The last time I made one of these was October of 2023, and, well - Let's just say it's been an eventful 24 months in my world...
*Previous ranking in parenthesis (Oct. 2023).
1) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G, Oklahoma City Thunder (9)
2) Nikola Jokic, C, Denver Nuggets (1)
3) Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF, Milwaukee Bucks (3)
4) Luka Doncic, G, Los Angeles Lakers (8)
5) Anthony Edwards, SG, Minnesota Timberwolves (19)
6) Jalen Brunson, PG, New York Knicks (26)
7) Kevin Durant, F/G, Houston Rockets (6)
8) LeBron James, F, Los Angeles Lakers (4)
9) Stephen Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors (5)
10) Jalen Williams, F, Oklahoma City Thunder (NR)
11) Donovan Mitchell, SG, Cleveland Cavaliers (15)
12) Victor Wembanyama, C/PF, San Antonio Spurs (NR)
13) Devin Booker, G, Phoenix Suns (10)
14) Anthony Davis, PF, Dallas Mavericks (11)
15) Kawhi Leonard, F, Los Angeles Clippers (14)
16) Jayson Tatum, F, Boston Celtics (7)
17) Jaylen Brown, F/G, Boston Celtics (18)
18) Cade Cunningham, PG, Detroit Pistons (NR)
19) Paolo Banchero, PF, Orlando Magic (NR)
20) James Harden, G, Los Angeles Clippers (23)
21) Trae Young, PG, Atlanta Hawks (20)
22) Jimmy Butler, SF, Golden State Warriors (12)
23) Pascal Siakam, PF, Indiana Pacers (36)
24) Tyrese Maxey, PG, Philadelphia 76ers (NR)
25) Evan Mobley, PF, Cleveland Cavaliers (46)
26) Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers (2)
27) Alperen Sengun, C, Houston Rockets (NR)
28) Jaren Jackson Jr., PF, Memphis Grizzlies (32)
29) Franz Wagner, SF, Orlando Magic (NR)
30) Karl-Anthony Towns, C, New York Knicks (33)
31) Ja Morant, PG, Memphis Grizzlies (13)
32) Jamal Murray, PG, Denver Nuggets (17)
33) De'Aaron Fox, PG, San Antonio Spurs (22)
34) Bam Adebayo, C, Miami Heat (30)
35) Zion Williamson, PF, New Orleans Pelicans (NR)
36) Tyrese Haliburton, G, Indiana Pacers (24)
37) Chet Holmgren, PF, Oklahoma City Thunder (NR)
38) Domantas Sabonis, C, Sacramento Kings (31)
39) Kyrie Irving, PG, Dallas Mavericks (27)
40) Amen Thompson, G, Houston Rockets (NR)
41) Darius Garland, PG, Cleveland Cavaliers (35)
42) Desmond Bane, SG, Orlando Magic (47)
43) Kristaps Porzingis, C, Atlanta Hawks (50)
44) Scottie Barnes, F, Toronto Raptors (NR)
45) OG Anunoby, F, New York Knicks (NR)
46) Julius Randle, PF, Minnesota Timberwolves (30)
47) Derrick White, G, Boston Celtics (NR)
48) Ivica Zubac, C, Los Angeles Clippers (NR)
49) Austin Reaves, G/F, Los Angeles Lakers (NR)
50) LaMelo Ball, G, Charlotte Hornets (41)
Honorable Mention: Mikal Bridges, Paul George, Brandon Ingram, Jarrett Allen, Andrew Nembhard, Benedict Mathurin, Myles Turner, Brandon Miller, Tyler Herro, Norman Powell, CJ McCollum, Christian Braun, Aaron Gordon, Jaden McDaniels, Rudy Gobert, Isaiah Hartenstein, Shaedon Sharpe, Jrue Holiday, Damian Lillard, Lauri Markkanen, Bradley Beal, Zach LaVine, Demar DeRozan, Cooper Flagg, Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy, Devin Vassell.
Toughest player to rank: Darius Garland. We'll give him the injury excuse for now - Garland himself is on word for saying the Cavs would be champs had he stayed healthy. That said, after what really has been three consecutive underwhelming postseason performances from the boys in wine and gold, it is time to put up when the bright lights come on or else Cleveland may need to rethink its roster building philosophies. A home region product here in Northwest Indiana, Garland was again impressive in 75 regular season games in 2024-25, averaging 20.6 points and 6.7 assists per game on sharp efficiency (40.1% on threes and 87.8% on FT's), as the Cavs won 64 games...
HurricaneDij's Reach Pick: Christian Braun, G/F, Denver Nuggets - With all the hype surrounding new addition Cameron Johnson as well as AG's return from injury, Braun will look to emerge as Denver's #3 scorer this season. While it is unfortunate that Calvin Booth won't be on hand to watch his draft steal at #21 in 2022 fully pan out, the hostile working environment created by Booth and Michael Malone could not be taken lightly. Braun made an immediate first impression in less-than-ideal circumstances under the new regime (in April!). With just three games to go before the playoffs and the first game under then-interim head coach David Adelman, Braun erupted for 25 points during a nationally televised game in Sacramento, a 124-116 Nuggets win over the Kings.
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