Top 25 Players in The NBA

We are entering prime sports-watching territory and the NBA season is a big part of that. The regular season started on October 22 and the offseason seemed to fly by as it usually does. Even though the 2023 season may have ended with a relatively boring playoff run, there is still a ton of excitement heading into the new season. The excitement can be credited to the storylines following the 2024 Olympics, star players returning from injury, and the Celtics trying to defend their title.

Similarly to what I did with quarterbacks to start the NFL season, I wanted to list my top players heading into the NBA season. Part of the reason I’m doing this is to honestly hold myself accountable. The terms “top 5”, “top 10”, etc. are used much too loosely. My goal is to create this list now, revisit it later, and also have a clear cut picture of where I personally rank the best players in the NBA. Debate and differing opinions are inevitable when it comes to lists like these. I have reasonings behind my personal rankings, but embrace debate and let me know where you agree or disagree.

1. Nikola Jokic

26.4 PPG, 12.4 RPG, 9.0 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 58.3% FG%, 35.9% 3P% in 79 Games

The Joker has been the best player in the NBA over the past five seasons. The versatility of the big Serbian, has been on full display as he has won three MVPs in four years. He lacks elite athleticism, yet no offense runs the way the Nuggets offense does when Jokic is the center piece. This Denver team has great complementary pieces, but Jokic is the engine. This man is a walking triple double and has proved near-impossible to stop. If you double Jokic, he will find the open cutter or three point shooter. If the defense decides to leave Nikola single covered, he will put his back to the basket and get an easy bucket.

Jokic was at his absolute peak during the 2023 NBA playoffs when the Nuggets went 16-4 across the four playoff series on their way to the title. Unfortunately for Jokic, he does not routinely posterize other players. He always makes the right play and puts his team in a position to succeed. Look at the Serbian teams performance in the Olympics, they outperformed the United States through a majority of the game and almost pulled the upset. That Serbian team was not loaded with talent, but Jokic raised the level of performance for all his teammates. I could come up with some crazy player combinations to show how amazing the Nuggets star is, but you already know he’s unlike any player we’ve ever seen. Nobody at his size has ever been able to pass like Jokic, he is without a doubt a Top 10 passer of all time. This past season wasn’t even The Joker’s best season as his three point shooting was largely inconsistent. Jokic is here to stay and will be a problem for opposing teams in 2024 and beyond.

2. Luka Doncic

33.2 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 9.8 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 48.7 FG%, 38.2 3P%, in 70 Games

Another foreign player? Yes. Get used to it as this Top 25 lists features more foreign players than we’ve ever seen in the league. Doncic just finished his 6th season in the NBA where questions were starting to be asked about the Dallas star. Could he be a winning player or would his career be more akin to a player like James Harden? Luka answered that question as he led the Mavericks to an NBA Finals appearance. Luka is coming off a season where he led Dallas to the NBA Finals. The Mavericks team came together as a unit in the playoffs with players embracing and mastering their roles as well as a return to form for Kyrie Irving. All this was wonderful and allowed Luka to pick his spots as they ran through the Western Conference.

As an elite scorer, Doncic uses his size and savvy to get to any spot on the floor he wants. Honestly, after Jokic there is less separating the other Top 10 players. What makes Luka different is that he truly has no weaknesses when he has the ball in his hands offensively. The Mavericks star can do anything and everything. With elite passing ability, he also finds open teammates and is the epicenter of an exciting Mavericks offense. Similar to Jokic, Luka’s athleticism will not jump off the page. He is a purely skillful player that plays like a big point guard that puts defense in between a rock and a hard place. Luka is too quick and crafty to be guarded by bigger players while also being too big to be guarded by point guards. When Doncic gets going, he is truly unguardable which was showcased when he put up a whopping 73 points during the regular season. Beware the Slovenian menace as he looks to run it back in a loaded Western Conference.

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo

30.4 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 61.1% FG%, 27.4% 3P%, in 73 Games

Giannis is one of the most dominant players in the NBA, but he is becoming underrated. Sports is very much a “what have you done for me lately?” industry. Antetokounmpo has been injured during the past two postseason so people are forgetting how dominant he can be. It’s unfortunate that we haven’t seen the Greek Freak take over a playoff series for a couple years. I honestly expect the Bucks and Giannis to come out with a vengeance this season to remind the rest of the league that Milwaukee is a contender as long as #34 is still wearing a Bucks jersey. I am very confident in saying that we will never seen another player like Giannis. At nearly 7-feet tall he is a true force due to his speed and athletic ability. Most players of his size aren’t able to glide near as well as Giannis does.

