Ranking The Top 100 NBA Players For The 2023-24 Season: 100-51

• These 50 players represent the ones we have ranked as the 100th through 51st -best for the 2023-24 NBA season

• Three members of the San Antonio Spurs are ranked 100-51 and are the only representatives on the entire top 100 list

• Only one rookie made the cut for the top 100 list of NBA players for the 2023-24 season

Over the last month, we have gradually counted down our top 25 NBA players for every position heading into the 2023-24 season. It all began when we crowned Stephen Curry as the NBA’s top point guard heading into next season. It then concluded recently with the obvious selection of Nikola Jokic as the top center for next year. Now, it is time to get into everyone’s favorite part of the offseason, our top 100 players overall. 

The top 100 list that we release every season is not one that we take lightly. It is a rigorous process in which we compare player stats and the directions in which their careers are trending for this season and beyond. To narrow down the entire league to just 100 players is not an exact science but using what we know about the game and how these players have performed over the last year, we feel there is no disputing their placement on our top 100 list below.

Now, it is time to reveal the first half of our list. These are the top 100-51 NBA players for the 2023-24 season.

100. Bogdan Bogdanovic

2022-23 Stats: 14.0 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.8 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.3 BPG

To kick off our list, we begin with one of the best scorers off the bench from 2022-23, Bogdan Bogdanovic of the Atlanta Hawks. In 45 games in which he appeared off the bench for Atlanta, Bogdanovic averaged 13.4 points per game which ranked eighth in the NBA. In those 45 games, he also shot 43.4% overall and 39.3% from three on 6.6 attempts.

In 2023-24, it seems as if Bogdanovic will remain in his bench role at least to begin the season. With the addition of Patty Mills to the rotation, Bogdanovic may see smoke of his touches lost to the Australian sharpshooter but Bogdanovic provides a shot-creation and playmaking aspect that Mills simply doesn’t. I would expect Bogdanovic to produce around the same or even better numbers than he did in 2022-23 without an injury to hinder the start of his season this time around.

The Hawks will certainly need him to step up if they wish to advance past the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

99. Spencer Dinwiddie

2022-23 Stats: 17.3 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 6.5 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.3 BPG

After beginning the 2022-23 season with the Dallas Mavericks, Spencer Dinwiddie would be traded back to the Brooklyn Nets in the deal that landed Kyrie Irving in Dallas. Dinwiddie had previously spent five seasons with the Nets from 2017 through 2021 before being sent to Washington. In 26 games with the Nets last season, Dinwiddie helped them maintain their playoff standing with 16.5 points and 9.1 assists per game on 40.4% shooting and just 28.9% shooting from beyond the arc.

There is no doubt that Spencer Dinwiddie is a talented scorer and distributor of the basketball. He displays quick lateral movement with the ball in his hands as well as superior ball control compared to the other guards on the Nets roster. His 9.1 assists per game in a Nets uniform are the most he has ever averaged for any team during a season and the Nets hope he can continue that sort of playmaking trajectory in 2023-24.

The Nets’ lack of a primary playmaker in 2022-23 really hurt their chances against solid defensive teams like the 76ers in the NBA playoffs, and the more elite teams during the regular season. Dinwiddie’s continued growth in that area on the court will be something to look out for in Brooklyn in 2023-24.

98. Dennis Schroder

2023-24 Stats: 12.6 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 4.5 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.2 BPG

If we were basing our ranking solely on the 2022-23 season, I am not sure Dennis Schroder would have even made this list. In 66 appearances with the Lakers, which included 50 starts, Schroder put up average numbers in the regular season and saw his time on the court dwindle to a bench role in the playoffs. Then, the FIBA World Cup happened.

Schroder took the opportunity to shine on the international stage this summer, leading Germany to a gold medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. He averaged 19.1 points and 6.1 assists per game on 43.5% shooting to earn Tournament MVP honors amidst the improbable win. Something tells me Schroder is in for a big season in 2023-24 just as Lauri Markkanen had with the Jazz last season after lighting up the EuroBasket competition last summer.

The situation also favors Schroder in 023-24. He is now a member of the Toronto Raptors where the opportunity to be the player he wants to be is there. Schroder is a talented scorer and playmaker at the point guard position, ready to fill in for the now-departed Fred VanVleet. With talented scorers and two-way players around him, I have a feeling the best version of Dennis Schroder is still ahead of us in 2023-24.

97. Harrison Barnes

2022-23 Stats: 15.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Harrison Barnes is one of the most underrated contributors to a winning situation in the NBA today. He is especially underrated on the defensive side of the ball where his instincts and understanding of the entire game come into play. Barnes is also reliable and willing to play, having started all 317 games he has appeared in for the Kings since 2019.

Barnes was fourth on the Kings in scoring in 2022-23 and a big reason why the team was able to break their 17-year playoff drought. His leadership cannot go unrecognized either as he is credited with aiding in the development of rookie Keegan Murray last season. Despite declining efficiency and scoring, Barnes is still a valuable piece to what the Kings are doing moving forward.

With the addition of EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov, Barnes’ role could be diminished slightly in 2023-24. However, if he is relegated to the bench for a time, he will automatically be a part of the best 1-2 punch off the bench in the NBA alongside Malik Monk. Either way, I expect Harrison Barnes to contribute once again to a stellar season in Sacramento.

96. Immanuel Quickley

2022-23 Stats: 14.9 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG

At the beginning of 2022-23, and even as the All-Star break approached, Immanuel Quickley was nowhere near our top 100 list. All of that would change after the All-Star break with an incredible stretch of play from Quickley and the New York Knicks as a whole.

Following the All-Star break, Quickley averaged 21.0 points per game on 60.6% true shooting and entered the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year conversation with a more than solid case. In his third season altogether, Quickley improved as a scorer and defender by every metric. He finished 67.0% of his shots at the rim and 50.0% on his floater. He would also knock down 42.0% of his wide-open threes and shot 37.0% from three overall. This goes without mentioning his much-improved defense both on and off the ball that many times triggered runs by the Knicks leading to wins.

As 2023-24 approaches, it is clear that Quickley is likely to remain in his role as the first man off the bench for the Knicks next season. Despite coach Tom Thibodeaux’s inexcusable misuse of him on their playoff run last year, I am willing to bet Quickley’s talent shines through, and is right back in the running for the NBA’s best bench player.

95. Bojan Bogdanovic

2022-23 Stats: 21.6 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.6 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.1 BPG

The 2022-23 season was the first time we have ever really witnessed Bojan Bogdanovic as a first option with the Detroit Pistons. Following a season-ending injury to Cade Cunningham, Bogdanovic took over as the team’s primary scorer on offense and took his game to new heights with a career-high 21.6 points per game.

