Ranking NBA players — 45. Deandre Ayton, Suns
Deandre Ayton clearly does not want to be in Phoenix. That’s a slight problem, but not one the Suns are incapable of overcoming. No team has been more dominant the past two regular seasons than Phoenix. Ayton is a big reason why: his progression from top draft pick to genuine two-way star helped take the Suns to another level. He is the anchor of a top-ranked defense and one of the best pick-and-roll bigs in the NBA.
Ranking NBA players — 44. Domantas Sabonis, Kings
Domantas Sabonis brought impressive new dynamics to the Sacramento offense last season. He developed fast chemistry with De’Aaron Fox, forming one of the NBA’s most electric two-man games. Sabonis is the best big man passer this side of Nikola Jokic, he’s one of the most fluid post scorers in the league, and he’s a top-tier rebounder.
Ranking NBA players — 43. Ben Simmons, Nets
Assuming he’s healthy — physically and mentally — it shouldn’t take long for Ben Simmons to remind us of his brilliance. For all the talk about his jumper (or lack thereof), Simmons does have a point when he mentions the extent of his contributions elsewhere on the court. He is maybe the best transition playmaker in the NBA. At 6-foot-10, he’s also the best wing defender in the game when he’s locked in. A nightly triple-double threat and potential DPOY candidate, Simmons deserves more respect than he tends to get from this corner of the internet.
Ranking NBA players — 42. Jarrett Allen, Cavaliers
Jarrett Allen made his first All-Star appearance last season for a Cavs team on the precipice of a major jump forward. He’s one of the best at his particular job in the NBA. Allen finishes with supreme efficiency at the rim and he blocks a ton of shots on the other end of the floor. He will catch countless lobs from Darius Garland and he will compete for All-NBA and All-Defense consideration at center.
Ranking NBA players — 41. Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers
Tyrese Haliburton’s numbers in Indy last season leap off the page. He’s a candidate to lead the league in assists while poking around 50/40/90 from the field. That’s the kind of offensive talent we’re talking about with Haliburton, who has been remarkably sure-handed and unselfish with the basketball since his college days at Iowa State. The Pacers made out like bandits at the trade deadline last season. He is the foundation of their rebuild.