Phoenix Suns opened the preseason with a 103-81 win over the Lakers, flashing Jordan Ott’s pressure defense and a multi-weapon offense that aims to empower every passer. Devin Booker led with 24 points and 7 assists, while Grayson Allen and Dillon Brooks spaced the floor and pressed on defense. The bench—Gillespie, Richards, O’Neale, Hayes-Davis—provided depth, and rookie Maluach flashed late with a dunk.

Booker’s playmaking and off-ball creativity set the tone as the Suns teased more action through Durant and Beal when healthy. Extended looks went to Ighodaro, Maluach and Fleming as they prepare for two China exhibitions against the Nets, testing rotations and depth for a longer season.

Mortgage Matchup Center will rename the Suns’ arena for 10 years at $115 million, the sixth branding era for the venue. The deal ties Phoenix basketball to Mat Ishbia’s Mortgage Matchup and its mortgage directory, with United Wholesale Mortgage backing the partnership as a former NBA/WNBA official sponsor, all without touching the salary cap. For fantasy managers, the branding move signals stable, sponsor-driven game-night energy rather than roster changes.

The arrangement highlights owner-driven branding in pro sports and invites debate over self-dealing versus business leverage. Bradley Beal’s name-check adds levity to the payroll discussion, while MMC branding cements a durable identity for Phoenix basketball beyond the court, keeping focus on performance while expanding off-court opportunities.

Four guard sleepers for the 2025-26 fantasy season surface: VJ Edgecombe, Bradley Beal, Bennedict Mathurin, and Gary Trent Jr. Edgecombe steps into a larger role with Jared McCain sidelined, pairing with Maxey to boost scoring and playmaking in PHI. Beal lands in a playmaker-rich Clippers group, offering efficient scoring and a potential third option behind Kawhi and CP3. Mathurin gets a prime opportunity with Haliburton out, projecting 20+ PPG with efficiency. Trent Jr. plugs as a steady, high-volume shooter for Milwaukee in a fluid offense.

Late-round sleepers can anchor fantasy rosters as ADP climbs, with Matas Buzelis, Jalen Suggs, Santi Aldama, T.J. McConnell and Isaiah Collier positioned to deliver multi-category contributions if their minutes hold. Meanwhile, keep an eye on overvalued targets like De'Aaron Fox, Josh Hart, Kristaps Porzingis, Brandon Ingram and Bradley Beal, where new roles, health concerns or crowded backcourts could curb upside. Stay nimble, monitor injuries, and lean into these players as the season approaches for maximum late-round ROI.

Injury risk, roster moves and starting opportunities drive this slate of targets. The undervalued group benefits from likely extended roles due to depth chart shakeups, while the overvalued group faces potential declines in usage or minutes as teams optimize lineups. Use these insights to optimize ADP gaps and exploit efficiency, pace and multi-category production.

LA Clippers weigh nuclear option amid cap-circumvention probe that could wipe picks or void Leonard's deal. The plan centers on an all-in 2025-26 run with Harden, Beal and Zubac, boosted by a veteran depth chart. Floated targets include Zion Williamson, Michael Porter Jr. and Brandon Ingram, with cap relief as a potential wildcard if the league won’t sanction assets immediately. Timing and penalties shape every move.

The piece stresses that any trade would hinge on NBA decisions still years away, making the 2025-26 window pivotal for a title push even as risk mounts. The dynamics blend roster fit, long-term cost, and the uncertain fallout of a prolonged investigation.