ONE37pm's Top 137 NBA Players for the 2022-2023 Season

137. Derrick Rose, New York Knicks

It has been so enjoyable to watch Rose prolong his unique career. Despite all the injuries, Rose continues to provide valuable minutes on whatever team he plays for. When Rose does find the magic, the entire arena glows. There aren’t many players who capture the fans' love for the game more than the former MVP. -Bo Templin

136. Montrezl Harrell, Philadelphia 76ers

Since entering the league in 2015, Montrezl Harrell has made a living off an intense brand of basketball. Trezz will go toe-to-toe with any center in the paint, actively grabbing boards and fighting for extra possessions. Although Trezz will have a decreased role with the 76’ers, he has the opportunity to contribute to a team with championship aspirations. -Justin Cohen

135. Devin Vassell, San Antonio Spurs

Every team needs a Devin Vassell. A consummate role playing wing, the 22-year-old Vassell has an uncanny ability to cover ground away from the ball on defense, smothering opportunities before his opponent even realizes that there was an opportunity. Offensively, he’s a threatening shooter, although he’ll spend most of this season as the overtasked tank commander of a purposefully bad Spurs team. On a good team, Vassell would be an NBA Twitter hipster favorite; on the Spurs, he’s sadly wasted. -Jack Tien-Dana 

134. Lu Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder

Luguentz Dort looks and plays like he trains with Jose Conseco. At his best, he’s a burled-up nightmare for ball handlers, climbing into their handle like it's a baby bjorn. Last year, Dort encouragingly made strides offensively, ginning up 17.2 points per game through a combination of punishing drives and almost good-enough spot up shooting . Still, the offense is largely a mirage—no real NBA team would tolerate Dort shooting more than 14 times per game and he’s better suited for a scaled down usage anyways—but the defense is so fearsome that any scoring oomph is ultimately gravy. -JTD

133. Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz

Jordan Clarkson has consistently been one of the most underrated players in the NBA. I helped come up with this list and even I think it’s criminal that J-Clark is this low! Clarkson was the 2021 Sixth Man of the Year and has been an integral piece for the Jazz off the bench. Expect Clarkson to be traded before the deadline as the Jazz are in full #TankForWembanyama mode. -JC

132. Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings

The only guy who had any fun last year with the Lakers, Monk’s mini-breakout was rewarded with a two-year, $19 million deal with the Kings and a reunion with De’Aaron Fox, his former Kentucky teammate. After four troubled years in Charlotte, Monk found a groove riding shotgun with Lebron James. Freed from the yoke of on-ball responsibility, Monk reinvented himself as a bob-and-weave off-ball threat and his best season as a result—his 13.8 points per game and 59.7% True Shooting were both easily the highest marks of his career. 

131. Wendell Carter Jr., Orlando Magic

The NBA’s evolution can be charted by the Wendell Carters of the world. While the league’s best players will do bonkers shit, it’s startling how naturally Carter can do things that would’ve looked like witchcraft not even a decade ago. Combining the stature of a traditional big man, Carter has gradually, subtly expanded the boundaries of his game. Last season, Carter enjoyed the best year of his three year career, posting career highs in points per game (15.0), rebounds (10.5), assists (2.8) and three pointers (1.2 makes per game). So far this preseason, he’s shown how his variegated skillset can combine and recombine with Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero in exciting new ways—Carter’s 18 point, seven rebound, eight assist performance against the Grizzlies this week was the clearest proof of concept of where his game is headed. -JTD

130. Immanuel Quickley, New York Knicks

Within the larger Knicks-iverse, most of the discussion is focused on what Immanuel Quickley can’t do. Sure, whatever—he can’t really get to the rim or read defenses or play point guard. But what Quickley can do—dislodge defensive shells with deadeye pull-up shooting—is arguably the most important skill for a guard to have. In his way-too-low 23.1 minutes per game, Quickley was New York’s most uplifting offensive player, if not necessarily their best—his catalytic offensive impact (he pumps up the team's offensive rating by +4.5 points per 100 possessions and has a team-best +1.4 offensive EPM) belies his modest stats (11.2 points per game, 39.2% field goal percentage). At the risk of sounding like a delusional Knicks fan (which I am), Quickley's shooting might even give him latent All-Star potential. -JTD

129. Joe Harris, Brooklyn Nets

It is no secret that perimeter shooting is the focus of every team. Considering that, Harris will find a contributing roster spot for a long time. His playoff numbers have been disappointing, but all it takes is one good postseason stretch, and people will fall right back in love with the three point specialist. -BT

128. Steven Adams, Memphis Grizzlies

There aren’t many players who command the level of respect that Adams garners in the league. He is a no drama, STRONG, and self-aware big man. He’s not winning you games, but he is certainly not losing you any games. If you were drafting an all-winning culture team, Adams might be a top-10 player in the Association. -BT

127. Gordon Hayward, Charlotte Hornets

Gordon Hayward is what would happen if a suburban homeowner association were somehow also an NBA player. Aside from a 44 point explosion on January 6th, 2021, Hayward has reinvented himself as a kind of frictionless, all-purpose offensive weapon rather than the ball-dominant All-Star he showed hints of becoming in Utah. Beset by injuries and aging curves (Hayward has missed significant time in both of his two seasons in Charlotte), he now relies on veteran guile rather than sneaky-athletic pop; he’s now the guy attacking tilted defenses rather than the guy who’s actually tilting the defense. He can do everything as long as he’s not asked to do too much. -JT

126. P.J. Tucker, Philadelphia 76ers

Not many players are able to make a mark on a game, while having a limited scoring arsenal, but Tucker’ impact is unmistakable. Even at his age, Tucker continues to be one of the nastiest defenders in the NBA and a true competitor. Every team would be lucky to have Tucker on their roster, even if he isn’t able to slash through the paint the same way most players can. -BT

125. P.J. Washington, Charlotte Hornets

Despite his manifold skills and competencies, PJ Washington is plagued by the feeling that he’s less than the sum of his parts. At 6’7 with a 7’2 wingspan, he has the perfect frame to navigate the ever-shifting terrain of power-forward-dom. He’s an excellent floor spacer (36.5 percent on nearly five 3s per game), defender (90th percentile as a rim protector, according to BBall Index) and flexible, low-maintenance scorer (ranked above the 70th percentile in points per possession as a pick-and-roll ball-handler, spot-up shooter, pick-and-roll screener, cutter and transition scorer). So why doesn’t it feel like he’s better? -JTD

124. Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs

Heading into his fourth season, Keldon Johnson is so close to being so good. If he could add a touch more shooting flexibility from deep or turn some of his floaters into layups or just grow two inches taller, he’d put himself on an All-Star trajectory. Nevertheless, a season on a bootless Spurs squad will offer plenty of opportunities for experimentation. With the Spurs openly lusting for a high draft pick, the weirder and bolder Johnson gets, the better.  -JTD

123. Brandon Clarke, Memphis Grizzlies

His game can appear as awkward to the naked eye, but Clarke’s impact on a game is noticed by his teammates. And if you sleep for a single moment on either end of the floor, he will make you pay with an offensive rebound or a defensive disruption, despite being an undersized big. He meshes well with teammates and plays the game with a really pleasing level of respect. -BT

122. Kevin Porter Jr., Houston Rockets

If I had my druthers, Kevin Porter Jr. would be so high that it would nuke any scintilla of credibility that this list has. Ignore that his efficiency was well below-average and that every reputable advanced stat has him underwater and that his stats have the substance and nutritional value of a Pringle. Instead, focus on the way that his handle wiggles on the edge of potential and kinetic energy or the way he aggressively hunts passing windows (when he feels like passing) or the way that his velveteen touch grants him access to a buffet of step-back jumpers and goofy-foot layups. -JTD

