Ballmer bought the Clippers in 2014 with bold, championship dreams. Leonard arrived amid a blockbuster era that included the George trade and a culture of secrecy, scrutiny and league probes that reshaped the franchise.

Even with 50-win seasons, injuries and sponsorship disputes hung over the team as it chased a title. For fantasy managers, Leonard's health, Beal and Harden fit, and cap maneuvers loom large this season.

Jalen Williams aims to preserve All-NBA status, grow as a primary scorer, and boost two-way impact as Oklahoma City eyes back-to-back glory. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren extending their deals, the Thunder keep their championship window wide open. Williams' three targets—steady 20+ PPG production, more trips to the line, and DPOY-level defense—could redefine OKC’s ceiling this season.

Expect Williams to lean into volume efficiency, draw fouls at a higher rate, and anchor a defense that was already disruptive. If he hits the mark, OKC becomes a true title frontrunner and fantasy managers reap a premium, all-around contributor who fuels both offense and defense.

Defenses harden and isolation is fading as the NBA tilts toward ball movement, pace, and floor-spreading shooting. Celtics, Pacers, and OKC show how cutting, movement, and shared scoring unlocks offenses that torched defenses this season. Even Lakers-style heavy big-three rosters like Suns, Nets, and Clippers paid a playoff price when isolation carried too much weight. Raptors glimpse a future built on chemistry and multi-weapon scoring, not one star.

For fantasy, the shift favors versatile shooters and playmakers who can contribute off the ball. Target players who thrive in off-ball movement, catch-and-shoot opportunities, and rapid ball-sharing—less reliant on individual isolations and more on team-driven offense and pace.

Oklahoma City Thunder sit at the top of a strongly contending West in 2026, with Denver, Houston, and Minnesota close behind as the field shapes up. In the East, Cleveland and New York are locks, Orlando is primed for a big leap after bold moves, and Detroit, Atlanta, and the Bucks jockey for position behind them. The Lakers, Clippers, Spurs, and Warriors hover as plausible playoff entrants; the Spurs–Warriors debate sticks the bubble in a tight race. For fantasy, Sengun and Amen Thompson pop as breakout bets in Houston, Durant redefines load in a revamped Rockets roster, and superstars like LeBron and Doncic carry heavy workloads on star-studded teams.

The piece emphasizes risk and opportunity: high-usage stars will bear heavy minutes, rest plans loom for veterans, and rising young cores could flip standings. Desmond Bane’s move, Porzingis’ fit, and the continued evolution of Orlando’s engine around Banchero, Wagner, and Suggs create structural shifts that fantasy managers can exploit, from ceiling plays to reliable floor leaders.