NBA opening week spotlight centers on Victor Wembanyama’s healthy return and Zion Williamson’s best conditioning in years, with LeBron James sidelined early for the Lakers and Kyrie Irving ramping up for Dallas. Injury updates ripple across the league: Embiid’s knee uncertainty, Garland’s early absence, Morant’s ankle risk, and the evolving workloads for Porzingis, Ball, and Markkanen. Fantasy managers should prep for early heat checks, rotation shuffles, and opportunistic adds as stars scale into the season.

Desmond Bane’s move to Orlando Magic forces Memphis to retool around a younger core, with Cedric Coward stepping in as a versatile wing alongside new veterans Ty Jerome and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey opening the season sidelined leaves Ja Morant carrying the early load, but the coach stresses the coming together of the injury-plagued lineup and the development path for Jaylen Wells.

Morant projects a steady leadership arc as the Grizzlies navigate an 82-game grind, banking on December returns to spark a late-season push. The motto speed kills frames the plan as Memphis leans on bench depth and a patient, process-driven approach, echoing a Celtics-like late surge but with a far different early injury timeline. The period sets up meaningful fantasy pivots and rotation battles.

In the long view, Memphis aims to survive the early stretch, develop young players, and accelerate once the stars are back. If health aligns, the team can flip the switch and reestablish their playoff trajectory, leveraging a strengthened veteran group to pace Morant’s high-tempo attack.