Fantasy Mock Draft Strategy from Sixth Pick
Raphielle Johnson of Rotoworld details his picks and strategy in a 16-team fantasy basketball mock draft, starting with Tyrese Maxey and building a team
Raphielle Johnson of Rotoworld participated in a 16-team fantasy basketball mock draft hosted by Steve St-Pierre of Menace Podmen. Johnson held the sixth overall pick and aimed to build a team that would only punt on the assists category.
Round 1
Johnson selected Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey with his first pick. According to Hashtag Basketball, Maxey has an average draft position (ADP) of 16.9 in Yahoo leagues. Johnson acknowledged concerns about how the additions of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown might affect Maxey's production but deemed him a worthwhile risk.
He noted that Maxey will be healthy after a finger injury limited him in the postseason.
Round 2
With his second pick, Johnson chose center Walker Kessler, who is coming off a season where he played just five games. Johnson cited the Los Angeles Lakers' lack of true big men and defensive issues with their starting guards as reasons Kessler could have a strong debut season in rebounds and blocks. He also mentioned that playing alongside Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves should help Kessler's field goal percentage.
Round 3
Johnson selected forward/center Evan Mobley in the third round, valuing his forward eligibility and consistent production. Mobley's 2025-26 numbers were similar to the prior season, with slight increases in assists and blocks. Johnson stated that pairing Mobley with Kessler should make his team highly competitive in blocks each week.
Round 4
In the fourth round, Johnson picked forward/center Pascal Siakam. He is betting that Tyrese Haliburton's return from an Achilles tendon rupture will provide Siakam with the playmaking needed to return to the top-50 in fantasy value. The round also saw other managers select high-upside players like Joel Embiid, Keyonte George, Matas Buzelis, and Stephon Castle.
Rounds 5 Through 12
Johnson's subsequent picks focused on players who could contribute in specific categories, particularly rebounds and defensive stats, while acknowledging the punt on assists.
| Round | Player | Position | Key Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | VJ Edgecombe | G | Could see value dip with roster changes but offers rebounds and steals. |
| 6 | Ausar Thompson | G/F | Averages 5.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.0 steals, 0.9 blocks per game. |
| 7 | Ayo Dosunmu | G | Potential top-100 value even in a sixth-man role for Minnesota. |
| 8 | Saddiq Bey | F | Betting on a repeat of his career year despite a crowded Pelicans rotation. |
| 9 | CJ McCollum | G | Proven offensive production with a top-100 floor as a primary option. |
| 10 | Ace Bailey | F | Upside pick; averaged 18.3 points, 4.9 rebounds post All-Star break as a rookie. |
| 11 | Bobby Portis | F/C | Consistent frontcourt contributor; averaged 2.0 threes per game at 45.6% in 2025-26. |
| 12 | Bennedict Mathurin | G/F | Final pick; valued by the Pelicans after recent signing. |
Johnson missed his intended final pick, Charlotte Hornets rookie Hannes Steinbach, who he called the best rebounder in his rookie class.
Final Roster and Outlook
The mock draft yielded the following roster for Johnson's team:
- G Tyrese Maxey
- C Walker Kessler
- F/C Evan Mobley
- F/C Pascal Siakam
- G VJ Edgecombe
- G/F Ausar Thompson
- G Ayo Dosunmu
- F Saddiq Bey
- G CJ McCollum
- F Ace Bailey
- F/C Bobby Portis
- G/F Bennedict Mathurin
Johnson concluded that while assists and free-throw percentage are weaknesses, the team should be strong in points, rebounds, steals, and blocks. He noted that the success of the Walker Kessler pick could be pivotal for the team's overall performance.
Source: Yahoo Sports