Fantasy Basketball Mock Draft: Results & Expert Tips for Yahoo Category Leagues

A mock draft is one of the best ways to prepare for your fantasy basketball season. With a panel of NBA Fantasy experts, I hosted a 12-team, 9-category mock draft on Yahoo to analyze different strategies and values. From the first-overall pick to late-round sleepers, I’ll break down my picks with commentary on player value, position scarcity, and which players might be worth a gamble. Full results for every team can be found at the end.

1- Nikola Jokic, Nuggets

You should consider Victor Wembanyama here too, but I still believe Jokic is the safer option. He’s been the best fantasy asset across the past half-decade. Nothing should change this year for him, though I wouldn’t be shocked if he saw 1-3 fewer minutes per game since Denver is deeper than last year. Either way, drafting Jokic sets you up for almost any other type of build you want to execute.

24- Amen Thompson, Rockets

Maybe these next two picks could be considered small reaches, but you don’t have much of a choice when picking at the turn. You have to get your guys. Thompson certainly fits that bill for me around this draft slot. He’s one of the best athletes in the NBA, an All-Defensive player, and versatile on the offensive end. If Thompson can improve his perimeter shooting even a little bit, there might be a first-round fantasy asset here.

25- Josh Giddey, Bulls

You shouldn’t expect Giddey to produce at the level he did in March and April last season. But he’s still the lead playmaker for this run-and-gun Bulls squad, and agreeing on a contract extension cements the organization’s commitment to him. He’s a candidate for a triple-double every time he steps on the floor, and he’s made strides as a three-point shooter and defender.

48- Coby White, Bulls

I didn’t mean to grab Bulls players back-to-back, but Giddey/White is a solid pairing. You get the team’s top two offensive options. White is essentially doing a Zach LaVine impersonation. He’s an efficient scoring combo guard who can drop some dimes. If Giddey misses any time, White becomes the team’s best playmaker by a mile.

49- Joel Embiid, 76ers

There isn’t really a “right” spot for Embiid with his injury risk, but this is generally where he’s being drafted. Part of me couldn’t resist the MVP pairing of Embiid with Jokic. It’s also important to remember Yahoo’s default league requires two starting centers. There’s a premium on bigs, so I didn’t mind taking a bit of a gamble.

72- Josh Hart, Knicks

The fantasy basketball community doesn’t buy Hart producing at the same level that he did last season. Part of that was potentially unsustainable efficiency; another part is wondering if new coach Mike Brown will play Hart (and the rest of the starters) knee-destroying minutes like Tom Thibodeau did. But at pick 72, I’ll buy the dip.

73- Julius Randle, Timberwolves

Randle has holes in his game, especially defensively. But his floor is quite high as Minnesota’s clear No. 2 option – a team that doesn’t have many reliable playmakers. I’ll happily take the points/rebounds/assists combo at this draft position.

96- Brandon Ingram, Raptors

My argument for drafting Ingram at 96 isn’t much different from drafting Randle at 73. Who else in this range has 20/5/5 upside? Yes, Ingram falls this far for a reason – he can’t stay healthy, and Toronto’s offensive hierarchy is confusing. I knock him for those exact same reasons, but those concerns ring more hollow around pick 100.

97- Zach Edey, Grizzlies

Edey won’t begin the season healthy, and it’s possible he misses the first month or two. For that reason, this might be a little early for him. Still, I’ll toss him in my injured reserve slot and figure it out later. Edey’s play was encouraging down the stretch last season, and it seems like new coach Tuomas Iisalo is interested in featuring him more than Taylor Jenkins was. We know it doesn’t take much for centers with Edey’s statistical profile to contend for top-50 production.

120- TJ McConnell, Pacers

Indiana’s gameplan for this season feels up in the air. Ultimately I trust McConnell to play 20-25 minutes. He’s got top-75 upside if he can get more into the 26-28 minute range. At this point in the draft, he’s an excellent source of assists and steals. And we know he can pop for big games when given expanded opportunities.

121- Brandin Podziemski, Warriors

Despite being about a month away from regular-season basketball, we do not have a resolution on the Jonathan Kuminga situation. That makes Podziemski’s value murkier than I would like, but he improved significantly toward the end of last year after struggling out of the gate. I buy him as a glue guy with upside to expand his role if/when Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green miss time.

