Yahoo’s top-10 for 9-cat fantasy basketball is out, led by Nikola Jokic at No. 1. Giannis Antetokounmpo sat at No. 2, with Victor Wembanyama at No. 3 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at No. 4. Luka Dončić sits at No. 5, followed by Anthony Edwards, Cade Cunningham, Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Domantas Sabonis completing the top 10. The host argues Jokic’s multi-category supremacy makes him a safe, productivity-saturated anchor, while projecting upside and risk across the board for the rest. Giannis’ placement sparks debate due to severe free-throw penalties in nine-category formats, making him a mid-first-round pick in some builds. Wembanyama’s ceiling is enormous, but he’s not a foolproof path in every format, especially if you’re not punting certain categories. The discussion then pivots to building around the big names with eye-catching durability, with attention paid to how health, games played, and category emphasis shape value for Edwards, Cunningham, Davis, Towns, and Sabonis. The host also dives into scoring profiles, field-goal efficiency, and the tricky balance between punting and balancing categories in both nine-cat and roto setups, offering practical draft-landing zones and pairing strategies for a season that demands both steady floor and ceiling bets.

The NBA schedule drop sets the table for a season of fireworks and storylines. Kevin Durant returns to Phoenix, adding immediate scoring and playmaking gravity as Houston visits the Suns early in the year. Anthony Davis comes home to Los Angeles, a moment that could load the Lakers with momentum and lend AD a chance to jump-start a strong counting-stats run. Dallas’ rookie Cooper Flag is thrust into a brutal, mileage-heavy January pace, while Luka Dončić anchors the Mavericks amid a national TV era that complicates rest planning. Rival Week injects tension with Embiid vs. George and a push to build fresh rivalries, all while the league juggling Peacock, Prime, ESPN and NBC makes watching games a puzzle for fantasy managers. Across the board, fantasy players should prioritize KD, AD and Luka as bedrock assets, monitor Flag’s workload in the opening stretch, and seek upside from supporting casts in favorable matchups as the schedule demands thoughtful rostering and timing.

In the latest episode, the discussion heated up following the news of a major trade involving Luka Dončić, who was moved to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. This move has significant implications for the NBA landscape, with Luka joining the historic franchise and the impact it could have on both teams' future. It's evident that the league's dynamics will shift, placing additional focus on the Lakers and their championship aspirations, while the Mavericks need to regroup following the loss of their star player.

The panel expressed mixed emotions, with some embracing the idea of Luka in L.A. as a potential game-changer, while others noted concerns regarding his defense and conditioning. The conversation then touched on various factors surrounding the trade, including the historical significance of having a European superstar like Luka in a major market and how this will influence the NBA's cultural narrative moving forward.

The latest discussions surrounding the Dallas Mavericks highlight rising star Cooper Flagg, who delivered an impressive 31-point performance at the summer league. His ability to drive to the basket and willingness to draw fouls reflect his potential impact on the Mavericks' roster, though questions linger about how he fits alongside existing talent like Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. The Mavericks seem to be at a crossroads—balancing immediate success with the long-term development of young players.

The Warriors, meanwhile, have remained stagnant in offseason moves, raising concerns about their competitiveness. A key focus is Jonathan Kuminga, whose development is crucial as the team navigates an aging core. His potential role as a versatile player remains under discussion, with implications for how the team structures its game plan moving forward. The overall sentiment reflects a cautious optimism for the Mavericks and a more uncertain outlook for the Warriors in the upcoming season.