The Top 100 Players for the 2025-26 NBA Season, Ranked

Welcome to Bleacher Report's Top 100 NBA Player Rankings for the 2025-26 season.

The following list isn't built from advanced analytics, complex formulas or A.I. assistance. Instead, it's driven by the collective instincts of our human panel.

Every voter involved in our project ranked their personal Top 100 players entering the season, applying their own criteria, but with a shared focus: players who will compete at the most elite levels right now and players who will impact winning on a star level.

From there, we tallied everyone's votes.

*Hit the B/R comments to share what we got right, which players are ranked too high, and who deserves more respect.

**Check out the final slide to see your favorite team's Top 100 players, all in one spot.

First things first.

The goal today is not to predict the future with end-of-season projections, or even to reward past accomplishments.

The mission is to capture the league's true pecking order as the season tips off for Game 1 on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

That's why the following players, all sidelined with the most significant injuries, were not up for consideration:

In the coming weeks and months, Bleacher Report will review, re-vote and re-publish our Top 100. We'll do that regularly, with real people voting based on in-season production.

Some of the injured players above will enter the rankings upon their return. As a result, some from our list below will slide. (Or they'll slip due to their own performance.)

Today's ranking is simply a starting point, but it's where the conversation begins for the new season.

Every player is ready to bring on the competition, and here at B/R, we're ready to bring on the debate.

Follow us all season for updates to our NBA Top 100.

2024-25 Stats: 14.5 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.2 BPG, 1.2 SPG

Age: 30

More than many other players, Jakob Poeltl's utility feels very context-driven. He promises high-IQ screening, passing and floor positioning but needs the right supporting cast to amplify all of those qualities. 

It remains to be seen whether this year's Toronto Raptors are built to fatten or flatten his value.

Having aggressive defenders in front of him doesn't always bode well for his rim protection, and his offensive impact will be muted if half-court sets are bogged down by a lack of spacing that cannot be offset by ball and body movement.  

—Dan Favale

Highest Rank: 69

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 17.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 4.0 APG, 0.9 SPG, 46.0 FG%, 40.9 3PT%

Age: 23

Jaden Ivey's third NBA go-round was his best yet. That might say more about his NBA journey to this point than anything, though, since his breakout only spanned 30 games before a broken fibula in his left leg brought everything to a halt.

Were his significant shooting gains really going to sustain? Because the answer to that question might determine whether or not he could handle second-option duties alongside Cade Cunningham.

Ivey is a blur with the basketball, and he sees the floor well enough to serve as a secondary playmaker, but his off-ball fit with Cunningham will determine the length of Ivey's stay in Detroit. Restricted free agency awaits Ivey next summer, and it's almost certainly too early for the Pistons to commit to anything long-term.

—Zach Buckley

Highest Rank: 77

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 17.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 47.0 FG%, 40.5 3PT%

Age: 27

De'Andre Hunter appears to have found his wheelhouse, largely thanks to doing a better job at reading the room.

It took roughly a half-decade, but he's reined in his shot selection when playing inside lineups with multiple ball-handlers. While his desire to break down defenders persists, he saves those touches for five-man units in which he's closer to a focal point.

This offensive shape-shifting makes him an ideal accessory wing, someone who can be a Sixth Man of the Year candidate or consummate fifth starter. His defensive execution and rebounding still don't quite live up to his 6'8" frame, but he is a viable body to toss at advantage-creating wings. And, in the tightest of pinches, he can slide down to smalls at the point of attack.

—Dan Favale

Highest Rank: 78

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 10.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.3 APG, 0.5 BPG, 1.9 SPG, 43.6 FG%, 30.6 3PT%

Age: 27

Two years ago, Herb Jones looked like one of the most valuable three-and-D weapons in the entire league. In 2023-24, a 25-year-old Jones was an All-Defensive first-teamer who posted a 49.8/41.8/86.7 shooting split across 76 games.

A shoulder injury wrecked Jones' chance to repeat or improve on those numbers last season, but there's nothing stopping him from picking up where he left off now that he's recovered following surgery to repair that torn rotator cuff. 

A fully healthy Jones should reclaim his spot among the top two-way wings in the NBA.

—Grant Hughes

Highest Rank: 64

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 14.8 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.5 APG, 47.2 FG%, 40.2 3PT%

Age: 27

Whether as a regular starter or bench dynamo, Payton Pritchard will earn a pecking-order promotion following Jrue Holiday's departure and Jayson Tatum's Achilles injury. The 27-year-old is coming off a career season that earned him the Sixth Man of the Year award, having set a league record with 246 three-pointers as a reserve. 

He was one of three Celtics, alongside Derrick White and Tatum, to break the franchise mark for made threes. He also did so with incredible efficiency, posting a top-11 (.620) effective field-goal percentage and dropping the rare combo of 600 attempts from beyond the arc with at least a 40 percent connection rate. 

With a nuked Celtics roster and more onus on creation, Pritchard may have to adjust his attack-first mentality on a roster bereft of a primary ball-mover. If he rounds out his playmaking chops, the Prince of Heaves will cement himself as an integral piece for a team he once asked to trade him.

—Jason Dunbar

Highest Rank: 70

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 17.1 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 5.8 APG, 0.7 SPG 42.0 FG%, 37.8 3PT%

Age: 26

Immanuel Quickley carries outsized importance to a Toronto Raptors squad for which he's made fewer than 100 appearances. Injuries have rendered him an expensive mystery box. So much of his value is tied to availability as a result. 

Remove health from the equation and the outlines of an easier-to-rank player become clear: Quickley is a dead-eye shooter, both off the ball and on self-created looks, and the havoc he incites with movement has increased inside Toronto's offense.

Rising much higher than the mid-90s on this list will require both affirmation and addition. He not only needs to recapture form on his floater and floor navigation, but the Raptors' offense will not properly hum if he can't get deeper into the paint on his drives.

—Dan Favale

Highest Rank: 64

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 11.1 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 2.7 BPG, 0.6 SPG, 66.3 FG%, 17.6 3PT%

Age: 24

Walker Kessler might be best known among casual fans for the Lakers' rumored interest in him, largely due to his role as a player on some intentionally underperforming teams in Utah.

In the right situation, his skills would shine. There may not be a ton of branches reaching out from his skill tree, but the ones he does have are elite: namely, rim protection, interior defense and rebounding.

The Jazz finally made him a nightly starter last season, and he immediately became a walking double-double and an elite shot-blocker. He could be one of the most sought-after players on the trade market this season, but he's young enough (24) for the Jazz to keep around if they envision a relatively quick turnaround.

—Zach Buckley

Highest Rank: 72

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 12.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0.8 SPG, 50.7 FG%, 43.1 3PT%

Age: 25

Aaron Nesmith has added to his game every year since joining the Indiana Pacers. The defense is tougher, the shooting stroke better, the driving smarter and the footwork cleaner. 

Seasons of gradual improvement culminate in what he is now: one of the NBA's premier three-and-D-plus-more complements. 

Like so many other Pacers, it'll be interesting to see how much his standing on offense is tied to playing with Tyrese Haliburton. Nesmith has delivered some escape-dribble victories and shown he can shoot over smaller defenders. His ability to keep that going in Hali's absence, while perhaps providing more on-ball oomph overall, will define how much he climbs this list—or tumbles down it. 

—Dan Favale

Highest Rank: 71

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 15.3 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.2 APG, 0.4 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 45.4 FG%, 30.5 3PT%

Age: 23

Back with the Golden State Warriors on a two-year deal designed to be traded, Jonathan Kuminga may not get a chance to prove he's the first-option scoring threat he believes himself to be until he's eligible to be dealt in January. 

In the meantime, one of the league's most athletically gifted forwards will have to meet all the role-player demands the Warriors have made throughout his four years with the team.

That'll mean processing the game more quickly on offense, rebounding consistently and leveraging all his length and quickness on defense.

Kuminga's physical tools and aggressive mindset allow him to get to the foul line at a high clip, and he shows legitimate flashes of star-level wing play when given extended minutes. It's highly unlikely, but Kuminga might also be able to prop up the Curry-less offenses that have long held Golden State back.

—Grant Hughes

Highest Rank: 58

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 14.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 42.8 FG%, 28.5 3PT%

Age: 20

Four Spurs have captured NBA Rookie of the Year honors: David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle. For now at least, Castle is the one player who's clearly not like the others, but he earned that honor with stingy defense, aggressive scoring and solid shot-creation.

The question now is whether that award was the signal of a rising star, or if he just happened to capitalize on a pretty dismal year for rookies. Because if he can't find more in his game—better efficiency, a wider gap between his assists and turnovers—he could get left behind in a backcourt that has added an All-Star (De'Aaron Fox) and a No. 2 pick (Dylan Harper) since Castle's arrival.

Perhaps this competition brings out the best in everyone. Or maybe it proves that the overlapping skills between them, which everyone else is worried about, are actually issues. If Castle can improve his shooting and increase his off-ball value, he has a real chance to improve this ranking mid-season, next year, and solidify his place in San Antonio's long-term future.

—Eric Pincus

Highest Rank: 51

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 18.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.0 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 45.8 FG%, 36.0 3PT%

Age: 30

While Andrew Wiggins never lived up to the hype that surrounded his selection as the top pick of the 2014 draft, he has found his niche as a rock-solid starter.

He is a relentless defender and reliable outside shooter, and while there are swings in his nightly scoring output, his season-long average usually hovers in the high-teens. He isn't a building block by any means, but he is a strong supporting piece.

Wiggins' name has already passed through the trade rumor mill, and those talks will increase if it becomes obvious the Heat can't gain traction in the Eastern Conference race.

—Zach Buckley

Highest Rank: 61

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 12.2 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.7 BPG, 0.4 SPG, 43.8 FG%, 35.4 3PT%

Age: 22

Jabari Smith Jr. isn't the biggest name on the Houston Rockets, but his start to the season will garner attention after a five-year, $122 million summer extension.

Through three campaigns, Smith has, perhaps to a national audience, underwhelmed. To those paying attention, though, you've seen a versatile big, who has been important to a group expediting its own timeline.

The long-term vision is that Smith's outside shooting, scoring in motion and even his playmaking become consistent assets.

Playmaking, in particular, didn't seem as important when Kevin Durant signed. But with Fred VanVleet now sidelined, Houston may need an extra dash of creation to complete the championship recipe.

—Bryant Knox

Highest Rank: 65

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 17.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 3.7 APG, 0.5 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 49.7 FG%, 38.6 3PT%

Age: 32

The further Bradley Beal gets removed from his formerly bloated contract—which the Suns mercifully bought their way out of this summer—the better it will be for his reputation. Fans were so used to skewering his contract (which, beyond the gargantuan pay rate, also inexplicably included a no-trade clause) that many have forgotten about what the player who held it can actually do.

His days of snagging All-Star honors and occasionally competing for scoring crowns are way in the rearview, but he's still a skilled scorer who's often efficient from every level and can create for others in a secondary capacity.

He never really meshed with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant in Phoenix, but the hope is he'll fare better in a tertiary role alongside James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, since they'll have a better, deeper supporting cast around them.

—Zach Buckley

Highest Rank: 36

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 15.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.6 APG, 0.5 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 58.0 FG%, 39.7 3PT%

Age: 24

There is a lot of benefit to being a role player sharing the floor with an all-time great, and Christian Braun certainly qualifies for that description. But he also deserves credit for tailoring his own game to fit with Nikola Jokić's, and his new teammate, Cameron Johnson, is giving him that credit.

"I think CB is a great example [of how to play with Jokić]," Johnson told DNVR Sports. "I'm watching him operate at practice, and, like, he just knows where he's supposed to be."

Braun is a purposeful cutter. He gets out in transition. His off-ball movement rarely compromises the position of anyone else on the team. And last season, Jokić routinely rewarded him for his efforts. The second-most-common assist combo in the NBA last season was Jokić-to-Braun.