In the past we have seen him go from one end of the court to the other in just two or three dribbles. There have been questions about the consistency of his jumper, but who needs an elite jump shot when you’re unstoppable going downhill to the rim? Giannis has also developed the ability to be a hub for the Bucks offense and find open shots for his teammates. When Milwaukee is at their best, Giannis is dominating in the paint while being surrounded by shooters for potential drive and kicks. At that point the defense has to decide whether they’re going to let Giannis go for 40+ or leave shooters wide open on the outside. What also separates him from other top players is that Giannis is an elite defender. His size and athletic ability cause him to be a menace by getting into passing lanes, blocking shots, and contesting opposing players. Over the past several years he has not only been a perennial MVP candidate but also a perennial DPOY candidate. A true two-way force, I expect Antetokounmpo to attack the 2024 season with revenge on his mind. The Greek Freak will be looking to remind the league why he’s among the best players to ever play.

4. Joel Embiid

34.7 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 5.6 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.7 BPG, 52.9% FG%, 38.8% 3P%, in 39 Games

Last season, there were times Embiid looked like the best player in the NBA and on pace for back to back MVPs. Unfortunately the story of his career unfolded again where he was unable to stay healthy. Embiid averaged a whopping 34.7 points in his limited action last season showcasing his combination of size and skill. Despite the strong start, he battled lingering knee injuries and never seemed fully healthy during the rest of the season. The injuries brought about inconsistency for the big man as he would look unstoppable one game and then struggle to find a rhythm the next. Embiid did get a taste of victory with Team USA in the Olympics. His play was up and down but he played a crucial part in the comeback win against Jokic and Serbia. He struggled to rebound and defend, which ultimately made him immobile for a majority of the tournament.

There are few players that are as dominant at their peak as Joel Embiid. He may not be as explosive as he was when he first burst onto the scene in the NBA. What he has lost in explosion, he makes up for in the savvy and hoop knowledge that he has gained. Joel gets some hate for being a “foul baiter” but you can’t blame him for using the current system to his advantage. He also converts around 88% of his free throws when he gets to the line. Embiid is a load in the post and presents the imposing power of a center more similar to Shaq with a skillset more similar to Hakeem Olajuwon. He is also developing as a passer as the years go by. I think we’ll see a dominant version of Embiid again this season due to the development of Tyrese Maxey and signing of Paul George to take some pressure off him in the regular season. Joel Embiid represents an immovable object that is looking to make a long overdue deep playoff run. The main thing standing in his way will be his health.

5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

30.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.2 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 53.5% FG%, 35.3 3P% in 75 Games.

The pride of Canada has been one of the biggest risers over the past couple seasons. Originally drafted by the Clippers and included in the Paul George trade, Shai has made a home for himself in Oklahoma City. He made another jump in 2023 and finished second in MVP voting as the young, talented Thunder star lead his team to the #1 seed in the West. He has a sort of herky jerky style of play that combines with a rare skillset possessed by the young Canadian. The rise of Shai, along with his other young teammates, have helped give Oklahoma City the most excitement about their team since the Durant/ Westbrook era.

During his time in OKC, Gilgeous-Alexander has developed from a scorer into a legit playmaker. As previously mentioned, he has a unique play style that has allowed him to average over 30 PPG over the past two seasons. The combination of playmaking and scoring has made Shai one of the toughest covers in all the NBA. As a fan, he is one of the players that I am most excited to watch heading into the new season. Oklahoma City has become a must watch team over the past couple years and I’m interested to see how their young stars, primarily Shai, handle the pressure of expectations. One of my favorite things about Shai is his two way ability. Averaging 2.0 steals per game he quickly turns defense into offense creating opportunities for his team in transition. SGA is quickly becoming one of the brightest young stars in the game and looks to lead the Thunder deep into the playoffs.

6. Jayson Tatum

26.9 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 47.1% FG%, 37.6% 3P% in 74 Games.

Don’t let the internet trolls convince you that Jayson Tatum isn’t an elite player. The Olympics and international competition are a different breed of basketball compared to the NBA, so don’t count a lack of playing time against Tatum. His scoring numbers may have dipped a bit in 2023 due to the Celtics having the best starting 5 in the NBA. While he didn’t have to carry as much of the load with scoring, we did see his assists per game increase showcasing improved playmaking. On the defensive end of the court, he accepts any challenge put in front of him and uses his length to contest opposing players. Tatum is an amazing rebounder for his position, the value of this skill multiplies in the playoffs where each moment and play is crucial for a win.

