The 2025-26 NBA regular season is finally here!
So, without further ado, let's continue our yearly tradition with our panel of betting experts, Matt Moore and Brandon Anderson, providing their NBA Top 100 Player Rankings entering this season.
NBA Top 100 Player Rankings for 2025-26
1. Nikola Jokić – Denver Nuggets
The undisputed best player in the world.
An otherworldly passer, one of the most efficient players in league history, and one of the all-time greats at making his teammates better.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee Bucks
Still the most physically dominant player.
Amid trade rumors, he continues to be an elite player on both ends who is simply unstoppable over the course of 36 minutes.
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder
The reigning MVP and Finals MVP, one of a handful of players to accomplish it.
A plus-defender and fine passer, but genuinely one of the greatest scorers when considering efficiency in the history of the game across the past two seasons.
4. Luka Dončić – Los Angeles Lakers
A one-man army who laughs at shot contests.
With a new re-made body, and the motivation to stick it to Nico Harrison, don't be surprised if Luka challenges for the No. 1 spot by the end of the year.
5. Victor Wembanyama – San Antonio Spurs
An unparalleled phenom in the history of the league since the days of Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
A human pterodactyl who is only scratching the surface of his size, strength, and ball skill capabilities. The futures is now, and it is Wemby.
6. Stephen Curry – Golden State Warriors
The greatest shooter of all time, past, present and most likely future.
A human gravity well that collapses defenses until they implode. The best leader in the NBA and still the most fun watch when he's on of anyone in the league.
7. Anthony Edwards – Minnesota Timberwolves
The most explosive player in the league both in athleticism and scoring supernova-dom. A three-level scorer who dominates when he's on.
There's still so much runway, but he'll need it to challenge for top-five status.
8. Donovan Mitchell – Cleveland Cavaliers
Perhaps the most underrated superstar in the league who has been the best player on several sixty-win teams.
An elite three-level scorer who understands how to control the game on-ball and off. Is this the year Mitchell gets recognized for just how good he is?
9. Anthony Davis – Dallas Mavericks
Many believe he's the best defensive player in the league.
Still injury prone, but capable of absolutely trucking small lineups with his scoring. Can he stay healthy and finally look like the best player on a serious contender?
10. Cade Cunningham – Detroit Pistons
The Next Big Thing.
A phenomenal floor general whose jump shot has reached elite levels in two years of development. A terrific passer and dynamic defender.
This guy's the real deal. Get ready for Cade to crash the party.
11. Kevin Durant – Houston Rockets
Maybe the best pure scorer in NBA history. Still an automatic bucket from literally anywhere on the floor.
An underrated defender who still faces questions about making his teams better. This is his chance to crack some of the all-time lists if he can pull off a title with Houston.
He MIGHT be the best player, skill-wise, in NBA history.
12. LeBron James – Los Angeles Lakers
The Lion In Winter. The King returns for another season and no one seems to know if it will be his last.
On his good nights, he's still incredible, routinely the best player on the floor. On his bad nights, he looks like a 40-year-old man.
13. Jalen Brunson – New York Knicks
The toughest of tough-bucket getters who routinely takes over games with his scoring and agility.
Defensively vulnerable, but a member of a select group who you absolutely do not want to run into in a playoff elimination game because he might just send you home on his own.
14. Evan Mobley – Cleveland Cavaliers
The reigning DPOY whose improvement curve has sharpened considerably.
Mobley is becoming a multi-level scorer who can spot up, post up, and score off the triple-threat. He's going to be in the top ten in the next two years, barring injury.
15. Kawhi Leonard – Los Angeles Clippers
An avid environmentalist who doesn't see much point in communicating with others when getting buckets does the job.
An elite jump shooter and top-level defender when he's available.
16. Devin Booker – Phoenix Suns
Primed for a bounce-back season after a miserable 2024-25 campaign, Booker is back to being the one and only superstar on his team.
