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.

Kevin Durant, at 37, aims to play into his 40s, stressing the gym grind and daily improvement as the fuel for his career. The Rockets' offseason trade signals a multi-year horizon for Durant in Houston, contingent on health and fit.

Last season with the Suns Durant logged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists on 52.7% shooting and 43.0% from three, a level of efficiency that keeps his fantasy floor strong. If he stays healthy, Durant could anchor Houston’s offense for several seasons while his contract runs through 2025-26, with camp opening Sept. 30 signaling the immediate horizon.

Ballmer bought the Clippers in 2014 with bold, championship dreams. Leonard arrived amid a blockbuster era that included the George trade and a culture of secrecy, scrutiny and league probes that reshaped the franchise.

Even with 50-win seasons, injuries and sponsorship disputes hung over the team as it chased a title. For fantasy managers, Leonard's health, Beal and Harden fit, and cap maneuvers loom large this season.

Fantasy basketball success hinges on the season’s schedule as much as on talent. Yahoo playoffs run Weeks 21–23 (Mar 16–Apr 5), with an extended Week 17 for the All-Star break, creating distinct rest windows and streaming opportunities. The NBA Cup adds weekly scoring quirks, with Group Play and Quarterfinals typically counting toward fantasy, while Semifinals and Championship do not. Back-to-back (B2B) risk distributes unevenly—some teams endure 16 B2Bs, others as few as 13—shaping rostering decisions in late-season windows.

While a few teams offer heavy game volume in the fantasy playoffs (notably 12-game weeks for Rockets, Grizzlies, Magic, Wizards), others deliver thin weeks (9–10 games for Nuggets and Knicks) that can sink head-to-heads if your stars sit. The nuggets of strategy: map B2B stress to injury history, leverage depth on high-volume weeks, and watch for shifts as the schedule evolves toward the final sprint.