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The most important part of fantasy sports is arguably the part where you draft players.
With the NBA season right around the corner, RotoBaller's team of NBA writers got together and got down to business with our annual mock draft. Twelve writers went through a slow mock draft through Fantrax.
Let’s dive into the results!
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers received five total writing awards and 13 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association, tops in the industry! Congrats to all the award winners and nominees including NBA Writer of the Year, Best NFL Series, MLB Series, PGA Writer and Player Notes writer of the year. Be sure to follow their analysis, rankings and advice all year long, and win big with RotoBaller! Read More!
RotoBaller Writers' Mock Draft Recap
Here are the players, in order of draft pick:
- Pierre Camus
- Austyn Varney
- Brady Grove
- Jakob Ashlin
- Matt Sparkington
- Andy Webb
- Jake Finnen
- Gage Bridgford
- Milos Zvekic
- Dale Johnson
- Kev Mahserejian
- Justin Carter
All position eligibility based on Fantrax fantasy leagues. League scoring is based on standard nine categories (points, rebounds, assists, threes, steals, blocks, FG%, FT%, turnovers).
Round 1
| Pick # | Player | Team |
| 1 | Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL - F) | Pierre Camus |
| 2 | Stephen Curry (GSW - G) | Austyn Varney |
| 3 | James Harden (HOU - G) | Brady Grove |
| 4 | Nikola Jokic (DEN - C) | Jakob Ashlin |
| 5 | Anthony Davis (LAL - F) | Matt Sparkington |
| 6 | Damian Lillard (POR - G) | Andy Webb |
| 7 | Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN - C) | Jake Finnen |
| 8 | LeBron James (LAL - F) | Gage Bridgford |
| 9 | Joel Embiid (PHI - C) | Milos Zvekic |
| 10 | Kawhi Leonard (LAC - F) | Dale Johnson |
| 11 | Bradley Beal (WAS - G) | Kev Mahserejian |
| 12 | Kyrie Irving (BKN - G) | Justin Carter |
The first round mostly went as planned; however, the big surprise here was Karl-Anthony Towns falling to seventh overall after being a projected top-five pick. Nikola Jokic, Anthony Davis and Damian Lillard are all proven stars, but will most likely not go ahead of Towns in most drafts.
Round 2
| Pick # | Player | Team |
| 13 | Andre Drummond (DET - C) | Justin Carter |
| 14 | Kemba Walker (BOS - G) | Kev Mahserejian |
| 15 | Russell Westbrook (HOU - G) | Dale Johnson |
| 16 | Jimmy Butler (MIA - G) | Milos Zvekic |
| 17 | Luka Doncic (DAL - G) | Gage Bridgeford |
| 18 | Ben Simmons (PHI - G) | Jake Finnen |
| 19 | Blake Griffin (DET - F) | Andy Webb |
| 20 | Nikola Vucevic (ORL - C) | Matt Sparkington |
| 21 | Paul George (LAC - F) | Jakob Ashlin |
| 22 | Rudy Gobert (UTA - C) | Brady Grove |
| 23 | Donovan Mitchell (UTA - G) | Austyn Varney |
| 24 | Devin Booker (PHO - G) | Pierre Camus |
Blake Griffin was a bit of a shocker here, going 19th overall. The 30-year-old can certainly produce second round value; however, the Pistons added Markieff Morris as depth in order to rest Griffin more often this season. Paul George fell to 21st here after the news of his shoulder surgery and might fall even further in some mock drafts.
Round 3
| Pick # | Player | Team |
| 25 | Pascal Siakam (TOR - F) | Pierre Camus |
| 26 | Zion Williamson (NOR - F) | Austyn Varney |
| 27 | Trae Young (ATL - G) | Brady Grove |
| 28 | Kristaps Porzingis (DAL - F) | Jakob Ashlin |
| 29 | Jrue Holiday (NOR - G) | Matt Sparkington |
| 30 | Zach LaVine (CHI - G) | Andy Webb |
| 31 | De'Aaron Fox (SAC - G) | Jake Finnen |
| 32 | LaMarcus Aldridge (SAS - F) | Gage Bridgford |
| 33 | Myles Turner (IND - C) | Milos Zvekic |
| 34 | Deandre Ayton (PHO - C) | Dale Johnson |
| 35 | John Collins (ATL - C) | Kev Mahserejian |
| 36 | Mike Conley (UTA - G) | Justin Carter |
The third round features a plethora of young faces who are slowly shaping up to be the next generation of stars. Zion Williamson, Kristaps Porzingis and Zach LaVine all stand out here. All three have second round potential, but come with question marks. Williamson is being hyped up as the next LeBron James. Porzingis is coming off a torn ACL and is in a new city. LaVine was incredible last year, but his injury history is a looming concern. All three look to be high risk, high reward players this year.
