Ranking the top 100 NBA players — 75. Norman Powell
Last season, Norman Powell made the ascent, averaging 18.6 points on .477/.411/.871 shooting splits and earning a healthy $90 million contract. Portland’s future is hard to predict at the moment, but there’s no doubt Powell can contribute to another playoff push if Lillard sticks around.
Powell’s efficiency makes him the perfect No. 3 scorer, even if he’s a little undersized relative to Portland’s rotation. He can swish a high volume of 3s, create in bursts off the bounce, and open up shots for teammates on the perimeter with his slashing. The Blazers made the right decision to acquire him and keep him around, even if the Lillard situation turns sour.
Ranking the top 100 NBA players — 74. Aaron Gordon
Aaron Gordon is underrated by the general fan population. He’s one of the best forward/wing defenders on the planet. At 6-foot-8, he can stifle some of the NBA’s strongest, most physical shot-makers. He is a much better answer to the LeBron’s and Kawhi’s of the world than he often gets credit for.
On offense, Gordon is marketed as a lob threat, but he’s much more than that. He can face up, score from the elbow, or hit pick-and-pop 3s. His complementary scoring gifts are well suited to a Denver offense that runs through Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. He should get more shine in his first full season with the Nuggets. This is the first time he’s been on a real contender.
Ranking the top 100 NBA players — 73. Kristaps Porzingis
Kristaps Porzingis was actively bad in the playoffs. You can claim foul play on the part of Rick Carlisle, but frankly, nothing Porzingis showed on the biggest stage warranted more involvement in the offense. He was put in the corner because it was best to keep him in the corner.
That said, Porzingis can still sway games when he’s healthy and engaged. Those stretches have become few and far between in recent years, but even last season, Porzingis averaged 20.1 points and 8.9 rebounds. He shot 47.6 percent from the field, hit 37.6 percent of his 3s, and blocked 1.3 shots per game. The production is there. Health is the main issue.
Ranking the top 100 NBA players — 72. Marcus Smart
Marcus Smart’s on-court value can be hard to quantify, but there’s a reason just about everyone wants him on their team. He’s a pest, an Oscar-worthy actor, and a bundle of chaos. And, at the end of the day, it’s hard not to label him a top-100 NBA player. He impacts winning by sheer force of will.
Smart is not the world’s best shooter, nor is he the most dynamic lead ball-handler. He’s best served in a limited role, hitting the stray jumper, making timely cuts to the rim, and then defending his ass off on the other end. He’s one of the best defensive guards in the NBA, with the speed to imprison point guards and the strength to body up bigger wings. He can defend all over the floor, and is a steals magnate.
Ranking the top 100 NBA players — 71. Derrick White
Injuries have stained Derrick White’s career so far, but his flashes are special. He’s an excellent two-way guard, with the potential to both lead San Antonio in scoring and anchor the perimeter defense. Last season, he averaged 15.4 points on 41.1 percent shooting. With an expanded role next season, White could be in line for a breakout — and an improved spot on future iterations of this list.
A greater 3-point volume, a larger share of the playmaking duties, and more spotlight to shine on defense could do a lot of good for White. Not long ago, when San Antonio ventured down to the Bubble, he looked the part of a future All-Star. He can still reach those heights. The Spurs’ player development is borderline undefeated.