2026-27 NBA Fantasy Mock Draft Insights for Yahoo Points Leagues

I participated in a 12-team, 13-round mock draft, selecting from the No. 11 position. Below is my finalized team along with insights into my drafting strategy, which involved navigating Yahoo's position requirements and focusing on high-scoring players that excel in points formats. Additionally, I discuss notable ADP risers and fallers, including Lauri Markkanen, Stephon Castle, Joel Embiid, and Ja Morant.

**My Team**

- Round 1 (Pick 11) – Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks

- Round 2 – Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets

- Round 3 – James Harden, Cleveland Cavaliers

- Round 4 – Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons

- Round 5 – Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers

- Round 6 – Ivica Zubac, Indiana Pacers

- Round 7 – Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics

- Round 8 – Norman Powell, Chicago Bulls

- Round 9 – Jaime Jaquez Jr., Milwaukee Bucks

- Round 10 – Anthony Black, Orlando Magic

- Round 11 – Kyshawn George, Washington Wizards

- Round 12 – DeMar DeRozan, Denver Nuggets

- Round 13 – Quentin Grimes, Los Angeles Lakers

Yahoo draft settings specifically require various positions, including PG, SG, G, SF, PF, F, C, C, 2 UTIL, and 3 BN. It's essential to ensure a balanced roster while availing oneself of multi-position-eligible players, especially those at the SG/SF and PF/C slots. Historical data indicates that both forwards and centers get drafted quickly, prompting an early selection for those positions.

Understanding player performance metrics in points leagues is also crucial. While average draft position (ADP) provides some guidance, it amalgamates various formats. Key considerations in points leagues include assessing players' overall contributions across points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, rather than efficiency alone. My initial picks were aligned with top offensive options, many already achieving double-doubles or triple-doubles regularly, emphasizing my strategy of securing versatile forwards and centers early, while keeping guards as a later round target.

**Biggest ADP Risers**

- **Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz (Pick 27, ADP 39.2)**: Despite a history of injuries affecting his availability, Markkanen has seen a rise in ADP this draft season, attracting interest from managers. However, his health issues and decreased usage following team changes may limit his effectiveness in points formats, making top 30 aspirations potentially too optimistic.

- **Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs (Pick 39, ADP 55.3)**: Castle improved significantly in his sophomore year, contributing 18 double-doubles and five triple-doubles. With no major acquisitions by the Spurs, his role appears secure, though concerns around teammate dynamics may warrant caution for some managers. He remains a solid pick in points formats.

**Biggest ADP Fallers**

- **Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers (Pick 65, ADP 51)**: Embiid faces challenges as he enters his 30s, having played only 96 games over the last three seasons. His diminished role on a strengthened Sixers roster further complicates his draft value. Yahoo’s settings, which require managers to start two centers, could make Embiid more appealing for those needing a reliable big man.

- **Ja Morant, Portland Trail Blazers (Pick 115, ADP 92.3)**: After a season marred by injury and moves to the Trail Blazers, Morant's situation provides a chance for redemption. His role, however, is unclear due to potential overlaps with teammates like Damian Lillard. Nevertheless, he presents a high-risk, high-reward potential at his current draft position, particularly in points leagues.

**Full Draft Results**

Round 1:

1 – Victor Wembanyama

2 – Nikola Jokić

3 – Luka Dončić

4 – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

5 – Jayson Tatum

6 – Giannis Antetokounmpo

7 – Cade Cunningham

8 – Anthony Edwards

9 – Tyrese Maxey

10 – Cooper Flagg

11 – Jalen Johnson

12 – Donovan Mitchell

Round 2:

13 – Tyrese Haliburton

14 – Alperen Sengun

15 – Scottie Barnes

16 – Kevin Durant

17 – Josh Giddey

18 – Karl-Anthony Towns

19 – Domantas Sabonis

20 – Jamal Murray

21 – Trae Young

22 – LaMelo Ball

23 – Amen Thompson

24 – Austin Reaves

Round 3:

25 – Jalen Brunson

26 – Paolo Banchero

27 – Lauri Markkanen

28 – Stephen Curry

29 – Kawhi Leonard

30 – Bam Adebayo

31 – Evan Mobley

32 – Anthony Davis

33 – Devin Booker

34 – Keaton Wagler (autodrafted from queue)

35 – James Harden

36 – Chet Holmgren

Round 4:

37 – Jaylen Brown

38 – Jalen Duren

39 – Stephon Castle

40 – Trey Murphy III

41 – Derrick White

42 – Deni Avdija

43 – Brandon Miller

44 – Walker Kessler

45 – Jalen Williams

46 – Jaren Jackson Jr.

