NBA Top 100 Rankings Following the 2023-24 Season

1. Nikola Jokic (C - Nuggets)

Playing his first season with the title of NBA champion, Jokic looked every bit his dominant self in another massive year for the Nuggets, somewhat quietly adding another MVP to his name and reinforcing his status as the best player in the game. Jokic was similarly dominant this postseason even as the Nuggets' season ended earlier than expected, making DPOY Rudy Gobert look silly more often than not and reminding us there's not a soul on this planet capable of slowing him down. There's too many wow'ing aspects of Jokic's game than you can choose from - it often feels like he's just picking out of a hat which move to embarrass you with - and he, to nobody's surprise, looks just as unphased as he always does no matter how big the moment is. Nobody in today's NBA makes their teammates look better than Jokic, who continues to transcend the sport with his incredible passing and offensive prowess from literally anywhere on the court, doing things every night that don't feel legal at his size. With three MVPs and a ring all before the age of 30, Jokic's legendary status is already sealed - it's title or bust for any team he's apart of until further notice.

2. Luka Doncic (PG - Mavericks)

Luka had his biggest playoff breakthrough guiding the Mavericks through the gruesome Western Conference and into the Finals, and there was an argument to be had about him topping this list had Dallas gone all the way. Nevertheless, with five first-team All-NBA selections at 25 years old there was already no doubting Luka's spot near the top of the league, and with a league-leading 33.9 PPG, 9.8 APG, and 9.2 RPG, these video-game type numbers have Luka knocking on the door on the top spot more than any player has during Jokic's reign at No. 1. Even while moving around the court in what almost feels like slow motion and looks without much fluidity to the naked eye, scoring is the easy part for Doncic. Luka could probably score 70 a night if he wanted to - he woke up one morning this January and decided to - and at the same time there's not a pass he can't make and not a spot on the floor he won't locate an open teammate. A professional since the age of 16, Doncic embraces the clutch and has never found a moment or a matchup too big for him, winning three playoff series as the lower seed this season and making a team full of glorified role players click like they've been together a decade. Already donning better career averages than LeBron, the sky is the limit for what Luka Doncic can accomplish.

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF - Bucks)

A bit of an underwhelming year from a team standpoint and a playoff injury largely kept Giannis out of the headlines this season, though that's not to say he was any less of his dominant self en route to a sixth consecutive first-team All-NBA. Jokic and Luka may have the finesse, but Giannis has the strength, athleticism, and explosiveness that haven't been matched by many this sport has ever seen, making him as dominant a force as and a nightmare to defend in literally any circumstance. A driving Giannis rarely won't require help, and that ability to alter a defense's flow is what has kept the Bucks' offense near the top of the league in recent years even as they've struggled to maintain a flow and bounced around a number of coaches. Even heading into his 12th NBA season he's still finding new ways to elevate his game, coming off a career-high in assists and field goal percentage last season with a whopping 61.1% mark from the field. Giannis plays every game like it's his last, possessing an intensity that so few can match on a nightly basis in the modern NBA, and he's as impressive a postseason performer as any if he can just stay healthy.

4. Joel Embiid (C - 76ers)

Embiid missed much of last season with a torn meniscus, but his utter dominance simply can't be overstated after another year that likely would've earned MVP honors had he been able to stay on the court. Embiid did capture the MVP in 2023, but his offense managed to get even better last season, looking smoother than ever with his mid-range that no center the game has ever seen has mastered to that level. The 7-footer hit half of his shots from the mid-range a year ago, and his unstoppable presence down low hasn't gone anywhere either. Losing an elite playmaker in James Harden probably should have made life harder for Embiid, but all that did was open up more ways to make the offense soar on his own. Remember that 70-point game against Wembanyama? It takes an incredible mix of skills to pull off what he did there, a combination not many big men ever could find in their bag of tricks. There's two things that have always gotten in the way of Embiid's legacy - his injury history and playoff disappointments - but Paul George's addition re-opened another window there that Embiid will desperately hope to capitalize on in the next few years.

5. Jayson Tatum (SF - Celtics)

Tatum finally earned his stripes with a long-awaited championship this past season, largely putting an end to the one and only criticism people could find on him - his performance in the big moments. Now he wasn't perfect down the stretch in their dominant title run, but with his biggest career monkey off his back, we can finally focus on all of what makes Tatum so special. His offensive game has no weakness, scoring at a very high level on all three levels, and he's an excellent defender as well, more than capable of guarding the opponent's best player and likely the best defensive player to be ranked thus far. Even when the shots weren't falling in the postseason his playmaking kept the offense flowing, and his defensive strengths and underrated presence on the glass kept his impact very much felt. Tatum still hasn't quite broken into that very top tier of players in this league, and maybe he never will - that's okay - but a perennial MVP candidate and now an NBA champion isn't too shabby a title still just 26 years old.

6. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG - Thunder)

An offensive maestro who will give you 30 a night with ease, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is mastering the art of scoring and learning how to win along the way. SGA put up huge numbers in 2023, but it really started to feel like his time when that offensive success started translating to a major uptake in wins. There's nothing a defense can really do to slow Shai down, with a lethal mid-range and the ability to step back and hit from deep if need plus, plus the capabilities to slice through the defense with a dangerous runner and a plethora of creative finishes if the outside is taken away. Shai won't be limited by any defensive scheme thrown at him - he's already just too adaptive of a player, and he picked up the clutch gene early on that has only added to the fear factor he strikes into opponents.

7. Stephen Curry (PG - Warriors)

Curry's magic remains even as he's getting into the depths of his career, keeping the dynasty afloat as long as he can and remaining one of the league's most electrifying players. Shooting ages well, and Curry hasn't lost a step from behind the arc, and his ability to terrorize defenses with his never-ending off-ball movement continues to do wonders for the offense even at 36 years old. The biggest questions regarding Curry are less about him and more about what Golden State can give him to work with, as any doubts of his ability to put a team on his bank went completely out of the window after 2022. The handle is still there and the finishing remains, and I'm not sure we'll ever see the day there's a concern about his shot. Curry still looks more than capable of logging major minutes and leading the way on a team that can compete, having checked all the boxes of a legendary career and. now left hoping the Warriors give him sone help for the final stretch of his prime.

8. Jalen Brunson (PG - Knicks)

A deal mocked upon its signing back in 2022 has quickly evolved into one of the best contracts ever signed in the world of sports, as Jalen Brunson has continued to elevate before hitting superstar level in his best year yet in 2023-24. Brunson is an elite scorer, with his crafty maneuvering, a dangerous jumper, and his sheer strength to get into the lane making him an unstoppable three-level scorer. His 28.7 PPG tell the story of what he does on the offensive end, and he grew into a really solid playmaker this season as well on a Knicks roster filled with cohesive complementary pieces. He's embraced his role as the face of this rise of the Knicks' culture and success, with the heart and grit to lead this city and the offensive skillset to contend for an MVP. Brunson has improved with each year since 2020, a trajectory that intensified quite a bit once he got to the Big Apple. The Knicks have as much excitement as they've had at any point this century, and none of it would be possible without Brunson's meteoric rise to the top.

9. Anthony Edwards (SG - Timberwolves)

Is there anyone that believes in Anthony Edwards more than himself? Probably not, but there's not many people left that haven't bought into the hype. Edwards' 2023-24 season could've had gone all that much better, as he took the next step forward with his game as he evolved into superstar territory, finding tremendous success leading Minnesota along the way as they broke through and got all the way to the Western Conference Finals. Edwards' scoring ability is already at the top of the league, able to dominate the perimeter or blow by defenders with a nasty handle and incredible athleticism that makes him perhaps the game's most exciting finishers this early in his career. He's also quickly worked into one of the best perimeter defenders in basketball, with his ball-hawking presence playing a pivotal role in Minnesota's defensive prowess this past year. If there's one knock on Ant it's his playmaking, which was exploited a bit by the Mavs in the WCF, but more years in the league and more playoff experience under his belt should allow him to adjust accordingly to an uptick in pressure. The Jordan comparisons don't appear for no reason, and Edwards has a real candidacy to be the next face of this league, already a top-10 player and quickly elevating the Timberwolves to contending status just four years into his career.

