NBA Fantasy Free Agent Draft
Imagine this: The NBA resets, players contracts are null and there is a draft raffle. The order gets set, and the entire league is available to draft. A classic snake draft, all 15 rounds, all 30 teams. How would that draft look? Win now with vets or build for the future with a recent #1 pick.
This is how we think the first round would go.
Pick 1: PG/SG Luka Doncic (34.4/8.8/9.7) Age:25
Even with the likes of former regular season and finals MVPs such as Jokic and Giannis, Luka’s combination of offensive output and age made it hard to argue against him being the first player taken in this fantasy draft. The only knock on him as a player has always been his defensive effort, which has drastically improved since coming into the league. Still under 25 and still improving, Luka is the first player off the board in this hypothetical scenario.
Pick 2: C Nikola Jokic (25.9/12.3/9.3) Age:29
The reigning finals MVP and current front runner to win his third regular season MVP, Jokic is quite possibly the greatest floor raiser the NBA has ever seen. We have seen one man offenses in the past but none are comparable to what the Nuggets are doing with Nikola Jokic.
Pick 3: PF/C Giannis Antetokounmpo (30.7/11.2/6.3) Age:29
Giannis is the best two way player in the league and there are not many players in the same stratosphere to be honest. Averaging 30 points, efficiently, while being a perennial DPOY candidate. What else needs to be said? Giannis would be the front runner for MVP if the Bucks front office were not in a dumpster fire
Pick 4: SF/PF Jayson Tatum (27/8.5/4.9) Age:26
With no disrespect to Tatum, there is a heavy drop off at this spot compared to the names above. Tatum has constantly made it to the mountain top without winning it all, he has also been doing that with one of the best supporting casts in the league. Tatum has all the skills to be the premier player in the NBA and it's only a matter of time until he puts it all together.
Pick 5: C/PF Victor Wembanyama (20.6/10.2/3.3) Age:20
Wembanyama is obviously not as proven as anyone above him, or below him for that matter. It is his sheer potential that has him placed this high as well as his stellar beginning to his rookie season. Before being drafted Wembanyama was touted as having GOAT potential and he has done nothing to cull those talks.
Pick 6: PG/SG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31.2/5.6/6.5) Age:25
Having the best season of his career, SGA is leading the Thunder to be one of the best teams in the entire NBA. Leading one of the youngest teams and showing no negative signs of his youth, SGA is going to be a top player in this league for years to come.
Pick 7: SG/SF Anthony Edwards (26.6/5.3/5.2) Age:22
In his limited time with the Timberwolves Anthony Edwards has been nothing short of sensational. He has consistently improved in every aspect of his game during his four years in the league. He is a two-way superstar and any team would be lucky to begin a franchise with him at the helm.
Pick 8: SG Devin Booker (27.5/4.6/7) Age:27
Booker, poised to enter next year's pre-season as a 27-year-old with a decade of NBA experience under his belt, has established himself as one of the premier shot makers since his rookie year. Despite conventional statistics like points per game, assists, and rebounds showing little variation in recent years, advanced metrics such as win shares reveal a steady improvement, with Booker posting his career-best figures last season.
Pick 9: C Joel Embiid (35.3/11.3/5.7) Age:29
The reigning MVP may seem low, barely making the top 10 of this draft may seem strange, but that is not a reflection on his skill but rather his age and injury history. The players above are going to be premier players in this league for the next decade with the exception of two finals MVPs in their prime. Having no ring to his name and a tumultuous injury history (including his possible season ending injury this year) plus turning 30 this year, this is the highest we could put Embiid.
Pick 10: PG Tyrese Haliburton (21.4/3.7/11.6) Age:24
Haliburton was absolutely lighting the court up to start the season. While he has quieted down somewhat, he is still putting up phenomenal stats and is leading the league in assists per game. The only playmaker in the league currently better than him is 2X MVP and reigning finals MVP Nikola Jokic, and Halliburton is as close as it gets.
Pick 11: PF/C Anthony Davis (24.8/12.3/3.6) Age:30
Similar to Embiid, AD is not this low because of his skill, but his injury history. Had AD been given a more durable body, he would most likely have countless DPOY awards to his name, and maybe another ring.
Pick 12: PF/SF Kevin Durant (28/6.7/5.6) Age:35
KD is the best pure scorer of all time. The most unguardable player there has ever been. His size and skill at all three levels have catapulted him to stardom. His age is the only thing that holds him back in this draft.
Pick 13: PG Steph Curry (27.5/4.2/5.1) Age:35
Steph is putting up one of his best seasons to date, but he isn't winning while doing it. The team that many called a dynasty only 3 seasons ago, is now in contention for the play in. Time is ticking with Steph, but for now he is more than capable of being a 1 on a championship team.
Pick 14: PG Ja Morant (25.1/5.6/8.1) Age:24
Ja is one of the most dynamic guards we have ever seen, his longevity is questionable only because of his absurd athleticism and he has all the time in the world to grow as a player. His finishing ability is among the upper echelon in this league and although he suffered a season ending shoulder injury this year, that does not seem to be an indicator that he is injury prone.
Pick 15: SF Lebron James (25.2/7.1/7.9) Age:39
A top two player in the history of basketball, one of the greatest athletes of all time. Some people may scoff at the fact that Lebron is this low, but it simply comes down to his age. At 39 he is still a top player in the league, but with such limited time in the league, he can't go any higher.