If he can make a jump back to his former level of performance, he can easily reclaim his position as one of the top-three best scoring guards in the league.
17. Jimmy Butler – Golden State Warriors
A serial malcontent who magically is going to be great this year because he got paid.
Butler is a dynamic scorer and awesome floor general at this point in his career.
Can he stay on the floor enough to help the Warriors reach their potential and if things go sideways, will his attitude remain strong?
18. Joel Embiid – Philadelphia 76ers
When healthy, an unquestioned top-seven player and closer to No.1 most nights.
An elite mid-range shooter and monster in the middle who wrecks possessions.
No one knows how many games he'll play or what the future of his career looks like. Will he get another chapter in what is an MVP career despite his playoff failures?
19. Derrick White – Boston Celtics
The best non-superstar in the league.
He's here because he makes that much of an impact every single night. An elite catch-and-shoot player who makes roughly seventeen "winning plays" every single game.
20. James Harden – Los Angeles Clippers
The Beard is still an engine and a great one a lot of nights.
His efficiency and durability are starting to wobble, but Harden remains a step-back killer who navigates pick and roll as well as almost any player in the league.
21. Franz Wagner – Orlando Magic
You will notice he's the highest-ranked Magic player here. He's better than Paolo Banchero.
Wagner still needs to stabilize his three-point shot, but his playmaking, scoring efficiency on drives, and defensive aptitude make him one of the most impactful players in the league.
If he continues to be the team's best player, there will be big questions for the Magic.
22. Jaren Jackson Jr. – Memphis Grizzlies
A brutally underrated player. One of the four best defenders in the league, capable of switching, dropping, and zoning to completely smash offenses like china shops.
Trip's offense is the really underrated part, though. He shot 38 percent from 3-point range last season and is Memphis' best player by a big margin. If he could just stop fouling…
23. Alperen Şengün – Houston Rockets
Şengün may be top-10 by the end of this season, based on his Eurobasket and preseason play.
An amazing passer whose scoring efficiency is rapidly catching up. A terrific rebounder who has proven that you need to respect him as the versatile defender he is.
24. Jalen Williams – Oklahoma City Thunder
OKC's dynamic No.2. A combo-forward who is probably the best help defender in the league, can create offense off the dribble, and has terrific floor sense.
Capable of being an All-NBA level player as early as this season.
25. Pascal Siakam – Indiana Pacers
While Tyrese Haliburton stole the show in the playoffs, Siakam was honestly their best player night-to-night in the regular season and playoffs.
A big rangey forward who muscles little guys and blows past bigs. He can operate so well in space as a passer and scorer.
The number of teams who would not be better with Pascal Siakam in their starting five is small. Very, very small.
26. Domantas Sabonis – Sacramento Kings
A human triple-double. It's fine to wonder if you can really win with a Sabonis team after how the Kings fell apart, but you need points, you need rebounds, you need great passing and Sabonis is top level at them.
If Sabonis is your second best player? Maybe you can't go anywhere. But if he's the offensive yang to your defensive yin with a true alpha at the top, you can absolutely win a title. Production matters.
27. Zion Williamson – New Orleans Pelicans
Fully healthy, this ranking is a joke. He's top 10 and he ain't ten. But he's never healthy.
With a new body that has spawned the nickname Ozempic Zion, this might be the turn of his career where he lives up to the impossible potential he's routinely flashed.
28. Paolo Banchero – Orlando Magic
Carmelo Anthony who actually tries to rebound and defend.
Banchero has so much capacity as a lead scorer and has shown a willingness to adapt and pass more. He needs to be more efficient. Period.
This is the year he has to make shots at a higher rate but the total package is there for him to rise into the top 20/15 after this season.
29. Trae Young – Atlanta Hawks
Twelve assists when he wakes up every morning, automatically.
Not a great shooter and not a great defender, though he gave great effort on that end last season. He's an engine, but has never been one that wows you outside of 2021.
