Rotoworld’s annual Live Mock Draft Show took place on Thursday, October 15, and Noah Rubin, Raphielle Johnson and I had a blast drafting with nine of the best minds in the fantasy hoops industry.
_Special thanks to: Josh Lloyd, Dan Besbris, Brian Taylor, George Bissell, Dan Titus, Dan Palyo, Alex Barutha,_ _Adam King and Adam Stock._
In another annual tradition, I’m grading each of the teams based on strengths, weaknesses and how they’ll fare in this 9-Cat, H2H league.
Do you agree with my grades? Who do you think ended up with the best team?
**_⇒ Check out the full mock draft show here:_** [**_Fantasy Basketball Industry Expert Mock Draft LIVE (10/15/26) | Rotoworld_**](https://www.youtube.com/live/sQ6RTGWo5i0)
**🚨🏀** [**GET YOUR FREE ROTOWORLD FANTASY BASKETBALL DRAFT KIT HERE!**](https://www.nbcsports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/2026-27-rotoworld-fantasy-basketball-draft-kit-rankings-player-profiles-expert-analysis-free-download)
**Zak Hanshew, Rotoworld | Grade: C+**
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**MikeBibbyForTHREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!**
**Round**
**Pick**
**Player**
1
1
Nikola Jokić (DEN - C)
2
24
Trae Young (WAS - PG)
3
25
Walker Kessler (LAL - C)
4
48
Darius Garland (LAC - PG)
5
49
Cameron Boozer (MEM - PF)
6
72
Tyler Herro (MIL - PG,SG)
7
73
Caleb Wilson (CHI - PF)
8
96
Ja Morant (POR - PG)
9
97
Yaxel Lendeborg (GSW - PF)
10
120
Mitchell Robinson (BOS - C)
11
121
Rui Hachimura (LAC - SF,PF)
12
144
Zaccharie Risacher (DAL - SF,PF)
13
145
Keaton Wagler (LAC - SG)
**Strengths:** _REB, AST, FG%, BLK_
**Weaknesses:** _FT%, TO, 3PM_
I had first-world problems in this one, choosing between **Nikola Jokić** and **Victor Wembanyama**. I went Jokić for his durability and across-the-board contributions. Wemby is a monster in the blocks category and an effective scorer and rebounder, but Jokić is the only guy in history to lead the league in assists and rebounds in the same season. You can’t get that kind of versatility with any other player.
I paired Joker with Young and Kessler at the 2-3 turn before grabbing an upside big in Kessler and my favorite value in Garland. I rounded out the draft with a handful of rookies, took chances on Morant and Risacher, counting on resurgences in new situations and picked my favorite Celtics center.
This team won’t be great in triples and will struggle in turnovers and FT%, but it will reasonably compete in boards, dimes, blocks and FG%. This might not seem like a team that can be good in points, but there are some high-usage guys whose situations will force them to take a lot of shots. Solid core with plenty of swings - just how I like to draft.
**Josh Lloyd, Basketball Monster/Locked On Fantasy Basketball | Grade: C**
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**Josh Lloyd’s Tip-Top Team**
**Round**
**Pick**
**Player**
1
2
Victor Wembanyama (SAS - C)
2
23
Anthony Davis (WAS - PF,C)
3
26
Brandon Miller (CHA - SF,PF)
4
47
Jaylen Brown (PHI - SG,SF,PF)
5
50
Deni Avdija (POR - SG,SF,PF)
6
71
Damian Lillard (POR - PG)
7
74
Day’Ron Sharpe (BKN - C)
8
95
Norman Powell (CHI - SG,SF)
9
98
CJ McCollum (ATL - PG,SG)
10
119
Darius Acuff Jr. (SAC - PG)
11
122
Isaiah Hartenstein (OKC - C)
12
143
Jeremiah Fears (NOP - PG,SG)
13
146
Jalen Smith (CHI - PF,C)
**Strengths:** _PTS, REB, BLK_
**Weaknesses:** _STL, TO, AST_
Joker went first, so of course Josh grabbed Wemby with the second pick. He solidified his hold on the blocks category with a second-round pick of **Anthony Davis** and moved on to **Brandon Miller**, which was the earliest any of the Rotoworld crew had seen him taken in drafts.
Josh navigated the middle rounds successfully here, getting solid players in **Jaylen Brown** and **Deni Avdija** before taking a swing on **Damian Lillard** in Round 6. Coming off a major surgery and playing in a new system makes him a high-risk, high-reward option here.