The fourth-year wing also deserves credit for how well he finished around the rim. A lot of the looks were spoon-fed and wide open, but many weren't. Braun can dunk over bigger defenders, but the arsenal doesn't stop there. His ability to softly put it off the glass after charging full speed at the hoop is uncanny.

Jarrett Allen, Rudy Gobert, Evan Mobley and Giannis Antetokounmpo were the only players in the league last season who matched or exceeded both of Braun's marks for total shots within three feet of the rim and field-goal percentage on those shots. They're all big guys. Braun is 6'6".

—Andy Bailey

Highest Rank: 60

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 19.3 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 4.8 APG, 0.9 SPG, 42.6 FG%, 36.3 3PT%

Age: 26

Guards who aren't floor generals yet also aren't especially big for 2s are under siege. Anfernee Simons manages to rise above the most brutal typecasting through vast amounts of gravity and genuine secondary playmaking. 

Defenses routinely threw two and three bodies at him last season when playing the Portland Trail Blazers, a team bereft of other dependable on-ball threats beyond Deni Avdija. Simons rated in the 99th percentile of self-created shot-making efficiency anyway, according to BBall Index.

When this degree of self-starting is accompanied by reliable spot-up shooting and passing that's closer to Tyler Herro or Derrick White than Cam Thomas or Jalen Green, you have a player who profiles as an ancillary driver of winning basketball—even if he's yet to land in a situation that's allowed him to prove it.

—Dan Favale

Highest Rank: 72

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 18.5 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 3.5 APG, 0.7 BPG, 0.8 APG, 53.0 FG%, 40.2 3PT%

Age: 34

Chicago's endless cycle of mediocrity has somewhat distorted perceptions of Nikola Vučević as a player. That's not to say he's blameless in the team's inability to climb the Eastern Conference ladder, but these perpetual pushes for play-in participation have furthered the notion that he doesn't positively impact winning.

If his overdue exit from the Windy City finally comes to fruition, though, perhaps he'd be immediately cast in a different light.

While he has his limitations on the defensive end, he's an absurdly skilled offensive player, particularly for a 6'10", 260-pound center. He was basically chasing nightly 20-point double-doubles last season while shooting 53 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from three. Those numbers should matter, and maybe they would if he resided on a more competitive roster.

—Zach Buckley

Highest Rank: 59

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 21.1 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 5.4 APG, 0.3 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 46.8 FG%, 35.0 3PT%

Age: 25

RJ Barrett was one of only six players to average at least 21 points, six rebounds and five assists last season, a list that included Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Jayson Tatum and Cade Cunningham. Barrett was the only one not to make an All-NBA team.

His big numbers have yet to lead to wins since joining the Toronto Raptors, however, and we could see Barrett's numbers take a hit with the addition of Brandon Ingram.

Still, it's easy to forget that Barrett just turned 25 last summer and still has room to grow. The Raptors need him to become a 40 percent three-point shooter on this roster, and becoming a more consistent defender is important for his growth as well.

—Greg Swartz

Highest Rank: 63

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 11.8 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.1 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 69.2 FG%, 0.0 3PT%

Age: 21

How many 21-year-olds are fully comfortable in their own skin? Jalen Duren looks like one of those rarities.

For better and worse, he is who he is. Some gaps in his game may never be filled, like pushing his scoring range out of the paint. But he plays within his limitations and focuses solely on emphasizing his strengths.

And there are some special ones in his arsenal. He's a bouncy, athletic big, who does most everything you'd want a rim-runner to do: crush lobs, attack the glass and challenge shots at the rim. He's a sneaky-good passer for his size, too.

He appears to be a solid support piece, but considering his age, Detroit can realistically hope he'll still grow into a greater role.

—Zach Buckley

Highest Rank: 62

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 10.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 5.0 APG, 0.2 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 45.8 FG%, 29.1 3PT%

Age: 25

So much of Andrew Nembhard's charm is rooted in his high-and-pesky pickup points at the defensive end. The offensive juice he provides on-ball, replete with occasional off-the-dribble detonations, is gravy.

This season will be an exercise in how he fares when the Indiana Pacers need his offense. Tyrese Haliburton's absence will demand Nembhard carry more of the playmaking and scoring, all in the face of extra defensive attention. His success isn't just a question of whether he has it in him; it's a matter of whether taking on more of the offensive burden while remaining a backbone of Indiana's defense is even possible.

—Dan Favale

Highest Rank: 65

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 21.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.4 APG, 0.3 BPG, 0.9 SPG, 42.3 FG%, 35.4 3PT%

Age: 23

While Jalen Green played a big part in Houston's playoff breakthrough, it says a lot that the Rockets are taking their next step without him. Maybe his trade to Phoenix sent him into the kind of movie-montage training summers that unlock the key to consistency. Or, perhaps it just highlighted the flaws in his game.

The eye test makes you want to believe. He's a 99th percentile athlete with good form on his jumper, a ferocious first step and enough passing chops to handle secondary playmaking duties. The numbers are less convincing, though. His shooting rates perpetually leave you wanting more, and his on/off splits suggest Houston made the right call.

Green will have ample opportunity to rewrite his story as the Suns' second-in-command behind Devin Booker. But opportunity was never the thing holding him back.

—Zach Buckley

Highest Rank: 59

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 13.4 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.9 BPG, 0.9 SPG, 56.7 FG%, 32.4 3PT%

Age: 24

Onyeka Okongwu plays an ultra-versatile brand of basketball that could slingshot him up this list on any given week, in any given game, even at any given moment.

Despite lacking traditional center size, he compensates with bonkers malleability, both on the perimeter and around the basket. Getting stronger has helped him, too. His offensive package spans everything from lob-catching and runners to short-roll playmaking and even some three-point touch. 

There will always be limits on how well the Atlanta Hawks can rebound or protect the paint with him at the 5. But if his corner-three stroke can scale up in volume and efficiency, it is both worth the tradeoff and easier to play him alongside other bigs.

—Dan Favale

Highest Rank: 57

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 8.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.6 BPG, 0.6 SPG, 70.2 FG%, 0.0 3PT%

Age: 21

Fair or not, Dereck Lively II enters the year with questions, most notably surrounding his health, after missing 46 games last season, 27 games the year before (his rookie campaign), and after undergoing a foot procedure to clean up bone spurs this summer.

It's also fair to wonder if his epic efficiency at the rim stays above its remarkably high bar without Luka Dončić for a full season—not to mention without Kyrie Irving for part of the year, and while inserting No. 1 Cooper Flagg as the occasional "Point Flagg."

Despite the questions, there should be optimism surrounding Lively. Luka was a magician with the rock, but the Mavs' young center works his own magic running the rim, finishing lobs. Also, defensively, there's no reason he shouldn't be as effective a rim-protector as he's proved to be so far.

Dallas has high hopes for Lively, and yes, that's while splitting frontcourt minutes with Anthony Davis and Daniel Gafford.

Lively's spot on our Top 100 reflects the optimism he deserves more than the questions he'll face. And there's still room for him to rise in our order during the year, if he stays healthy.

—Bryant Knox

Highest Rank: 72

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 20.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.5 APG, 0.2 BPG, 0.9 SPG, 45.3 FG%, 37.0 3PT%

Age: 25

It was a slow rise to relevance for Coby White, who was too often blocked by score-first veterans over the course of his rookie contract. That congestion proved costly when he settled on a three-year, $36 million deal in 2023, but his next venture into free agency figures to be far more lucrative.

He is now two years deep into a full-fledged breakout, shining as a featured scorer in Chicago and one who is potent both on and off the ball. His handles are slippery, his burst is special, and his splash rate stays above-average every time he adds to the frequency of those looks.

White probably needs one more strong season to really secure a colossal payday, which, it's worth noting, may not necessarily be coming in Chicago. He is certainly young and talented enough to keep around. But the Bulls must decide if they have enough touches to help further fuel his ascension while also developing the likes of Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis and rookie lottery pick Noa Essengue.

—Zach Buckley

Highest Rank: 65

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 21.0 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.6 APG, 0.7 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 40.3 FG%, 35.5 3PT%

Age: 22

Taken No. 2 by the Hornets in 2023, Brandon Miller came in third in Rookie of the Year voting that season. He seemed poised for a breakout sophomore year, initially averaging 21 points a game. Unfortunately, he suffered a wrist injury that sidelined him after 27 games.

The Hornets, who had additional injuries throughout the year (including LaMelo Ball), were a tough watch without Miller. Now that he's healthy, along with draft picks like Kon Knueppel (No. 4), Liam McNeeley (No. 29), Sion James (No. 33), and Ryan Kalkbrenner (No. 34), Charlotte may be a sleeper to climb in the Eastern Conference.

Don't expect a playoff push (the play-in may be more attainable), but a resurgent Miller, along with an exciting young core, should lead to a much better year than the 19-win effort from 2024-25. Miller projects to be a dynamic wing scorer with the size, length, and agility to defend multiple positions. He'll need to step into that potential for the Hornets to emerge from obscurity.

—Eric Pincus

Highest Rank: 56

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 11.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.2 APG, 0.6 BPG, 1.5 SPG, 45.8 FG%, 37.5 3PT%

Age: 25

Players who can capably guard every position to the point of earning an All-Defense nod while shooting over 37 percent from three are an NBA front office's fever dream. This now describes Camara…just two years into his career.

Issues arise when projecting forward due to his age. Twenty-five is on the older end for a third-year player, and he doesn't have the ball skills to dramatically branch out on offense.

Still, if he continues bumping up the three-point volume while maintaining his efficiency and flashes a couple more layers of decision-making on his straightaway drives, Camara is someone with top-50-player upside.

—Dan Favale

Highest Rank: 61

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 21.8 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.2 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 48.4 FG%, 41.8 3PT%

Age: 32

There were a lot of incredible elements in Norman Powell's ultra-rare age-31 breakout season, but maybe the most stunning was this: He really didn't change the way he played. He just did all of his typical stuff better than normal. His usage climbed, and his off-the-dribble task list lengthened. But this was basically just him at his shot-making, play-finishing best.

Now, the hoops world wants to see if he can do it all again. And he could secure a massive payday if he can, since unrestricted free agency awaits him next summer.

His work ethic and hustle will make him a great fit for the Heat culture, but Miami is really counting on that scoring punch being as powerful as it appeared last season.

Powell might be the focal point for as long as Tyler Herro is on the shelf. And he will stick in a primary offensive role even when the Heat are whole.

—Zach Buckley

Highest Rank: 61

Lowest Rank: 100

2024-25 Stats: 18.2 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.5 BPG, 0.6 SPG, 50.4 FG%, 39.5 3PT%

Age: 27

We're about to see how much more on-ball verve Michael Porter Jr. may have been hiding as a third option on the Denver Nuggets. Now thrust into a more substantial role on a Brooklyn Nets team devoid of experienced playmakers, MPJ will get a chance to create more of his own scoring opportunities than ever.

At 6'10" and boasting a lightning-quick catch-and-shoot stroke, Porter Jr. is going to be a deadly off-ball threat regardless. But this new environment in Brooklyn will reveal whether he's had more self-generated offense in his bag all along.

—Grant Hughes

Highest Rank: 59

Lowest Rank: 95

2024-25 Stats: 11.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.9 APG, 0.4 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 44.3 FG%, 35.3 3PT%

Age: 35

Bouncing back from a down-shooting season with the Boston Celtics is critical to Jrue Holiday clawing his way up this list throughout the season—and even validating his current placement on it. 

Defenses were completely checked out on him by the end of last year, and his path to buckets isn't getting easier with the Portland Trail Blazers. Their spacing is so bad that they could struggle to field two-shooter lineups, which impacts Holiday from both outside and inside the arc.

