza certainly proved he can score back in his old college days. The 2021 AP College Basketball Player of the Year averaged 24 points per game over his last two seasons at Iowa. But it's doubtful that Garza sees the same 31 minutes per game in Boston that he enjoyed as a Hawkeye. Presumably, the 6-foot-10 center would be happy to improve on the career-high 12.2 minutes per game he played in 2021-22 as a rookie with the Pistons. That goal is well within reach, but to keep Coach Joe Mazzulla happy and stay on the floor, he'll need to prove he can guard multiple positions, a Celtic staple.
After a rookie season in Detroit followed by three modest seasons with the Timberwolves, Garza signed a two-year contract with Boston. Typically, such a signing would be viewed as a good team tweaking the end of its bench. But with Jayson Tatum injured (Achilles), Kristaps Porzingis traded and Al Horford contemplating retirement, the Celtics are woefully thin at power forward and center. Garza is competing with Neemias Queta, Xavier Tillman, Sam Hauser and Chris Boucher for minutes. The upcoming season is the first real opportunity for Garza to play meaningful NBA minutes. But fans expecting a Luke Kornet-like breakout should dampen expectations. For one, Garza is not a rim protector. Over the past four years, Garza has averaged 0.4 blocks per 36 minutes. On the positive, Boston really needs his rebounding -- he averaged 9.2 boards over those same 36 minutes. And Garza certainly proved he can score back in his old college days. The 2021 AP College Basketball Player of the Year averaged 24 points per game over his last two seasons at Iowa. But it's doubtful that Garza sees the same 31 minutes per game in Boston that he enjoyed as a Hawkeye. Presumably, the 6-foot-10 center would be happy to improve on the career-high 12.2 minutes per game he played in 2021-22 as a rookie with the Pistons. That goal is well within reach, but to keep Coach Joe Mazzulla happy and stay on the floor, he'll need to prove he can guard multiple positions, a Celtic staple.
Cleveland traded LeVert to Atlanta at the deadline last season, and he was on the move again this offseason, signing a two-way deal in Detroit. Jaden Ivey is expected to be healthy and reclaim a starting spot, but the Pistons lost a lot of backcourt help this offseason, including Dennis Schroder, Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway. With those guys out of the picture, LeVert will likely be the first guard off the bench behind Ivey and Cade Cunningham. Marcus Sasser is the Pistons' other ball-handling option, while newcomers Duncan Robinson and Chaz Lanier will try to replace Beasley and Hardaway's three-point shooting. Availability hasn't been LeVert's strong suit, as he's surpassed 70 regular-season appearances only twice in his nine-year career. He's also never been a primary starter, but last season was only the third time he made fewer than 25 starts, finishing with a career-low three. Despite operating as a reserve, LeVert has averaged at least 25 minutes per game in eight straight seasons. He has finished inside the top-160 players in eight category leagues in five consecutive campaigns, though he's cracked the Top 100 only once. LeVert has enough upside to be taken before pick 200, but he doesn't have to be taken before pick 150.
Cleveland traded LeVert to Atlanta at the deadline last season, and he was on the move again this offseason, signing a two-way deal in Detroit. Jaden Ivey is expected to be healthy and reclaim a starting spot, but the Pistons lost a lot of backcourt help this offseason, including Dennis Schroder, Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway. With those guys out of the picture, LeVert will likely be the first guard off the bench behind Ivey and Cade Cunningham. Marcus Sasser is the Pistons' other ball-handling option, while newcomers Duncan Robinson and Chaz Lanier will try to replace Beasley and Hardaway's three-point shooting. Availability hasn't been LeVert's strong suit, as he's surpassed 70 regular-season appearances only twice in his nine-year career. He's also never been a primary starter, but last season was only the third time he made fewer than 25 starts, finishing with a career-low three. Despite operating as a reserve, LeVert has averaged at least 25 minutes per game in eight straight seasons. He has finished inside the top-160 players in eight category leagues in five consecutive campaigns, though he's cracked the Top 100 only once. LeVert has enough upside to be taken before pick 200, but he doesn't have to be taken before pick 150.