Coming off a season where JT and the Celtics won the NBA Finals, most of the lingering questions on the Boston star have been answered. Entering 2024 I would like to see more consistency with his shooting and I would love to see Tatum continue to prove that he is clear cut the #1 option in Boston. With that being said, I will not stand for any Tatum slander as he has shown improvement throughout his career and been a problem for opposing teams each year. Jayson might not be Top 5 in the league at any specific attribute or skill, but he is one of the best all-around players in the NBA. He can get it done from all three levels offensively, creates for his teammates, rebounds, and defends at an elite level. The Tatum jokes might be fun now, but he’s coming into the season with a chip on his shoulder. Don’t be surprised if Tatum is in the MVP conversation throughout the entirety of the season and then we’ll see who’s laughing.

7. Kevin Durant

27.1 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 5.0 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.2 BPG, 52.3% FG%, 41.3% 3P% in 75 Games

The Slim Reaper is aging like fine wine my friends. As a player who never relied on pure athleticism, his game has been maintainable throughout the years. Durant is one of the purest scorers we’ve ever seen and can score from all three levels offensively. He gets some hate for leaving Oklahoma City in 2016 and jumping around teams since then. Some of his team decisions are hard to defend, but when it comes to his play there is only one KD. Most of his praise is deservedly on offense, but don’t sleep on Durant as a defender. He is a willing defender and contest opposing players shots resulting in solid career BPG numbers.

As stated, Durant continues to be one of the hardest players to guard in the entire NBA. At nearly 7-feet tall his jumper is hard to contest and the combination of a nasty handle for someone his size makes him a near impossible guard. Essentially if Durant gets to his spot then you just have to hope he misses the shot. The Suns enter the 2024 season with a roster that’s loaded at the top but has some underlying question marks. After getting routed in the first round of the playoffs by Minnesota, there is some pressure on Durant. For his legacy, he is looking to ensure his Phoenix tenure ends more like his time with the Warriors opposed to his time with the Nets. At the end of the day Durant remains near impossible to guard and has enough talent around to allow him to take on the playmaker role at times. If Durant can stay healthy like he did last season, he will continue to climb the All-Time rankings and prove how dominant he still is.

8. Anthony Edwards

25.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 5.1 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 46.1% FG%, 35.7% 3P%, in 79 Games.

The most exciting name on this entire list might be Anthony Edwards. The former first round pick out of Georgia really found his groove in the last two seasons. It might not be a real stat, but I’m pretty sure Edwards leads the league in highlight reel plays. Whether its a dunk, block, or heat check three, the camera is always on him. He possesses unreal athleticism and a true Dawg mentality. While Edwards has developed as a three point threat, 35% on 6.7 attempts her game, he is most dangerous when he attacks downhill. Right now he is more of a threat to score as opposed to play-make, but his playmaking ability will improve as he gets more repetition.

While Edwards has been a walking highlight reel throughout his NBA career, this past season was truly his coming out party. He entered the stratosphere of being truly elite through his performance in the playoffs. Edwards put on a show as Minnesota swept Phoenix and upset Denver on their way to a Conference Finals appearance. He followed this up by playing a pivotal role in the Olympics helping the United States to a hard fought gold medal. Edwards will only continue to improve as he gets more experience. It’s cool to be a fan of him right now and I don’t see fans getting tired of him anytime soon. For Ant-Man, his athleticism and exciting play can only be matched by his persona off the court. I expect Edwards to be dunking on opponents, starring in movies/commercials, giving us hilarious quotes, and climbing up these rankings for years to come.

9. Stephen Curry

26.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 5.1 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 45% FG%, 40.8% 3P% in 74 Games.

The greatest shooter in the history of the NBA is still getting it done heading into his 16th season. The Warriors might not be the juggernaut that they once were, but those struggles revolve around the supporting cast and not Curry. Steph continues to produce at a high level resulting in All Star and All NBA nomination going into his late 30s. He truly is a one man offense for Golden State. The Warriors offense would plummet to one of the worst in the league if Curry missed an extended period of time. His shooting prowess is always in the back of the mind of opposing defenses. The other threat Steph brings to the table is his constant movement without the ball. His conditioning is drastically underrated and he finds ways to get open even with some of the league’s best defenders on him.

For those of us that have enjoyed watching Steph play throughout his career, there are no signs that he is slowing down. He was never a fantastic defender or a player that relied on pure athleticism. The fact his game is based around shooting and movement means it has helped him stay elite as he has aged. One underrated aspect of Steph’s game is his handle. While athletic ability is lacking, his elite ball handling allows him to get open when needed. This is by no means a “basketball obituary” for Steph Curry, but I think we should enjoy watching the greatest shooter of all time play while we can. As we’ve seen with recent players like Kobe Bryant, Derrick Rose, and Carmelo Anthony, we’ll miss them once retirement comes. When Curry gets hot, the only thing you can do is cross your fingers much like France did after Steph went nuclear in the gold medal game. He is a clear cut Top 10 player in today’s game and is climbing the ladder of all time players as each season adds to his legacy.

