Anthony Davis headlines a West loaded with questions: a 15‑pound rise and top‑75 chatter collide with Kyrie Irving’s health and the Lakers’ margin for error, testing fantasy projections on durability and usage. Golden State’s Kerr faces a similar crossroad as the core ages, while the Suns’ Beal‑Durant‑ Booker trio and Minnesota’s Edwards loom as key fantasy anchors in a crowded landscape. Morant’s availability and Markkanen’s role in Utah underscore the risk‑reward dynamic this season.

From roster‑fit debates to injury risk, the episode maps a West‑wide chessboard: who can sustain high usage, which teams endure absences, and where lottery teams might surprise with breakout players. The core takeaway for fantasy leagues: health, role clarity, and adaptability will drive value in a volatile, veteran‑leaning West.

A season shaped by lineup experimentation and health questions drops from media days to the fore. Kawhi Leonard’s Clippers loom under an NBA probe trail, while Denver teases two-big center lineups around Jokic. Durant signals long-term Houston commitment, and Ayton joins LA in an opportunity-heavy frame with LeBron and Luka in the mix. Cleveland bets on Mobley’s ascent and a tougher, more forceful identity, while Detroit bets on Ivy and Asar to unlock growth.

Fantasy folks should track minutes, page counts, and how coaches deploy jumbo lineups and off-ball shooters. The narrative around Giannis, Turner, and a reshaped Bucks roster raises ceiling questions; Warriors face age and chemistry questions; and the Pistons and Cavaliers present dynamic breakout paths as we move toward opening night.

Old Man Squad’s preseason session leans into an efficiency-first fantasy blueprint, weighing Anthony Davis as a high-upside first-round bet despite injury risk and pairing him with Evan Mobley for a dominant, efficient backbone. Desmond Bane emerges as a safe third-round floor, while OG Anunoby and Deni Avdija offer upside at reasonable costs. The duo also roams through Thompson twins Amen and Ausar, plus promising late-round flyers such as Jalen Suggs, Shane Sharp, Scoot Henderson, D’Angelo Russell, Cam Johnson, Bruce Brown, and Donovan Clingan to craft versatile rosters.

The conversation centers on punting a few categories strategically, optimizing field-goal and free-throw efficiency, and leveraging defense-heavy tracks to win turnovers and blocks. Mock drafts fuel their planning, but the core takeaway is to build around efficient contributors who can shoulder multi-category loads, while keeping explosive upside in reserve for late-round swing bets.