LAKERS upgrade with Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart, giving the roster a polished two-way core as LeBron continues to influence the championship window. Luka Doncic is in peak shape, while Austin Reaves faces a pivotal free-agent summer that could reshape the Lakers’ cap and core. San Antonio is watching closely, armed with De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell and Dylan Harper, signaling a serious backcourt rebuild. Reaves posted 20.2 PPG, 5.8 APG on 46% FG and 37.7% from deep last season.

Cooper Flagg headlines a deep 2025-26 rookie class, with Ace Bailey, Kon Knueppel, Dylan Harper, and Khaman Maluach poised for immediate fantasy impact. Flagg is projected to start for Dallas and contribute across points, rebounds, assists and defensive stats, while Jazz, Hornets, Spurs and Suns lean on rookies for early workload. Knueppel and Bailey offer reliable shooting and scoring floor, Harper carries exciting upside despite potential early limitations, and Maluach is a high-risk, high-reward rim protector with room to grow.

Jimmy Butler has reportedly pressed the Warriors to resolve Kuminga’s contract, asking for a concrete plan as training camp nears. He, Draymond Green and Curry are in the loop, but no deal is yet in place and time is tight.

The core dispute centers on Kuminga’s desire for a final-year player option, while Golden State counteroffers with a team option around $75M over three years (or $54M with no option). Until resolved, offseason targets like Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, Gary Payton II and Seth Curry are stalled, and Curry’s leadership remains a crucial factor as the clock ticks toward camp.

With camp set to open in less than two weeks, Kuminga must decide on the $7.9M qualifying offer or risk unrestricted free agency next summer, and the Warriors’ title window hangs in the balance as the star trio weighs front-office strategy against roster cohesion.

Top-tier pillars anchor the 2025-26 PF/SF fantasy tiers, led by Giannis and Davis, with LeBron still pushing elite point production. Paolo Banchero cars ahead as a LeBron-like multi-cat asset, and Durant remains a steady scorer despite a new home. Jalen Johnson, Barnes, Brown and Mobley offer versatile upside in Tier 2, while Zion, Bam and Jaren Jackson Jr. populate the All-Star caliber core in Tier 3. The tiers emphasize depth, floor, and upside for strong points-league builds into the draft.

Beyond the core, Tier 4–6 highlights reliable vets, upside swings, and guarded risk, including Siakam, Ingram and Kawhi when healthy, with MPJ, Ausar and the Thompson duo in rising positions. Tier 9–10 provides late-round depth and streaming options like Aldama, Gordon, Murray, Kuminga, and Hauser, guiding late-draft risk with high-upside targets and safe holds for points formats.

Draft strategy centers on securing one or two Tier 1–2 anchors while weaving in multi-cat contributors from Tier 3 and 4 to balance scoring, rebounds and assists. In season, monitor health, role clarity, and the shifting pecking order as teams adjust to new rotations and coaching staffs, then ride the hot hand for streaming spots and value trades.