Brooklyn Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe is preparing for a larger workload in 2026-27. With center Nic Claxton traded to the Chicago Bulls this offseason, Sharpe is expected to start this season and is ready for the challenge. "Even if it's double the minutes, I'll learn to pace myself during the game, take the right opportunities [to avoid] getting in foul trouble, and save myself for later in the game. But I'm just going to play hard until the wheels fall off. That's all I can do." In 67 games last season, Sharpe averaged 8.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in just 18 minutes per game. With a solid workload expected for the sixth-year center, Sharpe is an exciting late-round flyer in fantasy drafts this season.

Golden State Warriors rookie power forward Yaxel Lendeborg is expected to start the team's preseason opener on Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers. Head coach Steve Kerr said Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Lendeborg, Draymond Green, and Al Horford will start in Hawaii. The 2026 11th overall pick is expected to have a large role this season as forward Jimmy Butler (knee) continues to recover from a torn ACL sustained late last season. In three seasons with Michigan, Lendeborg averaged 15.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, helping the team win the 2026 National Championship. While it's unclear whether he will start the season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers, starting on Sunday is a positive sign for his fantasy value this season.

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (back) is expected to play in the team's opening preseason game on Saturday against the Toronto Raptors. Adebayo dealt with a mild back issue late in the 2025-26 season, but practiced at full capacity on Thursday and is ready to suit up in Quebec City. In his ninth season, Adebayo averaged 20.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in just over 32 minutes per game. With star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo now in Miami, Adebayo is likely to see a reduced offensive role. While fantasy managers should have no concerns about Adebayo's health entering the season, his scoring and overall production could decline from his 2025-26 levels.

Toronto Raptors small forward Kawhi Leonard has not yet participated in contact drills and is unlikely to play in Toronto's preseason opener Saturday against the Miami Heat. After head coach Drako Rajakovic said Thursday that Leonard could play in the team's opening preseason game in Quebec City, Leonard will likely sit out. Rajakovic also said the team has a load management plan in place for the veteran forward. "We gotta be super smart. We're not going to take any short-term plan. We're going to have the big picture in mind." The two-time NBA Champion was traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Raptors this offseason, despite Leonard averaging career highs in points per game (27.9) and finishing seventh in the MVP race. As the 35-year-old begins his 15th season, fantasy managers should anticipate a reduced workload in 2026-27.