Top 100 Best NBA Players For The 2022-23 Season: 100-51

Now that we have completed our positional rankings for the 2022-23 season, it is time to rank the 100 best players overall. The NBA season is on the horizon and fans everywhere can rejoice that we are on our way to 8 months of non-stop basketball. The talent in the NBA is more widespread than it has been in a long time, with all 30 teams being represented in our Top 100 list. The criteria we have used to place these players have come down to accolades, skill, production, and each player’s impact on winning. Those 4 criteria have proven time and time again to be the most important of all.

The players you will see across this entire list have made some kind of impact on their respective franchises. That impact could be significant like most of the players in our Top 20 or it can be smaller but enough to make a difference. This list also contains no rookies as of right now for the sole reason of we just don’t know how any of them are going to fair at the NBA level. Many second-year players have worked their way into the 2022-23 Top 100 list and this year’s rookie class should be represented well in 2023-24. Enough about the criteria and alluding to who may or may not be here, though.

Here are the 100 to 51 best NBA players heading into 2022-23.

100. Keldon Johnson

Heading into the 2022-23 season, Keldon Johnson has a chance to be “the guy” for the San Antonio Spurs for the first time since being drafted in 2019. Johnson will also miss the entirety of training camp and the preseason with a dislocated shoulder. Johnson took a massive step forward in his 3rd season under Coach Gregg Popovich, averaging 17.0 PPG and 6.0 RPG in 74 starts. The Spurs rewarded him with a contract extension and the keys to the franchise for now.

The main reason for his jump in production could be tied to his improved three-point shooting. In 2021-22, Johnson shot 39.8% from deep on 5.3 attempts per game as opposed to 33.1% on 2.6 attempts the previous season. With his improved shooting and increased workload, Johnson will be a vital piece to whatever direction the Spurs will head in 2022-23.

99. Mike Conley

Mike Conley saw a slight dip in production in the 2021-22 season despite starting 72 games for the Utah Jazz. He heads into the season as the starting point guard with the Jazz in full rebuild mode after dealing away Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert in the offseason. Conley could be on the move as well considering he is 34 years old and has 2 years remaining worth just over $68 million on his contract. This contract may prove to be too difficult to move considering contending teams won’t have the cap space to make it work.

As of right now, Conley is still with the Jazz and you can expect around the same production from him in 2022-23 as we saw in 2021-22. Conley finished the 2021-22 season averaging 13.7 PPG and 5.3 APG on 43.5% shooting from the field. The Jazz will struggle to find their way this season as they welcome in a slew of new pieces and a new coaching staff to a team that is in the midst of once again finding its identity. If Conley is with the Jazz through the totality of the season, it will be interesting to see how he mentors 2nd-year point guard, Jared Butler. It will also be interesting to see how the relationship between him and newly acquired Collin Sexton evolves as the season goes on. Regardless, look for Utah to be fighting for a play-in position in 2022-23.

98. Bojan Bogdanovic

After spending the last 3 seasons with the Utah Jazz, Bojan Bogdanovic will begin the 2022-23 season as a member of the Detroit Pistons. Bogdanovic was dealt to Detroit on September 22 and will make an immediate impact upon his arrival. Bogdanovic can contribute as a scorer after going for 18.1 PPG on 45.5% shooting in 69 starts last season. He opens things up on offense with his movement without the ball and his creation off of the dribble.

For Detroit, he will probably be slid into either the small or power forward position to fill out their starting lineup. He provides great shooting from outside, hitting on 38.7% of his 6.8 three-point attempts per game. He also gives them a strong on-ball defender who utilizes his size and lateral movement to slow down high-usage wings even if he can be somewhat slow on closeouts. Bogdanovic could prove to be one of the more fruitful acquisitions of this offseason and Detroit could be a surprise playoff team in the Eastern Conference in 2022-23.

97. Franz Wagner

After a stellar rookie season that saw him finish 4th in the Rookie of the Year voting, Franz Wagner sets to embark on a promising second season. After establishing himself as a starter immediately in 2021-22, Wagner averaged 15.2 PPG and 4.5 RPG for the Magic and shot 46.8% from the field. Wagner showed that he has the ability to take control over possessions when asked to and showed attention to detail on both ends of the floor.

Wagner proved he can be a solid isolation defender last season as well. He had no problem stepping up and taking the defensive assignment against some of the craftier wings in basketball. Wagner’s presence along with drafting Paolo Banchero in the 2022 NBA Draft has things looking exciting down in Orlando for the first time in a few years as they boast one of the tallest and most exciting young lineups in the NBA. Wagner should improve greatly in Year 2 and move his way up this list for 2023-24.

96. Caris Levert

Caris LeVert is going to shine with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2022-23. You heard it here first. Armed with an actual full training camp and offseason after coming back from cancer treatment, Caris LeVert is going to be the most important player off of the bench for the Cavs in 2022-23. LeVert was averaging 18.7 PPG with the Pacers before being dealt to the Cavaliers last season at the trade deadline. He made 19 appearances for the Cavs and averaged 13.6 PPG in 29.8 minutes. These numbers should rise in 2022-23.

LeVert brings a scoring and playmaking element to the second unit of Cleveland that is much-needed. The offense has looked stagnant at times and LeVert backing up Donovan Mitchell is the perfect combo to make sure that doesn’t happen. When Garland or Mitchell need a breather, LeVert can be plugged in to create scoring opportunities aplenty for himself and his teammates. His presence off of the bench will be vital to a team with high expectations for 2022-23.

