Category: Basketball

If you saw the title of this article and clicked, first and foremost, thanks for doing that. And in doing so, you're likely in a position where you're looking for tips on how to approach your first fantasy basketball experience. Whether you're playing amongst friends for bragging rights or competing for cash prizes, fantasy basketball can make the season more exciting and enjoyable if played properly.

The goal of this article and the fantasy basketball content we'll be releasing over the next month is to put you in a position to have a successful season, whether you're an expert juggling multiple teams or a novice looking to have a fun first experience.

The NBA regular season begins on October 22 with a fun doubleheader that can be seen on NBA and Peacock. Without further ado, here are some tips that could prove valuable as you jump into fantasy basketball.

Fantasy basketball mock draft analysis 2025-26: Is Nikola Jokic the top pick?

Getting the top pick in your draft is a great advantage, but how should you build the rest of your team?

• Noah Rubin,

1. Read the rules before entering the league

Last year's intro article strongly suggested that the rules should be read before the draft. While that is true, the rules should be discussed by all involved parties when creating the league, with newcomers then deciding whether or not they want in. How many teams will be in the league? How many IL (or IL+, which is preferred for flexibility reasons) will you have to work with? While missing a rule in a casual league that doesn't have money on the line can be frustrating, the leagues in which you are playing for money are where feelings can get hurt because someone did not pay attention. Save yourself the headache and read the rules early. If anything needs to be addressed, that can be done before someone joins a league they ultimately decide they don't want to participate in.

2. Determine what kind of draft setup you prefer

We'll get into the specifics regarding league types a little later, but the first step is to decide how you prefer to go through the draft process. The simplest way to select your team would be through a snake draft. For example, in a 12-team league, the picks will be 1 through 12 in the odd-numbered rounds, and 12 through 1 in the even-numbered rounds. So, if you're on the front or back end of the draft order, your chances of landing the players you're targeting may be better than if you were stuck with a mid-round pick.

Also, it should be noted that some leagues include a reversal every two rounds. That would flip the draft order every two rounds; the manager with the 12th pick would move to the top of the order in the third round, and the order would return to its original setup in the fifth, and so on. For snake drafts, you can either knock it all out in one sitting or go with an online slow draft, which gives managers more time and can run over multiple days. In this case, set up your email alerts so the site hosting the draft will inform you when you're on the clock.

Try not to be the person who complains about the pace of a slow draft. You know what you signed up for.

Don't want to deal with a snake draft? Well, there's also the salary draft option. Managers are given a salary cap in this setup, with the default number being $200. An order to nominate players will be crafted, and each manager can nominate a player for bid. Two things about the salary draft option. First, they tend to go longer than snake drafts, so if you have patience issues, this may not be your best choice. Two, if you're doing an in-person draft, you must pay attention. And it may not be a bad idea to devise a penalty for those who commit the offense of nominating a player who is already off the board.

3. Determine what kind of league you prefer to play in

Beyond the draft process, do you want to compete in a category league (head-to-head or rotisserie) or a points league? For the latter, point values are assigned to each category. In Yahoo! points leagues, the default scoring is as follows:

Points: 1

Rebounds: 1.2

Assists: 1.5

Steals: 3

Blocks: 3

Turnovers: -1

For those with some experience in daily fantasy, you'll find that the scoring system is similar. While this note is third on the list, your answer to the question is just as important as the draft type, if not more. In category leagues, some may find it more challenging to bounce back from a slow start in rotisserie than in head-to-head.

4. Do your research before draft day

The type of league you're competing in will impact how you approach draft day. There's no shortage of preseason draft information on the internet, whether you're looking for the written word or an audio (or video) podcast. While there is the danger of loading up on too much information while preparing for a draft, the positives outweigh the negatives. And that surplus of available information is why the next point is vital to fantasy success.

