Top-tier pillars anchor the 2025-26 PF/SF fantasy tiers, led by Giannis and Davis, with LeBron still pushing elite point production. Paolo Banchero cars ahead as a LeBron-like multi-cat asset, and Durant remains a steady scorer despite a new home. Jalen Johnson, Barnes, Brown and Mobley offer versatile upside in Tier 2, while Zion, Bam and Jaren Jackson Jr. populate the All-Star caliber core in Tier 3. The tiers emphasize depth, floor, and upside for strong points-league builds into the draft.

Beyond the core, Tier 4–6 highlights reliable vets, upside swings, and guarded risk, including Siakam, Ingram and Kawhi when healthy, with MPJ, Ausar and the Thompson duo in rising positions. Tier 9–10 provides late-round depth and streaming options like Aldama, Gordon, Murray, Kuminga, and Hauser, guiding late-draft risk with high-upside targets and safe holds for points formats.

Draft strategy centers on securing one or two Tier 1–2 anchors while weaving in multi-cat contributors from Tier 3 and 4 to balance scoring, rebounds and assists. In season, monitor health, role clarity, and the shifting pecking order as teams adjust to new rotations and coaching staffs, then ride the hot hand for streaming spots and value trades.

EuroBasket moment: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Alperen Şengün bridged a tense social-media clash with a hug and a joint post, signaling a return to competitive focus as they head back to the NBA. The Greece-Turkey drama, including a controversial post and an Instagram Live moment, gave way to a public reconciliation that underlines how elite players manage international tensions without sacrificing their rivalry. Fantasy managers should watch how this calm translates to leadership and on-court usage once the season starts.

Germany beat Türkiye for the gold, but the Giannis-Şengün moment stands out as a study in how big-name stars navigate national pride and personal rivalry. Expect NBA teams to reap benefits from their renewed focus and potential off-court steadiness, with fantasy implications for minutes, usage, and leadership roles as the season approaches.