Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward Cedric Coward was named a breakout candidate for 2026-27 by ESPN's Eric Moody after a strong rookie season. The No. 11 pick averaged 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.4 blocks in 25.8 minutes across 62 games, including 47 starts, while shooting 47.1 percent from the field. He also made the All-Rookie First Team and finished fifth in Rookie of the Year voting. Memphis has since traded Ja Morant to Portland and Santi Aldama to Dallas, opening more usage in a reset roster. Cameron Boozer, Ty Jerome, and Jerami Grant will still need touches, but Coward's rebounding, passing, and efficient scoring give him a cleaner path to fantasy growth than most second-year wings.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Cason Wallace is expected to slide into the starting shooting guard spot after the team moved Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Joe, and Aaron Wiggins for financial reasons, according to ESPN's Anthony Slater. Wallace already made 58 starts last season, averaging 8.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.9 steals in 26.6 minutes, so the fantasy bump comes down to touches more than trust. He is extension-eligible until October, giving Oklahoma City another reason to clarify his long-term role. Ajay Mitchell also benefits after a 13.6-point breakout, but Wallace has the cleaner path to defensive stats and starter-level minutes.

Milwaukee Bucks center Kel'el Ware enters camp with a much cleaner path than he had in Miami, with ESPN's Zach Kram noting that only Myles Turner and Kyle Kuzma currently sit ahead of him at center and power forward. The 22-year-old averaged 11.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and 0.8 steals in 22.1 minutes across 77 games last season while shooting 53.0 percent from the field, 39.5 percent from three, and 74.0 percent at the line. Milwaukee also views this season as a chance to see whether Ware can become a foundational piece. Turner has been mentioned as one of the Bucks' top trade candidates, and any move would open a clearer route to starter-level minutes. Ware already has the rebounding, blocks, and efficiency profile fantasy managers chase; the question is whether Taylor Jenkins gives him enough run to turn that upside into nightly double-double value.

ESPN's Tim MacMahon is framing Utah Jazz guard Darryn Peterson as a possible franchise centerpiece entering 2026-27. The No. 2 overall pick gives Utah another high-end scorer after averaging 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.4 steals at Kansas, where he posted the highest scoring average by a freshman in program history. Peterson also flashed in July, scoring at least 20 points in each of his first four Summer League appearances before finishing the event at 20.7 points, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. The fantasy question is volume. Keyonte George still has lead-guard usage, while Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Ace Bailey all need touches. Peterson is worth drafting for scoring upside, but his rookie ceiling depends on how quickly Will Hardy clears a steady on-ball role.

Boston Celtics guard/forward Baylor Scheierman was identified by John Karalis of the Boston Celtics on SI as the roster's best candidate to make the biggest leap this season. Scheierman averaged 5.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 18.6 minutes across 77 games in 2025-26, but his 20 starts were more useful: 9.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 28.3 minutes. Karalis pointed to Scheierman's 49.4 percent mark from the corners, behind only Payton Pritchard on Boston, as his edge over Hugo Gonzalez and Jordan Walsh. Karalis also framed Paul George's projected missed games as part of the opportunity, giving Scheierman a path to spot starts if his shooting carries over.

Atlanta Hawks guard Kingston Flemings projects to open training camp behind CJ McCollum, but Zach Langley of Soaring Down South notes that his fit with Jalen Johnson may be the more important long-term angle. Johnson became Atlanta's offensive hub after the Trae Young trade, averaging 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists in 35.2 minutes across 72 games. Still, his first-round dip against New York showed why Atlanta could use another organizer. Flemings, the No. 8 overall pick, recorded 27 assists against nine turnovers over four Summer League games, giving Quin Snyder a potential pick-and-roll option who could shift Johnson into more finishing chances. McCollum's one-year, $21 million extension keeps Flemings in a backup role for now, but his passing gives him a cleaner fantasy runway if Atlanta leans into a younger backcourt.

Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford remains a trade candidate. Heavy's Sean Deveney reported, via Grant Afseth of Roundtable, that Dallas hopes to land a first-round pick for both Gafford and P.J. Washington. Gafford is owed $17.26 million this season on a three-year, $54.38 million extension that includes a 5 percent trade kicker. The 27-year-old averaged 9.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 21.7 minutes across 55 games last season while shooting 65.5 percent from the field. Dereck Lively II (foot) still lacks a firm return timeline, so Gafford opens camp with a clean path to blocks, boards, and elite field-goal percentage. A trade could raise his minutes ceiling, but Dallas' crowded frontcourt with Lively, Santi Aldama, and Morez Johnson Jr. keeps some role risk attached.

Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein is back at the team's practice facility ahead of training camp, posting a photo from the building on his Instagram story Monday, according to Clemente Almanza of OKC Thunder Wire. The 28-year-old signed a three-year, $75 million extension in June that runs through 2028-29, keeping his frontcourt role secure. Hartenstein was limited to 47 games last season, averaging 9.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 24.2 minutes while shooting 62.2 percent from the field. Chet Holmgren and Jaylin Williams keep the ceiling in check, but Hartenstein's rebounds, assists, and efficiency still give him a useful fantasy lane when healthy.

The Charlotte Hornets waived guard/forward Kobe Stewart on Monday, dropping their offseason roster back to 20 players. Stewart had signed an Exhibit 10 contract three days earlier, making him the latest back-end roster piece Charlotte has cycled through after Josiah Allick, Trey Townsend, Kyle Mangas, and Jarkel Joiner. The 24-year-old averaged 7.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 20.0 minutes across 46 G-League games last season, then posted 4.8 points and 2.5 rebounds in six Summer League appearances with Milwaukee. Greensboro would still need to acquire his G-League rights before a Swarm path fully lines up. For now, this is roster housekeeping with no fantasy impact.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace remains unsigned to a rookie-scale extension, with the 2023 draft class deadline set for Oct. 19 at 5 p.m. CT, according to Clemente Almanza of OKC Thunder Wire. The 22-year-old is coming off his best season, averaging 8.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.9 steals in 26.6 minutes across 77 games. Wallace led the NBA with 150 total steals and earned All-Defensive Second Team honors, giving him a fantasy floor even without heavy usage. Luguentz Dort's trade to Atlanta creates a clearer path to start next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, though Wallace still needs more scoring consistency to become more than a defensive-category anchor.

Indiana Pacers guard/forward Ben Sheppard is likely to open the season in the third unit, according to Alex Golden of Pacers On SI. The 25-year-old is entering the final year of his rookie-scale contract after averaging 7.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 0.6 steals in 21.4 minutes across 65 games last season. The path back to steady minutes is tighter with Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) returning and Kelly Oubre Jr. added to the wing mix. Golden expects Sheppard and Jarace Walker to battle for rotation minutes in camp. Sheppard's best argument is the jumper, as he shot 42.3 percent from three from Dec. 1 on. He needs that shooting to stick to avoid falling off the fantasy radar.

Indiana Pacers forward Kelly Oubre Jr. could play the most minutes off the bench this season, according to Pacers On SI's Alex Golden. Oubre signed a two-year deal worth nearly $17 million in July, giving Indiana a veteran wing to help replace the role Bennedict Mathurin left behind in the Ivica Zubac trade. The 30-year-old averaged 14.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 50 games with Philadelphia last season while shooting a career-best 36.0 percent from three. Tyrese Haliburton's return and Zubac's interior role should push Oubre toward more cutting, corner shooting, and defensive work than shot creation. His steals can travel, but the fantasy ceiling depends on minutes and whether the shooting holds.

Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard enters his fifth season with a different offensive setup as Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) returns after missing 2025-26. Nembhard handled lead-guard duties well last season, setting career highs with 16.9 points and 7.7 assists while adding 2.8 rebounds and 0.9 steals in 31.3 minutes across 57 games. He also shot 36.1 percent from three. The assists and usage should come down if Haliburton is close to full strength, but Nembhard's defense, secondary playmaking, and off-ball shooting should keep him in a steady role. His chemistry with Ivica Zubac in the pick-and-roll is one camp storyline to watch, though the fantasy ceiling is lower than it was when Indiana had no Haliburton.