5. Participate in some mock drafts, especially if competing in a salary league

Whether you're participating in mock drafts with people you're likely to compete with or strangers, this practice is invaluable, regardless of the league you'll be competing in. Not only is this a good way to see how other managers perceive players, but it's also helping in dealing with the variables of a draft. Someone used a first-round pick on oft-injured Joel Embiid or LaMelo Ball? That may force you to change your approach, and it's good to have prior experience to fall back upon, even if it's only a mock draft.

Mock drafts are highly valuable for those competing in salary leagues. How much are managers willing to spend on a Nikola Jokić or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? And how do you feel most comfortable spending your money? Do you go with a "stars and scrubs" roster build or spread your money out more evenly? While what we see in mock drafts doesn't always align with the "real thing," it's good to have some experience before the big day.

Fantasy basketball mock draft analysis 2025-26: Where to go after drafting Luka Doncic?

Rotoworld fantasy basketball writer Raphielle Johnson recently participated in a 16-team mock draft. What should you do after drafting Luka?

• Raphielle Johnson,

6. Set aside time to set your lineups once the season begins

OK, you've picked your team for the upcoming season. Next, do your best to set aside time each day to craft your active rosters for that night's games if your league allows for daily adjustments. Not missing that deadline is critical for managers in leagues that lock lineups for the week before Monday's games. In this instance, you'll want to pay close attention to the number of games a player is scheduled to play that week. Unless they're a superstar, most players will be of limited value if their team only plays twice. A good approach to setting your lineups is to do it early in the morning, then reevaluate late afternoon to account for any potential absences due to injury or suspension.

7. Don’t hesitate to make a change in strategy in-season

Turning over your entire roster after a slow start will be difficult. However, one should not be afraid to shift if things aren't working. Maybe you need a major trade to shake things up. If so, assess the free agent market and players your opponents may have listed as available. When putting together a trade offer, aim to create a deal that benefits both sides. The last thing you want is to earn a reputation for attempting to fleece the other managers. And that late-round pick who may not be panning out? Don't hesitate to drop them for other options, as those players tend to be low-risk, high-reward.

8. Don’t try to sabotage the league, especially if there’s money involved

Remember, fantasy basketball is supposed to be fun. Don't be the person who violates league rules or gets mad and dumps their best players onto the waiver wire once their team is no longer in contention for a playoff spot, especially if money is involved. Relationships don't need to become strained or severed over fantasy sports. And if losing money is something you can't handle, either compete in a league with a lower entry fee or no fee at all. There's nothing wrong with taking that approach.

Kevin Durant is the greatest US Olympic men's basketball player ever, the Olympic GOAT. He has scored more points (518) than any American playing in the Olympics, and after Paris in 2024, he has four Olympic gold medals, the most of any men's hooper in our nation's history.

How about making it five gold medals?

Asked about playing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Durant said he'd be up for it — but only if he's still the player he is now, who could make an impact. Via the must-follow Swish Cultures:

The 2028 USA team will be a transition from the Durant, LeBron James, and in Paris Stephen Curry era to the next generation of American players. That likely includes Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton and Devin Booker (all of whom picked up a gold in Paris) as well as a younger crop of players such as Cooper Flagg and Paolo Banchero, among others.

Los Angeles is also shaping up to be the USA's toughest test to continue its Olympic dominance (five straight golds for the men). France won silver in Paris when Victor Wembanyama was too young to drink, the prime version of him in 2028 is likely the best player in the world, leading a deep team that could include Alex Sarr, Tidjane Salaun, and some of the country's young guards and wings coming up such as Bilal Coulibaly. Serbia and Nikola Jokic will still be in the mix, as will a German team that is the most recent EuroBasket and World Cup champion.

We'll see if Durant returns as the bridge to a younger generation to help them win gold.

The NBA investigation into Kawhi Leonard's endorsement deal with now bankrupt team sponsor Aspiration — which a bombshell investigation by the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast called a "no-show" deal designed to be salary cap circumvention — is now underway. Most likely it will be months, maybe into 2026, before we have the results and any potential consequences for the Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer.

