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RotoBaller's Fantasy Basketball Mock Draft: Round-By-Round Recap

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!

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RotoBaller Writers' Mock Draft Recap

Here are the players, in order of draft pick:

  1. Pierre Camus
  2. Austyn Varney
  3. Brady Grove
  4. Jakob Ashlin
  5. Matt Sparkington
  6. Andy Webb
  7. Jake Finnen
  8. Gage Bridgford
  9. Milos Zvekic
  10. Dale Johnson
  11. Kev Mahserejian
  12. 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.

More Fantasy Basketball Analysis




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