Pick 16: SF Kawhi Leonard (24/6.2/3.7) Age:32
Kawhi has been one of the best defenders since stepping onto the court his rookie year. And, throughout his career has developed into one of the better two way players in history. Although he has been able to stay healthy this season, injuries have been an issue in the past and his age must be taken into account.
Pick 17: PF Paolo Banchero (22.7/6.8/5.2) Age:21
Possibly the most disrespected #1 pick in recent memory, Paolo banchero is a bonafide superstar. The amount of praise he gets is in no way indicative of his skill and level of production. At his age he is an absolute steal at this stage in the draft.
Pick 18: PF Zion Williamson (22.4/5.5/5.1) Age:23
An athletic freak. If Zion can stay healthy there are very few players who can contain him. While his aura has gone down substantially in recent years, he is still a dominant paint presence and any team would love to have him when healthy.
Pick 19: PG Trae Young (26.4/2.7/10.8) Age:25
Trae Young is a generational offensive talent. He has led the league in total points and assists multiple times in his short career. He has also led his team to the eastern conference finals, something that seems to get forgotten. The downside to a player like Trae Young is his ineptitude on the defensive end. His lack of any defensive skill makes him very difficult to take any higher.
Pick 20: PG/SG Donovan Mitchell (28/5.4/6.2) Age:27
Mitchell is in the same boat as Trae, just without the accolades. He has proven to step up in the postseason, is a one of a kind scorer, and happens to be a horrific defender. To Mitchell’s credit, he has fast hands and can rack up steals, but that is the only value he brings on the defensive side of the court.
Pick 21: PG Jalen Brunson (27.7/3.7/6.7) Age:27
Jalen Brunson is not a flashy player, he is not lights out from deep, and he is not the most lockdown defender in the league. Jalen Brunson is crafty, gritty, and does what he needs to do to win. He does everything you want your number 1 point guard to do and he does it well.
Pick 22: PG De’Aaron Fox (26.9/4.2/5.6) Age:26
De'Aaron Fox will continue to be a premier player in this league, he is one of the fastest and most explosive guards in the league. He also happens to be one of the more under appreciated players in the league right now. At 26 years old he is averaging 27 points and almost 6 assists. Fox has continued to grow since getting in the league and there is no reason to assume he will stop now, buy stock while you can.
Pick 23: PF/C Karl Anthony Towns (22.4/8.5/2.9) Age:28
KAT is the greatest shooting big man the league has ever seen, and he is still firmly in his prime. In a league that heavily prioritizes shooting, getting the right team around KAT could have serious repercussions for the league.
Pick 24: PG Cade Cunningham (22.5/4.2/7.4) Age: 22
The hype on Cade has significantly died down, and despite his amazing play, the Pistons are a historically bad NBA team. The Pistons woes are not Cade’s fault, and there are very few players who could do anything with that roster. Give Cade a competent supporting cast and the sky's the limit.
Pick 25: SF/PF Scottie Barnes (20/8.3/6.1) Age: 22
Scottie Barnes has the potential to be the ultimate swiss army knife in the NBA. He is already showing flashes of a player with zero weaknesses, and if he continues at this pace of growth, several teams above will be upset at missing him.
Pick 26: PF/C Chet Holmgren (17.1/ 7.8/ 2.7) Age: 21
Chet Holmgren is having a stellar start to his career. After missing what should have been his rookie season, Chet has been electric for the Thunder this season. The center position only has a few elite names in recent memory, Chet has the potential to be among that category in just a few years with his rim protection and floor stretching at his size.
Pick 27: PF/C Alperen Sengun (21.1/ 9.2/ 4.9) Age: 21
Sengun has quickly blossomed into one of the league’s best bigs, especially after growing practically three inches during the offseason. Despite not possessing elite athleticism, the Turkish center excels in generating offense through his high basketball IQ and crafty playmaking abilities. He still needs to work on his ability to stretch the floor, but once this develops further he will make for one of the most well rounded big men in the league.
Pick 28: PF/C Jaren Jackson Jr. (22.4/ 5.5/ 2.1) Age: 24
JJJ’s position may strike some people as too high, but in a position with minimal depth, and in a league that incentivizes offense over defense, a perennial DPOY that can guard anyone in the league is someone to take note of. JJJ still needs to work on his offensive game as a lack of creating his own shot hinders him but he is already averaging 22 points in the absence of Ja Morant and his ability to stretch the floor is desired amongst every big in the league today.
Pick 29: PF/C Domantas Sabonis (19.9/13.2/8.4) Age: 27
Gradually evolving his game since entering the league, Domantas Sabonis has become one of the premier big men in the NBA for the past few seasons. One of the better rebounders of the past half decade, Sabonis contributes in every aspect of the game, including playmaking through his high basketball IQ as well as being able to stretch the floor at nearly seven feet tall. Although he is not great on the defensive, Sabonis is a true all around player.
Pick 30: PF/C Lauri Markkanen (23.1/ 8.4/2) Age: 27
Markkanen has had a very up and down career in his seven years in the league. After a promising start with two solid seasons, he experienced a period of stagnation. However, since joining the Jazz, Markkanen has experienced a career resurgence, delivering his two most impressive seasons to date. He is an athletic seven-footer who can stretch the floor. Any team would be enthralled to add a player of Markkanen’s caliber.