Malcolm Brogdon stunned the NBA by retiring rather than reporting to the New York Knicks after a rough four-game preseason with New York. He cited a waning hunger and chose to walk away on his own terms, leaving the Knicks to navigate a non-guaranteed Exhibit-9 contract and a potential roster pivot before opening night. The move opens a door for Landry Shamet or Garrison Mathews if New York moves on from a young guard, reshaping guard depth in a rotation led by Brunson.

Brogdon leaves a nine-year résumé highlighted by Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, and a 50-40-90 season, with career earnings on the court around $132 million. His retirement creates a veteran void in New York while spotlighting how a veteran guard with injury history can impact a title-contending team’s path this season.

OKC Thunder's Loud City documentary arrives on NBA TV this Wednesday at 4 p.m. CT, led by Jalen Williams as narrator and chronicling the team’s championship journey toward the banner-raising night. The piece tees up the opening week of the 2025-26 season with behind-the-scenes moments and key stories that could influence early fantasy angles.

Thunder Wire will provide hourly live updates and quick after-coverage insights as Oklahoma City readies for the ring ceremony and the season opener, offering readers sharp takeaways on who might emerge in the rotation and how leadership dynamics could shift fantasy upside in the short term.

LeBron James, Chris Paul and Kyle Lowry join the NBA’s 20-year club, marking a watershed in longevity as the league leans into extended primes. James starts Year 23, Paul Year 21, and Lowry Year 20, each supported by bespoke training and recovery regimes that help them stay impactful amid wear and tear. The trio’s ascent mirrors a lineage of aging stars who redefine value beyond youth.

Old-school pillars Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Robert Parish, Kevin Willis, Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki and Vince Carter anchor a modern era framed by medical advances, nutrition, and tech. Lowry’s 76ers move and Paul’s 82-game year, plus Wembanyama’s nod to the elders, signal a future where durability and intellect pair with athleticism to shape fantasy and betting lanes.

Kevin Durant and Jeff Green, DMV roots from a closish 20-mile gap in Maryland, started as lottery kids in Seattle and now finish their careers as Rockets teammates. Durant remains a top-tier scorer in Year 19, while Green provides veteran steadiness and versatility as Houston leans on a young core. Their shared arc—from a rough, relocation-tainted rookie season to a potential late-career crown—frames a narrative of growth, mentorship, and durable excellence that fantasy players should track this season.