THE RANKINGS
TIER FIVE
TJ McCONNELL
99
dereck lively ii
98
rj barrett
97
AARON NESMITH
94
jonathan isaac
95
jonathan kuminga
96
MALIK MONK
91
BRANDON MILLER
92
TYUS JONES
93
ISAIAH HARTENSTEIN
82
KHRIS MIDDLETON
83
HERB JONES
84
TREY MURPHY III
85
JOSH HART
86
ANDREW NEMBHARD
87
GRAYSON ALLEN
88
NAZ REID
89
PJ WASHINGTON
90
DRAYMOND GREEN
76
DEVIN VASSELL
77
KEEGAN MURRAY
78
JALEN SUGGS
79
IMMANUEL QUICKLEY
80
KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE
81
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NBA99 is FanSided's ranking of the best players in the NBA right now. These rankings are a living document, updated regularly throughout the year, exploring how each player has carved out their NBA niche and how it is evolving over time.
These rankings were last updated on July 25, 2024.
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TJ McConnell
Dereck Lively II
RJ Barrett
Jonathan Kuminga
Jonathan Isaac
Aaron Nesmith
Tyus Jones
Brandon Miller
Malik Monk
PJ Washington
Naz Reid
Grayson Allen
Andrew Nembhard
Josh Hart
Trey Murphy III
Herb Jones
Khris Middleton
Isaiah Hartenstein
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Immanuel Quickley
Jalen Suggs
Keegan Murray
Devin Vassell
Draymond Green
Continue to Next Tier
CONTINUE TO TIER THREE ❯
OG ANUNOBY
TIER FOUR
50
DARIUS GARLAND
51
MIKAL BRIDGES
52
FRED VANVLEET
53
MYLES TURNER
54
JARRETT ALLEN
55
Brook Lopez
56
Evan Mobley
57
Jalen Johnson
58
Anfernee Simons
59
Dejounte Murray
60
Bradley Beal
61
DEmar Derozan
62
Aaron Gordon
63
Julius Randle
64
Zach Lavine
65
Alex Caruso
66
CJ McCollum
67
NIC CLAXTON
68
Michael Porter Jr.
69
DONTE DIVINCENZO
70
COBY WHITE
71
MIKE CONLEY
72
73
Jaden McDaniels
Mike Conley
Coby White
Donte DiVincenzo
Nic Claxton
Zach LaVine
DeMar DeRozan
Jarrett Allen
Myles Turner
Fred VanVleet
Mikal Bridges
Darius Garland
OG Anunoby
BACK TO PREVIOUS TIER
JADEN MCDANIELS
JERAMI GRANT
74
MARCUS SMART
75
Jerami Grant
Marcus Smart
CONTINUE TO TIER TWO ❯
DONOVAN Mitchell
TIER THREE
17
Paul George
18
Domantas Sabonis
19
JAMAL MURRAY
20
JA MORANT
22
BAM ADEBAYO
21
TYRESE MAXEY
23
James Harden
24
De'aaron Fox
25
Trae Young
26
DAMIAN LILLARD
27
RUDY GOBERT
28
VICTOR WEMBANYAMA
29
KRISTAPS PORZINGIS
30
Alperen Şengün
31
Scottie Barnes
32
JAYLEN BROWN
33
Zion Williamson
34
Chet Holmgren
35
Lauri Markkanen
36
Paolo Banchero
37
PASCAL SIAKAM
38
JALEN WILLIAMS
39
KYRIE IRVING
40
KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS
41
DESMOND BANE
42
DERRICK WHITE
43
JRUE HOLIDAY
44
JAREN JACKSON JR.
45
BRANDON INGRAM
46
FRANZ WAGNER
47
LaMelo Ball
48
Cade Cunningham
49
Franz Wagner
Brandon Ingram
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Jrue Holiday
Derrick White
Desmond Bane
Karl-Anthony Towns
Kyrie Irving
Jalen Williams
Pascal Siakam
Jaylen Brown
Kristaps Porzingis
Victor Wembanyama
Rudy Gobert
Damian Lillard
De'Aaron Fox
Tyrese Maxey
Ja Morant
Bam Adebayo
Jamal Murray
Donovan Mitchell
CONTINUE TO TIER ONE ❯
KEVIN DURANT
TIER TWO
8
JAYSON TATUM
9
LEBRON JAMES
10
ANTHONY DAVIS
11
DEVIN BOOKER
12
ANTHONY EDWARDS
13
TYRESE HALIBURTON
14
JALEN BRUNSON
15
JIMMY BUTLER
16
Tyrese Haliburton
Anthony Edwards
Devin Booker
Anthony Davis
LeBron James
Jayson Tatum
Kevin Durant
7
Kawhi Leonard
6
Steph Curry
STEPH CURRY
KAWHI LEONARD
Jalen Brunson
Jimmy Butler
NIKOLA JOKIC
TIER one
1
Luka Dončić
2
JOEL EMBIID
3
GIANNIS Antetokounmpo
4
SHAI GILGEOUS-Alexander
5
TIER ONE
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Joel Embiid
Nikola Jokic
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TJ McConnell had a full-fledged breakout in the playoffs, a living embodiment of the “got that dog in him” meme. He’s not particularly quick or long but was one of the most impactful point-of-attack defenders in the postseason, fighting through every screen, never letting a ball-handler get completely out of reach. On offense he was impossible to keep out of the paint, finishing over players a foot taller than him. McConnell’s impact is almost entirely situational — defenses don’t respect him outside of the paint (to the degree they respect him at all) and bigger players can shoot over the top of him even if he’s inside their personal bubble. He’s at his best applied in small spurts. But the Pacers needed him a lot in the postseason, for 20.5 minutes per game, and he delivered over and over and over again.
DEFENSIVE ROLE
POA Guard
OFFENSIVE ROLE
Table Setter
IND | 32 | 6' 1" | Guard
TJ MCCONNELL
It is hard to believe Dereck Lively II is only 20 – he is light-years ahead of his time. Despite his age, Lively's ability to process the game at such a high level is a big reason why the Mavericks reached the NBA Finals. His ability to pass out of the short roll when teams blitz Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving unlocked another element of Dallas' offense. Lively is also an outstanding lob threat and rim protector, thanks to his verticality and leaping ability. So, opponents are in an unenviable position of choosing how to defend the pick-and-roll against him and Doncic/Irving. Moreover, Lively is exceptionally active on both ends of the floor. He runs well in transition and uses his size and energy to create second-chance offensive opportunities. Defensively, he possesses the footwork and athleticism to stay in front of opposing guards/wings on the perimeter.
Interior Anchor
Interior Finisher
DAL | 20 | 7' 1" | Big
DERECK LIVELY II
The NBA Role Player All-Stars
Isaiah Hartenstein has excelled as the starting center for the New York Knicks this season, while Mitchell Robinson has been out of the lineup since Dec. 8 with an ankle injury. Since then, Hartenstein has showcased his two-way prowess — scoring efficiently, helping facilitate, controlling the glass and racking up both steals and blocks. An excellent passer and tenacious rebounder, Hartenstein is a savvy defender with great verticality, which enables him to make life in the paint miserable for his opponents. What he lacks in athleticism, he more than makes up for with effort and a great sense of where he needs to be on the court at all times. Perhaps the most underrated aspect of his game is knowing how to use his wide 7-foot, 250-pound frame to set screens for his teammates.
NYK | 23 | 7' 0" | Big
ISAIAH Hartenstein
It seems as though coming home to Toronto when being traded to the Raptors was the best that could have possibly happened for RJ Barrett’s career. After being the odd man out in New York and proving to be a strange fit alongside Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, Barrett has benefitted from a change of scenery. He has showcased his incredible strength, using it to bulldoze his way to the rim and get downhill often, finishing at an impressively efficient rate. Moreover, he’s consistently hitting from outside and looking like a very good floor-spacer. Still only 23 years old, Barrett will have ample time and opportunity to continue growing and play for a rebuilding, smaller-market franchise, avoiding the pressure of playing in the Big Apple.
POA Wing
Slashing Wing
TOR | 23 | 6' 6" | Wing
Jonathan Kuminga has been a lot for the Warriors in just three seasons — pleasant rookie surprise, disappointment and scapegoat, disgruntled chemistry problem, trade bait and now, a reliable starter and rising star. He is still just 21 with a lot to figure out. His outside shooting isn’t reliable enough and he’s still prone to forcing the action, derailing possessions with turnovers and ill-advised shots. But he’s also made himself an essential piece of the Warriors’ present and reclaimed his place as an indelible part of their future. Kuminga is winning with energy and intensity, crashing his way to rebounds, bullying opponents in transition and finishing everything around the rim in the halfcourt. His playmaking potential is no longer hypothetical and he’s on his way to being a defensive terror. It’s been a windy road to get to this point but the Warriors have to be thrilled with the player he’s becoming.
Switchable Wing
GSW | 21 | 6' 8" | Forward
Jonathan Isaac is arguably the best per-minute defender in the NBA. After losing almost three years to injuries, there will always be durability and longevity concerns for the former No. 6 pick. And yet, at 6-foot-10 and 230 pounds, Isaac didn’t appear to lose a step in his first full season back in action. His defensive ground coverage is stupid. Legitimately absurd. Isaac can switch all over the floor, but he’s particularly deadly as a roaming presence, his 7-foot wingspan used to its full effect as he racks up deflections and weak-side blocks. There remain questions about Isaac’s offensive utility, but he’s a mobile four-five who can hit a few spot-up 3s, collect dunks around the rim, and gallop the floor in transition. As he gets back to full speed, the offensive progress should kick in. For now, defense alone makes Isaac one of the league’s most underappreciated role players.
Switchable Forward
Slashing Forward
ORL | 26 | 6' 10" | Forward
Jonathan ISAAC
Scary Terry. Great nickname, but more importantly, an accurate one. Guarding Terry Rozier on an island is quite a frightening experience. Listed at 6-foot-1, Rozier overcomes the limitations of his physical tools with sheer creativity. He unleashes spastic handles on his opponent, rocking side-to-side and inundating the defender with gear shifts before slamming the gas pedal to create space and get to his spots. Once framed as a gunner and a permanent sixth man, Rozier has developed into a legitimate all-around guard. He can set up the offense and work patiently out of pick-and-rolls. He can operate on or off the ball, modulating his skill set to fit into various contexts. That shooter’s mentality never dissipates — Rozier is going to take some bold shots — but he is far more well-rounded than he gets credit for.
