October 20, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder forward
Jalen Williams (wrist) is listed as inactive for Tuesday's opening night game against the Houston Rockets. Williams will likely be in attendance to take part in the team's ring ceremony to honor the 2024 NBA Championship, but he is officially ruled out for the season opener. The 24-year-old underwent surgery in the offseason to repair a torn ligament in his wrist, so he'll need more time to heal before he's back with his star-studded team. He averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game last season.
Alex Caruso,
Cason Wallace, and
Aaron Wiggins should get more playing time in Williams' absence. Oklahoma City having stronger depth than any other team in the league allows the club to play it safe and avoid playing Williams until he's closer to 100% healthy and ready for high-level basketball.
--Joey HaverfordSource: ESPN
October 20, 2025
The Dallas Mavericks announced Monday that they have exercised their fourth-year team option on center
Dereck Lively II for the 2026-27 season. With the 20-year-old now under contract through 2026-27, he's expected to play a significant role in the Mavericks' frontcourt this season especially early on if
Daniel Gafford (ankle) is unable to suit up. However, Lively has been limited to just 91 regular-season games through his first two seasons, which could raise some concern for fantasy managers regarding his long-term reliability.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Mavs PR
October 20, 2025
According to Shams Charania of ESPN Atlanta Hawks guard
Dyson Daniels agreed to a four-year, $100 million rookie contract extension with the franchise on Monday. Daniels was named NBA's Most Improved Player of the Year last season after averaging 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists across 33.8 minutes per contest in 76 appearences. He also made first-team All-Defense and finished second-place for Defensive Player of the Year after leading the NBA with 3.0 steals per game.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Shams Charania
October 20, 2025
Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that Memphis Grizzlies point guard
Ja Morant (ankle) is expected to be available to suit up for Wednesday's regular season opener versus the New Orleans Pelicans. Morant sprained his left ankle during practice in early October and has had a long list of injuries the last few seasons. During the 2024-25 campaign he averaged 23.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.2 steals in 30.4 minutes per contest across 50 appeearences. Despite playing in just 58 games in the last two seasons the 26-year-old still remains a top fantasy asset when he is healthy.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Damichael Cole
October 20, 2025
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Denver Nuggets guard/forward
Christian Braun agreed to a five-year, $125 million rookie contract extension with the organization on Monday. Last campaign during 79 appearences Braun averaged 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals while shooting 58.0 percent from the field and 39.7 percent from beyond the arc in 33.9 minutes per contest. He will likely remain in a starting role even after the Nuggets re-tooled a lot of their lineup this offseason.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Shams Charania
October 20, 2025
Chicago Bulls guard
Coby White (calf) has officially been ruled out through at least the end of October and will be re-evaluated on November 3. While the team hopes he can ramp up shortly after, there is no guarantee of an immediate return, and Chicago may opt for caution with its lead guard. White is coming off a breakout campaign in which he averaged a career-high 20.4 points per game while starting 73 contests and steadily improving his efficiency. In his absence,
Josh Giddey is expected to handle primary point guard duties, with
Ayo Dosunmu and
Tre Jones also seeing expanded playmaking roles. Fantasy managers should keep White stashed in all formats, but those in need of short-term guard production can look to Jones or Dosunmu as viable streaming options until White is cleared to return.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Chicago Tribune Sports
October 20, 2025
Washington Wizards small forward
Bilal Coulibaly (thumb) has been ruled out for Wednesday's season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks and is expected to miss at least the first week or two of the season. The third-year wing suffered the injury late in the preseason, delaying what was expected to be a breakout campaign. Coulibaly made a promising leap last season, boosting his scoring from 8.4 points as a rookie to 12.3 per game while flashing two-way upside. His absence opens the door for rookie
Kyshawn George to see extended minutes on the wing, while fellow young talents
Bub Carrington and Alex Sarr could also benefit as the Wizards lean into their rebuild. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should consider George as a short-term streaming option, while Coulibaly remains a strong stash candidate once healthy.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Bijan Todd
October 20, 2025
Houston Rockets center
Alperen Sengun has officially been named a starter for Tuesday's season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Head coach Ime Udoka confirmed he will roll out a "jumbo" frontcourt featuring Sengun alongside veteran
Steven Adams, a move likely aimed at matching the Thunder's physical interior play. Sengun took a major leap last season, averaging 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while establishing himself as one of the most versatile offensive centers in the league. His combination of post scoring, playmaking, and rebounding makes him a reliable fantasy option in all formats. With Houston committed to giving him a major role once again, Sengun should be locked into fantasy lineups as a high-floor, high-upside producer on opening night.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Jake Weinbach
October 20, 2025
Boston Celtics guard
