The playoffs are where stars rise and weaknesses get exposed. Every defeated team leaves behind stories of promise and failure — the players who stand at the crossroads of potential and uncertainty. We’re not here to dwell on the heartbreak of a postseason exit, but to sift through the aftermath, piecing together what it means for fantasy rosters and spotlighting the players who deserve your attention.
For every team sent packing, we’ll analyze one standout player primed for growth and one major question mark that could impact the team’s fantasy value.
Advertisement
The NBA offseason is already shaping up to be a drama-filled, rumor-laden affair. This is all about understanding what’s next, not just for the teams themselves, but for the fantasy basketball managers who are getting a pulse ahead of the 2025-26 season.
The reigning champs were on the path to making another deep postseason run, but injuries and a resilient Knicks squad ended their season in peril. The regular season was fruitful, as five Celtics ranked inside the top 100 in 9-cat leagues. The Celtics were one of the best teams in real life and fantasy, but we could be looking at a significant roster overhaul heading into the 2025-26 season.
Injuries derail the dreams of a dynasty
The future of the Celtics took a nosedive in Game 4 of the East seminfinals when Jayson Tatum went down clutching his right leg. The diagnosis? A torn Achilles will sideline the star until at least February 2026. Tatum’s been one of the few ironmen in the era of load management, playing at least 72 games in 6 of his 8 seasons. His availability and production are why he was a perennial first-round fantasy pick. Now that he’s facing a prolonged absence, Jaylen Brown looks to be in pole position to take over next season. But even he’s not in the clear. As if Tatum’s postseason injury wasn’t enough, it was revealed after the Knicks series that Brown had been playing on a partially torn meniscus in the season’s final months. There’s been no timetable on his recovery, but it’s something to keep in mind over the summer.
Advertisement
And then there’s Kristaps Porziņģis’ recurring illness that hampered his play in the postseason. Porziņģis always carries some risk for injury. However, the latest ailment is a bit of a mystery because it’s affecting his breathing and stamina. With the collection of injuries and a bloated payroll, this iteration of the Celtics is over.
Payton Pritchard’s got next
If there’s a silver lining for the Celtics, it’s the breakout of Sixth Man of the Year, Payton Pritchard. I expect Pritchard’s ADP to jump significantly next season, and it’s valid. In 10 games without Tatum this season, Pritchard’s minutes, production and usage increased to levels of a top 50 asset.
Advertisement
With his contract locked in through 2027-28, he’s a player I’d be targeting as another beneficiary of Tatum’s absence.
Financial quagmire and what’s ahead
Here’s where things get dicey for Boston. The roster is one of the most expensive in the league, and they’re projected to be well into the second apron, limiting their flexibility. Moves are inevitable, and lots of eyes are on Porziņģis, who’s on an expiring deal and as previously mentioned, hasn’t been the most reliable player in terms of availability.
Beyond the looming roster decisions, Boston’s offensive system remains a strong selling point for fantasy managers; even with restructuring on the horizon, the Celtics have frequently delivered valuable role players like Derrick White, who thrive in fantasy. That said, between a likely shakeup and Tatum’s injury taking him off draft boards completely, this is the first time in a long time we’ve cast some doubt around this NBA powerhouse.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
49ers get A+ for Fred Warner contract extension — but how do rest of splashy offseason moves grade out?
