LeBron James starts his 23rd NBA season, chasing a historic longevity run while remaining one of fantasy basketball’s premier assets when healthy. Lakers chatter centers on whether LA will pursue a dramatic LeBron–Knicks swap, a move that would instantly reshape title odds in the East and test the balance of the Lakers’ roster. While the odds fluctuate, James’s continued excellence keeps him squarely in fantasy rosters, with Bronny James and Dalton Knecht in the mix as potential future pieces. Luka Doncic anchors attention as a co-leader in the league’s fantasy landscape, and the conversation widens with Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Desmond Bane as possible trade or lineup fulcrums. The Knicks’ hypothetical bid would push rival teams to reconfigure, while the Lakers’ path remains geared toward championship contention rather than a blockbuster reboot.

Kenny Atkinson reshaped the Cavaliers into a high-powered regular-season machine, turning Cleveland from 16th in offense to the league’s best. Mobley blossomed into an All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year, while Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland clicked as a dual-threat backcourt. The bigs pairing yielded staggering 120.8 offensive ratings and a clear path to elite execution, but the playoffs exposed gaps—tempo management, depth, and crunch-time discipline remain the next frontier as Atkinson faces six months to sculpt playoff-ready answers.

The challenge isn’t just sustaining offensive firepower; it’s translating that success into postseason credibility. After a 64-win run, questions linger about countering top defenses, empowering role players in tight games, and keeping stars from good regular-season habits when stakes rise. The Cavs must balance continuity with tactical tweaks, and six months isn’t long in the crucible of playoff preparation.

Cavaliers camp returns to IMG Academy in Sarasota for Sept 30–Oct 5, 2025, a focused prep period before a quick-opening slate that starts Oct 7 with Chicago. The setup leans on chemistry-building away from home, echoing last year’s bonding sessions that accompanied a strong early run.

Donovan Mitchell anchors the plan, with media day on Sept 29 signaling the final push toward tip-off and a continued emphasis on pace, ball movement, and cohesion as Cleveland maps rotations for the season.