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With the NBA at a brief pause, it’s time to reexamine who some of the best players are in the game. For this project, I collaborated with NBA experts, pundits, and writers who have contributed to publications like Sporting News, Hoop Magazine, Fansided, Def Pen, and SB Nation.
The project: Nine NBA experts were asked to rank the top 50 players in the NBA. After they submitted their ballots, the rankings were averaged to create the final top 50 list. In the instance of a tie, the player that received the lowest ranking was ranked below his counterpart.
The criteria: 1) The player must have played or be eligible to play a minimum of 25 games this season (2021-2022). 2) No legacy voting – each player should be ranked based on their performance this season and last season cumulatively.
Before we jump into the rankings here’s the list of players who received at least one top 50 vote but not enough from the panel of experts to make the list:
Desmond Bane, Evan Mobley, Mikal Bridges, Anfernee Simons, Clint Capela, Tyrese Maxey, Miles Bridges, D’Angelo Russell, Gary Trent Jr, Kyle Kuzma, Terry Rozier, John Collins, Tobias Harris, CJ McCollum, Myles Turner.
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50. Malcolm Brogdon, Guard, Indiana Pacers
Average Ranking: 48.11. Highest Ranking: 42. Lowest Ranking: Unranked.
49. Tyrese Haliburton, Guard, Indiana Pacers
Average Ranking: 47.67. Highest Ranking: 33. Lowest Ranking: Unranked.
One expert on what he thinks Tyrese Haliburton’s ceiling can be:
“In his short time in Sacramento, Haliburton shook off any doubt that he could create his own shot. In Indiana, he has even more of an opportunity to develop into a number one option. Even if he never reaches his star potential, the two-way versatility he provides is going to make him a top 50 player for a very long time.”
48. Mike Conley, Guard, Utah Jazz
Average Ranking: 47.44. Highest Ranking: 29. Lowest Ranking: Unranked.
47. Jonas Valanciunas, Center, New Orleans Pelicans
Average Ranking: 46.67. Highest Ranking: 39. Lowest Ranking: Unranked.
46. Kristaps Porzingis, Forward, Washington Wizards
Average Ranking: 46.67. Highest Ranking: 31. Lowest Ranking: Unranked.
45. Kyle Lowry, Guard, Miami Heat
Average Ranking: 46. Highest Ranking: 37. Lowest Ranking: Unranked.
44. Nikola Vucevic, Center, Chicago Bulls
Average Ranking: 45. Highest Ranking: 40. Lowest Ranking: Unranked.
43. Jaren Jackson Jr., Forward, Memphis Grizzlies
Average Ranking: 44.78. Highest Ranking: 36. Lowest Ranking: Unranked.
42. Julius Randle, Forward, New York Knicks
Average Ranking: 43. Highest Ranking: 37. Lowest Ranking: Unranked.
41. Dejounte Murray, Guard, San Antonio Spurs
Average Ranking: 40.67. Highest Ranking: 33. Lowest Ranking: Unranked.
One expert on what’s impressed him the most about first-time All-Star Dejounte Murray:
“The activity of Dejounte has been spectacular this season. The only players averaging at least 19 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists per game this year are Luka Doncic and Murray. Not to mention Dejounte is leading the league in steals per game. His incredible consistency is why he’s one of the best guards in the game.”
40. Jarrett Allen, Center, Cleveland Cavaliers
Average Ranking: 39.22. Highest Ranking: 33. Lowest Ranking: 45.
39. Anthony Edwards, Guard, Minnesota Timberwolves
Average Ranking: 38.22. Highest Ranking: 27. Lowest Ranking: 40.
38. DeAndre Ayton, Center, Phoenix Suns
Average Ranking: 38.11. Highest Ranking: 26. Lowest Ranking: 45.
37. Brandon Ingram, Forward, New Orleans Pelicans
Average Ranking: 35.56. Highest Ranking: 29. Lowest Ranking: 42.