USATSI The San Francisco 49ers are having one of the most interesting offseasons in recent memory, taking care of their own players while letting a significant amount of talent depart. The latest major move by the 49ers involved standout linebacker Fred Warner, who inked a contract extension that made him the highest-paid linebacker in the NFL. The Warner extension was the second major move the 49ers completed over the last four days, inking Brock Purdy to a massive contract extension that made him one of the seven highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL. San Francisco also signed George Kittle to a contract extension in April. Prior to these extensions, the 49ers watched other teams sign their players in free agency. Teams spent $319 million on the 49ers' free agents, the most money spent on a team's departing free agents in NFL history. […]
NBA rumors: Teams expect 76ers to consider trading No. 3 pick with Kevin Durant as a potential target
Getty Images The Philadelphia 76ers just endured several months of desperately clinging to their first-round pick. If the pick had landed outside of the top six, it would have gone to the Oklahoma City Thunder, so the 76ers spent the second half of last season tanking in an effort to keep it. Last week, that pick officially landed at No. 3 overall, and now that the 76ers have actually secured it, they need to decide what to do with it.After the NBA Draft Lottery, top 76ers executive Daryl Morey said that the "plan is to keep" the pick. The rest of the league, however, does not seem to trust him. ESPN's Jonathan Givony is reporting that "some teams expect the Sixers to be active in trade conversations" now that they know where they are picking. Two names Givony mentions as candidates? […]
Luis Perez’s head-scratching decision headlines UFL storylines from Week 8
Eric Williams NFL Reporter <!--> With the Arlington Renegades trailing by three points and needing only a field goal to send the game into overtime, quarterback Luis Perez took matters into his own hands — with disastrous results.Instead of spiking the ball to set up a long field goal, Perez faked the spike and tried to connect on a quick out route to get a couple yards closer. However, DC Defenders cornerback Deandre Baker picked off the fluttering pass to seal a 33-30 victory and a spot in the postseason. "I thought we were just spiking the football and were going to kick the field goal," Arlington head coach Bob Stoops said. "And Luis thought he had the out route, so he threw it. It didn’t work that way."Despite Perez’s season-high 350 passing yards, the Renegades were eliminated from the playoffs […]
Caitlin Clark says bigotry has ‘no place’ in WNBA as league probes allegations of hateful comments from fans
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark on Monday denounced hatred and bigotry directed toward the league and its players, one day after the WNBA announced it was investigating “alleged hateful fan comments” that were made toward the Chicago Sky during the Fever’s season-opening win Saturday.Advertisement“There’s no place for that in our game. There’s no place for that in society,” Clark said after practice. “Certainly, we want every person that comes into our arena, whether a player or a fan, to have a great experience, so I appreciate the league doing that (investigation). … We’ll leave that up to them to find anything and take the proper action if so.”According to a source briefed on the matter but not authorized to speak publicly, the WNBA’s investigation is in response to allegations of “racial” comments directed toward Sky star Angel Reese […]
Caitlin Clark says bigotry has ‘no place’ in WNBA as league probes allegations of hateful comments from fans
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark on Monday denounced hatred and bigotry directed toward the league and its players, one day after the WNBA announced it was investigating “alleged hateful fan comments” that were made toward the Chicago Sky during the Fever’s season-opening win Saturday.Advertisement“There’s no place for that in our game. There’s no place for that in society,” Clark said after practice. “Certainly, we want every person that comes into our arena, whether a player or a fan, to have a great experience, so I appreciate the league doing that (investigation). … We’ll leave that up to them to find anything and take the proper action if so.”According to a source briefed on the matter but not authorized to speak publicly, the WNBA’s investigation is in response to allegations of “racial” comments directed toward Sky star Angel Reese […]
Nick Sirianni, with multi-year contract extension in the bag, nearing status as Eagles’ best coach ever
Getty Images PHILADELPHIA -- There was never a doubt the Philadelphia Eagles were going to extend Nick Sirianni, at least after a Super Bowl championship victory. With Sirianni headed into the final year of his contract, the Eagles rewarded their head coach with a multi-year extension that will keep him in Philadelphia for years to come. What Sirianni has accomplished in Philadelphia in just four seasons is unlike anything the NFL has ever seen. Sirianni is the only head coach in the Super Bowl era to make four playoff appearances, reach two Super Bowls and win a Super Bowl title in his first four seasons. He's the only head coach to take the Eagles to two Super Bowl appearances in franchise history and just the second head coach to lead the organization into two NFL championship games. Sirianni sports a 48-20 […]
Related
49ers get A+ for Fred Warner contract extension — but how do rest of splashy offseason moves grade out?