It wasn’t just the quantity of points he was scoring that was so impressive, but the way he was getting it done that turned so many heads. He was 45.5% on catch-and-shoot three-pointers in 2022-23 but used his versatility to be the main factor in Detroit’s offense. He was efficient in isolation, pick-and-rolls, post-ups, and moving without the ball which made him the deadliest offensive option for the Pistons on the court.

With all of that being said, Detroit finished with just 17 wins last year compared to 65 losses. This doesn’t fall entirely on Bogdanovic but it does show he cannot continue to be their main offensive weapon moving forward. Bogdanovic will be much more valuable as a second or third option for Detroit with Cunningham returning and the emergence of young stars such as Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren. That is if Bogdanovic remains with Detroit and isn’t traded before the deadline.

94. Victor Wembanyama

2022-23 Stats: N/A

The number-one overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft is the only rookie set to make an appearance on this year’s top 100 list. That is truly saying something about his talent considering we like to refrain from using rookies before they have even stepped on an NBA court for their first game.

Victor Wembanyama is different though. As a 7-footer with the handles of a guard, soft shooting touch from everywhere on the floor, great passing skills, and incredible defensive awareness, Wembanyama is a unicorn. Not the typical unicorn status that media members love to use to hype up incoming prospects but a real unicorn who has already begun to showcase his abilities against NBA-level talent in this year’s Summer League.

Much like the Spurs big men who have previously been number-one picks in the NBA Draft, Wembanyama is looking to change this franchise around in his very first season. He will begin the season at the power forward position where his matchups will take on a slightly less physical demeanor. That being said, his presence on the court is also going to open up the games of his teammates such as Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell when he starts to get all of the attention. Really, the season just needs to start so the speculation can start and we can watch the magic unfold.

93. Norman Powell

2022-23 Stats: 17.0 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.3 BPG

For a Clippers team decimated by injuries and load management, Norman Powell was a welcomed sight on offense during the 2022-23 season. Powell averaged 17.0 points per game in a role mostly off the bench in 2022-23, shooting 47.9% from the field overall and 39.7% from three.

Powell isn’t going to give a team much outside of scoring when he gets on the court but the Clippers will not need him to in 2023-24. Presumably with everyone healthy, Powell will be the number-one option offensively for bench players in Los Angeles as he should be. The best Powell has to offer is the fact when someone inevitably goes down, he can step into the starting lineup with zero adjustments needed. He will not be an MVP candidate by any means but Sixth Man of the Year is not out of the question for the 30-year-old guard heading into his ninth season.

92. Cameron Johnson

2022-23 Stats: 15.5 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.3 BPG

The 2022-23 season was a tale of two halves for forward Cameron Johnson. In the first half of the season, Johnson rehabilitated from a knee injury and managed to play 17 games for the Phoenix Suns. In those 17 games, Johnson averaged just 13.9 points per game on 45.5% shooting from three. Then, he was dealt to Brooklyn in a major deal that sent Kevin Durant to Phoenix which would be the boost he needed to his game.

Johnson would go on to play 25 games for the Nets as a starter and average 16.6 points per game on 37.2% from three and 46.8% overall. Johnson’s shooting wasn’t the only thing to impress us about his game as he put the ball on the floor and got around defenders using his big frame to seal them off. He also improved as a defender, particularly on the ball which was a good sign of his rehab considering the lateral movement involved with that task.

What I am predicting for Johnson in 2023-24 is as possible as any other scenario. He could easily contend for Most Improved Player as he gets more and more involved with Brooklyn’s offense likely to be centered around good friend Mikal Bridges. Johnson has a chance to make the leap we have all been waiting for and his fifth season seems like as good of a time as any.

91. Wendell Carter Jr.

2022-23 Stats: 15.2 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.6 BPG

Over the last two and a half seasons with the Orlando Magic, Wendell Carter Jr. has made a case for himself as the most underrated player in the NBA. Even as the Magic add young talent to their core, Carter has remained their most consistent and valuable asset in the frontcourt.

In 57 games in 2022-23, Carter averaged a career-high 15.2 points per game on 52.5% shooting from the field which was one of his most efficient seasons since entering the NBA in 2018-19. With just 10 games of over 20 points on the season, it goes to show how consistently he is cleaning up on the interior and helping the Magic progress toward their goal of becoming a playoff team and beyond.

Carter Jr. has become a decent three-level threat but could probably stand to tone down the three-point attempts and focus more on his mid-range and post-up game. He has displayed great rebounding instincts on both sides of the floor as well and is finishing 62.4% of his shots at the rim. With more focus on his game centered around tapping into his post-game and in the paint, Carter Jr. is going to help the Orlando Magic make big strides as a team in 2023-24.

90. Gary Trent Jr.

2022-23 Stats: 17.4 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Over the last two seasons with the Toronto Raptors, Gary Trent Jr. has really tapped into his abilities as an all-around player. Trent has always shown the propensity to be a solid scorer but since 2021-22, he has averaged 17.9 points per game on 42.3% shooting overall and 37.7% shooting from three which has been the best two-year stretch of his career.

Most of that has been due to his attention to detail on the offensive side of the ball. With the ball in his hands, he is not limited to unwarranted shots from the perimeter as he has added quite an impressive bag to his arsenal. Although his production dipped in 2022-23 slightly, his role with the Raptors is just as important in 2023-24 on both sides of the floor. As a defender, Trent has been among Tornto’s best, reading passing loans and causing disruption away from the ball on nearly every possession.

Trent is not likely headed for All-Star status anytime soon but he will be one of the focal points of the Raptors’ rebuild if they choose to go that route. On the contrary, he could also be dangled as a trade chip attached to Pascal Siakam if he sees a dip in playing time. Trent is one of the more talented bucket-getters in Toronto right now and will need to be on top of his game if he wishes to help them make a trip back to the NBA playoffs.

89. Bennedict Mathurin

2022-23 Stats: 16.7 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 1.5 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.2 BPG

In 2022-23, Bennedict Mathurin was rightfully selected as one of the top rookies for his play during the season with the Indiana Pacers. Of players who played at least 50 games off the bench last season, Mathurin averaged 16.9 points per game which was second in the entire NBA behind only Norman Powell. This is only the beginning.

Sure, Mathurin needs to step up and take much more efficient shots as he heads into 2023-24 but that is the stuff that comes with time and maturity in the NBA. Mathurin still displayed great growth as the season went on and did extremely well filling in for an injured Tyrese Haliburton for 17 games as well.