Lopez is entering the final stage of his career. At 37 years old, he's signed a contract to be a backup center behind Ivica Zubac - likely ending his days as a must-roster fantasy player. That said, despite his age and size, Lopez has been remarkably durable for the late part of his career. He's played at least 78 games each of the past three seasons. There have been some small signs of decline - notably his block rate decreasing each of the past two seasons. Last season, Lopez averaged 13.0 points and 1.7 threes on 51/37/83 shooting, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.9 blocks in 31.8 minutes. This year, it seems likely he'll be somewhere in the 16-to-22-minute range most nights. There's upside if Zubac suffers a long-term injury, but it's not something fantasy managers should bank on.
Lopez is entering the final stage of his career. At 37 years old, he's signed a contract to be a backup center behind Ivica Zubac - likely ending his days as a must-roster fantasy player. That said, despite his age and size, Lopez has been remarkably durable for the late part of his career. He's played at least 78 games each of the past three seasons. There have been some small signs of decline - notably his block rate decreasing each of the past two seasons. Last season, Lopez averaged 13.0 points and 1.7 threes on 51/37/83 shooting, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.9 blocks in 31.8 minutes. This year, it seems likely he'll be somewhere in the 16-to-22-minute range most nights. There's upside if Zubac suffers a long-term injury, but it's not something fantasy managers should bank on.
On a top-heavy Knicks roster, McBride emerged as a spark plug off the bench during the 2024-25 season. He saw his role expand to 24.9 minutes per game in 64 regular-season appearances, resulting in career-highs across the board with 9.5 points, 2.9 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals per contest. While the counting stats trended upward, the guard's efficiency dipped -- he shot 40.6 percent from the field, 36.9 percent from beyond the arc and 81.3 percent from the free-throw line, each mark down roughly five percentage points from his breakout 2023-24 campaign. New York retained the majority of their key rotation pieces from last season, particularly on the perimeter, with star Jalen Brunson still leading the way alongside Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart. The front office also bolstered the roster's depth this offseason, adding Jordan Clarkson to the backcourt and Guerschon Yabusele to the frontcourt, while hoping Tyler Kolek develops into a reliable rotation piece in his sophomore year. McBride should remain an important reserve thanks to his plug-and-play skill set, capable of thriving whether he's asked to create his own offense, take on more scoring responsibility, or simply complement higher-usage teammates, all while bringing disruptive defense. However, Clarkson's arrival as a score-first presence could limit McBride's overall touches and cap his fantasy ceiling. Even so, he remains a key contributor for a Knicks team aiming for a championship, and McBride's real-life value to the roster should remain high even if his nightly statistical output is limited when the team is at full strength.
On a top-heavy Knicks roster, McBride emerged as a spark plug off the bench during the 2024-25 season. He saw his role expand to 24.9 minutes per game in 64 regular-season appearances, resulting in career-highs across the board with 9.5 points, 2.9 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals per contest. While the counting stats trended upward, the guard's efficiency dipped -- he shot 40.6 percent from the field, 36.9 percent from beyond the arc and 81.3 percent from the free-throw line, each mark down roughly five percentage points from his breakout 2023-24 campaign. New York retained the majority of their key rotation pieces from last season, particularly on the perimeter, with star Jalen Brunson still leading the way alongside Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart. The front office also bolstered the roster's depth this offseason, adding Jordan Clarkson to the backcourt and Guerschon Yabusele to the frontcourt, while hoping Tyler Kolek develops into a reliable rotation piece in his sophomore year. McBride should remain an important reserve thanks to his plug-and-play skill set, capable of thriving whether he's asked to create his own offense, take on more scoring responsibility, or simply complement higher-usage teammates, all while bringing disruptive defense. However, Clarkson's arrival as a score-first presence could limit McBride's overall touches and cap his fantasy ceiling. Even so, he remains a key contributor for a Knicks team aiming for a championship, and McBride's real-life value to the roster should remain high even if his nightly statistical output is limited when the team is at full strength.