Generally speaking, though, there will always be a top-100 spot for someone who doesn't just revel in defending stars, but will guard everyone from Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, to Cade Cunningham and Trey Murphy III...to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Karl-Anthony Towns.

—Dan Favale

Highest Rank: 52

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 14.2 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.9 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 46.2 FG%, 37.9 3PT%

Age: 26

Naz Reid's status as a floor-spacing big man fuels his individual value but also unfairly downplays his other contributions. The dude's offensive bag is two-syllable duh-eep. 

Though he does not have the tightest handle, he's got the floor game of a wing to go along with some back-to-the-basket and short-roll touch. The outside-shooting element of his game might even be underrated. His release is atypically quick and fluid for a big man.

Tweener status at the defensive end is his Achilles heel. He has shown on occasion he can move his feet in space, but he shouldn't be on islands for long, and he's not nearly large enough to handle primary back-line responsibilities. 

With that said, if Reid ever becomes more of a defensive anchor in secondary minutes at the 5, we're looking at top-40-or-50 material instead of top 75.

—Dan Favale

Highest Rank: 64

Lowest Rank: 98

2024-25 Stats: 14.6 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 7.2 APG, 0.6 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 46.5 FG%, 37.8 3PT%

Age: 23

Josh Giddey should feel as comfortable as ever entering the new season. He feels as close to an established centerpiece as the Bulls have, an organizational standing solidified by the four-year, $100 million pact he inked this summer.

To maintain this position moving forward, though, he'll have to try squeezing a bit more out of his game. He can obviously fill out a stat line—tied for 13th-most triple-doubles among active players—but can he add more volume to his improved perimeter shot (career-high 37.8 percent last season)? Or up his scoring output in general? Or use his size to become more of a defensive deterrent?

He's been a solid starter to this point, but the Bulls just placed a nine-figure bet on his ability to climb closer to stardom.

—Zach Buckley

Highest Rank: 49

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 7.1 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.5 APG, 0.6 BPG, 1.6 SPG, 44.6 FG%, 35.3 3PT%

Age: 31

Alex Caruso's modest stats often bury his ranking on Top 100 lists. That seems to be the case here—and if we're being honest, it may be what keeps him from rising much during the season.

Caruso, though, is a glue guy. Casual fans know about his defensive intensity; diehards feel OKC pulled off a heist in the Caruso-Josh Giddey trade a year ago.

Entering 2025-26, don't expect Caruso to make many national headlines. But if the Thunder win another title, the veteran guard will have his third ring in just nine seasons.

—Bryant Knox

Highest Rank: 58

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 13.6 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 5.9 APG, 0.4 BPG, 1.5 SPG, 52.5 FG%, 33.3 3PT%

Age: 30

Josh Hart wearing a finger splint on his shooting hand complicates what is already a complicated discussion. His impact craters if he can't come up with as many rebounds or finish as efficiently at the basket.

Opinions of his game remain divisive, even if we assume no regression in availability or performance. Opponents do not respect him beyond the arc, and he's hesitant to fire away when left wide open. The strain this puts on spacing is enough to undermine entire lineups that should be offensive firecrackers.

Still, Hart does a little to a lot of everything else. The rebounding and rim pressure are value-adds at his position, and he's a pace-pusher and playmaker after grabbing boards. The defense isn't elite, but it's serviceable across every wing slot. Some guys are also just culture-setters. He's among them. 

Highest Rank: 64

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 10.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.5 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 43.5 FG%, 41.2 3PT%

Age: 26

Lu Dort's All-Defense nod last year was somehow the first of his career. Insofar as you can be underappreciated after a First Team appearance, he just might be.

Other players rack up more counting stats at the less glamorous end. This is a function of Dort's role. He lines up against the opposition's best perimeter scorer for longer stretches than anyone else on the Oklahoma City Thunder. His singular-focused role may be possible because of the talent around him, but there aren't many players who can handle his overall workload.

Whether this ranking represents the ceiling for Dort is debatable. The 40-plus percent from three he's shooting on real volume the past two seasons suggests it's not. Rickety finishing around the basket and streaky decision-making off the dribble tell a different story.

—Dan Favale

Highest Rank: 62

Lowest Rank: 92

2024-25 Stats: 12.2 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.9 BPG, 1.3 SPG, 47.7 FG%, 33.0 3PT%

Age: 25

Depending on the game, Jaden McDaniels can look like he's All-D-and-No-Three or a slimmed-down version of Kawhi Leonard. Not surprisingly, this range of outcomes is reflected in where he lands.

No-holds-barred defense gives McDaniels a high floor. Even when his offensive efficiency is in the gutter and opposing teams leave him unattended, you can't not play him. 

Extended stretches of efficient three-point shooting, mid-range touch and deep drives leave the door open to a mid-career leap. The challenge for McDaniels is figuring out how to unlock the best, most consistent iteration of his offense without having to play the 4. If he can't, his overall ceiling will be bottlenecked by the current makeup of the Minnesota Timberwolves' roster. 

—Dan Favale

Highest Rank: 60

Lowest Rank: 91

2024-25 Stats: 18.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.4 APG, 0.4 BPG, 0.9 SPG, 47.5 FG%, 39.0 3PT%

Age: 29

Nikola Jokić is the rising tide who lifts all boats…or, in Cam Johnson's case, all teammates. Everyone gets better looks with the Joker involved, and the expectation should be for Johnson to beat last year's 39.0 percent conversion rate on threes.

A clever off-ball mover who can get shots up while running over screens in either direction, Johnson is sure to find the ball delivered perfectly into his shooting pocket more often than ever—and that's saying something for a player who spent his formative years with Chris Paul as his point guard.

Johnson's knack for finding gaps in the defense should also serve him well as a cutter. Bet on Jokić finding him for plenty of close-range bunnies.

—Grant Hughes

Highest Rank: 55

Lowest Rank: 96

2024-25 Stats: 11.2 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.1 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 58.1 FG%, 0.0 3PT%

Age: 27

Isaiah Hartenstein has worked his way from being the 43rd overall pick in the 2017 draft to becoming a solid starter with the New York Knicks, securing an $87 million payday from the Oklahoma City Thunder, now averaging a double-double, and being named a top-65 player in the NBA on our list.

It was a breakout season for Hartenstein in 2024-25, as he started nearly every game for the eventual NBA champions while helping cover for an injury-plagued Chet Holmgren. He averaged career highs in points (11.2), rebounds (10.7) and assists (3.8), all while adding 0.8 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.

One of the most underrated defenders in the NBA, Hartenstein helped anchor an OKC defense that ranked No. 1 overall and played a big role in their championship run.

—Greg Swartz

Highest Rank: 49

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 22.2 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 4.4 APG, 0.4 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 47.7 FG%, 32.8 3PT%

Age: 36

For years, one of the prevailing narratives from DeMar DeRozan's career was: Sure, he's a fun mid-range scorer, but how much does he affect winning?

Over the course of his first 12 seasons, his teams were plus-2.8 points per 100 possessions when he was off the floor and even with opponents when he was on. He had a negative impact on net rating in 11 of those 12 campaigns.

Now, in this post-prime stretch, the trend is starting to turn. Over the last four years, his teams are plus-0.6 with him on and minus-1.3 when he's off.

It's not a huge swing, and it's certainly influenced by the overall quality of the teams he's been on, but it's positive.

And, when combined with his clutch play in recent Chicago Bulls campaigns and the general uptick in playmaking numbers since leaving the Toronto Raptors, it's now more than fair to say his impact has caught up with his popular appeal.

—Andy Bailey

Highest Rank: 46

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 16.2 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.7 APG, 0.9 BPG, 1.5 SPG, 41.0 FG%, 31.4 3PT%

Age: 24

Jalen Suggs remains one of the league's premier perimeter defenders, even as injuries continue to cloud his ceiling. The 24-year-old guard underwent arthroscopic surgery in March to remove a cartilage fragment from his left knee and missed the rest of the year. He appeared in only 35 games last season and has cleared 50 games just twice in his four-year career.

When healthy, Suggs anchors the Magic's backcourt defense. He finished 10th in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2023-24 and earned All-Defensive Second Team honors, fueled by his physical on-ball pressure and anticipation. His defensive box plus/minus of 1.3 last season nearly matched his 1.6 mark from the year before, showing his impact remained steady despite the limited action.

Offensively, he still needs to improve as a shooter. The strides he made in 2023-24 seem to be erased after his three-point hit rate fell from 39.7 percent to a dismal 31.4 percent last year. As Orlando looks to push the pace while maintaining its physical defensive style, his ability to ignite transition opportunities from stops remains invaluable.

—Jason Dunbar

Highest Rank: 55

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 College Stats: 19.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.2 APG, 48.1 FG%, 38.5 3PT%

Age: 18

Perhaps the most hyped American-born prospect since LeBron James, Cooper Flagg finds himself in a unique position with the Mavericks. This isn't the kind of top-to-bottom rebuilder that typically lands a top pick; instead, it's a veteran-heavy team hoping to push for the title as soon as this season.

Since he'll have other stars around him—Anthony Davis and, eventually, Kyrie Irving—Flagg's numbers may not measure up to the hype. His impact could still be enormous, though, as Dallas is counting on him being a plug-and-play part of its championship formula.

Entering the league, Flagg doesn't necessarily have a singular standout skill, but that says more about his versatility than any individual part of his game. He's a hyperactive defender, fiery competitor and three-level scorer, but it's his playmaking that could be his most critical ability early, as he figures to handle the ball plenty while the Mavs wait on Irving's return from an ACL tear.

—Zach Buckley

Highest Rank: 43

Lowest Rank: 88

2024-25 Stats: 14.1 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 4.4 APG, 0.7 BPG, 3.0 SPG, 49.3 FG%, 34.0 3PT%

Age: 22

Heading into last season, Dyson Daniels wasn't sniffing these Top 100 lists. He was fresh off two relatively nondescript seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans and had just arrived in Atlanta as part of the package for Dejounte Murray.

One Most Improved Player award and a runner-up finish in the Defensive Player of the Year race later, and Daniels is officially on the top-100 radar.

Daniels erupted alongside Trae Young last season, setting new career highs in points (14.1), rebounds (5.9) and assists (4.4) while compiling a league-leading 3.0 steals per game. He was the first player to rack up at least three steals per game since Nate McMillan did so with the then-Seattle SuperSonics in 1993-94.

Daniels will have more competition for minutes this season after the Hawks added Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard to their backcourt in free agency. But if the Great Barrier Thief continues to wreak as much defensive havoc as he did last year, it'll be tough for Atlanta to keep him off the floor.

—Bryan Toporek

Highest Rank: 41

Lowest Rank: 82

2024-25 Stats: 22.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 5.2 APG, 0.6 BPG, 0.9 SPG, 46.5 FG%, 37.4 3PT%

Age: 28

Brandon Ingram is the quintessential eye-of-the-beholder household name. You either view his knack for making tough jumpers as a serviceable lifeline or a limiting factor. 

Perception for the time being is skewing too far toward the negative end of the spectrum. The overcorrection is understandable. Absence grates on memory, and Ingram last played a regular-season game in December. 

Restoring faith in his offensive usefulness requires finding a middle ground. Ingram's on-ball chops are essential to a Toronto Raptors offense with few proven creators, but they can't be everything. His overall fit will be determined by matching or exceeding last year's three-point volume and, equally paramount, moving away from the ball and making quicker decisions on it more than he ever has before.

—Dan Favale

Highest Rank: 38

Lowest Rank: 84

2024-25 Stats: 15.6 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 2.0 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 48.1 FG%, 39.6 3PT%

Age: 29

Ahead of a gap year—and following a decade of trade rumors that revealed only a tepid commitment level—the Indiana Pacers decided they were done with Myles Turner. After reportedly failing to offer him more than $22 million per season in free agency, Indy lost Turner to the desperate Milwaukee Bucks.