That hasn't stopped everyone around the league from talking about the case.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, appearing Tuesday at the Sports Business Journal's AXS DRIVE event in Los Angeles, said the league will get to the bottom of what is happening.

Silver continues to sound like a cautious lawyer in dealing with this.

Ballmer continues to express his innocence and said that again at the same event Silver was at (they did not speak at the same time). Here are highlights of the Clippers' owners' comments, via the Sports Business Journal.

"This is not a fun thing to be through. I was personally defrauded through our interactions with the company and some of the staff... But the important thing is, our relationship with the company and our player's relationship with the company were independent, which is important under the rules of the NBA. I feel quite confident in that, that we abided [by] the rules. So, I welcome the investigation that the NBA is doing. It's a great way, from our perspective, to get the facts out there...

"It's a whole lot more fun to be highlighted for building a great arena. But this too shall pass. And like I said, I feel very good about what we did, and we welcome the NBA taking a look at it and hopefully agreeing with us."

The basics of the case, as we know them, lay out like this: In September of 2021, Ballmer made a $50 million investment in Aspiration, a "green bank" company whose model was to plant trees to build up carbon credits, which it would in turn sell to companies that needed them. Not long after, Kawhi Leonard agreed to a four-year, $178 million max contract extension with the Clippers. Aspiration went on to become a Clippers' sponsor in a deal reportedly worth around $300 million. The company also reached an endorsement deal with Leonard, originally for $28 million, but later another $20 million in stock was added to the agreement (that stock is now worthless), bringing Leonard's endorsement deal to $48 million total.

The troubling point for Leonard and the Clippers is that he appeared to do no work for this endorsement money, which is why it was described as a "no-show" job. There is no evidence that he did any marketing or other promotional work for the company, nor did he even post on social media about the company. While the company's former CEO said the contract had work requirements, none of that work is evident. That smells fishy.

Two other things seem hard to explain. By December 2022, Aspiration was struggling to make payroll and stay in business. They were under investigation and were also late on a $1.75 million payment due to Leonard. That's when Clippers minority owner Dennis Wong made a $2 million investment in the company, and nine days later, Leonard was paid. Then, in March of 2023, Ballmer stepped in and made another $10 million investment in Aspiration, seeming to throw good money after bad.

Silver said previously that the burden of proof is on the NBA, the organization making the accusation, not on the Clippers (even though a lot of people around the league think the tsunami of circumstantial evidence against the Clippers shifts at least some of the burden onto them). Ballmer has consistently and vehemently denied any wrongdoing by himself or the Clippers, saying there is a separation between the team's deal with Aspiration and the company's endorsement deal with Leonard.

For now, everyone is waiting on the league's investigation (being done by an outside law firm). That hasn't stopped everyone from talking about what is going to happen next.

Ben Simmons is still looking for an NBA contract for this season, and there has been some speculation in the media about whether he really wants to keep playing. Is he ready to step away and retire?

No. That's not me talking, that's Simmons responding to someone asking him about retirement on social media.

However, he may have to wait until training camps open, and very possibly into the season, before a contract is offered. Simmons had some conversations with the Knicks, and while there were reports of an offer, the Knicks themselves pushed back on that. Then New York went out and signed Landry Shamet and Malcom Brogdon, a sign that Simmons is not in the mix.

Simmons also had conversations with Boston, but those did not appear to go far. While Simmons may be seeking a deal worth more than the veteran minimum ($3.2 million), it is hard to imagine any team making him that offer, and the more likely option is that the minimum offers he gets are not fully guaranteed.

Simmons started last season with the Nets, but it was his role in 18 games with the Clippers — coming off the bench, asked to defend and create some shots — that other teams may want him for. Simmons didn't put up counting stats of note with the Clippers (2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 16.4 minutes per game) and he was out of Tyron Lue's playoff rotation. However, he did play solid defense and showed he could run the offense for a stretch (he still is not shooting from outside the paint, limiting his impact). Simmons was not great with the Clippers, but he showed he can be good enough in a bench role.