The end of the draft shored up some three-point shooting with **Norman Powell** and **CJ McCollum**, and Josh took a chance on some young, upside options in the rookie **Darius Acuff Jr.** and second-year man **Jeremiah Fears**. There’s plenty of upside here, but Davis, Lillard and Sharpe are risks for availability and role, and the final three picks are dart throws.
**Dan Titus, Yahoo! Sports | Grade: A**
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**Titus (Y!)**
**Round**
**Pick**
**Player**
1
3
Luka Dončić (LAL - PG,SG)
2
22
LaMelo Ball (MIN - PG)
3
27
Chet Holmgren (OKC - PF,C)
4
46
Keyonte George (UTA - PG,SG)
5
51
Onyeka Okongwu (ATL - C)
6
70
Julius Randle (BKN - PF)
7
75
Jaden McDaniels (MIN - SF)
8
94
Mikal Bridges (NYK - SF,PF)
9
99
Coby White (CHA - PG,SG)
10
118
Jaime Jaquez Jr. (MIL - SG,SF,PF)
11
123
Toumani Camara (POR - SF,PF)
12
142
Reed Sheppard (HOU - PG,SG)
13
147
Aaron Gordon (DEN - PF,C)
**Strengths:** _PTS, 3PM, AST, STL_
**Weaknesses:** _REB, BLK, FG%_
DT leaned into guards early, so it’s not surprising that his biggest strengths are guard-heavy contributions in points, triples, dimes and swipes. This team will have a tough time ever winning in blocks, but Titus did his best to balance out rebounding in the middle rounds with **Onyeka Okongwu**, **Julius Randle**, and **Jaden McDaniels**.
High-usage players like **Luka Dončić**, **LaMelo Ball**, and **Keyonte George** make this a turnover-heavy team, but there are some capable free-throw shooters on this squad, giving DT the chance to reasonably compete in at least six categories week-to-week.
**Alex Barutha, RotoWire | Grade: B**
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**Alex Barutha (RotoWire)**
**Round**
**Pick**
**Player**
1
4
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC - PG)
2
21
Stephen Curry (GSW - PG)
3
28
James Harden (CLE - PG,SG)
4
45
Donovan Clingan (POR - C)
5
52
Matas Buzelis (CHI - SF,PF)
6
69
LeBron James (PHI - SF,PF)
7
76
Joel Embiid (PHI - C)
8
93
Derik Queen (NOP - PF,C)
9
100
John Collins (DET - PF,C)
10
117
Jalen Green (PHX - SG,SF)
11
124
Cason Wallace (OKC - PG,SG,SF)
12
141
Anthony Black (ORL - PG,SG,SF)
13
148
Christian Braun (DEN - SG,SF,PF)
**Strengths:** _PTS, FT%, STL_
**Weaknesses:** _AST, FG%, TO_
Barutha opened the draft with the best player available after the usual suspects - Jokić, Wemby and Dončić - went in the first three picks. He paired SGA with back-to-back values in **Stephen Curry** and James Harden before adding **LeBron James** and **Joel Embiid** in the later rounds.
The end of the draft rounded out with some upside swings in **Derik Queen**, **John Collins**, **Cason Wallace**, and **Anthony Black**.
This is a surprisingly well-rounded team that should be competitive in nearly every category, but there are plenty of risks involved. Can Embiid and LeBron stay healthy? Will Curry see his playing time and availability dip? And if those players are forced to miss time, will the late-round, upside guys be able to fill in effectively?
Analytically, this is a great team, but I’m concerned about availability.
**Adam Stock, Elite Fantasy Basketball | Grade: C**
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**Adam Elite Fantasy Basketball**
**Round**
**Pick**
**Player**
1
5
Cade Cunningham (DET - PG,SG)
2
20
Kevin Durant (HOU - SG,SF,PF)
3
29
Jalen Duren (DET - C)
4
44
Franz Wagner (ORL - SF,PF)
5
53
Dejounte Murray (NOP - PG)
6
68
Ty Jerome (MEM - PG,SG)
7
77
Jarrett Allen (CLE - C)
8
92
Brandin Podziemski (GSW - PG,SG)
9
101
Keegan Murray (SAC - SF,PF)
10
116
Myles Turner (MIL - C)
11
125
Miles Bridges (PHX - PF)
12
140
Daniel Gafford (DAL - C)
13
149
Gui Santos (GSW - SF,PF)
**Strengths:** _FG%, BLK, REB_
**Weaknesses:** _FT%, TO, 3PM_
Cunningham’s ADP is the highest it’s ever been, and the do-it-all guard went fifth to Adam. He paired him with a perennial top-20 guy in Durant before grabbing **Jalen Duren** in the third round as his starting center.
