We’re officially a few weeks into the NBA season. Jayson Tatum has been on a mission to make Steve Kerr look like a fool. Tyrese Maxey hasn’t seen a shot that he didn’t like all season. And Kenny Atkinson might’ve just saved the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Things have been crazy, and to add to the craziness just a bit, here’s part three of our countdown of the Top 100 players in the league currently, now entering the Top 50. If you missed the first two parts, you can find 100-81 here and 80-51 here. And once again, here’s a friendly reminder of our ground rules.
Ground Rules
We gathered together with our own separate lists and took the average position of each player to fully determine our Top 100 as a collective.
We also want to make things clear that this is our rankings of these players GOING INTO the 2024-25 NBA Season. This is not a prediction article, this is a “where are they now?” article, but considering this was made prior to tip-off, the last few weeks are not factored into the ranking. There will also not be any rookies in this list. Without further ado, let’s officially kick off Part 3 of the Fantom Sports Top 100 NBA Players.
50. Mikal Bridges/F/New York Knicks
Bridges was the talk of the town during NBA tip-off night as many fans were concerned about his new, but certainly not improved, jump shot. After posting nothing but donuts in the first half against the Celtics, he quickly corrected himself and is now shooting 49.5% from the field and 37% from 3 through the first seven games. Jump shot aside, Bridges is still a proven scorer, floor spacer and perimeter defender and should operate as an important player for the new-look Knicks.
49. Alperen Sengun/C/Houston Rockets
The newly-extended franchise big for the Rockets seems like he’s due for a breakout sooner than later. Although he’s shooting pretty shakily through his first eight games this season, he’s coming off a season where he averaged 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists on 53.7% from the field. Early season woes aside, he should be due for long-term success with the Rockets.
48. Zach LaVine/G/Chicago Bulls
The former two-time All-Star seems like he’s hit a wall in Chicago in terms of postseason success, however that’s not deterring his individual numbers whatsoever. Injuries kept him out of most of last season, forcing him to fall behind some of his peers and breakout young stars. But with a reloaded core in Chicago, LaVine should showcase his talent again this year.
47. DeMar DeRozan/F/Sacramento Kings
LaVine’s former running mate in Chicago, DeRozan now finds himself on the West Coast in California’s capital. Adding a career 21.3 point per game scorer to the firepower Sacramento Kings offense is going to be something worth watching all season. And as an experienced 16 year veteran, I’m sure DeRozan will have an impact for the late-season push.
46. Desmond Bane/G/Memphis Grizzlies
Bane is coming off his best individual season in the NBA, even if it came in an injury-riddled season for the Memphis Grizzlies. He put up 23.7 points per game, matching his efficiency from his smaller roles. Much like what’s been said about previous Grizzlies injuries, his success will hinder upon his health, and his services will be needed if Memphis wants to find their way back to the playoffs.
45. Brandon Miller/F/Charlotte Hornets
The second overall pick in last year’s NBA Draft was a bit outshadowed by Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren a season ago, but rest assured he was one of the brightest lights for a dim Hornets team a season ago. The sophomore out of Alabama suffered an injury to open this season that kept him sidelined for about a week, but now he’s back like he never left, catching halfcourt lobs from LaMelo Ball.
44. OG Anunoby/F/New York Knicks
The defensive-minded juggernaut has been the backbone of the Knicks success since they acquired him last December. The Knicks have gone 23-7 in regular season games and 6-2 in postseason that Anunoby plays in, suffering only one back-to-back loss in that span. His winning playstyle made him the highest-paid Knick on payroll this offseason prior to the Karl-Anthony Towns trade, and to this team he’s worth every penny.
43. Jaren Jackson Jr./F/Memphis Grizzlies
Speaking of defensive juggernauts, the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year was a bit ignored last year, taking a large dip in efficiency as well as taking a step back on defense. But now he’s looking back to his own ways from two seasons ago. If he can lock in on both sides of the ball, the Grizzlies will definitely be just as dangerous as we remember they were.
42. LaMelo Ball/G/Charlotte Hornets
LaMelo Ball has undeniable talent as a basketball player. He’s a talented and skilled three-level scorer, a gifted playmaker and one of the most entertaining players to watch in the league. But his biggest weakness has always been his health. Ball played a combined 58 games over the last two seasons, and despite being an all-star caliber player, missed the festivities entirely. Now he’s hit the ground running this year, and if he remains healthy, an All-NBA appearance may be in his future soon.
41. Lauri Markkanen/F/Utah Jazz
Lauri Markkanen was the textbook case of a great player stuck in a situation that doesn’t play to their strengths. Many lost hope on his potential after four underwhelming seasons in Chicago and a mediocre at best season in Cleveland. Once he reached Utah, he leapt to a 25.6 point per game scorer and hasn’t looked back. The Jazz aren’t a great team, but Markkanen is a great player and there’s no doubt about it.
40. Scottie Barnes/F/Toronto Raptors
In just his third NBA season, Scottie Barnes ascended his game to an all-star level and was talented enough to force the Raptors to trade Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby to build around him. Barnes is one of those jack-of-all-trades type player, coming off a 19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game season while playing solid defense. Now in his first season as primary option, I’m expecting another all-star caliber season from him.
39. Kristaps Porzingis/C/Boston Celtics
Kristaps Porzingis has been one of the most consistent, talented and prevalent one-time all-stars in recent memory. This is for a variety of reasons, mostly due to the fact he’s only played more than 65 games three times in his nine year career. But injuries aside, Porzingis is at an all-time high in efficiency, looking like his younger self on defense, and is now an NBA Champion. Once he comes back from his foot injury, he’s going to make this defending championship team even more dangerous.
