Boston Celtics guard/forward Baylor Scheierman was identified by John Karalis of the Boston Celtics on SI as the roster's best candidate to make the biggest leap this season. Scheierman averaged 5.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 18.6 minutes across 77 games in 2025-26, but his 20 starts were more useful: 9.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 28.3 minutes. Karalis pointed to Scheierman's 49.4 percent mark from the corners, behind only Payton Pritchard on Boston, as his edge over Hugo Gonzalez and Jordan Walsh. Karalis also framed Paul George's projected missed games as part of the opportunity, giving Scheierman a path to spot starts if his shooting carries over.

Atlanta Hawks guard Kingston Flemings projects to open training camp behind CJ McCollum, but Zach Langley of Soaring Down South notes that his fit with Jalen Johnson may be the more important long-term angle. Johnson became Atlanta's offensive hub after the Trae Young trade, averaging 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists in 35.2 minutes across 72 games. Still, his first-round dip against New York showed why Atlanta could use another organizer. Flemings, the No. 8 overall pick, recorded 27 assists against nine turnovers over four Summer League games, giving Quin Snyder a potential pick-and-roll option who could shift Johnson into more finishing chances. McCollum's one-year, $21 million extension keeps Flemings in a backup role for now, but his passing gives him a cleaner fantasy runway if Atlanta leans into a younger backcourt.

Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford remains a trade candidate. Heavy's Sean Deveney reported, via Grant Afseth of Roundtable, that Dallas hopes to land a first-round pick for both Gafford and P.J. Washington. Gafford is owed $17.26 million this season on a three-year, $54.38 million extension that includes a 5 percent trade kicker. The 27-year-old averaged 9.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 21.7 minutes across 55 games last season while shooting 65.5 percent from the field. Dereck Lively II (foot) still lacks a firm return timeline, so Gafford opens camp with a clean path to blocks, boards, and elite field-goal percentage. A trade could raise his minutes ceiling, but Dallas' crowded frontcourt with Lively, Santi Aldama, and Morez Johnson Jr. keeps some role risk attached.

Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein is back at the team's practice facility ahead of training camp, posting a photo from the building on his Instagram story Monday, according to Clemente Almanza of OKC Thunder Wire. The 28-year-old signed a three-year, $75 million extension in June that runs through 2028-29, keeping his frontcourt role secure. Hartenstein was limited to 47 games last season, averaging 9.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 24.2 minutes while shooting 62.2 percent from the field. Chet Holmgren and Jaylin Williams keep the ceiling in check, but Hartenstein's rebounds, assists, and efficiency still give him a useful fantasy lane when healthy.