121. Spencer Dinwiddie, Dallas Mavericks

The crypto-king of the NBA, Spencer Dinwiddie, may not have been able to turn his contract into a digital asset, but he has distinguished himself as a viable glue-guy for the Mavericks. Dinwiddie was exceptional during his 2019-20 campaign in Brooklyn, and we saw glimpses of that last year. As Tim Hardaway Jr. makes his return, Dinwiddie will have a decreased role with the Mavericks, but still remains one of their better rotational players. -JC 

120. Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks

 Portis came out of the gate last year scorching hot. In fact, he was one of the best marksmen in the league. Naturally, he slowed down in the second half, but for the better part of the last two years, Portis has ignited the Bucks in times of need. Beyond the natural scoring ability, Portis plays defense with a fiery intensity, even if the foot speed can be troublesome on the perimeter. If the Bucks want to capture another title soon, Portis will need to be a big part of that recipe. -BT

119. Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings

I don’t have any strong Harrison Barnes takes—I’m not a maniac. -JTD

118. Bojan Bogdanovic, Detroit Pistons

This one plays for Detroit. A casualty of Utah’s violent teardown, Bogdanovic lends the Pistons some credibility as a real NBA team rather than simply a Potemkin losing machine. Sneakily, the sharp-shooting Bogdanovic is one of the NBA’s most consistent scorers—his 3,748 points over the last three seasons are more than Jimmy Butler, Chris Paul, Anthony Davis and Paul George have notched over that same timeframe. -JTD

117. Bogdan Bogdanovic, Atlanta Hawks

This one plays in Atlanta. With the newly acquired Dejounte Murray becoming the second load-bearing presence in the Hawks’ offense, Bogdanovic should return to the bench, where he’ll anchor Atlanta’s reserves. Bogdanovic is a good player in any context, but he’s been especially productive when separated from Trae Young; last season, Bogdanovic scored 36.3 points per 100 possessions in the 568 minutes he played without Trae Young, but just 20.8 points per 100 possessions when he was alongside Young. -JTD

116. Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz

On my own personal list, Lauri Markkanen easily takes the top spot. What more is there really to say about the GOAT? Dirk Nowitzki incarnate, The Finnisher, Magic Markkanen, The Real Splash Mountain. I’m expecting a light 25/10/5 in Utah for Markkanen this season. [Editor's note: Justin's Lauri Markkanen takes don't represent us] -JC

115. Robert Covington, Los Angeles Clippers

If Draymond Green invented the idea of the ultra-undersized small ball center, Robert Covington brought it to the mainstream. Over the last few years, Covington has slid down the positional spectrum, even anchoring lineups as the nominal “big” alongside the similarly sized Marcus Morris. His defense isn’t quite at the same All-Defense level it was in Philly or Houston, but remains a genius help defender because of his spatial awareness and keen instincts. -JTD

114. De'Andre Hunter, Atlanta Hawks

Even if the Hawks crapped out against the Heat in last year’s playoffs, Hunter thrived across the five game series, averaging 21.2 points per game on a blistering 67.3 percent True Shooting. Fully healthy for the first time since spring 2021, Hunter offered a glimpse of a fully realized and weaponized version of himself, a perma-mismatch who can thrive in Trae Young’s shadow. Initially hailed as a  three-and-d role player, Hunter has shown surprising scoring chops—juiceless guys don’t average more than 20 points in a playoff series. As for his regular season performance, we don’t have to talk about it! -JTD

113. Josh Hart, Portland Trail Blazers

Josh Hart’s name is well known in the league, partially because he played for the Lakers, but also because he has surprised fans with every opportunity that comes his way. He takes on tough tasks on the defensive end—and does so with pleasure. Hart finds a way to fill up the stat sheet, perhaps more than you’d expect. But beyond the box score, Hart also provides some of the intangibles that every playoff hopeful needs. -BT

112. Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic

Slowly but surely, the gulf between Cole Anthony’s production and Cole Anthony’s confidence shrinks. At this point in his career, Anthony is too unrestrained to truly be good. Still, the fact that he was only the third player in NBA history to average 16 points, five assists, five rebounds and two three-pointers per game as a 21 year old is overwhelming proof of his talent and potential. -JTD

111. Isaiah Hartenstein, New York Knicks

Let’s get nerdy for a second. According to Estimated Plus-Minus, Isaiah Hartenstein was the 35th most impactful player in the league last year; the creatively named DARKO and RAPTOR are similarly glowing, each rating Hartenstein as one of the 50 best players in the league. Although Hartenstein definitely—probably?—isn’t actually a top 50 player, he’s a lot closer than you’d think.  Whereas nearly every non-superstar has some clear deficiency, Hartenstein is a purely additive force. He’s the rare center who can backstop a defense and facilitate an offense from the elbow; he can gunk up an offense on one end and then help it sing on the other.

110. Terry Rozier, Charlotte Hornets

Scary Terry first made his name known when he took over for an injured Kyrie Irving and led the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2017. After leaving Boston the next year, Rozier took his talents to Charlotte where he has been a consistent 18-20 points per game scorer. With LaMelo Ball injured to start this season, expect Rozier to have an increased role within the Hornets. -JC

109. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Denver Nuggets

The truest indication of KCP’s progress as a player is that he’s no longer a meme. Once mostly known for that time he wore an ankle monitor on the court while he was on house arrest, Caldwell-Pope has evolved into the archetypal role playing wing, winning a ring with the Lakers in 2020. He might not be a true on-ball stopper on defense, but he has the court-sense and scrappiness to compensate for that, hectoring his man away from the ball and disrupting the cadence of opposing offenses. Offensively, he’s embraced his role as a spot-up shooting specialist, letting roughly five 3s fly per game and nailing about 40 percent of them. -JTD

108. Jusuf Nurkic, Portland Trail Blazers

 It would be hard to imagine Nurkic making any incredible leaps in his future, but the former comeback player of the year has been around the league for a while now now. He won’t be changing the direction of a season or the discourse around a team, but if Nurkic found himself in the right place, he could be a very solid contributor in a couple different levels of the game. It just seems that Portland might be in a bit of a stalemate. -BT

107. Caris Levert, Cleveland Cavaliers

Levert is a bucket, an unorthodox, idiosyncratic scorer who will put up 20 points per game when given the opportunity. The problem is that it’s uncertain whether he should be given that opportunity on a good team. As such, he represents a small-scale Rohrsarch test of how to define value and utility in the NBA—how much does it matter that you can get busy with the ball in your hands if you aren’t quite at the level to warrant split custody of the ball with stars like Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell? -JTD

106. Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers

Major League Pickleball team owner Kevin Love sits squarely at 106 on our list. He may not have the impact and quick first-step (Actually he never had a quick-first step) he used to have, but the leadership and experience he brings to a locker room is second-to-none. Love's leadership is a huge reason for the Cavs' revival and it'll be awesome to see him lead this squad of young studs. -JC

105. Mike Conley Jr., Utah Jazz

Existing in the netherregion between washed and unwashed, Michael Conley is still an eminently useful NBA player, albeit no longer the almost-All-Star he previously was. On the precipice of his age 35 season, Conley admirably downsized into a more secondary role, serving as a counterweight to Donovan Mitchell’s scoring gravity and funkily gashing defenses on the second-side . Now, though, he’s the cheese that stands alone in Utah as the roster has been gutted for the upcoming tank. It sucks—Conley deserves to be on a good team and NBA fans deserve to see Conley on a good team. Adam Silver, please do something about this immediately! -JTD