Though not a star, Turner is one of a vanishingly small number of centers who can space the floor and defend the rim. Had he hit the open market in a summer where more than one team had actual cap space, he would have blown past the four-year, $109 million deal he inked with Milwaukee.

Though overstretched as a No. 2 option, Turner is an ideal complement to Giannis Antetokounmpo and should be on the floor in every minute that truly matters for the Bucks.

—Grant Hughes

Highest Rank: 47

Lowest Rank: 68

2024-25 Stats: 17.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 3.7 APG, 0.5 BPG, 0.9 SPG, 50.0 FG%, 35.4 3PT%

Age: 29

Evaluations of Mikal Bridges must untether his performance from the mountain of first-round picks the New York Knicks gave up to get him. He disappointed last season when using that opportunity cost as the sole measure for success. The point-of-attack defense was underwhelming, the above-the-break three-pointing was regrettable, and his mid-range efficiency did not make up for his at-the-rim allergy.

Cleaning up most of those issues is within his control. He doesn't need to prematurely bail out defenses coming around screens or when catching the ball on the run. We have evidence that he can be a steadier, even if not quite elite, three-point shooter.

Regaining the benefit of the doubt on defense is less within his power. Point-of-attack responsibility has seldom been his strong suit. He is better equipped for…essentially everything else. Can the Knicks under head coach Mike Brown recast his primary defensive role? The answer will go a long way toward him scaling up—or down—this Top 100 ladder.

—Dan Favale

Highest Rank: 39

Lowest Rank: Unranked

2024-25 Stats: 23.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.2 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 51.1 FG%, 44.6 3PT%

Age: 30

What a journey we're on watching Zach LaVine go from ultra-talented super-athlete on the middling Chicago Bulls...to ultra-talented super-athlete on the middling "Chicago Bulls of the West."

Alongside former Bulls teammate DeMar DeRozan, LaVine enters his first full season in Sacramento, having played just 32 games with the Kings a year ago compared to the 42 he played with Chicago.

Despite the "Bulls of the West" low-hanging fruit we've already grabbed, LaVine has looked healthy, continues to be explosive, and his three-point stroke is suddenly sweet as you'll find in the NBA.

Banking on the Kings to win big right now wouldn't be your smartest bet. But you'd be foolish to ignore LaVine for the superstar he'll no doubt be this season.

Highest Rank: 48

Lowest Rank: 74

2024-25 Stats: 20.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 5.8 APG, 0.3 BPG, 1.1 SPG,46.0 FG%, 37.7 3PT%

Age: 27

Austin Reaves is one of the best undrafted players in the NBA, fresh off a career year. The Lakers can "only" offer about $87 million over four years in an extension—a figure Reaves has turned down. The plan for Reaves is to opt out of his final year ($15 million for 2026-27) to explore unrestricted free agency in July with hopes for a near-max contract that could start in the $41.5 million range.

To reach those heights, Reaves needs to have a tremendous season. The Lakers need to evaluate if he's the right fit alongside Luka Dončić. Offensively, the pair (plus LeBron James) is a lot for opposing defenses to handle, thanks to their ball-handling creativity and shot-making. However, the Lakers' defense with Dončić and Reaves is questionable.

L.A. will spend much of the year evaluating the pairing. Reaves prefers to stay with the team past the season, but will the Lakers give him what he's asking for? Will another franchise come with a monster offer next summer?

Whatever the answer, look for Reaves to put up big numbers in a contract year.

—Eric Pincus

Highest Rank: 44

Lowest Rank: 65

2024-25 Stats: 21.2 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.5 APG, 0.7 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 45.4 FG%, 36.1 3PT%

Age: 25

If he can sustain the increased three-point attempt rate he showcased last season while hitting around his career average of 38.1 percent from deep, Trey Murphy III has a chance to be one of the most efficient high-volume scorers in the league.

Ultra-deep range and a level of downhill burst most sharpshooters lack make Murphy a uniquely tricky player to wrangle. Fail to close out—even when he's 28 feet from the bucket—and you risk getting benched for allowing a clean look. Run at him too hard, and Murphy will blow past the coverage and turn the lane into a runway for a rafter-scraping jam.

Quietly, the 6'8" sniper also displayed some facility as a playmaker during New Orleans' lost 2024-25 campaign. His 3.5 assists per game were a career high, as was his usage rate of 23.7 percent.

—Grant Hughes

Highest Rank: 40

Lowest Rank: 77

2024-25 Stats: 9.0 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 5.6 APG, 1.0 BPG, 1.5 SPG, 42.4 FG%, 32.5 3PT%

Age: 35

At 35, Draymond Green is showing subtle signs of slippage. His two-point field-goal percentage (51.7 percent) hit a five-year low last season, and he's no longer the same grab-and-go open-floor game-wrecker he once was. 

Considering Green still managed to rank third in Defensive Player of the Year voting last season while finishing as one of four players to average at least 5.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.0 block and 1.0 steal, he's got a long way to fall before anyone can argue age has truly caught up to him.

The Golden State Warriors' slim title hopes still depend on Green's unrivaled defensive intellect and frequently over-the-line agitation of opponents. His chemistry with Stephen Curry remains unsurpassed, and his shaky shooting fits better next to Jimmy Butler's now that the Dubs can get 48 minutes of floor-spacing center play from Al Horford and Quinten Post.

—Grant Hughes

Highest Rank: 46

Lowest Rank: 67

2024-25 Stats: 19.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.5 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 48.3 FG%, 41.2 3PT%

Age: 30

Two years ago, Kristaps Porziņģis was the X-factor for the championship-winning Boston Celtics. However, a mysterious illness made him look like a shell of himself in last year's playoffs.

Porziņģis told reporters during media day that he's now fully recovered from that illness. If that remains the case, the Atlanta Hawks might have pulled off one of the biggest heists of the offseason by acquiring him for Georges Niang, Terance Mann and a late first-round pick.

On paper, Porziņģis is a picture-perfect pick-and-pop partner for Trae Young. The Hawks haven't had a floor-spacer like him in their frontcourt since Danilo Gallinari was in the fold, which should juice their already potent offense. Between Young, Porziņģis and Jalen Johnson, Atlanta may have quietly assembled one of the best Big Threes in the East this offseason.

As usual, the question is whether Porziņģis can stay healthy. If he does, he could be the rocket fuel that accelerates the Hawks toward the top of the East.

—Bryan Toporek

Highest Rank: 46

Lowest Rank: 67

2024-25 Stats: 16.2 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.3 APG, 0.5 BPG, 1.8 SPG, 43.0 FG%, 35.8 3PT%

Age: 35

When the Philadelphia 76ers signed Paul George last summer, it looked like the biggest free-agent coup in franchise history. However, injuries submarined his debut campaign and might have left the Sixers with some immediate buyer's remorse.

The start of his second season with the Sixers is off to a similarly ominous start. He suffered a left knee injury during an offseason workout in mid-July that required an arthroscopic procedure. There's no guarantee that he'll be ready for opening night.

Whenever George is ready to suit up this year, the Sixers can only hope that he's more efficient on offense than he was last season. He went from averaging 22.6 points and shooting 47.1 percent overall and 41.3 percent from three-point range during his final year with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2023-24 to 16.2 points on 43.0 percent shooting (35.8 percent from deep) last year.

If Joel Embiid manages to dodge the injury bug this season, George should be able to slide into the complementary role that the Sixers originally imagined for him. But if the 35-year-old has to anchor the Sixers' offense again in Embiid's absence, last year cast doubt on his ability to do so moving forward.

—Bryan Toporek

Highest Rank: 30

Lowest Rank: 93

2024-25 Stats: 16.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.9 APG, 0.5 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 47.6 FG%, 36.5 3PT%

Age: 24

After a slow start to last season, Deni Avdija took off for the Portland Trail Blazers in time and at a level high enough to generate fringe All-Star buzz. His overall performance was proof of concept. He is someone who can bully his way to the basket, hit enough threes to keep defenses honest, play-make out of live dribbles, push the pace and guard everyone from combo wings and true forwards to some outright bigs. 

That Avdija ratcheted up his offense amid the Blazers' clunky floor balance is perhaps the most validating part of his entire game. And it's a feat large enough to now ask if it's time to recalibrate his ceiling. At 24, Advidja hasn't yet reached his final form. For the most part, his trajectory is less about making wholesale additions and mostly about just doing more. More playmaking, more pace-setting and more shooting—all without the guarantee of more or much better talent around him.

—Dan Favale

Highest Rank: 40

Lowest Rank: 67

2024-25 Stats: 14.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.2 APG, 53.1 FG%, 43.6 3PT%, 0.3 BPG, 0.5 SPG

Age: 30

Aaron Gordon is far from the first NBA player to do this, but he's one of the best examples of a former lottery pick who presumably entered the league with visions of superstardom embracing a less heralded role.

Since joining the Denver Nuggets, Gordon has streamlined his game, improved his shot selection, focused on defense and put winning above personal accolades. And, as if all that wasn't enough, he became even more dangerous last season by developing a reliable three-point shot.

AG isn't likely to produce at a high volume in any statistical category, but he can do a little bit of everything and has become one of the league's top role players.

—Andy Bailey

Highest Rank: 44

Lowest Rank: 69

2024-25 Stats: 18.9 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.0 BPG, 1.6 SPG, 50.0 FG%, 31.2 3PT%

Age: 23

For those who didn't pay close attention to Jalen Johnson last season, seeing him in our top 50 here may come as a surprise. If anything, this ranking could wind up being low.

Before Johnson suffered a season-ending torn labrum in his left shoulder in late January, he was in the midst of a breakout campaign. Across 36 appearances, he set new career highs in points (18.9), rebounds (10.0), assists (5.0), steals (1.6) and blocks (1.0) per game.

The Hawks signed Johnson to a five-year, $150 million extension ahead of last season, which is already aging like fine wine. His annual salary is $30 million flat across the life of the deal, so he'll increasingly become one of the best-value contracts in the NBA over the remainder of the decade.

This season will be Johnson's chance to prove that his breakout campaign was no fluke. Doing so could cement him as a franchise cornerstone for the Hawks moving forward.

—Bryan Toporek

Highest Rank: 40

Lowest Rank: 74

2024-25 Stats: 19.0 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.5 APG, 0.4 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 42.3 FG%, 34.6 3PT%

Age: 28

An All-Star in 2022-23 and nearly as productive (and efficient) the following season, Markkanen took a backward step this past season. His counting categories dipped, his shooting rates tanked, and he wound up making a career-low 47 appearances.

Then, he went on a starring run at EuroBasket that reminded anyone who'd forgotten about his prodigious gifts. And folks couldn't help but wonder whether Utah's race to the bottom contributed to his down season.

The 28-year-old heads into this campaign as one of the league's most logical trade candidates. He's a proven, in-prime, big-time talent on an organization that is overloaded with youth and seemingly fully focused on the upcoming draft. He might need a strong start to make potential suitors feel better about the massive amount of money he's owed, but there's just so much to like about a 7-footer with his skill level.

—Greg Swartz

Highest Rank: 40

Lowest Rank: 57

2024-25 Stats: 13.5 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.9 BPG, 0.9 SPG, 70.6 FG%, 0.0 3PT%

Age: 27

The Cleveland Cavaliers' fourth top-50 player on our list, Jarrett Allen, is the type of low-maintenance star every team wishes it had.

The 27-year-old played all 82 games last year, led the NBA with a 70.6 field goal percentage, nearly averaged a double-double and played excellent defense once again.

Allen does all of this without the benefit of any offensive plays being run through him while doing the dirty work of setting screens for the All-Star guards and cleaning up the offensive glass.

With a new three-year, $90.7 million extension set to kick in next season, will the Cavs be able to keep Allen with three other max players? Opposing center-needy teams will hope not.

