1st-Round Mock Draft and the Best Team Names to Watch for in the Upcoming NBA Season.Giang

Opening night of the 2023-24 NBA season is just one week away.

For fantasy basketball managers, that makes this cram-session time.

With the clock ticking to fine-tune strategies and finalize pre-draft plans, let’s get right into it by laying out a mock first round, identifying sleeper specialists who can contribute in specific categories and finally brainstorming some fun team names to consider.

1. Nikola Jokić, C, Denver Nuggets

2. Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers

3. Luka Dončić, PG, Dallas Mavericks

4. Tyrese Haliburton, PG/SG, Indiana Pacers

5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG/SG, Oklahoma City Thunder

6. Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C, Milwaukee Bucks

7. Jayson Tatum, SF/PF, Boston Celtics

8. Stephen Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors

9. Trae Young, PG, Atlanta Hawks

10. Damian Lillard, PG, Milwaukee Bucks

11. Kevin Durant, SF/PF, Phoenix Suns

12. Anthony Davis, PF/C, Los Angeles Lakers

Assists: Tyus Jones, PG, Washington Wizards

Previously known as the league’s best backup point guard, Jones now has a starting role and with it, the opportunity to post some of the best passing numbers around. In 22 starts for the Memphis Grizzlies last season, he averaged 8.1 assists against just 1.5 turnovers.

Rebounds: Mark Williams, C, Charlotte Hornets

If the Hornets keep giving Williams significant minutes like they did late last season, then the 2022 draft’s No. 15 pick has a chance to rank among the Association’s top glass-cleaners. Over his final 13 outings, he averaged 10.5 rebounds in 27 minutes a night.

Threes: Malik Beasley, SG, Milwaukee Bucks

If Beasley can lock down the starting spot previously held by Grayson Allen, he’ll get ample opportunity to put his career 37.8 three-point percentage to good use. Beasley stands to not only get the benefit of all the defensive attention directed at Milwaukee’s stars, but he should also have a neon-green light to launch, since the Bucks need to maximize their spacing around Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Steals: Matisse Thybulle, SG/SF, Portland Trail Blazers

If Thybulle can simply be competent on the offensive end, the Blazers should give him all the minutes he can handle to see if he can fill a spot on their long-term core. If minutes aren’t an issue, then defensive playmaking won’t be either. For his career, he has averaged 1.5 steals in only 20.5 minutes per game, and his career 3.6 steal percentage is tied for 14th all-time among players with 1,000-plus minutes, per StatHead.

Blocks: Walker Kessler, C, Utah Jazz

Kessler’s shot-blocking ability is already elite, and since he’s a 22-year-old entering his second NBA season, his upside remains enormous. It is very possible we’ve seen nothing close to his best yet, which is a scary thought considering he just averaged a whopping 3.7 rejections per 36 minutes, per Basketball-Reference.

Full Metal Jokić

DeMars Rover

2 Live Jrue

Gobert Or Go Home

Cool Hand Luka

License To Lillard

Ayton No Mountain High Enough

Born on Adebayo

LaMelo Ball Don’t Lie

WebEmbiid