Analysis of a 12-Team NBA Fantasy Basketball Mock Draft

The draft utilized Yahoo’s default points scoring system and standard roster spots. Over the course of 13 rounds, one key trend emerged: there is a delayed yet rapid run on centers in points leagues.

In the first round, the following players were selected:

1. Nikola Jokić (DEN – C) - Papi Roi

2. Victor Wembanyama (SAS – C) - Austin Swaim

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC – PG) - Steve St. Pierre

4. Luka Dončić (LAL – PG/SG) - Raphielle Johnson

5. Cade Cunningham (DET – PG/SG) - Benjamin Zweiman

6. Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIA – PF/C) - Aaron Bruski

7. Anthony Edwards (MIN – PG/SG) - Jacob Dunne

8. Jayson Tatum (BOS – SF/PF) - Adam Stock

9. Jalen Johnson (ATL – SF/PF) - Alex Barutha

10. Cooper Flagg (DAL – SG/SF/PF) - Karan Talwar

11. Tyrese Haliburton (IND – PG/SG) - Dan Titus

12. Tyrese Maxey (PHI – PG) - Justin Henry

Papi Roi chose Nikola Jokić with the first overall pick, which Titus notes is the right strategy for points leagues, as Jokić projects for a higher fantasy points average than Wembanyama. All ten players are from different teams, emphasizing the variety of talent on display.

In Round 2, the trend continued with seven of the twelve picks being PG-eligible:

- 13. Alperen Sengun (HOU – PF/C) - Justin Henry

- 14. Donovan Mitchell (CLE – PG/SG) - Dan Titus

- 15. Josh Giddey (CHI – PG/SG) - Karan Talwar

- 16. Scottie Barnes (TOR – SF/PF/C) - Alex Barutha

- 17. Austin Reaves (LAL – PG/SG/SF) - Adam Stock

- 18. Paolo Banchero (ORL – PF) - Jacob Dunne

- 19. Amen Thompson (HOU – PG/SG) - Aaron Bruski

Titus selected Donovan Mitchell at the 14th pick, aligning with his rankings and projecting solid numbers for the upcoming season.

Round 3 saw the first wave of bigs come off the board:

- 25. Trae Young (WAS – PG) - Papi’s Pleasant Team

- 26. Evan Mobley (CLE – PF/C) - Austin’s Agreeable Team

- 27. Anthony Davis (WAS – PF/C) - SteveSaintP

- 28. Bam Adebayo (MIA – PF/C) - Raphielle’s Official Team

- 29. LaMelo Ball (MIN – PG) - Benjamin Zweiman

Davis was selected at 27, substantially higher than his average draft position, indicating confidence in his per-game production despite injury concerns.

In Round 4, another wave of bigs was selected:

- 37. Chet Holmgren (OKC – PF/C) - Justin’s Phenomenal Team

- 38. Stephon Castle (SAS – PG/SG) - Dan Titus

The pace continued into Round 5 with selections like Joel Embiid at 58 and Julius Randle at 59, where multiple teams still lacked center-eligible players.

Round 6 marked a significant center run:

- 61. Damian Lillard (POR – PG) - Justin’s Phenomenal Team

- 62. Ivica Zubac (IND – C) - Dan Titus

From this point on, managers needed to secure a starting center by mid-round six to avoid higher risk alternatives.

As the draft progressed, more rookie and sleeper picks were made, with teams targeting upside players as the final rounds approached. In Round 10, for example, Keegan Murray was picked at 110, showing the variety in strategy among team managers.

Overall, this mock draft reflects the evolving strategies within fantasy basketball, emphasizing the importance of positional scarcity and the balance between risk and reward as teams constructed their rosters.