Jayson Tatum’s ruptured Achilles upends Boston’s 2025-26 outlook, forcing Jaylen Brown into a heavier, potentially closing role while the supporting cast must step up. With Porzingis gone to Atlanta and key veterans moved on, Boston’s depth is thinner, making Brown’s efficiency and durability crucial for any playoff push. The Celtics will lean on youth and new pieces to fill the scoring and defense gaps, turning Brown into the focal point of a reshaped offense.

Boston must balance Brown’s expanded role with improved defense and rebounding from newcomers like Chris Boucher and RJ Luis Jr. If the rotation coheres and protect-the-glass effort rises, the Celtics can still contend for a postseason berth, though the path is narrow without a second high-end scorer beside Brown.

Kobe Bufkin flashed scoring upside in Las Vegas, showing he can run a pick-and-roll and score in bursts, even as his NBA resume remains thin. Atlanta flipped him to Brooklyn for cash, a salary-dump move that saves the Hawks money and leaves the Nets with a one-year upside play to evaluate his fit.

Brooklyn now bets on a guard with scoring spark and playmaking when given opportunities, while Atlanta eyes cap flexibility and a future asset. In fantasy terms, Bufkin’s value will ride on minutes, role clarity, and efficient shot-making in a Nets system that could push him into real rotation work if he earns it.

Two of the NBA’s all-time big men, Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Garnett, are weighed by Jeff Teague on Club 520. The debate pits Nowitzki’s floor-stretching scoring against Garnett’s MVP-winning defense and versatility, arguing that value hinges on era, scheme, and context, not just rings.

For fantasy, Nowitzki’s offensive gravity can lift scoring-heavy leagues, while Garnett’s multi-category impact—defense, assists, durability—often shines in balanced formats. The takeaway: pedigree matters, but surrounding framework shapes true fantasy value across eras.

The Cavaliers add Larry Nance Jr. as a versatile frontcourt piece off the bench, designed to relieve Mobley and Allen and keep the unit functional when the starters rest. His floor-spreading shooting, hustle deflection, and stable decision-making help Cleveland maintain spacing and energy without a burst star power. Health is a concern, so expect a steady, understated impact rather than game-changing runs.