If he can't find a way to win games this year with a team this talented, it might be time for a new chapter for both Trae and the Hawks.
30. Amen Thompson – Houston Rockets
One of us had Amen as the 10th best player in the league. That's how much potential there is.
He needs to make massive jumps in his shooting efficiency, but he's already one of the most disruptive defenders in the league.
His passing instincts are great; he just needs polish. He'll be a top-ten player in time, the question is whether that time is now.
31. Chet Holmgren – Oklahoma City Thunder
Will eventually be a great scorer, just not yet. Already maybe the best defensive player in the league.
Occasionally blows you away with drives for dunks in space. Will develop his long-range jumper. Needs to stay healthy but there's a reason this kid went No.2 and OKC is so committed to him.
The sky is the limit. Get ready for him to be the foil to Wemby for the next decade
32. Darius Garland – Cleveland Cavaliers
Garland was the Cavs' best player last season for half the year.
He's a big-shot maker who slices through defenses and knows how to push and pull back when needed for an elite team. Undersized and his injury and playoff record are concerns. But you should not sleep on how good he can be.
33. Tyrese Maxey – Philadelphia 76ers
If the Sixers can just manage to get their guys on the floor, this is going to be a huge emergence season for Tyrese Maxey, two years after his breakout.
He has looked not just like a more complete player in preseason, but word is that he's taking on the leadership role this team desperately needs.
Look, Embiid's the best player on the Sixers. But this is Tyrese Maxey's squad, and he looks ready to show everyone why.
34. Ja Morant – Memphis Grizzlies
No player is simultaneously more electric and frustrating than Morant.
Riddled with injuries following his suspension two years ago, Morant has moments where he looks like the MVP candidate he came up as three years ago, and moments where he's an inefficient player limited in his efficiency thanks to the cost of his athleticism.
An underrated passer, Morant desperately needs a season where he reminds everyone just how sensational he is.
35. Lauri Markkanen – Utah Jazz
You won't find many players with this combination of size and scoring prowess.
Big enough to play power forward, quick and skilled enough to play small forward, and a relentless scorer when he's on the floor, he's mired in Utah's tank job.
Someone, please, for the love of God, go get this guy to be your No.3 option and No.2 scorer on a contender. He's good enough.
36. Jaylen Brown – Boston Celtics
A Finals MVP, Brown is one of the players Brandon Anderson adamantly believes is just not that good. Matt, on the other hand, thinks he's become a terrific defender.
He was hampered by injuries that needed surgery all of last year. Fully healthy and with full reing of the offense, don't be surprised if Brown returns to All-Star form in a hurry for a Celtics team who will still be great offensively in a reloading year.
37. Paul George – Philadelphia 76ers
Where on Earth do you put this guy?
In the last five years, he's been a playoff punchline, the best player on the Clippers for long stretches (even with Kawhi). A player listed as the biggest offseason addition last year, and a complete bust due to injuries.
Where is he at? Is he able to get back to top form? Is he more of a podcaster than a player? No one knows, but don't count out Paul George yet. (No, I will not call him Playoff P, sorry PG.)
38. Karl-Anthony Towns – New York Knicks
Towns has his limitations; he's a defensive sieve when asked to play center.
But he's learned to play pretty well next to centers and is actually decent in pick and roll when he can play at the level. Meanwhile, this ranking underrates him because he's a walking 25 points a night, and that still matters in this league.
The Knicks haven't figured out how to optimize him offensively, which hurts his value, but KAT is a fierce competitor who’s performed well in the playoffs two years in a row. He deserves more respect.
39. Desmond Bane – Orlando Magic
The Magic's new secret weapon, Bane was selected to be the fix-all for the offense.
A stocky, physical defender who has a surprising amount of handle and shake but who's comfortable without the ball, Bane is the perfect fit in Orlando. Can he be the missing ingredient to take them from fringe playoff team to legit contender?
