Brandin Podziemski posts 17/5/2/1 line vs. Lakers

Grimes, a starter for most of the preseason, came off the bench in Friday’s finale. That may be the role he’s expected to fill, especially as the Lakers await Collin Sexton’s return from injury. The second unit needs a perimeter player who can create offensively, even if the Lakers can stagger the minutes of stars Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Grimes can provide scoring, making him a worthwhile pick in later rounds.

While Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler both played 31 minutes in Friday’s preseason finale, Dončić played 19 minutes. However, that was the plan, with the Lakers holding their star point guard out for the entire second half. Like Reaves, Dončić will now carry an even heavier workload with LeBron James out of the picture. Even with turnover concerns, Luka will be one of the best fantasy players, regardless of league format.

For the first time this preseason, the Lakers had their new “big three,” Reaves, Luka Dončić, and Walker Kessler, on the floor together. Shot attempts were close, but the Lakers still need to build chemistry between their star guards and Kessler, the new starting center. Reaves shot 1-of-7 from beyond the arc, but fantasy managers drafting in the next few days shouldn’t worry.

With Aaron Gordon sitting out Friday’s preseason finale, the Nuggets inserted Brazile into the starting lineup. The rookie, who dropped 22 points on Wednesday against the Clippers, had another solid outing to end his first preseason. Brazile may not play heavy minutes, but he’s clearly done enough to crack the Nuggets’ rotation right away.

After sitting out Wednesday’s exhibition against the Clippers, DeRozan played 27 minutes off the bench on Friday. He’ll be asked to do what he’s done throughout his career: score, albeit in a reserve role. With Julian Strawther (knee) out for at least six weeks, DeRozan’s scoring ability becomes even more important. While this may lower DeRozan’s fantasy ceiling, he remains a solid option for fantasy managers punting three-pointers.

Braun finished his preseason with a solid performance on Friday, shooting 50 percent from the field and recording a solid stat line. Like Cameron Johnson, he’s looking to rebound from a disappointing 2025-26 season. With the talent Braun is surrounded by in Denver, he’ll have every opportunity to do so as a finisher playing off of Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray.

Horford, who is expected to play around 20 minutes per game during the regular season, logged 15 minutes on Friday. That was all he needed to put up quality offensive numbers, shooting 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. Even with Kristaps Porziņģis out indefinitely due to illness, Horford’s limited minutes aren’t enough to make him a viable option in standard fantasy leagues.

The Warriors started Charles Bassey (six points, four rebounds) at center for their preseason finale on Friday, but he logged just eight minutes. With Kristaps Porziņģis out indefinitely and Al Horford limited to 20 minutes per game, Green will at times be asked to slide into the center position. He’s coming off an underwhelming 2025-26 season, but the Warriors’ need for frontcourt help may improve Draymond’s fantasy outlook.

As in Summer League, Lendeborg showed throughout the preseason that he’s ready to contribute immediately. Given the Warriors’ injury report, they’ll need the rookie forward to do that if they’re to be a factor in the West. He recorded a complete stat line in Friday’s preseason finale and appears to have already established good chemistry with the Warriors’ veterans, especially Al Horford. Using a top-100 pick on Lendeborg wouldn’t be a reach, given his likely role as a starter.

As of Friday, Avdija had a Yahoo ADP of 40, suggesting fantasy managers aren’t too concerned about the potential impact of sharing the court with Damian Lillard and Ja Morant on the All-Star forward. Against the Warriors, Avdija led the Blazers starters with 15 attempts, and usage shouldn’t be an issue for him once the regular season begins. He didn’t shoot well Friday, but fantasy managers shouldn’t worry about that. He boasts top-50 fantasy potential, especially in turnover-punt builds.