Sacramento Kings guard/forward Zach LaVine said his offseason is going well and that he is excited about the team's younger group, according to Logan Struck of Sports Illustrated. LaVine also touched on his leadership role, saying he already texted rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr. and plans to connect with more of Sacramento's young players closer to camp. The two-time All-Star picked up his $49 million player option this summer after hand surgery ended his season at 39 games. LaVine averaged 19.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 47.9 percent from the field and 39.0 percent from three. He should have scoring volume if healthy, but Acuff's arrival and Domantas Sabonis' playmaking keep LaVine more valuable for points and threes than assists.

Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell is deserving of the starting point guard job, but Miami's depth behind him remains a question, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel wrote in his latest mailbag. Dru Smith projects as the backup, while two-way rookie Tre Donaldson is the next internal option if injuries hit. That setup helps Mitchell's minutes outlook after he started all 70 of his appearances last season, averaging 9.3 points, 6.5 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 28.6 minutes while shooting 49.0 percent from the field and 39.5 percent from three. He will not carry fantasy teams with scoring, but the assists, steals, and secure role keep him useful if Miami does not add another veteran guard.

Los Angeles Clippers guard Darius Garland enters 2026-27 positioned to run the offense for a full season, with Yahoo Sports' Kelly Iko writing that whatever optimism remains around the team starts there. Garland was still managing a lingering toe issue when he arrived from Cleveland in February, but he averaged 19.9 points and 6.4 assists in 19 games while helping L.A. reach the play-in tournament. Kawhi Leonard's expected move to Toronto leaves Garland with a clearer on-ball role, though Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick are expected back in the deal. Iko noted the Clippers ranked 23rd in three-point attempts last season, so Garland's creation should help shooters like Max Strus and Dick. If the toe cooperates, Garland has a strong fantasy setup built around points, assists, and threes.

Sacramento Kings guard/forward Ben Simmons could be open to staying beyond his one-year deal if the fit works, ESPN's Marc J. Spears told Sactown Sports 1140. Spears described Simmons as a loyal player and said, "I think he'd want to stay" if both sides are happy after this season. Simmons agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract Friday after sitting out all of 2025-26 while working back from chronic back issues. He last played in 2024-25, averaging 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 0.7 steals in 22.0 minutes across 51 games with Brooklyn and the Clippers. His fantasy value depends on whether Doug Christie gives him real second-unit ball-handling work behind Darius Acuff Jr. The assists, rebounds, and steals still help, but the absent jumper and year away keep the risk high.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Collin Sexton said the chance to win and make an impact on a big stage drove his free-agent decision, according to ESPN LA. "I feel like I just fit right in," the former No. 8 pick said. Sexton signed a two-year, $19 million deal with a player option after averaging 17.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in 26 games with Chicago last season while shooting 48.2 percent from the field and 41.0 percent from three. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves still control the offense, leaving Sexton as a bench scorer whose fantasy value depends on minutes, efficiency, and whether his defensive stats hold.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (knee) still has some lingering concern around the injury that cost him a long stretch last season, Monte Poole said on NBC Sports Bay Area's Dubs Talk podcast. Poole said the issue can be managed and that Curry and his trainers have built ways to work around it. The 38-year-old missed 27 straight games with patellofemoral pain syndrome, finishing with 43 appearances while averaging 26.6 points, 4.7 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 4.4 threes in 30.9 minutes. Curry recently became extension-eligible, but the fantasy issue is health, not his contract. With Jimmy Butler III (knee) and Moses Moody (knee) also working back from major injuries, Curry's workload still looks heavy if he is cleared for his usual role. His 70-game target is possible, but managers should price in real games-played risk.

Golden State Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg is in the mix for a starting spot entering training camp, head coach Steve Kerr told NBC Sports Bay Area's Monte Poole. Kerr floated the idea of Lendeborg playing the three next to Draymond Green, with Kristaps Porzingis or Al Horford at center. The No. 11 pick earned the conversation after winning Summer League MVP while averaging 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. He also posted 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists at Michigan, giving Golden State a ready-made connector on the wing. With Jimmy Butler III (knee) and Moses Moody (knee) working back from major injuries, Lendeborg has a clearer early path than most rookies.