10-Team Points Fantasy Basketball Mock Draft from 1st Position | Nikola Jokic, Scottie Barnes, Jaylen Brown, Chet Holmgren, RJ Barrett and More

Morgan conducts his first fantasy basketball draft of the year, selecting first in a 10-team standard points setup.

The NBA regular season begins in late October, but it’s really never too early to get some fantasy mock drafts in!

I did this mock draft through the Sleeper app. It was a 10-team standard points league setup and I gave myself the No. 1 pick. There were 13 roster spots - 10 starters (one point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, center, guard, forward and three utility spots) and three bench players.

Round 1 - Nikola Jokic

I went with Jokic as the top pick. He was the top scoring player in points leagues in 2023-24, and I don’t see that stopping this season. I think it’s easier to find guards and forwards later on, so getting a big man right away is what I decided to do.

Rounds 2/3 - Scottie Barnes and De'Aaron Fox

I got Barnes in round two and Fox in the third. 

Barnes can stuff the stat sheet and I think he’s still improving, so I love getting Barnes on my fantasy teams. Barnes is usually eligible at several positions as well, which is always a bonus. Fox was a top-15 finisher in points leagues last season, and I think it’s a steal to get him late in round two/early in round three. He doesn’t offer position versatility, but he does stuff the stat sheet pretty well, which makes him one of the better fantasy point guards out there.

Rounds 4/5 - Pascal Siakam and Jaylen Brown

I went with Siakam at the end of the fourth round and started the fifth with Brown. You can probably see a trend forming - taking players who stuff the stat sheet and are still improving, instead of aging and declining.

Siakam was great after joining the Pacers last season, and should be even more comfortable with an offseason under his belt. Between him and Jokic, I love that big man duo. Brown is another versatile wing player who can do a little bit of everything. He and Barnes should really carry me at the wing positions.

Rounds 6/7 - Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams

I went with Holmgren in the sixth and Williams in the seventh.

I was shocked to see Holmgren available still, and had to take him. I am now absolutely loaded with post players, and Holmgren has the chance to be a big-time value pick this late in a draft. I doubled up with OKC players - the upside and potential of Williams is just too much to pass on. So far, I’m feeling extremely confident in this team.

Rounds 8/9 - Jrue Holiday and RJ Barrett

I landed Holiday in the eighth and then took Barrett in the ninth.

I sacrificed some scoring with Holiday, but wanted another guard who could really stuff the stat sheet. His play on the court doesn’t translate super well to fantasy leagues, but Holiday is still a good player for a points-based league. I thought Barrett was a great steal this late in a draft - his short season last year has some sites/fantasy owners down on him. I took advantage and added a really good player to my wing position.

Rounds 10/11 - Jonathan Kuminga and Amen Thompson

Kuminga was my selection in round 10, while I kicked off round 11 with Thompson.

Kuminga has shown flashes of great play, and I think he will really start cementing himself as a big-time fantasy player this coming season. I’m fine taking a little gamble here and through the end of the draft because of how strong my first several picks were. Thompson did some good things in his first season, and I expect him to take a good-sized leap in year two. As a bench option, this is exactly the kind of player I like taking a gamble on.

Rounds 12/13 - Herbert Jones and Keyonte George

Jones was my pick in round 12, while I capped my draft with George in the 13th.

Jones feels like a steal this late. His best asset is availability, and that’s a perfect bench player for my team. George was a bit underrated, in my opinion, as a rookie, and I see another leap from him this season. He could become a valuable trade piece if he really takes off.

Final Thoughts

My first fantasy basketball mock draft of the season was a strong one in my eyes.

It’s a bit easier to feel good about a draft when you start with Jokic, but I liked the amount of stat stuffing players I got early on, and then was able to fill out my starting lineup with more quality players who play a lot and are good at more than just scoring.

I decided to take some chances late to see if I could hit on a lottery ticket, and I liked some of the youngsters I drafted.

Overall, I’d feel super confident taking this team into the season.

Check back soon for more fantasy basketball mock drafts, Average Draft Position analysis and so much more!

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