144- Kyle Kuzma, Bucks

I’m far from a Kuzma optimist, but the Bucks are not a deep team when it comes to playmakers. In theory, Kuzma could fill the No. 2 role behind Giannis Antetokounmpo. Very few potential No. 2 options are available with your second-to-last pick in a fantasy basketball draft.

145- Collin Sexton, Hornets

Sexton has almost faded into obscurity while playing for the tanking Jazz, but he has quietly been one of the more productive per-minute guards in the NBA. I don’t trust him to have more than a sixth-man role for Charlotte, but we know LaMelo Ball has struggled to stay healthy.

Draft Results – Rounds

Round 1

Nikola Jokić (DEN – C) – Alex Barutha

Victor Wembanyama (SAS – C) – Kirien’s Mat…

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC – PG) – Rotomancer

Luka Dončić (LAL – PG,SG) – Fantasy•Ba…

Cade Cunningham (DET – PG,SG) – DT’s Fabulou…

Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL – PF,C) – Jeff’s Sensa…

Anthony Davis (DAL – PF,C) – Aburnshoops

Anthony Edwards (MIN – PG,SG) – Maven’s Mind…

Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK – PF,C) – Mike Catron …

Trae Young (ATL – PG) – Joel Bartilo…

James Harden (LAC – PG,SG) – Matty G @NBA…

Tyrese Maxey (PHI – PG) – SteveSaintP

Round 2

Stephen Curry (GSW – PG) – SteveSaintP

Devin Booker (PHX – PG,SG) – Matty G @NBA…

Domantas Sabonis (SAC – C) – Joel Bartilo…

Evan Mobley (CLE – PF,C) – Mike Catron …

Jalen Johnson (ATL – SF,PF) – Maven’s Mind…

Donovan Mitchell (CLE – PG,SG) – Aburnshoops

Jaylen Brown (BOS – SG,SF) – Jeff’s Sensa…

Jalen Williams (OKC – SF,PF) – DT’s Fabulou…

Alperen Sengun (HOU – C) – Fantasy•Ba…

Kevin Durant (HOU – SF,PF) – Rotomancer

Scottie Barnes (TOR – SG,SF,PF) – Kirien’s Mat…

Amen Thompson (HOU – PG,SG,SF) – Alex Barutha

Round 3

Josh Giddey (CHI – PG,SG) – Alex Barutha

Paolo Banchero (ORL – PF,C) – Kirien’s Mat…

Chet Holmgren (OKC – PF,C) – Rotomancer

LeBron James (LAL – SF,PF) – Fantasy•Ba…

Jalen Brunson (NYK – PG) – DT’s Fabulou…

De’Aaron Fox (SAS – PG,SG) – Jeff’s Sensa…

Bam Adebayo (MIA – PF,C) – Aburnshoops

LaMelo Ball (CHA – PG,SG) – Maven’s Mind…

Jamal Murray (DEN – PG,SG) – Mike Catron …

Pascal Siakam (IND – PF,C) – Joel Bartilo…

Dyson Daniels (ATL – PG,SG,SF) – Matty G @NBA…

Jaren Jackson Jr. (MEM – PF,C) – SteveSaintP

Round 4

Myles Turner (MIL – C) – SteveSaintP

Kawhi Leonard (LAC – SF,PF) – Matty G @NBA…

Derrick White (BOS – PG,SG) – Joel Bartilo…

Tyler Herro (MIA – PG,SG) – Mike Catron …

Deni Avdija (POR – SF,PF) – Maven’s Mind…

Franz Wagner (ORL – SF,PF) – Aburnshoops

Ivica Zubac (LAC – C) – Jeff’s Sensa…

Trey Murphy III (NOP – SF,PF) – DT’s Fabulou…

Ja Morant (MEM – PG) – Fantasy•Ba…

