The 2023-24 NBA season was a thrilling ride, filled with incredible performances and exciting storylines. As we look ahead to the upcoming 2024-25 season, it’s time to evaluate the top players in the league and rank them accordingly.
In this two-part series, we’ll unveil the NBA’s Top 100 Players for the 2024-25 season. This ranking takes into account a variety of factors, including individual performance, team impact, and overall talent.
21. Zion Williamson
Zion Williamson’s season was cut short due to an injury, but his performance before the injury was impressive. He showed improved conditioning, playmaking, and defensive skills. Williamson’s ability to lead the team and perform in high-pressure situations was evident. The Pelicans are now expecting him to maintain this level of play for a full season and build a strong supporting cast around him.
22. Jimmy Butler
Butler exemplifies his role as an exceptional player who conserves his energy during the regular season to deliver outstanding performances in the postseason. His statistics are comprehensive, and his influence is consistently significant. According to Cleaning the Glass, last season, the Heat outperformed their opponents by 1.7 points per 100 possessions; this figure increased to an impressive plus eight points per 100 when Butler was on the court. The critical question remains: Are the Heat still sufficiently competitive to allow Butler to transition into his playoff mode? Alternatively, is this a team in decline that may consider trading Butler before his next, likely final, substantial contract?
23. Bam Adebayo
The player we recognize Adebayo to be is undoubtedly a top-25 selection. He has served as a full-time starter for five consecutive years and has consistently earned All-Defense honors during this period. Adebayo is an exceptional passer, whose skills might receive greater recognition were it not for the dominance of Jokic in the league. He excels in rebounding when the Miami Heat require it, scores when necessary, and, following Udonis Haslem’s retirement, assumes a leadership role when the team needs guidance. These attributes alone justify a top-25 selection. However, a significant development from last season was Adebayo’s readiness to extend his shooting range. Although the volume remains relatively low, he recorded a career-high of 42 attempts from beyond the arc and 189 mid-range shots. This trend continued into the Olympics, where he appeared quite at ease shooting from distance. Should Adebayo incorporate a consistent level of floor-spacing into his already extensive skill set, his potential could elevate from a top-25 to a top-15 ranking, or possibly even higher.
24. Tyrese Maxey
The previous year’s ranking was 60. Following James Harden’s exit, Maxey assumed the No. 2 position in Philadelphia during the last season, transitioning from a promising young talent to an All-Star player. In recognition of his achievements, he received the Most Improved Player award. It will be intriguing to observe how Maxey’s role may evolve, if at all, with the addition of Paul George. A significant advantage for the Sixers is that he possesses both on-ball and off-ball capabilities, allowing him to adapt seamlessly to varying circumstances. In fact, he might excel as a slightly overqualified No. 3 option, particularly given his impressive catch-and-shoot statistics, which stood at 44.4% last season.
25. Kyrie Irving
Despite the apprehensions regarding Irving’s integration with the Mavericks, both in terms of gameplay and team dynamics, he delivered one of his most impressive seasons to date without causing any disruptions. Irving has reaffirmed his status as one of the premier secondary options in the history of the NBA. He possesses the finest ball-handling skills in the league, demonstrating an ability to penetrate the rim and score effectively from all three scoring areas. The Mavericks would likely not have reached the NBA Finals without his contributions, and in partnership with Luka Doncic, they form one of the most formidable backcourts in the league.
26. Damian Lillard
The glass-half-empty view of Lillard’s first season in Milwaukee: He hurt the Bucks’ defense, had trouble adjusting to being the No. 2 guy and his efficiency declined, which isn’t particularly surprising for a 33-year-old point guard. The glass-half-full view: Despite having to adjust to a new team, new city, new role and two new coaches, Lillard put up numbers roughly on par with his career averages during the regular season and, during the playoffs, had a couple of huge games (coming off a groin injury) before aggravating an Achilles injury. I lean toward the optimistic perspective, given that Lillard’s final season in Portland was the best of his career and he’ll be coming off a much more normal offseason this time. (He told Doc Rivers that he was not in shape in 2023-24 because he’d done only light workouts the previous summer for fear of getting injured while waiting for a trade, per Rivers.) Yes, Lillard turned 35 in July, but he was No. 10 on this list just a year ago. Don’t be shocked if he makes this ranking look disrespectful.