10. Anthony Davis

24.7 PPG, 12.6 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 2.3 BPG, 55.6% FG%, 27.1% 3P% in 76 Games

The most important stat listed above is that Davis played 76 games last season, first time over 70 since since 2018 in New Orleans. Not only did Davis play in these games, but he also looked like the Anthony Davis we were hoping to see when he was coming out of Kentucky. A true force on both ends of the court, he makes life miserable for opponents on the interior. For Davis we have seen his perimeter shooting regress in recent years causing him to play an old school, physical brand of basketball. Tag teaming with LeBron, the Lakers used their size to bully smaller teams. On defense, The Brow is one of the most feared rim protectors in the league as he’s averaged over 2.0 BPG in 10 of his 12 season. When Davis is roaming near the basket, enter the paint at your own risk.

A lot of the attention for the Lakers goes to LeBron James, but I think the baton has been passed from King James to Anthony Davis. He is now the best player in Los Angeles. This would have been crazy to say a couple seasons ago when it looked like Davis would never return to the form he showed early in his career. The past two season, however, he has returned to top form to help energize a stagnant Lakers team. AD truly looked like a dominant big man and at times this season was playing like an all-time great if you take a step back and look at some of his numbers. A generational talent that is finally getting his flowers after a couple seasons as a punching bag, I believe Davis has found a healthy balance between dominance and sustainability. If Davis can stay healthy there are only a few big men that can hold their own against him.

11. Jalen Brunson

28.7 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 6.7 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 47.9% FG%, 40.1% FG% in 77 Games

Brunson has improved every year in the NBA and now finds himself as a superstar in one of the biggest cities in the world. He made an ever bigger jump in his second year in New York. His career path has gone from bench player to 6th man to starter and finally to superstar. Brunson was not afraid of the bright lights of New York and turned himself into an All NBA/MVP candidate in just his second year with the Knicks. An undersized player that doesn’t possess elite athleticism, Brunson relies on his ball-handling and craftiness to rack up points. Brunson had career highs in points, assists, and FT% as he led the Knicks to a conference Semi-Finals appearance.

What I found most impressive about Brunson’s rise to stardom was his performance in the playoffs in 2023. The Knicks overachieved during the season but then ran into some bad injury luck. He carried them past the 76ers in Round 1 and played well enough to force a Game 7 in the Semi-Finals. The regular season matters, but what separates the great from the elite is playoff performance. Brunson elevated himself to elite status this playoffs and I expect that to carry over with this year’s revamped Knicks squad. The former Villanova star is not someone that immediately intimidates the opposition when he enters the gym. However, he just straight understand the game. Brunson has the required quickness and ball-handling to get by his defenders with ease. Combined with that, he knows where his spots on the court are and uses his craftiness in order to get open amongst taller defenders. Some might think Brunson is too high on this list. To those people I say, continue to doubt Brunson, he’s been doubted throughout his entire career.

12. LeBron James

25.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 8.3 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 54% FG%, 41% 3P% in 71 Games.

King James is entering his 22nd year in the NBA. Yes, if LeBron’s career was a person that person would be getting ready to graduate from college this year. The journey of James throughout his career is truly one of the most impressive things I have seen across any sport. He will start year 22 this month and is still without a doubt one of the best 20 players in the game. Some have him higher and others lower, but you cannot deny what he is doing is impressive. If you look at his stats last year, 99% or more of players never reach those numbers in their prime. Through 2 decades in the league LeBron has done it all and still can do it all. He can score, rebound, pass, defend, and has one of the greatest basketball minds we’ve ever seen. He still represents half of one of the most dominant duos in the game with Anthony Davis keeping the Lakers competitive.

Despite being the oldest player on this list LeBron was unstoppable going downhill and was the epicenter of the Los Angeles offense. Still an elite playmaker, LeBron puts pressure on opposing defenses with his scoring prowess and ability to find his open teammate at any given moment. One of the biggest forces of nature the NBA has ever seen, James continues to prove why so many teams have feared LeBron since the mid 2000’s. If I’m only saying positive things about James, why is he sitting here in the 12 spot of my rankings? Simply put, LeBron has to strategically choose his spots at this age. Physically he cannot play at his peak for 82+ games a season like he could in his prime. This is not a knock on him, a person can just only outrace father time for so long. A true legend of the game and the all time leading scorer, LeBron is still dominant in 2024 and will be trying to show everyone that he still has another title run in him.