10. LeBron James (SF - Lakers)

21 years in and LeBron is still doing his thing, pouring in another fantastic campaign this past season and continuing to fight off Father Time at 39 years young. LeBron's stats are no different than what he was giving us in his prime, but there's no denying his ability to completely is drifting with age. His best efforts haven't been good enough to push the Lakers over the hump these last few years - even with a fellow superstar alongside him - as his ability to give us his best version of himself every moment on the court understandably isn't quite there the way it used to be. Now even with that being the case, this is still a borderline top-10 player who even today has his moments looking like game's most dominant player. He'll still show off that mesmerizing burst that helped define his prime, is still strong enough to power through defenses and score at will when he wants to, and he's still got the league's best basketball IQ and the playmaking skills that can take over a game. He's learning to pick his spots most efficiently and impact a game with his head more than his body not able to maximize his energy nearly as much as he'd probably like, and we're looking at the best version of his outside shot we've ever seen at a career-best 41% this past season. As LeBron continues to age he's continuing to find new ways to dominate and keep his play up to par with the ridiculous standard he's set for himself, continuing to give the Lakers his all while getting crickets in return. LeBron isn't elevating a roster like that into legitimate contenders, but is still one of the NBA's very best heading into year 22 and remans more than capable of starring on a winning team.

11. Kevin Durant (SF - Suns)

The perfect offensive player, Kevin Durant's mastery on the art of scoring hasn't slowed down a bit after 17 seasons in the league. There's no part of his scoring game that Durant hasn't perfected, and even working deep in his 30s is a sure-fire bet to give you an efficient 26+ a night and barely break a sweat. His numbers alone are as impressive as ever and not far off from his days as a top-3 player not all that long ago, though his impact on winning his admittedly tailed off a bit in recent years while bouncing around a few less-than-ideal situations. Nevertheless, Durant is still logging major minutes and proven more than capable of putting the team on his back, and the only thing left for him is turning that into a little more winning. His current situation is a rough one, though it's hard to call KD much of a victim there, but if Durant can pull a rabbit out of his hat and win something in Phoenix, the conversations become a whole lot different for a guy already touted as one of the league's all-time great scorers.

12. Anthony Davis (PF - Lakers)

Anthony Davis somewhat quietly put together one of the best seasons of his career in 2023-24, averaging 24.7 PPG and 12.6 RPG playing all but six games and landing a spot on the first-team All-Defense team. At this point in his career we just about know what we're getting out of AD, a dominant offensive force down low able to reel in any pass coming his way and then finishing with the best of them, and then adding a fierce presence defensive under the rim for a Lakers team seemingly deliberately leaving all the dirty work inside for Davis. His postseason numbers have also been up there with the greats, with a playoff PER good for fifth all time, and while only for a brief period, was exceptional in five playoff games last season. Davis is one of the game's most dominant big men and has been for almost a decade now, though like LeBron, seems to be falling victim to wasting away a few too many valuable years with this uninspiring roster in Los Angeles.

13. Kawhi Leonard (SF - Clippers)

Who really knows with Kawhi, still one of the league's great players but a major asterisk next to anything that might involve him because of the simple fact he doesn't play. When he got hurt in 2023 and missed the rest of the postseason, it almost didn't seem possible that the injury bug had gotten him again. And when it happened in 2024, after playing more regular season games than he had in eight years, the disappointment was past what could be put into words. Where do you rank a guy like that? Leonard is one of three active players with multiple Finals MVPs - LeBron and KD are the others - and he's still as impactful on winning as anyone and maybe the league's best two-way players. And despite the Clippers making at least the play-in in each season this decade, we haven't seen Kawhi finish a postseason since the disaster that was their 2020 bubble. And the way it happens might be the most frustrating part. What was supposedly a minor injury that had him considered day-to-day in 2023 just never healed, and he went from questionable for Game 2 to missing the whole series. It wasn't all that different this season, where he went down late in the season but actually returned for their Game 2, looking like a shell of himself for two games and then never returning. The Clippers looked like a title contender with Kawhi but looked completely lost once a lingering injury doomed him again, an all-too familiar tale that perfectly sums up the last five years of Clipper basketball. We though the sky was the limit after what he did in Toronto in 2019, but the best ability is availability, and no superstar tests the limits of that more than Kawhi.

14. Ja Morant (PG - Grizzlies)

Last season was one to forget for Ja, with the suspension and subsequent injury derailing everything for Memphis, but that doesn't mean we're forgetting what he is. As much of a freak of nature as a point guard can be, Ja's speed and athleticism is and always has been unmatched and makes him one of the game's most electrifying players. Morant is terrific at the rim and has maybe the most automatic floater in basketball, a pair of advantages that do him wonders with how effortlessly he blows by defenders. Winning a playoff series in 2022 and earning the West's No. 2 seed in 2023, Ja learned how to win early in his career and should have Memphis back in the mix sooner than later.

15. Donovan Mitchell (SG - Cavaliers)

Donovan Mitchell's offensive game, when at its best, is a joy to watch. He can hit shots from literally anywhere on the court, slash past defenders with ease often guided by a powerful crossover, and finish from just about every angle if he defers on his patented floater. Mitchell has been elevating teams since entering the league in 2017, able to light a fire offensively no matter who is around him, though seven years into his career he's still never gotten past the second round even while reaching the postseason every year. Can Mitchell be the best player on a serious contender? I would definitely lean no, though we've also never seen him share a backcourt with another true star, and probably won't as long as he remains in Cleveland. That being said, Mitchell is as explosive a scorer as they come, though I think the key to an even bigger breakthrough would be learning how to facilitate the offense and make the engine roar even if the ball isn't always in his hands.

16. Jimmy Butler (SF - Heat)

A year ago, Jimmy Butler had a legitimate case for a top-5 spot on this list. Today, he's as hard as any player in the top 100 rank. Butler's time in Miami has been defined by two incredible runs - once in 2020 and then again in 2023 - both culminating in stunning trips to the Finals on the back of a true playoff rise in Jimmy Butler. He was playing simply fantastic all-around basketball in 2020 and turned into a playoff legend the way he was scoring the ball as they mowed through the East in 2023, but outside of those two runs its a tenure marred by injury and early losses. In 2021 the Heat were swept in the first round by the Bucks, a team they had taken down in 2020 and knocked out again as a No. 8 seed in 2023. And this past season, their second season this decade defending the East, an injury to Butler left them completely helpless in a first-round loss. In a league where so many players are defined by their playoff shortcomings, Butler rises to the occasion like no other. He reaches levels you simply won't see out of him on any given night in the regular season, a gift and a curse as the Heat go on these great runs but also find themselves battling a stacked deck after moseying through the regular season. Even while the 40-point outbursts aren't to be expected on a random Tuesday night in November, this is still one of the game's great two-way players and the guy you want with the clock winding down. Butler is turning 35, a number that not too many keep playing star-caliber basketball once they reach, but until he proves me otherwise this is still one of the game's top 20 players and one of the last guys I'd like to see on the other side in a big moment.

17. Zion Williamson (PF - Pelicans)

When healthy, Zion is exactly what we thought he'd be when he took the college basketball world by storm. The problem? The injuries have been even more of an issue than even the most pessimistic critics could've guessed. Zion has played only 44.9% of the games he could've since being drafted in 2019, and that includes a big ole zero next to the postseason. Even with all the injuries, give him credit for continuing to come back and return to his dominant self, at least until he goes down again. When healthy, Zion is a borderline top-20 player and a matchup nightmare against any defense. It's led to some real regular season success for the Pelicans when they've had that luxury. Not many players are more of a force inside than Zion, whose bully-ball that dominated college has translated well into the next level. The biggest issue with Williamson is when he stays passive, but after the heat he took in the In-Season Tournament, he responded as well as he could've and took initiative effectively leading the Pelicans' offense the rest of the way. Zion's strength and finishing makes him almost unstoppable when he wants to be and his defense has continued to grow since entering the league, but the age-old question will be if he can stay healthy enough to show these great flashes on a far more regular basis.

