Harper steps into a bigger role as Fox’s hamstring lingers, and ESPN hints he may be cleared for the opener while Fox may miss time. If Fox sits, Harper becomes the de facto lead guard with Castle, while Wembanyama spaces the floor and drives the Spurs’ pace. San Antonio’s guard depth will be tested early, with McLaughlin and Johnson ready to spell the youth movement as the team pursues seeding in a tough Western race.

Cooper Flagg headlines the 2025-26 Topps Basketball rookie class as the Mavericks prepare for the season, named the cover athlete in the NBA’s first exclusive trading-card deal since 2009-10. Boxes start at $109.99 and feature autographs with Flagg, Victor Wembanyama, and other rookies, signaling fresh fantasy hype around the class.

Early camp buzz centers on Flagg’s ceiling and a potential role in DAL’s rotation, while veteran-storylines around Anthony Davis and Daniel Gafford shape the health and depth picture for Dallas. The Topps rollout heightens player-tracking for fantasy managers who chase rookie breakout candidates and post-draft card-market momentum.

Cooper Flagg arrives in Dallas as the top pick, projected to contribute immediately in a two-way role behind Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, with a pathway to steady fantasy production as a secondary scorer and defensive presence.

The 2025 class offers credible fantasy upside beyond Flagg: Ace Bailey in Utah provides immediate scoring punch, Kon Knueppel in Charlotte could lock in minutes, and Dylan Harper in San Antonio may see upticks with De’Aaron Fox out early. Sleeper bets like V.J. Edgecombe, Tre Johnson, Jeremiah Fears and Khaman Maluach depend on opportunity, but carry meaningful late-round upside for savvy rosters.