13. Victor Wembanyama

21.4 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 3.6 BPG, 46.5% FG%, 32.5% 3P%, in 71 Games

The reigning Rookie of The Year, Wemby can simply be described as the future. In the past, players drafted with unique skillsets have been described as unicorns. Wembanyama is beyond that and I’m not even sure how you’d describe the skillset he possesses. For someone measuring in at 7’4, his mobility is incredible compared to what we normally see of people that size. He is fluid as an athlete which allows him to handle the ball and bring versatility to the defensive end of the floor. His shooting numbers might not jump off the page, but I’m confident they will greatly improve. He has a smooth shot and his height makes it difficult for defenders to contest. Victor Wembanyama is looking to continue the trend of the Spurs getting transcendent, generational players in the draft and is already on track after his rookie season.

Before he was even drafted it was obvious that the French prospect would be great with the possibility of being a transcendent prospect. What I don’t think many of us projected was how quickly he would adapt to the game. There was a feeling out process for Wembanyama offensively and that’s the area where he’ll need to continue showing growth. On defense, however, he was a force right from the beginning. His versatility was impossible to miss and he ended up with an amazing 3.6 blocks per game as a rookie. Towards the end of the season we were seeing veteran players stop their drives into an open lane because Wemby was lurking in the paint. Unfortunately for Wembanyama, he was on a lackluster team during his first season in San Antonio which limited some of his production. However, he is the future of the league and one of the greatest prospects I’ve ever seen. He is already a DPOY candidate and with the expected improvement to his offense, the rest of the league needs to watch out.

14. Devin Booker

27.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 6.9 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 49.2% FG%, 36.4% 3P% in 68 Games

Believe it or not, Devin Booker is on the verge of becoming underrated. The stock price on Booker was at an all time high a couple seasons ago after a Finals appearance and a NBA best regular season record the following year. Since then, the Suns have regressed a bit and failed to make a deep playoff run. Booker enters his 10th season in the NBA with a new perspective after his performance in the Paris Olympics. He took on more of a support role. Many stars struggle going from a prominent focus of their teams in the NBA to a specialist role in international play. Booker didn’t miss a beat and thrived in Paris which earned him playing time late in games. I am hoping this resets both him and teammate Kevin Durant as they look to translate international success onto the court in Cleveland.

Booker is a player that dominates in the midrange and constantly finds ways to put the ball in the basket. A scorer that lacks flash but has a killer mindset, Booker is a bully in isolation where he can beat the defense in a multitude of ways. The Phoenix star averaged a career high 6.9 assists per game last season proving yet again that he is more than a scorer. Part of this increase was the lack of a true point guard in Phoenix last season, but his performance as a pseudo-point guard should not be overlooked. Thankfully the Suns added some point guards to the roster which will allow Book to turn his focus back to being a nightmare to defend. I had Kevin Durant higher on this list, but I think the Suns 2024 season relies more on the performance of Devin Booker as he looks for his first championship.

15. Donovan Mitchell

26.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 6.1 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 46.2% FG%, 36.8% 3P% in 55 Games

Mitchell is a perennial All-Star and one of the most explosive scorers in the league. He has consistently put up 25-28 PPG throughout his career but has the explosiveness to explode for 50 or more on any given night. Mitchell is another player that can score at all three levels. He has a dynamic pull up game and is best when he is attacking downhill. A gifted scorer, Mitchell has a complete game that led to a few statistical best seasons last year in Cleveland. He had career highs in rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals. Donovan is at his best when he can drive downhill and be a primary decision maker on this Cleveland offense.

A true #1 option in the NBA, Donovan Mitchell has a ton of personal accolades but doesn’t have the team accomplishments of others on this list. Mitchell is missing a signature playoff run or moment. A deep run with a talented Cavaliers squad would help move him up these rankings. As a player, Mitchell is one of those guys that looks like a Top 5 player on certain nights. Examples of those nights are his 71 point game against Chicago and his 3 50-point playoff performances. As the Cavs enter 2024 with high expectations in a competitive Eastern Conference, it’s time for Mitchell to start turning those impressive statistical performances into wins.

16. Jaylen Brown

23.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 49.9% FG%, 35.4% 3P% in 70 Games

The reigning Finals MVP makes his appearance on this list following another great season. He may not have some of statistics as some of the other guys on this list. That’s due to Boston being a juggernaut and having 5 elite level starters that all needed to get their shots up. Brown fit into his role perfectly as a tough, two-way wing. Last season he was also willing to take less shots and lock in defensively when many players of his caliber would be unwilling to do so. However, when his number was called, Brown answered and stepped up and answered in spades. JB uses his blend of skill and athleticism to be a force on both ends of the floor. He is best when he’s able to get to the rim which makes up for some up and down shooting performances from the young star.

