Expert Fantasy Basketball Mock Draft: 9-Category Strategy, Sleepers & Rankings

Last week, I hosted a 10-team, 9-category fantasy basketball mock draft with experts from RotoWire NBA and across the industry. With the No. 3 overall pick, I knew my draft strategy could stay flexible—landing one of fantasy basketball's elite players gives you options in the following rounds.

This mock draft revealed critical insights about NBA fantasy rankings, fantasy basketball sleepers, and how category scarcity drives draft strategy in 2025. Whether you're building a balanced roster or committing to a punt build, understanding how experts approach 9-cat drafts will sharpen your preparation.

Here's the complete round-by-round breakdown, including top fantasy basketball players, upside targets, and late-round steals that could define your season.

And don't forget to check out RotoWire's complete fantasy basketball draft kit -- an exhaustive tool that helps everyone from first-timers to die-hards.

Early Round Trends and Top Picks

These are the top fantasy basketball players.

First Round Consensus and Chalk Picks

This draft began quite chalky, with the top 8 picks representative of most leagues' top 8 selections. Anthony Davis at No. 5 would technically be the "reach" here, but it's fine as an upside play. Personally, I prefer to draft him around the turn -- not that he ever falls that far.

This is the point in the draft where most managers nail down their draft strategy. Will they be punting? And which categories?

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My Strategy: Building Around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

After drafting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with the No. 3 pick, I opted to build a balanced squad. Game theory suggests you should punt multiple categories, but I think that matters less in a shallower league since there's so much raw production available.

Following SGA, I reached a bit for Alperen Sengun at pick 18, following up with his teammate Amen Thompson at pick 23. The Fred VanVleet injury has me more interested in that pairing than before. Sengun unquestionably needs to improve his shooting to reach his potential, but his floor is also quite high. I also give preference to centers who can make plays and scale up their usage. Subsequently, I took Deni Avdija at 38. He wouldn't make it back around to me, and his potential this season is immense.

Notable Reaches and Value Plays

Aside from my Sengun pick, a couple of surprise picks may include Paolo Banchero (24), Myles Turner (31), Jamal Murray (32) and Kawhi Leonard (33). Turner and Leonard are pretty easily explained as upside plays, and Murray's per-game floor is extremely safe. Banchero is an interesting discussion in category leagues due to his poor FT% and lack of defensive stats -- and he'll sometimes fall into the late 30s or early 40s because of that. I'm more of an optimist. I believe the healthy, new-look, better-spaced Magic offense will benefit Banchero and allow him to become a more efficient shooter, passer and defender.

Middle Round Value and Strategy Shifts

This is where many of the fantasy basketball upside and breakout players are selected. Of course, some high-floor NBA picks are sprinkled in here too.

The Center Run Begins

This is typically where you see the vast majority of starting-caliber centers come off the board. This was only a one-center league, so it's not extreme. But Yahoo's default 9-cat league requires two starting centers, so the proverbial "center run" is more pronounced there. If you need rebounds or blocks, make sure to stock up on them here.

The middle rounds are also a good section to balance out your risk profile. If your first 3-4 rounds leaned upside risk, grab some safer options. If you played it safe early, it's time to take some risks. This is encapsulated by a four-pick run of Cameron Johnson, Ausar Thompson, Mark Williams and DeMar DeRozan -- all completely different types of players with varying risk profiles.

Punt Build Example: Kirien's Defense-First Strategy

Punt builds are also cemented here. A key example would be Kirien's (NBARW) build, which is effectively punt 3s and target defense. His first nine picks were Anthony Davis, Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes, Dyson Daniels, Zion Williamson, Julius Randle, Matas Buzelis, Alex Sarr and Bennedict Mathurin.

Risk vs. Reward: Aggressive Picks and Safe Floors

In this section, there were plenty of aggressive picks. That tends to open up safer value in the next section (Rounds 10+). Some "reaches" compared to NBA fantasy ADP included Payton Pritchard (53), Jalen Green (61) and Matas Buzelis (65). Risk is rewarded more in shallower leagues due to more productive waiver options during the season, so I don't take issue with any of these selections. Green is divisive for category leagues due to his archetype, but the manager (Papi Roi) was also drafting on the turn. There's a good chance Green wouldn't make it back. When you're on the turn, you have to reach for your guys.