Jaylen Brown (hamstring) practiced fully on Monday and is on track to play in Wednesday's season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers. Brown dealt with minor hamstring tightness during the preseason, but his participation without restrictions signals that the team is confident in his health. With
Jayson Tatum (Achilles) expected to miss most of the season, Brown should operate as Boston's primary offensive option to open the year. He already carried a strong 28.9% usage rate last season and averaged 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, and those numbers could rise early on with increased scoring volume and ball-handling responsibilities. Fantasy managers should view Brown as a high-end option in all formats this week, with a strong chance to deliver elite production while Tatum is sidelined.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Zack Cox
October 20, 2025
New York Knicks forward
Josh Hart (back) missed Monday's practice as he continues to deal with a lingering back issue that kept him sidelined for most of the preseason. His status for Wednesday's season opener remains uncertain, and the Knicks may opt for caution given Hart's importance as a high-energy two-way contributor. If he's unable to suit up, New York will likely lean on
Jordan Clarkson for added scoring on the wing, while
Miles McBride and
Guerschon Yabusele could also see expanded roles. Hart is coming off a strong season in which he averaged 13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game while shooting 52.5% from the field, making him a valuable fantasy option thanks to his ability to contribute across multiple categories. Fantasy managers should monitor updates leading up to tip-off and have a backup plan ready in case Hart is ruled out.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Kristian Winfield
October 20, 2025
Dallas Mavericks center
Daniel Gafford (ankle) was limited at practice on Monday, keeping his status for Wednesday's season opener very much in play. Head coach Jason Kidd said the team will monitor how Gafford responds to the increased workload, offering only, "We'll see how he feels tomorrow," when asked about his availability. Gafford is expected to open the season as Dallas' backup center after averaging 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks last year on 70.2% shooting from the field. His elite efficiency and shot-blocking ability make him a valuable fantasy asset, particularly in category formats. If active, Gafford should be deployed as a high-floor big man, though fantasy managers may want to temper expectations slightly in his first game back from injury.
Dwight Powell and
Dereck Lively II would see additional run if Gafford is ruled out.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Mike Curtis
October 20, 2025
Denver Nuggets guard/forward
Christian Braun is up for a contract extension that was rumored to be close to done back in June. Fast forward to October, and there hasn't been anything signed, but Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports that there is "cautious optimism" that Braun and the Nuggets agree on an extension before the deadline on Monday. Scotto states that the ongoing talks are around a five-year extension worth somewhere in the range of $115 to $125 million. After the Nuggets re-tooled a lot of their lineup this offseason, Braun is likely to continue in the important starting role he stepped into last year. During his best year yet, Braun averaged 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals across 77 starts and 33.9 minutes per game. He's a solid mid-to-late round fantasy asset in any type of format, especially category leagues with his .528 career field goal percentage.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Michael Scotto
October 20, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder guard
Nikola Topic (groin) will be sticking around for at least one more season on his rookie deal. The 12th-overall pick from the 2024 NBA Draft, unfortunately, hasn't appeared in his first game yet, but the team still picked up his third-year worth $5.4 million next season. Topic missed his first full season with an ACL tear, and now has to wait even longer to make his debut after undergoing testicular surgery a couple of weeks ago. He's expected to be re-evaluated in 4-to-6 weeks after that surgery, so it's possible that he returns at some point in November. As of right now, Topic isn't much of a fantasy option in redraft leagues, but is worth a stash in deeper dynasty formats after the team spent such a high pick on the Serbian combo guard. Across three seasons for various clubs in Europe, Topic averaged 10.2 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Real GM
October 20, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder guard
Cason Wallace will be with the team for at least one more season. The former 10th overall pick remains on his rookie contract, so the last two years have been team options. He's currently making $5.8 million for this coming season, and the Thunder picked up his fourth-year option next season for $7.4 million. The reigning NBA champs have a very deep roster right now, so they may have to make some tough decisions when these rookie-scale contracts are up. For now, Wallace should be in the same role as last season when he averaged 8.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.8 steals across 27.6 minutes per game. Wallace could be a sleeper fantasy option in deeper category leagues, but his value is a bit higher when it comes dynasty formats.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Real GM
October 20, 2025
The Brooklyn Nets have waived guard
Kobe Bufkin, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The Nets traded cash considerations over the offseason for the former 15th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Unfortunately, Bufkin never really found his footing with Atlanta over the past two seasons, and a shoulder surgery cut his season short last year. Since being drafted, the Michigan product has appeared in 27 games and averaged 5.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists across 11.9 minutes per contest. Bufkin isn't even on the fantasy radar for redraft leagues, and after being waived, he's not even much of a stash for managers in dynasty leagues either.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
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