18. Jaylen Brown (SG - Celtics)

Jaylen Brown's record-breaking deal last offseason was scoffed at by many, but all he's done since is deliver his best season yet with an ECF MVP and Finals MVP to go with it. People are finally beginning to focus on what he is instead of what he isn't, and what he is is a borderline top-15 player with no real weaknesses in his game who has found nothing but success to this point in his NBA career. Let's not forget that Brown came into the league better known for his defense, and it's his scoring ability that has made the meteoric rise to get where it is today. Like his counterpart Jayson Tatum, Brown scores at a high level from all three levels, and he's always been the more reliable late-game option of the two and was the silencer of a few of Dallas' best runs last postseason. Once the first guy on the board on any Celtics trade rumor, Brown is unequivocally a Boston legend with plenty more to accomplish in an already fantastic career.

19. Victor Wembanyama (C - Spurs)

Being touted the best prospect since LeBron will understandably land you some lofty expectations right away, but a 19-year-old Victor Wembanyama came into the league and ran through the highest beliefs of what a teenager could do. Everything that made Wemby such a transcendent prospect was displayed across his rookie year, with his sheer height and athleticism allowing him to score at will and instantly step in as one of the league's best defenders, and the combination of a handle and a jump shot to go with it makes his game truly appear other-worldly. Wemby led the league in blocks, and by a good margin, and the odds he does exactly that for each of the next 10+ years probably aren't all that low. Of all the unicorn-type players this league possesses, and all of the guys whose athleticism alone puts them in elite territory, Wemby feels like a mixture of them all. Wembanyama didn't let a rather brutal supporting cast impede his huge rookie year, and as the talent slowly accumulates around him as his career progresses, saying the sky is a limit might actually be an understatement.

20. Tyrese Haliburton (PG - Pacers)

Haliburton was a first-team All-NBA player for the first half of last season, but a hamstring injury that would later end his playoff run limited his game for much of the second half. Nevetheless, Haliburton was at the forefront of a historically good Pacers offense this season, calling the shots for a team scoring 121.6 points a game with a league-leading 10.9 APG. Ugly. formaside, Haliburton has also been a really good shooter his entire career, though he endured his lowest three-point shooting mark this past season, begging the question of just how dangerous a polished version of his offensive game could be when it's said and done. Still only 24, Haliburton has plenty of time to build a presence defensively and find a little more consistency with his scoring, but as it stands now is already one of the league's top point guards and the unquestioned face of this Pacers franchise.

21. Devin Booker (SG - Suns)

The best shooting guard in the entire NBA, Devin Booker is now going on seven straight seasons of 25+ PPG. The Suns continue to push this agenda of Booker playing point guard no matter how much evidence against it they get, but even that hasn't gotten in the way of Booker doing what he loves to do - score the basketball. Averaging 27.1 PPG while sharing the floor with Kevin Durant is no small feat, and he's doing it with tremendous efficiency at 49.2% from the field on almost 20 shots per game. In that new point guard role Booker responded by lowering his turnover rate and averaging a career-high 6.9 APG, adapting his game to a changing role even if didn't deliver the on-court success they had envisioned. 2024 was a bust for Phoenix, but Booker has found no shortage. of success already arguably the best player on a team that reached the Finals back in 2021, his age-25 season, and his playoff average of 28 PPG leaves no doubt on the time of player he is in the big moment. The Suns found something special in Booker back in 2015, and he's been their franchise cornerstone ever since and been at the forefront of Phoenix's shift back into contention over these last few seasons.

22. De'Aaron Fox (PG - Kings)

De'Aaron Fox has been at the center of the Kings' somewhat unexpected rise to relevancy in the Western Conference, answering the call as the franchise cornerstone and certainly the best thing to happen to this franchise at any point over the last decade-plus. Fox is the most explosive player in basketball, with blazing speed to blow by defenders whenever he wants and the athleticism, finishing, and passing to get the best out of the possession. His lightning-quick style has helped the Kings be a regular atop offensive leaderboards year in and year out, as Fox's speed regularly puts the defense at an immediate disadvantage and sets up great looks for his trustworthy big man Sabonis or open threes for his myriad of shooters. For Fox himself it was his shooting that may have been his biggest knock coming into the NBA, but those critiques are a thing of the past after shooting 36.9% from downtown last season. His quick hands are his biggest strength on the defensive end - he led the league in steals a year ago - and he's continued to make strides in his defense as a whole and is quickly evolving into one of the game's better defensive guards. The Kings couldn't have asked for anything more when they drafted Fox 5th overall in 2017, and he's the face of the franchise as they try to separate themselves from the pack in the gauntlet that is the West.

23. Kyrie Irving (PG - Mavericks)

Kyrie reminded everyone what he's capable of in Dallas' postseason run, putting together a number of vintage performances along the way in his first deep playoff run since all the way back in his Cleveland days. It was a refreshing reminder why we all fell in love with Irving's game years ago, with his combination of handling and finishing still as dazzling as ever and a sizable rise in his three-point shooting helping round out his arsenal. Staying out of the off-the-court headlines was the first step, and now that we're a few years removed from any bizarre media moments or overly eccentric opinions, it's all basketball for Kyrie. He has done an admirable job embracing the off-ball role alongside Luka Doncic, the league's most ball-dominant player, and as Kyrie get into his 30s, maybe that was the best thing for him. He's coming off the second-most efficient season of his career and saw a rise in three-point shooting as mentioned before, and remains more than willing to take over a game if need be.

24. Damian Lillard (PG - Bucks)

A myriad of factors played into it, but it was a forgettable 2023-24 for Dame in his first year away from Portland. The catch - a down year gets him an All-Star start and 24.3 PPG with 7.0 APG on a 49-win team. Lillard struggled to really get into a groove last season, with some big performances here and there but then some brutal shooting nights on another day, but he was a flamethrower in the brief playoff action he did see and reminded us all what Dame Time is really about. Dame didn't seem to lose much of his explosiveness last season - it was more of a matter of the threes just not falling - and with a change of scenery for the first time in his career, a coaching change midseason, and off-the-court distractions, I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt to one of the generation's most gifted players and elite playoff performers. With a clearer head next season, I think Lillard returns to his undeniably elite ways with a Bucks team with as high a ceiling as any.

25. Bam Adebayo (C - Heat)

Bam Adebayo's impact on both sides of the ball is tough to match, and it's made him such a valuable asset in Miami's two great playoff runs here in the 2020s. Adebayo is one of the best defensive players in the league even while undersized for the position, a regular on the All-Defense teams going on five straight years with a selection and his first on the First Team last season. He's a real offensive threat as well, as while he may not be a threat from long range the way most of the other great big men in today's game are, he can extend to the mid range to complement terrific finishing and a really nice touch around the rim. Jimmy Butler's name will always come to mind when discussing the great Heat runs we've seen in recent years, but none of this happens without Bam, a staple of their defensive prowess and an offensive skillset that always translates well to the postseason.

26. Tyrese Maxey (PG - 76ers)

Maxey has taken a leap in each NBA season he's had, with this most recent jump elevating him into star status. Still just 23, Maxey grew into a lightning bolt of a scorer this past season in Philly, filling the void of Joel Embiid about as well as he could've and making even more of a name for himself with a fantastic showing in their lone playoff series. There hasn't been a teammate Joel Embiid has had that benefits off his presence more than Maxey, who was scoring at will all year long alongside him and stepping into a bigger role as a creator as well in their first year without James Harden. Though it's unlikely Maxey ever becomes the No. 1 guy on a contender, he won't need to anytime soon with all the talent he's got around him. Maxey's efficiency was drastically better in the presence of Embiid, and with so much attention focused elsewhere, Maxey should be able to sit back and score an efficient 25 next season with plenty of options to fall back on.

27. Trae Young (PG - Hawks)

Trae Young looked like the next great point guard after his big ECF run in the 2021 postseason, but Atlanta has quickly taken a step backwards under his leadership and hovered far closer to play-in territory than any sort of contending. It's been so tough to stack Young up against the rest of the league, as he puts up such impressive numbers that not many can match but remains a liability on defense and hasn't done much winning over these past three seasons. Nevertheless, consistent 25 and 10 nights can't be taken for granted, though the narratives on Young do their best to challenge that, as he's still got a lethal floater, great speed and handles, and the deep range that can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the league. He's also an exceptional passer and a big man's best friend, even if that didn't culminate in much backcourt success alongside Dejounte Murray. Young's efficiency was better this season in year two under Quin Snyder but that didn't do much for the Hawks' standing as a whole, though Murray is now back out of the picture and should give Young more freedom but also a greater burden leading this offense. Can the Hawks build a serious team around Young continues to be the question, with the answer trending towards no after another disappointing year, but there's no denying the talent and the ridiculous playmaking there is to witness with the ball in Young's hands.