27. De’Aaron Fox
Recall the time when Fox struggled with his shooting? It is evident that he does not. His 36.9% success rate on three-point attempts is commendable in isolation, but achieving that percentage on an average of 7.8 attempts per game is remarkable. This was nearly unimaginable at the outset of his career, and it has effectively undermined nearly every defensive strategy that opponents might have employed against him. How can one possibly stay in front of the quickest guard in the NBA when he can effortlessly shoot from 28 feet as you attempt to navigate around a screen? Defending Fox has become a significant challenge; he will either outmaneuver you at the basket or score from long range.
28. Domantas Sabonis
Last season, Sabonis topped the league in rebounds and ranked eighth in assists. The only other player to appear in the top ten for both statistics was Nikola Jokic. Additionally, he became one of only two players, alongside Wilt Chamberlain, to average a minimum of 19 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists in a single season. While these benchmarks may seem arbitrary, they highlight the distinctiveness of Sabonis’ skill set as a big man. He serves as a pivotal playmaking center for the Kings, demonstrating efficiency as a scorer in the paint and excelling in rebounding. However, similar to many of his teammates, defensive performance continues to be a concern.
29. Paolo Banchero
Following a season in which Banchero became the first player from the Magic to receive the Rookie of the Year award since Mike Miller in 2001, the top overall selection of the 2022 Draft continued to enhance his performance significantly in the subsequent season. While he has yet to establish himself as a reliable 3-point shooter, this is of little consequence given his ability to power through defenses to reach the basket and excel in mid-range shooting. He achieved his inaugural All-Star selection and guided Orlando to its first playoff berth in four years.
30. Chet Holmgren
The long-awaited introduction of Holmgren proved to be exceptionally rewarding, as he integrated effortlessly into an Oklahoma City squad designed for enduring success over the next decade. Standing at 7 feet 1 inch, he possesses the agility of a guard. He can effortlessly sink a three-pointer just as easily as he can overpower an opponent in the low post. Already, he has distinguished himself as one of the premier rim protectors in the league, demonstrating an impressive ability to time his blocks—an attribute seldom seen in players of his age. Holmgren is on a promising path toward becoming a regular participant in the All-Star Game, as well as a contender for prestigious end-of-season accolades such as All-NBA and All-Defense.
31. Lauri Markkanen
As a devoted Warriors supporter, I find it disheartening to compose this commentary, particularly because Markkanen is an exceptional talent and it appears that Golden State could have acquired him at a considerable cost. Instead, he remains with the Utah Jazz, having signed a five-year extension worth $238 million. At 27 years of age, Markkanen is just beginning to reach his prime; however, the Jazz are not in a position to contend for championships. This raises questions about the alignment of their timelines, yet one can be assured that Danny Ainge has a strategic vision in place, with Markkanen—a seven-foot sharpshooter who posted averages of 23 points and 8 rebounds last season, boasting a superior true shooting percentage compared to Kevin Durant—playing a pivotal role in that plan.
32. Jrue Holiday
Jrue Holiday, a former All-Star, has seamlessly transitioned to a supporting role with the Celtics. Despite his versatility, he has still been able to perform at a high level in various roles, including defense, rebounding, and scoring. His ability to adapt and excel in different situations is a key reason for his high ranking on the list.
33. Pascal Siakam
The improvement in Indiana’s defense can be largely attributed to the acquisition of Siakam, which is certainly not a mere coincidence. On the offensive end, he serves as the reliable second scorer that the Pacers needed alongside Tyrese Haliburton. Siakam excels in transition and possesses exceptional footwork, allowing him to generate scoring opportunities outside of the established system. I maintain that he is a more proficient 3-point shooter than his statistics suggest. During certain periods in the playoffs, Siakam demonstrated the qualities of a true star, leading the Pacers to reward him with a maximum contract.
