The most recent Locked On episode from the last 30 days that directly mentions Cade Cunningham.
Locked OnLocked On Fantasy Basketball
Oct 12, 2026Fantasy Basketball Mock Draft 9 cat Pick 3 | Shai Build
OVERVIEW Fantasy basketball mock drafts can get too hung up on exact player rankings, but the margins between top options are often small. In this episode, I draft from pick 3 in a 9-category head-to-head league, explaining why I took Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over Luka Dončić and how to build around that choice. I break down positional value shifts, ADP ranges, the impact of tiers, and how to adjust to runs and unexpected slides in a draft. KEY TAKEAWAYS The distinction between ranking 3 and 4 is often trivial, so don't be afraid to take Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at pick 3 over Luka Dončić—there’s little fantasy consequence either way if you have a reason you prefer Shai (Josh Lloyd at 01:00). It’s easy to overthink differences in ordinal rankings—projected fantasy value differences in the early rounds are usually small, and you should factor in team build and tier, not just “best available” (01:13, 15:02). Advanced ADP data shows a wide range for many players like Trae Young and Lauri Markkanen, so draft position varies by league context and should influence your expectations (12:06). Certain picks (like Austin Reaves as a first-rounder) are viable depending on projections and league format, even if they buck consensus—own your convictions and don’t get bullied by groupthink (09:59). Players like Cade Cunningham and Darius Garland are falling in drafts due to worries about free throws, turnovers, or team context, but this opens up value for risk-tolerant drafters (09:13, 16:03). Take flyers and value plays late, but keep a focus on minutes and role uncertainty—rookies and unproven options can make sense in deeper formats, but understand the bench risk (25:33, 27:03). Mock drafts are about experimenting—don’t get locked into one strategy based on a single run-through; team constructions can change a lot based on what falls in each mock (19:23). The projections used are head-to-head category-centric; know your league format since points leagues or dynasty require different approaches (15:06, 33:12). CHAPTERS 0:00 Introduction 0:42 Mock Draft Setup & Top-Tier Picks 3:05 Sponsor Reads 5:14 Building Around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 9:13 Early Rounds Commentary (Cade Cunningham, Austin Reaves, positional tiers) 12:06 ADP Ranges, Value, and Variability 15:02 Draft Philosophy: Ranks vs. Tiers 18:00 Targeting Mid/Late Round Upside 20:00 Late-Round Flyers, Rookies, and Uncertainty 27:03 Recapping Picks & Mock Draft Lessons 34:00 Final Roster Review, Projections Discussion, and Wrap-up 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 http://Indeed.com/podcast . Betterhelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA . 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 https://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 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) Visit Josh Lloyd Fantasy for more Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