Off-Ball Guard
Combo Guard
MIA | 29 | 6' 1" | Guard
Terry Rozier
Aaron Nesmith was supposed to be one of the best perimeter shooters in the 2020 NBA Draft. Four years into his NBA career, he’s finally living up to that promise hitting well over 40 percent of his 3s after never topping 37.0 percent in his first three seasons. He’s become one of the most reliable spot-up shooters in the league but it’s his growth on defense and as a complementary playmaker that are really driving his success this season. The Pacers added two 4s last offseason — signing Obi Toppin and drafting Jarace Walker in the lottery. But Nesmith has started more games and played more minutes than either, mostly at the 4. That’s significant because he’s only 6-foot-5. But his ability to hold up defensively against much bigger players means the Pacers can keep his floor-spacing and complentary drives on the court and roll out mismatch-proof small-ball lineups.
Off-Ball Shooter
IND | 24 | 6' 5" | Wing
Tyus Jones is one of the most intelligent players in the NBA. He is a wizard with the ball in his hands, which is only fitting that he plays in Washington. Jones seemingly always makes the right decision, having led the league in assist-to-turnover ratio every season since 2019 and ranked within the top three each year dating back to 2017. He is an efficient floor general who lets the game come to him naturally and a willing passer with remarkable vision, a player coaches can trust to run an offense. Not to mention, Jones is shooting a career-high from beyond the arc in 2023-24. Getting his first chance to operate as a full-time starting point guard this season, albeit for the lowly Wizards, Jones has flourished and proven he belongs.
WAS | 27 | 6' 1" | Guard
Brandon Miller was the No. 2 pick for a reason. It’s easy to see the future of basketball in his repertoire — that of a 6-foot-9 wing who is comfortable sniping 3s, running pick-and-rolls, dribbling into pull-up jumpers, and guarding multiple positions. That is what every front office dreams of on draft night. Miller is becoming more comfortable and confident as a playmaker with each passing game. His skill set is scalable depending on Charlotte’s needs. When asked to space the floor and attack off the catch, Miller thrives. When asked to step into a quasi-point guard role in a pinch, it’s no problem. As his processing speed improves and his frame fills out, Miller has true All-Star potential on the wing. He checks a ton of boxes already, but Miller is just getting started at the professional level.
Off-Ball Wing
Playmaking Wing
CHA | 21 | 6' 9" | Wing
Malik Monk is that dude. It took some time for Monk to find his way at the NBA level, but now he is one of the best sixth men in the league — a classically trained bench gunner who can pour in points in droves. Equipped with a deadly pull-up jumper and a penchant for off-balance buckets, Monk gets to his spots with a deadly first step and a dazzling array of size-ups and side-steps. He has grown as an off-ball mover, frequently cutting into open space and relocating for timely spot-up 3s. Once he gets momentum toward the rim, he’s capable of stupefying dunks that leave the audience in awe. He’ll never be a great defender, and he will always be geared toward putting the ball through the net, but that’s precisely what makes Monk special. He can trade shots with the best of ‘em.
Slashing Guard
SAC | 26 | 6' 3" | Guard
Try to describe P.J. Washington by his strengths and it can be hard to figure out where to start. He’s a good, not great, defender but has the strength and mobility to deal with both wings and bigs. At best, he’s an average 3-point shooter. He doesn’t create his own shot, other than occasionally punishing smaller defenders in the post. He can hit a mid-range jumper but mostly as a pick-and-pop threat. He’s a decent finisher but not the kind of hyper-athletic lob-finisher who truly unlocks Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in the pick-and-roll. What he really brings to the table is that he doesn’t take anything off it. Washington battled, made plays and just kept showing up in the biggest moments for the Mavericks on their trip to the Finals. He doesn’t overwhelm you, but he’s the kind of rock-solid role player every great team needs.
DAL | 25 | 6' 7" | Forward
PJ WAshington
Naz Reid may have won Sixth Man of the Year. But make no mistake that he is a starting-caliber NBA big man. Reid would start for numerous teams across the league -- he happens to sit behind what may be the frontcourt in basketball. Nonetheless, he still makes his presence felt as a member of the second unit for the Timberwolves. A legitimate floor-stretcher with underappreciated ball-handling skills, Reid can play power forward or center. His positional versatility can create mismatches offensively. Meanwhile, his defensive efforts have notably improved, making it easy to keep him on the floor for extended periods. As soon as you begin to respect his lightning-quick, smooth-stroking release from beyond the arc, Reid puts the ball on the floor and attacks. He knows how to make defenses pay for closing out so aggressively on him, putting his playmaking and athleticism on full display.
Roaming Big
Stretch Big
MIN | 24 | 6' 9" | Big
D’Angelo Russell has to be one of the most frustrating players to root for. The natural talent is off the charts. Few scorers can make it look more effortless. Russell elegantly changes speeds and manipulates defenders with his handle. The pull-up jumper is pure, with range well past the 3-point line. And yet, for every icy-veins 3 or dazzling pass, there’s a defensive breakdown or a boneheaded turnover. With Russell, his greatest enemy is inconsistency. We have seen him carry offenses on his back with unreal shot-making displays. He is plenty comfortable running the show offensively, but he can also work off-ball and operate more as a connector. It’s the defense and the decision-making that tends to hold Russell back. If he can ever ratchet up the intensity and find even an iota of sustained reliability — especially in the playoffs — he has a chance to be special, truly.
LAL | 28 | 6' 3" | Guard
D'Angelo Russell
Grayson Allen is easy to hate. The dirty plays are all on camera — ‘caught in 4K’ as the kids say. He’s from Duke, continuing a long history of Duke stars turned NBA irritants. But, below the detestable surface is one of the NBA’s best role players. Allen has achieved legitimate greatness behind the 3-point line. He can set nets aflame on any given night. Plus, he’s a stingy point-of-attack defender who generally channels his intensity productively. The ancillary skills on offense are what sets Allen apart, though. He’s more than a simple 3-point sniper. He processes the game at a high level, complete with the burst to beat closeouts, put pressure on the rim and supply connective passing on the wing. Allen’s days of collegiate stardom are a distant memory, but he can still puff out his chest and hit some big shots when the moment demands it.
PHX | 28 | 6' 4" | Guard
"In his first postseason appearance, Andrew Nembhard played fierce, fearless basketball, catapulting himself on this list for the first time. He played next time Tyrese Haliburton and replaced him when called upon. He hit nearly 50 percent of his 3s, finished around the rim, provided relentless defense off the ball and at the point of attack and proved to be a capable secondary distributor, helping organize and run the Pacers’ offense for large stretches. The Pacers currently have three very good point guards all of which play essential roles at both ends of the floor. Of the three, Nembhard is the most versatile, the most malleable of the three and has the potential to be an essential piece for the Pacers over the next few years."
IND | 24 | 6' 5" | Guard
No matter how many minutes Josh Hart plays, he is always the most energetic player on the court. It is a testament to his condition and unrelenting effort, which can't always be quantified statistically. At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, Hart could be the best pound-for-pound rebounder in the Association. His ability to track and hunt the ball enables him to crash the offensive glass and generate extra possessions. Hart also uses his never-ending motor to thrive in transition. He has no problem putting his head down and going coast-to-coast after gobbling up a defensive board. Moreover, Hart is always playing downhill with an attacking mindset. But he does a solid job of facilitating and creating opportunities for his teammates when teams try to take that away from him. The entire city of New York has embraced Hart for his style of play and dedication to the franchise.
NYK | 29 | 6' 4" | Forward
The term two-way player gets thrown around too lightly, but Herb Jones is the living embodiment of it. Arguably the best perimeter defender in the league, Jones can lock down anyone you ask him to — he has locked up most of the players on this list. The 2021 second-round pick has quickly blossomed into one of the New Orleans Pelicans most important players and should the franchise take a leap in the years to come, Jones will likely be a part of it. Jones is more than a defender though. He’s become a more than reliable spot-up shooter, and a competent slasher. He’s not a star, but he is right up against the line and still has room to grow.
Roaming Wing
Off-Ball Finisher
NO | 25 | 6' 8" | Wing
It’s easy to lose Trey Murphy in the noise surrounding this Pelicans team, but the 6-foot-9 forward out of Virginia is a burgeoning star. He is what most NBA scouts dream about at night — a rangy wing who can bomb deep 3s, score efficiently at the rim and defend multiple positions. Murphy doesn’t necessarily provide lockdown on-ball defense due to his thin frame and limited lateral quickness, but he’s a disruptive presence due to his 7-foot wingspan. On offense, the appeal is rooted in his shooting. Murphy is comfortable launching spot-up 3s from several steps behind the line, which opens up driving lanes for teammates. Now, however, we are starting to see it open up more for Murphy, too. He’s beating closeouts, driving the lane, and creating off those drives. The upside is real.
NO | 23 | 6' 8" | Wing
From being an unsung hero in the Heat’s first of many surprisingly deep postseason runs in the Bubble to being a Sixth Man of the Year who blossomed into a lead guard on a title contender, Tyler Herro has seemingly been through all the phases a young player can go through. In all of them, he’s always been a stellar two-level scorer who can get to his spot in the mid-range area at will, while also developing as a passer. His defense still leaves a lot to be desired — even though he has a good frame for his position he still struggles to contain the ball and be consistent in his efforts. And, while his scoring is good, he could still improve in getting to the rim and drawing fouls. However, it may be hard to believe but he’s still at the start of his career.
MIA | 25 | 6' 5" | Guard
TYLER HERRO
Where would the Knicks be right now had they not landed Donte DiVincenzo in free agency this offseason? How unbelievable is it that no one outbid New York’s offer, using their full non-taxpayer mid-level exception, to secure arguably the most impactful signing of the year? DiVincenzo is the connector of the Knicks' offense with his uncanny ability and willingness to shoot the ball from long distance while also operating as a secondary playmaker. His connection with backcourt mate Jalen Brunson and teammate Josh Hart, dating back to their days with the Villanova Wildcats in college, is abundantly clear, bringing out the best in all of them. His unrelenting effort, underrated athleticism and knowledge of where to be on the court at all times make him a solid defender and slasher.
Roaming Guard
Connective Guard
NYK | 27 | 6' 4" | Guard
Khris Middleton’s star has faded with age, but what we are left with is still an impactful, winning player. Injuries are going to hang over Middleton’s head forevermore, but what he lacks in explosiveness or defensive versatility, he can still offset with efficient 3-point shooting and a silky-smooth face-up game. Middleton has long been the NBA’s unsung mid-range maestro, comfortably sizing up defenders with off-beat handles before elevating into a picturesque pull-up jumper that requires very little space. He has just about lost his margin for error, but when correctly cast as a supportive scorer and off-ball spacer, Middleton still has the goods to deliver for a perennial contender in Milwaukee.
