Locked On Fantasy Basketball – Daily NBA Fantasy Basketball Podcast

JLFB BOWL https://joshlloydfantasy.com/bowl/

OVERVIEW
How do you approach the new-look Los Angeles Lakers for fantasy basketball after the departures of LeBron James, DeAndre Ayton, and others? I break down where Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves should be drafted, why I'm fading Walker Kessler at his current price, and highlight where the best sleeper and stash value lies given the team's deep but uncertain rotation.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Draft Luka Dončić at pick 3 or 4; don’t reach for him at 2 given his slight soft tissue injury risk and average percentages, but his upside and usage are massive.
Austin Reaves is severely undervalued on ESPN (ranked at 50) and is worth a pick at the 15–18 range even in non-ESPN leagues, with true first-round upside if his assists and usage rise.
Walker Kessler’s inflated 2025–26 stats (especially threes, steals, and free throw percentage) aren’t likely to sustain; I’m avoiding him in the top 50 and won’t have him on most rosters.
Quentin Grimes is a prime late-round flyer due to direct upside if Dončić or Reaves miss time, offering 2 paths to top-70 value (expanded role or injury fill-in).
Matisse Thybulle may start but isn’t draftable in standard leagues outside of deep, punt-points builds despite his elite steals potential.
Sandro Mamukelashvili is a valid stash in deeper leagues and best-ball, as he’s only fantasy-relevant if Walker Kessler misses significant time.
The Lakers’ playoff schedule is bottom half, with a 3-4-3 game split through March 28, possibly making Shai Gilgeous-Alexander a better late-season option than Dončić in tight comparisons.
Be cautious drafting Jarred Vanderbilt or other rotating forwards, as none project as fantasy-relevant outside of deeper formats or specific streamer situations.
NEXT STEP
Consider targeting Austin Reaves aggressively in drafts, especially if he slips past the mid-second round.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
1:24 Lakers’ roster questions and rotation changes
4:43 Projected starting lineup breakdown
5:42 Luka Dončić fantasy outlook and draft spot
8:18 Austin Reaves upside, rankings, and projection
10:41 Walker Kessler evaluation and draft range
16:40 Quentin Grimes’ handcuff value and upside
19:07 Matisse Thybulle: deep-league/steals consideration
20:38 Bench and rotation: Mamukelashvili, Sexton, Williams, LaRavia
29:46 Back-end rotation: Vanderbilt, young prospects, fantasy impact
31:16 Top targets, fades, stashes summary
32:42 Injury updates: Dončić, Kessler
33:54 Lakers playoff schedule analysis
35:40 Wrap-up and what’s next
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JLFB BOWL https://joshlloydfantasy.com/bowl/

OVERVIEW
This episode is a special edition where I team up with Dan Besbris from Old Man Squad to draft a "94-category" fantasy basketball league—literally using every available stat category we could find. We walk through our draft strategies (or lack thereof), debate player values across formats, and unpack what actually matters in fantasy basketball when your categories get truly ridiculous. If you're wrestling with category value, positional depth, or want candid analysis on the impact of NBA roles for fantasy purposes, this episode gives a chaotic but real glimpse into those decisions.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Drafting in a multi-category format (like this 94-category experiment) highlights where volume, efficiency, and role certainty matter most, even more than standard 8- or 9-cat leagues.
Center scarcity is real—when forced to fill 10 center spots each, targeting eligible players early becomes a viable, if aggressive, strategy.
Many fantasy managers discount proven per-game performers like Lauri Markkanen well beyond what role or new teammates truly justify—draft price and risk are often out of sync.
Tyrese Maxey and other high-steal or block guards may be overvalued based on last year’s stats, especially if those rates aren’t sustainable given changes to team structure or coaching.
“Safe” mid-round picks like Franz Wagner, who lack massive upside but offer a high floor, make sense when riskier upside plays don’t project to break into higher tiers without injuries elsewhere.
Don’t ignore team context or coach history: trusting Rick Carlisle to give a center a breakout role has burned fantasy players before, and should moderate expectations.
It’s easy to get distracted by “sleepers” or hype picks, but focusing on getting value—players who can outperform their draft slot or maintain steady production—is still the foundational edge in fantasy basketball.

CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
2:33 How the 94-category draft works
10:06 Early rounds and strategy talk
20:45 Center scarcity and position eligibility
34:02 Value drafting and confidence intervals
44:00 Late-round picks, sleeper discussion, and format quirks


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JLFB BOWL https://joshlloydfantasy.com/bowl/

OVERVIEW
Auction drafts in fantasy basketball bring unique strategy challenges, from budgeting for stars to capitalizing on mid-round value. In this episode, I guide you through a live 12-team, 9-category auction mock draft, breaking down how price dynamics shift in real time based on draft room activity. The episode analyzes which players get overpriced, where bargains emerge, and how roster construction unfolds under budget constraints.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Players like Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokić went for $80 each, an extremely high price that makes filling the rest of a roster difficult without hitting $1 players later. Stacking two high-priced stars severely limits team flexibility.
Luka Dončić's auction price at $61 stood out as a bargain compared to similar tier players who went much higher; price context in the room matters significantly for value.
Mid-tier and breakout candidates such as Jaden McDaniels ($11), Deni Avdija ($23), and Brandon Miller ($26) offered solid returns relative to their contributions and cost, especially in a "hot" (aggressive) bidding room.
Top-end talent often gets thrown out early for bidding, driving up their price and shaping the entire auction. Adapting your strategy to the tempo of money coming off the board is key.
Patience is crucial after early overspenders blow most of their budget—bargain opportunities emerge in later rounds as fewer managers have spending power.
Always be comfortable walking out of a draft without a "first-round" talent if value isn't there. A balanced approach across multiple mid-tier players can outperform top-heavy, stars-and-scrubs builds in deep 9-cat formats.
Some late-draft habits, like refusing to overpay for $1 bench players and focusing on streaming flexibility, provide an advantage—don't get stuck with no budget for potential breakout or streaming spots.
Live auction rooms can behave unpredictably; player values can swing based on nomination order, manager tendencies, and positional scarcity. Monitoring the room and pivoting your plan is more important than sticking to static rankings.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
4:49 Auction mock draft setup
6:00 Early bidding dynamics and strategy talk
8:54 Top-tier stars and value contrast
16:46 Mid-round and value targets
29:11 Late-draft bargains and $1 player discussion
41:55 Pivoting auction strategy in hot/cold rooms
1:33:45 Endgame bidding, value recap, and final team reviews
1:41:28 Recap of draft, notable team constructions, and final thoughts


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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 https://FANDUEL.COM to get started.

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JLFB BOWL https://joshlloydfantasy.com/bowl/

OVERVIEW
This episode focuses on identifying fantasy basketball sleepers and undervalued players for upcoming drafts, emphasizing shifts in rankings and average draft position (ADP) across Yahoo and FanTrax platforms. I break down value plays and risky fades by format, with actionable advice specifically for category and points leagues. There’s a spotlight on prominent names being overlooked due to health concerns, role changes, or mistaken risk aversion.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Giannis Antetokounmpo is consistently falling too far in drafts (ADPs of 7 and 9 on Yahoo/FanTrax), but remains a clear top-five pick in category leagues; if you don’t want to punt free throws, just avoid him entirely.
Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving are being drafted well below their likely value (falling into the 40s–50s) due more to risk aversion than real downside; comfortable targeting them mid-second round without needing to reach.
Brandon Miller’s preseason health removes earlier concerns, making his current ADP around 44–46 a bargain for his potential top-30 upside season.
Risk aversion surrounding players like Darius Garland, Paul George, and Dejounte Murray has led to significant ADP discounts; current pricing bakes in enough downside that the upside is worth the gamble.
Young players with expanded roles—like Asar Thompson, Coby White, and Dyson Daniels—are available late but project for bigger minutes, more usage, and either scarce categories (like assists and steals) or rising counting stats.
Day'Ron Sharpe and others at center are undervalued due to doubts about minutes, but if opportunity rises, their categorical contributions (especially rebounds, blocks) could make them league winners.
In Yahoo Points leagues, Paolo Banchero is wrongly punished by category reputation, making him a strong mid-round value, while veterans like Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert should not be overlooked at their depressed ADPs.
CJ McCollum’s late ADP doesn’t fit his likely Atlanta role and recent production—he remains a draftable target towards the end, even if his role isn’t crystal clear yet.
NEXT STEP
Apply these adjusted sleeper recommendations when drafting in Yahoo and FanTrax leagues, and keep an eye out for my upcoming busts episode for further guidance.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
0:22 What sleepers mean and platforms used
1:28 Category leagues: Yahoo sleeper picks top 50
4:38 Yahoo category leagues: ADP 51–100 sleepers
10:53 Remaining Yahoo category league values
14:11 FanTrax category league sleeper analysis
20:25 Yahoo Points leagues: sleeper values
25:02 Points league mid/late round sleepers
33:49 Wrap up and what’s next