36. Draymond Green, Forward, Golden State Warriors
Average Ranking: 34.67. Highest Ranking: 28. Lowest Ranking: Unranked.
Here’s the reason why one expert believes that Draymond Green is no longer a top 50 player:
“Originally, I left Draymond off by accident, but to be fair, he hasn’t really been healthy. Yes, he impacts winning, but he only really has a significant impact on the defensive end, and what he does best doesn’t necessarily show up in the box score.”
35. Darius Garland, Guard, Cleveland Cavaliers
Average Ranking: 34.33. Highest Ranking: 26. Lowest Ranking: 37.
34. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Guard, Oklahoma City Thunder
Average Ranking: 34. Highest Ranking: 26. Lowest Ranking: 43.
33. Domantas Sabonis, Forward, Sacramento Kings
Average Ranking: 33.44. Highest Ranking: 30. Lowest Ranking: 41.
32. Andrew Wiggins, Forward, Golden State Warriors
Average Ranking: 33.33. Highest Ranking: 22. Lowest Ranking: 47.
31. LaMelo Ball, Guard, Charlotte Hornets
Average Ranking: 32.56. Highest Ranking: 26. Lowest Ranking: 38.
Here are one expert’s thoughts on the growth of the guards on this list in Year 3 and under:
It’s so fun to watch this era of young guards, but this year we’ve seen a lot of them take the next step and contribute to winning. Darius Garland’s breakout season is a huge reason why the Cleveland Cavaliers are a top four team in the Eastern Conference, LaMelo Ball has shown versatility averaging 20 points, 7rebounds, and 7.5 assists on .423/.367/.857 shooting splits, and Anthony Edwards’ improved efficiency and leadership is why the Timberwolves may be sniffing the postseason for the first time since 2018.
30. Jrue Holiday, Guard, Milwaukee Bucks
Average Ranking: 32.44. Highest Ranking: 30. Lowest Ranking: 37.
29. Kyrie Irving, Guard, Brooklyn Nets
Average Ranking: 31. Highest Ranking: 12. Lowest Ranking: Unranked.
Here’s the reason why one expert left Kyrie Irving off his top 50 list:
“Kyrie hid in a bunker in the tri-state area until the Nets caved while Kevin Durant and James Harden did the heavy lifting because he refuses to take the COVID-19 vaccine and will only play away games. Before Brooklyn beat Sacramento last Monday, the Nets had been on an 11-game losing streak—I’m not rewarding that.”
28. Pascal Siakam, Forward, Toronto Raptors
Average Ranking: 28.78. Highest Ranking: 20. Lowest Ranking: 43.
27. Bradley Beal, Guard, Washington Wizards
Average Ranking: 28.22. Highest Ranking: 18. Lowest Ranking: 41.
26. Fred VanVleet, Guard, Toronto Raptors
Average Ranking: 25.78. Highest Ranking: 22. Lowest Ranking: 30.
25. Khris Middleton, Forward, Milwaukee Bucks
Average Ranking: 25.67. Highest Ranking: 17. Lowest Ranking: 32.
24. Bam Adebayo, Center, Miami Heat
Average Ranking: 25.56. Highest Ranking: 22. Lowest Ranking: 28.
23. Jaylen Brown, Guard, Boston Celtics
Average Ranking: 25. Highest Ranking: 21. Lowest Ranking: 33.
22. Karl-Anthony Towns, Center, Minnesota Timberwolves
Average Ranking: 23.44. Highest Ranking: 21. Lowest Ranking: 30.
One expert on if he thinks Karl Anthony Towns can consistently be a top 20 player:
“KAT has the potential to be a top ten player in the league, but I’m not sure he’s ever been passionate enough about basketball to reach his ceiling. Can he ever be a consistent top 20 player? Yes. Will he ever be? Probably not.”
21. DeMar DeRozan, Guard, Chicago Bulls
Average Ranking: 22.44. Highest Ranking: 16. Lowest Ranking: 30.
20. Rudy Gobert, Center, Utah Jazz
Average Ranking: 22.44. Highest Ranking: 17. Lowest Ranking: 28.
