Projecting the top 125 NBA players for 2022-23 season
70. player. 81. . F. Toronto Raptors. OG Anunoby
Ranking NBA players — 70. OG Anunoby, Raptors
OG Anunoby is past due for his breakout season. Health has gotten in the way, but when healthy, there aren’t many players who can do what he does. Built like a linebacker, Anunoby can overwhelm smaller defenders with his strength. Add pristine footwork, a money pull-up jumper, and elite wing defense, and you have one of the NBA’s most exciting under-the-radar talents.
Jerami Grant. 69. player. 34. . F. Portland Trail Blazers
Ranking NBA players — 69. Jerami Grant, Blazers
Jerami Grant should look right at home in Portland. He’s a talented slasher, attacking the rim with long strides and impressive strength. Rather than being forced to create his own offense, like he was frequently in Detroit, Grant will now have the chance to play off of two dynamic playmaking guards. It will make life much easier for him. Also, his presence could salvage a notoriously unreliable defensive team.
68. player. 41. . G. Golden State Warriors. Jordan Poole
Ranking NBA players — 68. Jordan Poole, Warriors
Jordan Poole is playing in the shadows of two titanic, Hall of Fame guards. Even so, he looks like the next elite point guard in the West. Poole has learned a lot from Stephen Curry, as evidenced by his ability and willingness to move without the ball. He’s also an electric isolation threat, with shifty handles, a deadly first step, and no shortage of confidence in his pull-up jumper. Poole can score any which way. The next step is getting to a better place defensively.
169. . G. Houston Rockets. Jalen Green. 67. player
Ranking NBA players — 67. Jalen Green, Rockets
Jalen Green took off — forgive the pun — like a rocket late in the season. After struggling out of the gate, he dropped five consecutive 30-point games down the stretch. He scored 41 in Houston’s last game of the season, for good measure. There simply aren’t many athletes like Green, and rarely do those athletes have such deep bags. He can break his man down off the dribble like a seasoned vet, and the shooting efficiency is bound to improve with experience. He’s in line for a massive second-year leap.
F. Denver Nuggets. Michael Porter Jr.. 66. player. 73.
Ranking NBA players — 65. Michael Porter Jr., Nuggets
Health is always going to loom large over Michael Porter Jr.’s career. His family has a long and unfortunate history of injuries, and his resumé has no shortage of concerning maladies. If he can stay on the court, however, Porter should be an integral part of a championship-caliber team. His combination of size and shooting is rarely found.