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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.
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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 https://FANDUEL.COM to get started.

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JLFB BOWL https://joshlloydfantasy.com/bowl/

OVERVIEW
Fantasy basketball managers face a complicated situation with the LA Clippers this season, where injuries, uncertain roles, and lack of franchise direction create risk and opportunity. I break down fantasy-relevant player evaluations, rotation uncertainties, bust and sleeper options, and how to approach draft decisions for Clippers pieces in both standard and deeper leagues.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Darius Garland is the only Clipper with genuine top-30 fantasy upside due to expected usage and minutes, but his injury history and the team’s structure mean he’s riskiest in the 30s yet a strong target in the 40s or 50s.
Rui Hachimura could be standard-league draftable purely on context and increased role, with a path to 16 points and 7 rebounds, but offers little outside of scoring and is extremely low in steals, blocks, assists, and free throws.
Isaiah Jackson projects as the starting center over Brook Lopez to start the year; he should be drafted late in all leagues for field goal percentage and blocks, but don’t expect long-term job security or high scoring.
Max Strus is back on the standard-league map as a last-round flyer if he gets 30+ minutes and increased usage, especially if he recaptures some of his earlier assist contributions.
Keaton Wagler is almost certain to disappoint in year one as a rookie point guard with translation concerns, efficiency questions, and little realistic path to standard-league value outside deeper or dynasty formats.
Brandon Ingram’s partially torn Achilles makes him a fringe late-round stash, not a standard-league target above pick 100, and his minutes/production will be capped even when he returns (likely around Christmas or later).
Brook Lopez is no longer a viable fantasy target in standard formats; ignore his ADP and rankings in the low 100s.
The Clippers’ lack of draft incentives and confusing franchise priorities create unpredictable minutes and rotations; drafting any Clipper outside Garland is speculative and short-term in nature.

NEXT STEP
Apply a cautious approach when targeting Clippers in fantasy basketball drafts, prioritizing only Darius Garland early and treating the rest as speculative, context-based swings.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
1:00 Clippers’ big fantasy questions
6:02 Projected starting lineup, Darius Garland outlook
10:13 Max Strus evaluation
12:12 Isaiah Jackson as starting center
14:02 Rui Hachimura: necessary evil?
16:50 Derrick Jones Jr. and projected minutes
17:09 Bench rotation and Kris Dunn
18:31 Bradley Beal upside and risks
21:02 Brook Lopez value collapse
22:57 Keaton Wagler rookie warning
25:13 Kobe Sanders and end-of-bench options
26:04 Brandon Ingram’s injury and stash value
28:50 Rest-of-roster notes (Jordan Miller, Gradey Dick, etc.)
30:16 Baba Miller, Yanic Konan-Niederhauser stash potential
32:06 Full Clippers injury updates
33:46 Schedule and back-to-back notes
34:25 Best targets, fades, and summary

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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 https://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)

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