Top 100 NBA players: End-of-season rankings
With only one week left in the 2021-22 regular season, we’re beginning to get a sense of what the playoffs might have in store. We know the pretenders, we know the contenders, and more than that, we know the favorites.
Now, looking back on the season as a whole and forward to the playoffs and beyond, it’s time to rank the top 100 players in the NBA.
Last time we did this, Kevin Durant earned the No. 1 spot, while the Sixers had five players (including Ben Simmons) crack the list. Much has changed in the months since. Let’s start with the honorable mentions.
Honorable mentions: Jordan Poole, Reggie Jackson, Markelle Fultz, Josh Giddey, Will Barton, Dorian Finney-Smith, Bobby Portis Sr., Jalen Green, Marcus Morris Sr., Andre Drummond, Cole Anthony, Herbert Jones, Steven Adams, Keldon Johnson, P.J. Tucker, Kelly Olynyk, Jae Crowder
player. 156. . SG. Cleveland Cavaliers. Caris LeVert. 100
Top 100 NBA players — 100. Caris LeVert, Cavaliers
Caris LeVert has settled into the sixth man role in Cleveland, which is somewhat surprising given the price Cleveland paid at the trade deadline. All season, LeVert has been in something of a funk, never fully unlocking the dynamic on-ball creation we once saw flashes of in Brooklyn. He will get better with time to get healthy and more time in Cleveland’s system, but it’s hard to ignore LeVert’s notable flaws at this point. He’s a talented scorer on middling efficiency, and doesn’t bring much else to the floor. And, since arriving in Cleveland, his scoring is down. So there’s real concern, even if he still deserves the benefit of the doubt and a spot on the top 100.
Orlando Magic. Franz Wagner. 99. player. 38. . SF
Top 100 NBA players — 99. Franz Wagner, Magic
Franz Wagner will make the All-Rookie first team, and he might just be the future of the Orlando Magic. The Magic have a lot of interesting young talent, but Wagner’s multi-faceted contributions on the wing signal All-Star upside. Wagner is already an accomplished second or third scorer, with the shooting touch, passing instincts, and physical tools to become a real offensive hub in time. He’s already an important part of the Magic defense, too — a defense that ranks second in the league since the All-Star break.
player. 170. . SG. Charlotte Hornets. Terry Rozier. 98
Top 100 NBA players — 98. Terry Rozier, Hornets
Terry Rozier has officially made the leap from “fun bench guy” to legitimate starter and secondary scorer. He has no doubt benefited from a favorable situation, but Rozier’s 3-point efficiency, dynamism attacking off the catch, and unfettered confidence each and every night makes him a handful for opposing defenses.
Washington Wizards. Kyle Kuzma. 97. player. 142. . PF
Top 100 NBA players — 97. Kyle Kuzma, Wizards
Kyle Kuzma has really impressed in Washington. Playing a career high in minutes, Kuzma has maintained his standard efficiency on increased volume, and has looked especially impressive in the wake of Bradley Beal’s season-ending injury. Washington relies on Kuzma quite extensively, and he is generally up to the task of No. 2 or 3 scorer. Combine that with more invigorated defensive effort and impressive rebounding numbers, and Kuzma has earned this spot.
player. 34. . C. Portland Trail Blazers. Jusuf Nurkic. 96
Top 100 NBA players — 96. Jusuf Nurkic, Trail Blazers
The Blazers are in a tailspin, either temporarily or perpetually. With the team’s future uncertain, so is Jusuf Nurkic’s individual future. The veteran center has done his part this season — efficient finishing, nifty passing, elite rebounding, and physical post defense. He’s somewhat outmoded in the modern NBA, and certain schemes can play Nurkic off the court, but he’s elite in his role and brings so shortage of competitive fire.