Fantasy Basketball 2022: Early-Round Rankings and NBA Mock Draft Analysis
Media day is behind us, NBA training camps are open, and the Golden State Warriors and Washington Wizards have already locked horns for the first tilt of the 2022-23 preseason.
Basketball is back, baby, and the actual campaign is close enough that fantasy basketball managers will be assembling their rosters sooner than later.
No matter if you're just starting your study sessions or have been cramming ever since the Warriors won the title in June, you've come here for information, so let's get to it with our top 30 rankings and an examination of two expert mocks.
Top 30 Ranking
1. Nikola Jokic, C, Denver Nuggets
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C, Milwaukee Bucks
3. Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers
4. Stephen Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors
5. Luka Doncic, PG/SG, Dallas Mavericks
6. Jayson Tatum, SF/PF, Boston Celtics
7. Kevin Durant, SF/PF, Brooklyn Nets
8. Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Minnesota Timberwolves
9. Damian Lillard, PG, Portland Trail Blazers
10. James Harden, PG/SG, Philadelphia 76ers
11. Trae Young, PG, Atlanta Hawks
12. LaMelo Ball, PG, Charlotte Hornets
13. Jimmy Butler, SG/SF, Miami Heat
14. Paul George, SG/SF, Los Angeles Clippers
15. Devin Booker, PG/SG, Phoenix Suns
16. Bam Adebayo, PF/C, Miami Heat
17. Tyrese Haliburton, PG/SG, Indiana Pacers
18. LeBron James, PG/SF/PF, Los Angeles Lakers
19. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG/SG, Oklahoma City Thunder
20. Ja Morant, PG, Memphis Grizzlies
21. Zion Williamson, PF, New Orleans Pelicans
22. Kyrie Irving, PG/SG, Brooklyn Nets
23. Anthony Davis, PF/C, Los Angeles Lakers
24. Dejounte Murray, PG/SG, Atlanta Hawks
25. Anthony Edwards, SG/SF, Minnesota Timberwolves
26. Bradley Beal, SG, Washington Wizards
27. Fred VanVleet, PG/SG, Toronto Raptors
28. Pascal Siakam, PF/C, Toronto Raptors
29. Kawhi Leonard, SF/PF, Los Angeles Clippers
30. Donovan Mitchell, PG/SG, Cleveland Cavaliers
10-Team ESPN Mock
ESPN's fantasy crew recently linked up for a 10-team, head-to-head points mock, and a ton of interesting things happened in the process.
Kevin Durant fell into the second round (No. 12). Zion Williamson (No. 14) went before LeBron James (No. 16). Domantas Sabonis went in the second round (No. 17), while Jimmy Butler (No. 21), Bam Adebayo (No. 24) and Tyrese Haliburton (No. 25) did not. Nikola Vucevic (No. 28) went before Rudy Gobert (No. 30).
Kawhi Leonard made it to the fourth round (No. 36), after missing all of last season with an ACL injury. Kyrie Irving, who suited up just 29 times because of injuries and personal decisions, lasted until the fifth (No. 42). That round was perhaps the most fascinating of all, as it also featured: Jaylen Brown, whose name surfaced in trade rumors; Khris Middleton, who was knocked out of the playoffs by an MCL injury; Collin Sexton, who's coming off a meniscus injury and a summer trade to the Utah Jazz; plus Kristaps Porzingis, reigning Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes and Julius Randle.
Paolo Banchero paced the rookie class at No. 52, and two full rounds would pass before the next freshman was taken. Keegan Murray, this summer's fourth overall selection, went next at No. 79, while Jaden Ivey (No. 98) and Jabari Smith Jr. (No. 99) just cracked the top 100.
12-Team CBS Mock
CBS Sports' Ameer Tyree put a different spin on the process. Rather than mock-drafting with colleagues, Tyree took on the computers and grabbed the No. 12 pick in a 12-team, head-to-head points mock that was otherwise simulated.
To start the proceedings, Tyree double-tapped the lead guard spot with Trae Young (No. 12) and Damian Lillard (No. 13).
"Both players should be among the league leaders in points and assists," Tyree explained. "I'm willing to bite the bullet on turnovers because of this duo's high upside."
Tyree then went with Jimmy Butler (No. 36), before going with bigs in consecutive rounds in Rudy Gobert (No. 37) and Jonas Valanciunas (No. 60). A pair of guards were up next in D'Angelo Russell (No. 61) and Tyler Herro (No. 84), before Tyree closed with eight consecutive forwards: Kyle Kuzma (No. 85), Gordon Hayward (No. 108), Bojan Bogdanovic (No. 109), Josh Hart (No. 132), Luguentz Dort (No. 133), Cameron Johnson (No. 156), Jonathan Kuminga (No. 157) and De'Andre Hunter (No. 180).
It's a good group altogether, especially if any of the late picks pan out. Johnson, in particular, intrigues with the Phoenix Suns trying to ship Jae Crowder out of town. If anything could be changed, Valanciunas feels a little high when Gobert is already on the roster and replacement-level options at center might post similar numbers. Grabbing a forward in that spot would've allowed for more flexibility in the later rounds.