0:00:00

Golden State Warriors rookie power forward Yaxel Lendeborg is expected to start the team's preseason opener on Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers. Head coach Steve Kerr said Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Lendeborg, Draymond Green, and Al Horford will start in Hawaii. The 2026 11th overall pick is expected to have a large role this season as forward Jimmy Butler (knee) continues to recover from a torn ACL sustained late last season. In three seasons with Michigan, Lendeborg averaged 15.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, helping the team win the 2026 National Championship. While it's unclear whether he will start the season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers, starting on Sunday is a positive sign for his fantasy value this season.

Brooklyn Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe is preparing for a larger workload in 2026-27. With center Nic Claxton traded to the Chicago Bulls this offseason, Sharpe is expected to start this season and is ready for the challenge. "Even if it's double the minutes, I'll learn to pace myself during the game, take the right opportunities [to avoid] getting in foul trouble, and save myself for later in the game. But I'm just going to play hard until the wheels fall off. That's all I can do." In 67 games last season, Sharpe averaged 8.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in just 18 minutes per game. With a solid workload expected for the sixth-year center, Sharpe is an exciting late-round flyer in fantasy drafts this season.

Toronto Raptors small forward Kawhi Leonard has not yet participated in contact drills and is unlikely to play in Toronto's preseason opener Saturday against the Miami Heat. After head coach Drako Rajakovic said Thursday that Leonard could play in the team's opening preseason game in Quebec City, Leonard will likely sit out. Rajakovic also said the team has a load management plan in place for the veteran forward. "We gotta be super smart. We're not going to take any short-term plan. We're going to have the big picture in mind." The two-time NBA Champion was traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Raptors this offseason, despite Leonard averaging career highs in points per game (27.9) and finishing seventh in the MVP race. As the 35-year-old begins his 15th season, fantasy managers should anticipate a reduced workload in 2026-27.

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (back) is expected to play in the team's opening preseason game on Saturday against the Toronto Raptors. Adebayo dealt with a mild back issue late in the 2025-26 season, but practiced at full capacity on Thursday and is ready to suit up in Quebec City. In his ninth season, Adebayo averaged 20.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in just over 32 minutes per game. With star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo now in Miami, Adebayo is likely to see a reduced offensive role. While fantasy managers should have no concerns about Adebayo's health entering the season, his scoring and overall production could decline from his 2025-26 levels.

Miami Heat superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) is expected to make his preseason debut on Saturday against the Toronto Raptors. Antetokounmpo dealt with nagging knee issues during the 2025-26 season but has been a full go throughout Miami's training camp and is set to play in the Heat's opening preseason action. Antetokounmpo was traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Heat in early July after frustrations grew between the organization and him. In his career, Antetokounmpo has averaged 24.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in just under 33 minutes per game. With Bam Adebayo as the only legitimate offensive threat on this Miami roster, Antetokounmpo is set to be one of the top players in the NBA from a fantasy perspective.

Detroit Pistons guard/forward Ausar Thompson is expected to play more than 26 minutes per game this season, according to Hunter Patterson of The Athletic. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said an increased workload is "the expectation," though Detroit may manage those minutes differently because of everything Thompson is asked to do. The 23-year-old averaged 9.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.0 steals, and 0.9 blocks in 26.0 minutes last season, leading the NBA in steals per game. That bigger workload already showed up in the playoffs, when Thompson played 30.5 minutes per game and averaged 7.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks. If Detroit keeps him closer to that range, his defense should carry even more fantasy weight. The tradeoff is still at the line, where he shot just 57.1 percent last season.

Philadelphia 76ers center Tacko Fall (hip) will be reevaluated in approximately two weeks after an MRI revealed a left hip strain, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. The 7-foot-6 big man left Wednesday's practice early, putting his push for a roster spot on a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 deal on hold. Fall hasn't appeared in an NBA regular-season game since 2021-22, so his fantasy outlook remains limited. With Adem Bona (foot) also working his way back, Ariel Hukporti should get more backup-center reps behind Joel Embiid while Philadelphia waits for both injured bigs to return.

Washington Wizards center Tristan Vukcevic (hip) will be reevaluated in approximately four weeks after sustaining a left hip impingement, according to Greg Finberg, citing the Wizards. The 23-year-old had been a partial participant during the first two days of training camp, and the four-week timeline puts his availability for the opening stretch of the regular season in doubt. Vukcevic averaged 9.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in 13.7 minutes across 49 games last season. With Alexandre Sarr (foot) and Deandre Ayton ahead of him at center, and Anthony Davis also occupying frontcourt minutes, the injury makes an already crowded rotation even harder for Vukcevic to crack.

Miami Heat guard Dru Smith (calf) will miss a couple of weeks with a strained right calf, according to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. The 28-year-old called the timing "terrible" and "very frustrating" after entering camp as the projected backup behind Davion Mitchell. Smith averaged 5.6 points, 2.6 assists, and 1.4 steals in 16.3 minutes across 70 games last season. Ryan Conwell, Tre Donaldson, and Pelle Larsson should get more ball-handling opportunities while he is sidelined. Smith's steals can help when he's on the floor, but his limited offensive role keeps his fantasy ceiling fairly modest.

