Ja Morant sprained his left ankle in practice and is week-to-week, delaying Memphis' preseason and start of the season. Scotty Pippen Jr. figures to carry primary playmaking duties as the Grizzlies navigate Morant’s absence and a thinner big-man group.

Injuries also loom: Jaren Jackson Jr. rehabbing turf toe, Zach Edey returning from ankle surgery, and Brandon Clarke sidelined with knee synovitis. Offseason moves reshaped the guard depth, with Desmond Bane traded to Orlando for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Anthony waived) and four first-round picks.

Memphis opens preseason vs Detroit and the regular season vs New Orleans on Oct. 22, a daunting start as Morant recovers and the rotation re-stabilizes.

Year-two players anchor the 2025-26 fantasy landscape, led by Donovan Clingan's late-season move into Portland's starting lineup and strong rebounding/blocks. Edey, Sarr and Ware project sustained frontcourt value with varying health and role risk, while Missi and Castle offer versatile multi-category floors.

A deeper cohort—Buzelis, George, Sheppard, Bona, Filipowski, Wells, McCain, Carrington, Dunn, Risacher, Collier, da Silva, Holland and Mitchell—could swing fantasy leagues with minutes and fit should roster changes unlock roles.

Victor Wembanyama reportedly grew to 7-4, a development that reshapes the Spurs’ defensive calculus and fans’ expectations as they pursue a playoff window in a strong Western Conference. The league’s height parade continues with Dereck Lively II nudging to 7-2/7-3, while a cadre of 7-footers—Bol Bol, Kristaps Porziņģis, and more—form a rare club atop the NBA height chart. Wembanyama remains the DPOY frontrunner as he returns from a shoulder clot and targets a bigger impact on both ends.

Sleepers outside the top 100 picks could redefine drafts this season. Porter Jr. projects heavy Bucks usage; Edey and Eason should push for meaningful minutes as teams lean on youth; Ivey and Buzelis carry multi-cat upside in pivotal seasons. Pritchard, Avdija and Nembhard add shooting, efficiency and playmaking while Giddey’s post‑All‑Star run hints at continued upside. The value ladder is dense and dynamic.

Pritchard, Avdija and Nembhard offer floor + upside; Giddey’s late surge is a reminder of ceiling. Reed Sheppard, Cam Camara, Scotty Pippen Jr., Whitmore and Morant’s Grizzlies cohort shape a rich late-round tapestry. Toumani Camara and Jaden Ivey anchor defensively and offensively, while Matas Buzelis blends 3-and-D upside with block potential.

Zach Edey will miss the start of his sophomore NBA season with the Memphis Grizzlies after ankle surgery, a six-to-nine week setback that delays his breakout potential for fantasy managers. Expect a cautious ramp, with load management baked in as he rebuilds his lift and conditioning.

The Purdue star impressed as a rookie—66 games, 9.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and a top-5 ROY finish—while leading college rebounding and earning All-Star weekend exposure. Off the court, a May speeding incident adds volatility to his profile, but his ceiling remains sky-high if he returns healthy.