Warriors talk dominates the middle of the pod, with Marcus Thompson II and Vincent Goodwill unpacking a 2024-25 arc that could hinge on Golden State’s aging core and how Jonathan Kuminga fits into a post-Steph era. Golden State’s 44-win projection isn’t just a number; it signals questions about health, depth, and the sustainability of their two-timeline approach. The crew flags a potential first‑round risk if Curry’s usage dips or if bigs with size test Golden State’s thin frontline.

Kuminga’s path is front and center. The owner’s belief in Kuminga as a long-term pillar clashes with the immediate window around Steph. They explore how Wiggins, Otto Porter Jr., and the rest can bridge the present to the next phase, while acknowledging that KD’s Golden State stint reshaped Curry’s leadership—pushing him toward an alpha role and teaching him to navigate pressure and responsibility. The conversation then shifts to how all of this touches fantasy rosters: MVP chatter for Luka remains amplified by LeBron’s looming decisions, while the Knicks’ ambitious ceiling keeps stirring dynasty rumors. Calibrating risk around two-time champions, two-way versatility, and the evolving supporting cast becomes the key to fantasy success.

Yahoo’s top-10 for 9-cat fantasy basketball is out, led by Nikola Jokic at No. 1. Giannis Antetokounmpo sat at No. 2, with Victor Wembanyama at No. 3 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at No. 4. Luka Dončić sits at No. 5, followed by Anthony Edwards, Cade Cunningham, Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Domantas Sabonis completing the top 10. The host argues Jokic’s multi-category supremacy makes him a safe, productivity-saturated anchor, while projecting upside and risk across the board for the rest. Giannis’ placement sparks debate due to severe free-throw penalties in nine-category formats, making him a mid-first-round pick in some builds. Wembanyama’s ceiling is enormous, but he’s not a foolproof path in every format, especially if you’re not punting certain categories. The discussion then pivots to building around the big names with eye-catching durability, with attention paid to how health, games played, and category emphasis shape value for Edwards, Cunningham, Davis, Towns, and Sabonis. The host also dives into scoring profiles, field-goal efficiency, and the tricky balance between punting and balancing categories in both nine-cat and roto setups, offering practical draft-landing zones and pairing strategies for a season that demands both steady floor and ceiling bets.

The episode packs a high-velocity tour through today’s NBA pecking order, spotlighting LeBron James as the enduring barometer of success and durability, Luka Doncic’s rumored horizon-altering moves, and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s ongoing pressure to push Milwaukee beyond a lingering cap. The dialogue pivots to Kevin Durant’s travel map, Donovan Mitchell’s Cavaliers ascent, and Anthony Davis’ ceiling in a landscape where stars still carry fantasy weight but team context drives value.

First mock draft of the season for a 12-team, nine-cat head-to-head league unfolds as Josh Lloyd tests a third-round reversal, builds a raw-but-ambitious roster, and weighs the constant tension between elite per-game upside and long-term risk. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lands early, becoming the anchor in a guard-forward build while Nikola Jokic and Luka Dončić hover in the top four—though the host signals flexibility depending on schedule and matchup dynamics.

Attention shifts to the playoff calendar: no two-game finals in most weeks, with some teams sporting heavy two-game weeks in round one and up to five in the finals. That prompts strategic chatter about balancing positions, streaming late-round centers, and punting certain stats to maximize value. The session doubles as a live exploration of board dynamics, expected ADP drift, and what a truly balanced, adaptable squad looks like across formats.

Throughout, the host stresses that projections meet variance in head-to-head formats, and that the mock is a learning tool rather than a real draft. Feedback from listeners and future schedule-breakdown shows are teased as essential pieces to refine builds for Yahoo, ESPN, and Fantrax alike. It’s a playful, analytical kickoff to a year of evolving fantasy basketball strategy.