19. Donovan Mitchell, Guard, Utah Jazz
Average Ranking: 20.33. Highest Ranking: 16. Lowest Ranking: 24.
18. Damian Lillard, Guard, Portland Trail Blazers
Average Ranking: 17.22. Highest Ranking: 10. Lowest Ranking: 21.
One expert on why he feels like Damian Lillard is still a top 10 player:
“Dame was a top five player and MVP candidate last year. Even with the drop-off in performance and injury this season, I didn’t feel like it offset what he accomplished last season.”
17. Zach Lavine, Guard, Chicago Bulls
Average Ranking: 15.78. Highest Ranking: 9. Lowest Ranking: 22.
16. Chris Paul, Guard, Phoenix Suns
Average Ranking: 13.89. Highest Ranking: 8. Lowest Ranking: 18.
15. Devin Booker, Guard, Phoenix Suns
Average Ranking: 13.44. Highest Ranking: 11. Lowest Ranking: 16.
14. Jayson Tatum, Forward, Boston Celtics
Average Ranking: 13.22. Highest Ranking: 8. Lowest Ranking: 20.
13. Ja Morant, Guard, Memphis Grizzlies
Average Ranking: 12.67. Highest Ranking: 8. Lowest Ranking: 16.
One expert on Ja Morant’s ascension to being a top 10 player this season:
“Ja has been on a stupid pace this season. The Memphis Grizzlies are starting to convince people they are contenders and his overall ability to take over a game has reached the next level.”
12. James Harden, Guard, Philadelphia 76ers
Average Ranking: 12.33. Highest Ranking: 8. Lowest Ranking: 18.
11. Trae Young, Guard, Atlanta Hawks
Average Ranking: 12.33. Highest Ranking: 8. Lowest Ranking: 16.
10. Paul George, Forward, Los Angeles Clippers
Average Ranking: 12.22. Highest Ranking: 8. Lowest Ranking: 18.
9. Jimmy Butler, Forward, Miami Heat
Average Ranking: 12. Highest Ranking: 11. Lowest Ranking: 15.
8. Anthony Davis, Forward, Los Angeles Lakers
Average Ranking: 11.78. Highest Ranking: 8. Lowest Ranking: 18.
One expert on why he believes Anthony Davis is no longer a top 10 player:
“Anthony Davis is one of the ten most talented players in the league. However, Wednesday night’s ankle injury is just the latest in a seemingly endless run of injuries and bad luck. The Lakers need the best version of AD to reach their ceiling. Unfortunately, they haven’t been able to depend on that version of Davis since the bubble.”
7. Luka Doncic, Guard, Dallas Mavericks
Average Ranking: 6.78. Highest Ranking: 6. Lowest Ranking: 7.
6. LeBron James, Forward, Los Angeles Lakers
Average Ranking: 5.22. Highest Ranking: 4. Lowest Ranking: 7.
5. Stephen Curry, Guard, Golden State Warriors
Average Ranking: 5.11. Highest Ranking: 4. Lowest Ranking: 7.
4. Joel Embiid, Center, Philadelphia 76ers
Average Ranking: 4.56. Highest Ranking: 3. Lowest Ranking: 6.
3. Kevin Durant, Forward, Brooklyn Nets
Average Ranking: 2.67. Highest Ranking: 1. Lowest Ranking: 7.
2. Nikola Jokic, Center, Denver Nuggets
Average Ranking: 1.89. Highest Ranking: 1. Lowest Ranking: 3.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Forward, Milwaukee Bucks
Average Ranking: 1.89. Highest Ranking: 1. Lowest Ranking: 2.
One expert on why Giannis is the best player in the NBA:
“Over the last two seasons, The Greek Freak has been the most impactful overall player on both ends of the floor. He solidified himself as the league’s best player after winning four straight games in the NBA Finals to win his first championship. He only cemented his play this season with a real opportunity to win MVP and Defensive Player of The Year in the same year for the second time.”
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