Oklahoma City Thunder sit at the top of a strongly contending West in 2026, with Denver, Houston, and Minnesota close behind as the field shapes up. In the East, Cleveland and New York are locks, Orlando is primed for a big leap after bold moves, and Detroit, Atlanta, and the Bucks jockey for position behind them. The Lakers, Clippers, Spurs, and Warriors hover as plausible playoff entrants; the Spurs–Warriors debate sticks the bubble in a tight race. For fantasy, Sengun and Amen Thompson pop as breakout bets in Houston, Durant redefines load in a revamped Rockets roster, and superstars like LeBron and Doncic carry heavy workloads on star-studded teams.

The piece emphasizes risk and opportunity: high-usage stars will bear heavy minutes, rest plans loom for veterans, and rising young cores could flip standings. Desmond Bane’s move, Porzingis’ fit, and the continued evolution of Orlando’s engine around Banchero, Wagner, and Suggs create structural shifts that fantasy managers can exploit, from ceiling plays to reliable floor leaders.

Jordan Goodwin returns to Phoenix Suns on waivers, bringing grit, defense, and a reliable second-unit presence. The low-cost addition is designed to anchor on-ball pressure and stabilize lineups behind Devin Booker and the Suns' growing youth core. Success hinges on improved shooting and playmaking, but his defensive impact and rebounding provide immediate value in a roster built for 2-way versatility.

Projected role centers on a tempo guard who can guard ones and twos, push in transition, and reset the offense without forcing action. If the jumper improves and decision-making stays solid, Goodwin can carve out a meaningful rotation spot; if not, his minutes may stay limited despite the upside.

Los Angeles Lakers No. 7 traces Carmelo Anthony's late-career chapter with the purple and gold. In 2021-22 he contributed 13.3 points in 26 minutes per game, shooting 37.5% from deep and earning fan love, even as the fit was imperfect. His season culminated in a Hall of Fame induction, closing a storied arc that began long before his Lakers stint.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis anchored the roster, with Russell Westbrook added that summer to boost the second unit amid a roster rebuild around the core. The piece ties Melo’s Lakers run to a broader Lakers history, highlighting how veteran scorers can impact fantasy value in bursts and deepen the franchise’s legendary aura.

From a fantasy lens, Melo’s No. 7 era demonstrates how aging scorers can buoy late-season lineups with scoring bursts and league-wide name value, even when minutes are limited. The Lakers’ jersey lore thus intersects with practical streamer decisions for savvy managers.