12-Team, 9-Cat Roto Mock Draft: Building around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

While head-to-head leagues may grant fantasy managers some grace if their teams start slowly, that isn't necessarily the case in roto leagues. Availability, which is critical in any fantasy league regardless of format, is paramount; a star player sitting for an extended period can be crushing to a manager's chances of winning their league.

I recently participated in a 12-team, 9-cat roto mock snake draft, holding the second pick, and there was no third-round reversal. After kicking things off with reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, I looked to craft a roster capable of offering value in all statistical categories. It should be noted that this draft was held before it was learned that Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro would undergo foot/ankle surgery that will sideline him indefinitely.

Round 1

One can't be blamed for considering Victor Wembanyama for the second overall pick. However, Wembanyama returning from a blood clot issue influenced my decision, as did Gilgeous-Alexander playing at least 75 games each of the last two seasons. Giannis Antetokounmpo going third, ahead of Wemby, was a mild surprise. However, given the proven production Milwaukee lost this offseason, it's easy to envision a scenario in which Antetokounmpo's numbers receive a boost.

Round 2

With the Pacers already having ruled Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) out for the 2025-26 season, some of their starters will receive a boost to their fantasy values. Siakam, who has center eligibility in Yahoo! leagues, certainly qualifies. He's averaged 20.6 points per game as a Pacer, and I can see putting up a higher number than that this season.

Round 3

According to the ADP data compiled by Hashtag Basketball, Yahoo! and Fantrax league participants value Mobley far more than ESPN managers do. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year, he increased his scoring by just over three points per game last season and shot 37 percent from three on an average of 3.2 attempts. With Darius Garland (toe) and Max Strus (foot) not expected to be available when the regular season begins, it would be unsurprising if Mobley's offensive output were to increase.

Round 4

Remember a few years ago when people assumed Derrick White's fantasy value would decline after the Celtics acquired Jrue Holiday? Boston won the NBA title that season (2023-24), and White was nearly a top-25 player in fantasy basketball according to Basketball Monster. With Holiday no longer in the picture (traded to Portland, with Anfernee Simons headed to Boston) and Jayson Tatum (Achilles) set to miss a significant chunk of the upcoming season, White feels like a player who can once again offer elite fantasy value.

Round 5

At the beginning of the fifth round, there were safer options on the board. However, I was confident enough in the selections made during the first four rounds that it felt like a good time to select Flagg. Plus, he probably would have been off the board by the time my next pick came up. Even with the Mavericks signing D'Angelo Russell, I'm intrigued to see how Kyrie Irving's (knee) being out will impact Flagg's opportunities to play with the ball in his hands.

Round 6

Like Siakam, Nembhard is a Pacer whose fantasy value may be boosted due to the Haliburton injury. He's primarily been a starter his first three seasons, so that part of Nembhard's role won't change. However, the usage (16.3 last season; 16.2 for his career) stands to increase. Points, assists and steals are three categories I'm tracking in relation to the impact Haliburton's absence will have on Nembhard this season.

Round 7

I was surprised that Turner was on the board at this point in the draft, especially since he is joining a team whose roster is not as deep as the Pacers' squad he left in free agency. Sure, the Bucks center's scoring has decreased each of the last two seasons. But the Bucks have a lot of question marks on their roster beyond Giannis and Bobby Portis. And if the scoring isn't there, Turner will be good for a few blocked shots on most nights.

Round 8

Getting a productive player who has yet to miss a game in seven NBA seasons at this point in the draft felt like a steal. Bridges' first season with the Knicks may have been underwhelming in the eyes of some, but he's capable of getting back to being the near-top 50 player he was during his time with the Suns. If anything, Bridges' first full season with the Nets (2022-23) may have raised the bar too high regarding his fantasy value.

Round 9

In selecting Clingan this round, I decided to target rebounds and blocked shots, not to mention upside. The scoring may not be there due to the number of options within Portland's expected rotation, but rebounds and blocks are two areas where that should not impact Clingan's fantasy potential. Also, rookie Yang Hansen's skill set is such that there could be times when they share the court instead of head coach Chauncey Billups deciding that only one can be on the court at any given time.

Round 10

Why not go with another UConn product in the 10th round? Castle, the reigning Rookie of the Year, should have more room to "spread his wings" offensively due to the departure of Chris Paul. While San Antonio added Dylan Harper in the draft, adding another guard to the mix, he isn't guaranteed to be fully healthy to start the season after undergoing thumb surgery. Castle does need to be more efficient than he was as a rookie, but that should not have too negative an impact on this team.

Round 11

Portis is unlikely to be a starter, but he will still play plenty for the Bucks. Having only started 99 of the 339 games he's played in Milwaukee, Portis has averaged 13.6 points and 8.3 rebounds in 25.0 minutes. As long as he continues to play 25 minutes, providing reliable fantasy value should not be an issue, regardless of league format.

Round 12

Jones only playing 20 games last season due to injury unquestionably impacts his draft position. However, he played at least 66 games in each of his first three seasons, so the concerns should not be at the level of, say, Zion Williamson. One of the NBA's premier wing defenders, Jones has averaged 1.6 steals and 0.7 blocks per game as a pro. If he can offer a consistent perimeter shot as well, getting Jones in the 12th round could be a steal.

Round 13

Final team:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Pascal Siakam
Evan Mobley
Derrick White
Cooper Flagg
Andrew Nembhard
Myles Turner
Mikal Bridges
Donovan Clingan
Stephon Castle
Bobby Portis
Herbert Jones
Kyle Filipowski

I'm pleased with how this team turned out. Gilgeous-Alexander and Siakam are likely to lead the way scoring-wise, while Mobley and White should also offer excellent value at their respective draft positions. Flagg has gone earlier in the category league mocks I've participated in, and I wasn't going to pass on the opportunity in the fifth round.

The Bridges pick felt like a steal; while he did struggle at times in his first season with the Knicks, availability has not been an issue for him at any point in his NBA career (knock on wood). To get a player you can assume to be available for all 82 games in the eighth round, especially one who logs the minutes that Bridges does, is quite the find.

Jones did not play much last season due to injury, but he can produce excellent defensive stats when healthy. I'm betting on Clingan and Castle taking a step forward in their second seasons in the NBA, while Portis is worth grabbing despite coming off the bench on most nights.