Top 100 NBA players — 45. Mikal Bridges, Suns
Mikal Bridges is jockeying for the label of best perimeter defender in basketball, and he’s the best defender on the NBA’s best team (by a wide, wide margin). Bridges can defend all over the place, be it the point of attack or roaming in passing lanes and hunting for steals. He slides effortlessly over screens, has the foot speed to contain smaller guards, and the wingspan to swallow just about anyone. Add in his efficient 3-point shooting and gradually improving all-around game, and Bridges is not as far from star status as you probably think.
Top 100 NBA players — 44. Jarrett Allen, Cavaliers
Jarrett Allen, fresh off his first All-Star appearance, has cemented his part in Cleveland’s rise to contention. He is one of several high-level defenders on that roster, but only one is the backstop — the rim protector who keeps guards out of the paint and allows Evan Mobley to gamble along the perimeter. Allen’s massive presence in the paint, combined with his efficient finishing at the rim, make him one of Cleveland’s true cornerstones.
Top 100 NBA players — 43. Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers
Tyrese Haliburton was secretly the Kings’ best player all season, and now in Indiana, his brilliance is out in the open for everyone to see. He’s just so good already, and he will only get better from here. The Kings have to feel queasy about the choice to trade him, but oh well — he’s in Indiana, and he’s probably going to lead the Pacers out of the Eastern Conference cellar. Haliburton’s playmaking instincts have transitioned seamlessly to an expanded role, and he’s a more prolific self-creator on offense than anyone could have hoped for out of Iowa State. And I had him top-3 on my big board.
Top 100 NBA players — 42. Darius Garland, Cavaliers
Darius Garland has arrived. He is the centerpiece of Cleveland’s future — the crown jewel of an expertly crafted rebuild. He’s already one of the league’s most dynamic lead guards, and dynamic lead guards are generally the starting point of a contender. Garland is prolific out of the pick-and-roll. He has deep range on his pull-up jumper, he can make every pass in the book, or he can flip the nitrous switch and attack the paint.
Top 100 NBA players — 41. Brandon Ingram, Pelicans
Brandon Ingram keeps getting better. His shot-making profile is mighty impressive. The Kevin Durant comparisons pre-draft were never fair, but he does have that high release point and spindly frame that make him particularly hard to guard. Ingram’s pull-up shooting is through the roof right now, and he’s an underrated playmaker for others. He is the guiding light for New Orleans absent Zion, and he should continue to hover on the All-Star radar for years to come.