14-Team Categories Fantasy Basketball Mock Draft from 3rd Position: Luka Doncic, Karl-Anthony Towns, Franz Wagner, Jonathan Kuminga, Keyonte George and More

The NBA season is nearly here, which means draft season is heating up. You know what that means - it’s time for another mock draft!

This was a 14-team categories draft done with the FantasyPros mock draft simulator. I took the third draft slot. Roster spots included: 1 PG, SG, SF, PF, C, G and F, three utility spots and five bench slots.

Let’s dive right in!

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Round 1 - Luka Doncic

I was left with Doncic from the big three picks this season - Doncic, Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic. After averaging 28.9 points, 9.5 rebounds and 8.1 assists last season, that isn’t a bad thing to be left with Doncic. He’s one of the more well-rounded fantasy players in the game and is a top pick for a reason.

Round 2 - Karl-Anthony Towns

I didn’t love this pick in the second round, but I also didn’t like anyone else available. KAT averaged 19.1 points, 9 rebounds and 2.6 assists, which is pretty good production from a big. Now the biggest question is can he be a similar player with the Knicks - where Jalen Brunson is the clear top option and there’s several other solid pieces already in place.

Round 3 - Dejounte Murray

Murray has been a pick in a couple mocks of mine now. He’s got solid averages (22.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.4 assists last season) and has a chance to lead the Pelicans this season. 

Round 4 - Franz Wagner

Wagner is kind of my swing pick here - if he improves his averages again, I’m probably going to finish better than anticipated, while if he does roughly the same, I’m probably going to struggle making the postseason. He averaged 18.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists last season, which are the kind of well-rounded numbers I’m looking for in a category league.

Round 5 - Mikal Bridges

I labeled Bridges as a draft bust for his round in a story, and now have taken him at least twice - although I’m getting him at a more reasonable pick in my opinion in these deeper league formats. He averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists last season. I don’t think he’ll score that much this season, but he should be out there every game and can maybe make up for less points with more boards and assists.

Round 6 - Kyle Kuzma

I think Kuzma is a bit of a draft pick sleeper this season. He’s coming off a season in which he averaged 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists. The stats all count the same, regardless of how that player’s team is performing, and that kind of all-around production is great for a cats league.

Round 7 - Jrue Holiday

Here’s another well-rounded fantasy asset to help my team out. He averaged 13.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists last season. I’m really after Holiday for everything but his scoring, so if he can continue to average double digits in points, that’s a win.

Round 8 - Jonathan Kuminga

With Klay Thompson gone and Stephen Curry aging, I think Kuminga takes on a larger role in 2024-25. I see him as another possible draft steal. He averaged 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists last season, and should be able to increase all those given the structure of the team this season.

Round 9 - Collin Sexton

Sexton is another pick I like later in drafts. He’s coming off a season in which he averaged 18.7 points, 2.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists. That’s enough production to fill one of my final regular starting spots for sure. He very well could lead the Jazz offensively this season.

Round 10 - Brandin Podziemski

Here’s another Warrior who I expect to take a fantasy leap up with Thompson gone. Podziemski averaged 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists as a rookie, and should improve all those as he continues to get better and see his role expand.

Round 11 - Keyonte George

I went after another Utah guard and landed George in the 11th round. He averaged 13 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists last season and is another second-year player that I expect a big leap from. Podziemski and George turning into daily starting-level fantasy assets could greatly improve the outlook of my team. 

Round 12 - Deni Avdija

Avdija averaged 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists last season with the Wizards. He’s on the Trail Blazers now, but still should have plenty of opportunities to be a pretty well-rounded fantasy asset.

Round 13 - Zach Collins

I realized I neglected the center position for a second straight mock draft, so I took a swing on Collins here. He averaged 11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists. His role could decrease a bit as Wembanyama improves, but with a bench spot, I’m more than happy to take one of the best fantasy player’s top backup.

Round 14 - Jaden McDaniels

I took McDaniels mostly because he should play a good amount of minutes, and probably will start all season. He averaged 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists last season and he gives me some more wing/forward depth.

Round 15 - Isaiah Stewart

I took another gamble on a big man in the final round with Stewart. He averaged 10.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists last season, but only played 46 games. If Stewart can stay healthy, this could become a pretty big draft steal by the end of the season.

Final Thoughts

FantasyPros graded my draft as a C, and it has me projected for eighth place in the 14-team setup. There’s really not many points separating the sixth- and ninth-place teams.

I feel I have a pretty well-rounded team, but again feel like I’m lacking at center. I’d probably be fine using KAT at center, and then throwing in Collins or Stewart when they were playing and KAT was off, but if KAT were to get injured, my playoff chances would likely take a massive hit.

I usually take gambles on several players who I expect improvements from, but really only Podziemski and George fall under that category. I would like more out of Wagner and Kuminga as well, but I think I’d be OK if the latter two just matched their numbers from last season.

There’s definitely enough talent on the team to make some moves if need be as the season rolls along, but as is, I’d feel pretty solid about my chances going into the season. I’d expect to compete for a playoff spot with Doncic leading the charge, and then I’d make waiver pickups or trades as weak spots are recognizable.

You can bet there will be more mocks, and other fantasy basketball draft coverage, as the season nears, so be sure to keep checking back to FantasySP for more!