Bennedict Mathurin is one of the main reasons people are talking about the Indiana Pacers as a sleeper team in 2023-24. As he continues to add more elements to his game as a playmaker, and even as a scorer, the Pacers will only find themselves with a star in the making on their hands. If Mathurin is not in Sixth Man of the Year conversations by season’s end, I will be shocked.

88. Tobias Harris

2022-23 Stats: 14.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 2.5 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.5 BPG

Over the last few seasons, Tobias Harris has gotten a bad reputation, especially from 76ers fans, for his deteriorating production on the court and him being grossly overpaid. Many fans are still upset with management paying Harris over Jimmy Butler and have expected more from him and the team as a whole. The Sixers have failed to reach the Conference Finals in any season Harris has been a part of the team despite a consistent MVP candidate and league assists leader sharing the court with him.

In 2022-23, Harris made the switch to small forward to make way for PJ Tucker to come in and take over power forward duties. Harris’ stats slipped across the board other than his shooting going up to over 50.0% overall and 38.9% from three. There were times when Harris completely shot the Sixers out of games while other times he seemed like the only forward on the team who could buy a bucket.

In 2023-24, there doesn’t need to be a major improvement for Harris but he absolutely cannot continue to decline. With such an untradeable contract as his, it is imperative that he contribute as a scorer, defender, and playmaker. Harris holds the key to advancement in the NBA playoffs for a Sixers team that failed to make any major upgrades this offseason and is about to lose James Harden as well. The city needs him more than ever but it is unknown if he is up to the challenge.

87. Devin Vassell

2022-23 Stats: 18.5 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Devin Vassell’s third season in the NBA in 2022-23 for the San Antonio Spurs showed exactly why coach Gregg Popovich has so much confidence in the young shooting guard. Vassell put up a new career-high of 18.5 points per game on 43.9% shooting overall and 38.7% shooting from three for a Spurs team clearly gunning for the number-one pick.

Now that the Spurs secured that pick and chose Victor Wembanyama, Vassell has the opportunity to do some great things for the team in 2023-24. Along with Wembanyama, the Spurs are also armed with forward Keldon Johnson which can only help, not hurt, Vassell’s development. Vassell should see a ton of opportunities to deliver for the Spurs in 2023-24 given the attention that will be focused on his running mates.

I expect Vassell to even overtake Johnson as the second option on offense, especially if he can get the chemistry going on an inside-outside game with Wembanyama. Vassell is just 23 years old heading into 2023-24 and has already shown he can be a potential All-Star if he keeps going on this trajectory.

86. Jordan Clarkson

2022-23 Stats: 20.8 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.4 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.2 BPG

The 2022-23 season was an eye-opening one for Jordan Clarkson and the Utah Jazz as they remained competitive for most of the year. As opposed to the sixth man role he has had since joining the Jazz in 2019-20, Clarkson stepped into the starting lineup in 2022-23 and thrived much to the delight of his teammates, coaches, and fans.

Clarkson blew away his career-high in scoring with 20.8 points per game on 44.4% shooting while also dishing out 4.4 assists per game and grabbing 4.0 rebounds per game. His addition to the starting rotation solidified what has been speculated all along. He can definitely thrive and contribute to winning basketball in the right situation.

In 2023-24, I would expect Clarkson to be right back in the thick of things for Utah in their starting lineup. The continued development of young players such as Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler will continue to aid in his ascension as a player but also the Jazz’s ascension in their rebuild following the departures of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert.

85. Alperen Sengun

2022-23 Stats: 14.8 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 3.9 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.9 BPG

Although his numbers aren’t exactly reflective of it, by the end of 2022-23, Alperen Sengun was being referred to as “Baby Jokic” because of all of the skills he displayed on the court. He is already ascending sharper than Jokic did at this age but has been surrounded by incompetent staff in Houston that has, in a way, been detrimental to his development.

Despite the inconsistency of the Rockets franchise in recent years, they struck gold when they took Sengun with the 16th pick in 2021. After his rookie season, Sengun turned to one of the greats, Hakeem Olajuwon, for pointers in his development on the court, and in the following season, he thrived. Sengun shot over 55.3% from the field in 2022-23 while becoming much more of an aggressive scorer, playmaker, and defender leading to a surge in expectations for the young big man.

The 2023-24 season is where Sengun begins to take off in my opinion and begin his assault on top-10 centers in the NBA list for his all-around game that reminds us so much of reigning Finals MVP Nikola Jokic. From his footwork to his on-court awareness, Alperen Sengun will be the reason the Rockets return to the NBA playoffs and beyond in the coming years.

84. Cade Cunningham

2022-23 Stats: 19.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 6.0 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.6 BPG

The 2023-24 season will have to be one of redemption for talented third-year point guard Cade Cunningham. After a strong rookie campaign as the Pistons’ number-one overall pick, Cunningham was limited to just 12 games in 2022-23 due to a tibial stress fracture in his left shin. The surgery cost Cunningham, and effectively Detroit, the chance at a decent season. A season in which they went on to win just 17 games.

Before the injury, Cade Cunningham looked to be on his way to a near All-Star season. He was averaging just under 20.0 points per game while shooting 41.5% from the field with over 6.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. It is no secret that the Pistons will need him once again to turn around the woes felt in the Motor City for the better part of a decade. If Cunningham is healthy, he could reach top-10 point guard levels in 2023-24, and the Pistons can begin their new era on a high note although it may not end in a playoff appearance just yet.

83. Buddy Hield

2022-23 Stats: 16.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Ever since joining the Pacers in a shocking mid-season trade in 2022, Buddy Hield has shown the entire NBA world that he is far more than just an elite three-point shooter. Of course, he has continued to shoot the ball at an amazing rate, finishing second in total threes made in 2023 with a career-high 288 on 42.5% shooting. However, that is not all he has been able to do in Indiana.

Hield has shown a willingness and ability to seek offense elsewhere such as putting the ball on the floor and getting to the rim as well as creating shots from the mid-range. He has also shown that he is a pretty decent defender as well, particularly away from the ball disrupting passing lanes.

As we head into 2023-24, Hield is the subject of trade rumors once again as he has requested out of Indiana, a situation I am sure he is tired of. With the emergence of Bennedict Mathurin and the acquisition of Brice Brown, Hield likely saw the writing on the wall as far as touches and opportunities for him go in the Pacers’ offense. Wherever he goes, Hield will be able to help contenders win big games or even borderline teams make late-season pushes. After all, he is still one of the most lethal perimeter shooters in the NBA if not anything else.

