ESPN Fantasy Basketball Mock Draft: Expert 10-Team Category League

Get ready for your fantasy basketball draft with expert insights from a 10-team ESPN expert mock draft. Use these strategies and steals to dominate your league!

Updated on September 24, 2025 3:19PM EST

ESPN Fantasy Basketball Mock Draft: Expert 10-Team Category League

By:

Alex Barutha

Kirien Sprecher

Updated on September 24, 2025 3:19PM EST

NBA Mock Draft

Prepping for your 2025-26 fantasy basketball draft? To help you get ready, RotoWire experts Alex Barutha and Kirien Sprecher participated in a 10-team ESPN category league mock draft. This article provides a breakdown of our teams, a look into our core draft strategy, and our biggest steals. See the full round-by-round results to find undervalued players and insights to help you dominate your league this season.

Here is who drafted, by first-round order:

Eric Karabell, ESPN
Tom Carpenter, ESPN
Steve Alexander, ESPN
Matt Williams, ESPN
Jim McCormick, ESPN
Kirien Sprecher, RotoWire
Alex Barutha, RotoWire
Andre Snellings, ESPN
Joe Kaiser, ESPN
Eric Moody, ESPN

For up-to-the-minute updates on injuries, lineups, roster changes and more, head to RotoWire's NBA News or follow @RotoWireNBA on X.

Alex's Team

Round 1, Pick 7: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Mil, PF)
Round 2, Pick 14: Cade Cunningham (Det, PG)
Round 3, Pick 27: Josh Giddey (FA, SG)
Round 4, Pick 34: Evan Mobley (Cle, PF)
Round 5, Pick 47: Pascal Siakam (Ind, PF)
Round 6, Pick 54: Deni Avdija (Por, SF)
Round 7, Pick 67: Jimmy Butler III (GS, SF)
Round 8, Pick 74: Kawhi Leonard (LAC, SF)
Round 9, Pick 87: Immanuel Quickley (Tor, PG)
Round 10, Pick 94: Mark Williams (Phx, C)
Round 11, Pick 107: Payton Pritchard (Bos, PG)
Round 12, Pick 114: Donovan Clingan (Por, C)
Round 13, Pick 127: Keyonte George (Utah, PG)

Who do you consider your "draft steal" and why?

This is between Cade Cunningham at 14 and Evan Mobley at 34. To me, Cunningham is a clear first-round talent (he ranked in the first round last year). Mobley certainly has second-round upside. With Darius Garland and Max Strus out to start the year, there should be more usage for Mobley in the short term, even before factoring in potential development on both ends of the floor.

Who was a player you were targeting who was taken right before your pick? How did you pivot?

I would have liked to get Deandre Ayton in Round 10 as a relatively safe center option. I ended up pivoting to a much riskier player in Mark Williams. I think Williams actually has more upside than Ayton, but the injury issues are a big concern.

QUICK LINKS

Kirien's Team

Round 1, Pick 6: Anthony Edwards (Min, SG)
Round 2, Pick 15: Donovan Mitchell (Cle, SG)
Round 3, Pick 26: LaMelo Ball (Cha, PG)
Round 4, Pick 35: Jalen Johnson (Atl, PF)
Round 5, Pick 46: Franz Wagner (Orl, SF)
Round 6, Pick 55: Kristaps Porzingis (Atl, C)
Round 7, Pick 66: Jordan Poole (NO, SG)
Round 8, Pick 75: Brandon Ingram (Tor, SF)
Round 9, Pick 86: Cam Thomas (Bkn, SG)
Round 10, Pick 95: Tobias Harris (Det, PF)
Round 11, Pick 106: Jabari Smith Jr. (Hou, PF)
Round 12, Pick 115: Bennedict Mathurin (Ind, SF)
Round 13, Pick 126: Kon Knueppel (Cha, SG)

Who do you consider your "draft steal" and why?

