André Snellings’ Ultimate Fantasy Basketball Draft Board

Before diving into your fantasy basketball draft, have you envisioned your ideal outcome? Strategic pre-draft planning is crucial for success.

Even with extensive experience in fantasy sports, I consistently engage in pre-draft preparation. This involves analyzing my draft slot to identify top initial targets and then cross-referencing subsequent picks with player rankings to pinpoint the best available talent.

Many competitors in your league will enter the draft with minimal preparation, relying on chance. By contrast, a clear understanding of player availability across various draft stages will provide a significant competitive advantage from the very start.

In my experience, conducting mock drafts is the most effective method to anticipate team composition. This helps ascertain if potential “sleeper” picks will genuinely be available later or if their value is now widely recognized, leading to earlier selections.

It`s common to find highly valuable players ranked lower than anticipated, who may consequently be available later in the draft. Understanding these draft dynamics beforehand is instrumental for optimizing your roster.

This article outlines my preferred draft targets for various stages of the fantasy basketball draft. Early rounds are heavily influenced by your draft position, so I specify players to watch for across different pick numbers. For the mid and late rounds, I identify groups of players I favor who are likely to be accessible.

To estimate player availability, I refer to Average Draft Position (ADP) data, offering valuable insights into potential draft bargains.

The Foundation

Round 1: Elite Selections

• For those with the top pick in a points league, Nikola Jokic (ADP 1.4) is my immediate choice. In category leagues, Victor Wembanyama (ADP 3.5) is the clear preference for the first overall selection. Holding the second pick in either league format, I`d secure whichever of these two elite talents remains available. Jokic has consistently led in fantasy points over the last five seasons, and Wembanyama stands out as the sole player with a realistic opportunity to surpass his dominance.
• If drafting in the middle of Round 1 in a points league, my targets are either Giannis Antetokounmpo (ADP 4.6) or Anthony Edwards (ADP 6.1). Antetokounmpo is poised to be a nightly triple-double threat for the Bucks, assuming an even greater playmaking role in the post-Damian Lillard era. His only drawback, free throw shooting, might see him slide towards the end of the first round in category leagues. Edwards, however, maintains high value in both formats; his scoring volume makes him a top-ranked wing in points leagues, while his increased three-point shooting volume solidifies his worth in category leagues.
• Towards the end of the first round, my top preferences are Cade Cunningham (ADP 8.9) or Anthony Davis (ADP 8.8). Cunningham truly shined last season, his fourth in the NBA, benefiting from the first time he was healthy enough to play 70 games. He joined the league`s top performers in points and assists and frequently threatened a triple-double, with further upside considering he just turned 24.
• Davis, despite finishing sixth in total fantasy points last season, only played 51 games, marking his fourth season in five with 56 or fewer appearances. This injury history presents a risk for a first-round pick. However, Davis possesses higher per-game production potential this season as the primary option for the Mavericks, a role he didn`t have with the Lakers. His first game with the Mavericks after the trade showcased dominant triple-double potential before an injury struck. With Kyrie Irving sidelined for at least half the season, Davis will be the offensive and defensive focal point for a balanced Mavericks squad. Having played a career-best 76 games in 2023-24, if he can maintain similar durability this season, Davis has top-5 overall fantasy potential in both points and category formats.

Round 2

• Based on ADP, the most appealing value picks early in Round 2 are Trae Young (ADP 12.2) or Karl-Anthony Towns (ADP 12.5). Young projects for more fantasy points and a higher rank in category leagues, likely leading the league in assists again for a Hawks team enhanced with more finishers. However, Towns is also highly attractive here as a high-volume, efficient big-man scorer with dual-position eligibility, filling a rare void for ultra-elite power forward options.
• Yet, the best value in Round 2, regardless of your pick position, could be James Harden (ADP 19.4). Harden ranked fourth in fantasy points last season, behind only Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Antetokounmpo. He projects as first-round value in category leagues and borderline first-round value in points leagues, making him a solid second-round choice in either format. Harden also offers dual-position eligibility, adding to his appeal in a league otherwise rich with quality point guard options.

Late Round 2 / Early Round 3: Brunson and Mitchell

• Jalen Brunson (ADP 20.3) has been a prolific scorer for the Knicks under Tom Thibodeau, but this season he`ll play for Mike Brown. Brown has a track record of leading potent offenses, including the Kings` league-leading offensive rating in 2022-23. Brunson could see an even greater boost in production 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 (ADP 21.2). Mitchell`s volume dipped last season partly due to the Cavaliers` success (average scoring margin +9.5 PPG), which meant their starters played fewer minutes. Mitchell`s 31.4 MPG was a career low. Should the Cavaliers` success moderate 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: Brown and Giddey

• Jaylen Brown (ADP 26.3) enters this season as the Celtics` undisputed number one option. Over the past two seasons, Brown`s scoring average increased from 22.2 PPG alongside Tatum to 26.8 PPG in games Tatum missed. If he can physically handle the increased workload, Brown could be set for a breakout season.
• Josh Giddey (ADP 30.9) was not typically an early target in fantasy basketball drafts, but he dramatically broke out last season after the Bulls traded Zach LaVine and focused on Giddey and Coby White. In his final 19 games starting February 20th, Giddey averaged 21.2 PPG, 10.7 RPG, and 9.3 APG. He carries incredible upside into this season.

