NBA insiders spot a wave of high-upside arrivals that could bend fantasy value this season. Durant joins Houston as a trusted closer, Bane slides into Orlando to lift the Magic’s 3-point game, and Cameron Johnson lands in Denver to pair with Jokic and boost spacing. Ayton’s move to the Lakers adds interior punch, Porzingis shores up Atlanta’s defense and floor spacing, while Beal and Powell provide seasoned scoring depth in L.A. and Miami. Dylan Harper and Edgecombe enter as rookies and wings poised to surprise, with Mike Brown’s Knicks and a reshaped supporting cast stirring the mix.

Coaching swaps, new surrounding casts, and the year’s top rookies reshape roles across the board. Expect big swings in top-line usage, late-round breakouts, and a few surprise fantasy risers as the 2025-26 season unfolds. This preview highlights the new paths for impact players and where fantasy managers should look for late-season leverage.

Nuggets front office aims to maximize Nikola Jokic’s prime, weighing a veteran buyout that could bring floor-spacing and intangibles to the roster. Kevin Love’s expiring deal and buyout chatter, tied to a three-team swap that rearranges Norman Powell, John Collins and Kyle Anderson, looms as a potential upgrade option for Denver’s depth. Cam Johnson’s arrival and Jokic-led core still dominate the rotation, but Denver’s bench could shift if Love links with a contender this fall.

The deal lattice—Heat, Jazz and Clippers exchanging Powell, Collins and Love—creates a chessboard where Denver’s best path to title contention is a balanced mix of Jokic’s prime years, Gordon’s versatility, and wing shooting. Denver’s depth at power forward/center includes Aaron Gordon, Cam Johnson, Jonas Valanciunas, and young wings Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther, with DaRon Holmes II and Hunter Tyson providing upside. Love’s veteran presence could stabilize the second unit and add insurance in the postseason, should the buyout materialize.

Durando’s note that Adelman’s Minnesota ties and Love’s willingness to chase a contender keep the narrative alive. Whether Love signs with Denver or merely remains a foil in the front-office chatter, the Nuggets’ path remains clear: sustain Jokic’s peak years, improve spacing, and trust the developmental curve of the youth on hand. The market signal is that Denver won’t stand pat as Jokic ages toward legacy status.

Denver traded Michael Porter Jr. and a 2032 first-round pick for Cameron Johnson, aiming to pair Jokic with a longer, smarter wing who can defend, pass and space the floor. Johnson’s 39.2% from three supports Jokic’s timing, while his cheaper deal helps breathing room against the luxury tax. Johnson’s durability concerns—60 games only twice in six years—keep upside balanced against risk.

Bleacher Report ranked the move No. 7 in bold offseasons, noting the tax relief and Jokic-centric window it pursues. Denver sacrifices Porter’s scoring punch for a two-way fit around Jokic, a risk in a stacked West. If Johnson stays healthy and fits, the Nuggets’ title odds stay strong and their ceiling remains sky-high.

In 2024-25 Jokic posted near-peak numbers (29.6 points, 10.2 assists, 41.7% 3P). The trade seeks to maximize his prime by surrounding him with shooting, playmaking, and defense, even as it skims off a championship-era contributor. The move signals a bold push for another deep playoff run while testing durability and chemistry.