Our annual Top 100 NBA player rankings have become a much-anticipated tradition, offering fans and analysts alike a glimpse into the projected performance of the league's finest talent for the upcoming season. This year's list reflects an aggregate projection and is packed with notable shifts, standout newcomers, and surprising omissions.
A Surge to Stardom
Victor Wembanyama has made the most significant leap, vaulting from 58th to 12th in the rankings. Wembanyama's performance after the All-Star break was nothing short of remarkable, averaging 23.5 points, 12 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 4.5 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game. This meteoric rise has fueled conversations around his unique skill set.
"We're not just talking about the next great NBA player here. We're talking about the sort of player this sport has never seen, the next step in its evolution," said Sam Quinn. "He is the ultimate marriage of size and skill, the culmination of everything this sport has been building towards for the past decade."
Joining Wembanyama in the spotlight is Chet Holmgren, who has moved up from 68th to 30th. Holmgren's trajectory suggests that he will be a mainstay at the All-Star Game and a regular on end-of-season awards ballots, including All-NBA and All-Defense honors. Jasmyn Wimbish notes, "Holmgren is on a career trajectory to be a mainstay at the All-Star Game, as well as a frequenter of end-of-season awards ballots like All-NBA and All-Defense."
Rookies and Newcomers
This year's list saw no rookies make the cut, which is a departure from last year when Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, and Scoot Henderson all made their debut. Other players have made significant strides, with Alperen Sengun climbing from 85th to 47th, and Tyrese Maxey making a remarkable jump from 60th to 24th. Brandon Miller, Jalen Suggs, and Coby White moved into the rankings from previously unranked positions, securing spots at 66th, 70th, and 71st, respectively.
Jasmyn Wimbish highlights Sengun's unique capabilities on the court, stating, "Sengun's strength and finesse around the rim make it difficult to defend him when he catches the ball on the move."
Another unranked player who made a splash is Isaiah Hartenstein, now positioned at 73rd. Derrick White and Jalen Williams also made significant jumps, moving to 36th and 37th, respectively.
Unexpected Declines
While some players enjoyed meteoric rises, others experienced notable declines. Andrew Wiggins, who was previously 48th, and Josh Giddey, formerly 61st, are now unranked. Brook Lopez fell from 50th to 88th, Marcus Smart dropped from 56th to 93rd, and Zach LaVine slipped from 43rd to 76th. Klay Thompson, once 67th, barely hangs onto the list at 99th, while Bradley Beal dropped from 38th to 69th.
Injuries and personal circumstances have contributed to these shifts. "His father, former NBA player Mitchell Wiggins, recently died, and Andrew had taken multiple leaves of absence the past two years as his father's health was in decline," notes Brad Botkin, offering context to Wiggins' situation.
Chris Paul and Malcolm Brogdon also moved out of the rankings. Observing Brogdon's current standing, Botkin posits, "Brogdon is a good player but not a top-100 guy under these conditions."
Holding Steady and New Contenders
Meanwhile, players like Draymond Green saw modest drops; Green moved from 30th to 56th, reflecting shifts in team dynamics and personal performance. Derrick White's leap to 36th underscores his growing importance and effectiveness on the court.
Jack Maloney commends another rising star: "Holmgren has the on-and-off-ball skills to easily scale up and down depending on the situation."
The rankings provide a comprehensive snapshot of the NBA landscape, highlighting emerging talents, consistent performers, and those facing challenges. As these athletes gear up for the new season, fans await to see who will exceed expectations and who will strive for redemption.
In a sport that constantly evolves, this year's Top 100 list not only reflects the current state of play but also sets the stage for the stories that will unfold in the months ahead.