As I stated above, the numbers here will not jump off the page. I urge anyone that truly loves ball to rewatch the Celtics postseason run, primarily the conference and NBA Finals. Tatum struggled at times in those series and Brown stepped up when it was needed. For prime examples look at Game 1 of the ECF and the first three games of the NBA Finals. He had big games in some and had a couple instances where he hit the biggest shots of the game. Entering 2023 there were plenty of jokes going around about a lack of skill in his left hand and about Brown signing the biggest contract in NBA history. Now the league knows they have a problem as Jaylen Brown enters the year with a chip on his shoulder after being left off the 2024 Paris Olympic team.

17. Tyrese Haliburton

20.1 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 10.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 47.7% FG%, 36.4% 3P% in 69 Games

The ranking for the Indiana superstar was impacted by an injury in January of last year. Haliburton has been an impact player since his rookie season in Sacramento and gradually improved each season until he exploded onto the scene this past season. He finished the season as an All Star and All NBA 3rd Team player, but he was playing at near MVP candidate level throughout the first half of the season. The Pacers play an exciting brand of basketball where they score a lot of points and don’t play a ton of defense. Haliburton is exactly the type of point guard you’re looking for with that play style. He pushes the ball in transition, creates for his teammates, and can light it up from three when he gets hot. Haliburton lead the league in assists last year with a whopping 10.9, showcasing his elite ability to create for others as well as himself.

Despite the injury, Haliburton had a fantastic year and that carried into the 2024 Olympics. Tyrese understood his role and realized playing time would be limited. He still managed to have, what looked like, the time of his life as the United States won gold. I expect Tyrese to carry the good vibes into the 2024-2025 season and potentially reach either the Top 15 or Top 10 of this ranking by the end of the year. As I stated above, Haliburton’s year last season can be split into two parts, pre-injury and post-injury. He was averaging over 23 PPG and shooting over 40% from three. I fully expect him to return to that form and lead the exciting Pacers into the season. His playmaking ability is already among the best in the league, if he looks for his shot more, the numbers will be off the charts for the young star.

18. Kawhi Leonard

23.7 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 52.5% FG%, 41.7% 3P% in 68 Games

Kawhi Leonard has been a Top 10 player in the NBA for nearly a decade when healthy. The problem is he has really struggled to stay healthy. Last season he played 68 games which was the most he’d played in a regular season dating back to his days with the San Antonio Spurs. However, he was hampered by injuries yet again and is expected to miss an extended period of time entering this season. One of the best two-way players in recent memory, I hate to say we’ve been robbed of several Kawhi playoff runs. He is truly a #1 option offensively and a lock down defender defensively. His championship performance with the Raptors showcased how dominant Leonard can be when healthy. Unfortunately for Leonard and NBA fans, we haven’t seen him return to that form in the playoffs since.

When Kawhi is healthy, he is magical to watch. A lot of players claim to be two-way stars but Leonard’s two-way status is unquestionable. On defense he has long arms to deflect passes along with versatility to guard all five positions. There’s a reason Leonard was nicknamed “The Claw” early in his career and he’s kept it for all these years. On offensive he is automatic from the midrange, uses his size to get downhill, and is an excellent three point shooter. He truly looks robotic when he shoots as his shooting motion looks the same every time. Kawhi uses his incredible athleticism and the basic fundamentals of basketball to dominate on both ends of the floor. I really hope Leonard can stay healthy so he can move up this list during the season. If he can’t stay healthy, he will quickly become one of the biggest “What if” stories of the 2020s.

19. Jimmy Butler

20.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 49.9% FG%, 41.4 3P% in 60 Games

Jimmy Buckets is another star that makes his presence felt on both ends of the court. His game is a combination of stifling defense and high-level, strategic offense. The stats for Jimmy will not jump off the page or wow anybody. With that being said Butler, as well as the entire Heat roster, seem to not take the regular season very seriously. In the past few seasons, they have been content being a lower seed but then wreaking havoc once the playoffs start. Butler exemplifies this as he transitions from a great player in the regular season to a superstar in the postseason. Once the playoffs start Butler has opposing players in a blender and shows why he been a DAWG since Day 1.

