Orlando Magic showcase a flood of young depth as Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. anchor the frontcourt, while Jalen Suggs’s injury opens minutes for Anthony Black and the rest of the guard corps. Goga Bitadze and Tristan da Silva mix scoring with rim protection, and Jase Richardson chips in timely putbacks as Orlando builds rotation clarity. Miami Heat lean on Pelle Larsson, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Ethan Thompson and Precious Achiuwa to spark offense, testing their bench options early in the preseason.

Fantasy angles center on Wagner’s usage ramp, Black’s early integration, and Carter’s continued production in the post. For Miami, Larsson’s shooting spark and Jaquez Jr.’s rising role deserve watchful optimism, while the Heat assess wing depth with Myron Gardner, Keshad Johnson and Jahmir Young.

The game hints at early-season narratives: Suggs’ injury could accelerate Magic guard rotations; Orlando’s interior chemistry remains key; Miami’s secondary scoring options will shape daily lineups as rosters settle in.

NBA GM Survey signals strong optimism for Oklahoma City, with 80% naming the Thunder as champions and 87% selecting them as West champs. Nikola Jokic is the MVP favorite (67%), while Victor Wembanyama dominates rookie talks and the franchise-start vote (83%). Amen Thompson is pegged as a breakout (30%), Durant to Houston leads offseason moves, and Damian Lillard’s waiver is a jaw-dropper. Curry as the league’s top leader sparks debate. The tax-apron rule is the hot roster-management topic. For fantasy, lean into OKC depth and Wembanyama’s impact, monitor Durant’s destination, and watch the evolving coaching landscape.

The league’s GM poll projects Oklahoma City Thunder to become the first repeat champ in nearly a decade, with Jokic pegged as the MVP favorite and Spoelstra as the top coach. Thunder lead the title odds, while Jokic’s international-MVP trend continues with a strong push for a fourth MVP in six years. The poll also signals rising squads (Orlando, Atlanta), veteran shooters (Curry), and rookie echoes (Flagg, Wembanyama), shaping early fantasy focus.