34. Jamal Murray
Ranking Jamal Murray presents a significant challenge. While the notion of him making an All-Star team may be set aside, it is essential to evaluate him against some of the premier guards in the NBA, despite his never having averaged 22 points or seven assists in any season. His current standing is bolstered by two remarkable playoff performances, which rank among the finest ever exhibited by an active guard. During the 2020 and 2023 playoffs, he maintained an average of over 26 points, approaching shooting splits of 50-40-90. His peak performance is comparable to that of players positioned 20 ranks higher. However, his lower performance level, as evidenced in the 2024 postseason and the Olympics, could justify a drop of 20 spots. With the departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and the Denver Nuggets facing a leaner roster, the team will require a full season of exceptional play from Murray, rather than just sporadic brilliance.
35. Trae Young
Young stands out as one of the most dependable and effective offensive players in the league. He achieved a career-high average of 10.8 assists per game last season, positioning himself as a leading playmaker in the NBA. Additionally, he has recorded multiple seasons with averages of at least 25 points and 10 assists, a feat matched only by Russell Westbrook. However, what has this accomplished for him? Aside from the unexpected run to the Eastern Conference finals in 2021, Young has only secured three playoff victories, and the Hawks did not qualify for the postseason last year. According to ESPN’s “The Hoop Collective,” he remains in Atlanta primarily because other teams showed little interest in trading for him during the summer.
36. Derrick White
Two years prior, White was not included on this list. Currently, he holds the 36th position. His increased visibility from playing with the Celtics has certainly contributed to this ranking, but White’s ascent is primarily due to his development into an exemplary role player. He consistently fulfills the Celtics’ needs on both offense and defense each game, and his remarkable performance during the championship run earned him a place on Team USA. To highlight his adaptability, consider this statistic: last season, he became one of the few players, alongside Larry Bird and Kevin Durant, to average at least five assists and one block per game while maintaining a 39% shooting accuracy from beyond the arc.
37. Jalen Williams
The statistics recorded by Williams during the games in which Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was absent last season closely resembled those of Kevin Durant. This observation does not imply that the 23-year-old Williams is necessarily a hidden superstar; true superstardom involves consistently achieving impressive statistics while being the focal point of the opposing team’s defensive strategies, often facing their top defenders, rather than merely performing as the second option against bench players. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy. Should Williams’ relative difficulties against the Mavericks in the playoffs serve as a guide for his offseason development, he could become a formidable player. He already possesses the ability to score from all three levels, is an exceptional shooter, a savvy playmaker, and a versatile defender. Future All-Star selections appear to be on the horizon for him.
38. Karl-Anthony Towns
Karl-Anthony Towns, a talented big man, has shown versatility by adjusting his game to fit the team’s needs. However, his performance in big moments, particularly during the Western Conference finals, was inconsistent. To improve his ranking, Towns needs to find a balance between his offensive contributions and the team’s overall strategy.
39. Rudy Gobert
The narrative surrounding the Gobert trade as a failure for the Timberwolves has been significantly challenged. Last season, the French player regained his title as the Defensive Player of the Year, marking his fourth win of the award and placing him in a tie with Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace for the most in history. His contributions were instrumental in leading the Wolves to the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2004. While there will always be specific matchups that favor the presence of Naz Reid, the previous season demonstrated that the collaboration between Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns is indeed effective.
40. Kristaps Porzingis
Porzingis has found himself in an ideal environment with the Celtics. Unlike his time with the Knicks, he is not burdened with the expectation of revitalizing a franchise. He is not required to fulfill the role of a flawless second option as he did in Dallas. Additionally, he is not accumulating hollow statistics on a struggling 35-win team, as was the case with the Wizards.
In Boston, his absence due to injury would not be considered catastrophic news. However, when he is in good health, he proves to be an exceptional asset. He remains a formidable rim protector, possesses the ability to shoot three-pointers with impressive efficiency, excels as a pick-and-roll partner, and takes advantage of mismatches against smaller defenders. Despite having the second-fewest shot attempts per game in his career, Porzingis experienced his most efficient scoring year. Even though he missed a significant portion of Boston’s playoff games, he still made a substantial impact when called upon during the Finals.
