Steph Curry’s era in Golden State remains the anchor, but the Warriors pushed to maximize the window by eyeing a high-end upgrade around him. Talks with Derrick White never materialized, as Boston’s tax concerns and asset gap kept Jaylen Brown and White off the table. Fantasy managers should notice the underlying thesis: GS wants elite floor spacing and on-ball defense to sustain Curry’s elite efficiency, even as the guard rotation evolves.

Team USA memories from last summer surfaced again, with White praising Curry’s Olympic surge and Curry delivering key moments in the gold-medal run. The broader rumor mill tied into a cascade of 3&D guards across the league, spotlighting players like White and Bridges as potential fits, while Celtics moves to trim tax burdens helped seal the reality that big trades for Brown or White were never close. Fantasy impact centers on who anchors the spacing and who benefits from Curry’s gravity.

Meanwhile, the Celtics’ pivot around Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis reshaped the East narrative, while Curry’s partners—whether on-court rookies stepping up or veterans absorbing more creation—will define fantasy ceilings. The Olympic glow hinted at Curry’s late-career prime still humming, but the forward-looking question remains: which complementary guard rises to unlock the next chapter of Curry’s scoring machine?

EuroBasket 2025 showcases 20 NBA-connected stars in a condensed, high-stakes field, led by Nikola Jokic, Luka Dončić, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The ranking blends production with ceiling, spotlighting how international form could bleed into next season’s fantasy value. Sandro Mamukelashvili anchors Georgia’s offense, while Franz Wagner and Alperen Şengün appear on a sharp rise as versatile scorers. Kristaps Porziņģis’ health and Lauri Markkanen’s shooting range loom large for their respective teams. The piece also weighs Dončić’s brand of pace, Jokic’s all-around supremacy, and Giannis’ supercharged impact, mapping a path to potential fantasy dividends across both European and NBA rosters.

Beyond the top trio, the list emphasizes players who can push into perennial All-NBA conversations with expanded roles: Sengün as a playmaking big, Vlatko Čančar/Porziņģis as two-way hubs, and Avdija as a two-way wing who could anchor Portland’s growth. It highlights France’s depth with Coulibaly and Risacher, Serbia’s Bogdanović and Jokič-like offensive gravity, and Spain’s Santi Aldama as a shooting big on a frontline ready for primetime. In sum, the EuroBasket 2025 slate offers a blueprint for fantasy-believers scouting breakout potential, injury risk, and roster-fit as players cross the Atlantic for the 2025-26 season.

In the Orlando bubble, the Boston Celtics handed the Memphis Grizzlies a 122-107 defeat that stalled Memphis’ playoff-clinching push. Boston rode a steady surge after an uneven restart, stretching a four-game win streak as the league moved toward the postseason. Memphis’ setback leaves them needing another win to secure their spot, heightening the pressure as seeding games wind down.

Ja Morant framed Memphis as an underdog in every remaining game, stressing a fight-for-every-lane mentality. Boston’s Kemba Walker praised the team’s growth and the cohesion on a movement-heavy night, while Brad Stevens stressed urgency with playoffs looming. The matchup illuminated the contrast between two rising cores and highlighted how rest and rhythm can shape outcomes in these restart-era games.

Lakers and Mavericks kick off the 2025-26 season with a seismic shift: Luka Doncic has moved to Los Angeles and signed a three-year extension, reshaping playoff expectations and fantasy ceilings in one fell swoop. A late-November Emirates Cup group-stage clash between the two teams is expected to be a marquee start, with West Group B also featuring the Clippers, Grizzlies and Pelicans. Doncic’s arrival immediately raises the Lakers’ offensive gravity while LeBron’s veteran reliability keeps LA’s scheme dynamic, complicating early-season lineups for fantasy managers.

Dallas eyes a formidable frontcourt upgrade with Cooper Flagg in the mix, a development that could temper Doncic’s usage while expanding the Mavericks’ ceiling in big-man lineups. The Emirates Cup format injects international intrigue and compact scheduling into the opening weeks, offering real-time reads on pace, rotation depth, and rest dynamics. LeBron remains a cornerstone, but Doncic’s volume-driven engine could steer early-season DFS and season-long priorities as the West’s power balance skews toward two superstars and a young, ambitious supporting cast.

Across West Group B, the Lakers, Mavericks, Clippers, Grizzlies and Pelicans will collide for early group-stage momentum, setting tone for seeding and cross-league betting angles. fantasy managers should expect high-scoring games with heavy minutes, potential rest days, and tactical adjustments as teams dial in rotations. The piece signals a season where veteran durability meets youthful upside, with Doncic anchoring the drama and fantasy calculus from opening night onward.

Dave Shetsky’s artistic journey through Chicago sports captures the emotional essence of athletes across decades, particularly evident in his portraits of Derrick Rose and Mike Ditka. From Rose’s MVP season with the Chicago Bulls to his current stint with the Memphis Grizzlies, Shetsky’s work reflects the burdens and triumphs of these iconic figures.

Shetsky’s deep appreciation for the personal struggles of these athletes shines through in his art. He emphasizes the human side of sports, illustrating not just the athletic prowess but also the vulnerabilities of figures like Rose, who often felt the sting of public scrutiny. His portraits portray athletes in moments of both introspection and joy, celebrating their humanity while acknowledging the pressures they bear.