40. Jamal Murray – Denver Nuggets
If this were just based on the playoffs, Jamal Murray would be a top-20 player.
He's an absolute postseason killer who has ruined teams' lives over the last three seasons. But Murray has struggled to consistently play at a high level in the regular season, and injuries are a recurring issue for him as well since his 2021 ACL surgery.
He has brought a different mentality and intensity to preseason this year. I don't want to jinx it, but this might finally be the year for All-Star Murray.
41. Scottie Barnes – Toronto Raptors
A wrecking ball still figuring out his place in this league, Barnes has stretches of games where he looks like an All-NBA engine of power, strength, and skill, and stretches where he's an inefficent and lost drfiter.
Consistency is what most players learn in their prime and Barnes is about to enter his. With a Raptors team with way more talent than most realize, Barnes could be a big riser on this list.
42. Aaron Gordon – Denver Nuggets
They call him Mr. Nugget because no one is more beloved in the Denver locker room than AG.
A consummate professional and All-Vibes captain, AG does the dirty work for the Nuggets night after night. What's been a revelation, though, is his three-pointer which was outrageous last season and looks as good this year after AG made some slight alterations to his shooting form.
With a reliable ability to spread the floor, he can lower his physical workload offensively and give more across minutes, games, and both sides of the floor. He's the role player you want on that line.
43. Kristaps Porziņģis – Atlanta Hawks
Very tall, very skilled, and very injury prone. Porzingis dealt with a mystery illness last year that left him a shell of himself.
If he's back to full health, he can be the rim protector and stretch five who can post up that could change everything for Atlanta. If he's not, he's going to leave the Hawks short every night on all the things he brings to the table.
44. Bam Adebayo – Miami Heat
Bam had a chance to cement himself as a superstar last year with Jimmy Butler in trade limbo and instead, Adebayo struggled to find his place. Tyler Herro took over as the team's best player.
Adebayo is elite defensively in terms of his versatility; his isolation numbers prove it. But without top-level rim protection, can Adebayo ever have the resume of the elite defender his advanced metrics say he is?
45. Ivica Zubac – Los Angeles Clippers
What a story for Zu, as the veteran big man cemented himself as a top-five center last season.
Impossibly consistent with his hook shot and one of the best defensive bigs in the game, Zubac isn't the star player for the Clippers, but he was the best night in and night out. The number of teams with better centers can be counted on one hand.
46. Draymond Green – Golden State Warriors
The league's greatest agitator is still terrific at two things: defending and passing. Everything else has fallen by the wayside and gets a little worse every year.
Green was a trendy DPOY pick midseason, but he'll need to have an all-time season for a player of his type at his age for the Warriors to contend the way the hype train says they will.
47. LaMelo Ball – Charlotte Hornets
Welcome to Year 30 of "Waiting for LaMelo To Be Healthy One Time."
An electric highlight reel, Ball's numbers say he's one of the 20 best players in the league when he's on the floor. He's just never on the floor. I will note that nowhere in those numbers is shot selection considered.
He's got to learn to trust his teammates and make the right play more often. Not every play has to wind up on Tik-Tok.
48. De'Aaron Fox – San Antonio Spurs
One of the fastest end-to-end players in the league who pairs with the most unreal phenom of the last 20 years, Fox has a chance to establish himself as a winning player for a winning franchise which he has sought his entire career.
He needs to rediscover his 3-point shot, or the Spurs won't be able to maximize what they have with the Fox-Wemby pairing.
49. Jarrett Allen – Cleveland Cavaliers
Great rim protector? Check. Good passer on the short roll? Check. Quality screener? You bet. Great on the roll for the lob? Automatic. Able to get to his hook shot? You betcha.
Jarrett Allen is all the things you want in a role player center and none of the things you want to avoid, but he needs, and I mean NEEDS a good playoff run to cement him. One of the best personalities in the game as well.