Bennedict Mathurin at pick 125. With Tyrese Haliburton injured and Myles Turner gone, the Pacers are going to look a lot different this season. Mathurin has always had an alpha mindset, and he finally has a chance to seize that type of role. Rick Carlisle has no issues adapting his offensive schemes, and Mathurin could be the greatest beneficiary of a style shift.

Who was a player you were targeting who was taken right before your pick? How did you pivot?

I was really hoping Cade Cunningham would fall to me in the second round. The ANT/Cade stack would've been too good to be true. I pivoted to Donovan Mitchell because he shares a similar skill set to ANT, and with those two leading my team, I'll have a very high floor. It was between Devin Booker and Mitchell, but I went with the latter because Phoenix may be out of the playoff picture by Christmas.

Which player did you draft based more on a "gut feeling" than on a stat or ranking?

LaMelo Ball at pick 26. Look, this is a way easier pick to make in a mock. Ball has been healthy for an entire season only once, but in a weakened Eastern Conference, I think this is the year Charlotte makes the playoffs. For that to happen, Ball will need to have a career year.

Mock Draft Results by Round

Round 1

1.1 - Karabell: Victor Wembanyama (SA, C)
1.2 - Tom's Top Team: Nikola Jokic (Den, C)
1.3 - steve's Smart Team: Luka Doncic (LAL, PG)
1.4 - Matt's Monstrous Team: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC, PG)
1.5 - Jim's Scary Team: Anthony Davis (Dal, C)
1.6 - Kirien: Anthony Edwards (Min, SG)
1.7 - Alex Barutha: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Mil, PF)
1.8 - Mock 2 Snellings Categories: James Harden (LAC, PG)
1.9 - Kaiser: Stephen Curry (GS, PG)
1.10 - Team Moody: Trae Young (Atl, PG)

Round 2

2.1 - Team Moody: Chet Holmgren (OKC, C)
2.2 - Kaiser: Karl-Anthony Towns (NY, C)
2.3 - Mock 2 Snellings Categories: Domantas Sabonis (Sac, C)
2.4 - Alex Barutha: Cade Cunningham (Det, PG)
2.5 - Kirien: Donovan Mitchell (Cle, SG)
2.6 - Jim's Scary Team: Scottie Barnes (Tor, SF)
2.7 - Matt's Monstrous Team: Amen Thompson (Hou, SF)
2.8 - steve's Smart Team: Devin Booker (Phx, PG)
2.9 - Tom's Top Team: Jalen Brunson (NY, PG)
2.10 - Karabell: LeBron James (LAL, SF)

Round 3

3.1 - Karabell: Kevin Durant (Hou, PF)
3.2 - Tom's Top Team: Tyrese Maxey (Phi, PG)
3.3 - steve's Smart Team: Dyson Daniels (Atl, SG)
3.4 - Matt's Monstrous Team: Jalen Williams (OKC, PF)
3.5 - Jim's Scary Team: Cooper Flagg (Dal, SF)
3.6 - Kirien: LaMelo Ball (Cha, PG)
3.7 - Alex Barutha: Josh Giddey (FA, SG)
3.8 - Mock 2 Snellings Categories: De'Aaron Fox (SA, PG)
3.9 - Kaiser: Derrick White (Bos, SG)
3.10 - Team Moody: Jaren Jackson Jr. (Mem, C)

Round 4

4.1 - Team Moody: Ja Morant (Mem, PG)
4.2 - Kaiser: Nikola Vucevic (Chi, C)
4.3 - Mock 2 Snellings Categories: Paolo Banchero (Orl, PF)
4.4 - Alex Barutha: Evan Mobley (Cle, PF)
4.5 - Kirien: Jalen Johnson (Atl, PF)
4.6 - Jim's Scary Team: Jamal Murray (Den, PG)
4.7 - Matt's Monstrous Team: Alperen Sengun (Hou, C)
4.8 - steve's Smart Team: Brandon Miller (Cha, SF)
4.9 - Tom's Top Team: Myles Turner (Mil, C)
4.10 - Karabell: Desmond Bane (Orl, SG)

