In the fifth installment of our series ranking the top 100 players in the NBA for the 2024-25 season, we continue to explore the performances of some of the most exciting and impactful players in the league.
81. Donte DiVincenzo
DiVincenzo has concluded a season in which he established a franchise record for the New York Knicks by making the most three-pointers in a single season (283) and achieving the highest number of three-pointers in a single game (11). He recorded a career-best shooting percentage of 40.1% from three-point range, which he further improved to an impressive 42.5% during the playoffs. His shooting prowess is crucial for enhancing New York’s offensive strategy. Although he may transition to a bench role due to new acquisitions and the return of injured players, he remains a strong candidate for the Sixth Man of the Year award.
82. Immanuel Quickley
In New York, Quickley distinguished himself as one of the premier reserves in the league, recognized for his explosive scoring ability, which advanced metrics consistently indicated warranted increased playing time. Now in Toronto, Quickley has assumed the role of lead guard, where he is navigating the challenge of balancing his new duties with the skills that initially set him apart. The initial outcomes are promising; his assist rate has significantly increased since joining the Raptors. The organization is optimistic that the 25-year-old has the potential for further development.
83. Jonathan Kuminga
The Warriors have all resisted Kuminga as a trade chip, believing he can be not just a future tentpole but a key piece of a team that still believes it can make one last run at honest contention before Stephen Curry ages out. This is his year to really prove it after averaging over 16 points per game in just 26 minutes a night last season. A top-tier athlete, Kuminga is a handful to keep out of the lane and he finished at the rim at a better clip than LeBron James. The 3-point shooting dipped last season, but he was at 37% two years ago. If Kuminga gets back closer to that number, he should be a 20 PPG guy.
84. RJ Barrett
Barrett has returned to Toronto following his trade to the Raptors last season. During his initial 32 games with his hometown team, he delivered impressive statistics, averaging 21.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, with a true shooting percentage of 61.5%. He recently described the transition as a “literal dream come true” and seems to be thriving while playing in Canada. If he can maintain his performance level from after the trade, it would represent a significant success for the Raptors, who have made substantial investments in him, Immanuel Quickley, and Scottie Barnes as part of their young core.
85. Mike Conley
Conley will enter the upcoming season as one of the oldest players in the league, but he’s also still one of the most valuable veterans a young team — like the Timberwolves — could have. As he’s done throughout his entire career, Conley acts as the perfect bridge between setting up star players like Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, while also being someone you can’t just ignore when he’s standing beyond the 3-point line. He’s coming off a career year when it comes to his 3-point shooting, and should once again be a key piece on a Minnesota team primed to make another deep run in the postseason.
86. Anfernee Simons
Simons was sidelined at the start and conclusion of the previous season due to injuries to his thumb and knee, respectively. However, during the intervening period, he showcased the finest basketball of his career. He is an exceptional shooter, particularly adept at making shots off the catch, and has developed his playmaking skills under the guidance of Chauncey Billups. While there is no doubt regarding his offensive capabilities, he is unlikely to receive the recognition he deserves until the Blazers improve their standing or he finds a new team.
87. Tyler Herro
Injuries significantly limited Herro’s performance last season, resulting in him participating in only 42 games, a career low. Nevertheless, he remained one of the most efficient shooters in the league. Although his contributions did not attract widespread recognition, he achieved near career-high statistics in various categories. He is capable of delivering 20 points per game with impressive efficiency, and his ability to shoot from beyond the arc, coupled with his proficiency in scoring off the dribble, is crucial for a Heat offense that tends to become stagnant in the absence of either him or Jimmy Butler.
88. Brook Lopez
How often do you hear a fanbase lament its lack of a rim-protecting center that can shoot 3-pointers? The Pelicans have been looking for one for five years. Everyone wants a Brook Lopez. They can’t have one because he’s one of a kind. Short of superstars on max contract, there simply aren’t other centers who take nothing off of the floor on either end while adding quite a bit on both. Lopez leads the league in contested shots every year. The 3-point efficiency waxes and wanes, but he pairs it with enough craft inside of the arc that defenses still have to account for him no matter where he is. He doesn’t pull in rebounds himself, but he’s so smart in his positioning and boxing out that he’s a very valuable team rebounder. He’s the center everyone wants but only the Bucks get to have.
89. Keegan Murray
There was a minor decline in Murray’s efficiency regarding his 3-point shooting; however, considering that he began with an impressive 41% from beyond the arc while setting the rookie record for the most 3-pointers made in a single season, any subsequent performance may appear as a regression. He maintained a 35.8% shooting percentage from 3-point range, and his overall efficiency remained stable despite an increase in shot attempts per game. In his second season, Murray broadened his skill set, as the Kings provided him with opportunities to develop as a shot creator, often assigning him the most challenging defensive tasks. He serves as an ideal complementary player on a Kings team that anticipates further growth in his development this season.
90. Dereck Lively II
Lively’s stats may not seem like they warrant a place on this list, especially after two other incoming sophomores above him put up monster numbers in their rookie campaigns. But what Lively lacks in counting stats, he makes up for in all of the intangibles. He regularly posts the highest plus-minus on the Mavericks, and he’s the ultimate lob threat in pick-and-rolls with Doncic and Irving. He is a tenacious rebounder on both ends and gives the Mavericks some much-needed rim protection when he checks in the game. It may not seem like it when you look at the box score, but Lively is routinely Dallas’ third- or fourth-most important player every night.