38. Chet Holmgren/C/Oklahoma City Thunder
It may be a slight exaggeration, but I think Chet Holmgren is already a top three rim protector in the NBA in just year two. Holmgren played all 82 games in his rookie campaign, averaging more than 2 blocks per game in both the regular season and playoffs. And offensively he’s been just as great, playing the second/third option with the Thunder very well. Eight games in, he’s averaging nearly three blocks per game and doesn’t look like he’s slowing down any time soon.
37. Jrue Holiday/G/Boston Celtics
Jrue Holiday has slowly built himself a hall of fame-worthy career. A two-time champion, two-time all-star, and multi-time All-Defensive resume speaks for himself. And he was the final missing piece that turned the Celtics from a great team to a near-unbeatable one. He did his role with this team offensively, ascending to a 42.9% three point shooter last season, and if he’s just as dangerous this year, the Celtics could be unstoppable.
36. Rudy Gobert/C/Minnesota Timberwolves
The four-time Defensive Player of the Year is not absent from controversy. Commonly touted as the most overrated player in the league aside, he’s a very valuable member of the Timberwolves and will keep their defensive roots grounded as they shift their identity following the Karl-Anthony Towns trade. Love him or hate him, you can’t deny Gobert’s value.
35. Paul George/F/Philadelphia 76ers
Often memed, but undoubtedly talented, Paul George found himself starting another chapter with a four-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. However, both he and Embiid have yet to make their season debuts dealing with their own injuries. George is 34 years old and an injury concern to be frank. But when he’s on the court, he will add tremendous value to the 76ers offense.
34. Jamal Murray/G/Denver Nuggets
The ultimate playoff riser, Jamal Murray enters this season with perhaps the highest expectations he’s had individually. Denver lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, didn’t really add much to their bench depth, and don’t want to make Nikola Jokic have to carry them throughout the season. However Murray is coming off a season where he averaged 21.2 points per game shooting 48.1% from the field and 42.5% from three, so he’ll probably rise to that occasion.
33. Derrick White/G/Boston Celtics
Once a role player is now handedly the third best player in Boston. Through nine games, White is playing the best basketball of his career, averaging 19.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game shooting 46.9% from the field and 41.9% from three. It’s consistency that’s unheard of from the eight year vet thus far throughout his career, but he’s singlehandedly proving that last year was no fluke, he’s the real deal.
32. Tyrese Maxey/G/Philadelphia 76ers
Tyrese Maxey entered this season with a little different of a role than he originally expected. With no Joel Embiid and Paul George by his side, Maxey has led the entire NBA in minutes per game (39.7!!) and has taken every shot imaginable on a nightly basis (23.6!!). While his efficiency may be at a career low, his expectations have been at a career high, and it’s unfair to criticize him for a role he wasn’t prepared for. Maxey will also be sidelined for the next few weeks as he nurses a hamstring injury.
31. De’Aaron Fox/G/Sacramento Kings
Another explosive young guard, the inaugural Clutch Player of the Year has looked like his old self with the Kings so far this season. His assist numbers have dwindled with the addition of DeMar DeRozan as more of his own shot creator, and Domantas Sabonis‘ ascent into elite playmaking conversations. But Fox is still a star in his own right on both sides of the basketball.
30. Paolo Banchero/F/Orlando Magic
Paolo Banchero seems primed to take a superstar leap this season. He silenced all doubters with a 50 point eruption against the Pacers right before Halloween, but unfortunately is now out indefinitely with a torn oblique. Injury aside, he’s clearly ascended his scoring capabilities, improved as a playmaker and is taking and making better quality shots.
29. Julius Randle/F/Minnesota Timberwolves
The heart and soul of the Knicks for the last five years is now thriving in the same role for a new Timberwolves identity. Although he’s not taking anywhere near as many shots as he was in New York, but his efficiency is at an all-time high, shooting 57.4% from the field and 46.4% from three. His consistency will take the Timberwolves to new heights offensively if he keeps it up.
28. Zion Williamson/F/New Orleans Pelicans
Zion isn’t quite the immovable offensive force that he was predicted to be way back in 2019. However, he’s undoubtedly the glue that keeps the Pelicans offense afloat. He has improved as a playmaker in each season of his career, trusts himself more from behind the arc and has even stepped up his game on the defensive side of the ball. He’s the franchise player in the Big Easy and they’ll go as far as he leads them.
27. Karl-Anthony Towns/C/New York Knicks
The transition into the stretch-five era of Knicks basketball has had some ups and downs so far, but make no mistake, none of that is the fault of Karl-Anthony Towns. Bodega KAT has been putting up 23.1 points and 13.0 rebounds per game shooting a scorching 57.1% from three. His interior defense has been mediocre at best though, but his offense is very high-octane. If he keeps up this play he’s due for his 5th all-star appearance this year.
26. Pascal Siakam/F/Indiana Pacers
After a long and successful eight and a half year tenure with the Raptors, Pascal Siakam found himself in Indiana around the trade deadline last year and absolutely thrived in their system. Alongside Tyrese Haliburton, Siakam averaged 21.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game shooting 54.9% from the field and 38.6% from three. Now in his first full season playing under Rick Carlisle, his game should return to the all-star level he was at just two seasons ago.
We’re 75% of the way through with the list. Who have been some of the biggest surprises to you? Anyone you think is too high or too low?
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