95. Gordon Hayward

It is quite clear that Gordon Hayward is not the same player he once was. When healthy, Hayward can be a contributing scorer, floor spacer, and capable defender with what little athleticism he has left. The problem is, Hayward cannot stay healthy. He appeared in just 49 games for the Hornets last season and as their 4th option on offense, averaged 15.9 PPG on 45.9% shooting. If the Hornets wish to make it anywhere past the end of the season play-in, Hayward needs to be better and healthier than that.

Charlotte faces another issue as well with Hayward. He is deemed virtually immovable due to the large $61 million left on his contract. Hayward may be in store for a lesser role in 2022-23 but if anyone has shown they can adapt their play style to any situation, it is Gordon Hayward. He should still be the starter for Charlotte considering the losses they have suffered this offseason, but as for impact, it is hard to gauge how much you are going to get from Hayward due to the uncertainties surrounding his health.

94. Norman Powell

Norman Powell returns to the Clippers in 2022-23 for his first full season in Los Angeles. Powell appeared in just 5 games for the Clippers in 2021-22 but in those 5 games, he averaged 21.4 PPG on 50.8% shooting overall and 54.2% from three. With the addition of John Wall and the returns of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, Powell will most likely find himself coming off of the bench to start the 2022-23 campaign.

As a part of the backcourt rotation, Powell can score in bursts, which will be a huge boost to their efforts off of the bench. Over the past 3 seasons, Powell has shown he can be relied upon to go get his team a bucket when they need someone to step up. Since 2020, Powell has averaged 17.9 PPG on 47.8% shooting from the field in a starter/bench role. Look for Powell to be a key part of a potential run to the NBA Finals for the Los Angeles Clippers.

93. Seth Curry

Seth Curry is yet another player looking forward to getting his first full season in with his new team. After being sent to Brooklyn in the trade for James Harden, Curry averaged 14.9 PPG in 19 starts for the Nets. We already know the quality perimeter game that Curry brings to the Nets, and it will be interesting to see how he is used upon the return of Joe Harris. He should split time with Harris and be looked at to lead the bench along with veteran Patty Mills.

After undergoing ankle surgery in May, Curry has stated that he is yet to be back to 100 percent healthy but should be ready to go by the start of the season. Curry’s 14.9 PPG and 2.5 3-pointers made per game were both career-highs for the sharpshooter and the Nets have hopes he can at least match that off of the bench for them in 2022-23. If Harris struggles close to what he started the season out last year, Curry would have no issue being plugged into the starting lineup in his place. I wouldn’t put it past Coach Steve Nash to make that move for Brooklyn.

92. Collin Sexton

One year after suffering a torn ACL that cost him nearly the entire 2021-22 season, Collin Sexton returns to the court as a member of the Utah Jazz. Sexton appeared in just 11 games for Cleveland before tearing his ACL last year and averaged 16.0 PPG on 45.0% shooting. He should be inserted into the Utah lineup next to Mike Conley as the team’s starting shooting guard after being traded in exchange for Donovan Mitchell.

Sexton provides Utah with an innate ability to score the basketball and get to the rim whenever he wants. This is something Utah will be in desperate need of after an offseason of unloading their stars. His tunnel-vision style of play can be frustrating at times, but the leadership in Utah should keep him in check for the most part. With an improved mindset and hopefully a better shooting display, Sexton could emerge as the Jazz’s No. 1 option.

91. Lonzo Ball

How do we rank someone like Lonzo Ball? When he is on the court, he is a legitimate shooting threat and a sensationally disruptive defender. A series of freak injuries and lingering issues getting healthy from those injuries limit us to how much we can actually evaluate. As we just learned recently, Ball will require yet another knee surgery and be re-evaluated in 4 to 6 weeks. This is just another setback in what has become a concerning pattern for the Bulls’ point guard.

When he is healthy, Ball is exactly what the Chicago Bulls need him to be. He pushes the pace with the ball in his hands and is one of the more accurate fast-break passers in the game. He provides a swarming effort as the first line of perimeter defense and disrupts passing lanes with his quick feet and hands. Ball also knocks down 42.3% of the 3-point opportunities that are afforded to him. The Bulls need Ball back this year if they are to improve on their playoff push in 2021-22.

90. Clint Capela

Clint Capela is extremely important to the success of the Atlanta Hawks. As one of the better rebounding bigs in the NBA, Capela earns second chances for his offense and steals possessions away from the opposition. He anchors the Atlanta defense even though the Hawks had a bottom 5 defensive unit in 2021-22. If it wasn’t for Capela, they would have looked far worse than we could imagine.

Capela has improved as a communicator on each side of the ball as well. On defense, he calls out rotations, sets hard screens, and switches consistently. His offensive numbers took a bit of a dip in 2021-22 but that is nothing that can’t be improved upon for next season. Heading into the start of this season healthy is a key factor too. He began the 2021-22 campaign visibly hobbled and labored by leg injuries. In 2022-23, look for Capela to get back to his 15.0 PPG and 14.0 RPG self that he was in 2020.

89. Buddy Hield 

Once again we conclude an NBA offseason that saw Buddy Hield’s name swirling in trade rumors. Even after being sent to Indiana in the Domantas Sabonis-Tyrese Haliburton swap didn’t change the fact that he was rumored to be on the move once again this offseason. The 26 games he spent with the Pacers in 2021-22 are a good indicator of why he is such a hot commodity and why a team such as the Lakers has him on their radar.

In 26 games with the Pacers, Hield averaged 18.2 PPG and 5.1 RPB on 36.2% shooting from three and 44.7% overall. He was a solid scorer next to Chris Duarte and Tyrese Haliburton and with Rick Carlisle giving him the reins to the offense; he thrived. His shot creation has improved vastly and Hield took as many shots from inside the arc as he did out. That freedom also saw Hield’s playmaking take a large jump as well. The Pacers may not be competitive in 2022-23 but Hield will do his best to make it so they are at least not a laughingstock.