A trend throughout Butler’s career has been him having his best seasons when the doubt about him is the highest. He got injured in the play-in tournament last season before he could reach Playoff Jimmy levels and Miami did not offer a contract extension in the offseason. Unlike most, this is where Butler thrives and is most comfortable. Compare it to Batman in a dark alley, Dave Chapelle in front of an open mic, or Benjamin Franklin in an electricity storm. Butler’s back is against the wall and even though he’s at the later stages of his career, I expect him to ball out this season. Doubt him at your own risk, throughout his career it’s where he’s been at his most dangerous.

20. Ja Morant

25.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 8.1 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 47.1% FG%, 27.5% 3P% in 9 Games

Ja Morant is one of the most electrifying players in all of the NBA. He is also a throwback to point guards from the previous decade like Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, and John Wall. Ja is nearly impossible to stay in front of and loves to attack downhill. Similarly to the point guards I mentioned previously, he will also put you on a poster at the rim. He has other worldly hops and seems to float towards the rim rather than jumping like us mere mortals do. Morant is also an instinctual playmaker that is constantly creating opportunities for his teammates. One area for improvement would be his perimeter jump shot but Morant is so dominant getting to the basket that it doesn’t have too much of a negative impact.

With all the positive things I’ve said about Ja, why is he sitting at 20th on this list? As we all know he has failed to stay on the court over the past two seasons due to issues both on and off the court. He is a tremendous talent and is very exciting to watch, but he just can’t get out of his own way. A mixture of bad decisions and disregard to his own health have hurt him the past two seasons. His on court play is great because he’s so aggressive but the aggression can sometimes lead to avoidable injuries. For Morant you take the good with the bad on the court and hope that as he gains experience he’ll start making things easier on his body. Overall, the Murray State product is a Top 10 talent who needs to remind everybody just how great he is. I am looking forward to seeing him back on the court this season. My wish is for the future headlines regarding Morant only to be about his domination on the court.

21. Zion Williamson

22.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 57.0% FG%, 70.2% FG% in 70 Games

Similar to several guys in this area of the list, we need Zion to stay healthy. His 70 games last season were the most of his career. Williamson is the third most hyped prospect since 2000 right behind Lebron James and Victor Wembanyama. A devastating force on the court that’s a combination of size and pure athletic ability unlike anything we’ve ever seen. Zion was a viral sensation in high school due to his internet breaking dunks. Simply put people are not supposed to be built like that with the vertical he possesses. Over the past few seasons we have seen spurts of New Orleans running their “Point Zion” offense, showcasing his improved ability as a playmaker and incredible skillset.

We saw exactly what we’d been waiting to see from Zion before he unfortunately had to exit early due to injury. He had 40 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and was taking it right at LeBron. This positive last game along with Zion looking slimmer this offseason has given me hope we’ll see the version of him this year that we all envisioned on draft night. Early in his career three things were holding the Pelicans star back. That list includes his conditioning/health, rebounding, and defensive intensity. There is no reason he should be averaging 5 rebounds a game with his size and athleticism. I truly think we’re turning a corner here and I cannot express how much I want to see a healthy Zion Williamson.

22. De’Aaron Fox

26.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 5.6 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 46.5 FG%, 36.9% 3P% in 74 Games

Fox is one of the fastest players I have ever seen on an NBA court and has the skill to match his speed. He is a nightmare to guard especially when he isolates one unlucky defender. Another point guard that is nearly unstoppable going downhill. Fox uses his handle to stop on a dime and keeps his defenders in a blender. The knock on the Sacramento star for a long time was a glaring inability to shoot threes. Last year Fox flipped the script on that narrative. He shot a career high 36.9% from deep on a career most 7.8 attempts per game. Nobody is going to confuse him for Steph Curry but he is now a threat from 3 and is making his career more balanced.

The improved 3 point shooting from deep is huge proving Fox is not yet a finished product. It’s no coincidence that the improvement of the Kings coincides with Fox’s growth into a more dynamic player. Outside of his improved shooting from 3, he has grown into a late game assassin. Fox won the Clutch Player of the Year in 2023. He uses his speed and handle to get to his spots and deliver when the pressure is highest. The clutch gene cannot be taught and thankfully for the Kings, Fox was gifted that in plenty. As a speedy, athletic point guard with a constantly improving jumper, Fox will always be a tough cover. His continual growth will rely on consistent shooting and improved playmaking decisions. He is already a dynamic playmaker but I would like to see Fox balance when to use his elite speed versus times where he should slow down.

