Bilal Coulibaly underwent surgery on a right-thumb ligament, a move that likely sidelines him at the start of the 2025-26 season. The 21-year-old No. 7 pick averaged 6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in Eurobasket, flashing development after a breakout sophomore year (12.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG). Washington’s brightest young core—Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson, Will Riley—now faces an early-season rise in responsibility, joined by Cam Whitmore and other first‑round hopefuls. Veteran help from CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton, plus a reshaped rotation after Poole’s move to New Orleans, keeps playoff odds distant ( +3000 ) but not impossible if the youth flourishes.

The Wizards’ 2023-24 and 2024-25 narratives converge: minimal recent wins, a hopeful pipeline, and a front office embracing youth with a veteran bridge. The injury compounds uncertainty around opening-night lineups, tempo, and scoring balance, but it also sets up late-season momentum if Coulibaly returns healthy and the rookies hit their marks. The margin remains thin, but the path to relevance for Washington stays open with the right development arc.

ESPN Fantasy Basketball 101 lays out a fast lane into fantasy hoops: pick a league that fits your vibe, master draft prep, and stay active all season with smart waivers, trades, and lineups. It spotlights the era’s big names—Wembanyama, Edwards, SGA—alongside Jokic and Giannis anchoring the top, while Luka reshapes his role with the Lakers. The guide stresses customizing settings, using mock drafts, and valuing etiquette to keep fun and competition balanced.

Beyond the basics, it dives into draft prep, autopick strategies, and in-season moves—from weekly to daily lineup tweaks and the waiver wire—so even newcomers can build a winning roster. The message is clear: have fun, stay engaged, and let the league become your nightly obsession.

The Southwest division is rebooting fast, with Dallas, Houston and San Antonio rolling out high-upside rosters and veterans like Durant and Russell anchoring new supergroups. Wembanyama leads San Antonio’s youth movement while Durant teams with Houston’s scorers; Flagg fuels Dallas’ rebuild, and Memphis and New Orleans address wing depth and scoring via bold trades. The league’s most unpredictable, but most exciting, race in years starts with a roster reshuffle that could redefine fantasy upside across the West.

Early-season matchups will test how quickly these teams gel: Flagg’s debut in Dallas, Durant’s impact in Houston, and Wembanyama’s rookie-era ceiling in San Antonio will shape the fantasy pace. Poole, Poole’s move to New Orleans, and the Suns’ backcourt reshuffle add more moving parts for daily leagues. Expect elevated expectations and aggressive waiver adds as divisions tilt toward a new competitive equilibrium.

San Antonio positions Victor Wembanyama at the center of a new era, while De’Aaron Fox signed a four-year max extension to back him up. The Spurs’ backcourt trio of Fox, Dylan Harper, and Stephon Castle signals a versatile, 48-minute attack built on multiple playmakers. The plan emphasizes offense through pick-and-rolls and ballhandling depth, with a youthful spine (Harper, Castle) blending with Fox’s veteran experience as the driving force behind a potential contender in the West.

Wembanyama’s limitless potential pairs with Fox’s rim pressure and ball-handling, aiming for a dynamic two-man hub in a positionless framework. San Antonio’s leadership insists that offensive skill sets, not fixed roles, will dictate minutes, suggesting a scheme designed for heavy deception and sustainable spacing as the roster gels around its rookie cornerstone.