Round 5

5.1 - Karabell: Bam Adebayo (Mia, C)
5.2 - Tom's Top Team: Austin Reaves (LAL, SG)
5.3 - steve's Smart Team: Trey Murphy III (NO, SF)
5.4 - Matt's Monstrous Team: Joel Embiid (Phi, C)
5.5 - Jim's Scary Team: Jaylen Brown (Bos, SF)
5.6 - Kirien: Franz Wagner (Orl, SF)
5.7 - Alex Barutha: Pascal Siakam (Ind, PF)
5.8 - Mock 2 Snellings Categories: Josh Hart (NY, SF)
5.9 - Kaiser: Walker Kessler (Utah, C)
5.10 - Team Moody: Miles Bridges (Cha, SF)

Round 6

6.1 - Team Moody: Jalen Green (Phx, SG)
6.2 - Kaiser: Mikal Bridges (NY, SF)
6.3 - Mock 2 Snellings Categories: Zion Williamson (NO, PF)
6.4 - Alex Barutha: Deni Avdija (Por, SF)
6.5 - Kirien: Kristaps Porzingis (Atl, C)
6.6 - Jim's Scary Team: Lauri Markkanen (Utah, PF)
6.7 - Matt's Monstrous Team: Ivica Zubac (LAC, C)
6.8 - steve's Smart Team: Coby White (Chi, PG)
6.9 - Tom's Top Team: Zach LaVine (Sac, SG)
6.10 - Karabell: Anfernee Simons (Bos, SG)

Round 7

7.1 - Karabell: Darius Garland (Cle, PG)
7.2 - Tom's Top Team: OG Anunoby (NY, SF)
7.3 - steve's Smart Team: Rudy Gobert (Min, C)
7.4 - Matt's Monstrous Team: Ausar Thompson (Det, SF)
7.5 - Jim's Scary Team: Julius Randle (Min, PF)
7.6 - Kirien: Jordan Poole (NO, SG)
7.7 - Alex Barutha: Jimmy Butler III (GS, SF)
7.8 - Mock 2 Snellings Categories: DeMar DeRozan (Sac, SF)
7.9 - Kaiser: Brook Lopez (LAC, C)
7.10 - Team Moody: Naz Reid (Min, C)

Round 8

8.1 - Team Moody: Jalen Duren (Det, C)
8.2 - Kaiser: Tyler Herro (Mia, SG)
8.3 - Mock 2 Snellings Categories: Michael Porter Jr. (Bkn, SF)
8.4 - Alex Barutha: Kawhi Leonard (LAC, SF)
8.5 - Kirien: Brandon Ingram (Tor, SF)
8.6 - Jim's Scary Team: Paul George (Phi, SF)
8.7 - Matt's Monstrous Team: Jalen Suggs (Orl, PG)
8.8 - steve's Smart Team: John Collins (LAC, PF)
8.9 - Tom's Top Team: Daniel Gafford (Dal, C)
8.10 - Karabell: CJ McCollum (Wsh, SG)

Round 9

9.1 - Karabell: Jakob Poeltl (Tor, C)
9.2 - Tom's Top Team: Devin Vassell (SA, SG)
9.3 - steve's Smart Team: Reed Sheppard (Hou, SG)
9.4 - Matt's Monstrous Team: Norman Powell (Mia, SG)
9.5 - Jim's Scary Team: Dejounte Murray (NO, SG)
9.6 - Kirien: Cam Thomas (Bkn, SG)
9.7 - Alex Barutha: Immanuel Quickley (Tor, PG)
9.8 - Mock 2 Snellings Categories: Alex Sarr (Wsh, C)
9.9 - Kaiser: Draymond Green (GS, PF)
9.10 - Team Moody: Malik Monk (Sac, SG)