28. Domantas Sabonis (PF - Kings)

Sabonis had been a really solid big man during his days in Oklahoma City and Indiana, but the pairing with De'Aaron Fox in Sacramento has helped elevate him into an All-Star caliber player night in and night out. There's not a bigger double-double threat in the game than Sabonis, who made history with his incredible 61-game double-double streak over the course of last season and is now coming off a second straight All-NBA selection. Sabonis is force to be reckoned with as a back-to-the-basket player but also evolving into a guy you can run the offense through, suddenly one of the best passing big men the game has ever seen and making great contributors to the Kings' growth into one of the league's most dynamite offenses with a heavy emphasis on the three-point shot. Sabonis' weakness comes on the defensive end, where opposing big men are routinely able to have their way and poke holes in the Kings' entire system, and that has certainly hurt Sacramento at times in their pursuit of a breakthrough in the Western Conference. Nevertheless, Sabonis does a little bit of everything offensively with consistency that even some all-time greats can't contend, and he's a major reason for the Kings' recent success and somehow still finding new ways to impact a game offensively.

29. Jamal Murray (PG - Nuggets)

A well-renowned playoff riser, Jamal Murray added a pair of new clutch moments to his name with two game-winners in their first-round series against the Lakers. The first player on this list to never be named an All-Star, Murray was downright fantastic in Denver's 2023 title run though his 2024 postseason was admittedly a lot shakier, largely attributed to a pair of injuries that the Nuggets couldn't overcome. His connection with Jokic is among the best guard-big man duos this league has seen in some time, so in-tuned with star center and always keeping the defense honest with a mean arsenal from both three and the mid range. There's a feeling with Murray that as the moment gets bigger, you feel better about your chances when the ball is in his hands, and there's so many stars in this league you can't say that about. Murray may never quite get the recognition he deserves, but he's undoubtedly one of the league's top point guards and a massive reason for the Nuggets' success.

30. Paul George (SF - 76ers)

For well over a decade now, Paul George has been one of the league's steadiest and most complete two-way players. In the era of the 3-and-D swingman, you're not going to find many better versions than George, whose offensive game has never had a flaw and still provides a defensive option well above the league average. So what's the issue for George? While he always finds himself in the thick of a postseason-caliber roster, the stars have just never aligned. Injuries have always been an issue, and there are more than a few instances of some untimely duds he's put together in the postseason. George was rising to the occasion at a very young age in those early Pacers series against LeBron's Miami, but have we gotten a better playoff version of PG since? His 2021 run was impressive, but there was never a realistic shot at a title there. In the years that may have, the performance just hasn't been where it needs to be. George has been playing at an all-NBA level in the regular season all the way from his early 20s into his mid 30s, a very impressive feat in itself, but if he wants to be remembered as anything more, the time is now to make it happen.

31. Karl-Anthony Towns (C - Timberwolves)

Karl-Anthony Towns is already regarded as the best shooting big man the league has ever seen, spending most of his time on the perimeter and straying away from the post-up game that helped him get to this point. Towns is a star and has been for much of his NBA career, though he's gotten some criticism along the way for never quite making that leap up to superstar status, and Anthony Edwards' arrival has sent him to a secondary role that he won't soon escape. He's still able to put up big numbers and got better looks than he ever had in his new role last season, also expanding his defensive game to outside the paint with Rudy Gobert stepping in and anchoring the inside. He's been a mixed bag in the postseason to this point, playing really well in the second round against Denver but struggling to make much of an impact in the ensuing series with Dallas. Towns remains one of the league's best big men, and he'll be in the spotlight for years to come with Minnesota looking like contenders moving forward.

32. Lauri Markkanen (PF - Jazz)

The Jazz don't have a ton of direction as it stands and could easily get a lot out of trading Lauri Markkanen, but the sheer factor holding them back is that he's just really damn good. Not too many batted an eye when he was thrown in the compensation in the Donovan Mitchell trade a couple years back, but he's made a massive leap in a larger role into one of the league's premier big men, even if he's not always treated as such. In 2023 Markannen became the first player in NBA history with 100 dunks and 200 threes in a single season, a testament to an offensive game that extends to each side of the spectrum to the max. His shooting splits are impressive everywhere on the floor, making him a brutal matchup for defenses who could reach even greater heights with some bigger offensive threats around him. Utah didn't expect to get a star in return when they dealt Mitchell away in 2022, but Markkanen has fought off a full tank job and solidified himself as one of the game's marquee bigs. If the Jazz struggle out of the gates next season, expect the trade rumors in full force with a potentially massive extension on the way the ensuing offseason.

33. Pascal Siakam (SF - Pacers)

Pascal Siakam played a large role in Toronto's 2019 championship run in the first real extended role of his career, and he was back playing meaningful basketball after a midseason trade sent him to Indiana alongside Tyrese Haliburton. Siakam scores in all sorts of ways and has greatly improved as a playmaker as his career has moved along, and defense continues to be a strength of his guided by his quick hands and athleticism. And when it comes to delivering in the postseason, Siakam has always been reliable, and that was no exception this go-round as he led Indiana in scoring in their trip to the East Finals. Siakam remains an All-Star caliber two-way star that now seems to have found a new home in Indiana, and he'll be Haliburton's No. 2 for years to come after the duo found immediate success after the win-now trade back in January.

34. Paolo Banchero (SF - Magic)

It's a bit strange to see a recent No. 1 pick who's already accomplished so much get talked about as little as Paolo Banchero, already a Rookie of the Year, All-Star, and top player on a playoff team all over his first two years. It's a short list of guys who have started off as strong as Banchero, and he improved his shot this season to the point where he's already looking at a pretty complete all-around game, able to knife through defenders and utilize his strength at the rim and also seeing a substantial growth defensively from what was initially expected from him. Orlando hasn't given him too much as far as playmaking goes through the early portion of his career, and it could be a scary sight when gets that sort of help and is able to pick his spots more than have to create his own shot. He's clearly embracing the defense-first mentality that helped the Magic thrive as much as they did last season, and he's already a good enough No. 1 option to lead the charge on a legitimate playoff team.

35. James Harden (SG - Clippers)

Harden's game has had to adjust with age, largely a sacrifice of shooting volume in exchange for playmaking, but he's been a willing participant and it's let him keep playing at such a high level at this stage in his career. Harden is still capable of the monster night scoring the basketball here and there, but on a normal night you can expect a nice balance of scoring and some of the most nifty and precise passing the league has to offer. That may be more suitable to winning than the through-the-roof usage rates he'd bare back in his days in Houston, but Harden isn't going to elevate a team anywhere close to how he used to, and is probably best served as a third option with some more score-first options around him. In fact, Harden has often looked too passive with his playstyle in recent years, a wild development for a guy who averaged 36 not all that long ago. We saw this postseason that if this version of Harden is forced to take on too much of a scoring load, the team isn't going very far. As Harden continues to age, his trend towards a set-up man is only going to continue, though as he enters his age-35 season Harden is still a very solid scorer and one of the game's very best distributors.

36. Jaren Jackson Jr. (SF - Grizzlies)

When you're playing against Jaren Jackson Jr., it feels like there's five of him. JJJ can block shots with the best of them, guard any player on in the league on the perimeter, and wreak havoc in the lanes with his devastating wingspan that can make life a living nightmare for all five guys on the other side. As much as anyone in the game, it feels like his presence is everywhere. Plenty of guys make a living as elite defenders, but Jackson's versatility defending the entire court isn't matched by many, and he's got a strong offensive game to go with it that completes him as a player. Jackson's defense will give opponent's issues no matter who he's out there with, but he shouldered a larger offensive role this season in Ja's absence and averaged a career-high 22.5 PPG. JJJ is worth contesting from the outside and has a handle and finishing ability that leaves his scoring arsenal without much weakness, though he's undoubtedly best served in the more complementary offensive role he'll return to once Ja Morant is back. And once Ja is back in the fold to take pressure off the rest of the team offensively, JJJ will have the luxury to defer more energy to his defensive prowess, which helped him lead the league in blocks in 2022 and 2023 and win the DPOY in the latter.

