Cleveland’s core faces a season where health and minutes shape fantasy value. Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley look primed for bounce-back years after top-tier usage, while Darius Garland’s health and minutes will influence everything from Mitchell’s ceiling to Allen’s block-and-field-goal impact. Jared Allen’s durability anchors the frontcourt, and the Cavaliers’ rotation could feature Lonzo Ball and Ty Jerome as late-year depth if injuries pop. The over/under 55.5 wins invites caution, but the AAC-level depth of the Cavs’ lineup offers late-round upside as health realigns roles.

Mobley’s expanded role, Garland’s return-to-form potential, and Allen’s steady floor keep Cleveland’s fantasy narrative strong, even if the team isn’t the juggernaut of last season. As depth pieces like DeAndre Hunter or Max Strus surface in potential short-term gaps, managers should target the Cavs’ stars early and then chase value with careful backcourt depth and injury contingency plans.

Chicago opens the season with a stubborn non-tanking stance and a win total set at 31.5, a figure that fans will debate as the Bulls lean on a mix of youth and veterans. Nikola Vucevic’s expiring deal and the Zach LaVine era’s afterglow frame a broader talk: Chicago could move one of its core pieces for future assets, yet the group remains committed to growth rather than a full teardown. Late-season surges from Josh Giddey and Kobe White hint at upside, with Io DeSumo surrounding them as an efficient ball-handler who can help the Bulls space the floor. In fantasy terms, Vucevic’s vibes are intriguing but trade risk looms; Giddey’s heavy usage late last year makes him a spicy target, while White’s efficiency spike post-LaVine trade signals a volatile but high-reward path. Flyers like Asar Thompson’s unknown ceiling and Trey Jones’ potential role battles add depth to the Bulls’ upside dial, keeping the conversation lively about who emerges as the fifth starter and which veterans they’ll lean on in crunch time. Overall, the Bulls aren’t chasing a rebuild so much as a real playoff push, and that stance shapes both their real and fantasy trajectories this season.

This week's CHGO Bulls podcast engages Bulls fans with an exciting discussion of the top 10 'what ifs' in Chicago Bulls history. From Jay Williams' tragic motorcycle accident to the missed opportunity of acquiring LaMarcus Aldridge over Tyrus Thomas, the show reflects on pivotal decisions and moments that could have reshaped the franchise's legacy.

Key highlights include the speculative impact of a trade for Kobe Bryant in 2007, and what could have occurred if the Bulls had drafted Tracy McGrady instead of trading the pick. The hosts also debate the potential outcomes had the Bulls retained their core players post-1998 championship run, and the hypothetical consequences of Derrick Rose's ACL injury in 2012, questioning if the Bulls could have secured more titles.