Payton Pritchard embraces any role for Boston, stressing that winning trumps starting status. He’s positioned to spark the offense, lead a second wave, and share duties with Anfernee Simons as the Celtics pursue a title. His past first-quarter impact and improving playmaking suggest meaningful fantasy upside whether he enters as a sub or a starter.

With a contract locked through 27/28, Pritchard projects as a versatile cog who can sustain efficiency while taking on creation duties when teammates rest. The focus on pull-up threes, off-ball gravity, and screen-setting hints at a path to steady, flexible value for managers who balance floor time with usage in a crowded Boston backcourt.

The spark narrative underscores a season where role clarity, pace, and spacing drive wins. If Pritchard remains efficient and outspoken about team goals, he becomes a high-upside bench staple or late-rotation starter, delivering fantasy-relevant contributions in multiple lineups.

Al Horford arrives in Golden State at 39, bringing floor spacing, versatile defense, and veteran steadiness to a shifting roster. If he stays healthy and gels, he can lift Steph Curry’s driving lanes and ease Draymond Green’s defensive load, potentially offsetting the loss of Kevon Looney’s durability with a more flexible frontcourt.

His 2025 playoff efficiency underscores durability and impact, while Celtics peers spotlight his leadership and teammate chemistry. The risk is age and fit; if health falters or the rotation misaligns, it becomes a high-cost gamble on a late-career title bid.

Victor Wembanyama cracks ESPN’s top five for 2025-26, cementing his status as a franchise pillar. A healthy season after last year’s blood-clot scare and a summer of intense training—Garnett and Olajuwon on board—have analysts pegging him for elite scoring, rebounding, and rim protection. The Spurs surround him with a deeper lineup, led by De’Aaron Fox at point, plus rising youngsters Castle, Sochan and Harper, and veterans Vassell, Johnson, Barnes, and Olynyk. A tougher West awaits, but health and system chemistry could spark a playoff push and strong fantasy returns.

ESPN emphasizes Wembanyama’s 5x5 milestone and multi-category upside, underscoring a potential leap into the league’s elite while the Spurs build a competitive supporting cast. If he stays healthy, his usage, efficiency and defensive impact should fuel significant fantasy production, even as the Western grind tests consistency across a star-studded slate.

Center rotation for the Celtics remains unsettled after Porzingis exit and Horford/Kornet departures. Neemias Queta stands out as the most logical anchor to protect the rim, with Luka Garza pushing for minutes and Chris Boucher or Xavier Tillman, Sr. offering small-ball upside if Boston goes tempo-friendly. Early-season minutes will shape who starts and how Boston balances defense with floor-spacing, making early fantasy value volatile but with upside as the rotation stabilizes.