Zion Williamson looked noticeably lighter and more fluid in his preseason traces, posting 15 points in 16 minutes on 5-for-8 shooting with 5 assists and 2 steals, a +10 in the Pelicans’ win. Murphy the Third contributed 18 in 19 minutes, underscoring a dynamic rookie-season pairing with Zion and a growing young core around New Orleans. The episode also highlights Suns-Lakers in a high-minute preseason clash and the Rockets’ search for a reliable fifth starter after Fred VanVleet’s injury, painting a portrait of a league-wide pivot toward youth, health, and depth that fantasy managers will want to monitor all preseason and into the regular season.

Pelicans fans have reason for cautious optimism: Zion’s weight loss could translate to fewer health hiccups and more sustained production, while Murphy’s scoring spark signals a versatile wing duo that could elevate the offense when Zion sits. The Suns are balancing star power with new pieces after Durant, probing guard depth and bench roles, while the Lakers test lineup balance with Bronny James and a mix of veterans. Across Houston, Sengun and a cadre of young talents are being asked to grow quickly as the Rockets chase late-season clarity on their rotation.

Fantasy readers should flag: Zion’s health trajectory, Murphy’s burst, Booker’s usage with new teammates, and Sengun’s evolving role in Houston. Preseason hints point to potential top-tier upside if health cooperates and rotations settle into solid, scalable roles. The league’s early signal is a season where youth and health could unlock value in multiple lineups.

VanVleet's ACL tear reshapes Houston's fantasy map. With apron rules delaying any replacement until January, Durant, Amen Thompson, and Sengun anchor a shifted lineup while Reed Shepard and Tari Eason push into bigger roles. Capella-Adams frontcourt mix complicates Sengun's ceiling, and Finney-Smith/Okogie provide wing depth as potential streaming options. Undervalued: Shepard, Eason, Durant; Jabari Smith sits at a lofty ADP. Training camp will tighten the rotation, but backcourt surgencies already signal sizable early-season upside for Rockets youngsters.

In the wake of the injury, Amen Thompson's minutes and playmaking rise, Reed Shepard becomes a must-draft late-round target, and Tari Eason caps a top-100 upside floor with increased opportunity. Durant remains a reliable top-20 asset, though his fit with a larger frontcourt adds nuance. Watch Capella/Adams splits and shooting gaps; Finney-Smith and Okogie should contribute as streaming options. Expect rapid shifts as camp unfolds and roster decisions clarify roles.

Kawhi Leonard’s CAP circumvention questions surface as the NBA weighs how deep to probe KL2 LLCs and related tax material under Article 13. The discussion flags potential leverage for the league in pursuing disclosures if more LLCs tied to Leonard exist, which could reshape team finances and the Clippers’ flexibility long-term. Separately, Fred VanVleet’s ACL tear reshapes Houston’s title window: Durant, Sengun, Amen Thompson, Reed Shepard, and Dorian Finney-Smith must shoulder more responsibility, while cap limits and a no-trade clause complicate midseason moves. Tatum’s rehab cues and Giannis’ openness to trade talk add layer to the season’s uncertainty. Overall, the Rockets’ youth movement becomes the focal point, with KD’s presence and VanVleet’s absence testing early-season chemistry and playoff potential.

On-court implications center around a younger Rockets core—Amen Thompson, Reed Shepard, Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr.—being asked to accelerate development. Durant’s addition broadens shooting and playmaking, easing floor spacing and giving young guards room to grow. Off the court, the NBA’s investigative scope and the dynamic cap landscape could nudge teams toward creative rosters or delayed moves, making December a critical checkpoint for true contenders versus rebuilders in the Western Conference.

Fantasy takeaway: monitor Rockets’ rotation shifts as VanVleet returns or is traded, push for role clarity among the young guns, and watch KD’s integration for peak spacing and secondary creator value. The KL2 probe also looms as a possible wildcard cap move that could alter long-term rosters and asset decisions across the league.