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.

The Knicks bolstered their depth this off-season with Guerschon Yabusele, Jordan Clarkson and Malcolm Brogdon, setting a clear window to challenge in the East. Yet Mario Chalmers challenges that outlook, saying New York still lacks a dominant big who can anchor both ends and change the ceiling. Karl-Anthony Towns has grown into a more well-rounded defender for the Knicks, but the gap at the rim remains a talking point. Indiana, Boston and others shuffled, but the Cavaliers and Knicks are positioned as frontrunners in a crowded conference as a new era under a fresh Knicks identity begins shaping itself with Mike Brown at the helm.