Offers to fill that role are more likely to come once teams get into training camp, and then into the season, when injuries hit, or a team just realizes it needs more guard depth. It may be a while before any offers come Simmons' way.

Just know he is not retiring.

The start of the 2025-26 NBA season is approaching, which means it’s time to start preparing for your fantasy basketball drafts. What better place to start than figuring out what to do with the first pick in the draft?

I joined a Yahoo! mock draft and selected from the top spot. Here’s what my team ended up looking like for a nine-cat head-to-head league.

1. Nikola Jokić (DEN - C)

2. Donovan Mitchell (CLE - PG,SG)

3. Kevin Durant (HOU - SF,PF)

4. Derrick White (BOS - PG,SG)

5. Lauri Markkanen (UTA - SF,PF)

6. Jordan Poole (NOP - PG,SG)

7. Andrew Nembhard (IND - PG,SG)

8. Onyeka Okongwu (ATL - C)

9. Brandin Podziemski (GSW - PG,SG)

10. Jaden McDaniels (MIN - SF,PF)

11. Tari Eason (HOU - SF,PF)

12. Kyrie Irving (DAL - PG)

13. Taylor Hendricks (UTA - SF,PF)

I was able to get quite a few players that I’m really excited about this season, like Andrew Nembhard and Brandin Podziemski, but there were multiple players that I missed out on. Let’s go round-by-round and talk about how things went.

Round 1

1. Nikola Jokić (DEN - C)
2. Victor Wembanyama (SAS - C)
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC - PG)
4. Luka Dončić (LAL - PG,SG)
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL - PF,C)
6. Cade Cunningham (DET - PG,SG)
7. Anthony Davis (DAL - PF,C)
8. Domantas Sabonis (SAC - C)
9. Anthony Edwards (MIN - PG,SG)
10. Trae Young (ATL - PG)
11. LeBron James (LAL - SF,PF)
12. Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK - PF,C)

This season, it’s a three-player discussion for the top pick: Jokic, Wemby and SGA. I prefer Jokic, but there really isn’t a wrong decision. All three players have unique statistical outputs that put them on a different level from everyone else in the league. Luka is the clear No. 4 pick. Drafts start with the fifth pick, and I agree with Giannis here.

Round 2

13. Devin Booker (PHX - PG,SG)
14. Alperen Sengun (HOU - C)
15. Stephen Curry (GSW - PG)
16. James Harden (LAC - PG,SG)
17. Scottie Barnes (TOR - SG,SF,PF)
18. Evan Mobley (CLE - PF,C)
19. Jalen Johnson (ATL - SF,PF)
20. Jalen Williams (OKC - SF,PF)
21. Paolo Banchero (ORL - PF,C)
22. Tyrese Maxey (PHI - PG)
23. LaMelo Ball (CHA - PG,SG)
24. Donovan Mitchell (CLE - PG,SG)

I was pleasantly surprised to see Mitchell slide to the end of round two. I would take him closer to the beginning of this round than the end. Banchero was a bit early to me, but he fits in well with Luka Doncic, who was that manager’s pick the round before. It’s cool to see a few of the older players still mixed in here, but it was mostly a youth movement in this round, which I don’t disagree with.

Round 3

25. Kevin Durant (HOU - SF,PF)
26. Jaylen Brown (BOS - SG,SF)
27. De'Aaron Fox (SAS - PG,SG)
28. Jalen Brunson (NYK - PG)
29. Josh Giddey (CHI - PG,SG)
30. Chet Holmgren (OKC - PF,C)
31. Amen Thompson (HOU - PG,SG,SF)
32. Bam Adebayo (MIA - PF,C)
33. Pascal Siakam (IND - PF,C)
34. Ja Morant (MEM - PG)
35. Franz Wagner (ORL - SF,PF)
36. Ivica Zubac (LAC - C)

I have both Durant and Mitchell ranked in the top-20, so I was happy to add KD here. I would’ve also taken both Chet and Amen in round two, so those were nice value picks. I definitely considered both instead of Durant, but I stuck true to my rankings. KD is going to fit in flawlessly with this Rockets team, which means we should get another first-round per-game finish from him.