Cooper Flagg (DAL – SF) – Rotomancer

Brandon Miller (CHA – SF,PF) – Kirien’s Mat…

Coby White (CHI – PG,SG) – Alex Barutha

Round 5

Joel Embiid (PHI – C) – Alex Barutha

Austin Reaves (LAL – PG,SG) – Kirien’s Mat…

Desmond Bane (ORL – SG,SF) – Rotomancer

Jimmy Butler III (GSW – SF,PF) – Fantasy•Ba…

Jalen Duren (DET – C) – DT’s Fabulou…

Lauri Markkanen (UTA – SF,PF) – Jeff’s Sensa…

Kristaps Porziņģis (ATL – PF,C) – Aburnshoops

Deandre Ayton (LAL – C) – Maven’s Mind…

Darius Garland (CLE – PG) – Mike Catron …

Zion Williamson (NOP – SF,PF) – Joel Bartilo…

Jakob Poeltl (TOR – C) – Matty G @NBA…

Cameron Johnson (DEN – SF,PF) – SteveSaintP

Round 6

Payton Pritchard (BOS – PG) – SteveSaintP

Mark Williams (PHX – C) – Matty G @NBA…

Nikola Vučević (CHI – C) – Joel Bartilo…

DeMar DeRozan (SAC – SF) – Mike Catron …

Immanuel Quickley (TOR – PG,SG) – Maven’s Mind…

Jordan Poole (NOP – PG,SG) – Aburnshoops

Jalen Green (PHX – PG,SG) – Jeff’s Sensa…

Jarrett Allen (CLE – C) – DT’s Fabulou…

Walker Kessler (UTA – C) – Fantasy•Ba…

OG Anunoby (NYK – SF,PF) – Rotomancer

Alex Sarr (WAS – C) – Kirien’s Mat…

Josh Hart (NYK – SG,SF,PF) – Alex Barutha

Round 7

Julius Randle (MIN – PF,C) – Alex Barutha

Kel’el Ware (MIA – PF,C) – Kirien’s Mat…

Donovan Clingan (POR – C) – Rotomancer

Miles Bridges (CHA – SF,PF) – Fantasy•Ba…

Isaiah Hartenstein (OKC – C) – DT’s Fabulou…

Cam Thomas (BKN – SG,SF) – Jeff’s Sensa…

Zach LaVine (SAC – PG,SG) – Aburnshoops

Matas Buzelis (CHI – SF,PF) – Maven’s Mind…

Onyeka Okongwu (ATL – C) – Mike Catron …

Michael Porter Jr. (BKN – SF,PF) – Joel Bartilo…

Fred VanVleet (HOU – PG) – Matty G @NBA…

Paul George (PHI – SG,SF,PF) – SteveSaintP

Round 8

Rudy Gobert (MIN – C) – SteveSaintP

Shaedon Sharpe (POR – SG,SF) – Matty G @NBA…

Andrew Nembhard (IND – PG,SG) – Joel Bartilo…

Christian Braun (DEN – SG,SF) – Mike Catron …

Nic Claxton (BKN – C) – Maven’s Mind…

Mikal Bridges (NYK – SF,PF) – Aburnshoops

John Collins (LAC – PF,C) – Jeff’s Sensa…

Anfernee Simons (BOS – PG,SG) – DT’s Fabulou…

Jaden Ivey (DET – PG,SG) – Fantasy•Ba…

Ausar Thompson (DET – SF,PF) – Rotomancer

Toumani Camara (POR – SF,PF) – Kirien’s Mat…

Brandon Ingram (TOR – SG,SF,PF) – Alex Barutha

Round 9

Zach Edey (MEM – C) – Alex Barutha

VJ Edgecombe (PHI – SG) – Kirien’s Mat…

Jalen Suggs (ORL – PG) – Rotomancer

Dereck Lively II (DAL – C) – Fantasy•Ba…

Bennedict Mathurin (IND – SG,SF) – DT’s Fabulou…

Devin Vassell (SAS – SG,SF) – Jeff’s Sensa…

Draymond Green (GSW – PF,C) – Aburnshoops

Tobias Harris (DET – PF) – Maven’s Mind…

Bradley Beal (LAC – SG,SF) – Mike Catron …

Keyonte George (UTA – PG,SG) – Joel Bartilo…

