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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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Top 50 NBA players ranked: 43. DeMar DeRozan

Previous Rank: NA

DeMar DeRozan reinvented himself with the San Antonio Spurs and has joined the Chicago Bulls with hopes of being the missing piece (alongside Lonzo Ball who the team also added) to get the once-proud franchise back into the postseason. With two All-Stars from a season ago, DeRozan is actually the perfect player to unlock the offensive continuity for this team.

It is understandable for fans who only pay attention to the top of the standings to not know the transformation DeRozan has made over his three seasons in the Western Conference. In each of the three seasons he played with the Spurs he averaged more assists per game (6.2, 5.6 and 6.9 respectively) than in any season in Toronto. Until last season, he was a better rebounder in San Antonio too. He did all of this while maintaining a scoring average of more than 21 points per game each season.

He may not ever be an All-Star again, but that does not mean he will not be worth every penny the Bulls signed him to. Both he and Ball bring elite passing to the team and DeRozan has the upside of being able to take over the scoring load for spurts of the game. He will not be relied on to be the top option (or even the second option on most nights), allowing him to use the tools he developed over the last three seasons to raise the ceiling of his team. The fans who have forgotten about him over the last three seasons are going to be quickly clued in.