Round 4

37. Trey Murphy III (NOP - SF,PF)
38. Tyler Herro (MIA - PG,SG)
39. Zion Williamson (NOP - SF,PF)
40. Cooper Flagg (DAL - SF)
41. Jaren Jackson Jr. (MEM - PF,C)
42. Dyson Daniels (ATL - PG,SG,SF)
43. Desmond Bane (ORL - SG,SF)
44. Josh Hart (NYK - SG,SF,PF)
45. Kawhi Leonard (LAC - SF,PF)
46. Jamal Murray (DEN - PG,SG)
47. Joel Embiid (PHI - C)
48. Derrick White (BOS - PG,SG)

While I wasn’t disappointed to get White here, I was hoping Jackson Jr., Daniels or Bane would slide to me. Jackson Jr. is a second-round pick to me, so I was surprised he was still on the board in this round. Bane was an elite addition for the Magic, and I don’t think he’s going to see a massive drop in production. As for White, he should have a high-usage season in Boston, which isn’t the best role for him, in my opinion. Still, there should be a production bump, though it may cost him some efficiency.

Round 5

49. Lauri Markkanen (UTA - SF,PF)
50. Michael Porter Jr. (BKN - SF,PF)
51. Kristaps Porziņģis (ATL - PF,C)
52. Deni Avdija (POR - SF,PF)
53. Darius Garland (CLE - PG)
54. Jimmy Butler III (GSW - SF,PF)
55. Walker Kessler (UTA - C)
56. Nikola Vučević (CHI - C)
57. Miles Bridges (CHA - SF,PF)
58. Jarrett Allen (CLE - C)
59. Zach LaVine (SAC - PG,SG)
60. Brandon Miller (CHA - SF,PF)

If there is a player I have locked in as a bounce-back candidate, it's Markkanen. Last season was a struggle for him, but there are many reasons why head coach Will Hardy will prioritize Markkanen on offense and make sure to put him in positions to succeed. I thought it was interesting to see Garland fall to 53. I have him ranked as a fourth-rounder and should’ve selected him with one of my two picks here. He’s expected to miss the start of the season with a toe injury, which isn’t ideal, but he’s too talented to fall further than this.

Round 6

61. Jalen Duren (DET - C)
62. Rudy Gobert (MIN - C)
63. DeMar DeRozan (SAC - SF)
64. Jalen Green (PHX - PG,SG)
65. Myles Turner (MIL - C)
66. Coby White (CHI - PG,SG)
67. Austin Reaves (LAL - PG,SG)
68. OG Anunoby (NYK - SF,PF)
69. Paul George (PHI - SG,SF,PF)
70. Cam Thomas (BKN - SG,SF)
71. Julius Randle (MIN - PF,C)
72. Jordan Poole (NOP - PG,SG)

Looking back, I also have Poole ranked ahead of Markkanen as a fourth-rounder, so I should’ve selected him earlier. With that being said, I was thrilled to get him here. He should be in for a big season for New Orleans, a team without its first-round pick. Poole should see a career-high in minutes per game and could certainly have his best season as a pro.

