Fantasy Basketball 2022: Position Rankings, Team Names for Upcoming NBA Season

Basketball fans are eagerly awaiting Oct. 18, when the 2022-23 NBA season gets underway with a doubleheader featuring a pair of enticing matchups: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors.

In preparation, NBA teams are currently holding training camps and preseason contests are set to begin Friday.

All of this means there isn't much time to set up fantasy basketball leagues. So, if you're looking to participate in one during the upcoming season, the time for preparation is now.

To help, here are positional rankings and some team names for managers to consider.

1. Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks

2. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

3. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies

4. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

5. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

6. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets

7. Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns

8. Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers

9. Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks

10. Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors

Curry can put up a lot of points, but Dončić is the most enticing player on this list. That's why the Mavericks point guard frequently goes within the first few picks of fantasy drafts this year.

The 23-year-old put up more impressive numbers during the 2021-22 season, averaging 28.4 points, 9.1 rebounds and 8.7 assists in 65 games. He may only be getting better, and it's likely he'll be in MVP consideration this upcoming season.

So, while Curry and Morant are strong players who should go early in fantasy drafts, the Slovenian is likely to be the first PG off the board.

1. James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

3. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

4. Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards

5. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

6. Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls

7. CJ McCollum, New Orleans Pelicans

8. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

9. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

10. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors

Now 33, Harden is set to enter his first full season with the 76ers after being traded from the Nets in February. He may not put up the huge scoring totals he once did, but he's averaged more rebounds and assists in recent years than he did early in his career.

In 21 games since moving to Philadelphia, he has averaged 21 points, 10.5 assists and 7.1 rebounds per contest. If he puts up those types of numbers over the course of a whole season, fantasy managers who drafted him in the first round should be content.

1. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

2. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

3. Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers

4. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets

5. Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat

6. Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans

7. DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls

8. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

9. Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks

10. Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers

There's a solid case for Tatum to be the No. 1 player at small forward heading into the season, but it's hard to pick against a healthy James.

And if the 37-year-old stays on the court for the Lakers this season, he should continue to produce at a high level.

Although James was limited to 56 games last season, he averaged 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists per contest. His assists were down, but his scoring was up. And if that's the case again this season, he will reward fantasy managers who have kept faith in him.

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

2. Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors

3. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

4. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings

5. Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans

6. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers

7. Julius Randle, New York Knicks

8. Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies

9. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors

10. Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors

Antetokounmpo is in a tier of his own at power forward. He's likely to be the only one taken in the first round of many drafts, and he's a sure thing to put up huge numbers. After all, he's a two-time NBA MVP who is still only 27.

After averaging at least 28.1 points, 11 rebounds and 5.6 assists in each of the past three seasons, the six-time All-Star is poised for more big things during the 2022-23 season.

There's a case to be made to take him at No. 1 overall in drafts, and if he doesn't go there, he'll be selected shortly after.

1. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

2. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

3. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

4. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves

5. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat

6. Nikola Vucevic, Chicago Bulls

7. Kristaps Porzingis, Washington Wizards

8. Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers

9. Christian Wood, Dallas Mavericks

10. Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns

While there are several players in consideration at No. 1 overall in drafts, Jokić is likely the favorite. He does so much on the court for the Nuggets, and he does everything so well.

Last season, the 27-year-old averaged career highs in points (27.1), rebounds (13.8), steals (1.5) and blocks (0.9) per game.

Could the Serb be getting even better after seven years in the NBA? If he is, he'll be a top MVP candidate again this season.

Cool Hand Luka

Curry on my Wayward Son

The Big Bam Theory

Kawhi of the Tiger

Durant Durant

WebEmbiid

Dame Time

Mt. Zion

Melo on My Mind

Beal or No Beal

Poison Ivey

Beverley Hills