Norman Powell (MIA – SG,SF) – Matty G @NBA…

Kyrie Irving (DAL – PG) – SteveSaintP

Round 10

Isaiah Jackson (IND – C) – SteveSaintP

Donte DiVincenzo (MIN – PG,SG) – Matty G @NBA…

RJ Barrett (TOR – SF,PF) – Joel Bartilo…

Tari Eason (HOU – SF,PF) – Mike Catron …

Isaiah Collier (UTA – PG,SG) – Maven’s Mind…

D’Angelo Russell (DAL – PG) – Aburnshoops

Aaron Gordon (DEN – PF,C) – Jeff’s Sensa…

Naz Reid (MIN – PF,C) – DT’s Fabulou…

Kevin Porter Jr. (MIL – PG,SG) – Fantasy•Ba…

Keegan Murray (SAC – SF,PF) – Rotomancer

Zaccharie Risacher (ATL – SF,PF) – Kirien’s Mat…

T.J. McConnell (IND – PG) – Alex Barutha

Round 11

Brandin Podziemski (GSW – PG,SG) – Alex Barutha

Reed Sheppard (HOU – PG,SG) – Kirien’s Mat…

Kyshawn George (WAS – SG,SF) – Rotomancer

Andrew Wiggins (MIA – SG,SF) – Fantasy•Ba…

Herbert Jones (NOP – SF,PF) – DT’s Fabulou…

Malik Monk (SAC – SG) – Jeff’s Sensa…

Scoot Henderson (POR – PG) – Aburnshoops

Jaden McDaniels (MIN – SF,PF) – Maven’s Mind…

Stephon Castle (SAS – PG,SG) – Mike Catron …

CJ McCollum (WAS – PG,SG) – Joel Bartilo…

Jrue Holiday (POR – PG,SG) – Matty G @NBA…

Ace Bailey (UTA – SF) – SteveSaintP

Round 12

Egor Demin (BKN – PG) – SteveSaintP

Bobby Portis (MIL – PF,C) – Matty G @NBA…

Bilal Coulibaly (WAS – SG,SF) – Joel Bartilo…

Brook Lopez (LAC – C) – Mike Catron …

Neemias Queta (BOS – PF,C) – Maven’s Mind…

Kyle Filipowski (UTA – PF,C) – Aburnshoops

Santi Aldama (MEM – PF,C) – Jeff’s Sensa…

Cason Wallace (OKC – PG,SG) – DT’s Fabulou…

Cam Whitmore (WAS – SF,PF) – Fantasy•Ba…

Jared McCain (PHI – PG,SG) – Rotomancer

Jay Huff (IND – C) – Kirien’s Mat…

Kyle Kuzma (MIL – SF,PF) – Alex Barutha

Round 13

Collin Sexton (CHA – PG,SG) – Alex Barutha

Jonathan Kuminga (GSW – SF,PF) – Kirien’s Mat…

Sam Hauser (BOS – SF,PF) – Rotomancer

Ty Jerome (MEM – SG) – Fantasy•Ba…

Daniel Gafford (DAL – C) – DT’s Fabulou…

Nickeil Alexander-Walker (ATL – SG,SF) – Jeff’s Sensa…

Yang Hansen (POR – C) – Aburnshoops

Jabari Smith Jr. (HOU – PF,C) – Maven’s Mind…

Aaron Nesmith (IND – SF) – Mike Catron …

Yves Missi (NOP – C) – Joel Bartilo…

De’Andre Hunter (CLE – SF,PF) – Matty G @NBA…

Chris Boucher (BOS – PF,C) – SteveSaintP

Draft Results – Teams

Alex Barutha

(1) Nikola Jokić (DEN – C)

(24) Amen Thompson (HOU – PG,SG,SF)

(25) Josh Giddey (CHI – PG,SG)

(48) Coby White (CHI – PG,SG)

(49) Joel Embiid (PHI – C)

(72) Josh Hart (NYK – SG,SF,PF)

(73) Julius Randle (MIN – PF,C)

(96) Brandon Ingram (TOR – SG,SF,PF)

(97) Zach Edey (MEM – C)

(120) T.J. McConnell (IND – PG)

(121) Brandin Podziemski (GSW – PG,SG)

(144) Kyle Kuzma (MIL – SF,PF)

(145) Collin Sexton (CHA – PG,SG)

Kirien’s Matchless Team

(2) Victor Wembanyama (SAS – C)