88. Luguentz Dort

Lu Dort is coming off of a career season in 2021-22 that saw him average a career-high 17.2 PPG while knocking down 33.2% of his three-point shots. Where Dort earned the massive deal given to him, this summer was on defense. Dort emerged as the Thunder’s best on-ball perimeter defender and was often tasked with taking on the opposing team’s best offensive weapon. He proved to be one of the more valuable members of Oklahoma City’s roster and will continue to be so next season.

A good deal of people might speculate that Dort could be the odd man out with the Thunder due to the presence of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, and Tre Mann. Those players may be polished offensively but none are as well-wounded on defense. Dort brings an invaluable defensive game that becomes more and more valuable as the league turns into a more perimeter-based game. If he can cut back on ill-advised shot attempts, Dort could be the guy that swings the pendulum back towards contention for Oklahoma City.

87. Kyle Kuzma

Kyle Kuzma seems to have found his home away from home after his first season with the Washington Wizards. With Washington, the game came easier for Kuzma as he played some of the best basketball of his young career. In 2021-22, Kuzma averaged the second-most PPG of his career with 17.1 PPG and averaged career highs in rebounds, and assists, and shot one of the highest field goal percentages in his career at 45.2%.

His role with the team will be virtually the same in 2022-23. They need him to be a solid playmaker next to Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis while continuing to crash the boards as much as possible. Although not likely, Washington could be a sleeper team in a wide-open Eastern Conference. Kuzma and how he continues to evolve in Washington will have a lot to do with whether that is a reality or not.

86. Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes will once again begin the NBA season as the starting power forward for the Sacramento Kings. Barnes has found something with the Kings in recent years shooting the ball and topped out at a 39.0% from three last season. His offensive game has also evolved in the way that he attacks the defense more now than ever before instead of waiting for the scoring chances to come to him. This should be a theme that continues heading into the new year.

Barnes’ contributions to Sacramento will go far beyond just his play this season. He will be looked at to be a leader for the incoming rookie, Keegan Murray. The Kings look at Murray as if he could be a franchise player and the ultimate successor to Barnes’ power forward position. Barnes can do the Kings a lot of good by showing Murray the ropes and getting him acclimated to the NBA pace of play. Barnes will begin the season as a starter for the Kings but look for him to ease the transition for Murray as well.

85. Gary Trent Jr.

In a season full of pleasant surprises for the Toronto Raptors, perhaps the most pleasant was the emergence of Gary Trent Jr. In his 4th full NBA season and first with the Raptors, Trent averaged a career-high 18.3 PPG on 41.4% shooting overall and 38.3% from deep. Trent proved to be a legitimate scoring threat that on any given night was capable of dropping 25 to 30 points if he got hot. The offensive game was already sort of known to the Raptors when they acquired him via trade in 2021. What they didn’t expect was the defensive improvement that came with it.

Trent found himself to be considered one of the better defenders for the Raptors in 2021-22. He swiped 122 total steals, which was the 4th highest total in the entire NBA. The result was a much-improved Raptors team that shocked everybody as they earned a playoff spot in the East. With his game continuing to blossom and his defense beginning to improve, Trent Jr. could be on his way to Most Improved Player consideration. The Raptors sure hope so as they look to build on what was a big season for them in 2021-22.

84. Aaron Gordon

Due to injuries depleting the Denver Nuggets roster, Aaron Gordon found himself being thrust into a situation that saw him tabbed as their No. 2 option behind Nikola Jokic. What made Gordon’s year in 2021-22 more impressive than any other year in his career was his ability to take on a high-volume scoring load and combine it with a team-leading defense. He reached career-highs in true shooting with 60.2% and an effective field goal percentage with 57.3%.

Gordon’s contributions cannot go unnoticed any longer. He found himself as the team’s second-leading scorer behind Jokic, 2nd in rebounds, and 3rd in offensive win shares. With the return of Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray imminent combined with the already dominance of Jokic, Gordon’s role will be much more relaxed in 2022-23. This doesn’t mean we are expecting less production because as he showed us already, he can be counted on to take on key responsibilities.

83. Jerami Grant

Coming in at No. 83 is yet another star looking to make an immediate impact in a new situation, the Trail Blazers’ Jerami Grant. With the Trail Blazers welcoming Damian Lillard back from injury and with Anfernee Simons breaking out in 2021-22, Grant will have a prime chance to help get Portland back to playoff contention. Grant made just 47 appearances for Detroit in 2021-22 and averaged 19.2 PPG and 4.1 RPG, numbers that only slipped slightly from his previous season’s output.

One of the criticisms of Grant’s game is that he required so much time with the ball in his hands that the offense couldn’t be efficient enough in Detroit. Well, that all changes in Portland with Lillard and Simons in the lineup. Their control of the tempo should open up many more offensive opportunities for Grant. He can knock down shots from beyond the arc at a nice clip, especially from the corner. He is also a great straight-line driver to the basket and there should be plenty of space for him to operate with. I expect Grant to make an impact on Portland in a positive way, but am uncertain about their place in the standings because of it.

82. OG Anunoby

Another reason for the unexpected playoff run of the Toronto Raptors last season was the growth of OG Anunoby. He didn’t take the All-Star leap that many predicted, but his game evolved so that it was conducive to team success. Anunoby became a legitimate on and off-ball defender, often causing turnovers that led to easy transition points for Toronto. His offensive game also improved in the sense that he became much more aggressive in attacking the basket and taking higher percentage shots.

