25. C Domantas Sabonis, Kings
It’s fair to write that Domantas Sabonis is the second-best playmaking center in the NBA. The trade that landed Sabonis in Sacramento was key in breaking their playoff drought. Now if Sabonis wants to become elite he needs to improve his scoring output and improve defensively.
24. PG Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers
Speaking of the trade that landed Sabonis in Sacramento, that same trade landed Tyrese Haliburton with the Pacers. The point guard proved to be a winning player last season and was one of the best playmakers in the NBA as a result. With even more talent around him, it will be interesting to see how good the Pacers will be this season.
23. SF Kawhi Leonard, Clippers
Let’s be clear, injuries are the reason why Kawhi Leonard is as low as he is on this list. When healthy he’s a top-10 player. However, the Clippers two-way star struggles with health consistency so much so he’s lower on this list than the Clippers second best player.
22. C Bam Adebayo, Heat
The Heat easily have the most defensively versatile big man in the NBA in Bam Adebayo. Miami’s big man can guard the perimeter and the interior at the highest levels. He’s also underrated as an offensive player with his playmaking and scoring.
21. G/F Paul George, Clippers
Paul George is the Clippers second best player and like Leonard, he also struggles with health. However, it’s not to the same degree as the two-time Finals MVP. That being written, George is a two-way star when healthy.