Off-Ball Scorer
MIL | 32 | 6' 7" | Wing
Malcolm Brogdon is a prototypical combo guard. At 6-foot-4 and 229 pounds, the 2022-23 NBA Sixth Man of the Year possesses the ideal frame to operate in either backcourt role, also using his size to his advantage to bulldoze smaller guards and attack the basket on the offensive end of the floor while being a capable defensive side of the ball. A savvy, veteran floor general with a high basketball IQ — Brogdon can run an offense and create his own shot. Perhaps the most underappreciated part of Brogdon’s game is his efficiency. One of eight players in league history in the 50/40/90 club, his ability to make shots consistently makes him a threat whenever he steps onto the court.
POR | 31 | 6' 4" | Guard
Malcolm Brogdon
The advanced stats will tell you Isaiah Hartenstein was one of the most impressive big men in the NBA in 2023-24. And the eye test will assuredly agree. Hartenstein was the unsung hero for the Knicks this season, especially considering initial starter Mitchell Robinson missed over 50 games due to injury. New York had no drop-off in center play center play sans the latter, thanks to the former. Offensively, Hartenstein uses his size to his advantage. His strength and high motor enable him to attack the offensive glass with ferocity and set strong screens. Meanwhile, he sees the floor well with his seven-foot height, letting his passing ability shine. Moreover, he has a soft touch around the rim and has developed a lethal floater. An active defender who can guard on the perimeter, Hartenstein moves well on that end of the floor and protects the rim.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is easy to overlook, often pegged as the fifth-most important piece in a five-man lineup. But, there’s a reason Denver won the championship in 2023. KCP isn’t the main reason, but his contributions within the NBA’s most fine-tuned, well-oiled machine were titanic. Caldwell-Pope is, in many ways, the standard for today’s role players. He’s a 3-and-D extraordinaire — dynamic with his shot-making beyond the arc and a bonafide All-Defense candidate on the wing. KCP has embraced his strengths full-stop, trimming the fat from his shot profile while locking in as a perimeter stopper on the defensive end. Whether he’s working two-man actions, flying around screens, or driving past errant closeouts and making the right read in the flow of the offense, KCP is what most contenders dream of from their complementary players.
DEN | 31 | 6' 5" | Guard
KEntavious Caldwell-pope
The offense remains a work in progress for Jaden McDaniels. He hits enough 3s to keep the defense honest and there are tantalizing flashes as a driver, but he’s too inconsistent on the whole. What places him on this list is defense. Few wings can reasonably claim a greater impact on that end of the floor. Listed at 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot wingspan, McDaniels makes the most of his lanky, string-bean frame. He can glide over screens and mirror ball-handlers on the perimeter, but he’s equally dangerous roaming off the ball like a heat-seeking missile. He doesn’t always come up with the stock numbers to show for it, but McDaniels is constantly blowing up plays and erasing lanes to the rim. His instincts are razor-sharp, his footwork is textbook, and his effort level never wanes. If he can put the pieces together as a slasher and off-ball scorer, watch out.
MIN | 23 | 6' 9" | Forward
Jaden MCDaniels
Immanuel Quickley’s speed is his personal skeleton key. It sets up endless opportunities on offense. He can beat most defenders at the point of attack with speed alone, but he can also mix it up. Quickley regularly shifts gears, lulling defenders to sleep before exploding to the rim or generating space with jittery side-steps. He’s an elite shooter, which helps. Defenders need to blanket Quickley on the perimeter, lest he bury them with a barrage of jumpers. On the ball, Quickley is comfortable working two-man actions and passing on the move. Stationed off-ball, Quickley can step into 3s or torch rotating defenses off the catch. He ties it all together with intense defense, frequently disrupting ball-handlers with a 6-foot-8 wingspan that allows him to play bigger than his listed height. The intersection of skill, athleticism, and good ol’ fashioned hard work makes Quickley easy to root for.
TOR | 24 | 6' 3" | Guard
Jalen Suggs was billed as a surefire contributor out of Gonzaga, but it took him a few years to put the pieces together. Now, Orlando reaps the reward. Suggs is one of the best defensive guards in the NBA — a heat-seeking missile, equally capable of exploding into passing lanes and wreaking havoc off the ball, or sitting in his stance and mirroring ball-handlers at the point of attack. While Suggs has not delivered on the perceived upside as a point guard, he’s a razor-sharp processor who tends to make quick, correct decisions in the flow of the offense. He’s especially impressive out in transition, where his downhill explosiveness and bullet-esque strength as a finisher come into play. Simply put, Suggs is a winner. He sets teammates up for success, puts his body on the line and never operates selfishly.
ORL | 22 | 6' 5" | Guard
Keegan Murray’s second season may feel like a regression — he got off to a slow start, his 3-point percentage is down and the Kings have struggled to replicate the lofty highs of last season. But player development is not linear and Murray is still moving forward, even if there have been some zigs and zags in his path. He’s still a fantastic spot-up threat and has shown flashes of more effective self-creation, attacking mismatches and sloppy closeouts off the dribble. His defense has gotten better too and, most significantly, he’s tightened up his game in all the little ways that will matter in the long run — cutting his already minuscule turnover percentage while increasing his usage, drawing more fouls and pushing his free-throw percentage over 80, more steals and blocks. Kings fans may have been hoping for more this year but he’s still a very good player on a promising trajectory.
SAC | 23 | 6' 8" | Forward
An efficient, talented, and young movement shooter who continues to improve in other areas of his game, Devin Vassell’s style of play compliments that of Spurs rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama perfectly, giving the big man space to operate due to his prowess from beyond the arc while also serving as an ideal partner in the two-man game. Vassell has no problems taking and making difficult shots, whether off the dribble or a catch-and-shoot opportunity, ready to let it fly at all times. He also has shown flashes of playmaking, which makes it even more difficult to defend him when his jump shot is falling. If he continues to diversify on offense and make good on his defensive potential he could be an essential piece for the Spurs.
SA | 23 | 6' 5" | Wing
If “polarizing” were to be defined by one player, it’s for sure Draymond Green. One one hand, he could be seen as a player whose antics hurt his team and have more than once veered into legitimately dangerous territory. On the other hand, he’s a future Hall-of-Famer who can defend 1-through-5, compete with the best of them and was at the forefront of the evolution to teams playing small-ball. More often than not, I choose to go with the latter when talking about him. He’s one of the best defenders of the 2010’s, a very good passer, and the second most important player to the Warriors success. While Stephen Curry is the engine that makes the ship go, Green is the glue that keeps it together. When he’s motivated, there are few players that impact winning more than him.
Roaming Forward
Connective Forward
GS | 34 | 6' 6" | Forward
You want Marcus Smart on your team. He is the classic ‘love him if he’s yours, hate him if he’s not’ player. The rare guard to secure DPOY honors in today’s NBA, Smart possesses uncommon versatility at 6-foot-4. He’s built like a tank, capable of fighting through screens on the perimeter, stonewalling wings, or waging battle in the post. He has also improved drastically on offense over the years, going from an inconsistent secondary creator to a legitimate table-setter. He shoots enough 3s to keep the defense engaged, but offers the majority of his value as a slasher. Smart is the basketball equivalent of a quarterback, barking out orders and providing emotional leadership on and off the court. He is the beating heart of his team, in addition to playing quality two-way basketball on a nightly basis.
MEM | 30 | 6' 3" | Guard
TIER Four
This was a quiet season for Jerami Grant — interrupted by injuries, quietly bowing out of trade rumors and continuing to ply his trade for one of the worst and most anonymous teams in the league. But he’s still doing what he’ls always done, providing strong complementary scoring and versatile defense. There’s a good reason a half-dozen teams were reportedly interested in him at the trade deadline, just like there’s a good reason the Blazers felt he had more value on their roster. Grant is a perfect complementary piece at both ends and while Portland is still figuring out who and what they want him to be complementing in the long term he’s, as usual, ready to do the job.
POR | 30 | 6' 7" | Forward
Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert have gotten the lion’s share of the credit for the Timberwolves’ surprising push toward the top of the Western Conference standings. He’s been consistently healthy and a point of stability for this young roster. In his youth, Conley was a blazing speedster who attacked in transition and pressured opposing ball-handlers end-to-end. He doesn’t play with the same freneticism but he’s compensated for a lack of speed by becoming an elite spot-up threat. He is essential in how he directs the offense and keeps everyone organized and his pesky defense at the point of the attack is still a huge part of their success this season. Conley is 36 and in his 16th season but he still has a lot of winning basketball left in him.
MIN | 36 | 6' 0" | Guard
Coby White is the Biggest Key in the Bulls Turnaround
Coby White may not be the Most Improved Player this year but the difference between where he started (fringe role player on a downward trajectory) to where he will finish (starting point guard, primary scorer and creator for a potential playoff team) is maybe the most compelling leap in the league this season. White more than doubled his scoring average from last season and nearly did the same with his assists, pushing new career-highs in field goal percentage and 3-point percentage. His pull-up shooting has been consistent and accurate, unlocking his off-the-dribble game and he’s become a viable three-level scorer. And the fact that he’s doing it for a Bulls team that is firmly in the Play-In Tournament with a roster in transition and wracked by injuries certainly implies he could play a similar role for an even more competitive team with the right talent around him. In short, Coby White has come a long way.
CHI | 24 | 6' 5" | Guard
There's a case for sharpshooter Donte DiVincenzo being 2023's most impactful FA signing, especially when factoring in contract value. Somehow, the Knicks landed DiVincenzo for the non-taxpayer mid-level exception. Since then, he has formed one of the best backcourts in the East with college teammate Jalen Brunson. DiVincenzo enjoyed a breakout campaign in his first year with NY, particularly in the playoffs. He improved on nearly all his career-high averages from the regular season when the stakes raised while maintaining his efficiency. With sneaky athleticism and an excellent feel for the game, DiVincenzo has become a versatile defender and a heady slasher. He can affect the outcome of a game without dominating the ball. Only Curry & Doncic made more threes than him this year. He is a true marksman -- but his game goes beyond shooting.
Michael Porter Jr. might have, aesthetically, the most beautiful jumper in the league. It’s smooth, effortless, compact and, more often than not, dead-on. He still leaves a lot to be desired as a defender and playmaker but he’s improved enough that those enduring shortcomings don’t really matter for the Nuggets. He’s improved enough as a defender and been much better on the boards to the point that he can swap roles with Aaron Gordon and handle 4s depending on the matchup. On offense, although you’d never want him to be a primary creator, he’s very good at exploiting mismatches and creating opportunities against defenses warped by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. He is not without his warts but he’s adapted enough to be exactly what the Nuggets need.