82. Dillon Brooks

2022-23 Stats: 14.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.6 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Take all of the negative attention and memes surrounding Dillon Brooks’ challenging of LeBron James in last year’s playoffs away and what do you have? I will tell you. You have one of the most versatile defenders in the NBA coming off an All-Defensive Team selection headed for a fresh start away from the team that drafted him for the first time in his career.

You also have a warrior on the court who is not afraid to get physical with his opponents to the point fans cannot stop complaining about him. Dillon Brooks is coming off a decent season all things considered in which he helped lead the Memphis Grizzlies to the second-best record in the Western Conference. He was their best perimeter defender who also happened to average over 14.0 points per game showcasing his undeniable two-way skills.

After a summer of delight with the Canadian National Team on the FIBA World Cup stage, Brooks is ready to bring that competitive fire and leadership to a young Houston Rockets team in need of guidance. I am expecting a career-best season out of Brooks when all anyone can do is talk about the mistake Houston made by giving him $86 million over four years. Houston is a perfect situation for Brooks and I believe the best of him will be unlocked by coach Ime Udoka in the year ahead.

81. OG Anunoby

2022-23 Stats: 16.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.9 SPG, 0.7 BPG

When it comes to the Toronto Raptors and OG Anunoby, the team has made it clear that they will be sticking with him for the long term. Anunoby is one of the best perimeter defenders in basketball and also a 16.0 to 17.0 points per game player making him a two-way commodity that is almost priceless in today’s NBA.

In 2022-23, Anunoby was in the thick of the Defensive Player of the Year race, winning a steals title with 1.9 steals per game for the first time in his career. He shot 47.6% from the field overall and a decent 38.7% from three on 5.5 attempts. With all of the issues coming to light with the Raptors, one of their consistent positives was Anunoby and the things he could help this team accomplish on the court.

The Raptors hope to get similar production from Anunoby in 2022-23 and get back in the thick of the race in the Eastern Conference. With his two-way ability and three-level scoring ability, Anunoby has a chance to improve even more in 2023-24 with the departure of Fred VanVleet and the addition of a playmaker such as Dennis Schroder. I expect a season even better than 2022-23 this upcoming season from Anunoby otherwise, we may finally see him actually hit the trade market.

80. Scottie Barnes

2022-23 Stats: 15.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.8 BPG

After a [promising start to his career in 2021-22 that culminated in the Rookie of the Year award, Scottie Barnes appeared to take a step back in 2022-23 for the Toronto Raptors. Barnes wasn’t bad per se, it was more that there was zero improvement in his game or his production, and in some areas, he would actually regress.

Again, over 15.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game is not a bad season for most. If you are the Toronto Raptors, it was a cause for concern not seeing Barnes build on his stellar rookie season though. Barnes would be slightly less efficient in shooting the ball but became a far more willing passer and decent scorer at the rim or from the mid-range.

What Toronto needs to see from their fourth overall pick in 2021 is more of the understanding that they are looking at him to lead the team into the next era of Raptors basketball. Part of the reason I believe they haven’t moved off Pascal Siakam yet is the slow development of Barnes. Despite all of this, Barnes clearly has all of the talent in the world to become what the Raptors hope he will be and that is the cornerstone of their franchise. He just needs to mature and shoulder the expectations as well as possible and focus on translating them to the court.

79. Keldon Johnson

2022-23 Stats: 22.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.9 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Keldon Johnson is the third and final member of the San Antonio Spurs to make the cut as a top 100 player for the 2023-24 season. Johnson earned the honor as the highest-ranked member of the Spurs after a career year in 2022-23. In 63 games, Johnson put up a career-high 22.0 points per game for San Antonio on 45.2% shooting from the field and just 32.9% from three.

Johnson hit his stride for a tanking Spurs team last season but finally has the chance to really play for something in 2023-24. With the arrival of Victor Wembanyama, Johnson can stay right where he is comfortable at small forward with tons of attention coming off him as their best player and focused on Wemby who is slated to be one of the greatest prospects in NBA history.

Johnson could really be an All-Star in 2023-24, especially coming off a career-best season with more to fight for in 2023-24. Johnson is a talented scorer in the paint and from the mid-range but struggled from three last season mightily. If he is to build on last season and improve across the board, I see no reason why he and the Spurs can’t, at minimum, be a play-in team in 2023-24.

78. D’Angelo Russell

2022-23 Stats: 17.8 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 6.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.4 BPG

The constant back-and-forth, up-and-down saga that is D’Angelo Russell’s basketball career has always been one that fascinates me. At some points, he is the next great point guard in Lakers history that will help deliver them a championship. At other points, he is shouldering the blame for his team falling short. That is exactly what happened to him in 2022-23 with the Timberwolves and Lakers.

After being dealt from Minnesota, Russell averaged 17.4 points and 6.1 assists per game with the Lakers in 17 games. He was one of the catalysts for their turnaround and helped lead them to the NBA playoffs. After a rather pedestrian playoffs, Russell was being pointed to as one of the reasons for their sweep in the Western Conference Finals. Still, the Lakers brought him back and he will likely end up being their starting point guard.

At this point, D’Angelo Russell is what he is and nothing is going to change that. He is going to give the Lakers 17.0 to 18.0 points per game along with 6.0 to 7.0 assists. He is going to play average defense but well enough to solidify his starting role. In all honesty, Russell is doing nothing wrong and just needs to keep being the same player he has been for the last eight seasons. If he can do that, the Lakers are talented and deep enough to contend for a championship in 2023-24.

77. Anfernee Simons

2022-23 Stats: 21.1 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 4.1 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.1 BPG

With the Damian Lillard era officially over in Portland, Anfernee Simons heads into the 2023-24 season with the weight of the franchise on his young shoulders. Simons really broke onto the scene as a legitimate replacement for Lillard during the 2021-22 season when he played 57 games and replaced Lillard as the number-one option while the star recovered from an oblique injury.

In 2022-23, Simons would start all 62 games he appeared in at shooting guard. He averaged a career-high 21.1 points and a career-high 4.1 assists per game. He also shot a career-high 44.7% from the field overall and a decent 37.7% from three. He also worked his way to the foul line more often than any other season in his career and converted at a career-high 89.4% rate.

Simons is trending in the perfect direction at the perfect time to take the reins of the franchise away from Lillard. He has progressed as a scorer, playmaker, and defender in such a way that he will never replace Lillard entirely but he will make the transition to life after him much easier. Portland has also done a great job re-tooling their lineup in the Lillard deal and undoubtedly set themselves up for the future and beyond.

