The 50 greatest NBA players of the 2020s (so far), ranked

48) LaMelo Ball

Point guard LaMelo Ball's inclusion on this list might seem questionable since he has played fewer than 200 games over four seasons, a low threshold to clear. Be that as it may, he won Rookie of the Year in 2020–21 and made an All-Star team in just his second season. Injuries and tanking have derailed the last two seasons of the half-decade for Ball but he still averages 20.9 points and 7.8 assists.

That is better than most of his contemporaries at his position and, assuming he remains relatively healthy over the next five years, he should be able to average at least that. He may also have an easier time making the all-star team in the Eastern Conference, giving him the opportunity to make several more all-star appearances to close out the decade.

As is, he is deserving of a spot here, but there are players younger than him that could leapfrog him in the next five years if he continues to struggle to stay on the court. However, if he is healthy, he should have no problem climbing up this list when the 2020s come to a close.