Round 4
| Pick # | Player | Team |
| 37 | Khris Middleton (MIL - G) | Justin Carter |
| 38 | D'Angelo Russell (GSW - G) | Kev Mahserejian |
| 39 | DeMar DeRozan (SAS - G) | Dale Johnson |
| 40 | Tobias Harris (PHI - F) | Milos Zvekic |
| 41 | Julius Randle (NYK - F) | Gage Bridgeford |
| 42 | Buddy Hield (SAC - G) | Jake Finnen |
| 43 | Draymond Green (GSW - F) | Andy Webb |
| 44 | Chris Paul (OKC - G) | Matt Sparkington |
| 45 | Jamal Murray (DEN - G) | Jakob Ashlin |
| 46 | Jayson Tatum (BOS - F) | Brady Grove |
| 47 | Lauri Markkanen (CHI - F) | Austyn Varney |
| 48 | C.J. McCollum (POR - G) | Pierre Camus |
At this point, most centers are still on the board and the teams have decided not to reach for them. Chris Paul seems to be the player with the most variance coming into the season, yet he is too talented to ignore for too long. Draymond Green is a great pick here and should settle in nicely playing point center and creating chemistry with newcomer D’Angelo Russell. Both Green and Russell will benefit from the absence of Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson.
Round 5
| Pick # | Player | Team |
| 49 | Aaron Gordon (ORL - F) | Pierre Camus |
| 50 | Kyle Lowry (TOR - G) | Austyn Varney |
| 51 | Bam Adebayo (MIA - C) | Brady Grove |
| 52 | Hassan Whiteside (POR - C) | Jakob Ashlin |
| 53 | Mitchell Robinson (NYK - C) | Matt Sparkington |
| 54 | Clint Capela (HOU - C) | Andy Webb |
| 55 | Montrezl Harrell (LAC - C) | Jake Finnen |
| 56 | Eric Bledsoe (MIL - G) | Gage Bridgford |
| 57 | Otto Porter Jr. (CHI - F) | Milos Zvekic |
| 58 | Al Horford (PHI - C) | Dale Johnson |
| 59 | Jaren Jackson Jr. (MEM - F) | Kev Mahserejian |
| 60 | Robert Covington (MIN - F) | Justin Carter |
Right on cue, half the selections in the fifth round were centers, including five of the first seven picks. Bam Adebayo has a huge opportunity in Miami with Hassan Whiteside moving to Portland, who also has something prove, filling in for the injured Jusuf Nurkic.
Round 6
| Pick # | Player | Team |
| 61 | Brook Lopez (MIL - C) | Justin Carter |
| 62 | Jonas Valanciunas (TOR - C) | Kev Mahserejian |
| 63 | Malcolm Brogdon (IND - G) | Dale Johnson |
| 64 | Steven Adams (OKC - C) | Milos Zvekic |
| 65 | JA Morant (MEM - G) | Gage Bridgeford |
| 66 | Danilo Gallinari (OKC - F) | Jake Finnen |
| 67 | Marvin Bagley III (SAC - F) | Andy Webb |
| 68 | Josh Richardson (PHI - F) | Matt Sparkington |
| 69 | Terry Rozier (CHA - G) | Jakob Ashlin |
| 70 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC - G) | Brady Grove |
| 71 | Kevin Love (CLE - F) | Austyn Varney |
| 72 | Marc Gasol (TOR - C) | Pierre Camus |
Absolutely love Steven Adams and Danilo Gallinari here. Adams has showcased his rebounding, post moves and, surprisingly, a three-point shot this preseason. Gallinari figures to assume the top scoring option with the departure of Russell Westbrook.
Round 7
| Pick # | Player | Team |
| 73 | Gordon Hayward (BOS - F) | Pierre Camus |
| 74 | Victor Oladipo (IND - G) | Austyn Varney |
| 75 | Domantas Sabonis (IND - F) | Brady Grove |
| 76 | Lou Williams (LAC - G) | Jakob Ashlin |
| 77 | Derrick Favors (NOR - F) | Matt Sparkington |
| 78 | Lonzo Ball (NOR - G) | Andy Webb |
| 79 | Joe Ingles (UTA - F) | Jake Finnen |
| 80 | Kelly Oubre Jr. (PHO - F) | Gage Bridgford |
| 81 | Ricky Rubio (PHO - G) | Milos Zvekic |
| 82 | Gary Harris (DEN - G) | Dale Johnson |
| 83 | Jonathan Isaac (ORL - F) | Kev Mahserejian |
| 84 | Bojan Bogdanovic (UTA - F) | Justin Carter |
Domantas Sabonis figures to make a leap in the rankings this year, starting alongside Myles Turner after Thaddeus Young has moved on. Ricky Rubio is a likely candidate for an improved season. One of the few veterans on a young Phoenix squad, Rubio will have the luxury of dishing to rising star Deandre Ayton.
