Fantasy Basketball Heats Up: Jokić, SGA Lead High-Stakes Salary Mock Draft
With the NBA season looming and fantasy basketball managers sharpening their strategies, a recent 12-team, 9-category salary mock draft hosted by Fantasy Basketball International offered a revealing glimpse into market dynamics—and the premium placed on elite talent.
Top Dollar for Top Performers
Nikola Jokić, the reigning fantasy juggernaut, commanded a winning bid of $69, notably lower than his Yahoo! average of $85 and ESPN’s $69.60. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander matched Luka Dončić at $62, while Victor Wembanyama rounded out the top tier at $61, despite lingering health concerns.
$50+ Club: High Risk, High Reward
Four more stars broke the $50 barrier:
- Anthony Edwards: $55
- Cade Cunningham: $54
- Giannis Antetokounmpo: $51
- Anthony Davis: $50
While Davis and Cunningham carry injury baggage, their upside in nine-category formats justifies the investment.
Injury Discounts: Embiid & Zion Slide
Joel Embiid, recovering from knee surgery, was snagged for just $18, and Zion Williamson—whose durability remains a question mark—went for $16. These prices reflect cautious optimism, with managers weighing ceiling against availability.
Value Picks & Strategic Plays
Pascal Siakam’s $19 tag fell well below his Yahoo!/ESPN average of $30, likely due to Tyrese Haliburton’s season-ending Achilles injury impacting Indiana’s offensive dynamics. Meanwhile, Boston’s Jayson Tatum, not yet ruled out for 2025–26, was a speculative steal at $2.
Draft Strategy: Stars vs. Balance
The mock highlighted two dominant approaches:
- Stars & Scrubs: Spend big on 2–3 elite players, then fill out with budget options.
- Balanced Build: Avoid top-tier bidding wars to maintain depth and flexibility.
As fantasy managers prepare for real drafts, understanding salary trends and injury implications will be key to building championship-caliber rosters.
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