New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi received an ambitious challenge from head coach Jamahl Mosley, who said he wants the 22-year-old to push himself toward Defensive Player of the Year consideration. Mosley also said Missi has the talent to "anchor us in so many ways." Missi averaged 5.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 19.7 minutes last season, but his production climbed to 7.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks across 14 starts. He averaged 26.8 minutes as a rookie, so earning a larger role again would make his shot-blocking especially interesting for fantasy managers.

Detroit Pistons guard/forward Ausar Thompson is expected to play more than 26 minutes per game this season, according to Hunter Patterson of The Athletic. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said an increased workload is "the expectation," though Detroit may manage those minutes differently because of everything Thompson is asked to do. The 23-year-old averaged 9.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.0 steals, and 0.9 blocks in 26.0 minutes last season, leading the NBA in steals per game. That bigger workload already showed up in the playoffs, when Thompson played 30.5 minutes per game and averaged 7.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks. If Detroit keeps him closer to that range, his defense should carry even more fantasy weight. The tradeoff is still at the line, where he shot just 57.1 percent last season.

Philadelphia 76ers center Tacko Fall (hip) will be reevaluated in approximately two weeks after an MRI revealed a left hip strain, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. The 7-foot-6 big man left Wednesday's practice early, putting his push for a roster spot on a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 deal on hold. Fall hasn't appeared in an NBA regular-season game since 2021-22, so his fantasy outlook remains limited. With Adem Bona (foot) also working his way back, Ariel Hukporti should get more backup-center reps behind Joel Embiid while Philadelphia waits for both injured bigs to return.

Washington Wizards center Tristan Vukcevic (hip) will be reevaluated in approximately four weeks after sustaining a left hip impingement, according to Greg Finberg, citing the Wizards. The 23-year-old had been a partial participant during the first two days of training camp, and the four-week timeline puts his availability for the opening stretch of the regular season in doubt. Vukcevic averaged 9.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in 13.7 minutes across 49 games last season. With Alexandre Sarr (foot) and Deandre Ayton ahead of him at center, and Anthony Davis also occupying frontcourt minutes, the injury makes an already crowded rotation even harder for Vukcevic to crack.