Ayo Dosunmu returns from shoulder surgery to a Bulls squad chasing defensive identity and more reliable offense. After months away, he flashed ball-handling and perimeter pressure in camp, while teammates adapt to a new defensive scheme that aims to curb a past reliance on individual stops.

With Dosunmu in a contract year and young players like Matas Buzelis stepping forward, Chicago needs his two-way impact every night. If he trims reckless decisions and reclaims his efficient shooting touch, Dosunmu could anchor a guard rotation and push the Bulls toward a steadier, if still unsettled, climb.

LaMelo Ball staying healthy could unlock Charlotte’s ceiling in a crowded East. Early signals show a healthier Ball thriving with Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel on the wings, hinting at offensive efficiency when Ball is supported by budding playmakers. The defense, still a concern with key defenders out to open the season, could determine whether the Hornets flirt with a play-in bid or drift into rebuild territory.

The Hornets’ offseason brought depth and shooting, including Collin Sexton and Spencer Dinwiddie, while drafting Knueppel and Kalkbrenner to anchor a more versatile frontline. The coming weeks will reveal whether Charlotte buys at the deadline or leans into its young core, with Ball’s health and defense shaping the gap between optimism and frustration.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is pegged as the MVP favorite amid a Bucks setup with less shield behind him, while Victor Wembanyama is the clear DPOY frontrunner thanks to his two-way impact. Denver’s David Adelman is favored for Coach of the Year after a roster overhaul, with Cooper Flagg poised to win ROY for a Dallas squad that should give him early meaningful minutes. Caris LeVert is the early pick for Sixth Man, as voters chase value and narrative in a crowded preseason landscape.

The NBA is in a depth-first era: teams must boast multiple top-100 players to contend, because playoff pressure and injuries erase lone superstars. The latest rankings show Oklahoma City with the most Top 100 picks, followed by the Knicks and Timberwolves, underscoring the shift from star-centric to roster-wide greatness. Fantasy managers should target balanced rosters with reliable contributors across categories, mindful of load management and injury risk as the season unfolds.