Our annual Top 100 NBA player rankings have become a much-anticipated tradition, offering fans and analysts alike a comprehensive outlook on the rising and falling stars in the league. This year's list, reflecting an aggregate projection, showcases some significant changes and noteworthy movements among players, with Victor Wembanyama making the most remarkable leap. Vaulting from 58th to 12th, Wembanyama has left a strong impression on the NBA landscape.
After the All-Star break, Wembanyama's performance was nothing short of astonishing. Averaging 23.5 points, 12 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 4.5 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game, he demonstrated why he is considered the next evolution of the sport. As Sam Quinn eloquently put it, "We're not just talking about the next great NBA player here. We're talking about the sort of player this sport has never seen, the next step in its evolution." Wembanyama's size and skill are the culmination of a decade's worth of progression in the sport, making him a unique and groundbreaking figure.
Another player making significant strides is Chet Holmgren, moving up from 68th to 30th. Jasmyn Wimbish notes, "Holmgren is on a career trajectory to be a mainstay at the All-Star Game, as well as a frequenter of end-of-season awards ballots like All-NBA and All-Defense." His versatility and ability to adapt both on and off the ball, highlighted by Jack Maloney, further underscore his potential: "Holmgren has the on-and-off-ball skills to easily scale up and down depending on the situation."
Alperen Sengun has also seen a noticeable climb in the rankings, jumping from 85th to 47th. His prowess around the rim, as Wimbish describes, makes him a formidable opponent: "Sengun's strength and finesse around the rim make it difficult to defend him when he catches the ball on the move."
The dynamic Tyrese Maxey has soared from 60th to 24th, while Brandon Miller, Jalen Suggs, and Coby White have entered the rankings from previously unranked positions, landing at 66th, 70th, and 71st, respectively. Isaiah Hartenstein's new position at 73rd reflects consistency, while Derrick White and Jalen Williams have moved to 36th and 37th, respectively.
However, some players have experienced dramatic declines. Andrew Wiggins, previously 48th, and Josh Giddey, formerly 61st, are now unranked. Wiggins faced personal challenges following the death of his father, as Brad Botkin reports: "His father, former NBA player Mitchell Wiggins, recently died, and Andrew had taken multiple leaves of absence the past two years as his father's health was in decline."
Brook Lopez's fall from 50th to 88th, Marcus Smart's drop from 56th to 93rd, and Zach LaVine slipping from 43rd to 76th mark significant shifts in their perceived standings. Klay Thompson, once 67th, has now descended to 99th, while Bradley Beal's ranking dropped from 38th to 69th. Veteran stars such as Chris Paul and Malcolm Brogdon have moved out of the rankings entirely. Botkin succinctly puts it: "Brogdon is a good player but not a top-100 guy under these conditions."
Draymond Green's movement in the opposite direction, sliding from 30th to 56th, showcases the dynamic nature of these rankings and the evolving landscape of NBA performances.
This year's NBA rankings offer a compelling snapshot of the league's current state, highlighting the ascendency of fresh talent and the tribulations faced by seasoned veterans. The careful analysis and expert opinions that shape these rankings create a vivid portrait of the ever-changing NBA arena.