Adam took some risks in the middle rounds with **Franz Wagner** and **Dejounte Murray**, who have had trouble staying on the court in recent seasons, and **Ty Jerome**, who showed major upside in a small sample size last season.
**Jarrett Allen** is a fine second center, but this league plays two centers, and the backups are **Myles Turner** off a down year facing more competition and **Daniel Gafford**, who has never been able to stay healthy. I like the late-round **Miles Bridges** pick, but the second half of this draft is filled with question marks. Cade, Durant and Wagner can score at will, but I’m concerned about scoring for the rest of the players on this roster.
**Dan Besbris, Old Man Squad/RotoBaller | Grade: D**
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**@DanBesbris (OMS)**
**Round**
**Pick**
**Player**
1
6
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIA - PF,C)
2
19
Alperen Şengün (HOU - PF,C)
3
30
Domantas Sabonis (SAC - PF,C)
4
43
Josh Giddey (CHI - PG,SG)
5
54
Paolo Banchero (ORL - PF)
6
67
Ryan Rollins (MIL - PG,SG)
7
78
Stephon Castle (SAS - PG,SG)
8
91
Josh Hart (NYK - SG,SF)
9
102
RJ Barrett (TOR - SG,SF,PF)
10
115
Jalen Suggs (ORL - PG,SG)
11
126
Kevin Porter Jr. (MIL - PG,SG)
12
139
P.J. Washington (DAL - PF,C)
13
150
Ben Simmons (SAC - PG)
**Strengths:** _REB, AST, STL_
**Weaknesses:** _BLK, FT%, TO, 3PM, PTS_
No surprises here as **Giannis Antetokounmpo** went sixth, and Dan went big-man heavy with a Punt FT% build, taking **Alperen Şengün** and **Domantas Sabonis** with his next two picks. He picked up his only guard of the first five picks in **Josh Giddey** before grabbing **Paolo Banchero** in Round 5.
After hitting F/C hard, Dan grabbed guard-eligible players with each of his next six picks, picking up Milwaukee’s PG rotation in **Ryan Rollins** and **Kevin Porter Jr.**, nabbing **Stephon Castle** and getting a player with versatile eligibility in **RJ Barrett**.
This is a team that has some big strengths in rebounds, steals and assists because the early-round bigs are all strong facilitators, but there are some big holes across five categories, and Dan’s team will have trouble competing weekly in this H2H format.
**Adam King, Old Man Squad/RotoWire | Grade: A-**
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**Kingy’s Krafty Crew**
**Round**
**Pick**
**Player**
1
7
Cooper Flagg (DAL - SG,SF,PF)
2
18
Amen Thompson (HOU - PG,SG)
3
31
Jalen Williams (OKC - SF,PF)
4
42
Zach Edey (MEM - C)
5
55
Dyson Daniels (ATL - SG,SF)
6
66
Ausar Thompson (DET - SG,SF,PF)
7
79
Collin Murray-Boyles (TOR - PF,C)
8
90
Khaman Maluach (PHX - C)
9
103
Nic Claxton (CHI - C)
10
114
Peyton Watson (CLE - SF,PF)
11
127
Kyshawn George (WAS - SG,SF,PF)
12
138
Isaiah Jackson (LAC - C)
13
151
Tari Eason (HOU - SG,SF,PF)
**Strengths**: _REB, FG%, STL, BLK, TO_
**Weaknesses:** _PTS, 3PM, AST, FT%_
While some of the analysts in this draft dipped their toes in the Punt Build pool, Adam King jumped into the deep end. As Noah mentioned throughout the Draft Show, this is a true Kingy build, as he punted offensive categories and went all out with defense.
Kingy went all out to ensure he would win in REB, FG%, STL, BLK and TO, but he’ll barely have any room to compete in PTS, 3PM, AST or FT%.
Kingy’s draft is the perfect example of targeting specific categories and selecting the players who best help you win in those categories. I like this approach, but it’s not without risks, as losing even a single one of his five strong categories will cost Kingy a weekly win.
