Indiana plans for a long arc: Carlisle’s extension reinforces a player-development-forward blueprint as Haliburton sits for a gap year, with a core grown around Benedict Mathurin, Aaron Nesmith, Andrew Nemhard, Obi Toppin and Jaylen Smith taking on bigger roles. The move signals stability and a commitment to cultivating internal growth while staying poised for a future East push. John Wall’s retirement adds a bittersweet coda to a peak-filled era. On the playoff rails, Cavaliers and Knicks emerge as the marquee East matchups, Mitchell vs Brunson framing a ceiling-versus-floor dialogue, Mobley and Allen anchoring Cleveland’s depth, and questions lingering about coaching fit and bench strength. Raptors’ Webster stays, Celtics keep Misoula, and NBC’s late-night return keeps fantasy circles eyeing late-season upside. All together, rotation planning, development tracks, and coaching continuity shape early-season fantasy bets and risk assessments.