(23) Scottie Barnes (TOR – SG,SF,PF)

(26) Paolo Banchero (ORL – PF,C)

(47) Brandon Miller (CHA – SF,PF)

(50) Austin Reaves (LAL – PG,SG)

(71) Alex Sarr (WAS – C)

(74) Kel’el Ware (MIA – PF,C)

(95) Toumani Camara (POR – SF,PF)

(98) VJ Edgecombe (PHI – SG)

(119) Zaccharie Risacher (ATL – SF,PF)

(122) Reed Sheppard (HOU – PG,SG)

(143) Jay Huff (IND – C)

(146) Jonathan Kuminga (GSW – SF,PF)

Rotomancer

(3) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC – PG)

(22) Kevin Durant (HOU – SF,PF)

(27) Chet Holmgren (OKC – PF,C)

(46) Cooper Flagg (DAL – SF)

(51) Desmond Bane (ORL – SG,SF)

(70) OG Anunoby (NYK – SF,PF)

(75) Donovan Clingan (POR – C)

(94) Ausar Thompson (DET – SF,PF)

(99) Jalen Suggs (ORL – PG)

(118) Keegan Murray (SAC – SF,PF)

(123) Kyshawn George (WAS – SG,SF)

(142) Jared McCain (PHI – PG,SG)

(147) Sam Hauser (BOS – SF,PF)

Fantasy•Basketball•PH’s Team

(4) Luka Dončić (LAL – PG,SG)

(21) Alperen Sengun (HOU – C)

(28) LeBron James (LAL – SF,PF)

(45) Ja Morant (MEM – PG)

(52) Jimmy Butler III (GSW – SF,PF)

(69) Walker Kessler (UTA – C)

(76) Miles Bridges (CHA – SF,PF)

(93) Jaden Ivey (DET – PG,SG)

(100) Dereck Lively II (DAL – C)

(117) Kevin Porter Jr. (MIL – PG,SG)

(124) Andrew Wiggins (MIA – SG,SF)

(141) Cam Whitmore (WAS – SF,PF)

(148) Ty Jerome (MEM – SG)

DT’s Fabulous Team

(5) Cade Cunningham (DET – PG,SG)

(20) Jalen Williams (OKC – SF,PF)

(29) Jalen Brunson (NYK – PG)

(44) Trey Murphy III (NOP – SF,PF)

(53) Jalen Duren (DET – C)

(68) Jarrett Allen (CLE – C)

(77) Isaiah Hartenstein (OKC – C)

(92) Anfernee Simons (BOS – PG,SG)

(101) Bennedict Mathurin (IND – SG,SF)

(116) Naz Reid (MIN – PF,C)

(125) Herbert Jones (NOP – SF,PF)

(140) Cason Wallace (OKC – PG,SG)

(149) Daniel Gafford (DAL – C)

Jeff’s Sensational Team

(6) Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL – PF,C)

(19) Jaylen Brown (BOS – SG,SF)

(30) De’Aaron Fox (SAS – PG,SG)

(43) Ivica Zubac (LAC – C)

(54) Lauri Markkanen (UTA – SF,PF)

(67) Jalen Green (PHX – PG,SG)

(78) Cam Thomas (BKN – SG,SF)

(91) John Collins (LAC – PF,C)

(102) Devin Vassell (SAS – SG,SF)

(115) Aaron Gordon (DEN – PF,C)

(126) Malik Monk (SAC – SG)

(139) Santi Aldama (MEM – PF,C)

(150) Nickeil Alexander-Walker (ATL – SG,SF)

Aburnshoops

(7) Anthony Davis (DAL – PF,C)

(18) Donovan Mitchell (CLE – PG,SG)

(31) Bam Adebayo (MIA – PF,C)

(42) Franz Wagner (ORL – SF,PF)

(55) Kristaps Porziņģis (ATL – PF,C)

(66) Jordan Poole (NOP – PG,SG)

(79) Zach LaVine (SAC – PG,SG)

(90) Mikal Bridges (NYK – SF,PF)

(103) Draymond Green (GSW – PF,C)

(114) D’Angelo Russell (DAL – PG)

(127) Scoot Henderson (POR – PG)

(138) Kyle Filipowski (UTA – PF,C)

