Emirates NBA Cup returns with a knockout arc that rewards depth, health, and late-season momentum. LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo are the Cup’s marquee legacy figures, while Thunder and Pacers illustrate how a strong Cup run can fuel playoff climbs. The 30-team format unfolds Oct 31 through December, with group play feeding eight advancing teams and a knockout phase culminating in a Dec 16 final in Las Vegas. NBC and Peacock will carry marquee showdowns, including a Halloween doubleheader: Celtics vs. 76ers and Lakers vs. Grizzlies, signaling a playoff-minded energy around the sport. The slate features high-profile matchups to watch—Paolo Banchero vs. Franz Wagner against Paul George and Joel Embiid—alongside ongoing duels like Magic–76ers and Bucks–Knicks, plus Mavericks at Lakers and Warriors at Nuggets—transforming Cup results into immediate fantasy implications for the spring.

EuroBasket 2025 showcases 20 NBA-connected stars in a condensed, high-stakes field, led by Nikola Jokic, Luka Dončić, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The ranking blends production with ceiling, spotlighting how international form could bleed into next season’s fantasy value. Sandro Mamukelashvili anchors Georgia’s offense, while Franz Wagner and Alperen Şengün appear on a sharp rise as versatile scorers. Kristaps Porziņģis’ health and Lauri Markkanen’s shooting range loom large for their respective teams. The piece also weighs Dončić’s brand of pace, Jokic’s all-around supremacy, and Giannis’ supercharged impact, mapping a path to potential fantasy dividends across both European and NBA rosters.

Beyond the top trio, the list emphasizes players who can push into perennial All-NBA conversations with expanded roles: Sengün as a playmaking big, Vlatko Čančar/Porziņģis as two-way hubs, and Avdija as a two-way wing who could anchor Portland’s growth. It highlights France’s depth with Coulibaly and Risacher, Serbia’s Bogdanović and Jokič-like offensive gravity, and Spain’s Santi Aldama as a shooting big on a frontline ready for primetime. In sum, the EuroBasket 2025 slate offers a blueprint for fantasy-believers scouting breakout potential, injury risk, and roster-fit as players cross the Atlantic for the 2025-26 season.

Franz Wagner nailed a breakout season for Orlando, averaging 20+ points in 60 games and showcasing a versatile two-way toolkit that signals stardom. He posted 24.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists on 46.3% shooting, a well-rounded 2024-25 line that elevated his role beyond a second option behind Paolo Banchero.

In the playoffs, Wagner carried more of the scoring load with 25.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists across five games, validating the trust he earned from Magic coaches and fantasy managers alike. Boston’s defense stifled Orlando in the series, but Wagner’s trajectory remains crystal: a high-usage, efficient wing with multi-category upside who should see even bigger responsibilities as Orlando builds around him and Banchero. Dennis Schroder’s praise underscores Wagner’s ceiling, a trait that international and NBA evaluators alike expect to translate into a true star in the coming seasons, provided health cooperates and the Magic continue to optimize around his skill set. The EuroBasket hail and Olympic performances further fuel the narrative of a perimeter caller who can swing games with scoring, playmaking and length on both ends. Fantasy managers should monitor his efficiency trends, injury status and ever-improving decision-making as he nears the next leap in usage and value.

Luka Doncic’s off-season conditioning push and a fresh max contract with the Lakers set a high-stakes stage for 2025-26. Even at a trimmer moment, he was a fantasy force after the February move, posting 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists on average, and leading the playoffs with 41.6 minutes per game. That usage, combined with a new chapter in LA, signals a continued fantasy ceiling that could stay sky-high if workload and efficiency align.

In a EuroBasket tune-up, he logged 24 minutes for Slovenia, tallying 19 points, 3 boards and 5 assists on efficient shooting (5-for-11, 3-for-6 from deep; 6-for-13 at the line). Franz Wagner shined for Germany with 18 in 17 minutes. The narrative stresses the offseason body work isn’t about playoff losses but whether the new frame translates into bigger, sustainable production for Doncic in LA.

Fantasy managers should watch how the Lakers deploy Doncic—usage and minutes will likely stay elite, but any signs of maintenance or load management could tweak upside and risk. The conditioning arc hints at durability, making his already extraordinary ceiling even more intriguing for 2025-26. With the Lakers backing him, Doncic remains a top target in both dynasty and redraft—health permitting.

Franz Wagner’s EuroBasket showing hints at a rising wing for Orlando, while Doncic anchors LA’s high-pace offense. The season’s rhythm and schedule will test endurance, but the upside for fantasy totals remains immense if minutes stay high and shot volume stays elite.

Luka Doncic recently signed a lucrative three-year, $165 million extension with the Los Angeles Lakers before heading to Europe for the EuroBasket tournament. In Slovenia's first warm-up game against Germany, Doncic showcased his improved physique, scoring 19 points on 5-of-11 shooting, including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. He also contributed five assists and three rebounds, demonstrating his trademark playmaking skills despite the team's 103-89 loss.

Slovenia's next challenge will be against the same German team on Sunday. Doncic's performance is a promising indicator of his readiness for the competitive tournament starting August 27. His ability to make highlight-worthy passes and maintain effective shooting percentages shows he is in excellent form, crucial for Slovenia's aspirations in the upcoming international competition.