47 – Kon Knueppel

48 – Donovan Clingan

Round 5:

49 – LeBron James

50 – Brandon Ingram

51 – Kyrie Irving

52 – Desmond Bane

53 – Michael Porter Jr.

54 – Darius Garland

55 – Matas Buzelis

56 – Julius Randle

57 – Franz Wagner

58 – Cameron Boozer

59 – Pascal Siakam

60 – Onyeka Okongwu

Round 6:

61 – Keyonte George

62 – Ivica Zubac

63 – Alex Sarr

64 – Nickeil Alexander-Walker

65 – Joel Embiid

66 – Zion Williamson

67 – Dejounte Murray

68 – Damian Lillard

69 – Naz Reid

70 – OG Anunoby

71 – Tyler Herro

72 – VJ Edgecombe

Round 7:

73 – Caleb Wilson

74 – Dyson Daniels

75 – Nic Claxton

76 – Jarrett Allen

77 – Paul George

78 – Ryan Rollins

79 – De’Aaron Fox

80 – Zach Edey

81 – Kel’el Ware

82 – Jaden McDaniels

83 – Payton Pritchard

84 – Rudy Gobert

Round 8:

85 – Mikal Bridges

86 – Norman Powell

87 – Cedric Coward

88 – Coby White

89 – Ty Jerome

90 – Immanuel Quickley

91 – Zach LaVine

92 – Derik Queen

93 – Day’Ron Sharpe

94 – Ausar Thompson

95 – Dylan Harper

96 – AJ Dybantsa

Round 9:

97 – Miles Bridges

98 – Josh Hart

99 – Jabari Smith Jr.

100 – Andrew Wiggins

101 – Jalen Green

102 – Ayo Dosunmu

103 – Myles Turner

104 – RJ Barrett

105 – Kristaps Porziņģis

106 – Khaman Maluach

107 – Jaime Jaquez Jr.

108 – Toumani Camara

Round 10:

109 – Isaiah Hartenstein

110 – Anthony Black

111 – Darryn Peterson

112 – Peyton Watson

113 – Jusuf Nurkić

114 – Jalen Suggs

115 – Ja Morant

116 – Reed Sheppard

117 – Collin Murray-Boyles

118 – CJ McCollum

119 – Brandin Podziemski

120 – Darius Acuff Jr.

Round 11:

121 – Jeremiah Fears

122 – Yaxel Lendeborg

123 – John Collins

124 – Andrew Nembhard

125 – Neemias Queta

126 – Jakob Poeltl

127 – Keegan Murray

128 – Aaron Gordon

129 – Davion Mitchell

130 – Ajay Mitchell

131 – Kyshawn George

132 – Kevin Porter Jr.

Round 12:

133 – Devin Vassell

134 – DeMar DeRozan

135 – Egor Dëmin

136 – Sandro Mamukelashvili

137 – Jonathan Kuminga

138 – Mark Williams

139 – Jerami Grant

140 – Cason Wallace

141 – Tre Jones

142 – Fred VanVleet

143 – Maxime Raynaud

144 – Paul Reed

Round 13:

145 – Kyle Filipowski

146 – Saddiq Bey

147 – P.J. Washington

148 – Jrue Holiday

149 – Tari Eason

150 – Gui Santos

151 – Scotty Pippen Jr.

152 – Jimmy Butler III

153 – Collin Gillespie

154 – Christian Braun

155 – Quentin Grimes

156 – Bobby Portis.