Anunoby still has the chance to bloom into an All-Star. In 2021-22, he averaged a career-high 17.1 PPG on 44.3% shooting. Headed into his 6th season with the Raptors, he can still prove to be even more vital as the team learns to play with each other even more. Anunoby needs to avoid the injury bug that cost him 34 games in 2022 and 39 games in 2021. If he can do that and provide the same production in 2023, the Raptors will be in great shape headed toward playoff time.

81. Dillon Brooks

The 2021-22 season was supposed to be a breakout season for Dillon Brooks after emerging as a legitimate second option next to Ja Morant in 2021. Instead, injuries limited Brooks to just 32 games for the Grizzlies who went on to win 56 games and secures the second seed in the Western Conference, anyway. Brooks was still productive offensively and a defensive tone-setter when healthy for the Grizzlies. He averaged a career-high 18.4 PPG and chipped in 2.8 APG and 1.1 SPG.

The Grizzlies were a dominant defensive team in 2021-22 and the addition of a healthy Brooks only bolsters their standing. Brooks struggled a bit in the playoffs but it was nothing a long offseason can’t fix. With Brooks healthy, the Grizzlies should be right back where they were in 2021-22, fighting at the top of the Western Conference standings. Brooks should get plenty of offensive opportunities considering the emergence of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and even Jaren Jackson Jr. as serious offensive weapons.

80. Nikola Vucevic

Nikola Vucevic is a tough player to place in our Top 100 rankings, but he lands here at No. 80. In his first full season with the Chicago Bulls, Vucevic had his lowest scoring season since 2018 with the Magic. Despite the down year, there are still things that contributed to the Bulls getting back to the postseason. He crashed the boards well with 11.0 RPG, which was critical for a less-than-average rebounding team. He was also critical to the Bulls’ offense by setting screens. He tallied the 2nd most screen assists in the NBA.

Vucevic is one of those players who is willing to do the dirty work and do it very well. It is no secret that the Bulls desperately need Vucevic to return to his 2021 production in order to take the next step as a team. His passing has always been tremendous for a center but hardly recognized. He keeps the flow of the offense moving well with his ability to find cutters in the lane and shooters on the outside. I don’t see a reason why Vucevic can’t return to being the 20.0 PPG and 10.0 RPG player he was just a year ago. If he does, look for the Bulls to make even more noise this season in the Eastern Conference.

79. Michael Porter Jr.

Michael Porter Jr. is looking to get back on track in 2022-23 after missing 73 games last season with a back injury. It is clear how much the Nuggets need another perimeter shot creator to compliments Nikola Jokic on the inside and that is exactly what Porter can be when healthy. The last time we saw him somewhat healthy, he emerged as a 19.0 PPG and 7.3 RPG player, which is exactly what the Nuggets could use alongside Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon.

It took a bit for Michael Porter Jr. to get on board with not being the guy on offense in Denver. He quickly adapted and took advantage of opportunities as they came to him. When guarded in isolation, Porter Jr. is dangerous on the perimeter as he can create his own shot fairly easily with his handles and tall frame. He is a true three-level scorer that should be able to take advantage of defenses trying to take Jokic out of the game plan. The Nuggets have 2023 NBA Finals aspirations, but it is only possible if Porter Jr. can stay on the floor.

78. Anfernee Simons

When Damian Lillard went down with an injury that cut his 2021-22 season short, the Portland Trail Blazers were left wondering what to do moving forward. This opened the door for Anfernee Simons to come in and show why the franchise could count on him. Simons became a much-improved playmaker, averaging 3.9 APG, which was the most of his career. His 3-point shooting led the team as well as he shot 42.6% from beyond the arc on 10.5 attempts.

Damian Lillard’s return is sure to help form one of the more formidable shooting backcourts in basketball. Simons can take a lot of pressure off of Lillard with his ability to get to the paint and create shots for himself and his teammates. Where he will need to step up his game is on defense. Hopefully, Simons can help Lillard and the Trail Blazers become a bit more relevant once again and contend for a playoff spot whether that be via play-in or outright.

77. Kyle Lowry

Kyle Lowry had the type of season in his first year with the Miami Heat that we are not accustomed to seeing from the 15-year point guard. Lowry was as good as ever with his playmaking and direction of the Miami Offense. He averaged 7.5 APG, which is on par with what he has produced in the past 3 seasons. Where he struggled mightily is in his shooting and scoring. He averaged his lowest point total since 2013 at 13.4 PPG and shot just 44.0% overall. This dip in production could be attributed to personal issues and injuries that cost him 19 regular season games and 7 of 18 playoff games.

Lowry’s usage rate in 2021-22 was the lowest rate of his career since his 3rd season in 2009. Lowry is 36 years old and headed into his 16th season of NBA service. This leaves him at risk of injury, rest, and natural regression as he gets older. As efficient as he was in 2022, Lowry will be used little as a scorer and continue to be the playmaker and director of the offense they traded for. If Lowry can remain healthy and on the basketball court, the Heat should be competing once again late into the postseason.

76. Kevin Porter Jr.

The 2021-22 season was one of growing pains and small victories for Kevin Porter Jr. and the Houston Rockets. It was his first season as the Rockets’ full-time point guard and it came with some adjustments amid struggles to take care of the ball. He started the year averaging 4.0 turnovers per game but after rest from an injury in January; he began to slow the game down. Porter ended the season averaging 15.6 PPG, 6.2 APG, and just 3.1 turnovers per game in 61 games for Houston.

