Alperen Sengun's EuroBasket breakout elevates his NBA ceiling as Houston contends for a breakthrough season, while Giannis Antetokounmpo dominates the tournament and looms as the primary anchor in any short- and long-term fantasy scenario. Victor Wembanyama sparks chatter about a rookie impact path with San Antonio, and Kawhi Leonard’s free-agent saga surfaces as a reminder of how management decisions ripple through every roster. Josh Giddey’s reported four-year Bulls deal, Luka Dončić’s ongoing stardom, Kyrie Irving’s looming return timeline, and Nikola Jokic’s EuroBasket context shape a restless summer. The chatter also touches D’Angelo Russell’s fit in Dallas, Lauri Markkanen’s Finnish breakout, and Anthony Davis’s co-star questions, all edging fantasy and betting projections forward as teams navigate balance, injuries, and cap reality.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander anchors a value-forward draft approach, crowned as the clear first-round value on Yahoo's board thanks to last season's fantasy totals and elite per-game pace. Tyrese Maxi follows as the round-two target, especially if Joel Embiid and Paul George miss time to start the year, offering big-volume scoring and reliable counting stats. Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry anchor the upper-middle rounds, with Durant's high usage tempered by durability concerns and Curry's upside hinging on health. Derrick White lands in round four as a true across-the-board producer, while Jimmy Butler anchors a high-floor, durability-conscious fifth-round plan. OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet, and Donovan Clingan populate mid-rounds with steady multi-category value and upside. A balanced build, aiming for five-to-six assist-threaded contributors and strong safety nets, drives Dan Bespers’ mid-round selections. The episode also touches on late-round sleepers like Keegan Murray and Austin Reeves as potential swing picks to push a roster over the ADP floor.

Across the board, the strategy emphasizes value over name-brand prestige, prioritizing players who can deliver in multiple categories even when their usage varies week-to-week. The host argues for targeted exposure to high-floor veterans and a few high-upside youngsters to weather rest days and injuries. The overall takeaway: identify those mid-round stalwarts who can anchor several categories, then fill gaps with high-variance scorers who can swing week-to-week outcomes in favor of your fantasy squad.