Damian Lillard and Donovan MitchellJason Miller/Getty Images
In just a few weeks, many players could establish strong cases for a spot in the top 20, but it’s a competitive ranking to achieve.
Securing a position among the 30 best players in the current NBA is a significant accomplishment.
30. Kawhi Leonard, Forward (Clippers)
Since 2020, Kawhi Leonard has not been able to complete a playoff run while healthy. He missed the entire preseason this year due to a knee injury. This raises valid concerns regarding his effectiveness in the upcoming 2024-25 season. Omitting him from the top 50 entirely, as Chuck has, is quite audacious. Despite missing the entire 2021-22 season, he ranks 30th in wins over replacement player since the beginning of that campaign.
29. Tyrese Maxey, Guard (76ers)
As a rising star in the playoffs, Tyrese Maxey boasts a career box plus/minus in the postseason that nearly doubles his regular-season figure. With a true third star like Joel Embiid on the team, Maxey’s ability to slash and shoot from the outside could pose an even greater threat. As defenses focus on either Embiid or Paul George, he will have opportunities to take advantage of disorganized defenses.
28. Jrue Holiday, Guard (Celtics)
Even in his 30s, Jrue Holiday continues to excel as one of the premier point-of-attack defenders in the NBA. His reliable playmaking minimizes mistakes, which benefits Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown significantly. In the 2023-24 season, he achieved an impressive shooting percentage of 61.9 on corner three-point shots.
27. Karl-Anthony Towns, Big (Knicks)
With the New York Knicks, Karl-Anthony Towns is expected to perform better than he did in his recent seasons with the Timberwolves. He returns to his original position of center, enabling him to effectively navigate a restricted area that will not
be clogged up by a rim-runner. His 25-and-10 days could be returning.
26. Domantas Sabonis, Center (Kings)
Had it not been for Jokić, Domantas Sabonis would nearly certainly be celebrated as the league’s premier playmaking center since his father, Arvydas, played in the NBA. Last season, he recorded an impressive average of 8.2 assists, but that is far from his only contribution. Sabonis is also a formidable scorer in the paint and has led the NBA in rebounds per game for the past two seasons.
25. Tyrese Haliburton, Point Guard (Pacers)
Tyrese Haliburton experienced a significant slowdown due to injury during the 2023-24 season, yet he appeared to be a strong candidate for an All-NBA selection in the season’s opening stretch. In his initial 33 games, he averaged 23.6 points, 12.5 assists, and 3.4 three-pointers, while shooting 40.3 percent from beyond the arc. If he can maintain his health and replicate those statistics, the Indiana Pacers could genuinely contend.
24. De’Aaron Fox, Point Guard (Kings)
As one of the quickest end-to-end playmakers in the league, De’Aaron Fox displayed notable improvement in two of his previous weaknesses during the 2023-24 season. He shot 36.9 percent from three-point range (an increase from 32.1 percent over his first six years) and led the league with an average of 2.0 steals per game.
23. Donovan Mitchell, Guard (Cavaliers)
Despite playing alongside a traditional point guard in Darius Garland for the past few seasons, Donovan Mitchell has increased his playmaking responsibilities as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. In 2023-24, he achieved a career-high average of 6.1 assists. Combining that with his prolific scoring makes him a consistent All-NBA candidate, provided he suits up for enough games.
22. Damian Lillard, Point Guard (Bucks)
Damian Lillard’s effective field-goal percentage saw a decline of over five percentage points from the 2022-23 season to 2023-24, making it somewhat optimistic to anticipate a complete rebound in his age-34 year. However, he has had over a season to settle into his new role and team. Playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo often puts him against understaffed defenses. Another All-Star season could be on the horizon.
21. Jimmy Butler, Wing (Heat)
If the “Playoff Jimmy” Butler, whom Barkley referred to as “just a winner,” remains present throughout the regular season, the Miami Heat could be well-positioned for a top-four seed, rendering this ranking potentially too low. However, part of why “Playoff Jimmy” is so well-recognized stems from Butler’s laid-back demeanor during the regular season. This could change in a contract year, but historical evidence suggests he often treats the regular season as mere preparation for the playoffs.
That’s it for now, folks. But don’t worry
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Ranking the NBA’s Top 30 Players: Who Made the Cut?
The NBA is a league filled with talent, and ranking its top players is always a hot topic among fans and analysts. In this article, we take a look at the top 30 players in the NBA, analyzing their skills, statistics, and impact on the game. This comprehensive ranking will consider factors such as performance, potential, and overall contribution to their teams.
Methodology for Ranking
To create this ranking, we considered:
- Player Statistics: Points, rebounds, assists, and efficiency ratings.
- Impact on Team: How players influence their team’s success and ability to win.
- Durability: Injury history and overall longevity in the league.
- Intangibles: Leadership, work ethic, and clutch performances in critical moments.
