Ranking the top 50 NBA players of next season: Top 10

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.

Just like that we are into the top 10 players in the league. It all comes down to the true MVP candidates. No need to waste any time. Lets start with number 10:

10. Nikola Jokic

For those who try to say you can no longer build around a big man in the NBA today are not paying attention to the generational talent regularly taking over in the Mile High City. Nikola Jokic is a perennial MVP candidate and showed exactly why as the Denver Nuggets made it to the Conference Finals for the first time in a decade.

Jokic is one of the best passers from the center position in NBA history, creating a beautiful brand of basketball that makes the offense flow. It helps make up for the fact that he has not developed much of an outside shot (31.4 percent on 3.5 attempts per game). Everything is smooth because he is able to keep the ball moving and finds his teammates at the best possible moments.

The scariest part for the rest of the league: the Joker is just getting started. He is still just 25 and is already a two time All-Star and All-NBA performer. He is an ironman, only missing 19 games over the last five seasons. His numbers are ever-impressive, posting a line of 19.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

Defense is his biggest issue and while that is glaring he causes just as many issues as he faces. He, along with Jamal Murray, propelled the team to two 3-1 series comebacks. Jokic was an offensive force in the postseason and as the team continues to mature that may have been just the beginning of their success.