Fantasy Basketball | Mock Draft Analysis
What’s up, GF2 fans! The NBA season is just around the corner, so I’m sure many of you will have your fantasy basketball drafts sometime in the next week. I know I’ve got my first ever dynasty draft this week for NBA and couldn’t be more excited for it! In this article, I’m going to give you some insight on one of my latest mock drafts. I used the FantasyPros Draft Wizard as my tool, which gives you top of the line results. For this particular mock, we’ll be using a 10-team standard league format. I’ll cover the first 10 rounds, which will be each team’s starters. I picked third overall and my players will be highlighted in red.
So, let’s get started:
Round 1
| Pick | Player | Position | Team |
| 1.1 | Russell Westbrook | PG | OKC |
| 1.2 | James Harden | SG, SF | HOU |
| 1.3 | Stephen Curry | PG, SG | GSW |
| 1.4 | Kevin Durant | SF, PF | GSW |
| 1.5 | Karl-Anthony Towns | PF, C | MIN |
| 1.6 | DeMarcus Cousin | PF, C | SAC |
| 1.7 | Anthony Davis | PF, C | NOR |
| 1.8 | Chris Paul | PG | LAC |
| 1.9 | Giannis Antetokoumpo | PG, SG, SF | MIL |
| 1.10 | LeBron James | SF, PF | CLE |
So, obviously, Westbrook and Harden went off the board first, which is what I expected. Well, I couldn’t pass up last season’s MVP in Curry, so he was an easy choice. Yes, Curry could take a slight hit in his points per game with the addition of Kevin Durant but I’m not worried. I expect his scoring to be fine and his assists totals to increase even more!
I love the Towns pick at fifth! He was a standout player last season and will be looking to build off of that performance with an up and coming Wolves squad. I also believe Antetokounmpo coming off the board at ninth could be a steal. If the Greek Freak continues dominating from the point guard spot, he could be in store for a special season.
Round 2
| Pick | Player | Position | Team |
| 2.1 | Jimmy Butler | SG, SF | CHI |
| 2.2 | Kawhi Leonard | SG, SF | SAS |
| 2.3 | Damian Lillard | PG | POR |
| 2.4 | Paul George | SF, PF | IND |
| 2.5 | John Wall | PG | WAS |
| 2.6 | Hassan Whiteside | C | MIA |
| 2.7 | Kyle Lowry | PG | TOR |
| 2.8 | Paul Millsap | PF, C | ATL |
| 2.9 | Kyrie Irving | PG, SG | CLE |
| 2.10 | Al Horford | PF, C | BOS |
I chose to roll with Paul Millsap in Round 2 to start building a nice group of big men. I feel that big men are the backbone of your fantasy rosters. They provide us will not only points but also rebounds and blocks on most nights. Millsap has been as consistent as they come over the last few years for Atlanta. Yes, the addition of Dwight Howard could cloud things a bit at first but I think the two will end up meshing well together.
I personally think that Kawhi Leonard falling into the second round is a travesty. The kid is the new leader of this Spurs team and is due for a stellar 2016-17 campaign. Damian Lillard is another standout from Round 2 in my opinion. I’m willing to bet he’ll make the All-Star team this year and will put up career numbers.
Round 3
| Pick | Player | Position | Team |
| 3.1 | Draymond Green | SF, PF | GSW |
| 3.2 | Kemba Walker | PG | CHA |
| 3.3 | Victor Oladipo | PG, SG | OKC |
| 3.4 | LaMarcus Aldridge | PF, C | SAS |
| 3.5 | Isaiah Thomas | PG | BOS |
| 3.6 | DeMar DeRozan | SG, SF | TOR |
| 3.7 | Blake Griffin | PF, C | LAC |
| 3.8 | Eric Bledsoe | PG, SG | PHO |
| 3.9 | Andre Drummond | PF, C | DET |
| 3.10 | Klay Thompson | SG, SF | GSW |
For Round 3, I chose to pick Victor Oladipo. I’m actually very excited about this pick because he’ll have a chance to shine alongside Russell Westbrook. When Kevin Durant left the Thunder this offseason it did nothing but help Dipo’s fantasy value. He’s an all around solid fantasy player and will be on a ton of my teams this season.
