October basketball rarely draws headlines, but this preseason has produced a handful of performances worth tracking beyond the exhibition slate. Rookies and rotation hopefuls across several franchises have used these early minutes to make a case for regular-season roles, and some of that production carries real weight for fantasy managers setting up their Yahoo High Score rosters. Here's a closer look at five names worth monitoring as the regular season approaches.
Thunder's Lottery Pick Impressing in the Paint
Oklahoma City's Mara, the 12th overall selection in this year's draft, has looked the part of a legitimate backup center through four preseason outings. The 7-foot-3 rookie is averaging 15.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, three assists and 2.8 blocks a night, numbers that suggest he can anchor a second unit immediately. Fans tracking these early returns through outlets like brbrbr vip will note that Mara's shot-blocking instincts pair with a surprisingly polished passing game, as he's shown an ability to see over defenders from the elbow and find cutters off the ball - a rare trait for a big man his size.
Golden State and Washington Finding Immediate Contributors
Lendeborg, Mara's former Michigan teammate, has been just as impactful in Golden State's preseason, putting up 15.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 54.8% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc. Playing alongside veterans like Stephen Curry and Draymond Green could accelerate his development into a starting forward role, and his two-way versatility makes him an intriguing name for fantasy drafters entering Year 1. In Washington, George faces stiffer competition for minutes now that Anthony Davis and Trae Young are healthy, but his preseason averages of 15.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, three assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks through three games mirror the production that earned him a starting guard spot last season.
Boston and Orlando Depth Pieces Step Forward
Boston's frontcourt got more crowded after the offseason addition of Mitchell Robinson, yet Garza has still found a way to stand out. He's posted 30 points and 17 rebounds combined across two preseason games, building on a career-high 8.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game from last season. His ability to stretch the floor while sliding between forward and center could still earn him meaningful minutes in Boston's rotation. Meanwhile, Orlando's da Silva has been one of the preseason's most efficient scorers, averaging 18 points on 37.5% shooting from three alongside 3.7 rebounds, three assists and 1.3 steals in just under 23 minutes a night. That kind of production makes him a sensible candidate for a backup forward role once the regular season tips off.
