Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland has denied that he wanted to be traded in the offseason. Speaking during Monday's Media Day, Garland said the trade rumors were "definitely false" and that Cavaliers president Koby Altman was upset about what was being said and wanted Garland to remain with the organization. With the trade rumors squashed, Garland can now focus on producing a bounce-back campaign. His numbers dropped across the board in 2023-24 as Garland struggled to stay healthy. He managed to make only 57 appearances during the regular season. The 2022 All-Star has hit 60-plus games just twice during his five-year NBA career, and Garland's health is definitely something to consider for fantasy managers.

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen is happy to remain on the team following an offseason full of trade rumors. "It was a nice feeling to know that a lot of teams wanted you to play for their franchise," Markkanen told Tony Jones of The Athletic. "It was kind of a cool thing to be honest. It tells me that I've been able to get a lot better as a player. But I tried not to think about it beyond that. I know that I wanted to come back to Utah, and that's where my priorities were." Markkanen, who signed a five-year, $238 million extension on Aug. 7, has been the main man in Utah for the last couple of campaigns, and his fantasy value could have taken a significant hit with a move elsewhere.

Phoenix Suns point guard Tyus Jones will open the campaign as a member of the starting unit. Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer has said Jones will be a starter alongside Jusuf Nurkic and the team's Big Three of Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Kevin Durant. Jones is coming off his first full season as a starter in Washington. Across 66 outings, he averaged 12.0 points with 7.3 assists. Considering the firepower Jones will have around him in Phoenix, his assists numbers should get a nice boost. However, his scoring will likely drop. Grayson Allen rolled as a starter among the Suns' stars last season. He should still play a big part in the rotation, but his fantasy value takes a hit with the move to the bench.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is feeling great ahead of his 22nd NBA campaign and is ready to still make an impact at a high level. Speaking to the media on Monday, James noted he feels "really good physically," "real sharp, very fresh mentally," and that he still has "a lot in the tank." James will turn 40 on Dec. 30, but it looks like fantasy managers can count on getting another very productive campaign out of him. The four-time MVP notched 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists with a career-high 41 percent three-point shooting last term.

Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball (knee) feels he will be ready for the team's opening game of the season on Oct. 23 against the New Orleans Pelicans. "I think I'll be ready for the first game for sure," Ball said during Monday's Media Day. He added that back-to-backs would be off the table for him and that there would be a minutes restriction in place. This will greatly limit Ball's fantasy production. However, it will be nice to see him back on the court after a knee injury took him out for several seasons. Ball's last NBA appearance came in January 2022.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) aims to play in the season opener on Oct. 23 against the Phoenix Suns. The multi-time Finals MVP is battling inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee, but speaking to the media on Monday, Leonard said the knee is "feeling a lot better than it was" and that the plan is for him to play against the Suns. While this is an encouraging update, Leonard also admitted he could be forced to deal with the inflammation for the rest of his career. This means that fantasy managers who plan on having Leonard on their team must be prepared to be without him for stretches across the season.

Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic is in line to shoot more threes this season after Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer said they want to "push the envelope" with Nurkic shooting threes. Nurkic has not been a good three point shooter in his career, making threes at a 28% clip. He had two decent seasons from deep with Portland, shooting 40% from three in 2020-2021 and 36.1% in 2022-2023. However, he's never averaged more than 2.3 threes per game. From a fantasy perspective this may not be the prettiest development when it's put into place, but it should result in a couple more points for the 30-year-old. From a basketball perspective, this will open up the floor more for the Suns' other key starters to drive to the hoop. Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal may see more space to drive as Nurkic slides into a Brook Lopez-esque role that worked well with Budenholzer in Milwaukee. Fantasy managers should at least be intrigued by Nurkic shooting more threes and what it can do for his fantasy value if he's able to hit two a game.

Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard James Harden said that he was "home" when asked about re-signing with the Clippers this season. "I don't plan on going anywhere else. I wanna leave a legacy," the 35-year-old stated. Harden signed a two-year, $70M contract this offseason that includes a player option for the 2025-2026 season. NBA fans may be a little skeptical about his intentions not to go anywhere else as he's been on the move quite often since his final days in Houston. However, Harden sounds happy where he's at on a roster that's been a perennial playoff contender since the 2011-2012 season. Harden saw a drop in production across the board in his first season in LA, averaging 16.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG and 8.5 APG. He will likely be asked to produce more with the departure of Paul George, meaning more opportunities from three. Harden averaged 6.8 three point attempts last season, mostly in line with his volume as a Net and a Sixer. Fantasy managers will want to keep an eye on Harden in their upcoming drafts. With a current ADP of 21, Harden will be a very important piece to any fantasy roster.

Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga said on Monday that he was hopeful an extension with the Warriors could get completed prior to the October 21st deadline. He went on to state, "I'm not really concerned about it. If I get it, if I don't, it's cool." Kuminga excelled in his 46 games as a starter last season, posting up 17.2 PPG and 5.2 RPG in starts. With Klay Thompson headed off to Dallas, Kuminga's role will be less threatened and his production levels should increase. The 21-year-old won't be the recipient of the additional threes Thompson provided Golden State, but he'll continue to be a solid rebounder and a great contributor at the rim. With a big season on board, Warriors fans and fantasy managers alike will be eager to see what he does in an elevated role throughout a full season. Those looking to draft Kuminga should be able to find him around the #100 pick in their upcoming draft.

Miami Heat shooting guard Tyler Herro came into training camp weighing 200 pounds, the heaviest he's been entering camp, according to Herro. He noted that he has a goal to get stronger, reiterating a previous quote from the 24-year-old in August when he mentioned making an effort to stay as healthy as possible throughout the season. Herro battled multiple injuries in the 2023-2024 season and was limited to just 42 games. When healthy, Herro has been a very productive member of the Heat, whether it be as a sixth man or, more recently, a member of the starting five. He averaged a career-high 20.8 points in 2024 and has been around that mark each of the last three seasons. Fantasy managers will want to snag Herro in their drafts if they can. With a current ADP in the low-70s, Herro should provide value to any managers drafting him as long as he stays healthy.

Miami Heat shooting guard Josh Richardson (shoulder) said on Monday that he is "close to returning" from his season-ending shoulder surgery that he received in March. Richardson admitted that his recovery has been frustrating but that he has the "mental to grind through" the rest of his rehab process. The 31-year-old was performing solidly off Miami's bench before obtaining the injury in February, averaging 9.9 PPG. Richardson still will need to show some progress before receiving playing time and will likely be eased into the rotation once back. Fantasy managers shouldn't need to worry about targeting the veteran in drafts. However, Richardson could be an intriguing waiver wire pickup midseason should he reach his normal levels of production once healthy.

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler said on Monday, "I gotta prove that I'm a major part of winning," in response to not receiving a contract extension ahead of his player option for the 2025-2026 season. Butler is entering the third year of his three-year $146M contract with the Miami Heat, making the 2024-2025 season potentially Butler's final season with Miami if he does not opt into his player option next season. The 35-year-old has led the Heat to the playoffs in each of his five seasons with Miami, including two Finals appearances. Injuries have limited his ability to stay on the court but he has been productive when healthy, averaging 21.3 PPG, 6.1 RPG and 5.7 APG as a member of the Heat. With a contract year on deck, fantasy managers may be intrigued by the extra effort Butler may give this season and should target him in drafts. His current ADP of 50 may provide some value if Butler is able to stay healthy.

Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin delivered encouraging news at the Pacers Media Day, revealing he has been fully cleared to participate after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. The team is looking for a significant progression from the former No. 6 overall pick this year. Entering his third season at just 22 years old, Mathurin will be an integral part of a dynamic and fast-paced Pacers squad. Last season, he showcased his potential by averaging 14.5 points and 4 rebounds over 59 games. Mathurin stated he's been at full strength for about a month and a half, ensuring he's ready to make an immediate impact after his sophomore campaign was cut short by a torn labrum in his right shoulder. The Pacers are excited to see him back on the court for the upcoming season.

Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins opened the team's Media Day with a candid interview about his scoring role. When asked if he needs to score more this season, Wiggins replied, "More than I did last year for sure." He averaged a career-low 13.2 points per game last season and emphasized the need for better efficiency and aggression. As Wiggins embarks on his sixth season with the Warriors, he understands the importance of stepping up his game. If Golden State hopes to return to the playoffs, the veteran forward will need to play a key role in both scoring and defense. Last season, he averaged 27 minutes per game, 13.2 PPG, and 4.5 RPG while shooting 45.3% from the field, appearing in 71 games.

Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II expressed optimism about his health during Warriors Media Day. Before taking any questions, the 31-year-old stated, "Yes. I plan on being available this year. I feel good, healthy. Body's feeling great." Payton II appeared in 44 games last season and just 22 contests during the 2022-2023 season. Staying healthy has been a challenge for the defensive specialist, but when on the court, Golden State values his toughness and defensive prowess. He will provide depth at guard, coming off the bench for the team.

Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels is honing in on defense this season, with a bold goal in mind. "I have a big goal of trying to make the first-team All-Defense," Daniels stated during Hawks Media Day on Monday. Atlanta, which ranked 27th in defense last season, will welcome his focus. While the young guard has shown defensive potential, fantasy managers will hope he can boost his offensive production. He averaged 5.8 points in 22.3 minutes per game. His shooting struggles, including 31.1% from three-point range and 64.2% from the free-throw line, indicate that improving his offensive efficiency is essential for his development. At just 21 years of age, Daniels has time to refine his game and could be a sneaky draft pick with upside.

Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons is determined to remind everyone of his abilities when fully healthy. "People forget me as a player when I'm healthy," Simmons said confidently in a recent interview. After being limited to just 15 games last season due to injuries, Simmons says he's "ready to go" following surgery. During Nets Media Day, he emphasized that health is his priority: "It's important just to be healthy. I want to play basketball at a high level and get the most I can out of my body. That's the focus. Money is nice and all that, but I want to play healthy. At the end of the day, I love playing basketball." Fantasy managers should watch his progress closely, as Simmons can be a stat-stuffer if he stays on the court consistently.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is coming into one of his most important seasons yet as the front office has surrounded him with arguably the most talented supporting cast he's experienced. The former MVP said that he lost 25-to-30 pounds this off-season as he tries to stay healthier and enter a postseason without any ailments for the first time in his career. Before hurting his knee, Embiid was on pace to outperform his MVP season and averaged 34.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 52.9% from the floor and 38.8% from beyond the arc. The issue was that he only appeared in 39 regular season games, but he did show some maturity in his game and some fight in their playoff series against the New York Knicks. Embiid should remain a top pick in fantasy drafts this season, but he always comes with added injury risk.

Brooklyn Nets forward Ziaire Williams was traded from the Memphis Grizzlies this off-season and has prepared to earn some more opportunities to be on the floor. The former 10th overall pick said that he felt like "a loose bird finally let out of his cage" when he was traded. He also went on to say that he felt trapped at times with the Grizzlies as he struggled to get on the floor that often throughout his three seasons with the team. While the Nets are in rebuild mode, Williams should receive plenty of opportunities to prove whether or not he deserves to be on the floor after they traded away Mikal Bridges and now have one of the younger teams around the league. In 150 total appearances (50 starts) for the Grizzlies, Williams averaged 7.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists across 19.6 minutes per game.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson came into media day lighter and more focused as he explained how much of a breath of fresh air this off-season felt to him. According to Evan Sidery, the superstar power forward lost 15 pounds over the summer and Williamson said that being able to "really lock in on basketball" and break down film while working on things in the gym was a welcomed difference. In past off-seasons, Williamson has worked on coming back from injury or battling some weight issues according to many reports at the time. After playing a career-high 70 games last season, he's heading into his sixth season feeling as healthy as ever.