All-NBA center Jalen Duren has agreed to a five-year, $200 million fully guaranteed contract to return to the Detroit Pistons, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The deal ends a prolonged restricted free agency standoff just before his $9.6 million qualifying offer expired. The 22-year-old broke out in 2025-26, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds on 65.0 percent shooting across 70 starts. With Isaiah Stewart traded to Memphis in June, Duren should face little competition for center minutes, as John Collins projects as the main frontcourt alternative. That makes him a points, rebounds, and field-goal percentage anchor, even with just 0.8 blocks per game. The bigger question is whether Duren can sustain his scoring after it slipped to 10.2 points per game in the playoffs.

According to Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca, Toronto Raptors forward Kyle Anderson (knee) was unavailable for Thursday's scrimmage due to a bruised right knee. The 33-year-old's injury appears minor, but it's unclear whether he will be able to suit up for Saturday's preseason opener against Miami. Anderson is battling for a frontcourt rotation spot after signing a one-year deal with the Raptors in July.

Free agent point guard Isaiah Stevens signed on with the Chicago Bulls on Thursday. In July, Sacramento waived the 25-year-old, but he is set to see another opportunity in the Windy City. Stevens has been unable to make his mark so far in his short NBA career, recording just six outings across two seasons. He will likely begin the 2026-27 campaign in the G League.

Danny Emerman of the SFStandard.com reports that Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry is expected to start Sunday's preseason opener against the Los Angeles Clippers. Curry recently signed a two-year, $116 million contract extension and was seen with the team's first unit during 5-on-5 work on Thursday. The star point guard averaged 26.6 points, 4.7 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.4 three-pointers in 30.9 minutes across 43 games last campaign, with injuries, including runner's knee, limiting his availability. Jimmy Butler III (knee) is expected to miss the start of 2026-27, so Curry will likely take on heavy minutes early on.

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, guard Jamal Shead has agreed to a three-year, $24 million contract extension wth the Toronto Raptors on Thursday. The Raptors will retain their backup point guard through the 2029-30 campaign. The 24-year-old averaged 6.6 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.7 rebounds over 22.6 minutes per contest in 82 games last season. Shead's fantasy value will likely remain low in 2026-27, with Immanuel Quickley ingrained as the starter.

New York Knicks guard Miles McBride is entering the final season of his contract with an uncertain long-term future, according to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic. The 26-year-old, who will earn $3.96 million this season, said he would love to finish his career in New York, but the Knicks' desire to remain below the second apron could complicate a new deal. McBride averaged a career-high 12.0 points in 26.3 minutes across 41 games last season while shooting 41.3 percent from three. A trade remains possible if New York decides it cannot afford his next contract, and a move could give McBride a larger fantasy role depending on where he lands.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Ryan Nembhard has agreed to a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets. Denver is expected to waive KJ Simpson to open the spot. The 23-year-old went undrafted out of Gonzaga before averaging 6.6 points, 5.3 assists, and 2.2 rebounds in 19.5 minutes across 60 games with Dallas as a rookie, including 27 starts. He capped the season with a franchise-record 23 assists in a regulation game against Chicago. Nembhard will sit behind Jamal Murray and Tyus Jones for point guard minutes, while his two-way deal limits him to 50 active NBA games. His passing ability makes him an interesting depth option if Denver needs another ball handler.

Phoenix Suns center Oso Ighodaro isn't assuming the starting job is his while Mark Williams (shoulder) is sidelined. Ighodaro told Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic that he has been competing with Khaman Maluach for the past two months and believes the role still has to be earned. The 24-year-old averaged 8.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 0.9 steals in 27.4 minutes across 22 games without Williams last season. That production gives Ighodaro a useful fantasy path if he wins significant minutes, though his 45.3 percent free-throw shooting remains a clear drawback.

Orlando Magic forward Noah Penda (hamstring) is being brought along carefully after tweaking his hamstring, according to Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. Head coach Sean Sweeney said Orlando doesn't want Penda doing too much during two-a-day practices early in camp. The 21-year-old averaged 3.8 points and 3.2 rebounds in 12.8 minutes across 59 games as a rookie before posting 15.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game in Summer League. Penda is trying to earn a larger role in a crowded Orlando forward rotation, so getting back to full work ahead of the Oct. 7 preseason opener would give him more time to make his case.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard said he expects to start alongside point guard Ja Morant this season. Speaking at his media availability on Tuesday, Lillard said, "As far as I know, Ja will start, I will start, and Deni will start ... that's as far as I know." Lillard signed with the Blazers during the 2025 offseason while recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered with the Milwaukee Bucks during that postseason. In his last season, Lillard averaged 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists in over 36 minutes per game. With him back and healthy, he joins a crowded backcourt that includes Morant, Scoot Henderson, Jrue Holiday, and Shaedon Sharpe. Lillard will likely see minutes restrictions as he enters his 14th season.

Golden State Warriors small forward Gui Santos is in the mix for a starting spot this season. Head coach Steve Kerr said there will be "an open competition" for the three other starting spots alongside point guard Stephen Curry and power forward Draymond Green. With Jimmy Butler (knee) recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in January, Santos has a real chance to start early in the season. In 68 games last season, Santos averaged 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in just over 20 minutes per game. After Butler tore his ACL, the fourth-year forward averaged more than 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists per game. While he finished strong, adding rookie Yaxel Lendeborg could make it tougher for Santos to produce at the same level he did late in the 2025-26 season.