(151) Yang Hansen (POR – C)

Maven’s Mind-Blowing Team

(8) Anthony Edwards (MIN – PG,SG)

(17) Jalen Johnson (ATL – SF,PF)

(32) LaMelo Ball (CHA – PG,SG)

(41) Deni Avdija (POR – SF,PF)

(56) Deandre Ayton (LAL – C)

(65) Immanuel Quickley (TOR – PG,SG)

(80) Matas Buzelis (CHI – SF,PF)

(89) Nic Claxton (BKN – C)

(104) Tobias Harris (DET – PF)

(113) Isaiah Collier (UTA – PG,SG)

(128) Jaden McDaniels (MIN – SF,PF)

(137) Neemias Queta (BOS – PF,C)

(152) Jabari Smith Jr. (HOU – PF,C)

Mike Catron – @watchtheboxes

(9) Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK – PF,C)

(16) Evan Mobley (CLE – PF,C)

(33) Jamal Murray (DEN – PG,SG)

(40) Tyler Herro (MIA – PG,SG)

(57) Darius Garland (CLE – PG)

(64) DeMar DeRozan (SAC – SF)

(81) Onyeka Okongwu (ATL – C)

(88) Christian Braun (DEN – SG,SF)

(105) Bradley Beal (LAC – SG,SF)

(112) Tari Eason (HOU – SF,PF)

(129) Stephon Castle (SAS – PG,SG)

(136) Brook Lopez (LAC – C)

(153) Aaron Nesmith (IND – SF)

Joel Bartilotta RW

(10) Trae Young (ATL – PG)

(15) Domantas Sabonis (SAC – C)

(34) Pascal Siakam (IND – PF,C)

(39) Derrick White (BOS – PG,SG)

(58) Zion Williamson (NOP – SF,PF)

(63) Nikola Vučević (CHI – C)

(82) Michael Porter Jr. (BKN – SF,PF)

(87) Andrew Nembhard (IND – PG,SG)

(106) Keyonte George (UTA – PG,SG)

(111) RJ Barrett (TOR – SF,PF)

(130) CJ McCollum (WAS – PG,SG)

(135) Bilal Coulibaly (WAS – SG,SF)

(154) Yves Missi (NOP – C)

Matty G @NBAGEEWHIZ

(11) James Harden (LAC – PG,SG)

(14) Devin Booker (PHX – PG,SG)

(35) Dyson Daniels (ATL – PG,SG,SF)

(38) Kawhi Leonard (LAC – SF,PF)

(59) Jakob Poeltl (TOR – C)

(62) Mark Williams (PHX – C)

(83) Fred VanVleet (HOU – PG)

(86) Shaedon Sharpe (POR – SG,SF)

(107) Norman Powell (MIA – SG,SF)

(110) Donte DiVincenzo (MIN – PG,SG)

(131) Jrue Holiday (POR – PG,SG)

(134) Bobby Portis (MIL – PF,C)

(155) De’Andre Hunter (CLE – SF,PF)

SteveSaintP

(12) Tyrese Maxey (PHI – PG)

(13) Stephen Curry (GSW – PG)

(36) Jaren Jackson Jr. (MEM – PF,C)

(37) Myles Turner (MIL – C)

(60) Cameron Johnson (DEN – SF,PF)

(61) Payton Pritchard (BOS – PG)

(84) Paul George (PHI – SG,SF,PF)

(85) Rudy Gobert (MIN – C)

(108) Kyrie Irving (DAL – PG)

(109) Isaiah Jackson (IND – C)

(132) Ace Bailey (UTA – SF)

(133) Egor Demin (BKN – PG)

(156) Chris Boucher (BOS – PF,C)

Essential Resources for Fantasy Basketball Success

Check out RotoWire’sHow to Play Fantasy Basketball guide for a complete walkthrough, but here is some basic advice:

• Check out custom NBA Fantasy Projections

• Look intoFantasy Basketball Mock Drafts

• Listen to aFantasy Basketball Podcast

• Check in onFantasy Basketball Player News

• ReadFantasy Basketball Articles

• Dive into RotoWire’sFantasy Basketball Draft Kit

• See RotoWire’sFantasy Basketball Dynasty Rankings

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