Round 10

10.1 - Team Moody: Keegan Murray (Sac, PF)
10.2 - Kaiser: Cameron Johnson (Den, SF)
10.3 - Mock 2 Snellings Categories: Deandre Ayton (LAL, C)
10.4 - Alex Barutha: Mark Williams (Phx, C)
10.5 - Kirien: Tobias Harris (Det, PF)
10.6 - Jim's Scary Team: P.J. Washington (Dal, PF)
10.7 - Matt's Monstrous Team: Andrew Nembhard (Ind, PG)
10.8 - steve's Smart Team: Kel'el Ware (Mia, C)
10.9 - Tom's Top Team: Nic Claxton (Bkn, C)
10.10 - Karabell: Jarrett Allen (Cle, C)

Round 11

11.1 - Karabell: Jrue Holiday (Por, PG)
11.2 - Tom's Top Team: Jaden Ivey (Det, SG)
11.3 - steve's Smart Team: Matas Buzelis (Chi, SF)
11.4 - Matt's Monstrous Team: VJ Edgecombe (Phi, SG)
11.5 - Jim's Scary Team: D'Angelo Russell (Dal, PG)
11.6 - Kirien: Jabari Smith Jr. (Hou, PF)
11.7 - Alex Barutha: Payton Pritchard (Bos, PG)
11.8 - Mock 2 Snellings Categories: Shaedon Sharpe (Por, SG)
11.9 - Kaiser: Kevin Porter Jr. (Mil, SG)
11.10 - Team Moody: Aaron Gordon (Den, PF)

Round 12

12.1 - Team Moody: Donte DiVincenzo (Min, SG)
12.2 - Kaiser: T.J. McConnell (Ind, PG)
12.3 - Mock 2 Snellings Categories: Stephon Castle (SA, PG)
12.4 - Alex Barutha: Donovan Clingan (Por, C)
12.5 - Kirien: Bennedict Mathurin (Ind, SF)
12.6 - Jim's Scary Team: Ace Bailey (Utah, SF)
12.7 - Matt's Monstrous Team: RJ Barrett (Tor, SF)
12.8 - steve's Smart Team: Davion Mitchell (Mia, PG)
12.9 - Tom's Top Team: Tari Eason (Hou, SF)
12.10 - Karabell: Scotty Pippen Jr. (Mem, PG)

Round 13

13.1 - Karabell: Bobby Portis (Mil, PF)
13.2 - Tom's Top Team: Collin Sexton (Cha, SG)
13.3 - steve's Smart Team: Onyeka Okongwu (Atl, C)
13.4 - Matt's Monstrous Team: Jeremiah Fears (NO, SG)
13.5 - Jim's Scary Team: Russell Westbrook (FA, PG)
13.6 - Kirien: Kon Knueppel (Cha, SG)
13.7 - Alex Barutha: Keyonte George (Utah, PG)
13.8 - Mock 2 Snellings Categories: Kyrie Irving (Dal, PG)
13.9 - Kaiser: Kelly Oubre Jr. (Phi, SF)
13.10 - Team Moody: Bradley Beal (LAC, SF)

Mock Draft Results by Team

Kaiser

Round 1, Pick 9: Stephen Curry (GS, PG)
Round 2, Pick 12: Karl-Anthony Towns (NY, C)
Round 3, Pick 29: Derrick White (Bos, SG)
Round 4, Pick 32: Nikola Vucevic (Chi, C)
Round 5, Pick 49: Walker Kessler (Utah, C)
Round 6, Pick 52: Mikal Bridges (NY, SF)
Round 7, Pick 69: Brook Lopez (LAC, C)
Round 8, Pick 72: Tyler Herro (Mia, SG)
Round 9, Pick 89: Draymond Green (GS, PF)
Round 10, Pick 92: Cameron Johnson (Den, SF)
Round 11, Pick 109: Kevin Porter Jr. (Mil, SG)
Round 12, Pick 112: T.J. McConnell (Ind, PG)
Round 13, Pick 129: Kelly Oubre Jr. (Phi, SF)

