NBA Player Rankings Part 3 No. 10-1

10. Anthony Davis

Davis comes in at No. 10 on my list for next year. He’s a monster on defense, who should have multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards, and is a dominant force in the paint on offense. His length provides him with switching ability 1-5 and his defensive timing on blocks makes him one of the best paint protectors in the league. Jump shot has been on and off since the 2020 season and hopefully that’s something he can get back to this upcoming year. 

9. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 

Shai lands at number 9 on my list. I understand that people will balk at this selection, but it is splitting hairs between the top 10 guys in the league. Shai is one of the best drivers in the entire NBA. It’s nearly impossible to stay in front of him while in transition and in the half court. He’s got the ball on a string and can score in a variety of ways. The reason why I have him this low is a combination of things, but mainly his defense. I understand he led the league in steals this past season, but so did Allen Iverson and Steph Curry at one point in their careers. He gambles a lot and that shields himself from facing blow byes on defense. Overall, 30 points per game along with 5 rebounds and 6 assists is nothing short of remarkable. 

8. Jayson Tatum 

Tatum slides in at the 8th spot on my list. Tatum is one of the most versatile players in the league on both ends of the floor. He led his team in points, rebounds, and assists this past championship run for the Celtics. His struggle however, has been his jump shot. At one point in time was a weapon for him, and has now experienced some difficulties over the last couple of seasons for him. I think he has the ability to create separation on jump shots, but shoots a low percentage on them, making the defense comfortable to give that up to him. Nonetheless, at 6’ 10” he is fantastic at finishing at the basket and has the handle and vision to make plays for his teammates. 

7. Anthony Edwards

Edwards earns the 7th spot on my list. He’s a young superstar in the game today and has all the tools to become the face of the NBA. His loud personality fits right in with his game. He is a ferocious athlete that attacks the basket at will. Along with his athleticism He’s really improved his jump shot recently. His percentages have got up each year he’s been in the league and is becoming more of a weapon on the offensive end. His shot creation shined in the postseason this past year as he made it extremely difficult for teams to gameplan for him. His struggles come with his playmaking. He struggled in the postseason making smart reads and passes to his teammates. However, he’s already improved a lot since getting into the league in this area. 

6. Kevin Durant 

Durant comes in at number 6 on my list. He’s one of the greatest scorers of all time due to his 7 foot height. He’s an absolute killer at all three levels and has multiple seasons shooting 50/40/90 splits. He’s the type of player that teams better pray he misses because there is not a whole lot teams can do to stop him. I understand injuries have been an issue for Durant in the past, but his resume speaks for himself. He's the ultimate offensive sorcerer and the ideal player anyone would build for the NBA today. 

5. Steph Curry 

Curry comes in at number 5. He’s the greatest shooter of all time and has never been below 38% from three in his career. He’s instant offensive and generates all 5 guys looking at him with or without the ball. He single-handedly changed the game of basketball with his three point shooting, a style many teams have adapted over the years, like Durant, his resume speaks for himself and he’s a surefire hall of famer. On top of his shooting he’s the best player in the league to play with considering his movement, playmaking, and the overall fear factor he brings to opposing defenses.  

4. Joel Embiid 

I have Embiid as the 4th best player currently. He’s the most dominant player in the game, when healthy, something he has not been great at in his career. He’s a force to deal with in paint at his 7 foot 270 pound frame. He has some of the best footwork in the entire league and add in his shooting ability he’s one of the best offensive players currently. He won the scoring title two seasons ago and averaged 35 points per game before getting hurt. Obviously, his playoff runs have been very underwhelming, but it’s hard to argue with his production throughout his career. 

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo 

Giannis comes in at number 3 for next year. He’s the best two-way player in the entire league, as evident when he won both MVP and DPOY in 2020. At 6’ 10” he’s improved every aspect of his game and body since coming into the league. He’s one of the hardest workers and has proven that throughout his career. He is the most unstoppable player in transition and has shown improved playmaking as well. He is one of the only players to average 30 points on 55% shooting 10 rebounds and 5 assists a game this past year. 

2. Luka Doncic

Doncic is firmly the 2nd best player in the league right now in my opinion. He’s the most complete guard on offense in the NBA. He’s as good a scorer as he is a passer. He is instant offense and can control an entire game with the ball in his hands. He ‘s one of the players no one wants to see in the playoffs and is coming off a season in which he won the scoring title averaging 33 points a game to go along with 9 rebounds and 9 assists a game. He’s the most feared guard in the entire NBA. 

1. Nikola Jokic   

 Nikola Jokic is the best player going into the 2024-2025 season. The 7 foot Serbian center is far and away the best player in the league in my opinion. He’s the best passer and the most efficient scorer in the NBA. He’s one of the only players that elevates every single person on the roster. His creativity makes it impossible for teams to gameplan for him and using the same defense twice won’t work against him. He picks apart anything he’s already seen and makes it impossible to guard him both as a passer and scorer. He averaged 26 points 13 rebounds and 9 assists on 60/38 splits from 2 and 3. He’s the best player in the NBA far and away.