USATSI The San Francisco 49ers are having one of the most interesting offseasons in recent memory, taking care of their own players while letting a significant amount of talent depart. The latest major move by the 49ers involved standout linebacker Fred Warner, who inked a contract extension that made him the highest-paid linebacker in the NFL. The Warner extension was the second major move the 49ers completed over the last four days, inking Brock Purdy to a massive contract extension that made him one of the seven highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL. San Francisco also signed George Kittle to a contract extension in April. Prior to these extensions, the 49ers watched other teams sign their players in free agency. Teams spent $319 million on the 49ers' free agents, the most money spent on a team's departing free agents in NFL history. […]
NBA rumors: Teams expect 76ers to consider trading No. 3 pick with Kevin Durant as a potential target
Getty Images The Philadelphia 76ers just endured several months of desperately clinging to their first-round pick. If the pick had landed outside of the top six, it would have gone to the Oklahoma City Thunder, so the 76ers spent the second half of last season tanking in an effort to keep it. Last week, that pick officially landed at No. 3 overall, and now that the 76ers have actually secured it, they need to decide what to do with it.After the NBA Draft Lottery, top 76ers executive Daryl Morey said that the "plan is to keep" the pick. The rest of the league, however, does not seem to trust him. ESPN's Jonathan Givony is reporting that "some teams expect the Sixers to be active in trade conversations" now that they know where they are picking. Two names Givony mentions as candidates? […]
Luis Perez’s head-scratching decision headlines UFL storylines from Week 8
Eric Williams NFL Reporter <!--> With the Arlington Renegades trailing by three points and needing only a field goal to send the game into overtime, quarterback Luis Perez took matters into his own hands — with disastrous results.Instead of spiking the ball to set up a long field goal, Perez faked the spike and tried to connect on a quick out route to get a couple yards closer. However, DC Defenders cornerback Deandre Baker picked off the fluttering pass to seal a 33-30 victory and a spot in the postseason. "I thought we were just spiking the football and were going to kick the field goal," Arlington head coach Bob Stoops said. "And Luis thought he had the out route, so he threw it. It didn’t work that way."Despite Perez’s season-high 350 passing yards, the Renegades were eliminated from the playoffs […]
Caitlin Clark says bigotry has ‘no place’ in WNBA as league probes allegations of hateful comments from fans
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark on Monday denounced hatred and bigotry directed toward the league and its players, one day after the WNBA announced it was investigating “alleged hateful fan comments” that were made toward the Chicago Sky during the Fever’s season-opening win Saturday.Advertisement“There’s no place for that in our game. There’s no place for that in society,” Clark said after practice. “Certainly, we want every person that comes into our arena, whether a player or a fan, to have a great experience, so I appreciate the league doing that (investigation). … We’ll leave that up to them to find anything and take the proper action if so.”According to a source briefed on the matter but not authorized to speak publicly, the WNBA’s investigation is in response to allegations of “racial” comments directed toward Sky star Angel Reese […]
Caitlin Clark says bigotry has ‘no place’ in WNBA as league probes allegations of hateful comments from fans
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark on Monday denounced hatred and bigotry directed toward the league and its players, one day after the WNBA announced it was investigating “alleged hateful fan comments” that were made toward the Chicago Sky during the Fever’s season-opening win Saturday.Advertisement“There’s no place for that in our game. There’s no place for that in society,” Clark said after practice. “Certainly, we want every person that comes into our arena, whether a player or a fan, to have a great experience, so I appreciate the league doing that (investigation). … We’ll leave that up to them to find anything and take the proper action if so.”According to a source briefed on the matter but not authorized to speak publicly, the WNBA’s investigation is in response to allegations of “racial” comments directed toward Sky star Angel Reese […]
Nick Sirianni, with multi-year contract extension in the bag, nearing status as Eagles’ best coach ever
Getty Images PHILADELPHIA -- There was never a doubt the Philadelphia Eagles were going to extend Nick Sirianni, at least after a Super Bowl championship victory. With Sirianni headed into the final year of his contract, the Eagles rewarded their head coach with a multi-year extension that will keep him in Philadelphia for years to come. What Sirianni has accomplished in Philadelphia in just four seasons is unlike anything the NFL has ever seen. Sirianni is the only head coach in the Super Bowl era to make four playoff appearances, reach two Super Bowls and win a Super Bowl title in his first four seasons. He's the only head coach to take the Eagles to two Super Bowl appearances in franchise history and just the second head coach to lead the organization into two NFL championship games. Sirianni sports a 48-20 […]
Be the first to leave a comment