DEN | 25 | 6' 10" | Forward
Injuries made it hard for Nic Claxton to establish a rhythm this season and a rotation that seemed to be evolving around him on a nightly basis put a lot more defensive responsibility on his shoulders. All he’s done is deliver. He’s a terrific rim protector but even better in space mirroring attackers on the drive, swallowing up space and making sure nothing is easy for opponents. A lack of consistent playmaking around him has dragged down his offensive efficiency a bit but he’s still a fantastic finisher and has shown growth of his own as a facilitator from the elbows and in the short role. Claxton’s offensive contributions are always going to be shaped by the talent around him but he’s a defensive anchor and an extremely important piece for the Nets’ future.
BKN | 24 | 6' 11" | Big
CJ McCollum’s season has mostly taken place in the shadow of Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. But if you look closely you’ll see an essential piece for the Pelicans who is every bit as important to their success as the bigger stars around him. McCollum, in his second full season in New Orleans, has never been better as a facilitator, mostly functioning as a de facto point guard after years of playing off the ball next to Damian Lillard in Portland. His shooting percentages are pushing career highs and his pull-up jumper make him one of the most reliable three-level weapons in the league. Most importantly, his steady demeanor and leadership have helped keep the young Pelicans in the thick of a crowded Western Conference playoff race that no one really expected them to be a part of.
NO | 32 | 6' 3" | Guard
Can you parlay a role player’s skill set into stardom? Generally no, but Alex Caruso tries his best. He is flat-out one of the best defenders in the NBA. Not pound for pound, not on the perimeter — in the NBA, period. Caruso glides over screens, rips up passing lanes, and hovers menacingly in the peripheral vision of unlucky slashers. His activity level and toughness are unmatched. At 6-foot-5, Caruso has no trouble guarding up a position or two. On offense, he’s a buttery spot-up shooter, a slick driver, and a sharp passer. He won’t create a ton on the ball, but Caruso flows effortlessly within a team context. He makes the right plays on offense and puts maximum effort into defense. He is the NBA’s ultimate ‘Star in His Role.’
CHI | 30 | 6' 5" | Guard
This was mostly a lost season for Zach LaVine and his future is very much up in the air with the presumption that the Bulls will look to trade him as soon as he’s healthy enough to begin drawing interest again. It’s hard to separate LaVine’s production from his incongruously large contract but (assuming health) he’s still one of the most impactful wing scorers in the league, a smooth jumpshooter who can open and navigate through any sliver of space. Defense, playmaking, health, committment — all those questions will still be waiting for LaVine when he returns to the court but don’t count out his ability to be hugely effective in a different situation, either a rebuilt Bulls roster or in a new home with expectations shifted and better fitting teammates around him.
CHI | 29 | 6' 5" | Wing
TIER FOur
Playmaking Forward
Off-Ball Forward
At 6-foot-8, 250 pounds, Julius Randle uses his size and strength to bully the opposition. Randle’s physicality is a lot to handle, and his relentless, high-energy style of play makes him even more difficult to contain as someone who is always corralling boards and attacking the rim with ferocity. Right when he has you on the ropes in the paint and commands the attention of multiple defenders, he spreads the ball around the floor and does an excellent job of finding opening shooters and creating mismatches. At this rate, Randle will be one of the greatest Knicks ever. His accolades and the team's success during his time in New York are hard to ignore, but his documented playoff struggles will continue to haunt him until he overcomes his postseason demons.
NYK | 29 | 6' 8" | Forward
Remember when the Magic wanted to make Aaron Gordon into a primary ball-handler and wing creator, using Paul George as the template? It seemed absurd at the time and looks like an even worse idea in retrospect, considering how he has thrived in a far more constrained role with the Nuggets. Gordon is an elite role-player, a versatile defender the Nuggets can throw at a variety of interior and perimeter matchups. With so many defensive holes in Denver's lineup, his ability to spread his defensive impact around his essential. On offense, he’s still one of the most explosive finishers in the league and a constant threat to slip into space and make a poster with Nikola Jokic delivering. His ball-handling and shooting are probably better off for his days experimenting on the wing but Gordon has also never been better and the key has is being comfortable with the player he already is.
DEN | 28 | 6' 8" | Forward
In an era of basketball that stresses 3-point shooting, DeMar DeRozan stays true to his game and what’s gotten him to this point — feasting in the mid-range. DeRozan may not have the bounce he used to when he was competing in the dunk contest, though his above-average athleticism at this stage of his career, paired with his 6-foot-6 frame and ability to handle the rock enables him to get to his spots at or near the free throw line. Once he has you there, you are practically at his mercy. He can beat you in various ways with his array of moves filled with exceptional footwork, head fakes and pivots. Instead of trying to adapt and become something he’s not, DeRozan has embraced his strong suit and honed his craft.
CHI | 34 | 6' 6" | Wing
Bradley Beal’s days of leading the NBA in scoring are finished, but he’s still quite the third fiddle on offense. He deserves a ton of credit for his immense improvement over the years. Beal developed from exclusively a two-guard into a legitimate floor general for a once-desperate Washington team. He learned to manipulate defenders out of pick-and-rolls, leveraging his dynamic pull-up shooting and bursty first step to create advantages. The speed is declining — and he’s a staple on the injury report these days — but Beal still boasts an undeniable mixture of touch and craft. When freed up to shoot open 3s, attack seams and connect dots with his passing, Beal looks more than capable of thriving in this new chapter of his career. It’s all relative to his ability to stay on the floor, though. That is the greatest hurdle between Beal and success in his new home.
PHX | 30 | 6' 4" | Guard
At his best, Dejounte Murray is a two-way force capable of leading an efficient offense. He’s an excellent pick-and-roll maestro and has improved as a shooter throughout his career, going from 26.5 percent from 3 in his second season to above 36 percent on career-high volume in 2023-24. Since Murray teamed up with Trae Young in Atlanta his playmaking duties have been muted, but he still has the playmaking spark to suggest he could offer another team far more. Once considered an elite defender, Murray is no longer a plus on that end. He’s not a liability, but he is closer to average than his reputation would suggest. However, lead ball handlers who can play passable defense are rare, and Murray can do both.
ATL | 27 | 6' 5" | Guard
ANFERNEE SIMONS
Anfernee Simons is already a refined scorer at 24 years old as a dynamic combo guard with deep shooting range and tantalizing athleticism. Sitting behind Damian Lillard for the first five seasons of his career certainly paid off — you can see shades of his game in Simons as a high-volume 3-point shooter with range far beyond the arc. A plus ball-handler with an improved package of dribble moves and solid vision, Simons can make defenses pay for respecting him from deep and knows how to get his teammates involved.
POR | 24 | 6' 3" | Guard
The breakout of Jalen Johnson has been obscured by a messy season for the Atlanta Hawks but he’s a player you’re going to hear a lot more about over the next few years. After carving out a minor rotation role in his second season, Johnson moved into the starting lineup this year and absolutely blossomed. At 6-foot-9 and with fantastic athletic tools he provides terrific versatility at both ends of the floor. He can guard multiple positions but also fill in with some weakside rim protection or simply create havoc as a disruptive free safety in the middle of the floor. On offense, he’s an athletic finisher with terrific handle and burgeoning playmaking ability. If he keeps hitting his 3-pointers like he is right now he could be in the All-Star conversation sooner rather than later.
ATL | 22 | 6' 9" | Forward
Evan Mobley is so, so close to greatness. The Cavs keep knocking on the door, with Mobley’s continued development a key factor in how far this Cleveland team can get under new head coach Kenny Atkinson. The defense has never been in doubt. Mobley is the ultimate modern rim protector, comfortable swallowing drives and deterring paint touches with his 7-foot-4 wingspan, but also quick enough to defend ball-handlers at the point of attack. Where there has been concern is the offensive end. Mobley needs to add strength and operate more forcefully in the post. A few extra 3s wouldn’t hurt either. We’ve seen flashes of it now. When Mobley operates aggressively and takes full advantage of his innate size and dexterity, few can fully stop him. He’s on the verge of a major leap if he puts his mind to it.
CLE | 22 | 6' 11" | Big
There are two Brook Lopezes, and no, I’m not talking about his identical twin Robin Lopez. For the first nine seasons of his career, he was a go-to low post-scorer who averaged 18.6 points per game, when that actually meant something. The knock, back then, was his lack of defensive impact. With the league gravitating away from the low block and toward the perimeter, Lopez looked like an endangered species, so, naturally, he evolved. Since joining the Milwaukee Bucks in 2018-19, Lopez has become an excellent volume 3-point shooter and one of the best rim protectors in the league, culminating in two All-Defensive teams and a Defensive Player of the Year runner-up. Even at 35, Lopez is indispensable to the Bucks and their perennial title hopes. He’s lumbering as always, but outside of Kristaps Porzingis, no player combines his level of 3-point shooting and rim protection at center.
MIL | 35 | 7' 1" | Big
Meet the player that All-Star players say is the best defender in the NBA. Literally, go look up any star in the league and their answer to the question of who the best defender is, and most will say it’s Jrue Holiday. And with good reason: he has a frame that allows him to be an elite stopper at his position while also being able to guard up on players taller than him. He’s arguably the best at avoiding screens, can switch and defend the post, and is disciplined with going for steals and blocks. He’s a shape-shifter, changing his play style to whatever the team needs. In spite of some struggles finishing around the rim, he’s still versatile with the ball on offense, and can play around stars well. He makes fringe playoff teams a legitimate threat, and elevates contenders to being at the top.
BOS | 33 | 6' 4" | Guard
Rim-running, rim-protecting centers have become boring due to sheer abundance. It feels like any team can pluck an effective one at the end of the first round. While boring might not sell tickets, it does win games, and Jarrett Allen is one of the best in the business. Since Allen arrived in Cleveland, he has averaged a tidy 15 points and 10 rebounds per game on excellent shooting efficiency. Even though he does the majority of his damage at the rim, he’s quietly very efficient out to the mid-range. Defensively, Allen is excellent in drop coverage but has the mobility to hedge and recover like few players his size. The knocks on Allen are his limitations on offense. He can’t space the floor, and while he’s a solid passer, he can’t be an offensive hub. But as long as he’s flanked by excellent perimeter players he’s one of the best centers in the league.
CLE | 25 | 6' 11" | Big
After years of nagging trade rumors, Myles Turner’s future in Indiana finally seems secure and his game is as polished as it’s ever been. He’s been one of the better rim protectors and defensive anchors in the league for years now but it’s on offense where he’s really blossomed, playing with a level of skill, confidence and decisiveness that he couldn’t seem to summon consistently in the past. His 3-point shooting numbers are down this year but he’s a reliably stretchy big who exerts legitimate gravity on a defense when he pops to the 3-point line after setting a screen. But he’s become much more effective rolling to the basket, using his agility and soft touch to finish plays that start a few steps farther out than he previously seemed comfortable. He’s the perfect pick-and-roll partner for Tyrese Haliburton and an essential piece for the Pacers’ present and future.