Porter Jr. and 2nd-year shooting guard Jalen Green have been given the reins to the Houston Rockets offense. As Porter Jr. continues to improve and adapt to the point guard position, the Houston Rockets can only get better than they have been. All signs point to Porter Jr. continuing to improve on his playmaking and his three-point shooting has taken a huge jump to 37.5% from 31.1% in 2021. These things from Kevin Porter Jr. should make the Rockets a much more competitive matchup in 2022-23.

75. Wendell Carter Jr.

In his first full season as a member of the Orlando Magic, Wendell Carter Jr. broke out as one of the best young centers in the league. He broke out as a shooter, knocking down mid-range and long two-point jumpers at a considerable rate. He was also the 12th best shooter in basketball within 5 feet of the basket. Carter also became quite the versatile defensive player. Carter shut down some of the league’s best centers while also not falling victim to the switches on screens and holding his own against smaller guards. Carter Jr. averaged 15.0 PPG and 10.5 RPG on 52.5% shooting in 2021-22.

After such a career season from Wendell Carter Jr., there is no reason to believe that he cannot continue to flourish in Orlando. Carter Jr. is turning into one of the key pieces in their youthful rebuild as of the past 3 seasons. At just 22 years old, he has shown that he has a top center in the league potential as he continues to get much better on both sides of the ball. If Orlando is going to turn some heads this season, Carter Jr. will have a big hand in their turnaround.

74. Malcolm Brogdon

After spending the last 3 seasons with the Indiana Pacers, Malcolm Brogdon will begin the 2022-23 season with the Boston Celtics. Brogdon appeared for the Pacers in just 36 games in 2021-22 but performed very well in those 36 games. He averaged 19.1 PPG and 5.9 APG on 44.8% shooting. The Pacers felt Brogdon’s impact when he was on the floor for them last season, finishing 14-22 in contests when he was on the floor. For reference, they were 11-35 without him.

Brogdon will probably begin his Boston career in a role as the sixth man off of the bench. Brogdon’s scoring is a welcomed sight in Boston but nothing fills a need more than his playmaking. Brogdon has developed a knack for getting others involved and with this will take some of the distribution pressure off of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown when they share the floor. Do not be surprised if you see Malcolm Brogdon competing for Sixth Man of the Year status by season’s end.

73. Jalen Brunson

Over the past 2 seasons, the impending free agency of Jalen Brunson sparked rumors across the country as to where he was headed next. During his time with the Dallas Mavericks, it was clear that Brunson was capable of being a team’s starting point guard rather than playing second-fiddle to Luka Doncic. Brunson will have that opportunity in 2022-23 after signing a mega deal with the New York Knicks. Brunson brings an ever-evolving game that saw him reach career highs of 16.3 PPG and 4.8 APG in 2021-22.

Brunson brings efficient scoring to a point guard position that needed it badly in New York. Brunson shot 50.2% from the field last season while being a major part of the Dallas Mavericks’ trip to the Western Conference Finals. With his improved offensive game, the Knicks are hoping that Brunson can solve their decades-long search for a franchise point guard. At least they certainly paid him to solve that issue. Whether he does or not, can only be determined with time and it starts in 2022-23.

72. Jalen Green

Jalen Green’s rookie season got off to a rocky start with the Houston Rockets in 2021-22. By the end of the year, it would be clear as to why they chose him with the No. 2 overall pick in 2021. The biggest sign of promise for Green was his growth over the course of the season. He took his early struggles and learned from them rather than wallow in them. During the final 24 games of the season, Green averaged 22.4 PPG on 47.6% shooting overall and 39.0% from three. This late-season surge comforted Rockets fans everywhere as they knew their team is in good hands.

Green quickly picking back up where he left off is a crucial part of the Houston Rockets’ direction as a team. After parting with Christian Wood this offseason, Green looks to be the No. 1 option moving forward while being supported by other young talents such as Alperen Sengun and Kevin Porter Jr. The young core for the Rockets does not seem destined for anything special in 2022-23, but the way they are trending is positive news for the faithful down in Houston.

71. Christian Wood

At the No. 67 spot on our list is the newest member of the Dallas Mavericks, Christian Wood. He is in an interesting spot as far as rankings go. He goes from a franchise that is rebuilding to one that just came off of a Western Conference Finals run Wood battled in 2021-22 with the Houston Rockets and had a somewhat down season at 17.9 PPG and 10.1 RPG. The Mavs are sure they are getting the version of him that averaged 21.0 PPG and 9.6 RPG in 2021. With Luka Doncic running the offense in Dallas, that could be exactly what they get off of the bench from Wood in 2022-23.

I am not saying that Christian Wood is going to come into Dallas and have a Valanciunas-like impact, but it is possible. Look at how Doncic was able to make the Western Conference Finals with Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber as his centers and how he made them look while doing it. Wood’s ability to spread the floor but also work his way into the paint and score from there will work wonders for the Mavericks’ offense. Dallas hasn’t had a decent offensive presence in the paint in quite some time. Wood’s presence there makes them favorites to go back to the Western Conference Finals.

70. D’Angelo Russell

Despite a rocky end to the 2021-22 playoff run for the Minnesota Timberwolves, D’Angelo Russell proved to be a vital member of their success last season. The Wolves were a much better team with Russell on the floor during the regular season, averaging 3.1 points per 100 possessions more when he was their starting point guard. He took huge leaps with his playmaking, averaging 7.1 APG as opposed to 2.5 turnovers per game.

