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.

Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes talked about adding a lot to his game this off-season as he heads into the fourth season of his career. During the team's media day, Barnes spoke to reporters about how he's working on his shot creation, off-the-dribble moves in different sets, and being able to get to his spots more efficiently than before. He even cited using those skills to create for others, not just finding his own shot. He also named some individual goals as making the All-Star team and an All-NBA team, but those will also come with winning. Barnes is the undisputed superstar of this team, and his fourth season will arguably be the most important. Last year, Barnes registered his best season yet with averages of 19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game with shooting splits of .475/.341/.781.

New York Knicks guard/forward Mikal Bridges moved across the city this offseason as he was traded from the Nets to the Knicks over the summer. The Knicks proved that they weren't done there as they traded away Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo for Karl-Anthony Towns. After taking on Towns' massive contract, the Knicks are in win-now mode. According to Brian Windhorst, that sentiment gets even louder because Bridges is unlikely to sign an extension with the team. He'll likely wait another year to explore either an extension or signing with a different team because his negotiations become more flexible the longer he waits. Bridges was the number-one option for the Nets last season and averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 43.6% from the floor and 37.2% from deep. His numbers are more than likely going to drop as his usage falls since he'll be playing with Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, and Towns.

Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Khris Middleton (ankle) underwent procedures on both ankles during the offseason and he has yet to be cleared to partake in five-on-five action, according to Chris Haynes. Middleton is progressing and is expected to be included in most camp activities, but he wouldn't be cleared to play an actual preseason game just yet. The 33-year-old appeared in 88 regular-season games over the last two seasons as he's dealt with a series of different injuries. Last year, he averaged 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists across 27.0 minutes per game. If healthy, Middleton is one of the better wings in the Eastern Conference, but as he's getting older, his health has been the biggest question mark.

Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams (foot) will miss training camp after suffering a strained tendon in his left foot during a workout on Thursday. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks, although he remains without a return date. The 2022 No. 15 overall pick has shown promise since entering the league, most recently averaging 12.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 2023-24. Unfortunately, he was limited to only 19 games before suffering a season-ending back injury in December. Without Williams in the mix, Nick Richards, averaging 10.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 51 starts last season, will likely hold things down in the middle. With that in mind, Williams' health is always a concern. Still, he's worth taking later in fantasy drafts for those willing to stash him until he's ready to get back on the court.

According to NBA insider Shams Charania, New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado agreed to a two-year, $9 million extension with the team. The 26-year-old has spent his entire career in New Orleans, averaging 7.5 points, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 steals. Unfortunately, he has struggled to stay healthy, logging 61 games or fewer in each season since entering the National Basketball Association. Alvarado will hold a consistent spot in the rotation behind Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum this season. However, he won't be a routine fantasy provider, although his defensive prowess gives him added value in category formats.

San Antonio Spurs forward/center Zach Collins (shoulder) was cleared to participate in all basketball activities. Even better, he's anticipated to be ready for the Spurs opener in Dallas on October 24. The 26-year-old is a pivotal piece of the rotation and most recently averaged 11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 2023-24. However, he tore his labrum in April, resulting in surgery. As expected, Victor Wembanyama should see more minutes this season, likely meaning less work for Collins. Yet, the veteran will likely get more than a handful of starts in the 2024-25 campaign, so he should gain streaming attention.