IND | 27 | 6' 11" | Big
Fred VanVleet is the greatest undrafted player in recent memory and possibly NBA history. Standing at a diminutive 6-foot, VanVleet has beaten the odds time and time again to claim his place in the NBA pecking order. He’s a high-volume 3-point shooter with an incredible 3.3 assist-to-turnover ratio since the 2018-19 season and is a staunch on-ball defender and expert screen navigator. If you aren’t lucky enough to employ an All-World offensive engine at the point guard position, VanVleet is the next best option. Even though he has maximized his talents, VanVleet isn’t a perfect player. He owns one of the worst 2-point efficiency marks in the league, and his lack of size limits his defensive versatility. However, focusing on VanVleet’s limitations is why he ended up undrafted in the first place. This is an excellent two-way point guard who always helps his team win, height be damned.
HOU | 30 | 6' 0" | Guard
A matchup nightmare for any opposition, OG Anunoby has a case for the league’s best individual defender. His 7-foot-2 wingspan, athleticism, strength, and incredible instincts have made him a defensive wrecking crew all on his own. Anunoby is the ideal complimentary player who can plug and play into any lineup as a prototypical 3-and-D wing. His versatility as someone who can guard any position while being one of the most efficient corner three-point shooters in the NBA makes him one of the more desirable assets in the league. While he may lack ball-handling skills, he thrives without the ball in his hands as a slasher.
NYK | 26 | 6' 7" | Wing
In the era of load management, Mikal Bridges stands alone as the greatest ironman. Over a six-season career, Bridges hasn’t missed a single game. While people gawk over per-game statistics, how many games you actually play is just as important. Besides never taking a sick day, Bridges is an excellent two-way player who has been thrust into the deep end by a poor Nets roster. At his best, he’s an efficient secondary option and one of the league’s best perimeter defenders. Unfortunately, the Nets need him to be the focal point of their offense and it has eaten away at his defensive value and shooting efficiency. He is also a mundane passer which limits his offensive contributions when tasked with a higher usage. Bridges is never going to be a star, but he has proven that he’s a star in his role, and it’s a role every team needs.
BKN | 27 | 6' 6" | Wing
Darius Garland is one of the NBA’s more promising young point guards, an excellent jump shooter and pick-and-roll architect capable of leading an efficient offense. Half the teams in the league would benefit from him pulling the strings on offense, and the other half currently employ stars. The point guard position will remain stacked as long as teams keep giving their best offensive player the ball and telling them to “run the show.” Garland isn’t quite at that level, which is why the Cavaliers have handed Donovan Mitchell the keys to the offenset. Garland has been solid in a secondary role due to his shooting, but he is a poor defender and doesn’t project to get any better. On offense, he struggles to generate rim pressure and can be bothered by larger defenders. There’s a lot to like about Garland’s game, but he looks destined to be a player on the periphery of the All-Star conversation.
CLE | 24 | 6' 1" | Guard
Derrick White has developed from a D-II college star into a legitimate championship-level starter in the NBA. His 3-point development over the last few years has been enormous. White is sniping 3s off the catch to complement vast improvement as a drive-and-kick guard. He’s a bonafide point guard, capable of shifting gears off the dribble, putting pressure on the rim, and initiating sets. He has long been a talented connector with the athleticism to finish off of cuts and the passing I.Q. to keep the ball popping. Now, he can be relied upon as a generator. White also happens to be one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. He can handle tough assignments at the point of attack, but he’s also a vicious help defender with a legitimate shot-blocking streak. If you want an example of a winning player, look no further.
BOS | 29 | 6' 4" | Guard
Cade Cunningham’s young career has been a rollercoaster ride. Selected first overall in the 2021 draft, Cunningham was viewed as a franchise savior. After a promising but up-and-down rookie season, he missed nearly the entirety of his second season. Healthy again, Cunningham had a rough start to his third season but has come on strong, finally showing the shooting touch that made him such a coveted prospect. His combination of size, ball handling, passing and shooting gives him star potential, but he has yet to reach those heights. Cunningham is undoubtedly going to be a good NBA player, but whether or not he becomes great remains a serious question. He’s young and the Pistons have done him few favors, but real superstars don’t need favors.
DET | 22 | 6' 6" | Wing
CADE CUNNINGHAM
LaMelo Ball understands the NBA is fundamentally an entertainment brand. He plays with pace, flair, and an unabashed swagger. It might be maddening to watch at times, but it’s in the pursuit of your entertainment benefit. Ball’s game revolves around his incredible passing wizardry. He can see things before they happen and can complete passes few would dare to throw. To create space for himself and his teammates, he is a borderline reckless 3-point shooter, but the combination of volume and efficiency pays dividends for all. A series of ankle injuries kept Ball on the shelf for extended spells. The lost development hasn’t made him a worse player, but it hasn’t made him better, and he has some serious holes in his game. Ball’s ability to create shots within the arc is below par, and his defense is best described as absentminded. However, Ball is still an excellent player despite these flaws, and he has room to grow.
Reactive Playmaker
CHA | 22 | 6' 7" | Guard
LaMElo Ball
Franz Wagner flies below the radar in Orlando, out of the national spotlight — and often out of the spotlight on his own team. We should all do a better job of appreciating his excellence. In many ways, Wagner is the pinnacle of modern scouting. He’s 6-foot-10 on the wing, supplying equal measures of versatile, high-intensity defense and elite complementary offense. Wagner is the perennial All-Defense candidate nobody talks about. On the other end, he’s a prolific slasher who weaponizes a potent blend of speed, strength, and finishing touch around the rim. He’s still improving as a 3-point shooter and a facilitator, too. Wagner is fast on the rise, capable of initiating halfcourt sets, blowing the doors off in transition, or tilting defenses with vicious straight-line drives off the catch. He’s an elite No. 2 already, but sooner than later, expect Wagner to stake his claim as a legitimate No. 1.
ORL | 22 | 6' 10" | Wing
TIER THree
TIER Three
If you’re looking for three-level scoring, there are few better than Brandon Ingram. He’s an efficient volume mid-range jump shooter, is a knockdown 3-point shooter, and over the past two seasons, has become deadly finishing around the rim. While isolation scoring is his bread and butter, he has steadily improved as a passer, to the point where he can be trusted to run offense for long stretches. Listed at 6-foot-8, Ingram has the length to hold his own on defense, even if he’s never going to be a lockdown defender. The biggest knock on Ingram isn’t his ability. It’s how he deploys his talents. His shot chart is analytics blasphemy, and a simple push to hunt more productive shots could see him go to a whole new level. However, until he does that, he’ll just be the knock-off version of Kevin Durant, which is still an incredibly useful player.
NO | 26 | 6' 8" | Forward
Throughout the Grizzlies’ season from hell, Jaren Jackson Jr. has been a pillar for the franchise. Thrust into two unfamiliar roles — primary offensive option and full-time center — Jackson has prevented the Grizzlies from bottoming out. When deployed as a secondary offensive option and allowed to roam the weak side, Jackson is a menace. He’s a block waiting to happen and is an excellent positional floor spacer. While his production has dipped due to an expanded role, he’s grown as a player and should be even better once the band gets back together. Unfortunately, Jackson has proven he can’t play center full-time, as his rebounding is baffling poor, but that shouldn’t detract from how great he is at what he does best. Every team in the league would love the best weakside rim protector in the world who also can space the floor and create on the low block.
MEM | 24 | 6' 10" | Big
This year’s Celtics team was different than the one that lost in the 2022 NBA Finals. Different coach. Different mindset from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Different level of skill and execution from both players. Different level of confidence from Derrick White. Different center and defensive anchor with Kristaps Porzingis. But Tatum and Brown both struggled tremendously at times. Derrick White was forced into the backseat a bit more than in the regular season. Porzingis only played seven games in the postseason. The biggest and most consistent difference ended up being the heady play of Jrue Holiday — 40.4 percent from beyond the arc, second on the team in assists per game, almost as many steals as turnovers. He may not be in the conversation for best point guard in the league but he’s now been the missing ingredient for two different championship teams, which is arguably even more impressive.
Derrick White, NBA champion. It just sounds right. Boston’s 18th banner will forever define White’s incredible, and eternally under-appreciated, career. He is arguably the NBA’s best role player, capable of exerting star-level impact on minimal touches. It starts with the defense, of course. White can handle tough assignments up and down the positional spectrum, equipped with extraordinary length and a preternatural nose for the basketball. But the offense has come a long way, too. White is Boston’s point guard. He sets up the offense, creates advantages as a driver, and punishes rotating defenses when he’s set up behind the 3-point line. He is maddeningly well-rounded. The chinks in the armor are few and far between, which is what makes him so emblematic of the Celtics’ collective greatness. White is what every front office dreams of from their fourth or fifth starter. Hellacious defense, quick processing, and a scalable skill set.
A burly guard built like an NFL linebacker with a well-rounded skill set and one of the league’s smoothest jump shots, Desmond Bane, looked primed for his first career All-Star nod this season before suffering a Grade 3 left ankle sprain that has kept him sidelined since early January. Bane has seen his scoring and assists totals increase yearly since entering the league in 2020, proving he can facilitate an offense and operate as a primary playmaker when shouldering the load during Ja Morant’s extensive absences in recent years. Perhaps what’s most interesting about Bane’s game is his ability to play at his own pace — rarely do you see defenders slow him down or speed him up, which he combines with his rare package of strength and 3-point shooting to make opponents pay.
MEM | 25 | 6' 8" | Wing
When Karl-Anthony Towns proclaimed he was the greatest shooting big man of all time, he was met with mockery and skepticism, but his claim wasn’t out of left field. There have been 81 seasons in NBA history where a center has attempted at least three 3-point field goals per game and converted them at a 35 percent clip or better. Towns has six such seasons, and out of the group, he has four seasons in the top 16 in 3-point percentage. And if it wasn’t for a move to power forward to accommodate Rudy Gobert, he’d be at eight. Towns is more than just a shooter. He is an efficient volume scorer from multiple levels. However, he is a poor defender and a scattershot passer who too often goes for the spectacular. His availability, once a hallmark, has wanned over the past five seasons, but the list of centers who are offensively more gifted than Towns can be counted on a T-Rex’s hand.