50. Jalen Johnson – Atlanta Hawks
Jalen Johnson might just be the Hawks' best player — Until they figure out what to do long-term with Trae Young — he's just a hyper-athletic combo forward with great handle and who is awesome defensively.
His jumpshooting numbers are bleak, however, and coming off a long-term injury, there's some worry if he can regain last season's momentum.
51. Trey Murphy III – New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans believe Trey Murphy can be The Guy.
He finally got a chance last year before the Pels tanked out and his individual performance was certainly promising in that direction. Will he take a leap this year, or will he once again be just one of the guys around Zion?
Murphy is in some ways the Pels' Zion insurance policy, which does him a disservice as someone who has played and made an impact consistently on a team with such a messy organization.
52. Tyler Herro – Miami Heat
Count me among the many who didn't think Herro had this in him.
Last year, Herro was the best player on a playoff team and the guy who kept them afloat as the Jimmy Butler drama threatened to unravel the whole organization — Now he'll miss time to start the season in a critical year for him financially, but when he gets back, he'll give the Heat another great scorer to go with Norman Powell.
Say what you want about Herro, but don't question this guy's mental toughness after making so much progress under trade scrutiny for a half-decade.
53. Deni Avdija – Portland Trail Blazers
The NBA hipster's favorite player this season, Avdija was a steal trade acquisition for Portland before last offseason.
He'll put in numbers and Portland thinks he might be the star they're looking for. If he is, his Most Improved Player odds will drop like a stone.
54. Julius Randle – Minnesota Timberwolves
Not many two-time All-NBA players with multiple All-Star appearances who showed up as big in the playoffs as Randle did would be this underrated, but here is.
Yes, Randle's a flawed player. But he's proven willing to adapt to his surroundings and committed on the defensive end last year.
After being a guy who was not a 16-gamer, he helped lead the Wolves to their second-straight conference finals appearance. You can win with Julius Randle, you just have to find the right situation for him.
55. Rudy Gobert – Minnesota Timberwolves
Our panelists were miles apart on Gobert. He's aging and his offense might be worse than ever.
But by the metrics, Gobert is still the best rim protector in the NBA. Better than Anthony Davis, better than Wembanyama — Teams cannot, will not, and do not drive with Gobert on the interior.
His rebounding advantage is often overlooked and apparently unbeknownst to Chris Finch, who routinely pulled him in the WCF, he actually won his minutes vs. the vaunted OKC defense. Gobert is always either overrated or underrated, and this year it's the latter.
56. Zach LaVine – Sacramento Kings
LaVine had one of the best jump shooting seasons in the league last year — among players with 200 pull-up jumpers per Synergy Sports, LaVine was 1st in scoring efficiency with Chicago… and 2nd in efficiency with the Kings.
For all the trade drama in Chicago, LaVine is now solidly underrated.
Now, if we can just get him separated from DeMar DeRozan…
57. Brandon Ingram – Toronto Raptors
OK, this is it. Brandon Ingram is a veteran player, no longer the pup he was in LA.
He's no longer in the mess of an organization that is the Pelicans. He has a good team with a good organization and maybe a good coach in Toronto. He was their big trade deadline acquisition.
He has the chance to prove to everyone he's a winner. Time to do the thing.
58. OG Anunoby – New York Knicks
Anunoby has proven he's willing to sacrifice to win, but the Knicks are asking a lot of sacrifice from him.
It was one thing when he was giving up touches to just Jalen Brunson, but now it's Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, and he's left to share the scraps with Mikal Bridges.
He's overqualified for his position. He's a beast in the post and a monster defensively. He's capable of more than New York has room for.
59. Mikal Bridges – New York Knicks
Wingstop Part II comes in right behind Anunoby.
Bridges had wild swings last season of great stretches and awful ones, and his inconsistency is the biggest reason he's this low.
He's never going to be the best player on a good team, but he's perfectly set as the fourth guy.
