NBA opening week spotlight centers on Victor Wembanyama’s healthy return and Zion Williamson’s best conditioning in years, with LeBron James sidelined early for the Lakers and Kyrie Irving ramping up for Dallas. Injury updates ripple across the league: Embiid’s knee uncertainty, Garland’s early absence, Morant’s ankle risk, and the evolving workloads for Porzingis, Ball, and Markkanen. Fantasy managers should prep for early heat checks, rotation shuffles, and opportunistic adds as stars scale into the season.

Philly pivots from last season’s chaos toward youth and athleticism. Embiid’s health and minutes loom as the defining risk, while a reshaped supporting cast—Edgecombe, Broome, Edwards—adds upside alongside Maxey’s growing two-way impact. Re-signings and shrewd, cheap adds hint at a faster, deeper rotation. If Embiid returns to form and health cooperates, the 2025-26 Sixers could contend, but durability remains the big question mark.

The fallout is a real fantasy pivot: younger wings with two-way potential, a better defensive profile, and a path to bigger minutes for Edgecombe and the two-way guards. The plan hinges on health and consistency, turning a nightmare season into a springboard for a more versatile, playoff-ready roster.

Dominick Barlow is pushing for a standard deal with the 76ers, earning a rotation look from coach Nick Nurse as training camp unfolds. His 12 points and 9 rebounds in the latest exhibition highlight a pathway to minutes if Watford's hamstring and George's recovery keep forward depth thin.

With Embiid and George resting, takeaways were modest, but Nurse framed Barlow as the type who could seize a real role: the best option at the five when he plays, and a high-effort, study-first grinder who shows up early and attacks every opportunity.

One final preseason tune-up against Minnesota on Oct. 17 could clinch the case for a rotation spot and perhaps a contract conversion, depending on how he follows up his strong camp showing.