Fantasy Draft Roadmap: Ideal Picks in Every Round
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ESPN senior fantasy analyst Dr. André Snellings released a detailed round-by-round guide on Oct. 7, 2025, offering managers a blueprint for the 2025-26 NBA fantasy basketball draft. Using current average draft position (ADP) data, Snellings pinpoints optimal selections in both points and category formats from the opening pick through the late rounds.
Round 1: Jokic or Wembanyama at the Top
Snellings recommends Nikola Jokic (1.4 ADP) as the clear No. 1 choice in points leagues, while Victor Wembanyama (3.5 ADP) earns the top spot in category settings. Whichever star remains should be taken second overall.
Mid-round managers are advised to target Giannis Antetokounmpo (4.6 ADP) or Anthony Edwards (6.1 ADP). In the late first, Cade Cunningham (8.9 ADP) and Anthony Davis (8.8 ADP) headline the list, with Davis’ move to Dallas and Kyrie Irving’s absence positioning him for top-five production if he stays healthy.
Round 2: Value with Young, Towns and Harden
Early in the second, Trae Young (12.2 ADP) and Karl-Anthony Towns (12.5 ADP) offer strong returns. James Harden (19.4 ADP) is labeled the “best value” of the round after finishing fourth in total fantasy points last season.
Late 2 to Early 3: Brunson and Mitchell
Jalen Brunson (20.3 ADP) is expected to thrive under new coach Mike Brown, while Donovan Mitchell (21.2 ADP) could exceed his draft slot if his minutes rise from last year’s career-low 31.4 per game.
Round 3: Brown and Giddey on the Rise
Jaylen Brown (26.3 ADP) steps in as Boston’s primary option, and Josh Giddey (30.9 ADP) carries momentum from a late-season surge with Chicago that featured averages of 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds and 9.3 assists over 19 games.
Round 4: Rookie Flagg and Versatile Thompson
Rookie Cooper Flagg (32.8 ADP) is projected for immediate minutes in Dallas, while Houston’s Amen Thompson (36.7 ADP) inherits a larger role after offseason roster changes and injuries.
Rounds 5-8: Reliable Mid-Round Targets
Highlighted options include Josh Hart (45.8 ADP), Derrick White (47.7 ADP), Jalen Green (56.4 ADP), Walker Kessler (72.5 ADP) and Deni Avdija (74.6 ADP). Each player offers category-friendly production or emerging upside at a discount.
Round 9 and Beyond: Late Steals and Stashes
Kevin Porter Jr. (86.7 ADP), Alex Sarr (99.4 ADP), Shaedon Sharpe (107.9 ADP), Andrew Nembhard (109.3 ADP) and Bennedict Mathurin (120.2 ADP) headline the late-round values.
Managers willing to stash injured stars Kyrie Irving (120.5 ADP) and Dejounte Murray (132.2 ADP) could gain high-round production after the New Year. Rookie Reed Sheppard (139.3 ADP) is pegged as a potential top-75 contributor if he secures starting minutes in Houston.
Snellings emphasizes that entering the draft with a specific plan based on ADP trends—supplemented by mock drafts—gives fantasy managers a competitive edge from the opening tip.
Source: ESPN
