Last Updated on October 5, 2025 11:47 pm by Aaron Bruski | Published: September 23, 2025

Load management continues to shape the NBA landscape. Now entering the third season of the league’s Player Participation Policy (PPP), the 65-game and 20-minute thresholds for award eligibility remain in place, but organizations are still committed to keeping their stars healthy for the long haul. Last season showed just how fragile availability has become, with big names across the league missing extended time whether through injuries, planned rest, or team strategy. For fantasy managers, the challenge is sharper than ever: elite per-game production is invaluable, but those absences pile up quickly, especially in leagues without flexible IR spots. Drafting with load management in mind is less about avoiding risk altogether and more about knowing which players are most likely to miss chunks of the season and building rosters that can withstand their absences. Just like we did last year, let’s look at the players most likely to be impacted by load management in 2025-26, based on their 2024-25 performances along with their history, ordered from fewest games played last season to most.

Load Management Risks

Brandon Ingram (TOR) – 18 games, 22.2 PTS, 5.6 REB, 5.2 AST

Ingram played in only 18 games with the Pelicans before being traded to the Raptors, where he did not suit up for the rest of the season. When he did play, the scoring and secondary playmaking were still there, but soft-tissue injuries and inconsistent durability remain defining traits of his career. The Raptors did not push him as their season slipped away, so we will get our first real look at Ingram in Toronto this year. He is still only 28, joining a young core where he could make an impact. He may feel like an afterthought, but he remains a smooth, versatile scorer. His fantasy profile is tied more to per-game stretches than reliable season-long impact. Ingram’s tendency to fade in and out of games has been a recurring issue, and this move gives him a chance to reset and prove he can consistently anchor an offense alongside a rising superstar in Scottie Barnes. His stagnation in New Orleans left doubts about whether he could still be a franchise centerpiece, making this season in Toronto a pivotal reset.

Joel Embiid (PHI) – 19 games, 23.8 PTS, 8.2 REB, 4.5 AST

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