Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White is moving into a larger role after an offseason reset, and he told Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer that the reshaped roster can "surprise a lot of people." With LaMelo Ball traded to Minnesota and Miles Bridges sent to Phoenix, White should have a clearer path to lead-guard minutes after averaging 15.6 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 threes in 19.3 minutes across 21 games with Charlotte last season. Naz Reid gives him a skilled pick-and-pop partner, while Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale add spacing around him. White's fantasy case is built on points, threes, and a potential assist bump if the Hornets fully hand him the offense.

New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Trey Murphy III could become a midseason trade target if the team starts slowly, with Evan Sidery reporting that the Pistons and Pacers may circle back after New Orleans held firm on a high asking price. For fantasy, this is more background noise than a reason to fade him. Murphy broke out last season, averaging 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.2 threes, and 1.5 steals while locking in strong nine-category value. A move next to Cade Cunningham in Detroit or Tyrese Haliburton in Indiana could trim some usage, but Murphy's shooting, steals, and clean stat profile should travel. He remains a strong draft target unless the trade chatter turns concrete.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Nae'Qwan Tomlin is a name to watch if the team cannot land another frontcourt piece, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. The Cavaliers have explored Dennis Schroder trade scenarios while trying to create flexibility for restricted free agents Jonathan Kuminga and Peyton Watson, but a sign-and-trade remains complicated. If Cleveland strikes out, Tomlin could get a longer look behind Evan Mobley at power forward, with Mario Hezonja also in the mix. The 25-year-old averaged 5.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in 15.7 minutes last season while shooting 47.8 percent from the field. His 23.5 percent mark from three limits the fantasy ceiling, but his size, energy, and defensive activity make him worth tracking in camp.

Houston Rockets forward/center Alperen Sengun should benefit from Fred VanVleet's expected return, with The Dream Shake's Lachard Binkley writing that Sengun may gain the most from having Houston's floor general back. VanVleet missed the entire 2025-26 season after tearing his right ACL, leaving Sengun to carry more of the offense as a scorer, passer, rebounder, and late-clock option. The two-time All-Star still averaged 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks across 72 games. VanVleet's return could trim Sengun's assists, but easier touches, cleaner entry passes, and less creation burden should help his efficiency. He remains one of the safer early-round fantasy centers.