Round 7

73. Andrew Nembhard (IND - PG,SG)
74. Deandre Ayton (LAL - C)
75. RJ Barrett (TOR - SF,PF)
76. Kel'el Ware (MIA - PF,C)
77. Jakob Poeltl (TOR - C)
78. Alex Sarr (WAS - C)
79. Immanuel Quickley (TOR - PG,SG)
80. Brandon Ingram (TOR - SG,SF,PF)
81. Mark Williams (PHX - C)
82. Anfernee Simons (BOS - PG,SG)
83. Andrew Wiggins (MIA - SG,SF)
84. Cameron Johnson (DEN - SF,PF)

After getting Poole at value in the last round, reaching for Nembhard was worth it to me. Whenever TyreseHaliburton has missed time, Nembhard has thrived as a starting point guard. He won’t match Haliburton’s production this season, but he should be in for a big year. The difference is that he won’t just be a fill-in for Haliburton; the offense will be designed for him to have him as the lead man.

Round 8

85. Bennedict Mathurin (IND - SG,SF)
86. Fred VanVleet (HOU - PG)
87. Donovan Clingan (POR - C)
88. Ausar Thompson (DET - SF,PF)
89. Mikal Bridges (NYK - SF,PF)
90. Naz Reid (MIN - PF,C)
91. Payton Pritchard (BOS - PG)
92. Norman Powell (MIA - SG,SF)
93. Isaiah Hartenstein (OKC - C)
94. John Collins (LAC - PF,C)
95. Devin Vassell (SAS - SG,SF)
96. Onyeka Okongwu (ATL - C)

There were quite a few players that went in this round that I was disappointed to see taken before I had the chance to draft, Clingan and Thompson being the main ones. However, I was still happy with Okongwu, who I think will play a large role, regardless of whether he’s the starter. If the Hawks didn’t add Kristaps Porzingis, Okongwu would be selected much earlier, and I don’t think Porzingis is guaranteed to be the starter over Okongwu, though both should play 28-30 minutes per game regardless.

Round 9

97. Brandin Podziemski (GSW - PG,SG)
98. Keegan Murray (SAC - SF,PF)
99. Malik Monk (SAC - SG)
100. Zach Edey (MEM - C)
101. CJ McCollum (WAS - PG,SG)
102. Matas Buzelis (CHI - SF,PF)
103. Jalen Suggs (ORL - PG)
104. D'Angelo Russell (DAL - PG)
105. Nic Claxton (BKN - C)
106. Shaedon Sharpe (POR - SG,SF)
107. Aaron Gordon (DEN - PF,C)
108. Bradley Beal (LAC - SG,SF)

There aren’t many guards that rebound better than Podziemski, and he was a top-75 player in nine-cat leagues after the Warriors traded for JimmyButler. The Warriors are still waiting on the Jonathan Kuminga situation to be resolved, but Podz is locked in as a starter. Edey is another player I was interested in. The Grizzlies should do a better job of putting him in situations to succeed in year two.

Round 10

109. Keyonte George (UTA - PG,SG)
110. Stephon Castle (SAS - PG,SG)
111. Tobias Harris (DET - PF)
112. Tre Johnson (WAS - SG)
113. Bobby Portis (MIL - PF,C)
114. Draymond Green (GSW - PF,C)
115. Jaden Ivey (DET - PG,SG)
116. Daniel Gafford (DAL - C)
117. Dereck Lively II (DAL - C)
118. Jeremy Sochan (SAS - PF,C)
119. Christian Braun (DEN - SG,SF)
120. Jaden McDaniels (MIN - SF,PF)

I was really hoping to get Braun here, but I’m happy with McDaniels, who is coming off his best season as a pro. He played 82 games and averaged career-highs in points, rebounds and steals. He finished just outside the top-75 in nine-cat leagues, making him a nice value pick in round 10. Braun finished just outside the top-50 last year, and while the additions of Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. may cut into his role, it won’t be enough for him to deserve falling this far down the board.

