NBA insiders spot a wave of high-upside arrivals that could bend fantasy value this season. Durant joins Houston as a trusted closer, Bane slides into Orlando to lift the Magic’s 3-point game, and Cameron Johnson lands in Denver to pair with Jokic and boost spacing. Ayton’s move to the Lakers adds interior punch, Porzingis shores up Atlanta’s defense and floor spacing, while Beal and Powell provide seasoned scoring depth in L.A. and Miami. Dylan Harper and Edgecombe enter as rookies and wings poised to surprise, with Mike Brown’s Knicks and a reshaped supporting cast stirring the mix.

Coaching swaps, new surrounding casts, and the year’s top rookies reshape roles across the board. Expect big swings in top-line usage, late-round breakouts, and a few surprise fantasy risers as the 2025-26 season unfolds. This preview highlights the new paths for impact players and where fantasy managers should look for late-season leverage.

The Lakers are stacking around Luka Dončić with Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart, while weighing Maxi Kleber’s future. Rob Pelinka surveys a trade-deadline window, aiming to add Gabe Vincent and Kleber on expiring deals to boost shooting and defense without destabilizing Dončić’s comfort zone. The plan hinges on a precise balance of upside and chemistry, with a February move likely to define the ceiling of this duo-anchored core.

Vincent alongside Kleber could unlock spacing for Dončić’s playmaking, while Ayton provides rim protection and finishing at the rim. If Pelinka preserves Dončić’s happiness, he may hesitate to move Kleber midseason, but both expiring contracts keep the Lakers active in pursuit of a true rotation upgrade.