—Greg Swartz

Highest Rank: 27

Lowest Rank: 57

2024-25 Stats: 12.0 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.4 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 66.9 FG%, 0.0 3PT%

Age: 33

Rudy Gobert no longer singlehandedly smothers opposing offenses like he did with the Utah Jazz, but he's still one of the league's most effective defensive anchors and rim protectors.

Because of his ability to clean up drives inside, the Minnesota Timberwolves' perimeter defenders can be far more aggressive. That leads to scrambled offenses, which in turn result in misses. When Gobert was on the floor this past season, opponents' effective field-goal percentage dropped 2.2 points.

As has been the case for much of his career, despite a lack of traditional post moves or other aesthetically pleasing skills, Gobert is still a positive player on offense, too. He knows what he does best (offensive rebound and dunk), and he doesn't try to do much else. Getting 13.1 points on just 7.7 field-goal attempts per game is incredibly valuable.

—Andy Bailey

Highest Rank: 16

Lowest Rank: 56

2024-25 Stats: 25.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 7.4 APG, 0.3 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 40.5 FG%, 33.9 3PT%

Age: 24

LaMelo Ball is a fun player to watch. He gets up and down the floor quickly, takes (and makes, sometimes) wild shot attempts, and is a high-level assist generator. His team, however, has been reliably awful throughout most of Ball's young career.

If his All-Star nod in 2021-22 as a sophomore was premature, he averaged a career-high of 25.2 points per game last season. Unfortunately, he's struggled to stay healthy over the last three years, which has been the Hornets' most significant hurdle. If the talent was there (debatable), health was not.

On paper, Charlotte has a young, exciting roster. The team may not be ready to go on a Detroit Pistons run (from high lottery to playoffs), but if Ball, Brandon Miller and the rest of the group can prove durable, the play-in tournament isn't out of bounds.

In the meantime, Ball's lack of availability, coupled with his team's inability to make the postseason, suggests his prolific output may be empty calories. Now is an ideal time for Ball to shake that reputation.

—Eric Pincus

Highest Rank: 31

Lowest Rank: 68

2024-25 Stats: 18.0 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.2 APG, 0.9 BPG, 1.5 SPG, 47.6 FG%, 37.2 3PT%

Age: 28

If NBA scouting departments commissioned scientists to concoct the ideal non-star in a lab, the end result would be OG Anunoby: an every-position defender who can bring more than just three-point shooting at the other end.

Availability and a relatively undefined offensive peak still work against him. He distanced himself from both warts last season, appearing in 74 games and proving to be a more reliable driver and foul-drawer.

Anunoby will be asked to broaden his horizons further under New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown. He should be moving more without the ball in the half-court, and in all likelihood, be encouraged to push more frequently after rebounds. His place here will require relitigation if this looks good on him, he stays healthy, and if he continues to clean up virtually everything on defense. 

—Dan Favale

Highest Rank: 37

Lowest Rank: 52

2024-25 Stats: 19.2 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 5.3 APG, 0.4 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 48.4 FG%, 39.2 3PT%

Age: 27

Trade acquisition Desmond Bane will bring some much-needed spacing in support of frontcourt stars Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero. The Magic were last in three-point percentage and three-point makes in 2024-25, making Bane's fit easy to see. He's a career 41 percent shooter from deep and has posted at least 19 points per game in each of the past three seasons. 

Banes' value, though, extends beyond scoring. The guard adds defensive toughness, strong rebounding and quick decision-making, all traits that could help Orlando push the pace after finishing last in that category a year ago. It's no coincidence he helped drive Memphis to a No. 1 ranking in transition play.

His presence should free up Jamahl Mosley's offense and instill more rhythm into the Magic's young core. And his demeanor and willingness to do whatever's needed make him an ideal fit for this defensive-minded group in an increasingly wide-open Eastern Conference.

—Jason Dunbar

Highest Rank: 36

Lowest Rank: 50

2024-25 Stats: 18.7 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 4.7 APG, 0.2 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 48.5 FG%, 34.4 3PT%

Age: 30

At times, it feels like Julius Randle's game has all the subtlety of a Chris Farley appearance on late-night television. It's wild, unrestrained, explosive and ultimately productive.

Although it took him much of last season to adapt to a new home and role with the Minnesota Timberwolves, when he found it, he was once again one of the league's more dynamic point forwards.

Following an extended injury absence in February, Randle put up 18.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and a team-high 5.2 assists, while shooting 39.8 percent from deep, over his last 21 games.

He wasn't just a dangerous second scoring option behind Anthony Edwards. He was often the primary facilitator. With his force-of-nature drives, Randle can drag defenses deep into the paint before kicking out to shooters or finding a big man at the rim or in the dunker's spot.

His game may not have the aesthetic appeal of some of the league's other distributors, but it's undeniably effective.

—Andy Bailey

Highest Rank: 36

Lowest Rank: 52

2024-25 Stats: 14.1 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.3 BPG, 1.4 SPG, 55.7 FG%, 27.5 3PT%

Age: 22

Turbo-powered by anti-gravity bounce and the kind of burst that surely made him an Olympic sprinter in an alternate universe, Amen Thompson's physical tools stand out even in this larger-than-life league. He's like a lab-created, all-purpose defender built to disrupt everything in the modern NBA. And then, he also happens to have enough vision to serve as a 6'7" lead guard.

The idea of what he could become is mesmerizing, as he's already an all-league defender and triple-double threat. But the Rockets are more concerned with his present reality, since he'll factor prominently into their plans of replacing Fred VanVleet in-house.

Thompson's scoring range only stretches about as far as he can jump, and he hasn't found a great way to counter defenses that sag off of him in the half-court. Having Kevin Durant around should give everyone in Houston more breathing room, but there's still plenty of hope that most of Thompson's improvements will be tied to his own skill development.

—Zach Buckley

Highest Rank: 28

Lowest Rank: 58

2024-25 Stats: 16.8 PPG, 12.6 PG, 2.7 APG, 1.1 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 62.8 FG%, 0.0 3PT%

Age: 28

Ivica Zubac's ascension to one of the top centers in the NBA has been slow but steady. Perhaps it was the absence of Kawhi Leonard for the early part of the Clippers' season and James Harden's commitment at point guard to feed the big man. Maybe Zubac's improved conditioning during 2024-25 enabled a career-high of 32.8 minutes per game (up by over six from a year prior).

Whatever the reason, Zubac finished with personal bests in scoring (16.8 points per game), rebounds (12.6), and assists (2.7). He came in sixth for Defensive Player of the Year, earning Second Team All-Defense.

Now, Zubac needs to prove that 2024-25 wasn't just a production spike, and that he can continue to build upon a breakout season.

—Eric Pincus

Highest Rank: 19

Lowest Rank: 55

2024-25 Stats: 21.4 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 6.0 APG, 0.5 BPG, 1.4 SPG, 47.4 FG%, 39.3 3PT%

Age: 28

Consistency (or lack thereof) has long been a concern with Jamal Murray. But when fully engaged, he's one of the most electrifying backcourt scorers and distributors in the NBA.

Murray has a quick-as-a-hiccup release on his pull-up jumper. He is dangerous from all three levels, and he's capable of game-swinging hot streaks.

The idealized version of Murray famously played throughout Denver's 2023 title run, when he averaged 26.1 points, 7.1 assists and 5.7 rebounds in the playoffs. If Denver gets 50 or so Murray games at that level, it has a real chance to finish first in the West.

—Andy Bailey

Highest Rank: 32

Lowest Rank: 48

2024-25 Stats: 19.3 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 5.8 APG, 1.0 BPG, 1.4 SPG, 44.6 FG%, 27.1 3PT%

Age: 24

Is Scottie Barnes an All-NBA talent trapped on a bad roster, or are some of his weaknesses too big to overlook with any team?

Few players combine his size (6'7", 227 pounds), movement and overall skill set. Barnes, 24, averaged 19.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.0 steals last year, although these numbers fell slightly from his All-Star season in 2023-24.

Barnes is never going to be an elite outside shooter, and that's OK. His 27.1 percent mark from deep on 4.3 attempts per game is pretty ugly, however, especially with how the rest of this Toronto Raptors roster has been built.

The Milwaukee Bucks have long done an admirable job of surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo with shooters and working around his weakness. The Raptors have now tied Jakob Poeltl (three career three-pointers) to Barnes for the next five years. Can Barnes overcome this? Or will Toronto need to reshuffle its roster to maximize his strengths?

—Greg Swartz

Highest Rank: 30

Lowest Rank: 46

2024-25 Stats: 16.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.1 BPG, 0.9 SPG, 44.2 FG%, 38.4 3PT%

Age: 31

Suddenly, Derrick White finds himself as the second-most important Celtic. With Jayson Tatum injured and Kristaps Porziņģis, Jrue Holiday and Al Horford gone, the playoff-tested vet could shoulder a heavier offensive load a season after posting a career-high 16.4 points per game. 

The "Swiss army knife" label gets thrown around often regarding White, and for good reason. Few guards are more complete on both ends. The 31-year-old finished 10th in DPOY voting last season, his second straight top-10 showing, while launching 9.1 threes per game at a 38.4 percent clip. He also set a franchise record with 265 long-distance makes as part of the Boston Three Party.

Though he's not a traditional point guard, he'll figure heavily as a playmaker in a rotation that includes Payton Pritchard and Anfernee Simons, as Boston attempts to push the pace in Joe Mazzulla's remade offense.

Without Holiday beside him, White will take on the toughest defensive assignments nightly, giving him a strong chance to extend his top-10 DPOY streak.

—Jason Dunbar

Highest Rank: 24

Lowest Rank: 56

2024-25 Stats: 23.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 6.3 APG, 0.4 BPG, 1.5 SPG, 46.3 FG%, 31.0 3PT%

Age: 27

De'Aaron Fox earned his lone All-Star berth in 2022-23, the only year the Sacramento Kings made the playoffs in a long, long time. He was arguably better the following year, but the Kings weren't—the team's trajectory eventually led to Fox's mid-season trade to the Spurs last season.

Unfortunately, Victor Wembanyama was shut down with a deep vein thrombosis. Still confident in the duo, San Antonio rewarded Fox with a lucrative long-term extension.

Now, Fox and Wembanyama will team up to help elevate the franchise back into playoff contention. Fox is one of the fastest guards in the league with the ball. At his best, he's a paint-scoring point guard who has shown that he can shoot the three (though his career-average of 33 percent is subpar).

The bigger-picture question for the Spurs and Fox has to do with the team's last two drafts, taking current Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle (No. 4) in 2024 and Dylan Harper (No. 2) in June. How will the young guards develop if Fox dominates the ball? Too much talent is rarely an issue.

Fox is in his prime but will miss the initial start of the season with a hamstring injury. The Spurs will presumably use Castle (a strong defender) and Harper in complementary roles as they continue to develop.

The Fox and Wembanyama combination should prove to be dynamic enough to propel San Antonio into playoff (or at worst, play-in) range.

—Eric Pincus

Highest Rank: 25

Lowest Rank: 48

2024-25 Stats: 15.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 2.0 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 49.0 FG%, 37.9 3PT%

Age: 23

Chet Holmgren has played just 114 total games over his first three seasons, yet he already looks like one of the best rim protectors we've seen in decades.

Holmgren held opponents to just 44.0 percent shooting at the rim last season. That was the best mark in the NBA of the 133 players who defended three or more shots per game, topping even Victor Wembanyama (50.0 percent).

Mix in a good outside shot (37.9 percent) and an ideal lob threat for the talented passers on this roster, and Holmgren is quickly becoming one of the premier bigs in the NBA.

His raw scoring numbers aren't going to pop off the charts playing alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams; although, we expect Holmgren to continue to improve his shooting efficiency and add muscle to his frame.

