Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton wants to have a significant role next season, not simply to be a locker room presence on a young team. "The more years you play, the more experience you have. That comes naturally," Middleton told Scott Eisberg of ABC News 4. "I just want to be myself... It's about guiding young guys, but being a basketball player myself. I'm still a basketball player, I'm not a coach yet. So, hopefully, I'll be playing and playing meaningful minutes and finding ways to impact the game still." In D.C., Middleton was limited to 24.3 minutes per game last season. He averaged 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists before finishing the campaign in Dallas. The Wizards brought Middleton back this offseason, but his role may shrink further on a much stronger roster.

Oklahoma City Thunder guards Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell are expected to have a larger impact next season. The two must step up after the team lost several rotational pieces in the summer, including Luguentz Dort. "Losing Lu will certainly have an effect on the team, but I think we are positioned well to reimagine ourselves and continue to find new avenues to win. Cason and Ajay will have more responsibility, as will others," Thunder general manager Sam Presti told Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman. "But, as has always been our belief, it is necessary to embrace change and not fall victim to trying to imitate ourselves or our previous play style." Wallace has been a solid contributor for years, while Mitchell made a big leap last season. Increased playing time should boost their fantasy value in 2026-27.

Brooklyn Nets power forward Julius Randle has a major role to play next season, Erik Slater of ClutchPoints reports. Randle arrived in Brooklyn this offseason as a salary dump by the Minnesota Timberwolves, but general manager Sean Marks sees him as an impactful player. "I think we all know what Julius can do as a player," Marks said. "There's a chip on his shoulder. He's highly competitive. He plays the position of need for us. Downhill play, a forceful, impactful player. And then you look at what he does in the locker room for us when we have a younger group that is going to need some stability at times and some leadership both on and off the court." Randle has been a regular 20-point scorer and is also effective as a rebounder and playmaker, giving him plenty of fantasy value.

Golden State Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg was named MVP of the 2026 NBA Summer League, a vote of all 30 teams, after averaging 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.5 steals across six games in leading the Warriors to the title. He also landed on the All-Summer League First Team and swept the event's two MVP nods, adding it to the Championship Game award from Sunday's win over Cameron Boozer's Grizzlies. The 4.0 assists stand out for a 6-foot-9 forward: playmaking is the skill that should get him on the floor faster than a typical rookie. His immediate fantasy value stays capped on a deep Warriors roster, but the No. 11 pick graded out as one of the summer's clearest risers and a firm long-term asset.