Fantasy Basketball 2021: 1st-Round Mock Draft and Best Team Names

The Chicago Bulls are 3-0 in the preseason, Ben Simmons doesn't want to be in Philadelphia, and Jordan Poole is dropping 30 pieces. The NBA is back, and 2021-22 seems to be a very new year for the sport.

For fantasy managers, that could mean new and improved—in all facets.

Here, we'll look at first-round rankings for a 12-team, nine-category mock draft to lay a roster foundation. And there will be specific analysis of two players with particularly unique circumstances: James Harden and Karl-Anthony Towns. 

We'll also tackle the branding side with some team names that blend the lines between dumb and fun. And don't discount the value of choosing the right name or logo, either. To paraphrase the great Deion Sanders: Look good, feel good, play good.

1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

2. James Harden, Brooklyn Nets

3. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

4. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

6. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

7. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

8. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets

9. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

10. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

11. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

12. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

For months, Stephen Curry has felt like the obvious No. 2 pick after a season in which he scorched the entire league. But, while the Golden State Warriors star should still be a maestro this year, James Harden has contrasting circumstances that work in his favor.

While the Warriors are set to have Klay Thompson return at some point this season, Kyrie Irving is likely to miss home games for the Brooklyn Nets.

If Irving misses games at Barclays Center, Harden's volume should skyrocket. And that could mean a return to the fantasy-leading, league-leading numbers he was posting with the Houston Rockets.

From 2017 to 2020, the 32-year-old averaged 33.7 points (including 4.3 threes), 6.2 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game. If his shoulders even come close to carrying that same playmaking load again, he's a surefire pick in the top two.

Beyond the top five, the first-round rankings start to feel uncomfortable.

Damian Lillard’s ceiling is Steph-like numbers, but there are later-round point guards who fill similar categories. Kevin Durant is the greatest player in the world, but load management is a perennial concern. 

Karl-Anthony Towns deserves to be taken at No. 6. At 25 years old, the center has averaged 25.5 points (with 3.8 threes), 10.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists over the past two seasons. Those are remarkable numbers in a vacuum, but they become even more impactful when considering the center position for fantasy.

Outside of Nikola Jokic, Towns, Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis, few big men provide legitimate statistical variety.

Guys such as Rudy Gobert and DeAndre Ayton are high picks, but they are fairly limited in the box score and capable of tanking in certain categories (e.g. free-throw percentage, assists).

His lineup versatility is enough to give Towns an edge at No. 6 in most drafts.

• Big Honey and the Bumble Threes
• Phineas and Serb
• Curryfied Lover Boys
• Harden Da Paint
• Doncic Wish Your Girlfriend Was Hot Like Me
• Getting Bucks Like Giannis
• Kevin Durant's Burners
• Settlers of KATan
• KATalina Wine Mixer
• Squid Dame
• Kev Lasso
• JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
• The Jayson Potatums
• Abrow Cadabrow
• Nostraedamus 
• Count Traecula
• Ferris Bealer's Day Off
• Vucci Mane
• James and the Giant Peach
• Shai Butter
• Beam Me Up, Scottie

Jokic is the inspiration for several team name ideas here. "Big Honey" is a splendid nickname for the Serbian center, so toss on Bumble Threes for some category flair. Alternatively, you can go with  "Phineas and Serb" to let your squad honor his heritage and American pop culture.

For later picks, there's "Ferris Bealer's Day Off" if you choose Bradley Beal despite some concerns about his playing time in the forthcoming season.

And if you buy in on the Scottie Barnes preseason hype, you can pick "Beam Me Up, Scottie" to lend spiritual strength to the Toronto Raptors rookie.