As the 2026-27 NBA season approaches in two weeks, Yahoo Sports reported on a 12-team fantasy basketball points mock draft featuring industry analysts using default Yahoo scoring rules and roster settings. The 13-round exercise highlighted distinct drafting trends, notably a sudden and compressed run on center-eligible players that reshaped team builds across the board.
Nikola Jokić Taken Over Victor Wembanyama at Pick One
Drafting analyst Papi Roi selected Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić at the 1.01 spot over San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, according to Yahoo Sports. While Wembanyama holds a higher average draft position at 1.6 compared to Jokić at 1.9, Jokić projected for 63.1 fantasy points per game—nearly four points higher than Wembanyama—driven by a scoring format that awards 1.5 points per assist.
The remainder of the first round leaned heavily toward guards, with six of the twelve selections carrying point guard eligibility. Alongside the top two centers, Miami Heat forward-center Giannis Antetokounmpo was the only other frontcourt player selected in the opening round, while Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson and Dallas Mavericks Cooper Flagg went back-to-back at picks nine and ten.
Guard Run and Point Projections in Early Rounds
The second round sustained the heavy guard selection, accounting for seven point guard-eligible picks, culminating in a four-player sequence from picks 22 to 25 featuring Jalen Brunson, Devin Booker, Jamal Murray, and Trae Young. Yahoo Sports reported that Team Papi paired Jokić with Murray while adding Young at the 3.01 selection to maximize assist volume.
Karan Talwar selected Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey at pick 15, well ahead of his customary 24th overall average draft position. Giddey’s projected line of 16.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 9.1 assists translates to 41.4 fantasy points per game in the default points format, offering higher value in points leagues than in traditional nine-category formats.
The Mid-Draft Center Squeeze in Round Six
The first major wave of frontcourt depth arrived in Round 3 with the consecutive selections of Evan Mobley, Anthony Davis, and Bam Adebayo from picks 26 to 28, followed by Domantas Sabonis and Jalen Duren. A subsequent rush materialized in Round 6, where center-eligible players included Ivica Zubac, Zach Edey, and Jarrett Allen.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026-27 NBA regular season begin?
The 2026-27 NBA regular season tips off in two weeks.
How many rounds and teams participated in the Yahoo Sports mock draft?
The mock draft featured 12 industry fantasy analysts competing across 13 rounds using Yahoo’s default points scoring and roster settings.
What statistical format did the league use for scoring?
The league utilized Yahoo’s default points scoring system, notably awarding 1.5 fantasy points for every assist recorded.