Old Man Squad’s preseason session leans into an efficiency-first fantasy blueprint, weighing Anthony Davis as a high-upside first-round bet despite injury risk and pairing him with Evan Mobley for a dominant, efficient backbone. Desmond Bane emerges as a safe third-round floor, while OG Anunoby and Deni Avdija offer upside at reasonable costs. The duo also roams through Thompson twins Amen and Ausar, plus promising late-round flyers such as Jalen Suggs, Shane Sharp, Scoot Henderson, D’Angelo Russell, Cam Johnson, Bruce Brown, and Donovan Clingan to craft versatile rosters.

The conversation centers on punting a few categories strategically, optimizing field-goal and free-throw efficiency, and leveraging defense-heavy tracks to win turnovers and blocks. Mock drafts fuel their planning, but the core takeaway is to build around efficient contributors who can shoulder multi-category loads, while keeping explosive upside in reserve for late-round swing bets.

Zion Williamson’s conditioning and accountability are central to Pelicans chatter as media days unfold, signaling a potential big bounce-back year if health cooperates. Knicks chatter gravitates to Josh Hart’s role and defensive balance with Mitchell Robinson anchoring the structure, while Cavaliers updates focus on injuries and Mobley’s increasing responsibility. Jason Tatum’s raw honesty about his Achilles rehab frames Boston’s cautious but hopeful return trajectory, shaping early-season fantasy expectations across the league.

The Cavaliers project a clearer path to the Finals through Mobley’s growth and a healthier, deeper core, while the Clippers lean into depth and frontcourt versatility to stay dangerous even if senior stars miss time. Chicago eyes a youth surge from Buzelis and Asen, and Portland bets on development over immediate glory with Scoot Henderson anchoring a defensive-minded, lottery-driven rebuild. Across the league, stars like Durant and Edwards highlight how star power still shapes playoff odds.