Russell enters the 2022-23 season with a fresh start and an opportunity to erase an abysmal playoff performance. Where Russell can improve to put the Wolves over the top in 2022-23 is his synergy with both Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert. Russell didn’t utilize the two-man game with his bigs last year and if he can improve on that, the Wolves will be a much better offensive team. The Timberwolves should turn some heads this year with Russell running things from the point guard position.

69. Jaren Jackson Jr.

The Memphis Grizzlies benefited greatly from a 4th-year leap from Jaren Jackson Jr. The Grizzlies were amongst the best defensive teams in basketball, and Jackson was a large part of the reason why. He led the league in blocks with 2.3 BPG and was selected to the All-Defensive First Team in the process. At just 22 years old, Jackson has made people grow less and less critical of his slow development on offense with some of the best defense in the league.

It is not like Jackson hasn’t been present on offense either. In 2021-22, Jackson averaged 16.3 PPG on 41.5% shooting and 32.0% from three. His efficiency wasn’t the greatest, but he wasn’t really asked to be much on offense due to the emergence of Desmond Bane and the growth of Ja Morant. Looking ahead, Jackson Jr. will be a huge part of the plans for Memphis and could be a key reason for their continued success.

68. Robert Williams III

The Boston Celtics had the No. 1 defense in the NBA last year and the interior effort was led by Robert Williams III. The way Williams was able to hinder opposing offenses from attacking the paint was quite the spectacle to watch and one we will have to wait a bit of time to see again. Williams received arthroscopic knee surgery recently and will miss the next 4-6 weeks headed into 2022-23. The injury is yet another roadblock facing the Celtics this offseason but not one that will hinder their chances at a return to the NBAS Finals.

With his All-Defensive Team nod and rim-rattling dunks, Williams is sure to make an impact once he returns to the floor. As he develops a mid-range shot and abilities as a passer from the high-post, Williams will only become more and more of a weapon for Boston. I see no reason why Williams can’t help the Celtics get back to their No. 1 defensive ways once again in 2022-23. If he does and can remain healthy, you can expect the Celtics to be competing for an NBA championship once again.

67. Kristaps Porzingis

Kristaps Porzingis appeared in just 17 games for the Washington Wizards in 2021-22 but it was clear the move was right for him. After beginning the season with the Dallas Mavericks, Porzingis was shockingly traded on deadline day in return for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans. In the 17 games as a Wizard, Porzingis averaged 22.1 PPG and 8.8 RPG on 47.5% shooting. He found himself to be much more comfortable in the Washington system and it showed on the court. The Wizards were 7-10 in those games.

Aside from his outside shooting and scoring, Porzingis provides a nice defensive presence for Washington as well. He is a tremendous weak side help defender, which is how he accumulates most of 1.6 BPG. More important than his shot-blocking is how his presence affects the way offenses attack the paint. It will be interesting to see how the Wizards fair with Bradley Beal returning from injury and Porzingis getting his first full season with the team in. The one concern is his ability to stay healthy. Porzingis has not played more than 60 games since 2017.

66. Tobias Harris

Tobias Harris has tremendous expectations upon him as he heads into his 4th season as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers. The first half of 2021-22 saw Harris struggle to find his rhythm on offense, having to create more for himself than ever before. After the acquisition of James Harden, everything changed. Harris became a much better offensive threat, especially shooting the ball. After the trade, Harris shot 40.3% from three and averaged 17.2 PPG and 6.8 RPG on the season.

Sixers fans should have high hopes for Tobias Harris moving forward. The pressure is off of Harris to create with all of the defensive attention being directed to Joel Embiid and James Harden. He can settle in, find his rhythm, and produce at his own pace. As far as the Sixers’ success and pursuit of a championship, look for Harris to be an x-factor in making that possible.

65. Tyrese Haliburton

For 2nd-year point guard Tyrese Haliburton, the 2021-22 season was a tale of two cities. Haliburton spent the first 51 games of the season with the team that drafted him, the Sacramento Kings. In those 51 games, Haliburton averaged 14.3 PPG and 7.4 APG on 45.7% shooting. When he was shockingly traded to the Indiana Pacers near the trade deadline, the fans and Haliburton were shocked. However, Haliburton thrived in his new situation with the Pacers, going for 17.5 PPG and 9.6 APG on 50.2% shooting.

Head Coach Rick Carlisle has seemingly handed over the keys to the offense to Haliburton and it has paid off for the budding star. With more freedom to work with, Haliburton has excelled as a playmaker, scorer, and perimeter defender. Haliburton recorded 134 steals in the 2021-22 season, which was good for 2nd in the NBA behind Dejounte Murray’s 138 steals. Haliburton looks like the guy that Indiana is going to build around for the future and so far it seems like it is the right decision.

64. Domantas Sabonis

After a few years of speculation, the Indiana Pacers decided it was time to move on from Domantas Sabonis and traded him to Sacramento for Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield. He appeared in 47 games for the Pacers and 15 games for the Kings after the deal. His 2 stints mirrored each other as far as numbers go, but when it came to chemistry and having fun again, Sacramento was a godsend for Sabonis. He has sparked up a seemingly great relationship with point guard De’Aaron Fox and has Sac Town geared for a fun 2022-23.

Sabonis also made the switch from power forward in Indiana to center in Sacramento. He looked far for comfortable in Sacramento at the center position. Sabonis is a consistent rebounder and playmaker which perfectly filled the Kings’ needs. In 15 games with the Kings, Sabonis averaged 18.9 PPG, 12.3 RPG, and 5.8 APG on 55.4% shooting. His play has injected hope once again into the downtrodden franchise and in 2022-23 there is some belief they can break their postseason drought by way of play-in or otherwise.