Bogdanovic will open the 2025-26 campaign with the third team of his career after being traded from the Hawks to the Clippers at the 2024-25 deadline. Before the move, he was limited to just 24 games for Atlanta due to lower-body injuries, averaging 10.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 37.1 percent from the field and 30.1 percent from three in 24.9 minutes per game. His production and efficiency both improved after joining Los Angeles, where the wing logged 30 regular-season appearances and posted 11.4 points, 3.2 assists and 3.1 rebounds on 47.4 percent shooting and 42.7 percent from deep across 25 minutes per contest. Overall, last season marked the lowest statistical output of Bogdanovic's NBA career, with declines in scoring and production across nearly every category. The Clippers retooled their roster in the offseason around stars James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, moving Norman Powell to Miami in a three-team deal for John Collins and signing Bradley Beal, Chris Paul and Brook Lopez. While Bogdanovic was never expected to start, the ripple effects of such a busy offseason could influence his bench role. The veteran remains a capable offensive contributor with a strong outside shot, but the team's depth likely limits his chances for consistent fantasy value.
Bogdanovic will open the 2025-26 campaign with the third team of his career after being traded from the Hawks to the Clippers at the 2024-25 deadline. Before the move, he was limited to just 24 games for Atlanta due to lower-body injuries, averaging 10.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 37.1 percent from the field and 30.1 percent from three in 24.9 minutes per game. His production and efficiency both improved after joining Los Angeles, where the wing logged 30 regular-season appearances and posted 11.4 points, 3.2 assists and 3.1 rebounds on 47.4 percent shooting and 42.7 percent from deep across 25 minutes per contest. Overall, last season marked the lowest statistical output of Bogdanovic's NBA career, with declines in scoring and production across nearly every category. The Clippers retooled their roster in the offseason around stars James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, moving Norman Powell to Miami in a three-team deal for John Collins and signing Bradley Beal, Chris Paul and Brook Lopez. While Bogdanovic was never expected to start, the ripple effects of such a busy offseason could influence his bench role. The veteran remains a capable offensive contributor with a strong outside shot, but the team's depth likely limits his chances for consistent fantasy value.
The Clippers traded Mann to the Hawks at the deadline last season, and he was on the move again this offseason. A multi-team trade centered around Kristaps Porzingis saw Mann shipped to Brooklyn, where the 28-year-old wing finds himself as the oldest guy on a rebuilding team. The only thing clear about Brooklyn's rotation is that Cam Thomas and Michael Porter are going to fire at will. The Nets had five draft picks in 2025 - Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf. Developmental minutes for the rookies will likely be prioritized, especially if Brooklyn is near the bottom of the standings again. Noah Clowney (21 years old) and Dariq Whitehead (21) are the only two returnings players that can still be considered prospects, but Keon Johnson (23), Jalen Wilson (24), Tyson Etienne (25), Tyrese Martin (26), Tosan Evbuomwan (24) and Drew Timme (24) showed enough last season to get another look, as well. Making $15 million, Mann is the third-highest player on the team behind Nic Claxton and Porter. Even if it's not in their best interests, the Nets have a financial incentive to play Mann early with the hopes of moving him at the deadline and opening up more minutes for their younger players. The closest season Mann came to cracking the top-100 players in eight-category leagues was 2021-22, when he averaged career highs in points (10.8), rebounds (5.2), assists (2.6), steals (0.7) and minutes (28.6) per game.
The Clippers traded Mann to the Hawks at the deadline last season, and he was on the move again this offseason. A multi-team trade centered around Kristaps Porzingis saw Mann shipped to Brooklyn, where the 28-year-old wing finds himself as the oldest guy on a rebuilding team. The only thing clear about Brooklyn's rotation is that Cam Thomas and Michael Porter are going to fire at will. The Nets had five draft picks in 2025 - Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf. Developmental minutes for the rookies will likely be prioritized, especially if Brooklyn is near the bottom of the standings again. Noah Clowney (21 years old) and Dariq Whitehead (21) are the only two returnings players that can still be considered prospects, but Keon Johnson (23), Jalen Wilson (24), Tyson Etienne (25), Tyrese Martin (26), Tosan Evbuomwan (24) and Drew Timme (24) showed enough last season to get another look, as well. Making $15 million, Mann is the third-highest player on the team behind Nic Claxton and Porter. Even if it's not in their best interests, the Nets have a financial incentive to play Mann early with the hopes of moving him at the deadline and opening up more minutes for their younger players. The closest season Mann came to cracking the top-100 players in eight-category leagues was 2021-22, when he averaged career highs in points (10.8), rebounds (5.2), assists (2.6), steals (0.7) and minutes (28.6) per game.