Late Round Steals and Sleepers

This is where you grab fantasy basketball sleepers, deep sleepers, rookies and bounceback candidates.

Injury-Risk Veterans Worth Drafting

Right off the top, you have Paul George going with the No. 91 pick. You aren't risking much drafting him there. Other similarly injury-prone vets go in this range, such as Brandon Ingram (93) and Bradley Beal (101). I'd consider those value plays.

Deep Sleepers and Rookie Targets

Under-the-radar players get drafted here too, though how far under the radar they are depends on whom you're drafting against. The 13th and 14th rounds especially are filled with deep sleepers like Neemias Queta (132), Ryan Kalkbrenner (131), Bub Carrington (140) and Jay Huff (126). At this point, you're essentially just shooting for the best-case scenario -- bonus points if they fit your punt build.

Fantasy basketball rookies not named Cooper Flagg also occupy this portion of the draft, like VJ Edgecombe (125) and the aforementioned Kalkbrenner. It's a bit surprising Ace Bailey didn't get drafted. I think he would have if this draft was one round deeper.

My Final Five Picks: Upside Swings and Stash Candidates

With my final five picks, I selected Kevin Porter, Santi Aldama, Reed Sheppard, Dereck Lively and Kyle Kuzma. The Porter and Kuzma picks are a gamble on who will fill the usage void after Giannis in Milwaukee. Aldama made strides last season, and there are more minutes and touches available this year. Sheppard has upside due to the VanVleet injury. Lively has become underrated due to his injury history and timeshare with Daniel Gafford, but it's possible he steps into a bigger role this year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 9-category fantasy basketball league?

A 9-category league uses nine statistical categories to determine winners: FG%, FT%, 3PM, points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and turnovers. Each week, your team competes across all nine categories. Win more categories than your opponent, and you win the matchup.

What does punting mean in fantasy basketball?

Punting means intentionally ignoring one or more categories to dominate the others. For example, punting free throw percentage lets you draft centers and defensive specialists without worrying about their shooting efficiency.

Who are the best fantasy basketball sleepers for 2025?

Top sleepers include Brandon Miller as a potential breakout candidate, Mark Williams as someone who has upside if he can stay healthy, and Reed Sheppard due to an increased role following a subpar rookie season.

When should I draft centers in fantasy basketball?

In 10-team leagues, you can wait until Rounds 4-6 for quality centers. In standard Yahoo leagues requiring two centers, expect a center run in Rounds 5-8 that may dry up most of the usable pool. Target at least one center early if competing in rebounds and blocks.

What categories are hardest to find?

Blocks and steals are scarcest, which is why defensive specialists like Dyson Daniels, Derrick White, and Amen Thompson continue rising in fantasy basketball rankings. Target two elite defenders in your first 10 picks if not punting these categories.

Key Takeaways and Draft Strategy Lessons

The biggest takeaway? Draft strategy flexibility beats rigid planning. While punt builds have merit in deeper leagues, balanced roster construction in 10-team formats maximizes your chances of competing across all nine categories. Don't force a punt strategy just because it's trendy—let the draft come to you and adjust based on value.

Use these fantasy basketball rankings and insights to inform your own approach. Target NBA fantasy sleepers in the middle rounds, grab high-upside players late, and always prioritize category scarcity when values feel equal. Your draft preparation starts now.

Essential Fantasy Basketball Resources

Check out RotoWire's How to Play Fantasy Basketball guide for a complete walkthrough, but here is some basic advice:

• Check out custom NBA Fantasy Projections
• Look into Fantasy Basketball Mock Drafts
• Listen to a Fantasy Basketball Podcast
• Check in on Fantasy Basketball Player News
• Read Fantasy Basketball Articles
• Dive into RotoWire's Fantasy Basketball Draft Kit
• Study NBA Depth Charts
• See RotoWire's Fantasy Basketball Dynasty Rankings

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