Ranking the top 50 NBA players of the 2021-22 season: 10-1

PORTLAND, OREGON - OCTOBER 04: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts against the Golden State Warriors in the first quarter during the preseason game at Moda Center on October 04, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

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The NBA season has finally returned and with that the completion of the top 50 player rankings. We have previewed the previous 40 players in groups of 10 at the following places:

In the final set of the power rankings, we will go over what is our definitive top 10 players in the NBA. Who is number one?

Let’s get started.

Top 50 NBA players ranked:10. Damian Lillard

Previous Rank: 9

Remaining one of the ticking time bombs of trade requests in the league, Damian Lillard is currently saying all the right things. He is giving new head coach Chauncey Billups a chance to work with this roster. Until something changes, the Portland Trail Blazers are getting a completely locked-in version of Lillard.

Lillard was his normal dominant self a season ago. Over the course of 67 games, the six-time All-Star averaged 28.8 points, 7.5 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game. For a Blazers team that struggled with a lengthy absence of CJ McCollum, Lillard remained the driving force for the Blazers returning to the postseason. Finding themselves matched up with the Denver Nuggets yet again was something of a tough draw and the Blazers found themselves back on the outside looking in.

Now the rest of the league will be watching Portland and Lillard closely. It is no secret that the Philadelphia 76ers have been waiting for him to make another trade request. Should he do so, many in the league will not be far behind them. If there is any sort of bumps along the way, Dame Time will start to take on a new meaning. Until then, sit back and enjoy the show.