This episode of the Locked On Fantasy Basketball podcast highlights the fantasy awards for the recently concluded season. Josh Lloyd discusses the standout players and key performances, focusing on designations like Fantasy MVP, Waiver Wire MVP, and the biggest busts of the season. Nikola Jokic takes the Fantasy MVP title for his exceptional all-around contributions, while Christian Braun is recognized as the Waiver Wire MVP due to his impressive rise from minimal drafts to a top-100 player. The show also critiques underperformers like Joel Embiid and Kyle Kuzma, emphasizing the importance of contextualizing player rankings and projections.

Fantasy basketball enthusiasts often find themselves reflecting on their team's performance during the off-season, and Dan Vaspers takes a candid look at his missteps this past season, focusing on his underperforming players and strategic decisions. He discusses how his early picks, particularly Joel Embiid and James Harden, shaped his season. While Harden delivered solid stats, Embiid's limited games created a significant void in his team’s performance. Dan highlights the importance of being cautious in the early rounds of drafting and stresses that missing out on a reliable second rounder can derail an entire season. He contemplates alternative strategies and players that could have turned his fortunes around, underscoring the unpredictable nature of fantasy basketball.

Notably, he points out the draft order's impact on available talent and reflects on players like Damian Lillard and DeAndre Ayton who could have made his team more competitive. As the playoffs approach, Dan shares insights on lessons learned, emphasizing the need for adaptability and strategic foresight in drafting. The episode serves as a reminder of how crucial early picks are in building a successful fantasy roster and the importance of making choices based on player durability and potential performance.

Identifying the worst picks in each round of fantasy basketball can be a painful yet necessary exercise. Joel Embiid tops the list for first-round picks, primarily due to his missed games, severely hampering Roto league success. Despite James Harden's decent performance in the second round, trepidation lingers for managers who relied on injury-prone superstars like Anthony Davis or Luka Dončić, who both missed significant time. In the third round, Larry Markkanen and Alperen Şengün struggled to meet expectations, while the fourth round was riddled with underwhelming choices, including Paulo Banchero and Ja Morant, who faced their own injuries. Managers should reflect on these selections to enhance future draft strategies.

The Phoenix Suns continue to impress with their fourth consecutive win, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks in a nail-biter that showcased clutch performances from their stars. Kevin Durant led the charge with a stellar 38-point outing, including a crucial three-pointer late in the game. Despite a strong start from Milwaukee, who saw Giannis Antetokounmpo struggle with free throws down the stretch, it was Devin Booker who sealed the victory with a game-winning shot. The Bucks' late-game execution has come under scrutiny as their inconsistent performance raised questions about their playoff readiness.

The Celtics managed to secure a comfortable win against the Sacramento Kings, but the spotlight shifted to Jason Tatum, who suffered an ankle injury. While Boston remains in a strong position, the team may need to navigate Tatum's potential absence carefully as they gear up for the playoffs. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis returned for the Mavericks, demonstrating his importance to the team as they fought hard to maintain their playoff position.