Stewart heads into the 2025-26 season with something to prove after seeing his role diminish in 2024-25. A near-constant starter for the previous three seasons, the center spent most of last year coming off the bench and saw his production drop, averaging 6.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 blocks on 55.9 percent shooting in 19.9 minutes across 72 games (four starts). Before last season, the University of Washington product had never averaged fewer than 20 minutes per night or dipped below 7.9 points per game since entering the league in 2020-21. His 2024-25 campaign ended on a sour note -- a two-game suspension in April for his role in an in-game altercation, followed later by right knee inflammation that sidelined him for five of Detroit's six playoff games. The Pistons made minimal frontcourt changes this offseason, which should leave Stewart in line to serve as Jalen Duren's primary backup. Known for his rugged mindset and physical presence in the paint, Stewart anchors the defense with toughness and rim protection, though his offensive skill set is limited. That combination makes the 24-year-old an important piece to Detroit's real-life success, even if his production fluctuates from night to night. For fantasy purposes, however, his role and scoring profile suggest he's better suited as a situational or streaming option rather than a consistent contributor.
Stewart heads into the 2025-26 season with something to prove after seeing his role diminish in 2024-25. A near-constant starter for the previous three seasons, the center spent most of last year coming off the bench and saw his production drop, averaging 6.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 blocks on 55.9 percent shooting in 19.9 minutes across 72 games (four starts). Before last season, the University of Washington product had never averaged fewer than 20 minutes per night or dipped below 7.9 points per game since entering the league in 2020-21. His 2024-25 campaign ended on a sour note -- a two-game suspension in April for his role in an in-game altercation, followed later by right knee inflammation that sidelined him for five of Detroit's six playoff games. The Pistons made minimal frontcourt changes this offseason, which should leave Stewart in line to serve as Jalen Duren's primary backup. Known for his rugged mindset and physical presence in the paint, Stewart anchors the defense with toughness and rim protection, though his offensive skill set is limited. That combination makes the 24-year-old an important piece to Detroit's real-life success, even if his production fluctuates from night to night. For fantasy purposes, however, his role and scoring profile suggest he's better suited as a situational or streaming option rather than a consistent contributor.
Alvarado, much like the Pelicans themselves, enters the 2025-26 season as a true wild card. His role grew last year, making 23 starts in 56 regular-season games and averaging 10.3 points, 4.6 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 24.4 minutes per contest while shooting 39.2 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from deep. He cracked double figures in scoring for the first time in his career, but his efficiency slipped below 40 percent from the floor for the first time as well. What has remained steady for New Orleans is Alvarado's defensive tenacity -- the 27-year-old has posted at least a steal per game in every season since debuting in 2021-22. Predicting the scrappy guard's minutes is tricky, given the Pelicans' crowded perimeter, which now includes Jeremiah Fears and Jordan Poole, added via the 2025 NBA Draft and trade market, respectively. The improved health of Herbert Jones and the continued growth of Jordan Hawkins will also influence his role. However, Dejounte Murray won't return until later in the season as he recovers from a torn right Achilles tendon suffered in January 2025. Alvarado's defensive intensity will earn him playing time, but a meaningful jump in production or minutes is far from guaranteed.
Alvarado, much like the Pelicans themselves, enters the 2025-26 season as a true wild card. His role grew last year, making 23 starts in 56 regular-season games and averaging 10.3 points, 4.6 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 24.4 minutes per contest while shooting 39.2 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from deep. He cracked double figures in scoring for the first time in his career, but his efficiency slipped below 40 percent from the floor for the first time as well. What has remained steady for New Orleans is Alvarado's defensive tenacity -- the 27-year-old has posted at least a steal per game in every season since debuting in 2021-22. Predicting the scrappy guard's minutes is tricky, given the Pelicans' crowded perimeter, which now includes Jeremiah Fears and Jordan Poole, added via the 2025 NBA Draft and trade market, respectively. The improved health of Herbert Jones and the continued growth of Jordan Hawkins will also influence his role. However, Dejounte Murray won't return until later in the season as he recovers from a torn right Achilles tendon suffered in January 2025. Alvarado's defensive intensity will earn him playing time, but a meaningful jump in production or minutes is far from guaranteed.
