Cavaliers throttle Pistons in preseason, flashing a stifling defensive identity as they roll to their first win. Mobley anchors the paint with three blocks and two steals, Mitchell shines offensively with 17 points and trio of steals, and Allen adds 15 as Cleveland clamped Detroit. Lonzo Ball impressed off the bench with three blocks, signaling a cohesive defensive fit in Cleveland. The result hints at a top-tier D again in 2025-26, ahead of Opening Night vs New York.

With Ball replacing Ty Jerome and a strengthening defensive backbone, Cleveland’s depth looks ready to support a repeat of elite rim protection and disruptive play. The early test comes on Oct. 22 at MSG against the Knicks, a potential East showdown that could set the tone for the Cavs’ regular-season trajectory.

Denver’s preseason twist features Jokic at power forward paired with Jonas Valanciunas in a two‑big look. The early sample was rocky—five possessions, four points, 80 offensive rating—but Adelman stresses it’s a Band‑Aid moment to test spacing and timing. The experiment leans on high‑low action, with Watson, Braun and Strawther providing length and drive to mix with the bigs.

Defensively, Adelman explores a zone with both centers at the bottom, aiming to angle rotations and protect against interior mismatches. The plan mirrors Houston’s Sengun–Adams template but remains a work in progress as Denver dials in how to space and execute with this unconventional frontline.

Jason Kidd signed a multiyear extension with Dallas as the season opens against San Antonio, signaling stability after a turbulent 2024-25. The move comes as Dallas navigates a post-trade rebuild and health questions around their core.

Dallas traded Luka Dončić to the Lakers in February 2025 for Anthony Davis, endured Kyrie Irving injuries, and clawed into the Play-In before a lottery win brought Cooper Flagg. Flagg joins a retooled frontcourt with Davis, Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford, while D’Angelo Russell handles the ball until Irving’s status is resolved. Health and defense shape the ceiling.

With Flagg, Davis and Lively II anchoring the frontcourt and veteran wings like Klay Thompson and Max Christie in the fold, Dallas aims for a top defensive profile and a postseason push if Irving returns healthy. Early schedule versus the Spurs could set the tone for a compact West sprint and fantasy relevance across multiple lineups.

LaMelo Ball staying healthy could unlock Charlotte’s ceiling in a crowded East. Early signals show a healthier Ball thriving with Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel on the wings, hinting at offensive efficiency when Ball is supported by budding playmakers. The defense, still a concern with key defenders out to open the season, could determine whether the Hornets flirt with a play-in bid or drift into rebuild territory.

The Hornets’ offseason brought depth and shooting, including Collin Sexton and Spencer Dinwiddie, while drafting Knueppel and Kalkbrenner to anchor a more versatile frontline. The coming weeks will reveal whether Charlotte buys at the deadline or leans into its young core, with Ball’s health and defense shaping the gap between optimism and frustration.