104. Josh Giddey, Oklahoma City Thunder

There are only a handful of NBA players who have Josh Giddey’s otherworldly court vision. Every time he plays, he conjures up a new batch of singularly brilliant assists, which is made doubly impressive by the fact that he's not a particularly threatening scorer himself and rarely shares the court with multiple legitimately good players. Similarly, there’s nobody in the NBA who can match Josh Giddey’s sumptuous mane. If everything breaks right and he builds on last year's All-Rookie Second Team campaign, call him by his new name: Himothee Chalamet. -JTD

103. Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if Danillo Gallinari could put opposing offenses in a chokehold? Now you don’t have to! The third pick in the 2022 Draft, Smith seems poised to become an intriguing cocktail of lights-out shooting and advanced, space-devouring defense once he adapts to the NBA. -JTD

102. Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks

Mitchell Robinson is a heavyweight fighter with the soul of an artist. He can cram lobs and swat shots with as much force as anybody in the league, but there’s the lingering sense that he yearns for more. Namely, “I just wanna do crossovers,” he told Fred Katz of The Athletic, “I ain’t gonna lie.” -JTD

101. Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls

When I first saw Alex Caruso put on a Chicago Bulls uniform I had to clean my glasses because I was damn sure I was watching Michael Jordan. Caruso not only plays with the highest level of effort, his defensive I.Q. and leadership is unmatched. The Bulls were one of the best defensive teams in the league when Caruso and the team were fully healthy last season. If the Bulls want to win a championship, just send CarusGOAT out for 48 minutes every night. -JC

1oo. Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons

Catch Jaden Ivey on the right game and he’s a dead ringer for Ja Morant. From the moment Ivey makes his proper NBA debut, he’ll immediately be one of the most dynamic athletes in the entire NBA. Ivey needs to refine his jumper and handle, but the fourth pick in the 2022 NBA Draft is so fast that he’ll still put up numbers as he irons out his kinks on the fly. -JTD

99. Norman Powell, Los Angeles Clippers

Originally a high-energy glue guy in Toronto, Powell has evolved into the NBA’s quietest great scorer, inching closer towards 20 points per game each year. The beauty in his game is its adaptability—he doesn’t need to operate as the heavy-dribbling lodestar of a team, but he can in a pinch; he’s overqualified to set up camp in the corner, but he’ll snipe corner threes without complaint. On a Clippers team that’s defined by its array of extremely versatile, useful role-playing wings, Powell is the most versatile and useful. -JTD

98. Herb Jones, New Orleans Pelicans

Most rookies are bad at playing defense because playing defense is really, really hard. Evidently, Herb Jones never got the memo. In just his rookie season, Jones emerged as a serious All-Defense candidate, immediately proving to be an invaluable member of the Pelicans’ rotation and future core. With his quick hands and feet, he’s able to corral and mirror ball-handlers. With his awareness and feel for the game, he can wreck entire sets as an off-ball rover away from the play. Avoiding Herb is the sage thing to do; his thyme is now. -JTD

97. Derrick White, Boston Celtics

An integral guard off the bench for the Celtics, Derrick White is arguably the best basketball player in the world as long as you ignore the 96 players in the NBA who are better than him. -JTD

96. Kristaps Porzingis, Washington Wizards

Porzingis had a bad time in Dallas this past season prior to his trade to Washington. Shooting a career low from 3 but turned that around in the 17 games he played with the Wizards. If he is afforded proper spacing and can hit at a clip above 35% from 3 this is easily a top 100 player in the NBA if his body allows him to be. -Martino Puccio

95. Jakob Poeltl, San Antonio Spurs

Trivia time: which NBA center contested the most shots in the restricted area per game last season and held opponents 8.2 percentage points below their usual average on those looks? Jakob Poeltl, naturally. Beyond being the namesake of a neat little computer game, Poeltl is legitimately one of the most disruptive defenders in basketball, complementing his fearsome rim protection with surprising mobility. Originally a Raptor before he was marooned out in San Antonio, Poeltl has been the victim of bad timing—when he was on good teams earlier in his career, he was too raw to really register, but now that he’s an All-Defense caliber defender, his team is too bad to support his case. -JTD

94. Gary Trent Jr., Toronto Raptors

When Masai Ujiri shook up Toronto's roster at the 2021 trade deadline, he acquired young sharp shooter Gary Trent Jr. from the Trail Blazers, who immediately stepped into a higher volume role with the Raptors than he had in Portland. A career 38% from three, Trent might even win the shooting competition if given the chance. Trent will break out this year as a Most Improved Player candidate. -MP

93. Christian Wood, Dallas Mavericks

Christian Wood is a prime example of how the NBA big man prototype has changed. At his size, Wood is able do a lot of things very well throughout the course of an NBA season. He isn’t the flashiest name on this list, but Woods’ production is undeniable. If you aren’t aware of what Wood can do, you haven’t been paying attention. An early favorite to win 6th Man of the Year, Wood could approach 20 points per game as Luka Doncic's main pick-and-roll partner in Dallas. -BT

92. Seth Curry, Brooklyn Nets

If not for his more famous brother, Seth Curry would potentially be the best shooter in the NBA. -JTD

91. Jae Crowder, Phoenix Suns (for now)

If you want to make the NBA finals, all you have to do is sign Jae Crowder. After signing with the Heat, they shocked the world and advanced to the finals in the bubble, and after signing with the Suns the same result followed. Crowder has been vocal in wanting to leave Phoenix, so don’t be surprised to see him traded this season. -JC

90. Jonas Valanciunas, New Orleans Pelicans

In an era where big men seem to grow quicker and weedier by the month, Jonas Valanciunas still succeeds by being possibly the strongest man alive. Even if Valanciunas is too ground-bound to be an elite center, he’s carved out a niche terrorizing the NBA’s more waifish centers. In recent years, Valanciunas has served as the resident heavy on the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans, protecting two of the NBA’s brightest young stars in the process. But whereas most enforcers don’t have the capacity to do anything more than appear scary, Valanciunas is tremendously skilled; only Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid were more prolific post-up scorers than Valanciunas last year. -JTD

89. Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets (kinda)

Miles Bridges shouldn’t be in the NBA.   -JTD

88. Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks -

 When the Bucks made their Championship run in 2021, the Atlanta Hawks series brought a lot of adversity. Giannis suffered a nasty looking hyperextension and the Bucks Championship dreams were crushed. That was until Lopez decided to remind everyone of what he is capable of doing. Rediscovering the post game that made him a prolific scorer earlier in his career, Lopez finished with 33 points and gave the Bucks life. Last season was a bit of a drop off for the former All-Defensive Team selection, but it is indisputable that he will have games this season where he reminds people AGAIN what he has in his bag. -BT

87. Clint Capela, Atlanta Hawks

Capela has subtly shaped the current crop of big men in his own image. Daniel Gafford, Mitchell Robinson, Jaxson Hayes, Robert Williams III: all direct descendants of the shot-blocking, vertical-spacing style that Capela helped mainstream during his team with the Rockets. Now serving as Trae Young’s personal attaché in Atlanta, Capela supplies a necessary jolt of interior muscle to an otherwise perimeter-oriented Hawks team. At times, he alone seems to keep Atlanta’s defense respectable—during their Eastern Conference Finals run in 2021, Atlanta’s defensive rating was 8.3 points lower with Capela on the court, per Cleaning the Glass. -JT

86. Grant Williams, Boston Celtics

One of the best defenders in basketball is yet again on the Boston Celtics. This past year Grant improved substantially from 3, shooting 41% and 48% from the field with a career high in attempts. He won't kill you on the offensive end but the value he brings on defensive plus, his improved shooting makes him a key weapon for Boston. -MP

85. Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards

Towards the end of last season, Kuzma’s on-court play finally escaped the shadow of his massive sweater sleeves. With Bradley Beal sidelined for most of the second half of the season, Kuzma assumed the mantle of the Wizards’ go-to guy and acquitted himself extremely well. Over his final 37 games, Kuzma pieced together the best individual stretch of his career, averaging 20.6 points, 9.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Compared to his the cowed, uncertain version of Kuzma that uneasily coexisted alongside Lebron James and Anthony Davis in LA, his first season in DC was Kuz at his uninhibited best. -JTD

84. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic

“The most basic explanation for Paolo Banchero’s appeal is that he’s more skilled than just about anybody who’s bigger than him and bigger than just about anybody who’s more skilled than him. Even as the NBA charges into its age of monsters, he's built different; 6’10, 250-pound teenagers shouldn’t be able to pass, dribble, and shoot with his level of fluency.” I bet whoever wrote that back in June is a handsome genius. -JTD

83. Malcolm Brogdon, Boston Celtics

There was never a question of how good Malcolm Borgdon is, but rather how long he can stay on the court. This summer's trade to Boston will see him have a lesser role than he had in Indiana, but when he is on the court his impact will be significant on both ends. If he can manage to play over 60 games this season with around 14 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists per game, it'll be a boon for Boston. -MP 

82. Cam Johnson, Phoenix Suns

“Cam Johnson would always have a high baseline level of utility because of his size and shooting touch, but his canniness and shot versatility is what separates him from the Pat Connaughtons and Georges Niangs of the world; he's a good shooter in a variety of contexts, making him a roving, mobile weapon rather than merely a stationary spot-up threat. In this sense, Johnson is the NBA’s Bud Light Lime, an outwardly prosaic, generically decent option, but with a twist that elevates him towards greatness.” Wow, even dating back to last February, that handsome genius doesn’t miss! -JTD

81. Dillon Brooks, Memphis Grizzlies

To a lot of fans, the Memphis Grizzlies shot out of a cannon last year. But if you watched the team in the seasons leading up, it shouldn’t really have come as a surprise. Even when Ja Morant misses time, this team wins games. On a night to night basis, Dillon Brooks is an important member of this core. In addition to providing a nasty attitude on the defensive end, Brooks can provide some much needed scoring from three point land and at the rim. -BT

80. Nikola Vucevic, Chicago Bulls

Nikola Vucevic has had an interesting career arc to say the least. He went from criminally underrated in Orlando to equally overrated, in the eyes of some Bulls fans,. Yes, Vuc lacks defense prowess, but he remains one of the better offensive bigs in the league. I’m not sure if Vuc will ever hit the 20 points per game mark again, but he still a viable center. -JC

79. Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic

The last time a German Wagner pieced so many different styles and expertises together to create a gesamtkunstwerk this beautiful and unexpected, Der Ring des Nibelungen was being performed at the grand opening of the Bayreuth Festspielhaus in 1876. Yikes, this analogy got away from me. My bad. Anyways, Wagner—Franz, that is—was a revelation for the Orlando Magic as a rookie, showcasing an uncommon amount of perimeter skill and savvy for a 6’10 forward. Alongside fellow Top 137ers Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr., Wagner is an elemental piece of the NBA’s most promising and most unique frontcourt. -JTD

78. Dorian Finney-Smith, Dallas Mavericks

Outside of Luka Doncic, Finney-Smith was arguably the Mav most responsible for Dallas’ shocking Western Conference Finals appearance last spring. I’m sure that there are other NBAers who could handle the responsibility of guarding Donovan Mitchell, Devin Booker and Klay Thompson for three straight playoff series while also nailing 42.6 percent of their six 3s per game, but I’m having a hard time thinking of them.  -JTD

77. Kyle Lowry, Miami Heat

The intangibles are great; the aging curve for portly, small guards is considerably less kind. By the time the Heat reached the Eastern Conference Finals, Lowry had completely broken down—across his 10 games in the playoffs, Lowry averaged just 7.8 points on less than 30 percent shooting. No matter how propulsive your passing is or how scrappily you defend, you need to be able to make good shit happen when you have the ball; the last time we saw Lowry, he couldn’t.  -JTD

76. Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers

Few players had a breakout season like the young Anfernee Simons did last year. With Damian Lillard sidelined with injuries, Simons took over the Blazers offense and was electric. He put up streaks of 20+ points while helping dictate the pace of the offense. Although Dame will be back this year, Simons should be getting plenty of spotlight. -JC

75. RJ Barrett, New York Knicks

RJ has the potential to become an All-star if he puts it together on the offensive side of the ball. Some of his percentages decreased but his volume went up overall. I expect more efficient looks with Jalen Brunson coming into the fold and if his free throw shooting improves RJ will be one of the better 3rd options in the East. -MP

74. Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers

Missing shots isn’t a moral failing; turnovers don’t make you a bad person. Lost in all the concern-trolling and outright hatred that’s been directed at Westbrook is the basic fact that Westbrook was actually pretty good for most of last season. Bad players don’t average 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game in an off year! While the three-point shooting is gross and he should probably shoot less overall, even late-stage Westbrook is a tremendously gifted slasher and passer; besides Ja Morant, no other guard generates paint touches as reliably as Westbrook does. When Westbrook has the ball, he has the power to completely reshape the defense—his drives force rotations, which create open shots for his teammates. Despite last year’s misery, the Lebron James-Anthony Davis-Russell Westbrook experiment in LA can still—and will—work. -JTD

73. Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets

Beyond being the slam dunk contest GOAT, Gordon has become the kind of sturdy, dependable player that Denver needs alongside Nikola Jokic. Supplying some of the athletic ballast that Denver’s roster mostly lacks, Gordon’s cutting and multi-positional defense tie the best Nuggets lineups together. -JTD

72. D'Angelo Russell, Minnesota Timberwolves

D’Angelo Russell almost never gets to the rim, aborting drives before he can unsettle a defense in a truly meaningful way. His efficiency isn’t commensurate with his usage, in large part because he can’t reliably create easy looks for himself. Defensively, he’s pretty bad. But, still, Russell possesses an ineffable charisma that supersedes all of that, making him one of the NBA's most enigmatic players. -JT

71. OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors

I dream of OG. With the Raptors, Anunoby is a foundational member of their post postmodern frontcourt, a collection of sun-blotting hellions who beat down opponents over 48 exhausting minutes. Scottie Barnes is the new hotness and Pascal Siakam is the current alpha, but Anunoby shows flashes of being a true two-way apex predator. In the right slant of light, Anunoby looks downright Kawhi-ish—the big hands, the rigid economy of his iso bag, the enveloping one-on-one defense are all elements pulled straight from a Kawhi Leonard starter kit. -JT

70. John Collins, Atlanta Hawks

John Collins is one of the best roll men alive, yet he spends more of his time floating around the perimeter than he does savaging the rim—last season, he only ended 2.7 possessions per game as a roller, but took 3.3 spot-up jumpers a game. To a degree, Collins has been punished for the breadth of his talents; somebody in the Hawks’ mega big front court has to space the floor and it sure isn’t going to be Clint Capela. As such, Collins has been forced to wear the hair shirt, sacrificing his preferred usages for the good of the team. In 2019-2020, Collins averaged a monstrously efficient 21.6 points per game, in large part because of his proficiency as a roller, post scorer, and offensive rebounder. Now, he does all of these markedly less often. John Collins needs to be allowed to do John Collins things again. -JTD