As a rookie last season, Scheierman split his time between the Association and the G League. With Boston, the wing appeared in 31 games and averaged a modest 3.6 points over 12.4 minutes per game. With the G League Maine Celtics, Scheierman excelled, producing 20.4 points, 6.2 boards, 5.2 dimes, 1.6 steals and 3.7 made threes over 34.3 minutes per contest. As an old (24 years) NBA sophomore, the Creighton product has a blossoming opportunity in Boston. Financial flexibility forced the C's to trade both Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. And star forward Jayson Tatum will miss this upcoming season due to an Achilles injury. That frees up a lot of minutes for Scheierman and Boston's other reserves. The Celtics are particularly thin at power forward and center, which means Coach Joe Mazzulla could roll out many small-ball lineups. Players like Scheierman, Sam Hauser and Jordan Walsh might wind up getting minutes outside of their traditional positions. Scheierman's NBA game count and minutes per contest should increase this season. How much of an increase will depend on the wing's ability to hit threes, guard multiple positions and keep the ball moving. Scheierman's G League numbers hint at an ability to do all three things well.
As a rookie last season, Scheierman split his time between the Association and the G League. With Boston, the wing appeared in 31 games and averaged a modest 3.6 points over 12.4 minutes per game. With the G League Maine Celtics, Scheierman excelled, producing 20.4 points, 6.2 boards, 5.2 dimes, 1.6 steals and 3.7 made threes over 34.3 minutes per contest. As an old (24 years) NBA sophomore, the Creighton product has a blossoming opportunity in Boston. Financial flexibility forced the C's to trade both Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. And star forward Jayson Tatum will miss this upcoming season due to an Achilles injury. That frees up a lot of minutes for Scheierman and Boston's other reserves. The Celtics are particularly thin at power forward and center, which means Coach Joe Mazzulla could roll out many small-ball lineups. Players like Scheierman, Sam Hauser and Jordan Walsh might wind up getting minutes outside of their traditional positions. Scheierman's NBA game count and minutes per contest should increase this season. How much of an increase will depend on the wing's ability to hit threes, guard multiple positions and keep the ball moving. Scheierman's G League numbers hint at an ability to do all three things well.
Smart joins the Lakers for the 2025-26 season, looking to put a stretch of injuries and uneven performances behind him. The veteran guard appeared in 34 regular-season games (seven starts) between the Grizzlies and Wizards last year, averaging 9.0 points, 3.2 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals while shooting 39.3 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from deep in 20 minutes per appearance. A string of injuries has limited him to just 54 regular-season contests over the past two years, disrupting his ability to find a consistent rhythm and form. After agreeing to a buyout with Washington in July, Smart signed with Los Angeles to bolster the team's backcourt depth and provide a steady veteran presence. The Lakers' starting guard spots are secure with superstar Luka Doncic and rising star Austin Reaves, but there's still uncertainty behind them with Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht and Bronny James all vying for rotation roles. At age 31, Smart might not carry the same offensive upside as some younger options, but he brings elite defensive credentials as a three-time All-NBA Defensive Team selection and the 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year. Expect him to serve primarily as a defensive specialist who can provide occasional scoring bursts, with steady offense more of a bonus than a nightly guarantee.
Smart joins the Lakers for the 2025-26 season, looking to put a stretch of injuries and uneven performances behind him. The veteran guard appeared in 34 regular-season games (seven starts) between the Grizzlies and Wizards last year, averaging 9.0 points, 3.2 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals while shooting 39.3 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from deep in 20 minutes per appearance. A string of injuries has limited him to just 54 regular-season contests over the past two years, disrupting his ability to find a consistent rhythm and form. After agreeing to a buyout with Washington in July, Smart signed with Los Angeles to bolster the team's backcourt depth and provide a steady veteran presence. The Lakers' starting guard spots are secure with superstar Luka Doncic and rising star Austin Reaves, but there's still uncertainty behind them with Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht and Bronny James all vying for rotation roles. At age 31, Smart might not carry the same offensive upside as some younger options, but he brings elite defensive credentials as a three-time All-NBA Defensive Team selection and the 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year. Expect him to serve primarily as a defensive specialist who can provide occasional scoring bursts, with steady offense more of a bonus than a nightly guarantee.
