Giddey starred for the Bulls in a high-pace preseason showcase, posting 25 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists in 29 minutes as Chicago locked him in for four years at $100 million. He opened with 19 points by halftime, mixed 3s with drives and earned a place on the highlight reel with a fastbreak connection to Matas Buzelis and a non-counted 60-foot heave that amplified his confidence. A heated exchange with Cam Johnson added edge to a night that still left the Bulls optimistic about a Giddey-led future alongside White.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is pegged as the MVP favorite amid a Bucks setup with less shield behind him, while Victor Wembanyama is the clear DPOY frontrunner thanks to his two-way impact. Denver’s David Adelman is favored for Coach of the Year after a roster overhaul, with Cooper Flagg poised to win ROY for a Dallas squad that should give him early meaningful minutes. Caris LeVert is the early pick for Sixth Man, as voters chase value and narrative in a crowded preseason landscape.

Durant to Houston boosts a young Rockets half-court attack, lifting fantasy scoring, threes and durability. Bane to Orlando gives Paolo Banchero a reliable floor spacer. Turner to Milwaukee upgrades the frontcourt with blocks and shooting; Johnson to Denver adds defense and steady scoring; Porziņģis to Atlanta adds rim protection and spacing. Ayton to the Lakers anchors the paint; Flagg to Dallas brings defense and upside; Powell to Miami could deliver early scoring when Herro is out.

9-cat fantasy hoops prizes efficiency: target mid-to-late round studs who lift FG%, FT%, and keep turnovers low. Key names include Desmond Bane, Cam Johnson, and Cameron Braun, with veterans like Jimmy Butler and DeMar DeRozan anchoring efficiency while Jokic pulls the Denver engine. Build around shooting percentages, minimize TO, and leverage Jokic-factor spacers to win weekly in your drafts.