Who are the very best players in the NBA?
Ask fans of the 30 teams if their team's star is a Top 25 player, and they will probably say yes. Canvass the league, and you would get 45 names that are certainly "Top 25" players. But in the end, only 25 can make the list (our math skills are outstanding here at Hoops Habit).
Having ranked each position group, how do they mesh together? We will rank 25-11 today and the Top 10 will be revealed tomorrow. Check out the individual positions for more discussion.
Point Guards l Shooting Guards l Small Forwards l Power Forwards l Centers
No. 25: Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
Fast and dynamic with the ball in his hands, Tyrese Maxey also brings a defensive intensity that is unusual among other star point guards. He will have plenty resting on his shoulders this season with Jaylen Brown and LeBron James coming to town.
No. 24: Jaylen Brown, Philadelphia 76ers
Somehow overrated and underrated at the same time, Jaylen Brown plays a premium position and is really good on both ends of the court. There are also real limits to his game that impact his ceiling as a player who elevates an entire team. Even so, a forward who can create his own shot, shoot from the perimeter and defend multiple positions is extremely valueable even with his flaws.
No. 23: Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
Having a big man who can protect the paint and shoot from the perimeter unlocks the best of modern basketball on both ends of the court, and Chet Holmgren is great at both. If he can add any personal shot creation he will go up even further, but even where he is now is a Top-25 player in the league.
No. 22: Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
A year ago, Evan Mobley would have ranked 15th on this list as his ascension into a Top-3 defender in the league and an offensive force. The offense took a step back last year, and if he isn't breaking down defenders off the dribble and bullying them in the post, his lack of an outside shot becomes more restrictive. Even so, he is phenomenal defensively and deserves a Top-25 ranking.
No. 21: Karl Anthony-Towns, New York Knicks
Karl-Anthony Towns proved his defense can be good enough in the right environment this past year, and that allows his gifts as a scorer, shooter, rebounder and even passer to be highlighted. He is not quite the Top-12 player some are hailing him as, but he is really good. It remains to be seen if the loss of Mitchell Robinson erodes his impact this season.
No. 20: Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
This is a bet on Jalen Williams returning fully healthy this season; after an injury-riddled year, it could be easy to push him down a list like this. The reality remains that he is an insanely versatile and impactful defender who also can drop 40 points in an NBA Finals game. He does all of the little things well and is the ideal No. 2 on a contending team.
No. 19: Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
Jalen Johnson has become one of the better passers in the NBA as a 6'9" forward, unlocking a powerful offense for the Atlanta Hawks. He is a triple double machine, crashing the glass and slinging passes and scoring in both transition and the half court. If he develops his strength and paint protection on defense, his star will only burn brighter and the Hawks will reach even higher heights.
No. 18: OG Anunoby, New York Knicks
It may seem strange to include a player who is not creating offense, but OG Anunoby is such a dream archetype for a team that he has to be considered a Top-20 player in the NBA. A team with Jalen Brunson and Towns just won the championship with the postseason's best defense, and that is due to how perfectly Anunoby can fit with any lineup and how defensively dominant he is. He can also shoot, finish, rebound and cut, making him a super-powered role player at the highest level.
No. 17: Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
The NBA is sleeping on how good Cooper Flagg is already, and he will only continue to get better. He does literally everything on a basetkabll court, has fantastic size, and is the ultimate competitor. He will deserve to make the All-Star Team this season and if the Mavericks can put talent around him, he will be winning playoff games before long. He is firmly on track for the Top 10.
No. 16: Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
Bam Adebayo is one of the most versatile defenders in the league, comfortable defending on the perimeter, in space and at the rim. He may not be a pure scorer as his 83-point game suggests, but he can shoot, score inside, pass and rebound. He is not going to be the No. 1 on a contender, but he could be one of the very best No. 2s.
No. 15: LeBron James, Philadelphia 76ers
Somehow, LeBron James remains a dominant force even as he plunges fully into his 40s. He showed in the playoffs that as the heliocentric offensive player he remains surgical and explosive and he willed the Lakers to a series victory. Age will continue to degrade him, and his defensive can only come in bursts now, but he will relinquish his spot among the league's best only when it is forced out of his hands.
No. 14: Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets
Kevin Durant is also getting long in the tooth, but his jumper remains pure and he is unfazed by nearly any defensive contest. He also rebounds and defends at a perfectly solid level for his position and can fit into nearly any lineup. The Rockets should have better roster balance this year, which should only help Durant maintain his level of production.
No. 13: Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
Elite defense and position-busting offense? Scottie Barnes is a phenomenal player who continues to improve. He is one of the NBA's few players who can truly guard all 5 positions, and on offense he is a bully inside and a savvy passer. If he and Toronto get a postseason run this year to prove their mettle, he could become a household name as a Top 10 player.
No. 12: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Donovan Mitchell has some big flaws, but he is also a truly incredible scorer, able to heat up at any point and experienced at finding the openings and angles to get his shot off. He always manages to put up solid numbers in the playoffs despite seeing enhanced attention, and he is a perennial All-NBA selection.
No. 11: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Knicks fans may be outraged to see Jalen Brunson just outside of the Top 10, but at his size and with his defensive limitations he is not truly elevating his team like the best of the best. With that being said, he is very good at what he does, and when surrounded by the right talent, his unconscious scoring against any defensive coverage led to a championship. Being 11th is not a slight - Brunson is a fantastic basketball player.
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