ESPN Experts Stage 10-Team Category Mock Draft for 2025-26 Fantasy Basketball Season
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On Sept. 25, 2025, ESPN Fantasy convened its analysts for a second preseason mock draft, using a 10-team head-to-head categories format to simulate the upcoming 2025-26 NBA fantasy campaign.
The exercise was designed to show how category specialists, field-goal percentage issues and other format nuances influence draft strategy. Competing in the room were Andre Snellings, Eric Moody, Eric Karabell, Tom Carpenter, Joe Kaiser, Jim McCormick, Matt Williams and Steve Alexander, plus Rotowire contributors Alex Barutha and Kirien Katzmarek.
Round 1 highlights
Eric Karabell opened the draft by selecting San Antonio center Victor Wembanyama. Tom Carpenter followed with Denver’s triple-double machine Nikola Jokic, while Steve Alexander took new Los Angeles Lakers point guard Luka Doncic at No. 3. The remainder of the first round unfolded as follows:
- 4 — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City (Matt Williams)
- 5 — Anthony Davis, Dallas (Jim McCormick)
- 6 — Anthony Edwards, Minnesota (Kirien Katzmarek)
- 7 — Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee (Alex Barutha)
- 8 — James Harden, L.A. Clippers (Andre Snellings)
- 9 — Stephen Curry, Golden State (Joe Kaiser)
- 10 — Trae Young, Atlanta (Eric Moody)
Early-round movement
The second round opened with Chet Holmgren (Moody) and closed with LeBron James (Karabell). Other notable picks included Domantas Sabonis at 2.3 (Snellings), Cade Cunningham at 2.4 (Barutha) and Devin Booker at 2.8 (Alexander).
Round 3 saw Houston’s new forward Kevin Durant go 3.1 to Karabell, while Philadelphia point guard Tyrese Maxey landed with Carpenter at 3.2. Top rookie prospect Cooper Flagg came off the board to McCormick at 3.5.
Category considerations
Because head-to-head category leagues value specialists, managers prioritized shot-blockers such as Jaren Jackson Jr. (3.10, Moody) and high-assist guards like Dyson Daniels (3.3, Alexander). Players who traditionally hurt percentages, meanwhile, slipped compared with typical points-league drafts.
Team snapshots
Full rosters were revealed after 13 rounds. Karabell paired first overall pick Wembanyama with veterans Durant, LeBron and Bam Adebayo, while Carpenter surrounded Jokic with guards Jalen Brunson and Maxey plus shot-blocking center Myles Turner. Alexander leaned heavily on playmaking, rostering Doncic, Booker and Dyson Daniels alongside defensive anchor Rudy Gobert.
The mock completed 130 selections, giving fantasy managers an early look at positional tiers, rookie value and how stars changing teams may affect draft boards heading into the 2025-26 season.
Source: ESPN