60. Cameron Johnson – Denver Nuggets
Johnson has been an advanced stats darling going back to his days in Phoenix. He showed in Brooklyn that he can create more on-ball and isn't just a 3-and-D weapon.
He's expected to be an exponent for the Nuggets across multiple factors this season.
Johnson's got a real opportunity to show he's as smart a player as his podcast makes it seem.
61. Norman Powell – Miami Heat
It's easy to overlook scorers, but the reality is most players will tell you it's harder to consistently drop 20+ points in an NBA game than it might seem; the talent is just that good.
Powell honestly held the Clippers up offensively until Kawhi Leonard returned last season.
With Tyler Herro out, expect him to keep getting buckets on South Beach as he has for most of his career.
62. Isaiah Hartenstein – Oklahoma City Thunder
Hard to believe Houston, Denver, the Clippers and the Cavs all passed on Hartenstein before he broke out in New York, which couldn't afford to keep him.
Last season, he proved he was a center who cares more about winning than the spotlight, and it paid off with his first NBA title.
Hartenstein won't be with OKC for the rest of his career thanks to the CBA, but they saw in him what real basketball fans knew: this guy makes winning plays.
63. Ausar Thompson – Detroit Pistons
There are those in league offices who think Ausar might be the better Thompson twin, which is certainly saying something.
This preseason, he looks stronger and more polished, ready to finish plays cleaner. Ausar is a voracious defender with endless athleticism, and if that jumper comes around… look out for Detroit.
64. Brandon Miller – Charlotte Hornets
Two years ago, league sources speculated the Hornets might really be transitioning to the Brandon Miller Era and away from the LaMelo show.
However, a season-ending injury last year cut short that hope and the Hornets' chances of pulling themselves out of the gutter.
Now with Kon Kneuppel around as a shooter and a more veteran team, Miller has a chance to get back on track.
65. Austin Reaves – Los Angeles Lakers
The always-controversial-to-fans unassuming third Lakers star lands here between some extremes.
The numbers on Reaves are great. He turned down a huge extension with the Lakers, trusting in the open market next summer.
But can a team with Luka Doncic and Reaves together for the majority of minutes get enough stops?
66. Alex Caruso – Oklahoma City Thunder
The Miniature Suplex Machine shut down the best in the world in the playoffs thanks to the physicality afforded to smaller players on bigs.
However, Caruso also hit big shots time after time for OKC in their title run.
And every time he did, I'd get a text message from someone in the league asking, "How did Presti get this guy without giving up a pick?" Way to go, Bulls.
67. Dyson Daniels – Atlanta Hawks
Last year's Most Improved Player absolutely destroyed pace-and-space-era records for steals.
Daniels' nose for the ball is like a bloodhound on smelling salts, and his ability to anticipate is precognitive. Not only that, but he added good playmaking last year.
If he can bring his shot around and the Hawks can figure out a mishmash roster, watch out.
68. Aaron Nesmith – Indiana Pacers
Nesmith is the kind of story you have to love in the NBA.
A guy who never got the chance to show what he could do in Boston, shipped out when they remade the team, but a guy who just worked harder than anyone to earn his spot.
Nesmith was the difference in several of the Pacers' upsets in last season's magical run.
This year, he'll have to show he can keep that up without Haliburton's gravity on the floor, but one thing is certain: he'll bring it on the defensive end.
69. Jalen Suggs – Orlando Magic
Suggs, when healthy, is probably the best perimeter defender in the league.
No shade to Kris Dunn or Alex Caruso, but Suggs is like a plague on ballhandlers, sent from the old basketball gods to prove you can still man up and get stops.
He was set to take a big leap last year with more on-ball responsibility, but injuries wrecked it. It's time for him to get back to where he was last year as a top-50 player.
70. Jrue Holiday – Portland Trail Blazers
Father Time is Undefeated, but Jrue Holiday remains the truth. Holiday will slip from history when he retires; there will be no Hall of Fame case made for him.