Round 4: Emerging Wings

• Cooper Flagg (ADP 32.8) is the first rookie highlighted here, arriving with significant hype from his college exploits. From my perspective, Flagg is NBA-ready. During the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, he demonstrated both the physical readiness and the skill set to thrive immediately. With Kyrie Irving sidelined for the first half of the season, Flagg should assume a substantial offensive role for the Mavericks, playing alongside Anthony Davis.
• Amen Thompson (ADP 36.7) was considered one of the highest-potential players in the 2023 NBA draft. After an injury-riddled rookie season, he exploded onto the scene as a sophomore when given starting minutes. The Rockets traded wings Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks for Kevin Durant this offseason, then lost point guard Fred VanVleet to injury. Thompson will be expected to play significant minutes and fulfill diverse roles for the Rockets. At only 22, he could make another major leap in his third year.

Middle Rounds (Rounds 5-8)

• Josh Hart (ADP 45.8) possesses an exceptionally fantasy-friendly, well-rounded game that consistently outperforms his perceived reputation in both points and category leagues. Last season, Hart delivered the 19th-most fantasy points overall, making him a valuable pick in the middle rounds.
• Derrick White (ADP 47.7) finished last season with the 33rd most fantasy points and appears set for an expanded role this season with Jayson Tatum sidelined. White is a reliable shooter and scorer, but also provides contributions across the board, including strong three-pointers, steals, and even solid blocks for a guard. This versatility makes him even more valuable in category leagues (preseason rank 19th) than in points leagues.
• Jalen Green (ADP 56.4) produced the 44th-most fantasy points last season as the Rockets` somewhat inconsistent leading scorer. Green was a central piece in the trade for Durant this offseason and is expected to have a high-volume, yet secondary, role behind Devin Booker for the Suns. This situation is more favorable for Green than his time with the Rockets, as defenses will focus on Booker, likely providing Green with similar or even greater scoring opportunities in Phoenix. Still only 23 years old and having played all 82 games for two consecutive seasons, Green offers both significant upside and durability.
• Walker Kessler (ADP 72.5) has nightly double-double potential and should rank among the league leaders in blocked shots. This makes him a solid starting center in points leagues, while his shot-blocking ability is especially valuable in category leagues, placing him 54th in preseason category rankings.
• Deni Avdija (ADP 74.6) showed strong signs of a breakout last season, his first with the Trail Blazers, particularly in the latter half. After the All-Star break, Avdija averaged 23.3 PPG, 9.7 RPG, and 5.2 APG. The Trail Blazers are building their team around Avdija this season, and if he approaches those numbers, he would dramatically exceed his draft slot value.

Late Rounds (Round 9 and Beyond)

• Kevin Porter Jr. (ADP 86.7) 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 receive similar playing time for the Bucks. Porter, still only 25, could be poised for the best season of his career playing alongside Antetokounmpo.
• Alex Sarr (ADP 99.4) projects as a nightly double-double threat whose scoring as a sophomore could reach the high teens for the Wizards. However, his value is even higher in category leagues, where he has the upside to average 4+ combined blocks, three-pointers, and steals per game from the center position.
• Shaedon Sharpe (ADP 107.9) entered the NBA with limitless potential and has improved each season. The Trail Blazers traded leading scorer Anfernee Simons in the offseason, creating an opportunity for Sharpe to develop into a 20+ PPG scorer in his fourth season. Still only 22, Sharpe remains one of the league`s biggest upside plays.
• Andrew Nembhard (ADP 109.3) and Bennedict Mathurin (ADP 120.2) are prime candidates to capitalize on the increased opportunities stemming from Tyrese Haliburton`s absence. Mathurin has fluctuated between starting and sixth-man roles but has already demonstrated 20 PPG potential with room to grow. Nembhard has delivered solid numbers when starting alongside Haliburton, and his legendary playoff run two seasons ago while Haliburton was injured suggests dramatically higher upside as the team`s primary ball-handler.
• Kyrie Irving (ADP 120.5) and Dejounte Murray (ADP 132.2) are both strong stash candidates. Both are recovering from major surgery and are currently expected back sometime in the New Year. While picking injured players is always risky, and they will likely face minute restrictions upon return, if your drafted team is robust enough to endure their absence, the upside is acquiring high-round value players just in time for the fantasy playoffs.
• Reed Sheppard (ADP 139.3) had the talent to be a significant rookie impact player in the 2024 draft class, but the Rockets` perimeter depth limited his minutes and sent him to the G League. With the Rockets trading two wings for Durant (who may play more of a hybrid 3-4 role) and starting point guard Fred VanVleet out for the season, Sheppard could be in line for starting minutes this season. In that scenario, he has major upside; I would conservatively rank him as a top-75 producer in both points and category formats.