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Ranking the top 50 NBA players of the 2021-2022 season: 50-41

By Corey Rausch

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 29: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets dribbles between Malcolm Brogdon #7 and Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers during the third quarter of their game at Spectrum Center on January 29, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 29: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets dribbles between Malcolm Brogdon #7 and Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers during the third quarter of their game at Spectrum Center on January 29, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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NBA (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
NBA (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

Top 50 NBA players ranked: 49. D’Angelo Russell

Previous Rank: 33

Few teams experienced the type of lost season that the Minnesota Timberwolves did a season ago. They entered the season hoping to take the next step with two young All-Stars and the number one pick all on board. So far, the pair of Russell and Towns have shared the court for just 25 games. This season, with an offseason together alongside new coach Chris Finch, the team hopes to get back on track.

Russell was not able to stay healthy last season, limiting the level of production he could consistently put together. He played in 42 games and started just 26 of them and his numbers suffered across the board. Russell posted the worst averages in the following categories since before being named an All-Star in 2019: points (19.0), rebounds (2.6), assists (5.8) and steals (1.1) per game. His efficiency improved but the team needed more for him to try to eke out wins.

For a player like Russell, this is the season to save his reputation with the casual fans. Since signing his max contract after being an injury-replacement All-Star critics have wondered what is next. His time in Golden State did not lead to the promise they had hoped. So far over a season and a half in Minnesota, he has played just 54 games. While he is still only 25, the time is coming to show if his final season with the Brooklyn Nets was the outlier or the blueprint.