With the 2026-27 season less than a week out, preseason has started to shake loose the early rotation clues: injuries opening minutes, rookies grabbing usage, and several frontcourt competitions that could swing fantasy value fast. Here is the league-wide notebook, team by team, from the first preseason returns.
Eastern Conference rotation watch
- Atlanta Hawks: Jalen Johnson posted 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists last season, but his nine-category outlook changes sharply with CJ McCollum available. Johnson ranked ninth in per-game value over 36 games without McCollum, compared with 34th in 36 games beside him. That points more toward a second-round range than a first-round price.
- Boston Celtics: Neemias Queta and Mitchell Robinson are competing for the center minutes. Queta finished as a top-75 nine-category player last year, but Robinson brings the same low-usage rebounding-and-blocking profile. Queta is projected to take the job, though a split could lower his ceiling even if he is likely to play more games. Baylor Scheierman’s potential start at shooting guard remains another question.
- Brooklyn Nets: Egor Dëmin has delivered five assists in each of his two preseason appearances and put up 13 points against Philadelphia, showing off a varied scoring package. His added strength has stood out. Rookie Mikel Brown Jr. remains a player to track.
- Charlotte Hornets: Coby White’s calf issue and Kon Knueppel’s hamstring injury will keep both out for the full preseason. Dennis Schröder is positioned to run first-unit point guard, with Grayson Allen likely to start at the two. Both could offer early opportunity if White and Knueppel are not cleared for opening night. Moussa Diabaté is also a late big-man option for rebounds and blocks.
- Chicago Bulls: Jalen Smith had 13 points and eight boards in 20 minutes on Wednesday. With Nic Claxton sidelined by a hamstring problem and set for another evaluation on Oct. 19, Smith has a clean path to temporary frontcourt minutes. Caleb Wilson scored 15 points in 29 minutes and has a route to more than 30 minutes a night.
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Peyton Watson returned from his hamstring concern with seven points, four rebounds, four assists and two blocks. He remains a value beyond pick 100. Coach Kenny Atkinson also highlighted Watson’s work alongside Jaylon Tyson, who scored a team-high 14 points against Boston while James Harden sat.
- Detroit Pistons: Jalen Duren has agreed to a five-year, $200 million contract to remain in Detroit. Ausar Thompson is the breakout candidate to monitor: the defensive events are already established, while his increased confidence from mid-range and improved passing have pushed his draft price upward.
- Indiana Pacers: Jarace Walker turned in 10 assists against one turnover in a team-high 28 minutes against Minnesota. He also led Indiana with a plus-18 mark in the win, a major playmaking step for the young forward.
Eastern contenders and contract notes
- Miami Heat: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s lead-ballhandler role has him firmly in the top-five conversation across fantasy formats, with an expected rise in nine-category rankings.
- Milwaukee Bucks: Kel’el Ware is producing whether he opens games or works with the reserves. Jaime Jaquez Jr. moving into the starting group also raises his outlook.
- New York Knicks: Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks are reportedly far apart in extension discussions. The organization has paused talks until later in the season, though there is no indication the situation will affect his availability.
- Orlando Magic: Health and the arrival of a new coach shape Orlando’s outlook. Franz Wagner handling more creation duties would add another layer to his production. Anthony Black has emerged as the first guard off the bench and could reach 25-plus minutes per game.
- Philadelphia 76ers: Dean Wade has a case to start, with VJ Edgecombe potentially better suited to reserve duty. LeBron James’ 10-point, four-rebound, five-assist line — on one field-goal try and an 8-for-8 night at the foul line — was another reminder that he can fill the stat sheet without taking over a game offensively.
- Toronto Raptors: Collin Murray-Boyles is a candidate for a significant second-year jump. Jamal Shead is the backup guard to keep in view because of his passing, careful ball handling and favorable assist-to-turnover production.
- Washington Wizards: Trae Young began preseason with 15 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals. AJ Dybantsa started and supplied 11 points, two rebounds, two assists and four steals. Deandre Ayton could get an early opening for points, boards and rim protection if Alex Sarr remains unavailable.