One pick that I want to highlight from this round is Andre Drummond going at pick 3.9. If your league doesn’t have a free throw percentage category, then you’re set with this guy. Drummond is a monster fantasy contributor and is an absolute steal at that pick.
Round 4
| Pick | Player | Position | Team |
| 4.1 | Serge Ibaka | PF, C | ORL |
| 4.2 | C.J. McCollum | PG, SG | POR |
| 4.3 | Kristaps Porzingis | PF, C | NYK |
| 4.4 | Brook Lopez | C | BKN |
| 4.5 | Kevin Love | PF, C | CLE |
| 4.6 | Carmelo Anthony | SF, PF | NYK |
| 4.7 | Nikole Vucevic | PF, C | ORL |
| 4.8 | Derrick Favors | PF, C | UTH |
| 4.9 | DeAndre Jordan | C | LAC |
| 4.10 | Rudy Gobert | C | UTH |
After taking a guard last round, I had to choose a big man to balance things out for Round 4. I’m a big fan of Derrick Favors and am expecting another quality year from him in 2016-17. As long as the guy can stay healthy, he’ll easily put up double-double stat lines on most nights.
I was hoping that Kristaps Porzingis would fall to me at this pick but missed out on him. I’m expecting him to take it to another level in his Sophmore season with New York. I also like the pick of Brook Lopez as well. The Nets solely rely on him every single game, so he’ll have ample opportunities to score fantasy points.
Round 5
| Pick | Player | Position | Team |
| 5.1 | Marc Gasol | C | MEM |
| 5.2 | Gordon Hayward | SG, SF | UTH |
| 5.3 | Nikola Jokic | C | DEN |
| 5.4 | Pau Gasol | PF, C | SAS |
| 5.5 | Nicolas Batum | SG, SF | CHA |
| 5.6 | Andrew Wiggins | SG, SF | MIN |
| 5.7 | Reggie Jackson | PG, SG | DET |
| 5.8 | Nerlens Noel | PF, C | PHI |
| 5.9 | Myles Turner | PF, C | IND |
| 5.10 | Jonas Valanciunas | C | TOR |
I considered picking Pau Gasol here but chose to gamble on youth over the crafty old veteran. Nikola Jokic is a special talent and should be a big-time fantasy option this season. I personally think that this Nuggets squad could be an impressive group from a fantasy perspective, especially my man Jokic.
One under the radar pick from this round is Myles Turner going at 5.9. Like Jokic, Turner is a special player, who should step it up big this season. Turner showed flashes of brilliance last year and could be a game changer for your fantasy lineup this season.
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Round 6
| Pick | Player | Position | Team |
| 6.1 | Gorgui Dieng | PF, C | MIN |
| 6.2 | Ryan Anderson | PF, C | HOU |
| 6.3 | Marcin Gortat | C | WAS |
| 6.4 | Jeff Teague | PG | IND |
| 6.5 | Greg Monroe | PF, C | MIL |
| 6.6 | Rajon Rondo | PG | CHI |
| 6.7 | Mike Conley | PG | MEM |
| 6.8 | Goran Dragic | PG, SG | MIA |
| 6.9 | Rudy Gay | SF, PF | SAC |
| 6.10 | Dennis Schroder | PG | ATL |
I truly considered picking Dennis Schroder here but chose to play it safe, instead. With Dwyane Wade gone and Chris Bosh’s future in question, Dragic will be a centerpiece of this Heat offense. Dragic has shown the ability to be a solid fantasy contributor if given the opportunity. Alongside Hassan Whiteside, Dragic will be a great fantasy option this year.
I really like the pick at 6.1 of Gorgui Dieng in this round. Karl-Anthony Towns and he are going to be a dominant duo in Minnesota for years to come. I’m also intrigued with what Ryan Anderson is going to do in this Rockets offense. I’m expecting a ton of three-points launched this year in Houston!
