Cooper Flag headlines the rookie talk in fantasy basketball this season as minutes and role will decide his early value with Dallas. Dylan Harper sits behind a crowded backcourt and faces a slow ramp, while Victor Wembanyama is the marquee upside play whose usage should grow as the year goes on. Scoot Henderson remains the high-upside option in Portland, Ace Bailey and Cam Thomas offer late-round intrigue, and Brandon Miller adds late-season payoff potential for dynasty formats.

Rookies typically surge after the trade deadline, so be ready to raid the waiver wire. This class is not about immediate top-100 impact, but about dynasty gravity and late-roster upside that can swing formats with the right moves. Stay flexible and lean into opportunity-driven decisions as lineups evolve.

Utah's rebuild is front and center, focusing on a versatile, positionless lineup that blends veteran presence with a flood of high-ceiling rookies. Lauri Markkanen anchors a frontcourt that also features Walker Kessler, Taylor Hendricks, Kyle Filipowski, and Ace Bailey, with Lowry Markkanen’s cap situation shaping every move. On the backline, Keontae George, Isaiah Collier, Walter Clayton, and Bryce Sensabaugh vie for minutes, creating a dynamic mix of offense and development. The plan emphasizes rapid growth, depth across positions, and the flexibility to add talent around a potentially playoff-capable core. Fantasy managers should watch early minute allocation, guard rotation battles, and how the bigs maximize block-and-shoot potential as the season unfolds.

The NBA Summer League has kicked off, allowing fans to gather insights about upcoming talents and team strategies. Highlights from day one focus on standout performances, notably from VJ Edgecomb, who dazzled with 28 points and 10 rebounds in a close game between the Sixers and Jazz. His athleticism and scoring abilities were showcased, drawing attention to his potential as a valuable player.

Discussing other players, Ace Bailey showed promise despite a lackluster box score, demonstrating traits that suggest a bright future. The Thunder’s No. 12 pick, Noola Topic, also made an impression, hinting at his ability to enhance OKC’s offense. Both teams' performances reflect a mix of excitement and caution, as expectations from rookies are balanced with the reality of their ongoing development.