Round 8
| Pick # | Player | Team |
| 85 | Caris Levert (BKN - G) | Justin Carter |
| 86 | Jeremy Lamb (IND - G) | Kev Mahserejian |
| 87 | Dejounte Murray (SAS - G) | Dale Johnson |
| 88 | Thomas Bryant (WAS - C) | Milos Zvekic |
| 89 | Miles Bridges (CHA - F) | Gage Bridgeford |
| 90 | Jarrett Allen (BKN - C) | Jake Finnen |
| 91 | Wendell Carter Jr. (CHI - C) | Andy Webb |
| 92 | Zach Collins (POR - F) | Matt Sparkington |
| 93 | DeMarcus Cousins (LAL - F) | Jakob Ashlin |
| 94 | Andrew Wiggins (MIN - F) | Brady Grove |
| 95 | Enes Kanter (BOS - C) | Austyn Varney |
| 96 | DeAndre Jordan (BKN - C) | Pierre Camus |
Thomas Bryant, Jeremy Lamb and Miles Bridges all look poised to breakout this season while Dejounte Murray is making his way back to form after missing last year with a devastating leg injury during preseason. Andrew Wiggins can be an absolute steal if he can increase his efficiency and defensive stats, but he has been much more valuable in points leagues.
Round 9
| Pick # | Player | Team |
| 97 | Jeff Teague (MIN - G) | Pierre Camus |
| 98 | Larry Nance Jr. (CLE - F) | Austyn Varney |
| 99 | Serge Ibaka (TOR - F) | Brady Grove |
| 100 | T.J. Warren (IND - F) | Jakob Ashlin |
| 101 | Jerami Grant (DEN - F) | Matt Sparkington |
| 102 | Delon Wright (DAL - G) | Andy Webb |
| 103 | J.J. Redick (NOR - G) | Jake Finnen |
| 104 | Brandon Ingram (NOR - F) | Gage Bridgford |
| 105 | Fred Vanvleet (TOR - G) | Milos Zvekic |
| 106 | Paul Millsap (DEN - F) | Dale Johnson |
| 107 | Dewayne Dedmon (SAC - C) | Kev Mahserejian |
| 108 | Kyle Kuzma (LAL - F) | Justin Carter |
The ninth round saw some specialists like Jerami Grant (blocks) and JJ Redick (threes) go off the board. Fred VanVleet and Brandon Ingram could be huge steals at their draft picks. VanVleet figures to hold the fort down while Kyle Lowry recovers from his thumb surgery. Ingram gets a fresh start in New Orleans and we all hope those blood clots do not come back.
Round 10
| Pick # | Player | Team |
| 109 | Derrick White (SAS - G) | Justin Carter |
| 110 | Dario Saric (PHO - F) | Kev Mahserejian |
| 111 | Justise Winslow (MIA - F) | Dale Johnson |
| 112 | Bogdan Bogdanovic (SAC - G) | Milos Zvekic |
| 113 | Collin Sexton (CLE - G) | Gage Bridgeford |
| 114 | Thaddeus Young (CHI - F) | Jake Finnen |
| 115 | RJ Barrett (NYK - F) | Andy Webb |
| 116 | Jaylen Brown (BOS - F) | Matt Sparkington |
| 117 | Derrick Rose (DET - G) | Jakob Ashlin |
| 118 | Marcus Smart (BOS - G) | Brady Grove |
| 119 | Willie Cauley-Stein (GSW - C) | Austyn Varney |
| 120 | Evan Fournier (ORL - G) | Pierre Camus |
Unlike last year, there are not many rookies who are projected to make a fantasy impact this year. That being said. RJ Barrett could make his mark immediately in New York and has the chance to break the top-100 players in fantasy if he can improve his efficiency.
