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

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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Top 50 NBA players ranked: 48. Fred VanVleet

Previous Rank: 45

Last season was a mess for every member of the Toronto Raptors. Never having a chance to play an actual home game all season, the team as a whole took a season off from being a perennial title contender. Fred VanVleet was not exempt from seeing his production dip, but now the entire world for the franchise is different.

VanVleet played in 52 games this past season and averaged 19.6 points, 6.3 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. In terms of raw counting numbers, this is an upgrade. However, watching his field goal percentage (41.3 to 38.9) and 3-point percentage (39.0 to 36.6) slide in the manner that it did was one of the many issues that sidetracked the way the team functioned on the floor.

Still, VanVleet was a borderline All-Star this past season and continued to hold his own admirably on the defensive end of the floor. Back at home this season, his role with the team is about to change drastically. Kyle Lowry is no longer with the team, opening up the role of lead guard and face of the franchise. With all due respect to Pascal Siakam (who continues to be higher on this list), VanVleet is likely to be tasked with both roles. He is a tone-setter and now needs to do that on a nightly basis.