MIN | 28 | 7' 0" | Big
Kyrie Irving had some incredible moments in the playoffs and there’s no way the Dallas Mavericks make it to the Finals without him. He was a dynamic primary scorer and creator when called upon to lead and, for the most part, comfortable sliding in behind Luka Doncic and letting him do his thing. But, perhaps, most importantly for the Mavs, he wasn’t an agent of chaos. He struggled at times but his struggles never subsumed the team the way it had in Brooklyn or Boston. The Mavericks have to feel confident heading into next season. They have proof of concept as Irving and Doncic as a championship duo, and some tweaks around the edges of their roster, good health and a little luck could be enough to actually deliver that title.
DAL | 32 | 6' 2" | Guard
Jaylen Brown’s basketball contributions are often hard to disentangle from other variables — the league-record contract that will kick in next season, his propensity for head-scratching turnovers at inopportune moments, the fact that he gets to play with and off of Jayson Tatum, the fact that his left-hand sometimes looks like it belongs to Chubbs Peterson. But you can always come back to the basics — reliable 20-point-per-game scorer and secondary creator, reasonably solid 3-point shooter, good defender, unimpeachable motor, fantastic finisher and a player who, at age 27, continues to make noticeable improvements on some of his biggest weaknesses. Don’t miss the forest for the trees — Brown is a very, very good basketball player.
BOS | 27 | 6' 6" | Wing
Jalen Williams was never supposed to be a lottery pick out of Santa Clara, but it didn’t take long for him to establish his stardom at the NBA level. For all the dynamism built into Williams’ skill set, what is most impressive is his ability to rise to the moment. The term “clutch” gets tossed around too much these days, often without any sort of real context. But, Williams is a true clutch maestro, always finding ways to impact winning in crunch time. At 6-foot-5, Williams is regularly tasked with guarding tall 3s and 4s on defense. He’s both a connector and initiator on offense, depending on what OKC needs. Blending muscular drives with a potent 3-point stroke and underrated passing chops, Williams fits right into whatever role is asked of him. As his reps increase over time, so will his estimation in league circles. That dude is special.
OKC | 22 | 6' 5" | Wing
This year’s playoffs proved that the Pacers made the right move in trading for Pascal Siakam at the deadline. He was often the team’s best player on their run to the Eastern Conference Finals and brought a level of steadiness and confidence to the young roster. As a group, they acted as though they had been there before even though Siakam was really the only one who had. The Pacers and Siakam have already agreed on a hefty contract extension that will keep him around as they tweak the roster around the margin and hope that development from Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin will allow them to break through. Those young players may set the team’s ceiling but Siakam, with his shot-making and two-way versatility, absolutely sets the floor.
IND | 29 | 6' 8" | Forward
As graceful as he is bulky, Paolo Banchero is quickly becoming one of the NBA’s best players. His combination of size, skill, and athleticism is reminiscent of LeBron James. Banchero is arguably the best in the league at grabbing a rebound, barreling through everyone to get to the other end of the court, and then finishing at the rim with authority. Banchero’s game is still more power than precision, but the latter is growing, and as he continues to figure out that part of his game the Orlando Magic will continue to improve as a franchise. Banchero may be the game's next big superstar and more, if his development continues.
ORL | 21 | 6' 10" | Forward
In hindsight, it’s unfathomable to think that the Jazz getting Lauri Markkanen as part of the blockbuster trade that sent Donovan Mitchell to the Cavaliers was initially an afterthought. A 7-footer with a lethal 3-point shot, Markkanen is ready to launch it from beyond the arc the moment he steps onto the court. His quick trigger and high release point make it nearly impossible for defenders to block his shot. As defenses continue trying to close out on Markkanen and clogging his air space, he has developed some playmaking skills to make teams pay for selling out to prevent him from spacing the floor. One of the more efficient high-volume scorers in the NBA, Markkanen has nearly put up 50/40/90 shooting splits since being traded to Utah.
Stretch Forward
UTA | 26 | 7' 0" | Forward
There aren’t too many 7-foot-1, 195-pound centers in the NBA. Chet Holmgren has overcome his limited strength with elite mobility, a fiery competitive edge, and enough length (7-foot-6 wingspan) to compensate for any advantages lost at the point of contact. His instincts protecting the rim, combined with the versatility to switch screens and contain guards on the perimeter, has planted Holmgren firmly in the upper echelon of big man defenders. On the offensive end, he’s the ideal Swiss Army Knife, capable of calibrating his performance precisely to OKC’s needs. Holmgren thrives as a rim-runner and lob threat, but he’s also a knockdown shooter with the ball-handling chops to feast on drives. Holmgren can operate with poise and tempo on the perimeter, he’s an above-average passer for his position, and he figures to only get better with time. Expect many All-Star selections in his future.
OKC | 21 | 7' 1" | Big
Zion Williamson is a one-man wrecking ball. His combination of sudden athleticism and sheer size allows him to generate paint touches with ease. There is no one player capable of containing him, and even double-teams are futile as he has become a decisive passer. The offensive attributes he brings are game-changing. Unfortunately, Zion has had a hard time staying healthy throughout his career, and that might never change. People that big aren’t meant to move that fast. All the missed time has also sapped him of crucial development. His interest in defense is passing, and for a player with his physical traits, he is a poor rebounder. Still, the positives far outweigh the negatives, and anytime Zion is healthy, it’s must-watch television.
NO | 23 | 6' 6" | Forward
ZION WILLIAMSON
Some people might look at Jaylen Brown’s postseason run and work on chipping away at the foundation. Yes, he plays on a ridiculously deep roster for which he doesn’t have to function as an every-possession primary creator. Yes, he still makes shaky turnovers. Yes, his left hand is still a schemable weakness and, yes, his next contract will almost certainly be an overpay. But the weaknesses in Brown’s game, his cost to the Celtics and the caveat of his talented teammates hit differently now. The context may be the same but he’s been the best player on a championship team, hitting huge shots and helping lock down one of the best perimeter scorers in the league. You can still quibble with the process but the final product is no longer in question.
The hype that engulfed Kristaps Porzingis in New York has all but evaporated. The man once dubbed “the unicorn” for his combination of incredible shooting and rim protection is no longer followed by immense fanfare, and his title as a mythical hoofed beast is only ever mentioned in passing. Fools, we’re all fools. Only six times in NBA history has a player finished a season with a greater than 5 percent block rate, and 35 percent 3-point shooting on 4.5 or more attempts per game. Porzingis has two such seasons with two different teams and is on course to do so in 2023-24 with a third. Porzingis has, and always was a unicorn. No player provides his combination of rim protection, floor spacing, and scoring. He’s one of the sport’s ultimate chess pieces, like the knight, but a little extra, perhaps a horn. If only they had a name for that.
BOS | 28 | 7' 2" | Big
Scottie Barnes' Jumpshot Changed Everything for the Raptors
Scottie Barnes turned one of his biggest weaknesses (near league-worst jumpshooting) into a reliable strength this season and, in doing so, unlocked the full package of his offensive skills. His numbers are essentially career highs across the board and he’s emerged as one of the best and most versatile offensive wings in the Eastern Conference. Paired with his defensive upside, it’s no wonder the Raptors finally felt comfortable trading OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam and resetting this team around Barnes’ timeline. The next phase for Barnes is to turn his impressive individual production into team impact and help the Raptors bounce back toward playoff contention. But he’s already a foundational piece for Toronto and still barely scratching the surface of his talent.
TOR | 22 | 6' 7" | Forward
We can take all the ‘Baby Jokic’ comps to the bank. It’s not fair to pigeonhole Alperen Sengun’s skill set next to an all-time great, but the Rockets’ center has more than lived up to the hype. Freed from the inexplicably tight leash of Stephen Silas, Sengun has elevated his star profile considerably. He is the sun around which Houston’s offense orbits. Despite limited athleticism, Sengun is a monster in the post. His footwork and creativity are off the charts, combined with the strength to plow through ill-equipped defenders at the opportune time. He can face up and score from the perimeter too, with unfathomably soft touch on his jumper and a nice one-legged fade in his arsenal, paying homage to Dirk. Factor in the brilliant passing, always expertly blending style and substance, and Sengun is primed to entertain the masses for another decade.
Big Man Hub
HOU | 21 | 6' 11" | Big
We all knew it was coming, but all the same, watching Victor Wembanyama realize his potential so soon has been a thrill to behold. The 7-foot-4 prodige ascended the star ladder in record time. He is an elite defensive centerpiece, blessed with comical quickness and dexterity for his size, as well as an 8-foot wingspan that approximates a black hole for prospective shot-takers. On the other end, Wemby can touch all parts of the offense. He has grown dramatically as a passer since entering the league, to go along with feather-soft touch out to the 3-point line, remarkably tight handles, and a catch radius unlike any other around the basket. The Spurs can force-feed Wemby dunks and layups at the rim, or allow him to initiate offense from the perimeter. He deploys the ultimate scalable skill set in the frontcourt, and he’s still getting better. The league is in trouble.
Victor Wembanyama and the Difference a Point Guard Makes
SA | 20 | 7' 4" | Big
Rudy Gobert is likely the most disrespected player in the NBA. His all-time great rim protection and rebounding have been the backbone of elite teams for years. Yet, he’s routinely teased by his peers. For a player openly mocked, it is a bit ironic that no player instills more fear of failure into the perpetually confident than Gobert’s mere presence in the paint. The most valuable area of the court remains around the basket, and Gobert lords over it with an iron fist like a feudal French lord. Defy his laws at your own peril, but the ball, like your assault, will be cast back into the lands from whence it came. With three Defensive Player of the Year trophies and more potentially coming, Gobert has solidified himself as a sure-fire Hall-of-Famer and worthy of all of our respect.
MIN | 31 | 7' 1" | Big
One of the most exciting point guards the NBA has ever seen, Damian Lillard remains a certified star. He is arguably the most reliable bucket-getter at his position in the NBA, and that’s saying something considering the other point guards in the league. Lillard can finish at the rim, drain floaters, make stepback threes look easy, and even launch from 30-plus feet as if it’s normal. The chemistry between Lillard and his Milwaukee Bucks teammates is yet to be optimized but even still, his mere presence remains as intimidating as ever and surrounded by more star power than ever. Lillard’s clock is ticking, but it’s still Dame Time in the closing minutes of any close game if he wants it to be.
MIL | 33 | 6' 2" | Guard
Tyrese Maxey's blossomed into a proper second star for the 76ers, embracing the advantages of his breakneck speed while gradually adding new layers to his game. Maxey isn’t the most natural facilitator, but he continues to show growth in that department. He is operating at different speeds now, manipulating defenders with slight hesitation moves and using his gravity as a slasher to set up teammates. In addition to the relentless rim pressure, Maxey is one of the league’s most versatile high-volume shooters — a miraculous evolution for a player who shot 29.2 percent from 3 in college. It’s essentially impossible to fully contain a player with Maxey’s blend of downhill speed and inhuman touch around the basket. His ability to contort his body to locate finishing angles is matched by only a few. Maxey works harder than most to elevate his game on a yearly basis. He is special.