69. Jalen Green, Houston Rockets

After riding the struggle bus for most of his rookie campaign, Green went ballistic over his last nine games, averaging more than 29 points on torrid 62 percent True Shooting. Heading into his second season, Green has solidified himself as one of the NBA’s most electric young scorers. It sounds silly and simplistic, but Green just moves faster than everybody else, as if Adam Silver legislated that Green—and Green alone—were allowed to play in rollerblades. This burst is the bedrock for Green’s offensive attack. It’s how he can create space for a jumper against even the tightest coverage, or how he can scythe away defenders with rudimentary crossovers or easily snake into a heavily congested lane. On a Rockets team with no vested interest in winning games, Green has the potential to be the highest-scoring shooting guard in the entire NBA as a sophomore. -JTD

68. Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers

Players on bad teams often devalued because their usage wouldn't translate on a better team, but Jerami has done everything that was asked of him and has met expectations. A player that averages nearly 20 PPG on 35% from 3 can play on my team any day of the week. -MP

67. Tyler Herro, Miami Heat

Confidence is key in the NBA, and Tyler Herro is not lacking any of that. After helping the Heat make a finals appearance during the 2020 bubble, Herro has only gotten better, winning the Sixth Man of the Year award last season. I hope Herro will get an opportunity for more playing time this season, but that is up to Erik Spoelstra.  -JC

66. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

If you told me as a sophomore in high school that the starting captain of our basketball team would go on to sign a $100+ million dollar contract, I wouldn’t be surprised, because Jalen Brunson has always been that good. Earning McDonald’s All-American, Gatorade Player of the Year, two national championships, and a national player of the year award all before reaching the NBA, he was still slept on by scouts and fans. Frankly, he still is. I can’t wait to see Brunson put on a show in MSG this season. -JC

65. Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers

Anyone who has watched the NBA and has seen Tobias Harris knows his talent. I expect the volume to go down with a healthier Harden and improved Maxey but the potential to fill the stat sheet will be there for Harris who can provide that in a few different roles. In any case, around 15 points, four rebounds and four assists per game from your 4th best player is pretty damn good. -MP 

64. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors

Amongst this list of 137 best NBA players, I can’t imagine there is a player who has moved more in the last two years than Thompson. It feels cruel to say, but the reality is that he is not the top 15 player he once was. With that said, everyone is rooting for him to become that guy again and maybe with more time under his legs, Thompson can return to that superstar form. We could look back on this ranking by the end of the season and laugh. In his diminished state, he was still a contributing starter on a Championship team, which is a triumph on its own. -BT 

63. Julius Randle, New York Knicks

Everybody needs to be nicer to Julius Randle. Despite the protestations of RJ Barrett stans and Obi Toppin-ites, Julius Randle is still the undisputed top dog on the Knicks; to be fair, though, being the top dog on the Knicks isn’t exactly a super high bar—it’s like being the best dunker in the New York Philharmonic. Just 18 months ago, Randle was feted as the Knicks’ savior, but his jumper has since evaporated and he's has struggled to settle into a more appropriate role. For what it's worth, in the preseason, Randle seemed to have shed some of the ball-stopping and mid-range chuckery that plagued him last year, suggesting that the arrival of Jalen Brunson has nudged his game in the right direction. JTD

62. Lonzo Ball, Chicago Bulls

Me when Lonzo is healthy :). Me when Lonzo is hurt :(. I have been :( more than :) during Lonzo’s tenure with the Chicago Bulls. -JC

61. Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers

The promise of Myles Turner as a shot-blocking, three-sniping stretch big is intoxicating enough that it's worth riding the sinusoidal wave of his inconsistent play. -JTD

60. Michael Porter Jr., Denver Nuggets

The jumper is so pure and the off-ball movement is so defense-warping that it’s possible to look past the fact that Michael Porter Jr. has a supremely borked spinal cord and gets covid every few months like the Brazilian president. -JTD

59. Mikal Bridges, Phoenix Suns

If you want to win a championship, or even be considered a contender, you need guys like Mikal Bridges. He is one of the best young three-and-d players in the league today, earning All-Defensive First Team honors last season. Bridges has improved every season since entering the league and this could be a huge year for him. -JC

58. Jordan Poole, Golden State Warriors

Considering the infectious, obvious delight that Poole takes in stunting on defenders, it’s kind of a miracle that he doesn’t get punched more often; Poole hoops like his crush's boyfriend is guarding him and she's watching from the sidelines. In his first season as an important member of Golden State’s rotation, Poole was a revelation—his cavalier ball-handling and aggression is a necessary element for an offense that largely relies on off-ball movement and clever passing. -JTD

57. Al Horford, Boston Celtics

Al had a resurgence returning to Boston last season whilst being one of their postseason heroes. He earns this spot due to his defensive versatility and improved shooting. The only question that arises is how much that one year sitting in OKC effected his energy levels, if he can maintain his postseason level for a whole year, it'll be a massive boost for Boston's title chances. -MP

56. CJ McCollum, New Orleans Pelicans

After playing Robin to Damian Lillard's Batman in Portland for his whole career, Mccollum was shipped out to the New Orleans Pelicans. He has been a great fit, becoming a much needed veteran presence for the young team. Mccollum has always been underrated, and at moments shows shot-making ability that rivals the likes of Khris Middleton (Bo won’t like that one). -JC

55. Desmond Bane, Memphis Grizzlies

Like his biceps, Desmond Bane’s game grows with each month. In his second season, Bane became a pillar of a top five offense, moving beyond the catch-and-shoot, quaternary ball-handler role he occupied as a rookie. His shooting is the kind of defense-rearranging weapon that every offense needs and he’s able to wend his way into clean looks in a variety of contexts. The next step for him will be to ramp up his second-side playmaking to become the ideal complement to Ja Morant.  -JTD

54. Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics

Defensive player of the year on the NBA's best defensive team is a great feat to accomplish. He can defend wings and bigs on occasion and do it well. He has become a respectable 3-point shooter and valuable playmaker for the Celtics which helps him land within the top 60. -MP

53. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings

He may not play for a big market franchise, but Sabonis gets his roses from NBA fans. Even on a losing team, Sabonis finds a way to produce at a really high level. His game is hard to describe at times, but he is certainly effective. The expectations for him most likely have a ceiling this year, but NBA fans can only hope we see him in a different environment in the future. -BT

52. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors were able to win a championship in 2019 with the one-year loan of Kawhi Leonard, and after that no one was sure what direction the franchise would go. If they were in a rebuild, that might be over now because Scottie Barnes is ready for the big time already. An elite defender, Barnes is the defending Rookie of the Year and could reach an All-Star level year this year. -JC

51. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers

After joining the Pacers at the trade deadline, Haliburton proved that the “connector” label no longer applied to him; he’s a flat-out star. In his 26 games in Indy, Haliburton averaged 17.5 points and 9.6 assists per game on 62.9 percent True Shooting. At times, his passing genius seemed utterly incongruent with the scrappy hardos who filled out the rest of the Pacers’ tank-tastic rotation, like Stephen Hawking doing a long division Mad Minute. If Steph Curry shatters defenses with his shooting, Haliburton does so with his passing. Against Haliburton, all five defenders have to stay on high-alert—or else the ball is whizzing past their head to an open Pacer. -JTD

50. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers

A complete list of guys who averaged more than 17 points per game on better than 59 percent True Shooting in their age-21 season: Tyrese Maxey, Trae Young and Michael Jordan. Seems good. -JTD

49. Andrew Wiggins, Golden State Warriors

Stepping up in the biggest postseason of his life and shutting down Jayson Tatum in the NBA Finals was sensational for Andrew Wiggins. Add in his improved 3 point efficency and his All-Star Game start, he is finally fulfilling his potential as a two-way threat in the NBA. Wiggins has finally arrived. -MP

48. Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns

It has been a bizarre two years for Ayton. For stretches, people argued that he was an undeniable piece in the Phoenix Suns’ future. In other stretches, he was absent entirely. Now in 2022, Ayton finds himself in a position to continue to play with a contending Suns team, unhappily bound to them on a maxed contract by the legalities of restricted free agency. -BT

47. Robert Williams III, Boston Celtics

More than Jayson Tatum’s purported breakout season or Marcus Smart’s “Defensive Player of the Year” season or whatever awful voodoo magic makes Boston teams good at every sport, Robert Williams was the root of Boston’s midseason turnaround into a basketball supernova. The near-future of NBA defense will be heavily indebted to Timelord—his switch from a traditional rim protector to a souped-up low man could prove to be the most influential schematic shift in the NBA’s last few years. JTD

46. Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers

Based on his permanent smile and perfect afro, Jarrett may look like a funny guy who poses no real threat. Behind that contagious smile is one of the most elite rim protectors in the NBA. Allen has steadily averaged over one block per game his entire career, and put up over 10 rebounds per game last season. Don’t challenge Jarrett Allen at the rim, because the ball will probably be blocked into the 3rd row. -JC

45. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers

While Robert Williams and the Celtics pioneered the idea of the game-breaking low man, Mobley is poised to perfect it. Even if he shamefully didn’t win Rookie of the Year last season, Mobley is a transformational presence in Cleveland, single handedly changing the franchise’s trajectory. It’s his immediate goodness that empowered them to trade for Donovan Mitchell—Mobley is the kind of multi-purpose defensive sin-eater who can compensate for any leaks on the perimeter. As of right now, Mobley’s defense is far ahead of his offense, but his 15.0 points per game as a rookie are representative of a level of skill and coordination that will become even more apparent as he grows stronger and more confident. -JTD

44. De'Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings

Some situations are difficult and none are quite like the Kings, Fox has proven time and time again how he makes them competitive despite them lacking some talent. In 10 games with Sabonis last year, Fox averaged nearly 29 points per game, perhaps a good omen for a breakout year. -MP

43. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

Hall of Famer. That's Cade's future and I have been sure of this since his college days and this year is only going to be further proof of it. He is going to be better in every single aspect and is going to have the Pistons in many games this season. I expect over 20 points, five rebounds and five assists per game from Cade this year with the help of Ivey playing off of him. -MP

42. Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors

Draymond Green may get more press for his face-punching and trash talking, but it’s undeniable what he brings to a team. Every championship team needs someone who’s gonna do the dirty work. At the end of the day, Draymond is to Golden State what Rodman was to the Bulls, and you don’t want to lose that. -JC

41. Fred Van Vleet, Toronto Raptors

 It is truly incredible that Fred Van Vleet finds his way onto this list. He has none of the physical attributes that these other stars have, yet here he is and deservedly so. It will be difficult for the Toronto Raptors to compete in this Eastern Conference, but there is no doubt that Van Vleet will continue to ball and be a competitive thorn in the asses of the Eastern powerhouses. 

40. Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks

Coming over from San Antonio in a blockbuster deal, Murray is the best teammate that Trae Young has ever had. Murray has always been one of the scariest, most tentacular defensive guards in the world, but last year he emerged as an offensive force as well. Entrusted with complete control of the Spurs’ offense for the first time, Murray amped up both his volume and efficiency, posting career highs in points (21.1 per game), assists (9.2) and True Shooting (53.3 percent, which is still pretty bad but whatever). Where Murray was overtaxed as a primary ball-handler, he’ll be a potent release valve in the Hawks’ offense, darting through the crevices that Trae Young cracks open. If Atlanta returns to the Conference Finals like they did in 2021, it’ll be because of the way that Murray unlocks the rest of their roster.  -JTD

39. Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies

Jackson Jr. is going to miss the start of the season as he battles back from another injury in his early career. When he came into the league, there was a consensus that he could be a very good player. What we didn’t know was the he would turn into one of the best rim protectors in the league, this quickly. Combine that with Jackson Jr.’s knack for knocking down perimeter shots, and you have one of the more interesting under 25 players in the NBA. -BT

38. Lamelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets

Don’t mistake Lamelo Ball’s sizzle for an absence of steak. While Ball has earned a reputation as a feckless showman, he’s also a winner. In his first two years in Charlotte, Ball single-handedly turned the Hornets from an anonymous also-ran into an exciting squad on the brink of the playoffs. Last year, he built on his Rookie of the Year debut to make his All-Star debut. More than his capacity to do cool shit, Ball is so special because of the multiplicative effect that his cool shit has on the rest of his team. For Ball to graduate from All-Star to All-NBA status, though, he’ll need to become a much better finisher at the rim; Ball has an alarming paucity of pop, forcing him to try to unspool spinny prayers around shot-blockers where a bouncier guard could opt for something simpler. -JTD

37. Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans

Maybe the most underappreciated player in the league today, Ingram has averaged 23 points per game on 46% from the field and 38% from 3pt territory since joining NOLA while still being a serviceable defender. He's not Kevin Durant 2.0 (because no one is) but I'll be damned if Brandon Ingram isn't in this conversation of top 40 NBA players. -MP

36. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets

Jamal Murray was on a quick ascension to basketball immortality after helping the Nuggets come back from a 3-1 series deficit not once, but twice in the bubble. Unfortunately, his glow-up was put on pause by an ACL injury in the spring of 2021 that held him out for the last 20 months. Now that Murray is healthy, he'll once again form one the NBA's deadliest duos with Nikola Jokic. -JC

35. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Anthony Edwards is not only a generational talent in the NBA—he’s one of the funniest players as well. Every interview featuring Ant is followed by some outrageously hilarious comment, like this viral clip from his rookie year. If Ant can keep progressing, the sky's the limit. 

34. Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers

The three most important skills for being a good NBA point guard are  pull-up shooting, live-dribble passing, and being a cool dude. Darius Garland is among the NBA’s best at all three. During his breakout third season, Garland was the beating heart of the Cavs, asserting himself as a nightly 25 point, 10 assist guy after the All-Star break. There’s a pleasing ambivalence about him, an urge to hunt highlights but also a keen understanding of how defensive schemes work and how to attack them—he’s like a breakdancing chess master or a professor who can do a kickflip. Either way, whether he’s chaining together dribble moves that would give Bob Cousy a stroke or Nash dribbling to open up a passing lane, he’s electric.-JTD

33. Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards

Bradley Beal said his biggest fear is not giving himself a chance to win—and then proceeded to sign a five year max-contract with the Wizards. He’s still one of the best scorers in the NBA and will keep the Wizards in playoff contention for the next couple of years. -JC

32. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

 Last season was a massive year for the Kentucky product. For what seemed like the first time, Anthony-Towns got a level of respect from the NBA community. This year could present some new opportunities for Towns, who will play alongside a fierce rim protector in Rudy Gobert. He completely embodies the modern era of NBA big men and it will be pleasant to see him back up an impressive 2021-2022 campaign. -BT

31. Zach Lavine, Chicago Bulls

Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Zach Lavine. Those are the only three players in NBA history to hit 13 or more threes in a game. Although Lavine saw a dip in three-point production last year, his 2020-21 campaign was phenomenal, taking 8.2 threes a game while hitting at a 41.9% rate. If Lavine can get his three-point touch back to this level, he and DeRozan become an even filthier duo on the offensive side of the ball. -JC

30. Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors  

No other elite NBA player lets you see them sweat as much as Pascal Siakam. There’s nothing easy or effortless about him. Whereas other players seem to naturally fall into gaudy stat lines, when Siakam makes you appreciate how difficult it truly is to average 22.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. His bag is built on persistence more than panache—he doesn’t knife or glide to the hoop as much as he staggers, staging an awkward choreography of pivots and lurches until he creates enough space to score. Even on defense, his goodness is derived from his constant motion—just look at the way he sprints out to shooters and back to the rim or barrels through a passing lane. This is purely an aesthetic matter, but it clouds Siakam’s public perception all the same; Siakam is every bit as good as smoother operators like Paul George or Brandon Ingram, even if he doesn’t hold that same Hooper clout. -JTD

29. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Nothing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander does “matters,” but that doesn’t make it any less impressive. By virtue of having the same elusive quality as the scary ghost baby monster in Game of Thrones, SGA is impossible to contain off the dribble. Not even the cramped badness of the Thunder’s offense could contain him—last year, Gilgeous-Alexander led the NBA with 23.9 drives per game. On a better team, Gilgeous-Alexander would be as celebrated as just about any young star in the league; the only difference between Gilgeous-Alexander and, say, Donovan Mitchell is that Mitchell has spent his career playing for teams that valued him rather than resenting him for the unforgivable sin of helping them win games. -JTD

28. DeMar Derozan, Chicago Bulls

DeMar DeRozan is the single reason for giving me life as a Chicago Bulls fan. Before Deebo, the last 4 years of Bulls basketball has been uninspired play backed by a starting lineup of tank drivers that the Utah Jazz couldn’t even lose to. Thank you, DeMar, for making Chicago Bulls basketball fun again. -JC

27. Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks

After getting injured during last year's playoffs, Middleton may have fallen on a lot of these lists. He disappears for chunks of games and doesn’t have the loudest game in general. However it is almost a given that at some point this year, Middleton will have a 40+ point game where fans ask, “do we underrate Khris Middleton?” And the answer is probably yes. -BT

26. Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns

One of the greatest point guards to ever live, Chris Paul just consistently wins you basketball games. CP3 has aged like a fine wine over the years as he’s continuously refined his already near-flawless skillset. -MP

25. Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers

Perhaps more than anyone on this list, Paul George has every tool you could ask from a player. There is nothing you could point to and say, “that is his kryptonite.” George has made it abundantly clear that he is the number two to Kawhi Leonard. This year could be a major year to boost George’s resume. -BT

24. Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee Bucks 

If an NBA fan was to ever argue the importance of voting based awards, point them in the direction of Jrue Holiday as a counterpoint. Holiday hasn’t and will not win a defensive player of the year award, but every guard in the league knows the stress that Holiday brings. Every time an opposing ball handler dribbles, they are taking a massive gamble. Outside of Kyrie Irving, Holiday also has one of the most impressive off-hands in the NBA. He is the least decorated star on this list, but is respected by his peers in a way that most fans aren’t aware of. If Kevin Durant calls him the best wing defender in the NBA, I believe him. -BT

23. Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets

Yeah, yeah, I know—Ben Simmons hasn’t played basketball in nearly 18 months and the last time he did, he had a mental health crisis. But all the memeage and mockery obscures the fact that Simmons is, was, and will be awesome. Very few NBAers are Simmons’s peers as a playmaker, defender or athlete; no NBAer this side of prime Lebron James has ever blended those three disparate skill sets with as much grace as Simmons. On the court, he’s the rare player with an innate understanding of the mechanics of basketball and the athleticism to bend them to his will. And as a result, he’s held to an impossible standard—when you can do so many things, people expect you to do everything. It doesn’t matter that Simmons can’t shoot, the same way it doesn’t matter that Embiid can’t run a pick-and-roll or that a refrigerator isn’t also a school bus. Now on a Nets team that’s so gnarled with talent and neuroses that Simmons’ own problems blend into the background, hopefully Simmons’s greatness can have the space to be appreciated on its own terms. -JTD

22. Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets

Please keep your family and friends safe this flu season and get vaccinated. -JC

21. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

Since the invention of the 3-point line, Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson and Vince Carter are the only guards to average more points over their first five seasons than Donovan Mitchell. In this sense, Mitchell gets buckets with uncommon ease and élan—most guys who are as athletic as Mitchell can’t replicate his lethal pull-up shooting; most guys as skilled as Mitchell don’t win dunk contests. -JTD

20. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

For his playoff performances alone, Jaylen Brown thrust himself into the conversation of a top 25 player in the NBA. No moment is too big for him and he will continue to flourish as he enters his prime years in the NBA. The picture of consistency, Brown will get over 23 points per game, hit multiple threes a game and play top tier defense. -MP

19. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

When we look back at what players helped revolutionize the three-point line, Damian Lillard has to be in the discussion. His ability to knockdown what is considered the ‘deep’ three rivals the likes of any shooter in NBA history. After being sidelined with injuries last season, Dame will be coming back with a vengeance. -JC

18. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves

During his six-year tenure as Utah’s anchor and franchise lodestar, Rudy Gobert has found his niche as the NBA’s least superstarry superstar. The most dominant defensive presence of his generation, Gobert practically guarantees a top ten defense with his mere presence—beyond being able to shut down an opposing offense on any given night, Gobert has proven that he’s even able to shut down the entire league. Now with the Timberwolves, Gobert is the central figure in the NBA’s most exciting and most daring team-building experiment, providing the defensive ballast to complement Anthony Edwards’ and Karl-Anthony Towns’ offensive production. -JTD

17. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat

 If things go according to plan this year, the Miami Heat will be competing amongst the top dogs in the East come next May. For the last few years, they have been able to do so with disciplined offense and a grinding defensive mindset. That defensive presence does not happen without Bam Adebayo. There are very few people on this planet who can effectively defend the likes of Anthony Davis and Giannis, but Adebayo is one of them. If you have a superstar big man, the Heat have an answer. And his name is Bam Adebayo. -BT

16. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

Not many 25 year olds have accumulated the amount of points and playoff experience that Booker has. He had his lulls during the last post-season, but that is somewhat expected with most young stars. One thing is for sure, when Booker is cooking - he reaches boiling temperatures. Look across the league and you will be hard pressed to find a player able to fill it up the way Booker can. That sense of scoring will persevere in his future, even if it comes with occasional slow periods. -BT

15. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

Amongst Resistance-type people in 2017ish, there was a whole genre of lame Tweets about how it’s important that we don’t collectively normalize conduct that’s never been normal in American history. The same could be said about Trae Young—it’s shocking and unfair that a guy who puts up such ludicrous statlines has been met with such little fanfare. In this sense, Young is undeniably one of the best offensive guards to ever pick up a basketball; last season, he averaged 28.4 points and 9.7 assists per game while maintaining above-average efficiency on a vertiginously difficult diet of shots. Young’s defense and general smallness prevent him from entering the NBA’s most rarefied circles, but, as the league’s resident troll king, he’s perfectly content to lob stones and alley-oops as an outsider.  -JTD

14. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies

From a purely aesthetic and entertainment perspective, Ja Morant would top this list. But as tempting it is to key in on the time he jumped over Kevin Love or detonated on Jakob Poeltl or turned Malik Beasley’s bones to dust or stole Avery Bradley’s soul, Morant evolved from a “budding star” into a bona fide MVP candidate because of the way that he filled out the margins between the highlights. Crucially, he realized that if nobody can stop him from getting to the rim, he should simply always get to the rim; despite being a spindly 6’3, he led the league with 16.6 points in the paint per game. Like all the best guards, Morant has an internal rubric for whatever coverage is thrown his way—he turns drop coverage into a runway to embarrass whatever poor galoot is waiting for him at the rim; his jumper is now to make going under screens painful; hedging is a non-starter, lest he split the defense like a wishbone. Last season, Morant’s talent and sheer force of will turned Memphis from an exciting oddity into one of the best teams in the league. Now, he’s looking to run up some more chimneys. -JTD

13. Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans

Asking someone to guard Zion Williamson seems like it should be an OSHA violation. Although Williamson has played in just 85 out of 226 games since he was drafted in 2019 and missed all of last season with some nebulous foot injury, those 85 games have been transcendent. To zero in even more, the unveiling of “Point Zion” over the final 39 games in 2021 was utterly game breaking. During this stretch, Williamson transitioned from an All-Star caliber play finisher to an All-History caliber initiator, bombarding the paint on his way to 28.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game on 65.5 percent True Shooting. When healthy, Williamson is essentially Shaq with a crossover or Giannis Antetokounmpo but the muscled density of a black hole. -JTD

12. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers 

Obviously there is the elephant in the room that needs to be mentioned with Anthony Davis, and that is the inconsistent availability. But when you decide to remove that variable, he is as lethal of a weapon as almost anyone. Of course, he has the luxury of playing alongside LeBron, and that has to make life a little easier for Davis. But if the Lakers want to compete for another Championship, Davis will need to play more like a Batman than a Robin. -BT

11. James Harden, Philadelphia 76ersJames Harden isn’t washed. He’s not even close to being washed, unless putting up 21 points, 10.5 assists and 7.1 rebounds on well above-average efficiency while nursing a messed-up hamstring and adapting to an entirely new system on the fly somehow qualifies as washed. And that’s his floor. Now with a summer to regain the burst that abandoned him during last year’s playoffs and a roster retooled to fit his sensibility, Harden will once again look like James Harden. -JTD

10. Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat

“More than his sturdy 6’8 frame or productive psychopathy, Jimmy Butler’s superpower is his poise, his galvanizing clarity of purpose. Possessing an uncanny ability to function completely on his own terms, he doesn’t just bend the flow of his game to his will; he manifests his own vision for how the game should—and will—be played. He plays with a drummer’s understanding of tempo, setting the rhythm and cadence for the other nine players on the court.” -JTD

9. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Whether Jayson Tatum can conquer the demons of a suspect NBA Finals showing will be one of the most fascinating watches for this 2022/23 season. How does Jayson Tatum respond and how well will he play? If he bounces back and shrugs it off then this is a top 10 player but the efficiency in the biggest of games will ultimately determine this. But the best player on a team that went to the finals is worthy of this position. MP

8. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets

When Kevin Durant faced my Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021 NBA Playoffs, I never felt that sense of helplessness. PJ Tucker gave Durant every bit of fight that he had in him, and it was still moot. When Durant is healthy, there is nothing you can do but hope that he misses. His offense is virtually unguardable. And prior to the recent injuries, his perimeter defense was shining in the 2018 playoffs. During the regular season, Durant gets buckets very casually. And when the intensity picks up in the postseason, those buckets are just as accessible. Perhaps more than anyone, his offense is… inevitable. -BT

7. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

If the “traditional” big man is a dinosaur archetype that’s long gone extinct, Joel Embiid is like if a velociraptor learned to harness the power of the meteor and use it to reaffirm its place atop the food chain. The reigning scoring champion and back-to-back MVP runner-up finishes, Embiid has steadily expanded his offensive horizons so that he’s now a devastating isolation scorer from all areas of the court. But while Embiid’s all-court iso game was borne from necessity, the addition of James Harden now gives Embiid a running mate who can amplify Embiid rather than merely complement him; the Harden-Embiid pick and roll battery put up 1.15 points per possession, the best in the league. -JTD

6. Lebron James, Los Angeles LakersIt sounds like an 80s action movie. Lebron James is the greatest basketball player ever—but now he has some unfinished business. Even amidst the rubble of last year’s debacle, James was unimpeachable on an individual level. Somehow, he had the best scoring year of his illustrious 19-year career, averaging 30.3 points per game on 61.9 percent True Shooting. While James can’t sustain the same level of galaxy-destroying athleticism he could ten years ago and has quiet quit on defense, he’s compensated by becoming a genuinely fantastic three-point shooter; Paul George and Jayson Tatum were the only forwards to make more threes than James’ 2.9 per game last season. Despite whatever marginal slippage James has suffered, there are still spurts where he looks like the best basketball player alive. Even divorced from the gravitas and deference that accompanies being Lebron James, James is still an elite athlete who doubles as a knockdown off-the-dribble shooter and has a legendary, cyborg brain. Some day, James will slip from his perch atop the NBA, but that won’t be any time too soon. -JTD

5. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

Kawhi Leonard has quietly dominated the NBA largely for his whole career, and has yet to crack a smile. Injuries have kept Leonard off the court in a number of different seasons, but when healthy he is one of the NBA’s best. If he and Paul Geoge can stay healthy, the Clippers may be hoisting their first Larry O’Brien trophy.  -JC

4. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

When we think of the most impactful players of all-time it's impossible to have the conversation without Steph Curry. Finally capturing the elusive Finals MVP, there is nothing left for him to accomplish. Steph Curry with no pressure might be the most dangerous versions of him. He's easily top five, if not top five all time. -MP

3. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

My father had Michael Jordan, my brother had Kobe, and I have Luka Doncic. After averaging 21 points, six rebounds and seven assists per game as a rookie, Doncic has steadily improved each year. As his usage rate and overall statistics continue to increase, the reality of Doncic winning his first MVP award becomes much more real. If the Mavericks can somehow find a way to finish in the top four in the west, that MVP trophy just might be Luka’s. -JC

2. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

My co-worker Bo Templin has many admirable qualities, not limited to the fact that he trains at MMA gyms and could kill me with his own two hands if he so chooses. But despite his protestations, I must speak my truth: Nikola Jokic is the best player in the NBA going into the 2022-2023 season. On the most basic level, Jokic’s case is bolstered by the fact that he’s the back-to-back reigning MVP. Whether you prefer advanced metrics or normie stats, Jokic is a historically great player coming off one of the best seasons in NBA history. Averaging 27.1 points and 7.8 assists per game last year, he overwhelmed opponents with his wide-bodied hippyness and soft touch, drawing double teams which he then neutered with his panoptic passing.

Even in an era that’s defined by the fundamental reimagination of basketball’s traditional mores and philosophies, Jokic is a radical, if only because big fat guy who passes like he can see the future is a string of words that didn’t exist before Jokic came along. And now that Jokic is finally rejoined by Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., he should be better than ever. -JTD

1.Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

This was a non-negotiable. I only agreed to work on this project if we collectively agreed that Giannis was the best player in the NBA. There was some minor pushback that I decided to ignore, as I feel very strongly about this. 

The accolades are obvious. He has numerous MVP awards, Finals MVP, DPOY, all-star appearances, and on and on you can go.  I suspect that most of the justifications you will read about Giannis will include descriptions of his absurd athleticism and ridiculous size.

Those things are true, but there is still more to Giannis that separates him from everyone else in my opinion.  I’m imagining a collective roll of the eyes as people read this, but the big difference between Giannis and other players is his attitude and effort. He is the most pure leader - and does so by example. When a turnover is committed, he sprints back to be the first person back on defense. When he misses a shot, he uses that energy on the defensive end. When a teammate grabs a rebound and pushes forward, Giannis supports them by filling lanes in the fast break. These things may seem elementary, but when a team plays over 100 games a year, these tasks get forgotten. Not by the Greek Freak. He is everything a team wants in a superstar. -BT