Denver’s preseason twist features Jokic at power forward paired with Jonas Valanciunas in a two‑big look. The early sample was rocky—five possessions, four points, 80 offensive rating—but Adelman stresses it’s a Band‑Aid moment to test spacing and timing. The experiment leans on high‑low action, with Watson, Braun and Strawther providing length and drive to mix with the bigs.

Defensively, Adelman explores a zone with both centers at the bottom, aiming to angle rotations and protect against interior mismatches. The plan mirrors Houston’s Sengun–Adams template but remains a work in progress as Denver dials in how to space and execute with this unconventional frontline.

Five big names to avoid in drafts this season due to injury risk or likely minute cuts: Embiid, Davis, George, Zubac, and Porzingis. Embiid’s career arc includes frequent games missed; this year’s reports aren’t reassuring. Davis has history of injuries, a new team dynamic, and a potential early shutdown scenario. George is aging with recent knee concerns; Zubac faces reduced minutes with Lopez’s arrival; Porzingis carries back-to-back concerns and a capped workload. Consider late-round handcuffs where applicable.

The guidance highlights risk management: if you must draft Embiid, a late pick handcuff like Adem Bona is prudent; otherwise fade to protect your roster. The overarching theme is to avoid players whose workload and health histories could crater a fantasy season while looking for safer late-round bets to anchor a competitive team.