Round 11

121. Tari Eason (HOU - SF,PF)
122. Toumani Camara (POR - SF,PF)
123. De'Andre Hunter (CLE - SF,PF)
124. Kevin Porter Jr. (MIL - PG,SG)
125. Scoot Henderson (POR - PG)
126. Mitchell Robinson (NYK - C)
127. Santi Aldama (MEM - PF,C)
128. Collin Sexton (CHA - PG,SG)
129. Ace Bailey (UTA - SF)
130. Jrue Holiday (POR - PG,SG)
131. Chris Paul (LAC - PG)
132. Jabari Smith Jr. (HOU - PF,C)

Perhaps others are scared off by the addition of Kevin Durant, but not me. Eason’s competition for minutes will be with Jabari Smith Jr., and he was a part-time starter down the stretch last year. Eason should play a significant role and has a fantasy-friendly skillset, making him worth the late-round swing.

Round 12

133. Ayo Dosunmu (CHI - SG,SF)
134. P.J. Washington (DAL - SF,PF)
135. Zaccharie Risacher (ATL - SF,PF)
136. Kon Knueppel (CHA - SF)
137. Dejounte Murray (NOP - PG,SG)
138. Donte DiVincenzo (MIN - PG,SG)
139. VJ Edgecombe (PHI - SG)
140. Jonathan Kuminga (GSW - SF,PF)
141. Dylan Harper (SAS - SG)
142. Jerami Grant (POR - SF,PF)
143. Al Horford (BOS - PF,C)
144. Kyrie Irving (DAL - PG)

I fully expect Kyrie to go earlier in real drafts, so I was happy to nab him here and immediately slot him into my IL slot. He is currently expected to return from his ACL tear in January or February, so I won’t get any use out of him for a while. However, he’s talented enough to be worth the wait.

Round 13

145. Taylor Hendricks (UTA - SF,PF)
146. Nickeil Alexander-Walker (ATL - SG,SF)
147. Bilal Coulibaly (WAS - SG,SF)
148. Alex Caruso (OKC - SG,SF)
149. Klay Thompson (DAL - SG,SF)
150. Caris LeVert (DET - SG,SF)
151. Sam Hauser (BOS - SF,PF)
152. Brook Lopez (LAC - C)
153. Jeremiah Fears (NOP - PG)
154. Trayce Jackson-Davis (GSW - C)
155. Jordan Clarkson (NYK - PG,SG)
156. Rui Hachimura (LAL - SF,PF)

Hendricks was worth a late-round pick last season, and he’s absolutely worth one this year. The offense is questionable, but there isn’t a better perimeter defender in Utah. He has a good case to start, but even if he doesn’t, they won’t be able to compete without him playing a significant role. He has top-100 upside, which is what you’re looking for with your last few picks.

Be sure to check back for plenty more preseason content over the next month!

We've all watched NBA games and thought, "I wonder what they're thinking and saying on the bench?"

NBC is going to answer that question in its 23 exclusive Peacock NBA Monday games: Rather than having one analyst seated next to the play-by-play announcer, each team will have a dedicated analyst who has attended shootarounds, spoken to coaches and players before the game, then will be seated courtside with the team during the game. The goal is to provide insights that nobody else has, using a unique format.

"Never before has a game featured an analyst dedicated exclusively to each team with such unparalleled access," said Sam Flood, Executive Producer, NBC Sports. "Each analyst will be dedicated to telling the story of the game through the lens of their team. At the same time, we will respect the sanctity of the inside information our analysts are able to hear but will always strive to give the audience unique insights that only this type of access can provide."

The first chance to see "On the Bench" will be Monday, Oct. 27, on Peacock, when Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers visit Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons (7 p.m. ET on Peacock). Noah Eagle will call the play-by-play action with Robbie Hummel serving as the Pistons' dedicated reporter, while Austin Rivers will be immersed with the Cavaliers.

Those are not the only innovations coming to Peacock for NBA games.

"Peacock Performance View," a viewing mode providing fans with on-screen stats and data, and "Peacock ScoreCard," a first-of-its-kind, real-time streaming experience that is like "bingo meets fantasy sports," will be available on TV and mobile, alongside existing features such as Can't Miss Highlights on mobile and Catch Up with Key Plays. "Courtside Live," a new feature coming in the second half of the season, will allow fans to watch the game through unique insider angles.