76. Russell Westbrook

2022-23 Stats: 15.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 7.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.5 BPG

Seeing Russell Westbrook this low on our top 100 list definitely leaves a sour taste in my mouth. From an MVP season in 2017 to breaking the triple-double record in 2021, Westbrook has provided plenty of memories for me over the years. Westbrook started his 2022-23 season under major scrutiny with the Los Angeles Lakers, and by the end, he was serving a critical role for the Clippers in their first-round playoff matchup against the Phoenix Suns.

With both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George lost to injury for the series, Westbrook led the Clippers with 23.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game through five playoff games. This showed me that Westbrook is going to be, and is still capable of being an impactful player for a contending team.

One of the most underrated moves of this NBA offseason was Westbrook returning to the Clippers on a one-year, veteran’s minimum contract. The chemistry is already clearly there for Westbrook and his Clippers teammates, and he is ready to go into battle for a team that he is actually wanted by. I expect Westbrook to help the Clippers navigate a tough Western Conference whether that be from a starting role or off the bench as a sixth man.

75. Franz Wagner

2022-23 Stats: 18.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Second-year forward Franz Wagner took a dramatic leap during the 2022-23 season with the Orlando Magic giving their fans and organization even more hope for a brighter future in central Florida. Wagner showcased his complete arsenal on the offensive end including as a three-level scorer, shot-creator, and off-ball slasher to the basket.

In the 2022-23 season, Wagner averaged over 18.5 points per game with an even more efficient 48.5% shooting overall and 36.1% from three. He elevated his playmaking as well, dishing out 3.5 assists per game even when he was used primarily as a scoring threat in their offense. As for 2023-24, Wagner and fellow young star Paolo Banchero are one of the top duos to watch for. I expect the Orlando Magic to be far more competitive next season led by Wagner who has a chance to be an All-Star next season as well.

74. Terry Rozier

2022-23 Stats: 21.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 5.1 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.3 BPG

For some, Terry Rozier of the Charlotte Hornets being ranked this high comes with a grain of salt. In 2022-23, Rozier recorded a career-high 21.1 points per game on 41.5% shooting mostly filling in as the number-one offensive option for the injured LaMelo Ball. Rozier’s career season would come with just 27 wins for Charlotte and another season without playoff basketball.

With new ownership in the building for the Hornets, there is a chance for improvement but not much. Rozier will return to his role as the second option next to Ball but still with the ability to be a 20.0 points per game scorer, but whether or not that affects the team is another story. There is also a chance that Rozier asks out of Charlotte but he is due over $73 million in the next three seasons.

73. Nikola Vucevic

2022-23 Stats: 17.6 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 3.2 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.7 BPG

Nikola Vucevic’s 2022-23 season was nearly identical to that of 2021-22. He once again averaged a double-double with 17.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game but was far more efficient shooting 52.0% from the field. He was even slightly better from three, improving to 34.9% on the same amount of attempts as in 2021-22.

At times, his lack of defensive playmaking was cause for concern but Vucevic has never been known as a defensive anchor in his 12-year career. In the offseason, the Bulls opted to ink Vucevic to a deal that will pay him over $20 million per season through 2025-26. What they will be getting for that money is a great playmaking center and someone who will fight for them in the paint for rebounds, a commodity not common in today’s NBA.

In 2023-24, the Bulls would be so lucky to have the 33-year-old produce at the same rate once again. I expect Vucevic to have similar numbers for the season, among the league leaders in rebounds and providing some playmaking out of the high post. His defensive shortcomings are something the Bulls have to live with at this point but they won’t stop Chicago from being a playoff team if all goes well.

72. Fred VanVleet

2022-23 Stats: 19.3 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.6 BPG

I am not sure that many had Fred VanVleet leaving the Toronto Raptors in free agency this offseason, the team that gave him a chance as an undrafted player and helped mold him into an NBA champion. In 2022-23, VanVleet put together a solid season with Toronto, going for over 19.0 points per game for the third straight season and setting a career-high for assists per game with 7.2.

VanVleet’s only issue was his poor shot selection which saw him shoot just 39.3% from the field overall and 34.2% from three. VanVleet has become an underrated defender as well, particularly away from the ball where he has a good read on opponents’ tendencies and how they move. As he heads into his new situation with the Houston Rockets, there are many exciting things to look forward to with him and this new-look Rockets team.

Under new Head Coach Ime Udoka, VanVleet is likely to see his shots from the perimeter come down a bit while his defensive play is amplified. I expect him to have some fun with a new and young lineup surrounded by a talented shot-creator in Jalen Green and an all-around offensive weapon in Alperen Sengun. VanVleet does not make the Rockets a playoff team as they try to dig themselves out of the proverbial basement but he does make them more competitive than in recent years.

71. Jalen Green

2022-23 Stats: 22.1 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.7 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Jalen Green, heading into his third season with the Houston Rockets, winds up right next to his new backcourt teammate on this year’s top 100 list. Green has had a tough time adjusting to the NBA over the last two seasons. Sure, his scoring looks good on paper but when you dive into it, it hasn’t been as good as it looks.

Over the last two seasons in Houston, Green has averaged 19.9 points per game including a career-high of 22.1 points per game in 2022-23. However, Green is shooting just 42.0% overall and 34.0% during that time which is very inefficient for someone taking almost 18.0 shots per game. Green is also knocking down just 79.0% of his free throws which is never a good sign from your primary scorer.

I choose to chalk most of this up to two things. One, Green is still young and maturing into his role with the Rockets. With a new coaching staff and roster around him, I expect most of the poor shots he takes to subside in 2023-24. Also, Green was most likely putting a ton of pressure to perform well on a team that was heading in the wrong direction in the standings. A new outlook thanks to all of these changes will turn things around for him this season. Green could even end up knocking on the door of his first All-Star selection if the Rockets are somewhat competitive in the first half of the season.

70. Josh Giddey

2022-23 Stats: 16.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 6.2 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.4 BPG

The 2022-23 season was Josh Giddey’s second in the NBA and already I am comfortable enough to anoint him as one of the best in the league at his position. In 2022-23, Giddey improved across the board as a playmaker, rebounder, and even as a shooter where he struggled mightily as a rookie.

What Giddey lacks in athleticism he makes up for with his methodical approach to the offensive side of the ball and his elite ball-handling and precision passing. Giddey is already one of the best rebounding guards in the NBA as well, averaging 8.0 rebounds per game over the last two seasons. As a part of a young and hungry Oklahoma City Thunder team, the Australian guard helped the Thunder win 40 games and advance to the play-in, ahead of schedule, in 2022-23.