—Greg Swartz

Highest Rank: 16

Lowest Rank: 44

2024-25 Stats: 20.6 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 6.7 APG, 0.1 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 47.2 FG%, 40.1 3PT%

Age: 25

Darius Garland has established himself as a top-10 point guard in the NBA, as the 25-year-old made his second All-Star game while helping guide the Cleveland Cavaliers to the league's best offense.

Garland is extremely skilled, whether it's pulling up from anywhere to splash a jumper at a moment's notice, shimmying his way around defenders in the paint or connecting on long-range threes. The longest-tenured Cav, Garland has averaged 20.0 points and 7.2 assists over the past five seasons.

Toe surgery will keep him out to begin the 2025-26 season, and the Cavaliers were doomed in the playoffs with a hobbled Garland trying to push through a turf toe injury.

Cleveland could actually benefit by seeing Garland scale back on his own offense, with more of a concentrated effort to get the ball to Evan Mobley. Even if his raw numbers don't show it, this is one of the most skilled players in the entire NBA who's used an offseason of recovery to add muscle to his frame.

—Greg Swartz

Highest Rank: 21

Lowest Rank: 42

2024-25 Stats: 23.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 7.3 APG, 0.2 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 45.4 FG%, 30.9 3PT%

Age: 26

Analyzing Ja Morant seems to get a little tougher with each passing year. From suspensions in 2022-23 that cost him several games to a variety of injuries that cost him another 105 in the following two seasons, the question marks are piling up.

Last season, in the 50 games he did play, Morant averaged his fewest points since 2020-21. His box plus/minus fell to its lowest level since that same season. It might be time to acknowledge that his high-flying, sometimes reckless game, though often spectacular, has taken a toll on Morant's body.

On the other hand, he's only 26 years old. He showed flashes of brilliance last season, including in a 44-point outing in March. If he can just piece together a few weeks of good health in a row, we may get to see the old Ja again.

—Andy Bailey

Highest Rank: 23

Lowest Rank: 45

2024-25 Stats: 24.2 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 4.7 APG, 0.4 BPG, 1.3 SPG, 46.3 FG%, 29.5 3PT%

Age: 24

Franz Wagner has quietly become one of the NBA's premier young wings and a foundational piece in Orlando's rise. At 24, he's chasing his first All-Star berth and looks poised to get there if his outside shot rebounds.

After hitting 35.8 percent from three over his first two seasons, Wagner has slipped to 28.9 percent the past two—an area that could swing both his ceiling and the Magic's offense.

While Paolo Banchero sat for 34 games last season with an oblique injury, Wagner showed he could carry primary-option duties in flashes. Now healthy, his blend of size, strength and versatility at 6'10" gives Orlando a rare two-way force who can guard multiple positions and run the floor alongside new addition Desmond Bane.

—Jason Dunbar

Highest Rank: 21

Lowest Rank: 44

2024-25 Stats: 26.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 6.1 APG, 0.4 BPG, 1.8 SPG, 43.7 FG%, 33.7 3PT%

Age: 24

Tyrese Maxey was one of the few silver linings for the Philadelphia 76ers last season. Although he got off to a relatively slow start and suffered an early-season hamstring injury that sidelined him for two weeks, he eventually found a groove around the holidays despite Joel Embiid and Paul George bouncing in and out of the lineup all year.

The question heading into this season is how he fits into the Sixers' new-look backcourt, and whether he can anchor the team whenever Embiid and/or George miss time. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse has heavily hinted that No. 3 overall pick VJ Edgecombe will be starting alongside Maxey this season, although it's possible that the newly re-signed Quentin Grimes could start alongside them in a three-guard lineup. Nurse said Maxey "needs to be off the ball some because of that speed into his shooting and turning corners," so he figures to take turns with Grimes, Edgecombe and Jared McCain operating both on and off the ball.

If Embiid and George struggle to stay healthy again, can Maxey and the rest of the backcourt keep the Sixers afloat this year? If not, that could raise some thorny questions about his long-term future in Philadelphia.

—Bryan Toporek

Highest Rank: 24

Lowest Rank: 39

2024-25 Stats: 24.6 PPG, 7.2 PG, 5.3 APG, 0.9 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 56.7 FG%, 23.1 3PT%

Age: 25

Luka Dončić got the headlines, but Zion Williamson also showed up to camp looking significantly slimmed down. Given the conditioning issues that cost Williamson far more court time than Dončić's ever did, his transformation probably deserved more attention.

But this isn't just about aesthetics. Williamson's preseason play featured straight-line speed and bursts of quickness that weren't quite there last season—even if he was still a productive scorer across the 30 games he played.

When healthy and fit, Williamson is one of the 10 best offensive players in the league. The only thing standing between him and his first career All-NBA nod is a track record that says he can't sustain peak form for a full season.

—Grant Hughes

Highest Rank: 16

Lowest Rank: 50

2024-25 Stats: 22.2 PPG, 5.6 PG, 2.0 APG, 1.5 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 48.8 FG%, 37.5 3PT%

Age: 26

If there was still a question about this heading into last season, Jaren Jackson Jr. (probably) officially took the "best player on the Memphis Grizzlies" crown in 2024-25.

Beyond simply being more available than Ja over the last few years, JJJ brings a ton of value as a defensive anchor and rim protector, even if his rebounding still leaves something to be desired.

And now, his offensive output is starting to catch up to what he does on the other end. Beyond averaging over 22 points in each of the last two campaigns, he hit 37.5 percent of his three-point attempts last season.

If he sprinkles in a little more passing this coming season, he could find himself even higher up the list in future editions.

—Andy Bailey

Highest Rank: 18

Lowest Rank: 38

2024-25 Stats: 19.1 PPG, 13.9 RPG, 6.0 APG, 0.4 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 59.0 FG%, 41.7 3PT%

Age: 29

Questions about Domantas Sabonis' playoff and defensive viability have gotten a bit louder in recent years.

In his postseason career, his teams are minus-6.2 points per 100 possessions when he's on the floor and plus-10.4 when he's off. The sample isn't huge, and he was only a starter for one of those four playoff teams, but the number is still worth keeping an eye on.

But it probably doesn't deserve much more than that. Ditto for the narrative. 

Sabonis is one of the most productive bigs in the league and one of the most prolific passing bigs of all time. He's led the league in rebounding in each of the last three seasons. His combined assist average over the last half-decade is 6.8.

He may not be in the right situation for a deep playoff run right now, but surrounding him with enough three-and-D versatility could cover up some of his defensive shortcomings. We just haven't seen him on that specific team yet.

—Andy Bailey

Highest Rank: 21

Lowest Rank: 43

2024-25 Stats: 18.1 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 4.3 APG, 0.7 BPG, 1.3 SPG, 48.5 FG%, 35.7 3PT%

Age: 28

Perhaps the NBA's premier all-purpose defender, Bam Adebayo has raised the bar with his versatility.

He finally added a fairly reliable three-ball to his arsenal last season while widening the gap between his averages in assists and turnovers. And yet, he heads into this campaign fighting a nagging narrative: that he has perhaps plateaued or even regressed a bit. His scoring output has been in decline over the past two years, and last season marked his first as a full-time starter, in which he was denied All-Defensive honors.

The Heat's mediocrity hasn't helped, but his apparent stagnation as a scorer might be the biggest reason he's viewed as a really good player, but not a great one.

—Zach Buckley

Highest Rank: 17

Lowest Rank: 41

2024-25 Stats: 23.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 4.5 APG, 0.9 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 44.4 FG%, 29.9 3PT%

Age: 31

Which version of Joel Embiid will we see this season? The one who won the 2022-23 MVP and was on pace to go back-to-back before he suffered a meniscus injury in January 2024? Or the one who hobbled through an injury-ravaged 2024-25 campaign, playing only 19 games while looking like a shell of himself?

Not even Embiid is sure. "What I want is to be as honest and transparent as possible," Embiid told reporters at media day. "I think this is the time, going forward, that I'm going to listen to my body. There are so many times in the past that I've tried to push through injury. I don't want to do that this time. So, it's going to be unpredictable at times, and we are going to have to work with that. I know that I'm going to have to take it day by day and work from there."

Embiid is already participating in 5-on-5 action, but the team says "he still has some boxes to check before he is cleared for playing in games." This figures to be a roller-coaster ride all season, one which may not only determine the fate of the Philadelphia 76ers, but could also shape the entire Eastern Conference playoff picture.

—Bryan Toporek

Highest Rank: 8

Lowest Rank: 50

2024-25 Stats: 20.2 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 3.4 APG, 0.5 BPG, 0.9 SPG, 51.9 FG%, 38.9 3PT%

Age: 31

Pascal Siakam has spent the lion's share of his Indiana Pacers tenure proving people wrong. Anyone who thought they gave up too much to trade for him was mistaken. The same goes for anyone who thought he wasn't worth a four-year max during 2024 free agency.

His next act of defiance will be the toughest of all: extending the limits of his stardom with less help and certainty around him. 

Everything from Siakam's defense, scoring, off-ball movement and overall pace-setting has proven to be a skeleton key for Indiana. Can these hold up without Tyrese Haliburton bending defenses, and while logging fewer minutes alongside a floor-spacing rim protector? Last year's small samples suggest that they can. Either way, the Pacers' season will be defined by Siakam's standalone starpower. 

—Dan Favale

Highest Rank: 17

Lowest Rank: 38

2024-25 Stats: 22.8 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 8.7 APG, 0.7 BPG, 1.5 SPG, 41.0 FG%, 35.2 3PT%

Age: 36

Harden's first year with the Clippers (2023-24) suggested he was slowing down, but the veteran guard bounced back with his first All-Star appearance in 2025 since the 2021-22 season.

Still, the Clippers fell short in the first round of the playoffs against the Denver Nuggets. Harden may have been overtaxed at 39.4 minutes a game. Backcourt additions like Bradley Beal and Chris Paul should help. LA also bolstered the front court with Brook Lopez and John Collins. The team is older, but it has gone "all in" on what it hopes to be a winning product, including Harden at the helm.

The Kawhi Leonard/Aspiration investigation will hang over the season, but the Clippers maintain they did nothing illegal to circumvent the salary cap. Provided that Kawhi Leonard remains healthy and available, Harden may have the best squad around him to try to win since he went to the conference finals in 2018.

Highest Rank: 14

Lowest Rank: 37

2024-25 Stats: 24.2 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 11.6 APG, 0.2 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 41.1 FG%, 34.0 3PT%

Age: 27

Will this be Trae Young's final year in Atlanta? Unless he signs a contract extension between now and June 30, those questions will hang over him and the Hawks all season. In early August, ESPN's Marc Spears said he thought Young was "disappointed" that the Hawks hadn't already offered him an extension. During media day, he didn't exactly quash that notion, although he told reporters that he's "focused on right now" and happy with the team around him.

The Hawks may want to see how Young meshes with their new offseason additions—namely Kristaps Porziņģis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard—before shelling out the $200-plus million contract that it'll take to re-sign him. NBA teams are becoming more cautious about handing out those types of contracts in general, thanks to the punishing restrictions for teams that cross either apron.

If Young can guide the new-look Hawks to a 50-plus-win season and a deep playoff run, that might wipe away any reservations they have about committing to him long term. Anything short of that may leave questions lingering about his future all year.

—Bryan Toporek

Highest Rank: 14

Lowest Rank: 34

2024-25 Stats: 19.1 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 4.9 APG, 0.8 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 49.6 FG%, 23.3 3PT%

Age: 23

The developmental arc that carried Alperen Şengün from an intriguing per-minute compiler as a rookie to a bona fide All-Star by his fourth season was fun, physical and mostly footwork-based. With Kevin Durant alongside him now, though, fun is out the window, and that arc could use further fast-forwarding.

Şengün had been a feel-great story for most of his first four seasons, but it felt less good watching him fail to summon quite enough offense for the second-seeded Rockets to find their way out of the opening round. That series said plenty about the state of Houston's roster—namely, that it lacked a superstar who could lead a championship charge.