Round 11
| Pick # | Player | Team |
| 121 | P.J. Tucker (HOU - F) | Pierre Camus |
| 122 | JaVale McGee (LAL - C) | Austyn Varney |
| 123 | Spencer Dinwiddie (BKN - G) | Brady Grove |
| 124 | Rui Hachimura (WAS - F) | Jakob Ashlin |
| 125 | Dwight Powell (DAL - F) | Matt Sparkington |
| 126 | Dennis Schroder (OKC - G) | Andy Webb |
| 127 | Kevin Huerter (ATL - G) | Jake Finnen |
| 128 | Dennis Smith Jr. (NYK - G) | Gage Bridgford |
| 129 | Alex Len (ATL - C) | Milos Zvekic |
| 130 | Nicolas Batum (CHA - G) | Dale Johnson |
| 131 | Tomas Satoransky (CHI - G) | Kev Mahserejian |
| 132 | Danny Green (LAL - G) | Justin Carter |
This round was a mix of back-up guards and veteran wings. Spencer Dinwiddie will be backing up newcomer Kyrie Irving, who has struggled with injuries lately. Dennis Schroder will be backing up newcomer Chris Paul who still has trade rumors circling and could very well be on his way out by the end of the season. Tomas Satoransky will battle Kris Dunn and rookie Coby White for playing in a crowded Chicago backcourt.
Round 12
| Pick # | Player | Team |
| 133 | Joe Harris (BKN - G) | Justin Carter |
| 134 | Goran Dragic (MIA - G) | Kev Mahserejian |
| 135 | Kevon Looney (GSW - F) | Dale Johnson |
| 136 | Eric Gordon (HOU - G) | Milos Zvekic |
| 137 | Rudy Gay (SAS - F) | Gage Bridgeford |
| 138 | Landry Shamet (LAC - G) | Jake Finnen |
| 139 | Mikal Bridges (PHO - F) | Andy Webb |
| 140 | Patrick Beverley (LAC - G) | Matt Sparkington |
| 141 | Terrence Ross (ORL - G) | Jakob Ashlin |
| 142 | Reggie Jackson (DET - G) | Brady Grove |
| 143 | Darius Garland (CLE - G) | Austyn Varney |
| 144 | Davis Bertans (WAS - F) | Pierre Camus |
It was a surprise Joe Harris and Patrick Beverley dropped this far back. Both players should benefit due to playing with new superstars and having much less pressure on the offensive end. In Beverley’s case, the Clippers will be scary defensively. Beverley will most likely be able to play more aggressively which may lead to more steals.
Round 13
| Pick # | Player | Team |
| 145 | Tim Hardaway Jr. | Pierre Camus |
| 146 | Harrison Barnes (SAC - F) | Austyn Varney |
| 147 | Cedi Osman (CLE - F) | Brady Grove |
| 148 | Elfrid Payton (NYK - G) | Jakob Ashlin |
| 149 | Kent Bazemore (POR - G) | Matt Sparkington |
| 150 | Cody Zeller (CHA - C) | Andy Webb |
| 151 | Bobby Portis (NYK - F) | Jake Finnen |
| 152 | Brandon Clarke (MEM - F) | Gage Bridgford |
| 153 | Taurean Prince (BKN - F) | Milos Zvekic |
| 154 | OG Anunoby (TOR - F) | Dale Johnson |
| 155 | Jakob Poeltl (SAS - C) | Kev Mahserejian |
| 156 | Al-Farouq Aminu (ORL - F) | Justin Carter |
Elfrid Payton is interesting here considering the wacky rotations of David Fizdale in New York. There have already been reports of Payton playing his way into the starting lineup over Dennis Smith, Jr. At this point, only time will tell.
Round 14
| Pick # | Player | Team |
| 157 | Kelly Olynyk (MIA - C) | Justin Carter |
| 158 | Will Barton (DEN - G) | Kev Mahserejian |
| 159 | Wesley Matthews (MIL - G) | Dale Johnson |
| 160 | Marcus Morris (NYK - F) | Milos Zvekic |
| 161 | Jordan Clarkson (CLE - G) | Gage Bridgeford |
| 162 | Malik Monk (CHA - G) | Jake Finnen |
| 163 | D.J. Augustin (ORL - G) | Andy Webb |
| 164 | Dwight Howard (LAL - C) | Matt Sparkington |
| 165 | Kris Dunn (CHI - G) | Jakob Ashlin |
| 166 | Jabari Parker (ATL - F) | Brady Grove |
| 167 | De'Andre Hunter (ATL - F) | Austyn Varney |
| 168 | Tristan Thompson (CLE - C) | Pierre Camus |
Last but not least, the final round mostly consisted of veterans. Marcus Morris has been lighting up the preseason in his new threads, but his only strength for fantasy is scoring. Will Barton drastically dropped after an injury-riddled season, but has shown top-100 potential and could be a steal in later rounds.
