Fantasy Basketball: André Snellings’ Ultimate Draft Board

Before any major fantasy sports draft, a crucial question arises: What does your ideal fantasy basketball draft look like?

Even after years of playing, I still meticulously plan for significant drafts. This involves assessing my draft position, identifying top contenders likely to be available for my first pick, and then reviewing player rankings for subsequent rounds to pinpoint desired targets within my selection range.

Many participants in your league might enter the draft unprepared, simply hoping for the best. By approaching the draft with a clear understanding of the talent pool across different stages, you`ll gain a significant advantage from the very start.

Based on my experience, conducting mock drafts is the most effective way to preview your potential team and understand player availability. This helps determine if your sleeper picks will genuinely be available later or if they`re gaining wider recognition and likely to be drafted earlier than anticipated.

Often, highly valuable players are ranked lower than expected and might be available in later rounds. Knowing how the draft typically unfolds can be incredibly beneficial for optimizing your roster.

In this comprehensive article, I`ll spotlight players I recommend drafting at various points within your fantasy basketball league. For the early rounds, draft slot significantly influences player availability, so I`ll highlight specific players of interest for different sections of the round. For middle and later rounds, I`ll categorize groups of players that I favor and who should be accessible within those ranges.

To estimate player availability, I`ve used Average Draft Pick (ADP) data, providing valuable insights into potential draft steals throughout your own selections.

Building Your Foundation

Round 1: Securing Elite Talent

• For the first pick in a points league, Nikola Jokic (1.4 ADP) is my immediate choice. In a category league, Victor Wembanyama (3.5 ADP) gets the nod just as quickly. If I hold the second pick in either format, I`m selecting whichever of these two titans remains. Jokic has dominated fantasy points production for the last five seasons, and Wembanyama is the sole player with a credible chance to surpass him.
• If drafting in the middle of the first round, my targets in a points league are either Giannis Antetokounmpo (4.6 ADP) or Anthony Edwards (6.1 ADP). Antetokounmpo is poised to deliver nightly triple-double threats for the Bucks, assuming an expanded creation role in the post-Damian Lillard era for a team rich in finishers. His primary weakness, free-throw shooting, would see him slide towards the round`s end in category leagues. Edwards, however, maintains strong value in both formats. His high-volume scoring makes him a top-ranked wing in points leagues, while his increased three-point volume secures his value in category leagues.
• Towards the end of the first round, I lean towards either Cade Cunningham (8.9 ADP) or Anthony Davis (8.8 ADP). Cunningham truly blossomed last season, his fourth in the NBA, after finally being healthy enough to play 70 games. He joined the league leaders in both points and assists, frequently threatening triple-doubles. Having just turned 24 in September, he still possesses clear, achievable upside for further improvement.
• Davis concluded last season ranked sixth in total fantasy points but only participated in 51 games – his fourth season in the last five playing 56 or fewer. This injury history undoubtedly makes Davis a high-risk first-round pick. However, on the positive side, Davis`s per-game production potential is higher this season as the primary offensive option on the Mavericks, a role he didn`t have with the Lakers before their rumored trade. In his initial game with the Mavericks post-trade, Davis was on track for a dominant triple-double before an injury intervened. With Kyrie Irving reportedly sidelined for at least half the season, Davis will be the central focus on both ends of the court for an otherwise balanced Mavericks squad. He played a career-high 76 games in 2023-24, and if he can replicate that durability this season, he holds top-5 overall fantasy production potential in both points and categories formats.

Round 2: Mid-Round Gems

• Based on ADP, my top two value picks for the early second round are Trae Young (12.2 ADP) or Karl-Anthony Towns (12.5 ADP). Young is projected for higher fantasy points and a better rank in category leagues, likely leading the league in assists again with the Hawks having added more finishers. However, I also highly value Towns here as a high-volume, efficient big-man scorer with dual-position eligibility, a rarity among ultra-elite power forward options.
• Yet, the most significant value in Round 2, regardless of your pick number, might be James Harden (19.4 ADP). Last season, Harden delivered the fourth-most fantasy points in the league, surpassed only by Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Antetokounmpo. He projects as a first-round value in category leagues and borderline first-round value in points leagues, making him a compelling second-round selection in either format. Harden also offers dual-position eligibility, further enhancing his appeal in a league otherwise rich with quality point guard-eligible players.

Late Round 2 / Early Round 3: High-Volume Guards

• Jalen Brunson (20.3 ADP) has been a consistent high-volume producer for the Knicks under Tom Thibodeau. This season, however, he transitions to playing for Mike Brown, who has a track record of orchestrating strong offenses, including leading the NBA in team offensive rating with the Kings in 2022-23. Brunson could elevate his performance even further this season, offering excellent value late in the second or early in the third round.
• Another player to watch in this range is Donovan Mitchell (21.2 ADP). Mitchell`s scoring volume dipped last season, largely due to the Cavaliers` impressive success (average scoring margin +9.5 PPG), which meant their starters played fewer minutes. His 31.4 MPG was a career low. Should the Cavaliers not maintain the same level of success this season, and Mitchell`s minutes revert closer to his career average of 33.8 MPG, his production would likely surge, potentially exceeding his draft position value.

Round 3: Emerging Stars

• Jaylen Brown (26.3 ADP) enters this season as the undisputed primary option for the Celtics. Over the past two seasons, Brown`s scoring average jumped from 22.2 PPG when playing alongside Tatum to 26.8 PPG in games Tatum missed. If he can physically handle the increased workload, Brown is poised for a breakout season.
• While not typically an early target in fantasy basketball, Josh Giddey (30.9 ADP) experienced a significant surge last season after the Bulls traded Zach LaVine to Sacramento, shifting their focus to building around Giddey and Coby White. In his final 19 games from February 20th onwards, Giddey averaged an impressive 21.2 PPG, 10.7 RPG, and 9.3 APG. He carries incredible upside into this season.