**“Thunder Dan” Palyo, RotoBaller | Grade: D+**
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**Dan’s Tip-Top Team**
**Round**
**Pick**
**Player**
1
8
Jayson Tatum (BOS - SF,PF)
2
17
Austin Reaves (LAL - PG,SG,SF)
3
32
Trey Murphy III (NOP - SG,SF)
4
41
Kyrie Irving (DAL - PG)
5
56
Ivica Zubac (IND - C)
6
65
Naz Reid (CHA - PF,C)
7
80
Dylan Harper (SAS - PG,SG)
8
89
Andrew Wiggins (MIA - SG,SF,PF)
9
104
Jabari Smith Jr. (HOU - PF,C)
10
113
Ajay Mitchell (OKC - PG,SG)
11
128
Sandro Mamukelashvili (LAL - PF,C)
12
137
Tre Jones (CHI - PG,SG)
13
152
Grayson Allen (CHA - SG,SF)
**Strengths:** _3PM, FT%, TO_
**Weaknesses:** _REB, AST, BLK_
**Jayson Tatum** at No. 8 feels like a good spot for him, as he’s expected to be a full-go for the start of the 2026-27 season. “Thunder Dan” paired Tatum with a pair of wings over his next two picks, getting solid positional eligibility from **Austin Reaves** and **Trey Murphy III**.
Dan spent his middle-round picks on upside options, grabbing Kyrie Irving in his return from a missed season, **Ivica Zubac** in his first full season with Indiana and **Naz Reid** in his first stint as a full-time starter.
**Dylan Harper** has monster upside, and **Andrew Wiggins** and **Jabari Smith Jr.** are underwhelming yet steady contributors. I liked this draft through Pick 7, but the ho-hum Wiggins and JSJ picks coupled with the questionable final four selections drove my final grade of this team down considerably.
**George Bissell, Rotoworld | Grade: D-**
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**George Bissell**
**Round**
**Pick**
**Player**
1
9
Tyrese Maxey (PHI - PG)
2
16
Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK - PF,C)
3
33
Bam Adebayo (MIA - PF,C)
4
40
Derrick White (BOS - PG,SG)
5
57
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (ATL - PG,SG)
6
64
Kon Knueppel (CHA - SG,SF)
7
81
VJ Edgecombe (PHI - PG,SG)
8
88
Payton Pritchard (BOS - PG)
9
105
Moussa Diabaté (CHA - C)
10
112
Jakob Poeltl (TOR - C)
11
129
Ayo Dosunmu (MIN - PG,SG)
12
136
Aaron Nesmith (IND - SG,SF)
13
153
Aday Mara (OKC - C)
**Strengths:** _3PM, FT%, TO_
**Weaknesses:** _PTS, AST, STL_
I’m not a big fan of taking **Tyrese Maxey** so early in a draft due to Philadelphia’s revamped offense that should take the ball out of his hands more than in past seasons. The same is true of **VJ Edgecombe** who went in Round 7.
This team has little depth at F, and the backup centers are all risky selections due to opportunity (**Moussa Diabaté** and **Aday Mara**) and availability (**Jakob Poeltl**).
For a guard-heavy build, this team doesn’t look great in points, assists or steals, and I’m not sure it will be very competitive on a weekly basis.
**Brian Taylor, Rotoworld | Grade: B-**
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**Brian’s Big Bristle**
**Round**
**Pick**
**Player**
1
10
Anthony Edwards (MIN - PG,SG)
2
15
Jamal Murray (DEN - PG)
3
34
Kawhi Leonard (TOR - SG,SF,PF)
4
39
Jaren Jackson Jr. (UTA - PF,C)
5
58
Michael Porter Jr. (BKN - SF,PF)
6
63
Paul George (BOS - SF,PF)
7
82
Rudy Gobert (MIN - C)
8
87
De’Aaron Fox (SAS - PG)
9
106
Brandon Ingram (LAC - SG,SF,PF)
10
111
Fred VanVleet (HOU - PG)
11
130
Jusuf Nurkić (UTA - C)
12
135
Collin Gillespie (PHX - PG,SG)
13
154
Andrew Nembhard (IND - PG,SG)
**Strengths:** _3PM, STL, PTS, FG%_
**Weaknesses:** _FT%, BLK, TO_
Brian made the most of the 10th pick, grabbing **Anthony Edwards** and pairing him with **Jamal Murray** to create a strong guard pairing. Grabbing **Kawhi Leonard** in Round 3 and **Jaren Jackson Jr**. in Round 4 are solid values, particularly as JJJ could play the 4 or 5 for Utah.
