A season shaped by lineup experimentation and health questions drops from media days to the fore. Kawhi Leonard’s Clippers loom under an NBA probe trail, while Denver teases two-big center lineups around Jokic. Durant signals long-term Houston commitment, and Ayton joins LA in an opportunity-heavy frame with LeBron and Luka in the mix. Cleveland bets on Mobley’s ascent and a tougher, more forceful identity, while Detroit bets on Ivy and Asar to unlock growth.

Fantasy folks should track minutes, page counts, and how coaches deploy jumbo lineups and off-ball shooters. The narrative around Giannis, Turner, and a reshaped Bucks roster raises ceiling questions; Warriors face age and chemistry questions; and the Pistons and Cavaliers present dynamic breakout paths as we move toward opening night.

Lakers fantasy outlook centers on a hypothetical Luka Dončić–LeBron–Reeves–Ayton–Hachimura lineup, with heavy minutes and abundant playmaking.

Reeves remains undervalued in category leagues (Yahoo around 60, ESPN near 58, FanTracks around 45), offering upside even if Luka arrives.

LeBron’s aging, Ayton’s fit, and Smart/Rui rotation questions dominate the chatter; Luka’s top-five draft status stands, while LeBron remains a late-risk pick.

lineup disruption aside, the show weighs top targets (Luka, Reeves, Ayton) and how to approach LeBron in drafts given age and pace expectations.

The Philadelphia 76ers loom as the season’s biggest what-if, hinged on Embiid’s health and a volatile supporting cast. With McCain out, Maxi’s ascent, and Nurse steering a high-upside yet injury-prone path, Philly’s ceiling ranges from top-four East to missing the playoffs. Zion Williamson’s health also titrates major swings around the league, especially for the Pelicans. Other big questions bounce through the Lakers, Bucks, Clippers, Knicks, and a Giannis trade chatter that could redraw the East and beyond.

Beyond Philly, the discussion weighs Zion’s health, Ayton’s fit with LeBron and Doncic, Kawhi’s Clippers, and even a hypothetical Giannis midseason move that would flip the league’s entire power map. A potential JJ Reddick extension for the Lakers adds a layer of contract drama to an already combustible mix. The thread running through it all: health, fit, and bold moves could redefine playoff seeding and title odds in ways that fantasy managers must simulate now.

61 through 70 on the Top 100 fantasy board brings a health-tinged mix of sure bets and high-upside bets. Paul George sits in the injury-prone zone, while Deni Avdija could blossom with extra usage in Portland. Zach LaVine remains a reliable scoring anchor, Cam Thomas and Kobe White duke it out for guard upside, and Deandre Ayton looks primed for a productive Lakers setup. Nikola Vucevic, Julius Randle, and RJ Barrett offer solid floor with varying risk, while Kobe White and Scoot Henderson bring safer floors with room to grow. Zion Williamson looms as a high-usage engine in New Orleans, and Brandon Ingram anchors Toronto’s hypothetical, swingy mix. Emanuel Quickley, Scotty Barnes, and RJ Barrett cap the tier with multi-position appeal and distribution upside.