I, for one, am looking forward to seeing the leap Giddey takes in year three in 2023-24. Along with teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giddey has another weapon on offense to increase the impact he makes with his playmaking. Adding a player like Chet Holmgren will work wonders for Giddey’s continued development, and I expect an incredibly efficient season from the young prodigy. If the Thunder are going to seriously compete for the playoffs like anticipated, Giddey is going to be one of the leaders that gets it done for the Thunder.

69. Jerami Grant

2022-23 Stats: 20.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.8 BPG

In 2022-23, Jerami Grant had one of the best seasons of his career with the Portland Trail Blazers. Grant averaged over 20.0 points per game for just the second time in nine seasons and shot over 47.0% for the first time since 2020. He also added a deep threat to his bag, shooting 40.5% from three, a new career-high for the versatile forward.

Grant has been nothing but a workhorse during his career thus far, displaying incredible hustle on both sides of the ball. What truly makes him a valuable asset is the different ways in which he can produce on offense but the ability to guard both forward positions defensively as well. Grant has always been a decent finisher and mid-range shooter but now with a developed three-point shot, he could be more dangerous than ever.

Grant is heading back to Portland in 2023-24 to help usher in a new era in Trail Blazers basketball post Damian Lillard. In 2023-24, I expect Grant to be a much bigger part of the offensive game plan as well as one of their leading scorers. If Portland wishes to make this an easy transition to life after Lillard, Grant sliding back to the small forward spot could be the move that helps them achieve it. Mark my words, there is a big season incoming for Jerami Grant in Portland.

68. Jarrett Allen

2022-23 Stats: 14.3 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.2 BPG

Jarrett Allen is one of the most gifted athletes in the NBA heading into next season. Standing at 6’11’’, Allen has the size, speed, and leaping ability to make him capable of being one of the best two-way centers in the game. We saw a glimpse of what I am saying during his 2021-22 All-Star campaign that helped the Cavaliers make a playoff push.

Where I would like to see Allen improve is out of the pick-and-roll. He was among the NBA’s worst finishers out of that play in 2022-23 despite finishing 64.4% of his shots overall last season. I would also love to see him more involved on the defensive end as a shot-blocker and not rely so much on Evan Mobley or others to bail him out when need be.

The major concern with Allen is health but that is something he seems to be moving in the right direction with. The Cavaliers need Allen to step up as an off-ball defender and be more of a threat on offense if they wish to take a leap past the first round next season.

67. Desmond Bane

2022-23 Stats: 21.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Despite the boisterous energy given off by the Memphis Grizzlies over the last two seasons, One player is quietly developing into one of the best players at his position in the NBA. It was Desmond Bane’s third season in the NBA in 2022-23 and his play was monumental in helping the Grizzlies navigate an up-and-down season to 51 wins and the second seed in the Western Conference.

For the third straight season, Bane shot over 40.0% from beyond the arc on a career-high 9.2 attempts. He officially recorded his first of what is going to be many 20.0 points per game seasons while also recording career-highs in rebounds, assists, and field goal percentage at 47.9%.

With Ja Morant missing the first 25 games of the season due to suspension, Bane will be looked to as one of the main offensive options for Memphis even with the additions of Marcus Smart and the return of Brandon Clarke. Bane is on the cusp of earning his first All-Star season and if he is able to help Memphis stay near the top of the standings in Morant’s absence as their leading scorer, there is no doubt in my mind that he will get there in 2023-24.

66. Jordan Poole

2022-23 Stats: 20.4 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 4.5 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Jordan Poole had one of the most tumultuous years in the NBA in 2022-23. Just after helping the Warriors claim the 2022 NBA championship, Poole was rewarded with a four-year, $140 million deal heading into 2022-23. During training camp, a very public altercation between him and Draymond Green resulted in one of the worst teammate fights ever and with video being leaked of Green nearly knocking Poole out cold.

This set an awful precedent for the Warriors and Poole heading into the season. Poole would respond with 20.4 points per game on 43.0% shooting while playing all 82 games. He would then struggle mightily in the playoffs, shooting just 34.1% overall and 25.4% from three. This would lead to an early exit for the Warriors in the second round and subsequently, a deal to the Wizards in exchange for Chris Paul for Poole.

Heading into 2023-24, there has to be a sense of relief from Poole’s side of things. Gone is the scrutiny and pressure to deliver with Golden State. Now, Poole can focus on being the absolute best version of himself with the Wizards while aiding in building the franchise up once again. Poole will definitely be one of the main offensive components for a lackluster Wizards team moving into a new age after losing Bradley Beal. I think Poole will avenge last season’s woes and become a 25.0 to 27.0 points per game scorer in 2023-24 albeit on a team that may not win 35 games next year.

65. Marcus Smart

2022-23 Stats: 11.5 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Coming off his Defensive Player of the Year in 2021-22, Marcus Smart was set to be the catalyst for a Celtics team facing turmoil after the abrupt dismissal of their coach Ime Udoka. Smart would have a decent season with the Celtics with over 11.0 points per game and over 6.0 assists per game to accompany his usual 1.5 steals per game. He would miss out on All-Defensive honors for just the second time since 2019 but it was clear once again who Boston’s best defender was.

After a brutal loss to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics made the surprisingly emotional decision to trade Smart to Memphis in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis in the NBA’s first blockbuster of the summer. The Celtics have since brought in Jrue Holiday to replace Smart but at the expense of losing Robert Williams III and Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon.

Now, Smart has an entirely new weight sitting on his shoulders. He will be tasked with keeping the Memphis Grizzlies afloat at the point guard position while Ja Morant is serving a 25-game suspension. If anyone is up to that task, it’s Smart who fits in the identity of Memphis perfectly. Smart will bring a defensive edge to a Grizzlies team that prides itself on defense and serve as a mentor of sorts to Morant. Smart’s impact on this Grizzlies team will go far beyond the limits of on the court and I believe he will be a priceless asset to their end goal of competing for an NBA title.

64. Kyle Kuzma

2022-23 Stats: 21.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 3.7 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.5 BPG

Kyle Kuzma is another player to make out top 100 coming off a career season in 2022-23. With the Wizards last season, Kuzma set career-highs in points and rebounds with 21.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in 64 games played while manning the power forward position for the most part.

The 2023-24 season will be an uphill battle for the Wizards who are moving on after losing both Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis this offseason. Every team needs a wing player who can produce over 20.0 points per game and be a key contributor in other areas like he continues to do on a nightly basis.

As he becomes more comfortable in the Wizards’ offense, Kuzma is clearly the main option for them after signing a four-year, $102 million deal this offseason. He will not be an All-Star level talent but he will be one of the important players for his team as it pertains to success on the court.