23. Paul George

22.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 47.1% FG%, 41.3% 3P% in 74 Games

Paul George is one of the best two way wings in the NBA today. George represents exactly what you want from a modern day wing. He is versatile defensively, athletic when attacking the basket, big, and lethal from three. He is entering his 15th season in the NBA and has the wear and tear that comes with a career of that length. George is coming off a season where he played 74 games which was his most since 2019. Unfortunately he is already likely to miss the start of the season due to a preseason leg injury but shouldn’t miss to long. I expect George to come back strong and get a boost from his offseason change of scenery (Clippers to 76ers). The best thing for him is that he is now the 3rd option on this years 76ers team.

George being the clear third option poses the question. Why is he rated above Maxey, the second option, on this list? Maxey just missed this list but George’s knock down shooting and defensive prowess keep him on the list for now. I also think the veteran will thrive in his new role. Some players may struggle when losing shot and responsibility. I am confident George will fit right in while also not allowing the opposition to double team Embiid or Maxey. He also is still the PG13 that can go for 30+ on any given night and will likely look like the old George in back to backs when Joel Embiid sits out. There is a chance George has been the piece Philly has been missing for years, and I believe is a near perfect fit with the 76ers.

24. Paolo Banchero

22.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 5.4 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 45.5% FG%, 33.9% 3P% in 80 Games

Paolo Banchero looks exactly like you’d expect and NBA star to look and has the the skillset to match those looks. The Magic star is the player that I think makes the biggest leap this season. The leap I expect Banchero to make is the leap from star to superstar, similar to what Anthony Edwards made last season. Part of doing that is becoming more consistent and efficient as a player. Like most young players, Paolo’s first two seasons lacked consistency at times as he adjusted to the NBA. In year 2, his shooting improved and assists went up in conjunction with improved feel for the game. In summary, I’m not nervous about Banchero and expect him to show continual improvement in his third season.

Paolo comes in at 6’10 nearly 250 pounds, causing his physical presence to be accounted for by opposing teams. His mixture of size and ability bring versatility to the Magic and ensure he is never out of place on the court. What sets him apart from other players is his skillset. A true playmaker at his elite size, Banchero can truly be the focal point of an NBA offense. His playmaking and offensive ability sped up the rebuild timeline for Orlando. Paolo is somebody who has all the skills to be one of the best players in the NBA in just a few years. There need to be some growth in consistency, aggressiveness, and his three point shooting. As he is only entering his third season there is no reason to believe changes can’t be made by the playmaking, versatile star. Get used to seeing the name Paolo Banchero because he should be a dominant force in the NBA for years to come.

25. Bam Adebayo

19.3 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 52.1% FG%, 35.7% 3P% in 71 Games

If you’ve read any basketball post from me before, you’ll know I’m big on versatility. The skill is becoming more valuable in the modern NBA as we enter an era of position-less basketball. Offensively Adebayo will not blow you away, but he consistently puts up productive numbers. He’s the kind of player that won’t pop through the screen, but at the end of the game you look up and see he has a stat-line of 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists. He has playmaking ability beyond that of the average center. This allows Miami to use him in multiple ways in their offense. Adebayo really earns his money on the defensive end of the court. Bam uses his versatility and competitiveness to terrorize opposing teams. He has consistently placed himself as a DPOY candidate and proves to everyone that defensive value is more than just block and steals per game.

Adebayo has been a vital part of the two NBA Finals appearances for the Miami Heat in the 2020s. Jimmy Butler may have been the star player on those teams but Bam was the engine to those teams. An exciting part of his game moving forward is the potential emergence of an outside jump shot. While he will most likely never be a knockdown shooter, the threat from three would open up even more for the Heat offense. During the last couple months of the 2023 season Bam made more threes than he had in his entire career. We know his defense is at an elite level, but improvement to his three point shooting and continued playmaking will have the Miami Heat poised to make another deep playoff run with Bam at the helm.

I also wanted to shoutout the below players that were barely left off the list. I only listed the five that just missed it but I could’ve easily doubled or tripled that if all the honorable mentions were included. Some are proven stars, others are aging out a bit, and a few more are improving each and every year. The NBA is a league where the skill level is consistently improving so the league is filled with stars. This is great for us fans but unfortunately means there aren’t quite enough slots on lists like these to include everyone.

Honorable Mentions:

• Domantas Sabonis

• Tyrese Maxey

• Kyrie Irving

• Damian Lillard

• Lauri Markkanen

I personally had a ton of fun making this list and it reopened my eyes to the quality of players that we have in the NBA today. Additionally it was enjoyable to see just where I rank each player as opposed to giving the vague “he’s top 5,10, etc.” Now I know exactly where I believe each star ranks among the best in the league. Like I mentioned at the beginning of this piece, it will also help keep myself accountable. We all have our own opinions, so as always don’t hesitate to let me know where you may disagree with my rankings.