Round 7
| Pick | Player | Position | Team |
| 7.1 | Chandler Parson | SF, PF | MEM |
| 7.2 | Trevor Ariza | SG, SF | HOU |
| 7.3 | Dwight Howard | PF, C | HOU |
| 7.4 | Chris Bosh | PF, C | MIA |
| 7.5 | Evan Fournier | SG, SF | ORL |
| 7.6 | Tobias Harris | SF, PF | DET |
| 7.7 | Dirk Nowitzki | PF, C | DAL |
| 7.8 | Jae Crowder | SF, PF | BOS |
| 7.9 | Markieff Morris | PF, C | WAS |
| 7.10 | Jahlil Okafor | C | PHI |
Dwight Howard was calling my name here in the 7th Round for some reason. I haven’t been a huge fan of him over the years but a change of scenery to Atlanta could be just what the doctor ordered. I’m expecting a great season for Dwight and pairing him with Millsap could be deadly.
One of my favorite picks from this round would have to be Evan Fournier at pick 7.5. I truly considered him at my pick but decided to keep building my post players up. Fournier is in store for big things with the Magic, especially with Victor Oladipo gone. Any time Oladipo was hurt last year, Fournier always stepped up in a big way.
Round 8
| Pick | Player | Position | Team |
| 8.1 | Enes Kanter | C | OKC |
| 8.2 | Steven Adams | C | OKC |
| 8.3 | Kenneth Faried | PF, C | DEN |
| 8.4 | Robin Lopez | C | CHI |
| 8.5 | Danilo Gallinari | SF | DEN |
| 8.6 | Alex Len | PF, C | PHO |
| 8.7 | Joel Embiid | C | PHI |
| 8.8 | Jabari Parker | SF, PF | MIL |
| 8.9 | Marvin Williams | SF, PF | CHA |
| 8.10 | Brandon Knight | PG, SG | PHO |
Alright, this round is where picks begin to really get tough! I chose to go with Jabari Parker, who I love for this season. He showed us all times of excellent play last season and will be looking to build off of that momentum this year. With Khris Middleton likely missing the entire 2016-17 season, Parker should be a go-to option for the Bucks.
Round 9
| Pick | Player | Position | Team |
| 9.1 | Clint Capela | PF, C | HOU |
| 9.2 | Ben Simmons | SF, PF | PHI |
| 9.3 | D’Angelo Russell | PG | LAL |
| 9.4 | Robert Covington | SF, PF | PHI |
| 9.5 | Tristan Thompson | PF, C | CLE |
| 9.6 | Zach Randolph | PF, C | MEM |
| 9.7 | Jusuf Nurkic | C | DEN |
| 9.8 | Thaddeus Young | SF, PF | IND |
| 9.9 | Joakim Noah | PF, C | NYK |
| 9.10 | Jared Sullinger | PF, C | TOR |
For my ninth pick, I went with a youngster who should flourish this year. With Kobe Bryant officially out of the picture in Los Angeles, this is D’Angelo Russell’s team now. He’s an ultra-talented player and could easily be the Lakers MVP by the end of the season.
Round 10
| Pick | Player | Position | Team |
| 10.1 | Zach LaVine | PG, SG | MIN |
| 10.2 | Darren Collison | PG | SAC |
| 10.3 | Mason Plumlee | PF, C | POR |
| 10.4 | Ricky Rubio | PG | MIN |
| 10.5 | Bismack Biyombo | PF, C | ORL |
| 10.6 | Al Jefferson | PF, C | CHA |
| 10.7 | Avery Bradley | PG, SG | BOS |
| 10.8 | Dwyane Wade | PG, SG | CHI |
| 10.9 | Andrew Bogut | C | DAL |
| 10.10 | Harrison Barnes | SF, PF | DAL |
Do I think Wade could take a step back in Chicago? Yes, but I just couldn’t pass him up in the 10th Round. I’m actually one of the few that thinks the Bulls could have a decent season with this squad. With Jimmy Butler on the perimeter and Rajon Rondo running the point, maybe Wade will prosper in Chi-Town.
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