10. Joel Embiid
The process, the drinker of Shirley Temples, destroyer of worlds, Joel Embiid has many nicknames. He’s a once in a generation talent who nearly took the 76ers to the playoffs last season. He brings positivity to such a negative league filled with super teams. Embiid may have one year left and have injury concerns, but there’s no other player I would rather have in a crunch time lineup. He’s that good. Hopefully, he stays healthy this year so I can move him to one.
9. Russell Westbrook
He is due for a super max, doesn’t make his teammates better, and has a game that will not age well. However, he’s the most exciting player to watch in basketball and has a fire that rivals Kobe and Jordan. Number nine is a good spot for him.
Related Story: Joel Embiid is a transcendent superstar
8. James Harden
Harden has a game that ages well, but his new contract extension is crazy. Plus Harden seems to not care defensively and has only been in excellent shape for one season. I’m a bit bearish on the former ASU product.
7. Kawhi Leonard
With a hobbled Tony Parker and a potentially retired Manu Ginobili, this is Leonard’s big year to show the NBA world that he is the best player in the league. Leonard at seven shows how deep this league is. I wish he was higher, but everyone else on this list I could see the Spurs trading Kawhi for and be like well got (insert name from 1-6) in the trade, so we had to.
6. Anthony Davis
A talented big who gets hurt every year and has only made the playoffs once. Davis needs to show that he can lead a team to the postseason despite having a worse bench than a third grade YMCA team during flu season for him to be above KAT.