63. LaMelo Ball

2022-23 Stats: 23.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 8.4 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.3 BPG

As you may have guessed at this point, LaMelo Ball’s ranking this season may be low heading into it. After missing 46 games in 2022-23, Ball is looking to get the Hornets back on track as the Hornets usher in a new era of basketball in Charlotte with the return of Miles Bridges and new ownership joining the fray.

In the 36 games he did play last season, Ball looked like the All-Star he was in 2022. He averaged over 23 points, 8.0 assists, and 6.0 rebounds per game and had the Hornets ready to compete and be a legitimate contender every night. His injuries are not of concern to the level of say his brother Lonzo just yet but another season like 2022-23 may get those rumors swirling.

In 2023-24, obviously the first goal for LaMelo is to stay on the court as often as possible. If he can, I see no reason why the Hornets cannot make yet another run at a play-in berth. Unfortunately, due to the lack of talent around him, that may just be Charlotte’s ceiling as a team for the foreseeable future. Ball is clearly the player they need to build around in 2023-24 and beyond but it will be up to him to make something out of nothing in the months ahead.

62. Brook Lopez

2022-23 Stats: 15.9 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.5 SPG, 2.5 BPG

The resurgence of Brook Lopez and his basketball career since joining the Milwaukee Bucks in 2019-20 has been nothing short of remarkable to watch. After virtually being written off after the 2018 season, Lopez helped the Bucks become champions in 2021 and completely changed his entire game to maximize his impact on the floor.

After dominating the paint for much of his career on offense, Lopez added an outside shot to his arsenal this past season that saw him shoot a career-high 37.4% from three on 4.7 attempts. He averaged over 15.0 points per game for the first time since 2017 but that wasn’t even the most impressive part of his 2022-23 campaign. He also became a Defensive Player of the Year finalist and the Bucks most impactful interior defender, ranking among the league leaders in blocks with 2.5 per game.

In 2023-24, Lopez will be just as, if not more important, as last season. With the addition of Damian Lillard to the lineup, his offensive output will not be as vital but the pressure on him to continue to be a force with interior defense will be. Clearly, the Bucks lost one of their primary perimeter defenders meaning Lopez has to be ready for the game’s best scorers getting into the paint a bit easier. I don’t know if he can maintain his All-Defensive Team-like production but anything close to it will suffice and serve the Bucks in their quest for another championship.

61. Paolo Banchero

2022-23 Stats: 20.0 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 3.7 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.5 BPG

After becoming the number-one overall pick by the Orlando Magic in 2022, Paolo Banchero set out on a journey to prove he was worthy of such an honor. About five games into the season, the entire world could see he was ready to ball out at the NBA level, and that he did. Banchero went on to win the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award almost unanimously joining LeBron James and Luka Doncic as the only rookie to average at least 20.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game since 2003.

Banchero showed that he was already a grown man playing amongst boys in his rookie season and once cannot help but think that if he improves his three-point shooting as well as his overall three-level ability, 20.0 points per game may be the worst we see from him in his career. With an overall better sense for the frontcourt now in his second season, Banchero looks primed to lead the magic into the future.

Banchero is already a decent playmaker but with the continued growth of Franz Wagner’s game as well as the addition of Anthony Black, Banchero is going to feast on opposing forwards in more ways than one. Look for him to be in the hunt for an All-Star appearance in 2023-24 as well as having Orlando in the thick of the race for a play-in spot in the East by season’s end.

60. Draymond Green

2022-23 Stats: 8.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 6.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG

Anybody who has watched the NBA over the last 10 seasons understands just how important Draymond Green has been to their run as four-time NBA champions. He is routinely one of the most impactful players on the court on both sides and is a leader both on and off it as well. As a primary playmaker, his patience allows the Warriors’ offense to run like the well-oiled machine it is. As a defender, his versatility and guidance are the backbone from which it gains so much support.

That is why the 2023-24 season is so important for Green and for this team. After failing to make any significant additions outside an aging Chris Paul, the Warriors have made it clear they are ready to run it back with the core that has carried them for the last decade. At the center of this is Green who somehow has to prove himself yet again to the NBA fans and community. I am not willing to bet that Green is as impactful and important as in years past in 2023-24, but I am also not willing to bet against that being the case or against the Warriors becoming championship contenders this season.

59. Austin Reaves

2022-23 Stats: 13.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.4 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.3 BPG

As you can probably tell from this extraordinarily high ranking, I am fully on board the Austin Reaves hype train. After coming aboard a struggling Lakers team as an undrafted player in 2021, Reaves not only earned the respect of his teammates but his place among this team for a long time to come. This offseason, the Lakers confirmed that with a four-year, $54 million deal to keep Reaves in town and pursue their goal of an NBA championship.

Reaves really earned the respect of the Lakers and their fans in the 2023 NBA playoffs. In 16 games in the playoffs, Reaves averaged 16.9 points per game on 46.4% shooting overall and a scintillating 44.3% shooting from three. As we head into 2023-24, there is a lot of pressure on the 25-year-old shooting guard to perform and help guide a new-look Lakers team back to the Conference Finals and beyond.

If Reaves’ performance in the playoffs showed us anything, it is that no stage will be too big for Reaves to play on. He can easily be the third option behind Anthony Davis and LeBron James while providing the same hustle and physical defense he has since joining the team three seasons ago.

58. RJ Barrett

2022-23 Stats: 19.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.8 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.2 BPG

As we wind down the first half of our top 100 list, we get the first appearance from the New York Knicks. RJ Barrett is a player the Knicks have expected maybe too much from in his first four seasons, declining to involve him in any trades for superstars such as Donovan Mitchell last summer.

Although he has yet to meet the All-Star or All-NBA Team expectations placed upon him, Barrett is on the verge of breaking out in 2023-24. He just spent the summer helping Canada win the bronze medal at the FIBA World Cup and put up more than respectable numbers in 2022-23, helping the Knicks make the second round of the NBA playoffs.

In order to help the Knicks tap into their full potential as a team, Barrett will need to tap into his own individually. As we saw this summer, Barrett has begun to attack the rim with both hands rather than favoring just his left. He also has to become a more consistent outside shooter which was also on full display. If Barrett can keep that momentum going in 2023-24, there is no doubt we could be talking about him as an All-Star this season.

57. Jonas Valanciunas

2022-23 Stats: 14.1 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.3 SPG, 0.7 BPG

I have said it before, and I will continue to say it. Jonas Valanciunas is one of the most underrated players in the NBA today. Rarely do we get to see a center that relies so heavily on his physicality to deliver for his teams in the 2020s but if there is one center who allows that to be his calling card, it is Valanciunas.

