UPDATE - Rotation and Minutes Projections Change Log (Patreon)

Just went through to update my rotation and minutes projections again after the weekend's games and news. Lots of little tweaks but here are the big moves and key takeaways.

* Frank Ntilikina penciled into the Hornets' rotation after Steve Clifford praised him as the team's best defender. Feels like he'll have a Dennis Smith Jr.-like role and ballhandling behind LaMelo can be put in Rozier and Hayward's hands. Bryce McGowens should still get some playing time but I view him as the 11th man even with Bridges out.

* Moved O-Max Prosper into the Mavs rotation and pushed Seth Curry to just outside. Don't have a lot of confidence in how Kidd will run this rotation and expect a lot of fluctuation from game to game early.

* Julian Strawther's strong preseason performance has me moving him into the Nuggets' rotation with Justin Holiday likely to still get regular playing time as the 11th man. Seems like Strawther has moved ahead of Hunter Tyson as the Nuggets' rookie most likely to get consistent minutes.

* I had already moved Killian Hayes into the Pistons' rotation and feel more confident in that call now. Monte Morris may re-emerge once he's healthy but the praise for Killian from Monty Williams has been too consistent and backed up by Killian's preseason performances.

* Isaiah Livers is out for the first few weeks of the season but should claim the backup PF spot in Detroit once he's healthy. Joe Harris should play most nights but isn't a lock once the rotation is fully available.

* Bumped Jonathan Kuminga up to 24 minutes and he'll come into my top 150 in the next update. I'm glad to see the improvement he showed in the second half last year translating in these preseason performances. Bright future ahead even if he's capped as a rotation player in the short-term.

* Brandin Podziemski likely won't be in the rotation at the start of the season but take note of the praise from Steve Kerr and his preseason performance. We loved the fantasy stat set coming out of Santa Clara and it feels like he could be a fixture in the Warriors' rotation by the start of next season. You'll be able to get him cheap during the season if he's collecting DNP-CDs, so wait and pounce.

* It's flying under the radar unless you're on Rockets' Twitter - but Alperen Şengün is thriving in Ime Udoka's defensive system. Instead of playing deep drop and getting abused as the Rockets' perimeter defenders allow blow-bys, Şengün is showing and recovering on the perimeter more - to great effect. Udoka's optimism about Şengün's defensive performance so far AND his push to get Şengün to shoot more threes makes me think the full Şengün breakout is upon us. He'll be moving up in my next rankings update and I would suggest you all test his availability in your leagues.

* I still think Obi Toppin gets first shot at the Pacers' starting PF job, but I don't think it will be long until Jarace Walker overtakes him. Walker's defensive is desperately needed on the floor and I think once he secures Carlise's trust, he's taking the starting gig and not giving it back. I've also moved Aaron Nesmith into the Pacers rotation and have Isaiah Jackson on the outside (sigh...).

* Moved Robert Covington into the Clippers' rotation and bumped his minutes up after Ty Lue confirmed that Covington will be a nightly regular and may even start. We all know what kind of fantasy value RoCo can produce with minutes, so see if he's on your wire or available for cheap if you're a contender. Law Murray, Clips' beat writer, has noted that Kenyon Martin Jr. may be too far behind "on both ends of the floor" to win a rotation spot, so he moves out. Still a very fluid situation.

* Penciled Taurean Prince into the Lakers' starting lineup based on recent news and preseason performances. Also moved Christian Wood's minutes down a bit - I don't see it working with Wood and AD on the floor together so he may just be a backup center.

* I have John Konchar and Jake LaRavia on the outside of the 10-man rotation when Morant returns from suspension but would not be surprised to see both playing regularly during the first 25 games. Ziaire Williams looks locked in and it's nice to see him re-emerging after a lost year.

* It was painful, but I moved Thomas Bryant into the backup C slot for Miami ahead of Orlando Robinson. I still think Robinson takes that job this year, but it looks like Bryant is running ahead of him for now. I like what I've seen from Jaime Jaquez Jr. and he may push Haywood Highsmith for minutes - watching that closely.

* I still have him outside the 10-man rotation but Andre Jackson Jr. is making a strong impression for the Bucks this preseason and given this team's complete lack of perimeter defenders, I could see him working his way into the rotation during the season.

* The mounting injuries in New Orleans mean that we'll likely see a lot more of Dyson Daniels, Jordan Hawkins and maybe even Kira Lewis in the Pels' first couple weeks. Loved seeing Dyson go 5-12 from three over three preseason games so far. If his shot can fall, his minutes will jump up significantly.

* After touting Chet Holmgren as an elite fantasy prospect for two years, it feels so good to see him thriving against NBA talent. Hope you all acquired him where you could last year.

* Jonathan Isaac won't stay healthy but it's good to see him coming into a regular season healthy for the first time in so many years. If you're still rostering him, it's time to sell as soon as he puts up a big line of steals and blocks.

* You know about Paul Reed's breakout potential but there's also a lot to love about the buzz around Jaden Springer. He may not be a nightly rotation regular at the start of the season but don't be surprised if he's there by the end of the season.

* The Suns' rotation is likely to fluctuate throughout the season so don't be disheartened to see Goodwin, Little, and Bol on the outside. They'll all have their moments but veterans will likely get the first opportunities.

* Bumped up Toumani Camara's minutes - he'll fight with Kris Murray and Jabari Walker for rotation minutes in Portland and it feels like he might become a rotation regular. I loved his fantasy stat set in the pre-draft process and you should be looking to add him in 300+ player leagues.

* Moved Chris Duarte into the rotation in SAC - and it sounds like he could even start over Kevin Huerter. I'm not excited about either for fantasy even if I think Huerter ultimately wins out here. Also moved Javale to the fringe of the rotation - I think Lyles and Vezenkov are the best bets for the backup frontcourt if Sasha has a defensive role on an NBA court.

* Moved Jeremy Sochan into the starting PG role in pencil - it feels like this is where the Spurs want things to go. That increases Sochan's minutes and drops Tre Jones down a bit. Not a good sign for Blake Wesley who I still have in the rotation but could easily see him pushed out for Devonte' Graham or Doug McDermott on any given night.

* Gary Trent Jr. seems to be falling out of favor in Toronto - Dennis Schroder seems to be running away with that starting role. He'll still have value in threes and steals but a lot of that value was driven in prior years by bigger minutes and Nick Nurse's focus on generating turnovers.

* In Utah - it's a mess. THT continues to start in the preseason and I think he's the likely Opening Night starting PG. We finally saw Clarkson return to the starting lineup in the Jazz's last outing and I think that will stick for Opening Night. Utah is using Dunn in some three guard lineups and Agbaji more as a backup forward, so their roles seem set. I LOVE Keyonte George's potential for later in the season, so don't get frustrated if his role is smaller early on - he could be a league winner down the stretch. Buy, buy, buy.

* Bumped up Bilal Coulibaly's minutes after he defensive reign of terror in the first two preseason games. His Mets 92 profile told us this was coming and I think we might have "Herb Jones Rookie Year" potential for Bilal this year. Would not be shocked to see the minutes keep creeping up as he figures out a role in the Wizards' offense.