The Must-Draft Players To DOMINATE Your Fantasy Basketball League This NBA Season

OVERVIEW
This episode breaks down the most mispriced players in fantasy basketball drafts across Yahoo and ESPN, for both categories and points leagues, rounds 2–10. I identify where the platform rankings are off, explain why these players offer clear value, and highlight the practical consequences for your fantasy basketball draft strategy.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
• There are no universal "must-draft" players; value is completely relative to platform ranking, league format, and draft position.
• LaMelo Ball and Josh Giddey are notably undervalued in Yahoo's default ranks for the second round, and Giannis Antetokounmpo is a gift at pick 20 on ESPN.
• Domantas Sabonis is ranked lower than he should be in round 3; I’m not a Sabonis guy, but at 34 on Yahoo, the risk is minimized.
• Anthony Davis at pick 45 on Yahoo takes most of the injury risk out of the equation; perceived narrative around his willingness to play is speculative and not useful for analysis.
• Trey Murphy III and Dyson Daniels are egregiously undervalued in ESPN formats, both in points and categories, relative to their likely roles and production.
• Chet Holmgren: the gap between Yahoo and ESPN points ranks is significant. At 71 on ESPN points, he’s a big value compared to his fantasy upside.
• Paul George and Stephon Castle are falling well below their expected value in both Yahoo and ESPN ranks; even factoring injury risk or role uncertainty, the potential reward far outweighs the downside at their listed spots.
• League winners are often found late: Zach Edey, Paul George, and Ryan Rollins, all ranked outside the top 100, have upside to return top-50 value if health or situation breaks right.
NEXT STEP
Check your platform’s rankings and identify players mispriced by 15+ spots to maximize your draft value, rather than fixating on consensus “sleepers.”
CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
3:00 Methodology and ranking update notes
6:13 Must-draft values: Rounds 2–3
12:51 Rounds 4–6: Value explanations and examples
17:18 Rounds 7–8: Undervalued and misranked players
23:50 Rounds 9–10: Late-round league winners
34:49 Wrap-up and final strategy notes

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at Indeed.com/podcast (indeed.com/podcast).

Betterhelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA (betterhelp.com/get-started/?go=true&slug=l…).

KALSHI
Today's episode is brought to you by Kalshi. For a limited time, Download Kalshi and use code Locked On to get $25 when you trade $25. Kalshi. Trade what’s next.
PrizePicks
Visit (prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/XXX)prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNBA (prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNBA)and use code LOCKEDONNBA and get $150 if you win your first $5 lineup!

Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
FanDuel
This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit FANDUEL.COM (fanduel.com) to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
Merch joshlloydfantasy.com/shop

Visit Josh Lloyd Fantasy (joshlloydfantasy.com) for more

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.