Karabell

Round 1, Pick 1: Victor Wembanyama (SA, C)
Round 2, Pick 20: LeBron James (LAL, SF)
Round 3, Pick 21: Kevin Durant (Hou, PF)
Round 4, Pick 40: Desmond Bane (Orl, SG)
Round 5, Pick 41: Bam Adebayo (Mia, C)
Round 6, Pick 60: Anfernee Simons (Bos, SG)
Round 7, Pick 61: Darius Garland (Cle, PG)
Round 8, Pick 80: CJ McCollum (Wsh, SG)
Round 9, Pick 81: Jakob Poeltl (Tor, C)
Round 10, Pick 100: Jarrett Allen (Cle, C)
Round 11, Pick 101: Jrue Holiday (Por, PG)
Round 12, Pick 120: Scotty Pippen Jr. (Mem, PG)
Round 13, Pick 121: Bobby Portis (Mil, PF)

Kirien

Round 1, Pick 6: Anthony Edwards (Min, SG)
Round 2, Pick 15: Donovan Mitchell (Cle, SG)
Round 3, Pick 26: LaMelo Ball (Cha, PG)
Round 4, Pick 35: Jalen Johnson (Atl, PF)
Round 5, Pick 46: Franz Wagner (Orl, SF)
Round 6, Pick 55: Kristaps Porzingis (Atl, C)
Round 7, Pick 66: Jordan Poole (NO, SG)
Round 8, Pick 75: Brandon Ingram (Tor, SF)
Round 9, Pick 86: Cam Thomas (Bkn, SG)
Round 10, Pick 95: Tobias Harris (Det, PF)
Round 11, Pick 106: Jabari Smith Jr. (Hou, PF)
Round 12, Pick 115: Bennedict Mathurin (Ind, SF)
Round 13, Pick 126: Kon Knueppel (Cha, SG)

Team Moody

Round 1, Pick 10: Trae Young (Atl, PG)
Round 2, Pick 11: Chet Holmgren (OKC, C)
Round 3, Pick 30: Jaren Jackson Jr. (Mem, C)
Round 4, Pick 31: Ja Morant (Mem, PG)
Round 5, Pick 50: Miles Bridges (Cha, SF)
Round 6, Pick 51: Jalen Green (Phx, SG)
Round 7, Pick 70: Naz Reid (Min, C)
Round 8, Pick 71: Jalen Duren (Det, C)
Round 9, Pick 90: Malik Monk (Sac, SG)
Round 10, Pick 91: Keegan Murray (Sac, PF)
Round 11, Pick 110: Aaron Gordon (Den, PF)
Round 12, Pick 111: Donte DiVincenzo (Min, SG)
Round 13, Pick 130: Bradley Beal (LAC, SF)

Alex Barutha

Round 1, Pick 7: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Mil, PF)
Round 2, Pick 14: Cade Cunningham (Det, PG)
Round 3, Pick 27: Josh Giddey (FA, SG)
Round 4, Pick 34: Evan Mobley (Cle, PF)
Round 5, Pick 47: Pascal Siakam (Ind, PF)
Round 6, Pick 54: Deni Avdija (Por, SF)
Round 7, Pick 67: Jimmy Butler III (GS, SF)
Round 8, Pick 74: Kawhi Leonard (LAC, SF)
Round 9, Pick 87: Immanuel Quickley (Tor, PG)
Round 10, Pick 94: Mark Williams (Phx, C)
Round 11, Pick 107: Payton Pritchard (Bos, PG)
Round 12, Pick 114: Donovan Clingan (Por, C)
Round 13, Pick 127: Keyonte George (Utah, PG)