63. Tyrese Maxey

Tyrese Maxey deserves far more credit for the way he handled the 2021-22 season than he has gotten thus far. After the drama surrounding Ben Simmons got underway, Maxey was thrust into the role of the starting point guard for the Sixers in his absence. The 21-year-old responded with 75 games worth 17.5 PPG and 4.3 APG on 48.5% shooting and 42.7% shooting from deep. He ended the season in Most Improved Player contention for his efforts.

Maxey is another player for the Sixers who has benefited from the presence of James Harden. With Harden in the lineup, Maxey has less pressure to be a shot creator or playmaker and can just let the offense flow. Maxey can knock down open shots or get to the rim in offensive sets, but he is really dangerous in transition. His bursts of speed and ball control allow him to get to the basket for easy points or set up his teammates for the same. With the major leap, we saw him take in 2021-22, Maxey will play a major role in the 76ers advancement toward their ultimate goal of an NBA championship.

62. Desmond Bane

Desmond Bane was one of the NBA’s most improved players in 2021-22. He nearly doubled his scoring output from 9.2 PPG to 18.2 PPG. Bane established himself as one of the league’s best perimeter shooters and was a big reason for Memphis’ meteoric rise towards the top of the Western Conference standings. He shot 43.6% from three this season and 46.1% overall. Bane has shown that he can do both jobs a shooting guard needs to be able to do to make his team successful.

Bane has become a player that can create his own shots and score in bunches. If need be, he can run the offense and create for his teammates as well. Those traits are priceless for players today and Bane does both at an elite level. Moving forward, it is clear that Bane is a part of the Memphis Grizzlies’ plan to build a championship team. Does he crack the Top 10 shooting guard list after 2022-23?

61. Terry Rozier

Over the past 3 seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, Terry Rozier has quietly become one of their most reliable pieces. He has played in over 63 games in each of his first 3 seasons with the Hornets, including 73 games in 2021-22. Over that span, he has averaged 19.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 4.3 APG. He is shooting the ball better than he ever has, increasing his shooting numbers to 44.0% overall and 38.8% from three since arriving in Charlotte.

If the Hornets are to make any noise in 2022-23, Terry Rozier will have to elevate his game just a bit more. As an explosive scorer, Rozier will be asked to do that at a higher volume due to the absence of Miles Bridges to at least begin the season. He will also be asked to take a little pressure off of LaMelo Ball as a playmaker and passer. We know that Rozier can create for himself, but can he create for his teammates to get easy opportunities? The 2022-23 season will be able to tell us and I am sure Rozier is up to the task.

60. Tyler Herro

Tyler Herro had an immense bounce-back season in 2021-22 which culminated in a Sixth Man of the Year award for him at season’s end and a Western Conference Finals berth for the Miami Heat. In 56 games off of the bench and 10 as a starter, Herro averaged 20.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 4.0 APG for the Miami Heat in 2021-22. He also shot the ball from three at 39.9% and overall he shot 44.7%. The buzz in South Beach was tremendous for the first time since their NBA Finals berth in 2020.

I know there are questions about whether Herro should be the starter at shooting guard for the Heat or not. Like my father always told me, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. As the first man off of the bench, Herro gave the Heat a spark that they hadn’t had in quite a while. How many Sixth Man candidates are averaging 20.0 PPG? Herro will be looked at to continue to contribute in that role, a role he has excelled at for the past year. Many seem to be down on the Heat this year, but I say with this production off of the bench, why can’t they go back to the Finals?

59. Myles Turner

Due to injuries and many moving parts, we were unable to grasp the full impact of Myles Turner in 2022-21. Turner appeared in just 42 games for the Pacers last season and averaged 12.9 PPG, 7.1 RPG, and 2.8 BPG. His offensive numbers have never been the numbers to jump off of the page at you, but his defensive presence can not go understated. As one of the league’s best interior defenders and rim protectors, Turner has remained a Top 10 center in basketball.

After yet another offseason of trade rumors surrounding Turner, he will suit up for the Pacers to begin 2022-23. Once again, he will be looked at to anchor their defense and take on a team’s best-opposing paint player. Turner can be the deciding factor in close games with his ability to block and alter shots in the middle. The problem is with the Pacers, games are rarely close. I, for one, am excited to see how Turner meshes with the new core of Haliburton and Hield for a full season. The Pacers don’t seem to be headed toward contention in 2022 – 23, so don’t expect the Turner trade rumors to slow down.

58. RJ Barrett

RJ Barrett had the type of 2021-22 season that has made fans and the organization believe that he is their next franchise player. Barrett improved his game immensely from his rookie season, creating more shots in the paint and at the rim rather than settling for contested threes. Barrett not only took on the role of being a leader for the Knicks, but he was their go-to guy to close out tight games as well. He was defending the opposing team’s best players down late stretches while being the guy that needed the ball in his hand to get a much-needed basket.

Barrett is a future star, there can be no denial about that fact. His role with the Knicks should be as such headed into 2022-23. Never mind the money they have invested in Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, this needs to be Barrett’s team for the foreseeable future as the Knicks would like to actually build on their success from 2021. Barrett finished 2021-22 with 20.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 3.0 APG. With how things have trended for him so far, look for those numbers to increase even more in 2022-23.

57. Julius Randle

Coming in right next to his New York teammate is the ever-interesting Julius Randle. Considering how important both of these players are to the Knicks’ success in 2022-23, it is only right that they are ranked next to one another. Randle had a down year in 2021-22, especially when compared to the previous season when he was an All-Star and the NBA’s Most Improved Player. Randle was clearly off of his game, arguing with fans and paying too much attention to the noise off of the basketball court.

