NBA: Ranking every team’s best player in 2019-20

The Brooklyn Nets are the unique team to follow through on their free agency wish dreams, adding two stars in one summer. As this is a one-season ranking Kevin Durant is not considered, but he would be the choice were he fully healthy.

His combination of shooting and skill at his size make him one of the league’s most dominant two-way forces, and he has proven he can excel in the postseason.

Kyrie Irving has at times proven the same thing, including one of the greatest shots in NBA Finals history to defeat the Golden State Warriors in 2016, setting into motion the series of events that led to he and Durant teaming up in Brooklyn.

His touch around the rim is probably the best in the league and he can get his shot off in any situation against any defenders.

His defensive ceiling should not be overlooked either; while he is inconsistent and at times looks downright bad, his size and athleticism keep him from being attacked in the same way other lead guards are.

Other lists may have Irving higher compared to his peers, but the negative intangibles he brings push him down. His brand of leadership failed spectacularly in Boston, perhaps connected to his manner of obfuscation when speaking to the media.

For all of his talent, it appears that Irving damages his team in unique ways as well, making him a hard player to value and a hard star to rely on.

Looking ahead: Once Kevin Durant is healthy, this will be his team. He is a better player in every facet than Irving, which isn’t meant to be a knock on Irving — Durant is one of the 30 best players in league history, at a minimum. If Durant comes back at a much reduced level and Irving struggles, there is upside from Caris LeVert to make a leap and become something more.