In 2022-23, Valanciunas would start 79 games for New Orleans, and although his offensive production dropped by 3.0 points per game, he still found ways defensively and on the glass to help his team win games. While New Orleans would miss the playoffs, very little of that blame can be placed on Valanciunas who clearly stepped up in big moments when his teammates were nowhere to be found.

In 2023-24, Valanciunas does not need to be an All-Star caliber player or even remotely close. He just needs to continue to be the physical and reliable interior two-way player he has been since arriving in New Orleans in 2021-22. If he is able to do that, and the Pelicans can remain healthy, they are surely a playoff team with aspirations for far more than that.

56. Andrew Wiggins

2022-23 Stats: 17.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.8 BPG

After playing an overly valuable role in the Warriors’ 2022 NBA championship run, Andrew Wiggins had one of the worst seasons of his career, and it had nothing to do with his play on the court. As he missed 45 games due to personal reasons, rumors began to swirl about troubles at home, the health of family members, and whatever other poison social media tried to convince fans was going on with him.

Wiggins never complained publicly or let it be an excuse but even the toughest human beings mentally would crack under such egregious circumstances. The fact is, when Wiggins is on the court, the Warriors are a far better basketball team which is what we all hope for heading into 2023-24.

Wiggins provides the Warriors with an elite defensive presence that they sorely missed for the majority of 2022-23. Wiggins is easily their best perimeter defender these days and able to take on the challenges that come with defending an opponent’s best perimeter player. He also provides explosive athleticism on the offensive end and adds a scoring element to their team that they hope finds his rhythm well before the playoffs this season.

55. Tyler Herro

2022-23 Stats: 20.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.2 BPG

The 2022-23 season was a roller coaster ride for Tyler Herro. Coming off a season in which he won the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award, Herro found himself starting 67 games for the Heat in 2022-23 and once again becoming a 20.0 points per game scorer with career-highs in rebounds and assists as well.

After getting injured in the first round of the playoffs, Herro spent the entire postseason on the bench, and although he could have returned for the NBA Finals, unselfishly declined to do so for the betterment of the team. Then, in almost an act of betrayal, Herro spent the majority of the summer in the middle of trade rumors centered around bringing Damian Lillard to South Beach. Talk about deception.

Now, heading into 2023-24, Herro has one of the biggest chips in the NBA sitting on his shoulder. As an efficient scorer and evolving playmaker, Herro has a chance to show Miami they messed up by ever considering letting him go. Herro is prepared to prove the entire world he is more valuable than Miami or Portland gave him credit for. Any man playing with that type of motivation is as dangerous as any player in the NBA.

54. CJ McCollum

2022-23 Stats: 20.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 5.7 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.5 BPG

After coming over to New Orleans in a 2022 deal with the Trail Blazers, CJ McCollum appeared to be the missing piece the Pelicans needed in order to be legitimate contenders in a loaded Western Conference. McCollum has taken over full-time point guard duties for the Pelicans and in 101 games so far, has averaged 21.8 points and 5.8 assists per game during that time.

The 2022-23 season was a bit of a roller coaster for New Orleans but McCollum helped them weather the storm somewhat. He was still a 20.0 points per game scorer reaching career-highs in assists and rebounds. Still, it wasn’t enough to overcome the injuries and narratives that plagued the New Orleans franchise.

In 2023-24, the pressure has subsided for McCollum a bit and he can get back to the 2021-22 version that set out to help this team make some noise in the NBA playoffs. As a playmaker and scorer, McCollum is still very good and among some of the best players at his position in the West. Despite a potentially healthy season from both Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, McCollum is once again going to be the glue that holds this team together.

53. Myles Turner

2022-23 Stats: 18.0 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.6 SPG, 2.3 BPG

I cannot tell you how great it was to watch Myles Turner healthy and having the best season of his career in 2022-23. New point guard Tyrese Haliburton clearly had a positive effect on the Indiana Pacers last season but more specifically, on Turner. Turner smashed his career-high with 18.0 points per game while still providing elite rim-protection with 2.3 blocks per game.

While he was one of the best two-way centers in the game, it was even more impressive that we were able to see Turner play 62 games, the most he has played since 2020. The Pacers are said to be a sleeper team in the East in 2023-24, and at the center of it will be Myles Turner and his much-improved all-around game. If Turner is close to or even better than he was in 2022-23, the Pacers are going to be a playoff team in 2023-24 much to the delight of a fanbase eager for something to root for again. 

52. Tyrese Maxey

2022-23 Stats: 20.3 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 3.5 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Despite having his role minimalized in 2022-23 due to the arrival of James Harden, Tyrese Maxey continued to exceed expectations last season. Maxey would go for a career-high 20.3 points per game on 43.4% shooting from three. At times during the NBA playoffs, he looked like the only competent option on the court for the 76ers who continue to be a huge letdown when the big games come around.

Here is why Maxey is poised for a huge breakthrough yet again in 2023-24. While James Harden has refused to report for the Sixers’ media day and likely further down the road, Maxey will be the one who takes on his role. The last time we saw a disgruntled player for the Sixers, Maxey stopped in and thrived in that very same spot.

This goes without mentioning that it is a contract year for Maxey who is in the final season of his rookie deal. He has shown nothing to allow me to think he will be anything short of an All-Star-caliber player in 2023-24, and I would even venture to say that Philadelphia will be better off with him instead of Harden out there. Maxey is on the verge of being one of the most sought after players in 2024 free agency. A big season in 2023-24 looms for the fourth-year guard.

51. Klay Thompson

2022-23 Stats: 21.9 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.4 BPG

We have finally come to the last spot in the first half of our top 100. This spot couldn’t go to a more deserving player to round out the first 50 players discussed than Warriors mainstay Klay Thompson. As one of the greatest shooters in league history, Thompson even shocked himself as he led the NBA in threes made in 2022-23 with 301. He averaged the most points in a season since 2017 and did it while shooting 41.2% from three.

While Klay’s magic began to disappear in the NBA playoffs, to have him any further down this list would be blasphemy. He is as vital to the Warriors success as any other player on that team is and his comeback in 2022 already proved that ten-fold.

In 2023-24, Thompson is going to be in perhaps his most important role ever with the team. With the departure of Jordan Poole, Thompson is now once again their second-best scoring threat from the outside. His defensive abilities have taken a step backward after his two lower leg injuries but his ability to play opponents into double-teams and play stellar team defense has never wavered. I expect Thompson has another elite season in him once again and we could finally be talking about him as an All-Star again in 2023-24.