That's why Durant is a Rocket now, and it's why expectations are for Şengün to push himself even higher. He'll always face some limitations on defense, so he has to be spectacular on offense.

—Zach Buckley

Highest Rank: 18

Lowest Rank: 32

2024-25 Stats: 22.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 4.5 APG, 0.3 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 46.3 FG%, 32.4 3PT%

Age: 28

As strange as it is to say about a recent Finals MVP, this will be a defining year for Jaylen Brown. With Jayson Tatum sidelined for most of the season by an Achilles tear, Brown is Boston's unquestioned alpha for the first time.

The soon-to-be 29-year-old has seen his PER and BPM dip in each of the last two seasons, while his EPM and effective field-goal percentage fell to their lowest points since his rookie year. His efficiency needs work, and it's fair to wonder whether the four years and $236.2 million remaining on his deal might soon look like an albatross in this era of second-apron avoidance.

But enough doom and gloom. Brown's coming off a third straight All-Star season. He remains a two-way killer wing and vocal tone-setter for a retooled roster. Coach Joe Mazzulla plans to push the pace after Boston ranked 29th in that category a year ago. If Brown thrives in that system and matches his Tatum-less averages—27.3 points, 7.1 boards, 3.9 assists in 39 career games—he could earn another All-NBA nod.

—Jason Dunbar

Highest Rank: 15

Lowest Rank: 33

2024-25 Stats: 25.9 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.8 APG, 0.6 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 45.2 FG%, 32.0 3PT%

Age: 22

The pressure is on Paolo Banchero to make the leap from rising star to bona fide All-NBA talent after signing a five-year, $239 million max rookie extension in July. If he cracks an All-NBA team, that deal jumps to a $287 million supermax, underscoring just how much Orlando is betting on him.

After briefly losing his grip as the Magic's clear offensive centerpiece last season, partly because of lingering effects from an oblique injury and partly due to Franz Wagner's continued rise, Banchero enters 2025-26 with something to prove.

With Boston's roster gutted and Desmond Bane arriving to provide much-needed spacing, Orlando has a real shot at contending in the East. Bane's shooting should free up Banchero as both a creator and scorer.

Still, there's room for growth. Banchero upped his three-point attempts last season but remains a career 32 percent shooter from deep, and Orlando's net rating was 1.5 points worse with him on the floor.

Even so, the 22-year-old 2022 No. 1 overall pick remains an impressive athlete and playmaker at the 4. Fully healthy, he'll have every opportunity to prove he's ready for the next tier.

—Jason Dunbar

Highest Rank: 8

Lowest Rank: 37

2024-25 Stats: 21.5 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 3.1 APG, 0.5 BPG, 1.6 SPG, 49.8 FG%, 41.1 3PT%

Age: 34

The Clippers' aspirations for a title have often been derailed by Kawhi Leonard's unreliable health (primarily leg injuries). Still, this year, the team has a much larger shadow hanging over the season with the NBA's investigation into potential illegal sponsorship agreement with Aspiration to circumvent the salary cap.

It's too early to predict how it will unfold. The Clippers adamantly assert their innocence, but the circumstantial evidence (primarily provided by Pablo Torre) is compelling.

All that aside, Leonard, when healthy, is one of the best two-way forwards in the league. He's a dominant mid-range scorer who has expanded his range to the three-point line. Leonard remains a disruptive defender, and the Clippers have surrounded him with a very strong roster.

Will the investigation derail Leonard's focus? Given his stoic personality, it won't. The Clippers are primed for the 2025-26 season, provided Leonard can stay healthy and the NBA doesn't levy massive penalties before the end of the season, which could impact Leonard's availability.

—Eric Pincus

Highest Rank: 11

Lowest Rank: 33

2024-25 Stats: 24.4 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 3.1 APG, 0.7 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 52.6 FG%, 42.0 3PT%

Age: 29

Karl-Anthony Towns' entire offensive package is generational for someone his size. He receives plenty of attention for his outside touch, but the downhill scoring, post moves, play-trailing and standstill passing all hover around standout levels.

Frustration creeps in when looking at his underwhelming volume from downtown and defensive body of work. Holding out hope for more long-range attempts may be a fool's errand at this point, but he at least has the tools to imagine it. His defense doesn't offer the same silver lining.

Moments in which he holds up on the perimeter or doesn't get caught out of position tease a higher ceiling. But the New York Knicks are on track to become the second team to decide he's best served playing large swathes of minutes alongside a more traditional big man—a reasonable conclusion that nonetheless waters down his stretch-5 argument.

—Dan Favale

Highest Rank: 15

Lowest Rank: 33

2024-25 Stats: 17.5 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 5.4 APG, 0.3 BPG, 1.4 SPG, 50.4 FG%, 30.8 3PT%

Age: 36

Jimmy Butler rediscovered more than his joy for the game upon landing in Golden State at the trade deadline. The move suddenly shifted him back into the championship chase, but this time as a supporting actor rather than the primary focus.

At this stage of his career, that's clearly a more appropriate role. His availability issues are likely here to stay, and even when he does suit up, his scoring aggression varies wildly.

Still, there are few players capable of matching his competitive fire, and so long as that energy is channeled in the right way—looking to lead as opposed to looking for the nearest exit—he can still be an impact player on both ends.

—Zach Buckley

Highest Rank: 12

Lowest Rank: 30

2024-25 Stats: 25.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 7.1 APG, 0.2 BPG, 0.9 SPG, 46.1 FG%, 33.2 3PT%

Age: 28

Messiness with the Suns overall hasn't really dimmed Devin Booker's star yet. He's been remarkably consistent throughout the organization's many transformations, albeit with some bigger fluctuations in his three-point splash rate than his reputation as a net-shredder might suggest.

Hopefully, this latest roster-reshuffling isn't the one that dooms Booker. He'll get all the shots and touches he cares to handle without Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, but Booker's responsibility list will be burdensome, and the defensive attention he receives could be overwhelming.

Overall, Booker seems content with the situation, and he's clearly well compensated for it. But if Phoenix fades into obscurity, the hoops world will be without one of its better playoff performers in recent memory.

—Zach Buckley

Highest Rank: 13

Lowest Rank: 20

2024-25 Stats: 21.6 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 5.1 APG, 0.7 BPG, 1.6 SPG, 48.4 FG%, 36.5 3PT%

Age: 24

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might be the head of the snake for the Oklahoma City Thunder, but Jalen Williams is the skeleton key. In a league where every team is hunting for two-way wings, OKC landed J-Dub with a late lottery pick in 2022 and hasn't looked back since.

Williams nearly made the All-Star Game as a sophomore, but he left no doubt this past season. He earned his first All-Star appearance, All-NBA nod and a spot on the All-Defensive second team, too.

Last season, Williams ranked 16th leaguewide in Dunks and Threes' estimated plus-minus, ahead of Anthony Edwards, Kevin Durant and Jalen Brunson. Few players at any position can rival his two-way impact, which is a terrifying thing to say about someone who just turned 24 in April.

—Bryan Toporek

Highest Rank: 12

Lowest Rank: 24

2024-25 Stats: 18.5 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.6 BPG, 0.9 SPG, 55.7 FG%, 37.0 3PT%

Age: 24

An elite defender from the moment he stepped on an NBA court, Evan Mobley is one of the best and most versatile stoppers in the league with his ability to protect the rim and switch onto guards with ease.

The NBA's Defensive Player of the Year last season, Mobley also took a major leap offensively under Kenny Atkinson.

The now 24-year-old averaged a career-high 18.5 points per game and became a legit three-point shooter (37.0 percent on 3.2 attempts per game). Mobley has slowly added more muscle summer after summer, allowing him to finish through contact and get to the line more often (career-high 4.3 attempts per game).

His offensive ceiling is still questionable, however, as Mobley doesn't look like a natural go-to scorer at this point and still finished third in points per game on the Cleveland Cavaliers behind Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.

Can he actually take over at some point as the team's offensive alpha? Mobley's future MVP chances will depend on it.

—Greg Swartz

Highest Rank: 7

Lowest Rank: 24

2024-25 Stats: 26.1 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 9.1 APG, 0.8 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 46.9 FG%, 35.6 3PT%

Age: 24

The Pistons finally flanked Cade Cunningham with a few shooters last season, and that bit of breathing room proved all he needed to fuel his All-Star ascension. His own shooting trended up, too, giving him that blend of shot-making, finishing and distributing that makes elite shot-creators borderline unstoppable.

He's back on the runway with playoff experience now under his belt, the knowledge that he belongs among basketball's best and a stat line showing perpetual growth across his first four seasons. Maybe his breakthrough was a sign of even better things to come for him and his team.

He will, however, face a pocket of skeptics who'll be quick to note that sequels are almost never as good as the originals. He still doesn't have a co-star, and the Pistons' primary perimeter threats from last season are gone, so things could go back to being claustrophobic again.

—Zach Buckley

Highest Rank: 9

Lowest Rank: 20

2024-25 Stats: 24.7 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 3.5 APG, 2.2 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 51.6 FG%, 28.2 3PT%

Age: 32

Fair or not, the Luka Dončić trade cast a pall over the rest of Anthony Davis' 2024-25 season—and his game in general. It was (and still is) reasonable to call that the worst (or at least, most inexplicable) trade in league history. Being on the wrong end of that is rough.

But that can be true without changing the fact that Anthony Davis is still an incredible two-way player.

He's a dominant rim protector and rebounder. He's quietly averaged over three assists in six of his last seven seasons. And though he's never been able to recapture the magic of his jump shot during the 2020 title run, he's still one of the league's most prolific interior scorers.

This season, Davis has a chance to put all that together, help the Dallas Mavericks exceed expectations and redefine the trade that floored the sports world. He misses our top 10 to start the year, but he's a candidate to rise if he excels during hist first whole campaign with the Mavs.

—Andy Bailey

Highest Rank: 8

Lowest Rank: 15

2024-25 Stats: 26.6 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.2 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 52.7 FG%, 43.0 3PT%

Age: 37

The Rockets will be franchise No. 5 for Kevin Durant, a level of change that feels diametrically opposed to the clockwork-like nature of his on-court production. Even at 37, the sinewy scoring forward remains as reliable as ever, a top-10-ish scorer who's forever in arm's reach of the famed 50/40/90 club (of which he's already a member) and also a viable secondary playmaker and weakside chaos-creator on defense.

He's also a two-time champion and two-time Finals MVP, although some critics are still hesitant to hand over his (fully deserved) flowers, since he secured those titles with the superteam Warriors.

Houston might offer Durant his best bet to get back to the championship round, although there were similarly sky-high hopes at the start of his tenures in Brooklyn and Phoenix, too. The Rockets appear more well-rounded than those rosters, though, but that was also easier to see before Fred VanVleet's untimely ACL tear.

—Zach Buckley

Highest Rank: 7

Lowest Rank: 23

2024-25 Stats: 26.0 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 7.3 APG, 0.1 BPG, 0.9 SPG, 48.8 FG%, 38.3 3PT%

Age: 29

Jalen Brunson long ago transcended the stigmas attached to smaller guards who don't fly around off the ball, approaching top-10-offense unto himself territory when left to his bruising and shifty devices. 

Leveling up from here will require proving that he can thrive in a more egalitarian system implemented by New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown, in which he presumably will not be the league's most ball-dominant star. 

The improvement from three and more-than-you-realize familiarity moving without the ball should serve him well. But we'd be remiss not to monitor how he does playing in a more relentlessly uptempo environment.

—Dan Favale

Highest Rank: 9

Lowest Rank: 15

2024-25 Stats: 24.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 5.0 APG, 0.2 BPG, 1.3 SPG, 44.3 FG%, 36.8 3PT%

Age: 29

Donovan Mitchell has finally established himself as a top-10 NBA player as he enters his age-29 season.