Randle still finished the season as a 20.1 PPG and 9.9 RPG player in 2021-22. They weren’t nearly as impactful as his 24/10 in 2021, but still pretty good. Unfortunately for the Knicks, Randle became a black hole on offense, killing momentum and movement nearly every time he touched the ball. He needs to get back to his 2020-21 form in order for the Knicks to have any shot of getting back to postseason play.

56. Fred VanVleet

Fred VanVleet went from undrafted to being named an All-Star in 2022 while stepping into a leadership role and leading the team to the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference. In his first season taking the reins from Kyle Lowry, VanVleet did not disappoint averaging career-highs in points, rebounds, assists, minutes played, and 3-pointers made. He finished with 20.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 6.7 APG for Toronto in 65 games played.

Where VanVleet continues to turn heads is his improving and evolving defense. His effort on that end is unmatched by any other guard on the Raptors and much like he always does, VanVleet leads by example. Armed with a deadly mid-range game and a fair 3-point game as well, VanVleet has become one of the more reliable offensive options for Toronto next to Pascal Siakam. If he keeps improving, the Raptors will keep on winning and that is scary news for the rest of the East.

55. Russell Westbrook

At No. 59 is the scapegoat for all of the Lakers’ issues, Russell Westbrook. Now, Westbrook’s first season in Los Angeles was less than ideal as he struggled across the board on the court. He couldn’t find any rhythm on offense as a scorer or playmaker. He turned the ball over way too much to be successful and his two best teammates were hurt a majority of the time. Despite all of this, Westbrook was still able to average 18.5 PPG, 7.4 RPG, and 7.1 APG, which aren’t numbers we are used to seeing from Russ.

After a season of speculation of being traded and possibly coming off of the bench for L.A. in 2022-23, Westbrook is ready to get back to work. After a season to get used to sharing the floor with his new teammates, all Russ had to do is slow the game down for himself and others just a little bit. Not everything needs to be 100 MPH all the time and hopefully new Head Coach Darvin Ham will be able to get that across to him. If he can do that and be the productive Russ of old, the Lakers have a chance to get back to the postseason in 2022-23.

54. Jonas Valanciunas

I am not afraid to say that the most important player for the 2021-22 Pelicans could have very well been Jonas Valanciunas. The big man played in 74 games for the Pelicans in 2021-22 and led the team in total points with 1,314 points. When we talk about the impact of a player, availability and production matter most and Valanciunas brings both to the table at an elite level. He averaged a career-high 17.8 PPG in 2021-22 for New Orleans and added 11.4 RPG on 54.4% shooting.

Valanciunas and Zion Williamson coming back give the Pelicans one of the best backcourts in the entire NBA. Where Valanciunas will affect the game positively will be with his efficient scoring, floor-spacing, and his rebounding. Valanciunas isn’t afraid to battle with the league’s top centers and during that time, he has become one himself. The Pelicans are on a big trend upward and the national media has caught wind. Jonas Valanciunas will be a big part of the momentum swing.

53. Jamal Murray

After sitting out for nearly a season and a half with a knee injury, Jamal Murray is ready to return to the court in 2022-23. The last time we saw Murray, he was considered one of the best point guards in the NBA, and I do not think that has changed one bit. He is an effective three-level scorer who possesses all the tools to be the Nuggets’ second option behind Nikola Jokic. He is an electric attacker to the rim but also has quite the jump shot in his arsenal. The spacing he provides is going to work wonders for what the Denver Nuggets are trying to accomplish in 2022-23.

Murray’s return to join the MVP has Nuggets fans buzzing about a possible NBA Finals run. Why couldn’t they do it? Two years ago with Murray fully healthy, Denver made an improbable run to the Western Conference Finals. During that run, Murray exploded for the Nuggets when they needed him most and he average 18.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 4.8 APG. If this is the type of Murray they are getting back in 2022-23, those Finals aspirations might just come true.

52. De’Aaron Fox

After a slow start to the 2021-22 season, De’Aaron Fox finished very strong and gave Kings fans high hopes for 2022-23. Fox finished the season averaging 23.2 PPG and 5.6 APG and much of it is thanks to the arrival of Domantas Sabonis. Fox and Sabonis have created a synergy on the court that is beautiful to watch and it benefited Fox the most.

In 13 games with Sabonis sharing the floor with him, Fox averaged 27.8 PPG and 6.2 APG while shooting 50.5% from the field. Those numbers show just how well things work for the Kings when both of them are on the floor making things happen. All Fox needs to continue to do is use his speed and control when attacking the basket and be the playmaker he has shown he can be. With Fox and Sabonis, the Kings can be a legitimate contender for a playoff spot.

51. Scottie Barnes

In his rookie season with the Toronto Raptors, Scottie Barnes showed out as the best rookie in basketball and was named the 2021-22 Rookie of the Year. He also established himself as a franchise cornerstone moving forward. The energy and versatility he brought on both sides of the ball were definitely deciding factors in the Raptors’ unexpected playoff run. Of all the things that Barnes did well, his defensive awareness and versatility made him stand out above the rest. Barnes had no problem going at guys like Giannis or James Harden when it came to picking up defensive assignments and he may have not always been successful, but the IQ and willingness were there.

Headed into 2022-23, the Raptors seem to have the same level of expectations from media and fans alike. They will be a playoff team if everything goes right, seems to be the narrative. I am here to tell you that with Scottie Barnes in the lineup that anything is possible for them as long as injuries and health don’t derail their hopes. Anchored somewhat by Barnes, the Raptors have one of the better defenses in basketball. As the old saying goes, “Defense wins championships”.

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