Fantasy basketball season is underway, and it's time to start drafting! With only 25 days until the season tips off, it's helpful to participate in mock drafts so you can get a feel for when players are selected. With that in mind, here's a first look at how I think the first round will shake out for category leagues. And for additional insight, check out our latest Yahoo expert rankings to aid your draft prep.
1.01 Nikola Jokic - C, Denver Nuggets
No surprise here. Jokic is a fantasy basketball cheat code after posting a historic 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 1.3 threes and 2.4 stocks per game with 58/34/81 shooting splits last season. He had the highest single-season1.02 Joel Embiid - C, Philadelphia 76ers Coming off his best statistical season and playing a career-high 68 games, Embiid will be the focal point of a fantasy-friendly Sixers offense. As one of the most dominant big men in the league, he finished fourth in the NBA in double-doubles and added 2.7 stocks on the defensive end. He should have no issues replicating a top-three performance on a per-game and totals basis if he can play at least 60 games this year.Kevin Durant is a walking bucket whom you can't pass up here.
, and he's done it four years in a row. He finished 10th on a per-game basis last season, but an uptick in three-pointers made while shooting over 72% from the free-throw line will help justify drafting him here.Luka Magic is in effect. Yeah, he's known to turn the ball over at a high rate and miss a ton of free throws, but I'm buying his numbers after the
: 31.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 8.1 assists with 3.9 threes and 1.0 steals. He's ripe for an MVP-like season.The 2022 Finals MVP and four-time champion annually anchors the points, threes and free throw percentage categories in fantasy basketball. I project Curry's minutes and usage will remain in the 30s as the centerpiece of one of the best teams in basketball.Still only 24 years old, Tatum put up career-highs in points, rebounds and assists last year with a 32% usage rate. DAWG.