Hawks fans finally have a pivot point for the upcoming season: Kristaps Porzingis should space the floor and protect the rim, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels add two-way versatility. If Jaylen Johnson can stay healthy, Atlanta’s defensive identity could finally lead the way, turning last year’s near-miss into a playoff surge in a wide-open East. Porzingis’s health is the wild card, but even 50-60 games unlocks a higher ceiling and more lineups Trey Young can thrive behind.

Beyond Atlanta, the pod recaps two other playoff pivots. Dallas bets on frontcourt defense and Cooper Flagg’s ascent to supplement Kyrie Irving and a healthier Anthony Davis–D’Angelo Russell pairing in L.A., with Porzingis watching from ATL as a contrasting path. Philadelphia’s path hinges on Tyrese Maxi’s growth supplementing Embiid and Paul George’s fit if healthy. San Antonio leans into Victor Wembanyama and Dylan Harper to push back toward the postseason, making the West’s chase even more crowded.

The NBA schedule drop sets the table for a season of fireworks and storylines. Kevin Durant returns to Phoenix, adding immediate scoring and playmaking gravity as Houston visits the Suns early in the year. Anthony Davis comes home to Los Angeles, a moment that could load the Lakers with momentum and lend AD a chance to jump-start a strong counting-stats run. Dallas’ rookie Cooper Flag is thrust into a brutal, mileage-heavy January pace, while Luka Dončić anchors the Mavericks amid a national TV era that complicates rest planning. Rival Week injects tension with Embiid vs. George and a push to build fresh rivalries, all while the league juggling Peacock, Prime, ESPN and NBC makes watching games a puzzle for fantasy managers. Across the board, fantasy players should prioritize KD, AD and Luka as bedrock assets, monitor Flag’s workload in the opening stretch, and seek upside from supporting casts in favorable matchups as the schedule demands thoughtful rostering and timing.