Round 4: Promising Young Wings

• Cooper Flagg (32.8 ADP) is the first rookie featured, generating considerable hype in fantasy drafts based on his collegiate achievements. To my eye, Flagg appears ready for the NBA stage. In the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, he showcased both the physical readiness and skill set to thrive from Day 1. With Kyrie Irving expected to be sidelined for the first half of the season, Flagg should assume a significant offensive role for the Mavericks, complementing Anthony Davis.
• Amen Thompson (36.7 ADP) was a top-tier prospect in the 2023 NBA draft. Following an injury-riddled rookie season, he exploded onto the scene as a sophomore once he earned significant starting minutes. The Rockets traded wings Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks for Kevin Durant this offseason and then lost point guard Fred VanVleet to injury. Thompson will be relied upon for major minutes and a versatile role for the Rockets. At just 22 years old, he is primed for another substantial leap in his third year.

Middle Rounds (Rounds 5-8): Value & Versatility

• Josh Hart (45.8 ADP) boasts an incredibly fantasy-friendly, well-rounded game that consistently fills the stat sheet, often outperforming his general reputation in both points and categories leagues. Last season, Hart accumulated the 19th-most fantasy points overall, making him an excellent value in the middle rounds of a fantasy hoops draft.
• Derrick White (47.7 ADP) finished last season with the 33rd most fantasy points and is poised for an expanded role this season with Jayson Tatum reportedly sidelined. White is a reliable shooter and scorer, but his true value comes from his positive contributions across various categories, including strong three-pointers, steals, and even respectable blocked shots for a guard. This versatility makes him even more valuable in category leagues (ranked 19th preseason) than in points leagues.
• Jalen Green (56.4 ADP) produced the 44th-most fantasy points last season as the somewhat inconsistent leading scorer for the Rockets. Green was a central figure in the trade for Durant this offseason and is expected to assume a high-volume but secondary role behind Devin Booker for the Suns. This situation is more favorable for Green than his time with the Rockets, as defenses will be focused on Booker, yet Green should still receive comparable or even greater offensive volume in Phoenix. Still only 23 years old, Green has played all 82 games for two consecutive seasons, offering both upside and a reputation for durability.
• Walker Kessler (72.5 ADP) offers nightly double-double potential and should rank among the league leaders in blocked shots. While solid for a starting center in points leagues, his shot-blocking prowess is exceptionally valuable in category leagues, earning him a 54th rank in preseason category projections.
• Deni Avdija (74.6 ADP) demonstrated strong signs of a breakout last season, his first with the Trail Blazers, particularly in the latter half. Post-All-Star break, Avdija averaged an impressive 23.3 PPG, 9.7 RPG, and 5.2 APG. The Trail Blazers are reportedly building around Avdija this season; if he approaches these numbers, he would drastically exceed his draft slot value.

Late Rounds (Round 9 and Beyond): High-Upside Picks

• Kevin Porter Jr. (86.7 ADP) averaged 19.2 PPG, 5.7 APG, and 5.3 RPG as the full-time starter for the Rockets in 2022-23. This season, with Damian Lillard`s departure, Porter could see similar playing time for the Bucks. Still only 25, Porter might be poised for a career-best season playing alongside Antetokounmpo.
• Alex Sarr (99.4 ADP) is projected as a nightly double-double threat whose scoring, as a sophomore, could reach the upper-teens for the Wizards. His value is even higher in category leagues, where he has the potential to average 4+ combined blocks, three-pointers, and steals per game from the center position.
• Shaedon Sharpe (107.9 ADP) entered the NBA with limitless potential and has consistently improved each season. The Trail Blazers reportedly traded leading scorer Anfernee Simons in the offseason, creating an opportunity for Sharpe to develop into a 20+ PPG scorer in his fourth season. At just 22 years old, Sharpe remains one of the league`s biggest upside plays.
• Andrew Nembhard (109.3 ADP) and Bennedict Mathurin (120.2 ADP) are leading contenders to capitalize on the increased opportunities stemming from Tyrese Haliburton`s absence. Mathurin has alternated between starting and sixth-man roles but has already demonstrated 20 PPG potential with significant upside. Nembhard has delivered solid numbers playing alongside Haliburton, but his legendary playoff performance two seasons ago when Haliburton was injured suggests he possesses dramatically higher upside as the team`s primary ball-handler.
• Kyrie Irving (120.5 ADP) and Dejounte Murray (132.2 ADP) are both strong stash candidates. Both are recovering from major surgery and are currently expected to return sometime in the New Year. Drafting injured players always carries risk, and even upon their return, they will likely face minute restrictions as they ramp up. However, if your team is robust enough to endure their initial absence, the potential reward is acquiring high-round value players just in time for the crucial stretch run and fantasy playoffs.
• Reed Sheppard (139.3 ADP) possessed the game to be one of the more impactful rookies of the 2024 draft class, but the Rockets` perimeter depth limited his minutes and relegated him to G League stints. The Rockets reportedly traded two wings for Durant, who is likely to play a hybrid 3-4 role, and their starting point guard Fred VanVleet is out for the season. Sheppard could be in line for starting minutes this season, and if so, he holds substantial upside. In that scenario, I would conservatively rank him as a top-75 producer in both points and categories formats.