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.

Zion Williamson looked noticeably lighter and more fluid in his preseason traces, posting 15 points in 16 minutes on 5-for-8 shooting with 5 assists and 2 steals, a +10 in the Pelicans’ win. Murphy the Third contributed 18 in 19 minutes, underscoring a dynamic rookie-season pairing with Zion and a growing young core around New Orleans. The episode also highlights Suns-Lakers in a high-minute preseason clash and the Rockets’ search for a reliable fifth starter after Fred VanVleet’s injury, painting a portrait of a league-wide pivot toward youth, health, and depth that fantasy managers will want to monitor all preseason and into the regular season.

Pelicans fans have reason for cautious optimism: Zion’s weight loss could translate to fewer health hiccups and more sustained production, while Murphy’s scoring spark signals a versatile wing duo that could elevate the offense when Zion sits. The Suns are balancing star power with new pieces after Durant, probing guard depth and bench roles, while the Lakers test lineup balance with Bronny James and a mix of veterans. Across Houston, Sengun and a cadre of young talents are being asked to grow quickly as the Rockets chase late-season clarity on their rotation.

Fantasy readers should flag: Zion’s health trajectory, Murphy’s burst, Booker’s usage with new teammates, and Sengun’s evolving role in Houston. Preseason hints point to potential top-tier upside if health cooperates and rotations settle into solid, scalable roles. The league’s early signal is a season where youth and health could unlock value in multiple lineups.

Philadelphia at Tampa Bay delivered late drama as Barkley battled efficiency while Hurts and the Eagles scraped out a win to keep them undefeated. Barkley logged heavy volume but underwhelmed on the ground, a caution for managers expecting elite RB1 production even with workload. On the Tampa side, Bucky Irving erupted for 25.5 fantasy points, seizing the lead back role as Rashad White handled pass-down duties. Godwin commanded 10 targets with near-total route involvement, and Ibuka flashed with a big play, signaling a potential TB pass-game resurgence. AJ Brown drew heavy looks but produced modest yardage, underscoring the volatility in Philadelphia’s aerial attack and the broader theme of limited volume in this passing game.

Overall, the game reinforced a few fantasy pivots: Bucky Irving is a must-watch for TB’s backfield going forward; Godwin becomes a strong buy-low candidate given usage, while Brown’s volatility argues for a cautious stance and DeVonta Smith remains a boom-or-bust fixture. For the Eagles, Hurts will need more consistent second-half efficiency to sustain top-tier upside, but the team’s ability to win games despite uneven offense remains their hallmark.