Cooper Flagg steps onto an NBA court for Dallas in a preseason debut versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, signaling a bold pivot from the Luka Doncic era to a potential young centerpiece. Dallas will lean into development as Flagg acclimates to the grown-up game and the Mavericks’ rotation takes shape.

The showdown against defending champion OKC kicks off a 2025 preseason slate that also features the Hornets, Jazz, and Lakers for Dallas, while Oklahoma City tests its core of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren. TV and streaming details are provided for fans watching the action.

Jake LaRavia flashed in his Lakers debut, posting 10 points on 5-of-10 shooting with 3 assists and a steal in 20 minutes as he integrates into a star-filled rotation. He frames his role as a spacer who can also move off the ball, a fit alongside LeBron, Reaves, and a looming Luka-Doncic lineup dynamic. His 42.3% 3-point mark last season shows he can add reliable shooting to L.A.'s offense while offering defensive punch and energy.

With room to grow defensively and a high-motor approach, LaRavia could carve steady minutes behind the core and become a versatile piece in small-ball lineups. If his shooting translates and he stays disruptive on defense, he may elevate his role beyond a complementary piece, providing both spacing and hard-nosed defense for a Lakers squad eager to maximize perimeter versatility.

Los Angeles prep remains a work in progress as the Lakers navigate star-rest patterns with Doncic, James, and Reaves yet to share the court this camp. Sunday’s 111-103 loss to Golden State featured all three on the sideline, while Gabe Vincent stepped up with 16 points and Deandre Ayton contributed early. Coach JJ Redick preaches championship habits, pace, and physicality, chasing Kaizen—1% daily gains—across a shortened preseason slate. A week of practice remains before the Oct. 12 home tilt and the Oct. 21 opener.

With Curry and the Warriors resting veterans, the night underscored depth testing and the need for reliable fill-ins. The storylines center on workload management, ramp-ups for aging stars, and which role players will seize minutes in the early going. Fantasy managers should watch Vincent’s impact, Ayton’s early involvement, and how the Lakers balance star load with rapid, disciplined possession.

Austin Reaves steps into a lead role for the Lakers with LeBron James and Luka Dončić unlikely to play, as LA visits the Golden State Warriors in a Sunday preseason clash at Chase Center. Reaves followed a 20-point effort against Phoenix and could see heavy usage with James out, while Dalton Knecht also contributed 6 points and 6 rebounds, hinting at a potential early-season role for LA’s guard depth.

The Warriors open their own preseason slate and will use the game to test rotations. Tip is 8:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. PT) on ESPN, with Fubo and WatchESPN streaming options. For fantasy, monitor minutes and shot volume to gauge Reaves’ value and Knecht’s room to grow as LA experiments with its lineup.

In short, Reaves is the focal point for the Lakers’ early-offense, Knecht is a sneaky upside piece if his opportunities rise, and Golden State’s rotation tinkering could create live-value moments for DFS late in the game depending on how the minutes shake out.