Western Conference backcourt movement
- Dallas Mavericks: Daniel Gafford’s role has expanded and he started both preseason games in Macao, making him a frontcourt sleeper. Kyrie Irving returned in the second Macao game, his first appearance in 19 months.
- Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray remain the two clear engines in Denver. The question is whether a supporting piece — Aaron Gordon is the obvious candidate — can push into the top 150.
- Golden State Warriors: Brandin Podziemski has carried a 28% usage rate across two preseason games. Fresh off a five-year, $110 million extension, he has a clear runway for a larger role. Al Horford is expected to come off the bench, putting Gui Santos and Yaxel Lendeborg on the radar in 12-team formats.
- Houston Rockets: Fred VanVleet had 17 points, seven assists, two steals and five made threes in 24 minutes in Macao. It was his first game action since May 2025, and that version of VanVleet would outperform his current draft slot.
- Los Angeles Clippers: Isaiah Jackson started the opener, and Ty Lue is said to like his pairing with Darius Garland. Jackson would be a late-round play if he holds off Brook Lopez. Rui Hachimura could absorb scoring responsibility while Brandon Ingram works through a heel injury, giving him early 20-point upside.
- Los Angeles Lakers: Quentin Grimes appears set to start and has established himself as a dependable wing-rotation piece. Jake LaRavia holds the early edge at power forward. Walker Kessler has yet to play because of a finger issue, but there is no major concern. Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves remain premium guards regardless of format.
- Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer has the early profile of the Kia Rookie of the Year favorite. He has a 24% usage rate, enough volume, plus passing, opportunistic steals and composure that support a mid-round investment. Ty Jerome’s strong preseason momentum has continued and he looks discounted at his current average draft position.
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Joan Beringer is the only natural reserve center on a thin front line, making him rosterable in 12-team-and-deeper nine-category leagues. Ayo Dosunmu remains worth attention, while LaMelo Ball’s third-round cost looks too low; his value points closer to Round 2.
Frontcourt battles and rookie minutes out West
- New Orleans Pelicans: Bennedict Mathurin starting ahead of Herbert Jones creates a stylistic choice between Mathurin’s scoring and Jones’ defense. Jeremiah Fears started in place of Dejounte Murray and has averaged 13.5 points in 18.3 minutes through two exhibitions. He has hit 50% from the floor and 50% from deep on eight three-point attempts per game.
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Aday Mara has not missed a field-goal attempt in preseason and could pressure Isaiah Hartenstein for a center share. Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell are being watched for another starting role, although Sam Presti has effectively indicated Wallace will begin with the first unit. Both guards are viable nine-category options.
- Phoenix Suns: Oso Ighodaro has started two of Phoenix’s first three games, while Khaman Maluach has received the larger minute total. With Mark Williams unavailable until at least February, Maluach currently has the edge. Miles Bridges’ ankle issue is not viewed as serious.
- Portland Trail Blazers: The Damian Lillard-Ja Morant guard arrangement remains one of the league’s most compelling roster situations. Lillard’s average draft position appears restrained relative to the opportunity.
- Sacramento Kings: Rookie Darius Acuff Jr. is gaining momentum as a high-volume point guard bet, particularly in points leagues. Nique Clifford may have an advantage in the race for sixth-man duties. Domantas Sabonis has said he is fully recovered from knee surgery, creating a potential bounce-back buying window.
- San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper has started the first two preseason games while De’Aaron Fox has been out, averaging 15.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and four assists. Even if he does not permanently start, Harper projects as a sixth starter and could find 28 to 30 minutes nightly.
- Utah Jazz: Jusuf Nurkić will miss a month with a plantar plate tear. Jaxson Hayes is the likely replacement in the starting lineup, Kyle Filipowski should receive more rotation work, and Jaren Jackson Jr. may spend additional time at center. Darryn Peterson has also reinforced his standing as an elite scoring prospect and is worth consideration near the 100-pick range.
