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Ranking the top 50 NBA players of next season: 30-21

By Corey Rausch

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 06: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz and Rudy Gobert #27 talk against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on January 06, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 06: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz and Rudy Gobert #27 talk against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on January 06, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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NBA (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NBA (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

As we build up to the NBA season returning quicker than anyone could have imagined, it is a perfect time to rank the players coming into the season.

The list keeps climbing and we are on to the top 30. The debate gets even hotter as some of the names that will shape the title contention for this season enter the fray. For anyone who has missed previous entries please check out 50-41 and 40-31.  Now, lets get on to the newly-minted max player for the New Orleans Pelicans.

NBA (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NBA (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

30. Brandon Ingram

The newly-minted max contract for Brandon Ingram makes complete sense for the New Orleans Pelicans after the season he had. Ingram stepped out of the shadow of his Los Angeles Lakers past and took advantage of a higher usage rate, growth and lowered expectations.

Last season he averaged 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.0 steals per game, all of which were career highs. He also shot a career high 39.1 percent from distance on a career high 6.2 attempts per game. Ingram made his first All-Star game and was named Most Improved Player.

This is about far more than accolades and numbers. Brandon Ingram turned into the franchise-altering force that led to him being selected second overall back in 2016. He turned into one of the leaders on the court for a young team weathering the absence of their number one overall pick missing large amounts of time.

If Ingram can continue this progression he will be a great partner for Zion Williamson. They will need to sort out how to play off ball better, as they both seem to be too ball-dominant at this point. If they can do that they will be the most dangerous young duo in the league. That is the ceiling for Ingram.