Finishing No. 5 in MVP voting last year and making first team All-NBA were big milestones for the six-time All-Star, as he blended impressive raw stats with leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to the No. 1 offense and 64 wins.

Could this be the year everything truly comes together? Can Mitchell top 40 percent shooting for the first time outside the arc? Will he be able to lead the Cavs to the NBA Finals? Can he sniff 30 points per game, especially with Darius Garland and Max Strus set to miss the beginning of the season with injuries?

The best shooting guard in the NBA outside of Anthony Edwards, Mitchell is knocking on the door of becoming one of the all-time greats at his position.

—Greg Swartz

Highest Rank: 8

Lowest Rank: 13

2024-25 Stats: 24.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 8.2 APG, 0.6 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 51.3 FG%, 37.6 3PT%

Age: 40

The massive question surrounding LeBron James is how long he'll continue playing basketball, given he's the oldest player in the NBA, entering his 23rd season. Turning 41 in December, he is still one of the most potent forces on the court. Still, his Lakers haven't won the title since 2020, and James' attention to detail on defense waxes and wanes.

James is still important to L.A., but he's no longer the sun in the Lakers' solar system with Luka Dončić on the roster. James teased retirement as sooner than later, then trolled the NBA world with his "Decision 2.0" Hennessy ad.

Complicating matters, James is dealing with a nerve issue related to sciatica that will initially sideline him at the start of the season. That James has defied his age this long is remarkable. The Lakers arguably have a stronger roster than last year, but that includes James playing at his typical high level. Betting against him now feels like a fool's errand.

—Zach Buckley

Highest Rank: 4

Lowest Rank: 12

2024-25 Stats: 27.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 4.5 APG, 0.6 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 44.7 FG%, 39.5 3PT%

Age: 24

Over the course of the last five years, Anthony Edwards has steadily developed from a dynamic, hyper-athletic, rim-assaulting showman to a calculated, three-level-scoring wing who looks ready to assume the "best shooting guard in the world" mantle.

It's a title that has been held by some of the game's most auratic superstars, from Michael Jordan to Kobe Bryant. And while the comparison might seem blasphemous to some, his age (24) and career playoff averages of 26.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.5 assists suggest it's not.

The last box is harder to check in today's NBA, with its international talent pool and a collective bargaining agreement designed to spread stars throughout the league. But Edwards has led his Timberwolves to the varsity conference finals in each of the last two seasons.

He's closer to the ultimate goal than you might realize.

—Andy Bailey

Highest Rank: 6

Lowest Rank: 11

2024-25 Stats: 24.3 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 3.7 APG, 3.8 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 47.6 FG%, 35.2 3PT%

Age: 21

Just after Victor Wembanyama was drafted, legendary reporter Adrian Wojnarowski said, "There's been no shortage of executives who I really respect in the NBA who think he could be the best player at both ends of the floor by his third or fourth year."

At the time, the praise almost seemed unfair. But now, just two short years later, it's hard to deny.

Wembanyama, now listed at 7'5", moves in a way most big men five or six inches shorter can't. He slides his feet like a wing. He shoots jumpers from angles most guards won't even try. And he doesn't sacrifice the benefits of his length for his size-defying skill and athleticism. No one in the NBA covers more ground and deters more would-be scorers on defense.

To top it all off, he has a burgeoning playmaking ability that could make him every bit as impactful on the offensive end as he is on the other. All of those skills have combined to give him jaw-dropping averages of 22.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.7 blocks and 1.2 steals over his first 117 career games.

If he plays enough games to qualify this season, there's an outside chance he could crash the MVP party.

—Andy Bailey

Highest Rank: 5

Lowest Rank: 11

2024-25 Stats: 24.5 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 6.0 APG, 0.4 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 44.8 FG%, 39.7 3PT%

Age: 37

Still an offense unto himself and still the player whose possession of the basketball inspires more fear in a defense than anyone else, Stephen Curry is an All-NBA, championship-caliber alpha at the ripe old age of 37.

When he turns 38 in March, all of the above will still be true.

Among players who logged at least 2,000 minutes last season, Nikola Jokić was the only one whose presence on the court improved his team's effective field-goal percentage more than Steph's.

The undisputed greatest shooter of all time may not be what he was a decade ago when he was a unanimous MVP, but it's shocking how closely he still resembles that version of himself.

—Grant Hughes

Highest Rank: 3

Lowest Rank: 9

2024-25 Stats: 28.2 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 7.7 APG, 0.4 BPG, 1.8 SPG, 45.0 FG%, 36.8 3PT%

Age: 26

One of the fun offseason stories was "Skinny Luka," with the Lakers' young star putting in serious work on diet and exercise to get into what is believed to be the best shape of his life. If the Dallas Mavericks dumped him on the Lakers before last trade deadline because he wasn't in shape, Luka Dončić was going to take that personally.

The Lakers have begun to build their roster around Dončić instead of LeBron James, choosing the younger forward (Jake LaRavia) over the more seasoned Dorian Finney-Smith. With a full training camp and Dončić in peak shape, how far can Los Angeles go this season?

Dončić still needs to prove he can play at a high enough level defensively in the postseason so that he's not a liability. He led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024 but struggled against the Boston Celtics' bigger wings (Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown).

Offensively, Dončić is a magician. If his lighter frame and improved conditioning show most on defense, the Lakers have a much higher upside in the competitive Western Conference.

—Eric Pincus

Highest Rank: 4

Lowest Rank: 5

2024-25 Stats: 30.4 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.2 BPG, 0.9 SPG, 60.1 FG%, 22.2 3PT%

Age: 30

Giannis Antetokounmpo has finished no lower than fourth in each of the last seven MVP votes, and you can't have any serious discussion about the league's highest individual honor without mentioning him.

You also can't ignore the ticking clock on his tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks. His latest recommitment to the franchise came with an "unless I change my mind" qualifier, an admirably honest stance that'll hang over the team all season. 

Don't pity the Bucks. If they're being held hostage, they're happy captives. Nobody forced them to continue mortgaging their future in order to appease Giannis; they keep doing that because they believe life is better with a perennial MVP candidate than it is without one.

Milwaukee is not a contender, and Antetokounmpo is going to change his mind about staying put eventually. With extension eligibility coming in the 2026 offseason, this year could be his swan song.

—Grant Hughes

Highest Rank: 2

Lowest Rank: 5

2024-25 Stats: 32.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 6.4 APG, 1.0 BPG, 1.7 SPG, 51.9 FG%, 37.5 3PT%

Age: 27

It's hard to imagine Shai Gilgeous-Alexander having a better 2025-26 season than last year's magical run. After leading the NBA in scoring (32.7 points per game), winning MVP, being named to the All-NBA first team and securing Finals MVP while leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a championship, what more can Gilgeous-Alexander actually do?

SGA is already a good defender who finished 10th in DPOY voting, but he has room to become an elite one. The three-point shooting (37.5 percent last year) could climb a few ticks. However, overall, Gilgeous-Alexander is as close to a perfect NBA player as you'll find.

Perhaps his greatest challenge will be getting the dynasty talk started for OKC, as this team is set up for sustained success with Gilgeous-Alexander as its unquestioned leader. Three-time MVP Nikola Jokić is the only player who deserves to be voted ahead of SGA right now—but Shai was also a convincing No. 2 in our ranking.

—Greg Swartz

Highest Rank: 2

Lowest Rank: 3

2024-25 Stats: 29.6 PPG, 12.7 RPG, 10.2 APG, 0.6 BPG, 1.8 SPG, 57.6 FG%, 41.7 3PT%

Age: 30

Over the last half-decade, Nikola Jokić has separated himself from the rest of the league in a way we may not have seen since Michael Jordan.

He's won three of the last five MVPs. In one of the two years he didn't, he led his team to a championship while averaging 30.0 points, 13.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists in the playoffs. In the other, he averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.2 assists, while shooting 41.7 percent from deep, in the regular season.

Averaging a triple-double isn't as shocking as it used to be (shout out to Russell Westbrook). Smashing league-average scoring efficiency maybe isn't either (shout out to Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant). But we should still be in awe of the way Jokic is producing, because he's doing both.

No one in the league bends games to his will like Jokić. No one impacts the outcome of games as heavily as he does. No one vexes opposing defenses as consistently.

This choice was so obvious that every Bleacher Report participant made the same choice, ranking him No. 1 overall entering the season.

—Andy Bailey

Highest Rank: 1

Lowest Rank: 1

Atlanta Hawks: Onyeka Okongwu (80), Dyson Daniels (61), Kristaps Porziņģis (53), Jalen Johnson (49), Trae Young (23)

Boston Celtics: Payton Pritchard (96), Anfernee Simons (86), Derrick White (37), Jaylen Brown (21)

Brooklyn Nets: Michael Porter Jr. (74)

Charlotte Hornets: Brandon Miller (77), LaMelo Ball (45)

Chicago Bulls: Nikola Vučević (85), Coby White (78), Josh Giddey (71)

Cleveland Cavaliers: De'Andre Hunter (98), Jarrett Allen (47), Darius Garland (34), Evan Mobley (14), Donovan Mitchell (9)

Dallas Mavericks: Dereck Lively II (79), Cooper Flagg (62), Anthony Davis (12)

Denver Nuggets: Christian Braun (87), Cameron Johnson (66), Aaron Gordon (50), Jamal Murray (39), Nikola Jokić (1)

Detroit Pistons: Jaden Ivey (99), Jalen Duren (83), Cade Cunningham (13)

Golden State Warriors: Jonathan Kuminga (92), Draymond Green (54), Jimmy Butler (17), Stephen Curry (5)

Houston Rockets: Jabari Smith Jr. (89), Amen Thompson (41), Alperen Şengün (22), Kevin Durant (11)

Indiana Pacers: Aaron Nesmith (93), Andrew Nembhard (82), Pascal Siakam (25)

LA Clippers: Bradley Beal (88), Ivica Zubac (40), James Harden (24), Kawhi Leonard (Tie-19)

Los Angeles Lakers: Austin Reaves (56), LeBron James, (8), Luka Dončić (4)

Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant (33), Jaren Jackson Jr (29)

Miami Heat: Andrew Wiggins (90), Norman Powell (75), Bam Adebayo (27)

Milwaukee Bucks: Myles Turner (59), Giannis Antetokounmpo (3)

Minnesota Timberwolves: Naz Reid (72), Jaden McDaniels (67), Rudy Gobert (46), Julius Randle (42), Anthony Edwards (7)

New Orleans Pelicans: Herb Jones (97), Trey Murphy III (55), Zion Williamson (30)

New York Knicks: Josh Hart (69), Mikal Bridges (58), OG Anunoby (44), Karl-Anthony Towns (18), Jalen Brunson (10)

Oklahoma City Thunder: Alex Caruso (70), Luguentz Dort (60), Isaiah Hartenstein (65), Chet Holmgren (35), Jalen Williams (15), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2)

Orlando Magic: Jalen Suggs (63), Desmond Bane (43), Franz Wagner (32), Paolo Banchero (Tie-19)

Philadelphia 76ers: Paul George (52), Tyrese Maxey (31), Joel Embiid (26)

Phoenix Suns: Jalen Green (81), Devin Booker (16)

Portland Trail Blazers: Toumani Camara (76), Jrue Holiday (73), Deni Avdija (51)

Sacramento Kings: DeMar DeRozan (64), Zach LaVine (56), Domantas Sabonis (28)

San Antonio Spurs: Stephon Castle (91), De'Aaron Fox (36), Victor Wembanyama (6)

Toronto Raptors: Jakob Poeltl (100), Immanuel Quickley (95), RJ Barrett (84), Brandon Ingram (60), Scottie Barnes (38)

Utah Jazz: Walker Kessler (94), Lauri Markkanen (48)

Washington Wizards: N/A