Still, for the past 13 years, he's arguably been the league's best perimeter defender. In Portland, he'll try to help them win while setting the right culture for a young squad.
There may be no one better for accomplishing those two goals for his salary.
71. Jalen Duren – Detroit Pistons
Don't sleep on Duren. The numbers say he struggled in the playoffs, but the Knicks routinely were panicked by his ability to pass and move on the short roll.
With more polish, he's likely to become Cade's long-term frontcourt running mate.
72. Immanuel Quickley – Toronto Raptors
A quality scorer and pace-setter who had the same troubles all the Raptors' stars did staying on the floor last year.
Quickly doesn't have to be awesome; he just needs to be really good in supporting the team's foundation, a role he's well-suited for with his versatility and precision.
73. Michael Porter Jr. – Brooklyn Nets
A man with many opinions that many feel he should mainly keep to himself, MPJ is unleashed in Brooklyn in all the best and worst ways.
He'll show more of what he's capable of after sacrificing to win in Denver for five years, but the question remains what kind of player he'll be without Jokic next to him.
74. Christian Braun – Denver Nuggets
Christian Braun had the second most transition points per game last season, and he'll be the first to tell you why: it's good to play with Nikola Jokic.
Nevertheless, Jokic's greatness would have been wasted if Braun hadn't evolved into one of the league's toughest finishers.
Braun enters this season on the cusp of an extension, looking jacked and focused on more physical defense.
75. Herbert Jones – New Orleans Pelicans
"NOT ON HERB" goes the catchphrase on Pelicans Twitter, and indeed, Jones is one of the league's best pure stoppers.
However, his offensive game has bloomed enough to make him playable in all sorts of lineups.
76. Toumani Camara – Portland Trail Blazers
Camara is a pure dawg on the defensive end, and his efficiency makes him playable.
There may not be much more for Camara to grow into offensively, but there's no question you'd rather have him in your team's laundry when the ball goes up because whoever's handling on the other side is about to have a bad day.
77. Al Horford – Golden State Warriors
The very definition of consummate professional. Horford contemplated retirement this summer, but chose Golden State for what is likely his last ride.
Adding Horford's precision and smarts to a team with Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler is thrilling, even if all three are a little past their prime.
78. Miles Bridges – Charlotte Hornets
Bridges' off-court problems will always be the first words written about him; they are that disturbing.
But he's big, can score and rebound; an All-NBA talent who no fan should want on their team.
79. Payton Pritchard – Boston Celtics
Last year's Sixth Man of the Year winner is more than just a pretty jumper. If Pritchard were just a pure shooter, he would have been played off the floor in big matchups and the playoffs.
Pritchard accounts for his weaknesses with hustle and smarts, and his underrated passing and defense mean he's not just a great shooter on the league's 3-point fetishist squad. He's a champ who earned his ring.
80. Nickeil Alexander-Walker – Atlanta Hawks
NAW has a few flaws. His handle's not great, and he's not a real pick-and-roll threat. But the things he's good at — defense on and off ball, spot-up shooting — he's elite at.
81. Andrew Nembhard – Indiana Pacers
One of our panelists just doesn't think much of Nembhard after two impressive playoff runs.
Nembhard will be asked to carry a much bigger offensive workload this year, and one panelist doesn't buy that he can do it. We'll see.
82. Myles Turner – Milwaukee Bucks
Turner was once a DPOY-level rim protector, but years playing fast for Rick Carlisle turned him more into an offensive weapon.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo, he's looking to fill the void left by Brook Lopez, playing slower to show his physicality and rim protection while still spacing the floor.
83. Jalen Green – Phoenix Suns
Most will balk at Green's inclusion on this list and for good reason. He's a scorer who can't shoot. That's a problem.
However, one of our panelists believes the ability to be the lead initiator and handle that responsibility matters more than most think, and that Green still has the potential to pay off his high draft stock.