91. Nicolas Claxton
Claxton has remained largely unnoticed in Brooklyn, yet his numerous defensive attributes—such as switching, ground coverage, and rim protection—remain as remarkable as they were when he garnered Defensive Player of the Year consideration towards the conclusion of the Durant-Irving period. With new head coach Jordi Fernandez committing to utilize him more as a handoff facilitator in the offensive scheme, the pertinent question now revolves around the extent of his potential when he has the ball. He has demonstrated impressive ball-handling skills during transitions and possesses exceptional finesse around the rim; however, Claxton’s usage rate has not exceeded 15.6%.
92. Jalen Green
Green possesses exceptional talent and is an extraordinary athlete, even by the rigorous standards of the NBA. However, the question remains whether he can become an efficient and winning player. His performance during the closing stretch of last season was the most impressive he has displayed as a professional, suggesting that he may indeed fulfill both criteria. Nevertheless, a potential concern for the Rockets is that Green’s peak performance occurred during Alperen Sengun’s absence, which was due to a season-ending knee injury. This season appears to be pivotal for Green’s future with the Houston franchise.
93. Marcus Smart
Smart took a big tumble down this list, though that’s more to do with injury than anything else. He was limited to 20 games last season, the fewest of his career, because of foot and finger issues. Now healthy, he should reclaim his place as one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. He’ll be one of many Grizzlies making their return this season, and figures to play a big role in their quest to contend in the Western Conference.
94. Andrew Nembhard
At the very least, Nembhard is a pesky point-of-attack defender, smart passer and reliable spot-up shooter. He’s the kind of player the Pacers need next to Tyrese Haliburton, so opposing teams think twice about simply daring everybody else to beat them. Nembhard’s performance in the 2024 playoffs, however, suggests that, more than just a complementary player, he could be the kind of player opponents have to gameplan for in his own right. When Haliburton had to miss Games 3 and 4 against the Celtics in the conference finals, Nembhard stepped into a starring role as if it were his all along. That’s something to build on.
95. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Caldwell-Pope is poised to serve as an intriguing case study regarding the intrinsic value of 3-and-D players. He has excelled with two championship-caliber teams, the Lakers and the Nuggets. It is no coincidence that these teams featured the two premier playmakers of this era: LeBron James and Nikola Jokic. The Orlando Magic are not particularly requiring Caldwell-Pope to generate his own scoring opportunities; however, their most significant deficiency lies in shot creation. For a quintessential 3-and-D player like Caldwell-Pope, this situation may present additional challenges. Should he manage to thrive on a Magic team that offers considerably less offensive support, he will establish himself as one of the foremost role players of his generation.
96. Luguentz Dort
He narrowly missed the selection for the All-Defense team last season; however, it is important to recognize that facing Dort in a one-on-one situation is among the most challenging experiences in the NBA. He possesses the strength of a linebacker while maintaining remarkable agility. His understanding of opponents’ tendencies is extensive, and he employs numerous subtle techniques. His physical style of play can be frustrating, often leading opponents to commit offensive fouls. If he continues to convert approximately 40% of his catch-and-shoot three-point attempts and improves his ability to attack closeouts, he is likely to rank significantly higher on next year’s list.
97. Bogdan Bogdanovic
It is surprising that Bogdanovic ranked only fifth in the Sixth Man of the Year voting last season, given that his on/off statistics significantly surpassed those of other contenders. Unfortunately, when a player’s presence on the court transforms a struggling team into a competitive one, their contributions can easily be overlooked. Beyond the statistics, the most notable aspect of his 2023-24 season was his health. Throughout 79 regular-season games, the 32-year-old guard delivered precisely what the Hawks have come to expect from him when fit: an impeccable jump shot with a quick release, intelligent off-ball movement, and skillful playmaking in pick-and-roll situations. One should not anticipate any changes in his performance this season.
98. Kyle Kuzma
When a potential trade to the Dallas Mavericks was rumored, Kuzma expressed his desire to remain in Washington and “continue building something.” A skeptic might interpret this as a euphemistic way of saying, “I prefer to maintain the freedom that comes with being the leading scorer on a struggling team.” There is no question about Kuzma’s scoring ability; he averaged over 22 points per game last season, an increase from 21 the previous year. While efficiency may not be his strongest attribute, it seems he could contribute more effectively as part of a competitive team. Nevertheless, his scoring output is, in some respects, indisputable.
99. Klay Thompson
Even during a challenging season, Thompson continued to rank among the top three-point shooters in the league, averaging 18 points per game. However, his shooting efficiency has gradually declined since his return from a two-year period marked by injuries. Previously, he was a consistent All-Star, recognized as one of the premier 3-and-D players available, and had the ability to score prolifically if he found his rhythm from beyond the arc. After spending 11 seasons and winning four championships with the Warriors, Thompson embarks on a new journey in Dallas. This transition may provide a much-needed opportunity for rejuvenation for one of the greatest sharpshooters in NBA history.
100. Jabari Smith
Smith might not have the highest ceiling in Houston’s stable of young talent, but he’s the most well-rounded player on the team and could be in for another leap this season. A versatile defender with great positional length, Smith’s offense is coming around quickly. He pumped up his efficiency last season almost six true-shooting points from his rookie year, and he hit his 3s at a 36% clip. He’s becoming more and more confident and capable in creating his own offense, too.
