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The NBA Pre-Season games are underway and the NBA regular season is just days away, that means it's Fantasy Basketball time.
Now is the time you prep yourself up for the much vaunted about draft you're going to have for your fiercely fought league with friends, family or workmates.
Here is a list of players that you should pick when you're on the clock in the first round:
Round 1 Pick 1: Giannis Antetokounmpo(SF, Milwaukee Bucks):
Just like last season, Giannis Antetokounmpo is the undisputed favorite for the number 1 overall pick in drafts this season. The 2016 Most Improved Player of the Year award winner had a career-high season in PPG(26.9 from 22.9), RPG(10.0 from 8.8) and FG%(.529 from .520) last season.
With the departure of Lebron James, the eastern conference is weaker than ever and there will never be a better time for Milwaukee Bucks to mount a challenge for the eastern conference title and who better to lead them than the 'Greek Freak'.
At just 23 years old, Giannis Antetokoumpo still has a lot to offer and is one the healthiest players in the league averaging 78 games per season in his NBA career.
Round 1 Pick 2: James Harden(SG, Houston Rockets):
James Harden aka The Beard won a much-deserved MVP award in the 2018 season and contrary to the beliefs last season was able to perform at an elite level alongside another all-star Chris Paul.
He did suffer a slight dip in RPG(5.4 from 8.1) and APG(8.8 from 11.2) but he still recorded a career high in PPG(30.4 from 29.1) and also showed improvements in 3PT%(.367 from .347) and FG%(.449 from .440).
Harden is one of the most consistent players in NBA, who has averaged 29.5 PPG, 9.17 RPG and 6.54 APG over the last three seasons.
Round 1 Pick 3: Anthony Davis(PF, New Orleans Pelicans):
Anthony Davis aka 'The Brow' is one of the best per-game producers in the NBA as he manages to stuff the stat sheet on both the defensive and offensive side of the ball.
The 5-time NBA All-Star had a career high in PPG(28.1 from 28.0), APG(2.3 from 2.1), SPG(1.5 from 1.3), 3PT%(.340 from .299) and FT%(.828 from .802) last season but there was something else that we might have missed, Davis's All-Star teammate Demarcus Cousins got injured on January 26 after he tore his Achilles tendon since then 'The Brow' averaged a mind-blowing 30.1 PPG .516 FG%, .836 FT%, 11.7 RPG, 3.0 BPG, 2.3 APG, 1.9 SPG, and 0.8 3PG.
Cousins has left the Pelicans for the Golden State Warriors and if the display by Davis in the second half was genuine then you will have picked a monster for your fantasy squad.
For the last 2 seasons, he has played atleast 75 games each, hence throwing the durability question out of the window.
Round 1 Pick 4: Karl Anthony Towns(C, Minnesota Timberwolves):
Karl Anthony Towns aka KAT has established himself into one of the best players in the league since his debut 3 years ago, besides Anthony Davis, he is one of the few players who stuff the stat sheet on both ends of the court.
The inclusion of Jimmy Butler last season saw his PPG dip (21.3 from 25.1) but he had career-high numbers in RPG(12.3), FG%(.545 from .542) & 3PT%(.421 from .367).
KAT has played all 82 games every season in his 3 year NBA career and with reports of Jimmy Butler being traded coming in, there is a chance that Towns might become the alpha leader of the pack and post some huge numbers this season.
Round 1 Pick 5: LeBron James(SF, Los Angeles Lakers):
Just like fine wine, LeBron James gets better with age, 15 years into the league he is still the best player and has shown no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Last season he had career-high numbers in RPG(8.6) and APG(9.1 from 8.7) while having an elite level PPG(27.5). This season he joins a young and talented Los Angeles Lakers squad which is still raw hence James will have to be the creator, scorer and a has to be a presence on the defensive end all year long.
The kid from Akron has never failed his fantasy owners and it seems that the feeling won't change in his 16th season as a pro.
Round 1 Pick 6: Russell Westbrook(PG, Oklahoma City Thunder):
In 2016 Russell Westbrook was the NBA MVP award winner, as he averaged a triple-double for the whole season and when the majority of them thought that replicating a season like this would be next to impossible, Westbrook did it again and this time with 2 All-Stars on the floor.
He did see a dip in PPG(25.4 from 31.6) but his APG(10.3) and RPG(10.1) numbers were nearly identical to his numbers from the 2016 season. With Carmelo Anthony gone to the Houston Rockets, Westbrook now just has Paul George who can challenge him for his share of points, rebounds, and assists.
Westbrook has been one of the most fantasy relevant players since his introduction into the league and also one of the most healthy as he has missed just 5 matches combined in his last 3 seasons.
Round 1 Pick 7: Nikola Jokic(C, Denver Nuggets):
Nikola Jokic aka The Joker is one of the up and coming talents in the NBA who is slowly establishing himself into one of the best centers in the league.
He had his breakout season in 2017 where he averaged a career high in PPG(18.5 from 16.7), RPG(10.7 from 9.8), APG(6.1 from 4.9), 3PT%(.396 from .324) and FT%(.850 from .825).
Jokic is a near lock for a double-double on a nightly basis and has the potential to put up numbers capable of the number 1 overall slot.
Round 1 Pick 8: Kevin Durant(SF, Golden State Warriors):
One of the most naturally gifted scorers in the NBA, Kevin Durant has been consistent if not spectacular since joining the Golden State Warriors in 2016.
He has averaged 25.75 PPG, 5.15 APG, 7.55 RPG, .527 FG%, .397 3PT% and .882 FT% in his last 2 seasons with the GSW. The GSW squad is filled with superstars which has allowed Durant to improve his stats as defenses have to pay attention to other All-stars too.
Durant's biggest problem is his durability he has missed atleast 10+ games in his last 2 seasons and GSW have added another All-Star in DeMarcus Cousins to their roster who can eat into Durant's share of points, rebounds and assists.
Round 1 Pick 9: Andre Drummond(C, Detroit Pistons):
Andre Drummond performance last season was a revelation of sorts as he posted a career high in a majority of categories like RPG(16.0 from 13.8), APG(3.0 from 1.1) and FT%(.605 from .386).
He is one of the most dominant rebounder, defender and passer among big men in the NBA and has improved what was considered to one of the biggest flaws in his game, free throw shooting.
While the introduction of Blake Griffin into the squad has limited his assist appeal he's still the leader of the pack in Detroit.
Round 1 Pick 10: Stephan Curry(PG, Golden State Warriors):
The 2-time NBA MVP and 3-time NBA Champion Stephan Curry is the best shooter in the league. period. He has elite range and vision which has put him in the elite bracket of players.
Since the introduction of Kevin Durant to GSW, Curry's stats have been very consistent with 25.7 PPG, 6.4 APG, 4.7 RPG, .478 FG%, .908 FT%, and .417 3PT%.
While last season he had to face some injury problems, Curry has had injury free campaigns over the past few years and is one of the best players on the planet when healthy.
