Fantasy Basketball 2024: 1st-Round Mock Draft and Best Team Names
With the NBA weaving its way through the remainder of the preseason schedule, fantasy basketball managers should be finalizing their preparations for the upcoming campaign, too.
While a successful draft may not guarantee you a league title, a disastrous one can torpedo your season before it even starts.
Let's try to position you for success, then, with a first-round mock draft, a look at three category specialists to target outside of the early rounds and finally a dozen of our favorite fantasy team names.
1st-Round Mock Draft
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1. Nikola Jokić, C, Denver Nuggets
2. Victor Wembanyama, C, San Antonio Spurs
3. Luka Dončić, PG, Dallas Mavericks
4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C, Milwaukee Bucks
6. Domantas Sabonis, PF/C, Sacramento Kings
7. Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers
8. Anthony Davis, PF/C, Los Angeles Lakers
9. Trae Young, PG, Atlanta Hawks
10. Tyreese Haliburton, PG/SG, Indiana Pacers
11. Jayson Tatum, SF/PF, Boston Celtics
12. James Harden, PG/SG, Los Angeles Clippers
Category Specialists
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Points: Cam Thomas, SG, Brooklyn Nets
There's a universe in which Thomas leads the entire league in scoring this season.
He may not be the best bucket-getter (certainly not the most efficient) bucket-getter in the business, but he might have the least competition for scoring chances. Brooklyn's place-holding roster is largely filled with defensive stoppers and role players, potentially freeing Thomas to feast on shots buffet-style. This past season, Thomas shared shots with Mikal Bridges and still found his way to 22.5 points in 31.4 minutes per game.
Rebounds: Jalen Duren, C, Detroit Pistons
Because big men rank favorably among basketball's best players again, a lot of the top glass-cleaners are full-fledged fantasy stars. If you don't nab a top-shelf center, though, and find yourself lacking in rebounds, Duren is a safe bet to help boost that department.
For his career, the third-year center has averaged 10.2 rebounds in just 26.9 minutes per outing. There's potential for a lot more here, too. Detroit could easily extend his floor time, and he has ample opportunity for internal improvement, as he's still just 20 years old.
Assists: Tyus Jones, PG, Phoenix Suns
Jones' offseason relocation from Washington to Phoenix could do wonders for his assists totals. And that's saying something considering he was already a top-10 distributor last season (7.3 assists per game, ninth).
Yet, it's hard not to like his potential when he has gone from creating shots for the likes of Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole to now have Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal at his disposal. Even if Jones isn't handling the ball as often as he did, the opportunities he does receiver could prove far more potent.
Best Team Names
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Embiid for Speed
The Zion King
Randle in the Wind
Kyrie On Luggage
Alien Durant Farm
Jrue Light Special
There Goes Ty Herro
Double LeBrontondre
Shai It Ain't So
Kawhiet Riot
ChetGPT
McCollum As I McSee'em