37. Julius Randle (PF - Knicks)

It's tough to measure Randle's highs against his lows, and a midseason injury that cost him his postseason in 2024 doesn't make ranking him any easier. Randle had been in the midst of his third great regular season in four years, with this year's on pace to be the best of them all. He's been a borderline top-20 regular season player in those years, but that didn't translate to either postseason he had played with the Knicks, and the team didn't have much trouble thriving with him this go-round. After posting woeful shooting marks of 30% and 37% in the 2021 and 2023 postseasons respectively, this season was supposed to be Randle's chance to flip the narrative. Instead he'll have to wait another year to get that chance, and it's tough to rank him any higher than this until he does so.

38. Jalen Wiliams (SG - Thunder) Even after the season he and Oklahoma City just had, Jalen Williams still might be the most underrated player in basketball today. The Robin to SGA's Batman in the OKC backcourt, Williams' quick rise to stardom ha been instrumental in the Thunder's sudden ascension, providing a really strong second option with 19.1 PPG in year two already as one of the most efficient scoring wings in the game. Williams shot 54% from the field with a fantastic 42.7% mark from three, and he complements that with effective length and physicality that makes him so difficult to contain no matter where is on the floor. His postseason was a bit disappointing, still putting up solid numbers but failing to step up just as much as OKC would've liked in case Shai needed some of the burden taken off, but it's hard to put much stock in the 23-year-old's first postseason played in just his second year in the league. It's rare a player is able to come into the league and score as efficiently as Williams so early on, already near the top in that department and only going to get better as he gets deeper into his career.

39. DeMar DeRozan (SG - Kings)

Even while rotting away in Chicago, DeRozan continued to deliver impressive numbers as one of the game's most traditional scorers working into the later stages in his career. Since arriving to Chicago, DeRozan has had three of the four highest scoring seasons of his career, continuing to torch defenses through his patented mid-range game in an era where that style feels long abandoned. DeRozan is vast approaching his 35th birthday, but the Bulls, perhaps to his benefit or perhaps not, have been keeping him young coming off a season in which he led the league in minutes at 37.8 per game. He's also come in the top three in Clutch Player of the Year voting in back-to-back years Now with a fresh start in Sacramento, DeRozan adds an elite veteran scorer to an enticing young crew that should embrace his arrival. While the fit doesn't seem great given the emphasis on the three that the Kings have pushed these last two seasons, it'll at the least be a nice relief for DeRozan to have some of the load off his back at this stage in the career.

40. Rudy Gobert (C - Timberwolves)

Rudy Gobert's identity in the NBA continues to ride a never-ending roller coaster, and there was as much turbulence as ever this past season in Minnesota. Gobert fairly easily captured his 4th DPOY mark, a feat that just by itself puts him into some historic territory, and he'd go on to live about 10 lives in that postseason alone as somewhat of a victim of the Timberwolves' deep run. It almost feels like as far as the Gobert discourse goes, he might be better off on a team not sniffing the postseason. He received plenty of praise for anchoring an elite Timberwolves defense all season long that would sweep the Suns and get off to such a great second round start, but everything changed once Jokic started making him look silly, particularly in that Game 5 where it became Denver's series to lose. And when they did lose it, the Gobert train re-gained plenty of members, many of which hopped back off once the Mavericks had their way. The moral of the story - while Gobert is an excellent defender, what he provides isn't always suitable for the postseason. Although he controls the glass, in just about every other sense he's an offensive liability. He's a spacing killer whose impact can be wiped away with something as simple as a five-out set, and when a guy like Jokic is cooking him, well, it's just not worth it to have him out there. Not that he loses any credibility for getting outplayed by Jokic - there's not a player on the planet that wouldn't - but it's just not a trade-off that's worth it in certain moments. Over the course of a full season, however, Gobert is the league's fiercest rim protector and guards the paint better than anyone else, and you're pretty much guaranteed to have a top defense with him in the middle. You don't win four Defensive Player of the Years by accident.

41. Alperen Sengun (C - Rockets)

There's not a player in basketball whose game is as reminiscent to Jokic's as Rockets big man Alperen Sengun, who quietly made a major leap in year number three before a knee injury ended his 2023-24 season. Sengun is a crafty and efficient post player and a powerful finisher, though it's his passing that will really catch your eye with the vision and creativity rivaling Jokic and nobody else. Defense is the big weakness with Sengun, though there's certainly potential in that department at 7 feet tall and already a ferocious rebounder, and he's got plenty of time to figure that out still somehow only 21 years old. Sengun has risen with each season he's played, and made it clear to the Rockets last season that any plans they have for the future are going to have him in it. With the passing ability that so few big men have ever possessed and the strength and touch to control the inside, Sengun will be a must-watch player for many years to come.

42. Mikal Bridges (SF - Knicks)

The Knicks collected the final Villanova infinity stone landing Mikal Bridges a few weeks back, a seemingly perfect roster fit in an environment that will let him go for gold with his friends again for the first time since they did just that in college. After Bridges was traded to Brooklyn in 2023, his scoring took off for the remainder of that season and many grew convinced he had the all-around game to lead a franchise. That proved to be a stretch, and something he wasn't ready for nor seemed to want very much, and he's now back in a role that can maximize his abilities playing for a coach in Tom Thibodeau that couldn't be a much better fit. Bridges is an excellent defender, he always has been, and his offensive game provides a mix of just about everything, from an efficient three-pointer to a lethal mid-range and a little bit of playmaking if the occasion calls for it. Bridges showed the ability to be the No. 1 guy on an offense if need be, but he's at his best as an option another star has at their disposal, as he did with an NBA Finals runner-up with Phoenix and as he's now set to do in New York. And his defense will travel wherever he goes, and we hope the same can be said about his downright superhuman durability. Bridges with the Knicks almost seems too perfect, and his contributions in every aspect of the game will make him an instant fan favorite and a recipient of major minutes nightly from his new drill sergeant Tom Thibodeau.

43. Derrick White (SG - Celtics)

Few provide all the services to a basketball team like Derrick White, a true do-it-all professional whose addition worked wonders for the Celtics getting over the hump. The Swiss Army knife of Boston's apexing superteam, it'd be a sin to measure White's impacts just by the numbers. White was one of half of one of top defensive backcourts the league has seen this century, earning his second straight second-team All-Defense and one of the many Celtics getting in Kyrie Irving's way this NBA Finals. He has really matured on the offensive end as well and was an excellent three-point shooter throughout their playoff run, and also perhaps their second most reliable option when they needed a big bucket. I can think of more than a few instances of a tough Derrick White three salvaging a broken possession. Boston's numbers with and without White on the floor told much of the story, and the advanced stats ranked him the second most valuable player on this roster behind only Jayson Tatum. Every team could really use a Derrick White - the Celtics just figured that out the earliest.

44. Jrue Holiday (PG - Celtics) To anyone that may have forgotten, Holiday reminded the world he's one of the league's elite defensive players playing a pivotal role to the Celtics' title run. Holiday didn't need to score all that much with all the weapons Boston could throw at you, but that didn't mean the ability wasn't there as his 26 points on 11/14 shooting in Game 2 showed. Holiday's composure leading an offense has always flown under the radar, and there weren't many better fits to lead an offense like the Celtics' than the veteran offseason acquisition. Not many point guards match his impact on winning and with two championships to his name, he's suddenly building himself a very serious HOF case with plenty left in the tank.

45. Dejounte Murray (PG - Hawks)

After two forgettable years alongside Trae Young in Atlanta, it's become very easy to forget the up-and-coming do-it-all point guard that was blossoming in San Antonio in the years prior. If there was any hope of rediscovering that promising young version, a change of scenery was the way to do it. Murray wasn't thriving in an off-ball role with the Hawks, as the 27-year-old is at his best when he's in control of the offense, where he becomes a nightly triple-double threat on one end and an elite perimeter defender on the other. I'm trying not to hold a poor situation in Atlanta against him - there's not many top guards that would get better sharing a backcourt with Trae Young - and I think his game should see a considerable rise on a Pelicans roster filled with complementary weapons.