A hamstring injury in preseason, which will keep him out to start the season, is not a great omen, though.
84. Josh Hart – New York Knicks
Hustle, hustle, hustle. No one's going to outwork Josh Hart, and his rebounding prop overs are proof of it.
Unfortunately, years of playing in Tom Thibodeau's meat-grinder rotations may have taken something from him, and he seems to be headed for a bench role this season.
85. Daniel Gafford – Dallas Mavericks
Gafford looked like an all-time steal in 2024 when the Mavs' deadline deal for him helped send them to the Finals. However, Gafford not only had injuries last year, but there were cracks in his defensive veneer.
Does he get back to being a dominant rim protector next to AD? Or was 2024 mostly a fluke of bad three-point shooting by opponents?
86. Jaden McDaniels – Minnesota Timberwolves
The Wolves are counting on a big McDaniels leap after losing Nickeil Alexander-Walker this summer.
McDaniels' offense really hasn't gotten where it needs to be over the last two years. He's often limited defensively against bigger forwards who can draw fouls on him. But against guards, he's a nightmare to deal with.
87. Cason Wallace – Oklahoma City Thunder
Last year, when asked who the best defender on the team was, Thunder players all said Lu Dort. Then they said Alex Caruso. Caruso, though, said Wallace.
Wallace is going to be a problem for OKC to keep on a cheap deal. He's efficient and smart with his cuts.
88. Chris Paul – Los Angeles Clippers
He's at the end of his career, but he remains the Point God.
CP3 was arguably the best (non-Wemby) player on the Spurs last year. He's also probably going to retire without a ring, which is a shame.
89. De'Andre Hunter – Cleveland Cavaliers
Did you notice that Hunter is on this list and Sam Merrill is not?
Is that because Hunter is a plus defender with NBA physicality?
So why did Kenny Atkinson start Merrill in Game 1 vs. the Pacers?
I'll never get over it.
90. Ty Jerome – Memphis Grizzlies
Jerome might have deserved the Sixth Man award last year. He's slithery but can also have explosive stints of deep shots and floaters.
His adaptation in Memphis will decide a lot for them.
91. DeMar DeRozan – Sacramento Kings
The Hooper's Hooper. DeRozan is still clutch as all get out and a walking bucket.
It's just really hard to build a winning team around him, and there's something, something that isn't even his fault, that takes away from others in unexplainable ways.
92. Keegan Murray – Sacramento Kings
Murray is the one who suffered most from the addition of DeRozan to the team. He faded into the backline, and a promising career was waylaid.
He's opening the season with an injury. Can he get back on track?
93. Kris Dunn – Los Angeles Clippers
Dunn would have been All-Defense last season even if he'd played enough minutes, so thanks for that, Ty Lue.
But the playoffs showed he may not be playable in the postseason due to his offensive limitations.
94. Luguentz Dort – Oklahoma City Thunder
The best defender on the best defensive team who shot better than 39% from three the last two seasons.
95. Naz Reid – Minnesota Timberwolves
Naz Reid. (It's a meme, Google it, I can't explain everything.)
96. Khris Middleton – Washington Wizards
Middleton deserved much more than being sent to the Wizards last year for Kyle Kuzma, but he's still good enough when healthy to make this list.
He'll make the Wizards better… for as long as he's there.
97. Josh Giddey – Chicago Bulls
Giddey seems to have really found his place in the league. His shot has come around and he's a truly gifted passer.
98. Jaden Ivey – Detroit Pistons
Ivey looked like a legit No. 2 scoring weapon last season before his injury. If he can pick up where he left off, the Pistons could contend for the East title.
99. Malik Monk – Sacramento Kings
An old school microwave scorer off the bench. The Kings have tried to move him several times, for some reason. He's a tough veteran scorer that a lot of contenders could use.
100. T.J. McConnell – Indiana Pacers
McConnell might just be the best pain-in-the-[REDACTED]-to-play-against guy in the league.
