2025-26 NBA Fantasy Basketball Mock Draft
In anticipation of the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season, ESPN’s fantasy basketball analysts participated in their inaugural mock draft, structured around a head-to-head points scoring system with 10 teams. This format is geared towards engaging players of all experience levels, especially those who are just stepping into the world of fantasy basketball. For newcomers looking to join the fun, a comprehensive guide to the essentials of fantasy hoops is available, making it straightforward to assemble your own league, initiate a draft, and enjoy the competition.
Insights from the Mock Draft
This mock draft serves as an insightful preview of player selection trends anticipated in real fantasy leagues, particularly in head-to-head points contests. Notably, participants aimed to identify potential sleepers and gauge the draft positioning of both emerging talents like Victor Wembanyama and seasoned stars such as LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
The draft was executed by a panel which included experts like Alex Barutha, Eric Moody, and Tom Carpenter among others, who selected their rosters in a sequential order. Victor Wembanyama, highly touted as a rookie, was chosen early, while longtime favorites faced intriguing evaluations concerning their draft stock.
Initial Picks
The selection order revealed the following initial picks:
- Nikola Jokic from Denver took the lead as the first overall selection.
- Following him was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from Oklahoma City.
- Wembanyama himself was selected third, confirming his rise in fantasy relevance.
Veterans like LeBron James and Kevin Durant were watched closely as their draft positions hinted at changes in their perceived value in the fantasy realm. Additionally, questions around the effectiveness of players like James Harden and the draft potential of others like Devin Booker and Anthony Davis were part of the ongoing discussion.
Emerging Patterns
As the draft unfolded, patterns began to emerge, notably where players were being undervalued in middle to later rounds, giving an idea of where savvy fantasy managers might find value picks.
For those eager to embark on their fantasy journeys this season, remember, the right preparation combined with a little mock drafting can make all the difference as the NBA season draws nearer.