The Aesthetic: Tyrese Maxey and the NBA's Best Ground Game
PHI | 23 | 6' 2" | Guard
Why the Hawks Should Trade Trae Young in the Offseason
Trae Young is not perfect — the Atlanta Hawks are yet to win a playoff series since Young led them to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals, but that doesn’t change the fact that Young remains one of the singular most impactful offensive players in the league on his own. It does not matter who is on the floor with Young, he is terrifying regardless. Like the great guards of this era, he has mastered the pick-and-roll, alley-oop passes, his floater, and can pull up from anywhere with confidence. Even in the face of being underrated by most of the league, Young pushed the Boston Celtics to six games in the 2023 NBA playoffs. No matter how small he is, he can push anyone in this league when he gets it going.
ATL | 25 | 6' 1" | Guard
Few players have evolved and changed over the last few years more than De’Aaron Fox. Speed has always been the trump card in Fox’s back pocket, but he has shown surprising versatility in his approach. Rim pressure is a constant source of offense, but Fox also continues to shoot more 3s at a higher percentage with each passing season. Once almost entirely oriented toward rim attacks, Fox has developed a stop-start handle and tremendous tempo working out of pick-and-rolls. The mid-range jumper, once a weakness, is now a strength. The variance of his approach and Fox’s ability to adjust to different schemes and matchups is what makes him so special. He is the jolt of electricity that powers Sacramento’s high-speed offense. Whether he’s bolting up the floor in transition or methodically poking around screens in the halfcourt, Fox has become one of the league’s most unstoppable offensive weapons.
SAC | 23 | 6' 3" | Guard
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MIA | 23 | 6' 6" | Slashing Wing
James Harden has become a lightning rod for criticism, leading some to forget that he is one of the greatest offensive talents to ever touch a basketball. A confluence of poor timing and rotten luck prevented Harden from reaching the mountaintop in Houston, but rather than dancing on his faux grave, we should celebrate a legend’s impressive late-career transformation. Faced with diminishing athleticism, Harden has evolved from a heliocentric one-man system to the NBA’s most prolific halfcourt setup man. He can still manipulate defenders out of pick-and-rolls, draw fouls at the rim, or revert to that patented step-back, but Harden has shown that he can sacrifice ego and touches for the greater good. Few stars more overtly elevate their teammates, and Harden deserves a ton of credit.
LAC | 34 | 6' 5" | Guard
Tyrese Maxey has officially arrived, officially. His growth trajectory since coming off the board 21st in the 2020 NBA Draft has been difficult to comprehend. He entered the league shrouded in questions about his jump shot. Now, Maxey is one of the best high-volume snipers in the league, comfortable shooting off movement and stretching defenses with pull-ups from several steps behind the 3-point line. Mix elite perimeter shot-making with the best first step in basketball, and you have a player who is damn near impossible to guard. Maxey still has room to improve when it comes to decision-making, but his facilitation skills grew immensely in the wake of James Harden’s departure. He is a legitimate point guard, not to mention a viable late-game closer and soon-to-be perennial All-Star. He has proved his mettle in the postseason. Now it’s time for the Sixers to follow suit.
Only appearing in nine games this season before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury, the sample size for Ja Morant has been small in 2023-24, but we know what he brings to the table. Morant is a human highlight reel with otherworldly athleticism and an incredible ability to hang in the air long enough to make acrobatic finishes over taller defenders in the paint. His propensity to attack the rim puts pressure on opposing defenses to collapse on him, which is when he uses his playmaking and vision to find open shooters. Moreover, he is a blur in transition and virtually impossible to stop with a head of steam and an open floor to run. When he’s healthy and back on the court he should quickly rocket back up these rankings.
MEM | 24 | 6' 2" | Guard
BAM Adebayo
Switchable Big
The key to Bam Adebayo making his presence felt is his versatility, high energy, athleticism, and ability to see the court on both ends of the floor. A perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate, Adebayo has the motor, instincts, speed, and strength to stay in front of any player he guards, with the length to make up for it if he gets beat off the dribble. While we’ve yet to see him expand his shooting range out to the 3-point line, Adebayo has developed into a mid-range assassin who can put the ball on the floor and carve out space for his shot. Moreover, few centers have better vision and passing ability than Adebayo, who operates as an offensive hub for the Heat.
MIA | 26 | 6' 9" | Big
One of the most clutch NBA Playoff performers in recent memory, Jamal Murray is the first player on this list without an All-Star appearance in his career. However, there’s a good chance he has gone toe-to-toe with your favorite player or team and emerged as the victor. A floor general who can take over a game with his scoring or passing, Murray has formed the league’s most dynamic duo with two-time MVP Nikola Jokic. A tough-shot taker and a tough-shot maker who relishes big moments, there are few players you can trust more to get you a bucket in crunch time than Murray.
DEN | 27 | 6' 4" | Guard
Jalen Brunson is the ultimate floor general. More importantly, winning follows Brunson everywhere he goes. A two-time national champion with the Villanova Wildcats, Brunson blossomed into a critical contributor to the Dallas Mavericks’ Western Conference Finals run in 2021-22. He then parlayed that emergence into a big new contract and an opportunity to become the heartbeat of the New York Knicks and the straw that stirs their drink. The Knicks go as Brunson goes, who has played at an All-NBA level this season and established himself as one of the league’s premiere shot creators with his endless package of dribble moves, crafty footwork, sheer strength, and incredible feel for the game. What Brunson lacks in size, he more than makes up for with his work ethic and willingness to leave it all out on the floor, as illustrated by his ranking near the top of the NBA in charges drawn.
NYK | 27 | 6' 2" | Guard
Tick. Double-digit points. Tock. Double-digit rebounds. Like clockwork, Domantas Sabonis has become a historically reliable double-double machine and doing all that while pushing for career-highs in points, rebounds, assists and effective field goal percentage. He’s become increasingly empowered and creative at the elbows and is arguably as responsible for the rebirth of the Kings as the flashier De’Aaron Fox. Sabonis has weaknesses and hasn’t yet proven himself capable of single-handedly willing the Kings through close games and tough matchups in the playoffs. But he’s a rock and when Sacramento comes up short, it’s almost never because he didn’t show up and give his team what they interior scoring, punishing rebounding and creative facilitation they were counting on. Tick. Tock.
SAC | 27 | 6' 10" | Big
George is still one of the smoothest players in the NBA, effortlessly pulling up over the defense, gliding through traffic on his way to the rim and floating through the halfcourt, shutting down space and rocketing into passing lanes to turn steals into instant fastbreaks. Few players in the league has as much two-way potential, possession to possession, and he doing less has arguably made him more effective than ever. George’s numbers have dropped off a bit especially as the Clippers absorbed James Harden and accommodated his ball-dominant tendencies. But his defensive impact his still tremendous, his shooting numbers are pushing career highs and he looks completely comfortable as perhaps the NBA’s best third-fiddle alongside Harden and Leonard.
LAC | 33 | 6' 8" | Wing
PAUL GEORGE
Donovan Mitchell is the quintessential modern combo guard. Deployed as a shooting guard early in his career, he has leveraged his impressive three-level scoring to become a dangerous playmaker. As the lines between point guard and shooting guard have blurred, Mitchell has blended all of the offensive traits sought from both positions to become an offense unto himself. When he has the ball, all things are possible, making him one of the most valuable and deadly offensive options in the league. The offensive burdens placed on the league’s best players have been growing, and Mitchell has risen to the occasion time after time. While not a two-way force, his defense has gone from a negative to occasionally plus in Cleveland. The only real thing he lacks on his resume, outside of an MVP, is a deep playoff run, but he may not have to wait long to check that box.
CLE | 27 | 6' 3" | Guard
Sure, there will be some points in the season where you question if Jimmy Butler is one of the best players in the league. However, when you also consider the playoffs as part of the equation to value players, it all evens out. His 3-point shot has never been there for much of his career, but he’s capable of a hot stretch when it matters, which along with his unstoppable mid-range jumper has made him one of the premier big-time players in league history. His defense and hard-nosed attitude and play style have always come second nature for him, as he embodied what “Heat Culture” meant even before putting on one of their jerseys. Love or hate him, because everyone goes one way or the other with Butler, his greatness can’t be denied.
MIA | 34 | 6' 7" | Wing
TIER Two
Anthony Edwards has blossomed into a special scorer and made himself one of the most interesting and can’t-miss players in the NBA. He shoots plenty of 3s but there is a throwback element to the way he attacks the basket and tries to dunk on anyone in his path. On the other end of the court, he’s a good defender and can be trusted with a tougher assignment on a night. For a guard, and it’s good for him to get the ball as early as possible as good things are likely happen to when Edwards is in control. Edwards has already shed some of the immaturity in his game, improving his defensive focus and intensity and improving his shot selection by leaps and bounds. But he’s done it without losing any of the swashbuckling character that makes him such a compelling watch.
MIN | 22 | 6' 4" | Wing
Jalen Brunson continues to elevate his game to new heights -- it has reached a point where it feels like there is no limit. Despite his small stature, Brunson is a bowling ball. He uses sheer strength to fight through contact and finish amongst the trees. Brunson gets to his spots with ease. He is crafty and savvy in the mid-range/paint area, with incredible footwork and a wide array of dribble moves. Moreover, the All-NBA floor general does a remarkable job of getting defenders out of position with head fakes and hesitations. When opponents begin to key in on Brunson defensively, he has the playmaking chops and basketball IQ to make you pay. He is a willing passer who trusts his teammates to capitalize on open looks created by his presence. His rapid ascension to the elite ranks of the NBA has changed the complexion of the Knicks virtually overnight.
Tyrese Haliburton emerged as one of the best point guards in the league this season, a unique offensive engine with vision, relentless energy and unmatched selflessness. He thrives on setting up his teammates and his play hasn’t just transformed their vibe, it’s buoyed theri vibes. This is one of the most fun teams in the league, their young players are blossoming with Haliburton scaffolding the offense and he’s almost single-handedly made them an attractive free-agent destination. And if all that’s not enough, he’s also proven himself a viable high-volume scorer, flirting with 50/40/90 while playing capable defense and stepping up in the biggest moments. Haliburton is still relatively new to the Pacers but he’s on track to become one of the best players in franchise history.
