15. PG Ja Morant, Grizzlies
If it wasn’t for off-the-court issues, it’s fair to say that Ja Morant might be a spot or two higher in these rankings. When he’s on the court he’s shown to be the second coming of Derrick Rose with a jump shot. He needs to improve on the defensive end and show more maturity moving forward.
14. PF Zion Williamson, Pelicans
Health is the biggest reason why Zion Williamson isn’t a top-10 yet in the NBA season. One could argue that the unstoppable interior scorer is in a make-or-break season in terms of proving he can be healthy for the majority of a season. If he can, then the Pelicans can be a dark horse in a loaded Western Conference.
13. SF Jimmy Butler, Heat
There are few players in NBA history who have elevated their games as much as Jimmy Butler does during the postseason. The two-way wing is one of the scariest players during the playoffs who can win a series for a team even if his team has less overall talent. The former Philadelphia 76ers wing still plays at an All-Star level during the regular season as well.
12. C/ PF Anthony Davis, Lakers
Consistency is what keeps the Lakers star big man out of the top 10 of this list. When Anthony Davis plays at his best, he’s arguably an MVP candidate, however, last season health and consistency stopped him and arguably the Lakers from reaching the NBA finals.
11. PG Damian Lillard, Bucks
For the first time in his career, Damian Lillard won’t begin the season as a member of the Blazers. He was traded to the Bucks this offseason and is poised to be the second-best player on a team for the first time in his career. That being written, he’s still an elite point guard and 3-point shooter at this point in his career.