Max Kulish outlines punt strategies for 2025-26 fantasy basketball, showing how punting threes, FT%, FG%, or assists reshapes rosters and boosts value when a category is skipped. He lists prime targets per build, weighs risk against upside, and highlights sleepers who gain prominence as soon as a category is punted.

Focus areas include: punting threes to lean into big men and mid-range efficiency, punting FT% around Giannis-like anchors, punting FG% with high-volume shooters, and punting assists by avoiding high-assist playmakers. Concrete targets and situational picks drive actionable drafting plans for savvy rosters.

Golden State remains Steph-centric, blend­ing a veteran core with a youthful, high-IQ cast as Curry defies age and carries the championship window. The piece frames a two-timeline path—with Kuminga, Podziemski, Moody, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Wiseman growing around Curry while Kerr shepherds the process toward sustained contention.

Roster alchemy underlines the plan: Wiggins-for-Butler drama, Green’s extended stay, Horford’s deal, and a culture that prizes leadership and durability. Fantasy angles scream: Curry stays elite, Kuminga and Podziemski offer breakout upside, and Moody/Wiseman bring versatile fits as the Warriors chase another title run.

Bottom line for fantasy: Curry’s production remains the constant, while the young core and vets around him provide ceiling-raising possibilities as the two timelines concept plays out.

New Orleans enters 2025-26 chasing health and cohesion. Zion Williamson must stay on the floor to unlock a high-velocity offense built around him, with Jordan Poole providing instant offense and a retooled supporting cast ready to boost defense from Herb Jones and playmaking from the rookies. If Williamson delivers 70 games and a playmaking jump, the Pelicans surge into the top-10 of the league's pace and scoring, elevating fantasy ceilings across Poole, Murphy, and Jones.

The plan hinges on durability and timing. Murray is out until January, the defense must improve, and the pack of new faces must gel quickly. The over/under sits at 30.5 wins, but a healthy Zion paired with a leap from Murphy and efficient shooting from Poole could push the Pelicans into meaningful postseason contention and create splashy DFS opportunities as lineup rotations settle.

Fantasy takeaway: monitor Zion’s health trajectory, Poole’s usage, and Murphy’s continued two-way breakout. If the backcourt clicks, New Orleans could sport a rare blend of high-scoring games and defensive stops, translating into steady daily fantasy value and upside in tournament formats.

New Orleans enters 2025-26 with Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones healthy and ready to anchor a potent Pelicans core. The addition of Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey adds burst and shooting, while Kevon Looney brings in-the-paint defense and rebounding. Draft picks Yves Missi and Derik Queen offer upside, and Jose Alvarado provides energy off the bench. If the health trend holds, New Orleans can again contend for a playoff spot in a deep West.

But health remains the variable. An Opening Night absence for Dejounte Murray and a tough early schedule could delay chemistry-building and push the team into a rugged early patch. If the roster stays cohesive and Poole/Bey translate into efficient offense, the Pelicans could reclaim momentum in November and push for a late-season run, despite the absence of a 2026 first-round pick complicating long-term assets.