2025-26 Fantasy Basketball Mock Draft Results: 12-Team 9-Cat Analysis

To draft Embiid, or not to draft Embiid. That's the question I found myself asking in the fifth round of this mock draft, and the question many fantasy managers will be asking themselves this season.

This 9-category mock draft took place Tuesday, featuring standard settings. Notably, that means 12 teams and a requirement to start two centers. The draft was comprised of eight fantasy basketball analysts and four enthusiasts who joined through a post on my Twitter/X (@BaruthaAlex).

This was a fun, competitive draft. It outlines how difficult it can be to build a perfect team, but also how much value can be had late to cover what you don't feel great about.

Pre-Draft Strategy

I didn't have a set gameplan going into the draft, but when I found out I had the sixth pick, I knew I'd probably be getting one of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Cade Cunningham or Anthony Edwards. Whoever that turned out to be would determine what categories I'd be punting.

One thing I wanted to accomplish was constructing a team with some of fantasy's up-and-comers. How good can a team built primarily from young players with upside be? Will I feel like I left veteran stability on the table?

My Team

1.  (6) Cade Cunningham (DET- PG, SG)
2.  (19) Evan Mobley (CLE - PF, C)
3.  (30) Paolo Banchero (ORL - PF, C)
4.  (43) Ja Morant (MEM - PG)
5.  (54) Coby White (CHI- PG, SG)
6.  (67) Andrew Nembhard (IND - PG, SG)
7.  (78) Donovan Clingan (POR - C)
8.  (91) Nic Claxton (BKN - C)
9.  (102) Shaedon Sharpe (POR - SG, SF)
10.  (115) Andrew Wiggins (MIA - SG, SF)
11.  (126) Keyonte George (UTA - PG, SG)
12.  (139) Kyle Kuzma (MIL - SF, PF)
13.  (150) T.J. McConnell (IND - PG)

How the Draft Unfolded

I ended up with Cade Cunningham with my first pick -- the most well-rounded option available. That left me open to decide on a punt build with Picks 2 and 3.

There were a lot of options open to me at Pick 2, including Amen Thompson, Jalen Johnson, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Josh Giddey. Ultimately, I opted for Evan Mobley. I think he's an underrated breakout candidate, and it helps that he qualifies at both power forward and center.

That decision made my third-round selection easier. I was trending toward a team of versatile bigs, which allowed me to take Paolo Banchero without worrying about his lack of three-pointers or subpar free-throw percentage. Those now became my punt categories and help steer the remainder of my draft.

I don't think I reached for anyone, but two picks that probably stick out the most are Coby White (54) and Andrew Nembhard (67). I had the option to draft Joel Embiid and passed, although he'd fit my build. In hindsight, I probably should have taken him since I already had two center-eligible players (Mobley and Banchero) who could be my points of stability at the position. Nembhard typically goes a round or two later than I selected him, but his floor is incredibly high in the Pacers' offense as someone who can pass and rack up steals.

I'm excited about getting Keyonte George at pick 126 and T.J. McConnell at 150. I might be on an island with George, but I think he's Utah's clear No. 3 option. A little more efficiency would go a long way in his value. And McConnell is McConnell -- we know he's one of the best per-minute producers in the league. More minutes should be available this year.

If I'm worried about any position, it's small forward. I didn't draft one until the 9th round (Shaedon Sharpe), and then had to make sure I got some stable value with Andrew Wiggins. We'll see how the Kyle Kuzma experience ends up being in Milwaukee.

Final Team Assessment

I like my team. The punt 3s and FT% build has cohesion, without too many players breaking the mold. I typically don't prefer to punt, but game theory suggests you should in category leagues. So I'm happy I built something that makes sense.

My biggest point of concern, other than my weak SF position, is Ja Morant. He's not starting the year healthy and is injury prone. But it's also difficult to win in fantasy without taking at least one swing, and he's that guy for me. I think that when he's on the floor, he could produce career-best numbers.

Conclusion and Full Draft Results

The lesson here is don't be afraid to commit to a strategy once your first 2-3 picks reveal a direction. Half-punting rarely works outside of some exceptional value picks and health luck.

Also, in two-center leagues, the position gets thin fast—I saw a run from picks 35-55 that cleared out the reliable starters. If you're waiting on center, have a plan. 

This season's young talent is deeper than ever, which makes mid-to-late round upside picks more valuable than usual.