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Tristan Enaruna SF | CLE
Cavaliers' Tristan Enaruna: Likely out of rotation
Enaruna enters his second NBA season after averaging 4.1 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.8 assists during his first regular-season campaign with Cleveland.
The 6-foot-7 forward remains a developmental option for the Cavaliers and participated with the club's Summer League team again this offseason. Enaruna will likely need injuries ahead of him to obtain enough playing time for meaningful fantasy production in 2026-27.
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Nae'Qwan Tomlin PF | CLE
Cavaliers' Nae'Qwan Tomlin: Facing stiff competition
Tomlin enters his third NBA season looking to solidify his place in Cleveland's rotation after remaining on the fringes of the frontcourt during his first two campaigns.
The 6-foot-8 forward offers athleticism and defensive versatility but will face significant competition for minutes on a veteran Cavaliers roster. Unless Tomlin earns a more consistent role, he's unlikely to carry much fantasy relevance outside of deeper formats. Cleveland also included him on its 2026 Summer League roster.
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Noa Essengue PF | CHI
Bulls' Noa Essengue: Ready to roll for second season
Essengue enters his second NBA season after spending much of his rookie year recovering from shoulder surgery.
The 6-foot-11 forward remains an intriguing long-term prospect because of his mobility and defensive versatility, and he should have an opportunity to compete for more playing time in 2026-27. However, Essengue will need to make progress offensively before becoming a reliable fantasy contributor.
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Isaac Okoro SF | CHI
Bulls' Isaac Okoro: Defensive specialist for Bulls
Okoro remains primarily a defense-first wing heading into his second season with Chicago.
Okoro's offensive production was limited in 2025-26, and the presence of several younger wings could create additional competition for playing time this season. Okoro's defensive ability should keep him involved in the rotation, but his modest usage makes him more valuable to the Bulls than to most fantasy managers.
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Asa Newell PF | ATL
Hawks' Asa Newell: Targeting larger role
Newell will look to build upon his rookie campaign after averaging just 11.4 minutes across 44 regular-season appearances.
The young big remains an intriguing developmental piece due to his athleticism, rebounding and ability to finish around the basket, though Atlanta's frontcourt depth could continue to limit his opportunities. Newell is unlikely to warrant much attention in standard fantasy formats unless he secures a substantially larger role in his second season.
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Ryan Nembhard PG | DEN
Hawks' Ryan Nembhard: Not guaranteed a role
Nembhard will look to establish himself in Atlanta's backcourt after joining an organization with plenty of competition for guard minutes.
Nembhard's passing and ability to organize an offense are his strongest avenues toward earning playing time, though he's unlikely to begin the season with a significant role. Nembhard's fantasy appeal will consequently be limited unless injuries or roster movement create a larger opportunity.
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Zuby Ejiofor PF | ATL
Hawks' Zuby Ejiofor: To fight for minutes
Ejiofor enters his rookie campaign after the Hawks selected him 23rd overall in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The 6-foot-9 forward flashed his two-way potential during Summer League, including a performance in which he recorded 13 points, six rebounds, three blocks and two steals. Atlanta's veteran depth could prevent Ejiofor from immediately seeing heavy minutes, but his rebounding and defensive ability give him a path toward becoming a useful rotation piece.
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Kingston Flemings PG | ATL
Hawks' Kingston Flemings: Could be heavily involved
Flemings enters his rookie season after Atlanta selected him with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Hawks president of basketball operations Onsi Saleh praised Flemings' competitiveness on both ends of the floor following the draft, and the young guard should have an opportunity to earn minutes despite Atlanta's considerable perimeter depth. Flemings' immediate fantasy value will depend on how quickly he can carve out a role, but his draft capital makes him one of the organization's most important developmental pieces.
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AJ Dybantsa SF | WAS
Wizards' AJ Dybantsa: All set for rookie season
Dybantsa (rest) will be competing for a starting role during training camp this fall.
After Dybantsa went first overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, there's a good chance the Wizards will want to showcase him in the first unit immediately. That said, Bilal Coulibaly was a full-time starter a year ago, and Washington also has incumbent veteran Khris Middleton on the roster. Regardless, Dybantsa finds himself in a rather favorable situation playing alongside veteran stars Trae Young (quad) and Anthony Davis (finger).
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Will Riley SF | WAS
Wizards' Will Riley: Lined up for bench role
Riley has more competition for playing time with the Wizards in 2026-27.
Riley will suit up for a new-look Washington squad this year, one that doesn't closely resemble the 2025-26 late-season bunch nearly at all. All of Trae Young (quad), Anthony Davis (finger), AJ Dybantsa, Kyshawn George and Alex Sarr (foot) weren't part of the team's lineup to close last season but are set to make up the starting five for 2026-27, likely leaving Riley to contend with Khris Middleton and Bilal Coulibaly for minutes in the second unit.