**Michael Porter Jr.** played a huge role for Brooklyn last season, but his usage could certainly take a hit with **Julius Randle** in the fold. The next three picks were spent on reliable veterans who could far outperform their ADP, and Brian followed those picks up with three injury risks.
**Brandon Ingram** (Achilles) is out indefinitely, but he can be stashed in an IL spot, **Fred VanVleet** is back after missing all of last season, and **Jusuf Nurkić** (foot) will be out through at least early November. This team is strong in four categories and should compete in steals and assists.
**Raphielle Johnson, Rotoworld | Grade: B**
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**Raphielle’s Expert Team**
**Round**
**Pick**
**Player**
1
11
Donovan Mitchell (CLE - PG,SG)
2
14
Jalen Johnson (ATL - SF,PF)
3
35
Evan Mobley (CLE - PF,C)
4
38
Jalen Brunson (NYK - PG)
5
59
Pascal Siakam (IND - PF,C)
6
62
OG Anunoby (NYK - SF,PF)
7
83
Immanuel Quickley (TOR - PG,SG)
8
86
AJ Dybantsa (WAS - SF)
9
107
Cedric Coward (MEM - SG,SF)
10
110
Neemias Queta (BOS - C)
11
131
Davion Mitchell (MIA - PG)
12
134
Quentin Grimes (LAL - SG,SF)
13
155
Saddiq Bey (NOP - SF,PF)
**Strengths:** _AST, FG%, TO_
**Weaknesses:** _REB, BLK, FT%_
Raph grabbed his first-round target in **Donovan Mitchell** and immediately paired him with last season’s 18th-ranked player, **Jalen Johnson**. Mitchell is as solid as they come in fantasy hoops, but can he provide Top-12 value if Cleveland’s roster is fully healthy?
The next two picks were great value options in **Evan Mobley** and **Jalen Brunson**, and **OG Anunoby** at Pick 62 was a steal. **Pascal Siakam** had a down year, but Raph is confident in a bounce-back playing alongside **Tyrese Haliburton**. The later rounds of the draft featured some value plays in **Immanuel Quickley**, **Cedric Coward**, and **Saddiq Bey** as well as some upside flyers in **AJ Dybantsa** and **Quentin Grimes**.
This team has efficient scorers and passers who don’t turn the ball over too much. There are scorers and defenders here, which will allow the team to compete in points and steals and occasionally compete in triples.
**Noah Rubin, Rotoworld | Grade: B+**
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**Noah’s Neat Team**
**Round**
**Pick**
**Player**
1
12
Scottie Barnes (TOR - SF,PF,C)
2
13
Tyrese Haliburton (IND - PG,SG)
3
36
Devin Booker (PHX - PG,SG)
4
37
Lauri Markkanen (UTA - SF,PF)
5
60
Desmond Bane (ORL - SG,SF)
6
61
Kel’el Ware (MIL - C)
7
84
Alex Sarr (WAS - C)
8
85
Zion Williamson (NOP - PF,C)
9
108
Zach LaVine (SAC - PG,SG,SF)
10
109
Darryn Peterson (UTA - SG)
11
132
Egor Dëmin (BKN - PG,SG)
12
133
Yves Missi (NOP - C)
13
156
Mikel Brown Jr. (BKN - PG)
**Strengths:** _FT%, BLK, TO_
**Weaknesses:** _REB, STL, FG%_
I started the draft with the first pick, and Noah ended it with Pick 156. He started out with two strong facilitators in **Scottie Barnes** and **Tyrese Haliburton**. Barnes has eligibility at three different positions, but he can rack up assists like a quality PG.
Noah nabbed **Devin Booker** and **Lauri Markkanen** with his next two picks, adding two strong scoring options. **Desmond Bane** at Pick 60 was a steal, and Kel’el Ware at No. 61 could pay off if he breaks out for the Bucks. Alex Sarr could struggle to replicate last season’s success on a crowded Washington roster, but **Zion Williamson** and **Zach LaVine** were strong value picks.
I love **Darryn Peterson** outside the Top 100, and grabbing Brooklyn’s backcourt feels like a sneaky-good move. This team will be strong in at least three categories and competitive in points, assists and triples.