46. Kristaps Porzingis (PF - Celtics)

Porzingis was the right guy for the job as Boston's No. 1 big man, with his spacing, rim protection, and consistency giving the Celtics their first real star underneath of the Tatum-Brown era. Porzingis had always struggled to find the right fit even while putting up big numbers, but he found his calling in Boston and really elevated that team to their max potential even in a smaller role than he's seen in the past. Injuries are still as prevalent as ever for the Unicorn - even after a durable regular season those issues caught up to him the playoffs - but that also helped us realize how difficult it is to replicate his unique mix of long-range shooting and impenetrable force down low. The Mavericks rode into the Finals riding a highlight reel of alley-oops along the way, but all that went out the door with Porzingis underneath. A 7'2" sharpshooter and a hassle to go up against in the paint Porzingis is a rare breed of star whose own body is simultaneously his biggest gift and his biggest curse.

47. LaMelo Ball (PG - Hornets)

We've seen tons of promise out of the human highlight reel that is LaMelo Ball, but injuries have gotten in the way of any further takeoff being made over the duration of his rookie contract. There's been positives for Ball - his playmaking translated almost instantaneously to the next level and he's seemingly improved with each year in the league - but it's hard to take away anything too substantial with 58 games missed the last two seasons and zero seconds of meaningful basketball under his belt aside from one 29-point play-in loss. Ball has the creative layups, the flashy passes, and the remarkable range that will catch anyone's eye, but we've also seen questionable decision-making, lackluster defense, and very little winning that's come with territory. Now he's never had much of a supporting cast or been healthy enough to establish much genuine continuity with the roster, but while the talent is undeniably alive and well, the LaMelo Ball experience has largely been a mixed bag over his first four years.

48. Darius Garland (PG - Cavaliers) Garland has had a largely productive start to his young career, though the ongoing power struggle with Donovan Mitchell will likely have him playing for a new team by the time the 2024-25 season rolls around. Garland is quietly one of the more well-rounded point guards the league has to offer, with the speed to blow by defenders at will and a reliable jumper to fall back on that leaves the defense always on their toes and opens up plenty of opportunities for his supporting cast. Despite this, in Garland's absences over the years, the Cavaliers have always looked surprisingly fine without their All-Star point guard and didn't have too difficult a decision extending Mitchell even when it became a me vs. him deal regarding he and Garland. Since flopping in the 2023 postseason Garland's numbers dropped off a bit this past season, and he didn't really answer the call these playoffs either even when Mitchell's injury gave him a golden chance to shine. Garland has been a really solid point guard but nothing more over his first five years, and the expected change of scenery should give him a better the chance of making that long-awaited leap.

49. Cade Cunningham (PG - Pistons)

Cunningham was the undisputed top pick back in 2021, landing him front and center of the dumpster fire that is the Detroit Pistons with no way out and no armor for battle. Cade has missed real time early in his career due to injury, but he's shown promise from the start and put up impressive numbers even within the humbling environment of the modern-day Pistons. It's hard to pin the losing on Cunningham much - sure, you'd rather your franchise player not be a part of the longest losing streak in NBA history - but there's so little around him and such a lost culture that you almost feel bad putting much blame on Cade. He struggled with efficiency early on but has seen that issue fade as he's gotten more acquainted with the pros, and he should grow into a more effective playmaker as he continues to get more shooting around him. Cunningham has shown enough promise so far to earn the rookie extension, and winning some games becomes the next order of business with more young talent on the way.

50. Chet Holmgren (C - Thunder)

Holmgren's rookie season rivaled Wemby's for much of the way, an impressive feat in itself after he missed all of the season prior with a foot injury. At 7'1" with a sweet stroke to go with it, Chet is a member of that rare breed of unicorns and even more skilled than most, rocking a great handle to go with it and able to defend all the way out on the perimeter as well. Holmgren's size alone makes him an intimidating force on the inside, and even while the physicality isn't nearly where the Thunder would prefer it to be, he is already one of the league's top shot-blockers and was largely able to hold his own against some of the stronger forces inside. Holmgren was a pleasure to watch as the anchor on these upstart Thunder last season, certainly adding to Oklahoma City's meteoric rise and instantly displaying one of the best all-around games the big man position has ever seen.

51. Scottie Barnes (PF - Raptors)

Scottie Barnes' first three years have been a bit of a roller coaster, starting out with a strong rookie year but failing to take much of a step forward the next year, only to make that big leap in 2023-24 and earn a max extension. Barnes was good enough to get the keys to the franchise last season, but it remans to be seen whether an offense can revolve around such a unique skillset. His playmaking took a crucial leap this past season, upping his assist numbers to 6.1 from just 3.5 two years before in his rookie year, and he added the three-point shot to his arsenal in a much-needed fix to his offensive game. His physicality makes him a difficult matchup, and he's a terrific defensive player that can be effectively inserted at any spot on the floor. He isn't much of a shot creator, but he showed enough potential with the offense running through him to get a long-term commitment out of Toronto, and he'll be their most valuable asset as they move through this rebuild.

52. OG Anunoby (SF - Knicks)

You'd have thought OG Anunoby was a Hall of Famer years ago for all the guys the Raptors wouldn't trade him for, but they finally pulled the trigger last December and sent him to the Knicks with just a few months left on his second contract. Anunoby missed exactly half of the games he couldn't play in that brief time with the Knicks, but the team was tremendously successful with him on the floor and never for a second considered him letting him walk. In the era of the 3-and-D wing, Anunoby fits it to a tee. He may be the best on-ball defender in basketball right now, and he's one of the league's top corner three shooters and coming off a fourth consecutive season averaging north of 15 PPG. As we saw with the Knicks, Anuoby contributes to winning far greater than the numbers will ever show. In the 33 games he started and finished last season, New York was 28-5. That's no coincidence. He's an asset any team would sacrifice a ton to get ahold of, and though injuries have been a bit of a concern for him over the years, a healthy version of Anunoby is a max-level professional.

53. Desmond Bane (SG - Grizzlies)

A largely unknown late first round pick in 2020, Desmond Bane entered the league with a knack for shooting and not much else. While his three-point stroke remains his most deadly weapon, Bane has become far more than just that with no choice but to mature as a player with all the injuries Memphis has endured in recent years. Bane had to be the man for the Grizzlies offensively last season, and he stepped up to the challenge averaging 23.7 PPG and 5.5 AGP, seeing his playmaking skills rise and his offensive creativity grow with so much more attention headed his way. He remains a major threat off the pick-and-roll, and he should benefit very nicely with the influx of open ways that will come his way with Ja Morant's return. Bane is a sharpshooter who can defend and work off the dribble, a gem Memphis snagged that should be a significant piece of their long-term plans.

54. Jerami Grant (SF - Trail Blazers)

Jerami Grant has moved in silence, but he's quietly evolved into one of the league's strongest two-way players over the course of this decade. Grant didn't enter the NBA as much of a scorer but has built up a really well-rounded offensive game, averaging 21 PPG this past season with a career-best 40.2% mark from distance. And he's actually probably a better defensive player able to guard all five positions on the floor with the proper balance of length and athleticism. Grant might be best suited as a third scoring option and able to exert his full potential on the defensive end of the floor, playing a key role in the Nuggets' bubble run back in 2020 and growing into a really nice scorer in expanded roles ever since. With the Trail Blazers eager to get out of the big 5-year deal they gave him last summer, we could see Grant back in a complementary role with a more capable supporting cast sooner than later.

55. Jarrett Allen (C - Cavaliers)

Jarrett Allen's strength and physicality down low makes him a powerful presence on both ends of the floor, and a nightmare matchup for most big men. Allen is a bruiser on the defensive end and a force on the glass, and he's efficient and effective enough in the paint to at least partially excuse him from any sort of outside game. The lights were admittedly too bright for Allen in the 2023 postseason, but he rebounded with a strong performance in a very physical first-round series with Orlando, only for a second round injury that rubbed some teammates the wrong way to pose additional questions about his toughness Allen's lack of creativity offensively certainly limits his game, but strong defense and impressive finishing is enough to make him one of the league's better centers by any measure and a definite long-term asset in Cleveland.

56. Brandon Ingram (SF - Pelicans)

When it comes to pure scoring, there's not many guys that can go toe-to-toe with Brandon Ingram at his best. Since joining New Orleans in 2019, BI has averaged 20+ PPG in all five seasons he's been there with a Most Improved Player title and an All-Star selection mixed in there. Ingram has quietly become a much more effective creator as he's gotten deeper in his carer, suddenly leading the Pelicans in assists and doing more for the flow of the offense than simply filling the cup. A brief but rather brutal postseason certainly delivered a blow to Ingram's stock, an unfortunate development for a Pelicans team that had already been shopping him, as he had been played off the floor in their first play-in game and shot just 34.5% from the field in their four postseason games - all losses. Ingram has always been able to score the basketball and is continuing to add new ways to impact the game offensively, though it could be in a different uniform next season if someone is willing to take the chance and give him the max deal he's been seeking.

