LeBron James, Chris Paul and Kyle Lowry join the NBA’s 20-year club, marking a watershed in longevity as the league leans into extended primes. James starts Year 23, Paul Year 21, and Lowry Year 20, each supported by bespoke training and recovery regimes that help them stay impactful amid wear and tear. The trio’s ascent mirrors a lineage of aging stars who redefine value beyond youth.

Old-school pillars Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Robert Parish, Kevin Willis, Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki and Vince Carter anchor a modern era framed by medical advances, nutrition, and tech. Lowry’s 76ers move and Paul’s 82-game year, plus Wembanyama’s nod to the elders, signal a future where durability and intellect pair with athleticism to shape fantasy and betting lanes.

Lonzo Ball’s mini–swivel from Chicago to Cleveland could tilt the East if his durability cooperates. His playmaking and defense would slot in behind Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, potentially unlocking Cleveland’s offense if he stays healthy. The Bulls’ departure opens guard minutes, but Ball’s history of limited games looms as a durability risk that could cap upside in fantasy and betting narratives this season.

Preseason optics have Ball distributing to a variety of Cavaliers, signaling a high-end ceiling if he can reach 60+ games. The move is framed as a possible catalyst for Cleveland’s title push, even as questions about routine workloads and health persist for fantasy managers and bettors alike.

Atlanta doubled down on a win-now roster, adding Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard while delaying Trae Young’s extension. Porzingis is extension-eligible but wants a healthy, proven season first; the Hawks will judge this year by health, fit and results, with paydays likely only if the team contends.

Durability matters for Porzingis (42 games last year; 65 in seven seasons) and his 41.2% 3-point figure helps spacing. If Atlanta reaches a top-four seed and wins a playoff series, extensions for Porzingis and Young become more likely; otherwise, hot seats and roster upheaval loom in 2025.