Fantasy Basketball 2024: Position Rankings, Team Names for Upcoming NBA Season

The 2024-25 NBA season will tip off in no time.

Have you crafted your fantasy basketball strategy yet?

It's OK if you haven't, but you won't want to wait much longer. The best prepared fantasy managers are often the most successful, so you'll want to get rolling on the preparation process soon. We're here to help with position rankings, a couple debates about the early rankings and a batch of fun team names to consider for the upcoming campaign.

Position Rankings

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DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 13: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter in Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 13, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)

Point Guard

1. Luka Dončić, DAL

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC

3. Tyrese Haliburton, IND

4. Trae Young, ATL

5. Jalen Brunson, NYK

6. Donovan Mitchell, CLE

7. Ja Morant, MEM

8. De'Aaron Fox, SAC

9. Devin Booker, PHO

10. Stephen Curry, GS

Shooting Guard

1. Tyrese Haliburton, IND

2. Anthony Edwards, MIN

3. Donovan Mitchell, CLE

4. Devin Booker, PHO

5. Tyrese Maxey, PHI

6. Scottie Barnes, TOR

7. James Harden, LAC

8. Cade Cunningham, DET

9. Jaylen Brown, BOS

10. Dejounte Murray, NO

Small Forward

1. Jayson Tatum, BOS

2. Anthony Edwards, MIN

3. LeBron James, LAL

4. Scottie Barnes, TOR

5. Paolo Banchero, ORL

6. Jaylen Brown, BOS

7. DeMar DeRozan, SAC

8. Kawhi Leonard, LAC

9. Lauri Markkanen, UTA

10. Desmond Bane, MEM

Power Forward

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL

2. Jayson Tatum, BOS

3. Domantas Sabonis, SAC

4. Anthony Davis, LAL

5. LeBron James, LAL

6. Kevin Durant, PHO

7. Scottie Barnes, TOR

8. Pascal Siakam, IND

9. Paolo Banchero, ORL

10. Zion Williamson, NO

Center

1. Nikola Jokić, DEN

2. Victor Wembanyama, SAS

3. Joel Embiid, PHI

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL

5. Domantas Sabonis, SAC

6. Anthony Davis, LAL

7. Alperen Şengün, HOU

8. Chet Holmgren, OKC

9. Bam Adebayo, MIA

10. Jaren Jackson Jr., MEM

Ranking Debates

Photos by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 12: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets plays defense against Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs during the game on April 12, 2024 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photos by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

Victor Wembanyama or Nikola Jokić?

If you find yourself deciphering this debate, congratulations—you almost certainly landed the top pick in your draft.

As such, there's really no wrong answer here. Jokić is a three-time MVP, and Wembanyama just debuted with a rookie season for the ages. Either one is an excellent anchor for your fantasy roster.

Forced to choose between them, though, Jokić still gets the top spot for now. He has a huge edge in track record, obviously, but he could also have a big advantage in shooting rates (to say nothing of his towering lead in assists). Plus, there's no doubt Denver will give him all the minutes he can handle, which won't necessarily be the case with Wembanyama, depending on how aggressive San Antonio gets with its star sophomore.

LeBron James or Kevin Durant?

At a point in the not so distant past, this might have been the debate for the No. 1 spot. Now, it's something you're more likely to encounter near the start of the second round.

That's still an important pick, though, and it's always fun to debate between these two all-time greats.

Age is a concern with both—James turns 40 in December, Durant just celebrated his 36th birthday—as are the availability concerns attached to it. Both cleared the 70-game mark last season, but neither had managed the feat in any of the three previous seasons, so it's far from a given they'll repeat it.

James has a more well-rounded stat sheet, although Durant has historically held the edge in three-point shooting and blocks. So, if your first-round pick is deficient in a specific category, it's possible that could settle things. In a vacuum, though, James gets the slight edge for being the better rebounder and distributor.

Team Names

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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 30: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a photo during media day at FedExForum on September 30, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

ChetGPT

Sir, This Is a Wemby's

Ja Patrol

Embiid for Speed

Shai It Ain't So

Bone Suggs-N-Harmony

Double LeBrontondre

Don't Go Jayson Waterfalls

Wish Upon Ausar

Everybody Loves Draymond

I Can't Believe It's Not Butler

Tour de Franz