Five breakout candidates to watch in fantasy basketball this season are Matas Buzelis, Desmond Bane, Andrew Nembhard, Kevin Porter Jr., and Sam Hauser. Buzelis Michał‑style growth could push him into a steady starting role with Chicago, especially with the Bulls balancing a playoff push and developing his outside shot. Desmond Bane could see a higher usage bucket after roster moves, while Nembhard and Porter Jr. stand to benefit from increased minutes and multi‑category production. Hauser offers late‑round threes and rebounds with strong shooting history and a path to bigger minutes in Boston.

The piece emphasizes role shifts, longer seasons, and the potential for career-best numbers as rookies mature and veterans adapt to new supporting casts. It also notes how air-tight shooting and multi‑cat contributions can unlock value in adjacent categories, making these players appealing targets late in drafts and in daily fantasy leagues.

Milwaukee pivoted fast in free agency, moving on from Damian Lillard to clear space for Myles Turner and a broader cast of shooters and ball-handlers. Turner signs a four-year, $107 million deal, joined by Cole Anthony and Gary Harris to fortify guard depth. The Bucks also kept key pieces like Gary Trent Jr., Jericho Sims, Ryan Rollins, Taurean Prince, Kevin Porter Jr., Chris Livingston and Bobby Portis Jr. Giannis Antetokounmpo remains the central engine, with a shooting-heavy roster built around his drives. Portis publicly backs the group, arguing health, not talent, has been the missing ingredient. For fantasy, Turner’s arrival should improve spacing and floor overall, while the spread of shooters elevates multiple role players.

The NBA has wrapped up its investigation into Kevin Porter Jr.'s 2023 domestic violence case, ultimately issuing a four-game suspension. This sanction has already been fulfilled during his lengthy absence from the league following the incident. The investigation resumed after Porter signed with the Los Angeles Clippers and was subsequently traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, where he will commence training camp this September.

Porter Jr. faced serious charges in September 2023 due to a domestic dispute in Manhattan, resulting in his arrest for second-degree assault and strangulation. He pled guilty to lesser charges and completed a domestic violence intervention program, which paved the way for his return to the NBA.

The Milwaukee Bucks have officially re-signed guard Kevin Porter Jr. to a two-year, $10.5 million contract, with the second year being a player option. This move comes after the Bucks waived and stretched Damian Lillard’s hefty salary, creating necessary cap space to retain Porter. After joining the Bucks mid-season, Porter displayed notable performance, averaging 11.7 points, shooting 40.8% from three-point range, and contributing around 20 minutes of play per game.