57. Coby White (PG - Bulls)

Last season wasn't one to pull many positives from for Chicago, but Coby White's leap really might have been the best thing to happen to this franchise this decade. White was all of a sudden stringing together major scoring outburst on a nightly basis, a development not many saw coming after the serious regression he endured in the season prior. White became a volume scorer and showed flashes as a guy the Bulls could build around, demonstrating real playmaking abilities for the first time in his career in a ball-dominant role with Zach LaVine out. He could score in bunches as well, shooting the three near 38% and making Chicago's offense flow more than it ever had since the Lonzo Ball injury. If the Bulls have one guy on this roster to work with it's White, and with DeRozan out and God knows what with LaVine, the floor could be his next season as they look to untap his max potential.

58. Zach LaVine (SG - Bulls)

It's not easy getting a read on Zach LaVine these days, once considered an undisputed All-Star but now just looked at as the human embodiment of the state of the Chicago Bulls. LaVine had been putting up huge scoring numbers in his early days with the Bulls but saw those numbers drop off a bit once DeMar DeRozan got to town, and they were taking their biggest blow yet in the 25 games played in 2023-24 before a foot injury ended his season. With LaVine's scoring numbers down and another injury added to the list, it's harder to look at him a star on a bad team and more as just a historically bad contract. The Bulls looked a lot more cohesive in LaVine's absence this season even as they weren't winning all that much with or without him, and only time will tell what version we get next season with LaVine shouldering a far larger role with DeRozan gone. Enough of the bad - LaVine has still been a really good scorer for a long time now with no weaknesses in his offensive game and elite athleticism even with the injuries, and you can't entirely fault him for the brutal hands he's been given in his tenures with Minnesota and Chicago. It would be nice to see what LaVine could do having to defer to more of a 3rd-option type role, though that's not something we're likely to see anytime soon with a contract the Bulls would have to give a lot for someone to eat.

59. Bradley Beal (SG - Suns)

Bradley Beal was the scoring title runner-up only three seasons ago, but that version of a potential franchise cornerstone seems all too far gone after the year he and the Suns just endured. A lot of the discourse surrounding Beal today isn't entirely his fault - the Wizards gave him a supermax that never had a chance of working out and the Suns emptied all their assets to squeeze him onto a roster he didn't fit into - moves that would've taken miracles to pan out and have now flipped the narrative on Beal completely over the course of about a year. Is it his fault for signing the supermax and is it his fault for leaving Washington after 11 seasons to join a "contender"? No, but he's not entirely the victim. Beal has always struggled to stay heathy, and in typical failed superteam fashion, he was only available for 53 games last season, averaging his lowest PPG mark in eight years and never properly fitting in alongside the other Phoenix stars. And we can't ignore his Game 4, truly one of the worst elimination game performances I've ever seen out of an All-Star caliber, fittingly coming as the Suns' season came to end by virtue of a first-round sweep. And now Phoenix is stuck with him on a roster that can't contend, which will only continue to work against Beal's narrative for years to come. Beal can still score - he actually posted the highest shooting percentage of his career last season - but on the wrong side of 30 and with no evidence against the empty stats argument, Beal hasn't proven much else now going into his 13th year in the league.

60. Fred VanVleet (PG - Rockets)

The Rockets had been searching for an identity across much of the 2020s, and VanVleet's addition last summer went a long way in helping them find one. VanVleet, if nothing else, is a true professional. Houston needed a veteran to help establish a culture and help make do of the scattered young talent the Rockets desperately need to gel, and he seems to have found the perfect balance of helping his teammates grow while also remaining one of the team's best players. VanVleet plays the point guard position the right way, and he's coming off career years in assists and field goal percentage. But far more importantly, VanVleet helped facilitate breakthrough seasons for Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun. VanVleet was great signing for Houston to get this offense under control and set up for success, and it should be a fun next four years for FVV getting to see the young talent develop around him.

61. Evan Mobley (PF - Cavaliers)

Mobley has had a nice start to his career since going 3rd overall in 2021, making his impact felt on the defensive end especially with a first-team All-Defense selection already to his name while anchoring the league's best defense in 2022-23. His length and athleticism instantly made him a force to be reckoned with down low, though its his growth on the other end that remains a work in progress. Mobley has shown flashes offensively, most recently his 33-point Game 5 against the Celtics last postseason, but it's never amounted to anything too sustainable with his lack of outside game likely. the primary culprit. Mobley is a talented finisher inside, but he does not stretch the floor and doesn't possess the physicality Allen does to at least partially compensate it. And when its Mobley and Allen on the floor together, it's very easy for the offense to go flat with a pair of big men largely inconsequential outside the paint. Mobley should be one of the league's best defenders for many years, but as it stands now it'll be his shortcomings offensively that stand in his way of reaching the next level.

62. Jalen Green (PG - Rockets)

Jalen Green deserves a lot of credit for his growth across last season, going from a largely uninspiring No. 2 pick to one of the faces of the Rockets franchise over the course of the year. During Houston's 11-game winning streak in the second half of last season, Green averaged 30.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG, and 4.1 APG, shooting 50% from the field on 61.3% TS. For Green it was a question of if his erratic, almost AAU-esque playstyle was suitable for winning at the highest level or was best reserved for the empty stats on a losing team he'd been putting up in his early stages. Helping lead the Rockets to 41 wins in the loaded Western Conference last season went a long away in flipping the narrative, and there's now plenty to be excited about as Green continues to develop as an individual. Green is still only 22, and after the potential he flashed down the stretch last season, he already looks ready to take that next leap into a surefire franchise cornerstone in Houston.

  63. Franz Wagner (SG - Magic)

Franz Wagner is already making a name for himself just three years into his NBA career, and was rewarded with a max extension this summer that locks him in for the long-haul in Orlando. Franz has value all around the court, already a very good defender and a key par of the Magic's stout defensive identity they're beginning to create, and he's been an impressive scorer over his first three seasons getting up to 19.7 PPG in 2023-24. At 6'10" Wagner is remarkably agile for his size, and he's a talented finisher at the rim with footwork not many closing in on 7 feet can match. The concern for Wagner is his shot, which took a big step backwards this past season going from a respectable 36.1% all the way down to a brutal 28.1%, and on more attempts as well. That sort of mark isn't going to cut it if he wants to take that next step into All-Star territory, and it hurt them dearly in the postseason on a roster that already has enough problem shooting the basketball. Even without a reliable shot Wagner still finds ways to score in big numbers, and as an already established defender he should be a huge asset in Orlando for plenty of years to come.

64. Khris Middleton (SF - Bucks)

A proven professional scorer, Middleton reminded us he's still go it with an impressive postseason albeit a short-lived one for the injury-riddled Bucks last season. Middleton usually doesn't need to do all that much on an offense with Giannis and Damian Lillard, but he's a rock-solid third option still very much capable of the occasional breakout night. He has struggled to stay healthy in recent years and that's kept him from gathering too much of a rhythm since their title in 2021, but Middleton has been around the block enough to enter any situation and simply get buckets. He's also got a knack for big moments, a certified playoff riser that makes him best suited on a contending team. Middleton has already shown he can be a lead option on a championship-caliber team, though he's going to need to be available more if these new-look Bucks teams want the continuity they need.

65. Herb Jones (SF - Pelicans)

Last season was the first year of positionless ballots, and Herb Jones ended up as the only non big man to make first-team All-Defense. By that metric, he was the best wing defender in basketball last season, and that wouldn't be far off. Jones has been a tremendous defender since entering the league, and it made New Orleans quickly fall in love with him and commit to him long-term without thinking twice. Jones' offensive game is still a work in progress, as it's stayed stagnant over his first three years with not much confidence generally being displayed. He's shot the three at a good mark but on very little volume, a promising sign but also not quite anything to write home about. Jones is one of the very best defenders in basketball, and that alone makes him a very valuable asset for the Pelicans going forward.