Tom's Top Team

Round 1, Pick 2: Nikola Jokic (Den, C)
Round 2, Pick 19: Jalen Brunson (NY, PG)
Round 3, Pick 22: Tyrese Maxey (Phi, PG)
Round 4, Pick 39: Myles Turner (Mil, C)
Round 5, Pick 42: Austin Reaves (LAL, SG)
Round 6, Pick 59: Zach LaVine (Sac, SG)
Round 7, Pick 62: OG Anunoby (NY, SF)
Round 8, Pick 79: Daniel Gafford (Dal, C)
Round 9, Pick 82: Devin Vassell (SA, SG)
Round 10, Pick 99: Nic Claxton (Bkn, C)
Round 11, Pick 102: Jaden Ivey (Det, SG)
Round 12, Pick 119: Tari Eason (Hou, SF)
Round 13, Pick 122: Collin Sexton (Cha, SG)

Matt's Monstrous Team

Round 1, Pick 4: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC, PG)
Round 2, Pick 17: Amen Thompson (Hou, SF)
Round 3, Pick 24: Jalen Williams (OKC, PF)
Round 4, Pick 37: Alperen Sengun (Hou, C)
Round 5, Pick 44: Joel Embiid (Phi, C)
Round 6, Pick 57: Ivica Zubac (LAC, C)
Round 7, Pick 64: Ausar Thompson (Det, SF)
Round 8, Pick 77: Jalen Suggs (Orl, PG)
Round 9, Pick 84: Norman Powell (Mia, SG)
Round 10, Pick 97: Andrew Nembhard (Ind, PG)
Round 11, Pick 104: VJ Edgecombe (Phi, SG)
Round 12, Pick 117: RJ Barrett (Tor, SF)
Round 13, Pick 124: Jeremiah Fears (NO, SG)

steve's Smart Team

Round 1, Pick 3: Luka Doncic (LAL, PG)
Round 2, Pick 18: Devin Booker (Phx, PG)
Round 3, Pick 23: Dyson Daniels (Atl, SG)
Round 4, Pick 38: Brandon Miller (Cha, SF)
Round 5, Pick 43: Trey Murphy III (NO, SF)
Round 6, Pick 58: Coby White (Chi, PG)
Round 7, Pick 63: Rudy Gobert (Min, C)
Round 8, Pick 78: John Collins (LAC, PF)
Round 9, Pick 83: Reed Sheppard (Hou, SG)
Round 10, Pick 98: Kel'el Ware (Mia, C)
Round 11, Pick 103: Matas Buzelis (Chi, SF)
Round 12, Pick 118: Davion Mitchell (Mia, PG)
Round 13, Pick 123: Onyeka Okongwu (Atl, C)

Jim's Scary Team

Round 1, Pick 5: Anthony Davis (Dal, C)
Round 2, Pick 16: Scottie Barnes (Tor, SF)
Round 3, Pick 25: Cooper Flagg (Dal, SF)
Round 4, Pick 36: Jamal Murray (Den, PG)
Round 5, Pick 45: Jaylen Brown (Bos, SF)
Round 6, Pick 56: Lauri Markkanen (Utah, PF)
Round 7, Pick 65: Julius Randle (Min, PF)
Round 8, Pick 76: Paul George (Phi, SF)
Round 9, Pick 85: Dejounte Murray (NO, SG)
Round 10, Pick 96: P.J. Washington (Dal, PF)
Round 11, Pick 105: D'Angelo Russell (Dal, PG)
Round 12, Pick 116: Ace Bailey (Utah, SF)
Round 13, Pick 125: Russell Westbrook (FA, PG)

Essential Resources for Fantasy Basketball Success

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Check out custom NBA Fantasy Projections
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Listen to a Fantasy Basketball Podcast
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Read Fantasy Basketball Articles
Dive into RotoWire's Fantasy Basketball Draft Kit
Study NBA Depth Charts
See RotoWire's Fantasy Basketball Dynasty Rankings

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ESPN Fantasy Basketball Mock Draft: Expert 10-Team Category League

Alex's Team

Kirien's Team