LAKERS upgrade with Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart, giving the roster a polished two-way core as LeBron continues to influence the championship window. Luka Doncic is in peak shape, while Austin Reaves faces a pivotal free-agent summer that could reshape the Lakers’ cap and core. San Antonio is watching closely, armed with De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell and Dylan Harper, signaling a serious backcourt rebuild. Reaves posted 20.2 PPG, 5.8 APG on 46% FG and 37.7% from deep last season.

Kevin Durant, at 37, aims to play into his 40s, stressing the gym grind and daily improvement as the fuel for his career. The Rockets' offseason trade signals a multi-year horizon for Durant in Houston, contingent on health and fit.

Last season with the Suns Durant logged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists on 52.7% shooting and 43.0% from three, a level of efficiency that keeps his fantasy floor strong. If he stays healthy, Durant could anchor Houston’s offense for several seasons while his contract runs through 2025-26, with camp opening Sept. 30 signaling the immediate horizon.

Top-tier pillars anchor the 2025-26 PF/SF fantasy tiers, led by Giannis and Davis, with LeBron still pushing elite point production. Paolo Banchero cars ahead as a LeBron-like multi-cat asset, and Durant remains a steady scorer despite a new home. Jalen Johnson, Barnes, Brown and Mobley offer versatile upside in Tier 2, while Zion, Bam and Jaren Jackson Jr. populate the All-Star caliber core in Tier 3. The tiers emphasize depth, floor, and upside for strong points-league builds into the draft.

Beyond the core, Tier 4–6 highlights reliable vets, upside swings, and guarded risk, including Siakam, Ingram and Kawhi when healthy, with MPJ, Ausar and the Thompson duo in rising positions. Tier 9–10 provides late-round depth and streaming options like Aldama, Gordon, Murray, Kuminga, and Hauser, guiding late-draft risk with high-upside targets and safe holds for points formats.

Draft strategy centers on securing one or two Tier 1–2 anchors while weaving in multi-cat contributors from Tier 3 and 4 to balance scoring, rebounds and assists. In season, monitor health, role clarity, and the shifting pecking order as teams adjust to new rotations and coaching staffs, then ride the hot hand for streaming spots and value trades.