It is remarkable to see what Anthony Edwards has accomplished before turning 23. He demonstrated why many consider him the future face of the NBA during the playoffs, putting his elite two-way play on full display. You can see Edwards relished the moment, evidenced by when his idol Kevin Durant became his rival and he swept him. The ever-ascending wing has a killer instinct on the court and isn't afraid of the spotlight. Edwards uses his athleticism and strength to his advantage on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he gets downhill at will and finishes through contract with force. Defensively, he uses his power, quickness and leaping ability to guard multiple positions -- he can match up with guards or wings. An improved playmaker and jump shooter (particularly in the mid-range), Edwards continues to expand his game. He has become must-watch television and should only continue climbing up the ranks.
DEvin Booker
Like his teammate on this list, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker is a pure scorer who can beat you in various ways. Whether it be attacking the basket off the dribble, backing you down in the post, destroying you in the mid-range or stepping beyond the 3-point line, Booker has every trick up his sleeve – as exemplified by his 70-point scoring outburst against the Boston Celtics in TD Garden at the age of 20. Not only that, Booker has not only embraced a newfound point guard role with the Suns this season but thrived in it, tying a previous career-high in assists per game. On a team with three star perimeter scorers and championship aspirations, he may be the most essential player.
PHX | 27 | 6' 6" | Guard
Interior Scorer
Anthony Davis is a two-way machine with talent that few players can match. He’s one of the top defensive players in this league, with incredible versatility. In the past, Davis hasn’t always been able to rise to the occasion, struggling with injuries and getting overwhelmed in certain matchups. Still, this season he’s been healthy and playing as well as he has at any point in a Lakers’ uniform. He still has a troubling tendency to take too many jumpers, by far the weakest part of his offense game. But he’s a force around the basket, both scoring with touch and crashing the glass. At the other end, he’s capable of anchoring a swarming, suffocating scheme shutting down everything inside the arc. The only thing he has left to prove is that he can do it, again, consistently all the way through a playoff run.
LAL | 31 | 6' 10" | Big
LEbron James
LeBron James, who can be rightfully considered one of the greatest to ever play the game, isn’t the same he used to be. His Iron Man status has faded in recent years as he’s struggled with myriad lower body injuries. But when James is healthy, he plays like an All-NBA star. As he’s aged, LeBron’s defensive skills haven’t been what they used to be but he can presumably turn up the defensive pressure when the playoffs come on. On the offensive end, he is still a complete player with him being able to dish out the ball as easily as he can score it. His 3-point shot is as good as it’s ever been. James isn’t the best player in the league or anywhere close to it anymore, but he can still carry the Lakers to a win against anyone on any given night.
LAL | 39 | 6' 9" | Forward
Jayson Tatum, the face of a Boston team looking to win their first title since 2008, is aiming to be the best player in the league. His offensive game certainly deserves extreme respect as the All-NBA forward is a player who can lead an entire offense with his dribble package, wingspan, and athleticism. With a 3-point shot as smooth as silk, he is no stranger to the biggest moments in the playoffs. Tatum can be a strong defender and his versatility at both ends helps unlock many of the Celtics’ best lineups. The challenge now is to use his tools and carry the Celtics all the way through a title. That’s the one thiing he still needs to prove to leap up this list.
BOS | 26 | 6' 8" | Forward
How many players are more dominant three-level scorers than Kevin Durant in NBA history? Nearly 7 feet tall, Durant uses his unique blend of size, athleticism, ball-handling, and shooting to get to his preferred spots on the court with ease or shoot over the top of any defender in his way if necessary. Moreover, Durant is a selfless player who makes the right play with the ball in his hands and gets his teammates involved, especially knowing the defensive attention he commands. A unique combination of size, skill and mobility, KD uses his tools to his advantage on both ends of the floor, leveraging his length and high basketball IQ to disrupt opponents as someone who can guard virtually every position.
PHX | 35 | 6' 11" | Forward
KAWHI Leonard
Over the last two years, it appeared Kawhi Leonard’s career was on an unbending downward trajectory but he has, once again, done the improbable. Leonard is on track to play more games than he has at any point since the 2016-17 season, while simultaneously pushing his scoring volume and efficiency to outrageous new levels. Even on a team with Paul George and James Harden he, at times, seemed to be single-handedly transforming the Clippers into a contender. Leonard is still an elite contributor at both ends of the floor and he’s on a mission to prove that injuries, missed games and load management won’t write the final chapters of his career. His doubters are many but don’t be surprised if he gets the last [awkwardly robotic] laugh.
LAC | 32 | 6' 7" | Forward
Steph Curry, the 3-point wizard, might not have a full 10 years ahead of him, but the 36-year-old point guard is still a jumpshooting machine who can be the top option on a contender. He is still playing at an All-NBA level and doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. Curry’s defense might not be perfect but he is good enough to keep teams from targeting him endlessly. His impact still comes from his ability to shoot effortlessly from anywhere but he’s still an elite passer with boundless creativity off the dribble. While his outside shot is the best part of his game, he has pretty much no disadvantages on the offensive end. Age and injuries have taken their toll and his greatness feels more fragile than it did a few years ago, but he’s still clearly an all-time great and one of the best players in the league.
GS | 36 | 6' 2" | Guard
SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER
TIER One
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is officially that dude. Standing 6-foot-6 with endless limbs and unreal dexterity, Gilgeous-Alexander has mastered the art of subtlety. He’s not an explosive athlete by NBA standards. He doesn’t win with speed or strength. He wins with sheer inventiveness, generating advantages by way of gear shifts and sleight of hand. SGA deserves the same ball-handling praise as Kyrie Irving. While Gilgeous-Alexander doesn’t quite match Kyrie’s flash, the substance is all there — the ability to stop on a dime, change direction in a split-second and create angles with the body control of a contortionist. Gilgeous-Alexander has the advantage of height and length, too. He can simply shoot over the top when necessary. In addition to operating as the NBA’s best slasher, SGA is a hellacious defender who racks up stocks like a greedy Wall Street merchant. He can contend for MVP and DPOY every season.
Styles Make Fights: Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic's Divergent Excellence
OKC | 25 | 6' 6" | Wing
GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO
Few players across NBA history are an offense unto themselves. Most of them are on this list. However, few, if any, are as unstoppable as Luka Doncic. You would think that he would be easier to stop with how slow he plays, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Though his shooting can be inconsistent, his tough-shot-making is off the charts (ask the Clippers). If defended well, he can drive and use his blend of speed and strength to finish at the rim. If there’s help, he can make any pass in the book, having the length to spray out to shooters or lob to rollers, and make passes that aren’t in the book. And, contrary to popular belief, his defense has improved to where he’s very solid on that end, competing and containing the ball in the perimeter. In short, he’s the complete package.
DAL | 25 | 6' 7" | Wing
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the unholy offspring of Shaq and Mister Fantastic, is the most terrifying physical force in the sport. His singular combination of speed, size, strength, agility and flexibility allows him to get to and finish at the rim at will. “Build a wall,” they say, well, some monsters turn walls to dust. Antetokounmpo has accomplished everything one can in a career, but he hasn’t done it all twice, and he appears bent on doing just that … and perhaps even for a third and fourth time. If there is one critique of Giannis, it’s his lack of a jumper, but that’s effectively asking for a perfect player. Defensively, Giannis is one of the great weakside rovers, but his ability to defend one-on-one on the perimeter is a bit lacking. However, these are nits on the mane of a lion — Giannis is an all-timer at the peak of his powers.
Slashing Big
MIL | 29 | 6' 11" | Forward
Joel Embiid continues to improve with each successive season. The work ethic and willingness to process his weaknesses and add to his game are not credited enough. Embiid followed up his first MVP season with a massive leap in production and a tangible improvement to his approach. He is truly an all-time talent. Embiid is the greatest per-minute scorer in NBA history, literally. Embiid is equally comfortable operating with force or finesse. He is plainly stronger than 99 percent of the competition. Once he gains position in the post, it will not be relinquished. On the elbow, Embiid has developed into a multi-faceted face-up scorer who can also beat double teams with a timely pass to the open shooter. On defense, he is one of the best rim protectors in the NBA — mobile enough to guard in space and titanic when planted in the paint.
Interior Achor
PHI | 30 | 7' 0" | Big
Luka Doncic continues to mystify the NBA fandom. He is, beyond a doubt, one of the truly great offensive talents — ever. He’s capable of dragging the Mavs on his back, burying defenses with unrivaled shot-making at all three levels. Doncic is not your traditional star athlete, but he’s endlessly strong and dexterous, capable of shifting gears and outfoxing his defender with sheer craft. And yet, after an impressive run to the NBA Finals, Doncic still draws criticism from certain circles. He’s out of shape. He complains to the officials. His body language falters when the Mavs take a hit. Those are valid concerns, but at the same time, Doncic may still be the best player in the world. He’s in the conversation, at least. If he can address those weaknesses and take the next step as a leader, it’s hard to imagine Dallas staying off the mountaintop for too long.
Nikola Jokic has hit every benchmark, met every challenge, checked every box. He is a multi-time MVP, has led his team to an unlikely championship and dominated in both the regular season and postseason. There are no particular matchups or strategies that appear to slow him down and he’s the kind of star who can deliver anything his team needs — efficient high-volume scoring, otherworldly playmaking, outside shooting, punishing physicality in the paint, smart and disruptive quarterbacking on defense. Joel Embiid raised some questions in the past two regular seasons but Nikola Jokic has answered them. He is the best basketball player in the world, period.
Styles make fights: Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic’s divergent excellence
DEN | 29 | 6' 11" | Big
The FanSided NBA team is excited to share our ranking of the 99 best players in the NBA. These rankings are a living document, updated regularly throughout the year, exploring how each player has carved out their NBA niche and how it is evolving over time. So, why not 100? Why 99? Well, because it was the jersey number of both George Mikan and Tacko Fall. Because it was the first year of the post-Jordan-Bulls NBA. Because NBA Live 99 had enough foresight to put Antoine Walker on the cover and a 99 player rating is something special. Because the '99 NBA Draft brought us legends like Elton Brand, Baron Davis, Steve Francis and Manu Ginobili. Or, maybe we just couldn't decide who should be ranked No. 100 and gave up early. Our rankings included blended assessments of both present and future value, keeping players on the list who are currently injured but moving them down based on the severity of their injury and how long we expect them to be off the court. We did not consider any information about salary or contract status. The rankings were built by a panel of FanSided staffers and contributors and represent our collective estimation of the NBA's power structure. Click on each player card to read more about their role, skills, production and more.
ABOUT NBA99
CONTENT BY Ian Levy, Chris Kline, Lior Lampert, Nevin Brown, Andrew Bernucca, Kevin Reyes, Jonathan Lurensky
PRODUCED BY Ian Levy DESIGNED BY Michael Castillo