66. C.J. McCollum (SG - Pelicans) McCollum has fallen a bit under the radar since leaving Portland, but he hasn't slowed down much as a scorer coming off a ninth straight season of 20+ PPG. McCollum is now the veteran of this crowded young core in New Orleans and has began to defer to the likes of Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, seeing his usage rate take a considerable dip this past season in his 11th year in the league. to his benefit, that's allowed him to pick his spots more deliberately and be far less inclined to force up shots for fear of the lesser alternatives, and he was rewarded with one of the most efficient seasons of his career and his best three-point mark yet. C.J. can provide some stability to a franchise hoping to grow an identity amongst all its young talent, and he remains a very capable scorer and a valuable veteran piece of the roster.

67. Aaron Gordon (SF - Nuggets)

Gordon's defense has been a crucial asset for Denver in the success they've found in recent years, and playing alongside Nikola Jokic has done wonders for the maturity and efficiency of his offensive game. There's not many players compatible in size to Gordon that can generate much of anything against him, as his size, strength, and agility has made him the Nuggets' most useful and versatile defender on a roster that desperately needed it back when they were trying to take the next step. There are certainly limitations in his offensive game - those came to life more than ever in the Minnesota series - and rediscovering the three-point shot that was at least somewhat of a threat earlier in his career should be one of his primary objectives this offseason. His athleticism gets him his share on the offensive end, that and his fluid chemistry with Jokic, but Denver's offense becomes vincible when they can sag off Gordon completely. Nevertheless, he's a great defensive player and an excellent fit in Denver, and they couldn't have found many better guys at his position to operate alongside Jokic.

68. Naz Reid (PF - Timberwolves) Naz Reid had a really impressive year for the Timberwolves last season, inciting a well-deserved rise up this list as one of the most essential pieces of their contending team. It's not an easy role rotating between Karl-Anthony Towns or Rudy Gobert as your other big - a pair of centers that couldn't be further from one another - but he made it look easy with the instant offense he provided and the streaky but usually reliable three-point shooting. He also helped keep up with the strong defensive identity Minnesota was building, doing a little bit of everything this past season en route to a Sixth Man of the Year honor. The Timberwolves weren't getting to where they did without Reid, and they've got him on one of the league's biggest bargains at just $14M/year.

69. Tyler Herro (SG - Heat)

If you're searching for one guy in the league that exemplifies sacrificing defense for offense, look no further than Tyler Herro. The guy can score - he showed that right from the get-go making a name for himself coming off the bench for Miami - and he's kept adding to his offensive game averaging a career-high 20.8 PPG this past season. That's now three straight seasons over 20 points for the 24-year-old, teetering the 40% line from three and growing into a better playmaker with each year in the league. His defense is the problem - something Miami desperately tries to shadow when he's on the court and a liability that is sometimes too great for the Heat to keep him on the floor. Injuries have also limited him over the years, keeping him out of their great playoff run in 2023 as well as half of this season. Herro is never going to be a good defender, but the runaway leading scorer off the bench year in and year out is something that can't be underestimated. It's what makes him such a valuable asset, and a guy that could add a few more Sixth Man of the Year titles to his name before it's all said and done.

70. Brook Lopez (C - Bucks)

It feels like a distant memory now, but we can't forget the job Lopez did reinventing his game a few years back, adapting to the times in the modern NBA and essentially extending his career a half-decade and counting. Lopez has always been a terrific rim protector, and that hasn't gone anywhere even as he gets deep in his 30s, but since joining Milwaukee in 2018 he's added a perimeter threat to his arsenal to round out his game and keep him from being. the spacing nightmare that has plagued so many big men in past postseasons. Lopez's 2.4 blocks per game were tied for second in the league last season, and then he'll go drain a 25-footer on the other end and leave the opponent lost for words. He's provided the perfect big-man fit within this high-octane Bucks offense and is really at the point where he's got no weakness in is game, and he'll keep contributing so long as his body lets him as he enters the final year of his contract.

71. Kyle Kuzma (SF - Wizards)

Kuzma was a really solid role player during his years with the Lakers and played a meaningful role in their 2020 title, but a trade to Washington left him with no choice but to shoulder a large scoring role on a roster that really didn't have much else to work with. Kuzma was able to average a career-high 22.2 PPG with the floor completely wide open last season, but these three years as a top scoring option hasn't translated to any success and certainly isn't the long-term solution they are looking for in D.C. Kuzma seems to be at his best in more of a complementary role, providing a nice two-way wing that can put up solid scoring numbers and make an impact defensively, though it may take some time to see that version of him after he declined an offer to join the Mavs last deadline because he was focused on "building something" in Washington. Whatever that means.

72. Alex Caruso (PG - Thunder)

Alex Caruso's defense makes him the type of guy any team would want on the roster, flexing his value as such a key role player on the Lakers' championship team back in the 2020 bubble. He's only improved defensively ever since, making All-Defensive teams these last two seasons and also putting up a career-high 10.1 PPG in his biggest role yet in Chicago in 2023-24. Anything Caruso can give you offensively feels like a bonus with the impact he makes with his hustle and defensive IQ he's a sure bet to provide, but that offensive game just keeps on improving with a 40.8% mark from three a year ago and his underrated playmaking that helps him run an offense. Caruso's contribution to winning can't be denied, and that should make him a welcomed fit within the youth movement in OKC that could really use the spark in perimeter defense.

73. Myles Turner (C - Pacers)

lt felt like Myles Turner had been in trade rumors forever, but after years and years of discourse and failed negotiations, he's gone and delivered his two best seasons yet and played a major role in Indiana's unexpected success this past season. Turner was a streaky scorer for much of his career - it's one of the reasons Indiana was always looking for ways to ship him out - but his efficiency has done a 180 in recent years while he's kept the outside shot a real part of his game. He's also one of the few positives Indiana can look at defensively, as while his efforts weren't enough to save the Pacers from ranking at the bottom of the league in that department, it makes you wonder just how bad it would've gotten if they didn't have Turner. It's been the long-awaited rise on the offensive end that has changed Turner's game for the better, making him one of the league's strongest centers when healthy and likely in line for a huge payday with his contract coming to an end after next season.

74. Josh Hart (SG - Knicks)

There are a lot of guys on this Knicks that exemplify their identity to a tee. No one does it better than Josh Hart, who was essential amidst all their injuries this last postseason and will be one of the best reserve options in the league next season. Hart is the best rebounding game in the game right now with his impact on the offensive glass making him especially valuable, earning the Knicks countless extra possessions at a level it's been a while since we've seen any guard do. And Hart may not give you a ton on the offensie end, but he's a guy you trust taking a big shot late with a number of huge moments last season, postseason included. He's also a strong defender, and a lock to give you 110% every possession and do all the little things to help his team succeed.

75. Anfernee Simons (SG - Trail Blazers)

Anfernee Simons has been at the forefront of this Trail Blazers core ever since things got ugly a few seasons back, coming off three straight years north of 20 PPG with a career-high 22.6 per game this past season. Simons is one of the league's best shooters and the former Slam Dunk champion has the athleticism to go with it, but it's been a challenge for the undersized guard getting his playmaking where Portland would like it to be while the defensive end has been an issue of its own. Simons ranks right around the bottom by any defensive metric, and at 6'3" and just 180 pounds that doesn't seem likely to change anytime soon. He's still a very talented scorer, though still trying to shake the good scorer on a bad team allegations, and his shooting prowess alone will make him a real part of the Trail Blazers' attempt to right the ship.

76. Michael Porter Jr. (SF - Nuggets)

Michael Porter Jr. is a flamethrower like no other, letting it fly if with even a fraction of the basket in sight and justifying it with a three-point mark near 40%. MPJ deserves a lot of credit, first for overcoming a back injury that ruined his lone collegiate season and sparked a large tumble on draft day, but also for his willingness to take more of a back-seat role in Denver and put winning ahead of his own productivity. Sure, Porter still gets his shots - he makes sure of it - but there's no doubt that his numbers could be a lot more inflated as a higher-ranking option on a lesser team, and maybe even vault him into All-Star territory. Nevertheless, Porter still got a max contract out of the Nuggets and is a great fall-back option in the rare instance the offense isn't running like it should, with his lights-out stroke often the ultimate backbreaker for a defense convinced they force