By NBA insiders | ESPN, 2025-12-24 20:00:00
NBA常规赛正进行得如火如荼，圣诞节当天还将上演一系列重磅对决。
东部方面，纽约尼克斯队正乘着夺得NBA杯冠军的势头，排名飙升至东部第二。然而，除了尼克斯和活塞，东部其他八支球队之间的胜场差仍在1.5场以内，整个赛区的格局依然不明朗。
西部联盟则开始展现出过去几个赛季以来一贯的“魔鬼赛区”本色。除了联盟领头羊俄克拉荷马城雷霆队，其他竞争者——圣安东尼奥马刺队、丹佛掘金队、洛杉矶湖人队、明尼苏达森林狼队和休斯顿火箭队——在冲击榜首的竞争中并驾齐驱。
本周，我们邀请了NBA内部专家，为每支球队挑选一名本赛季迄今为止表现出众、影响力超乎预期的年轻球员——并分析这对于他们所在的球队可能意味着什么。
以下是本周实力榜上30支球队的具体排名。
注：球队排名基于我们的专家团（ESPN的安东尼·斯莱特、戴夫·麦克梅纳明、贾马尔·科利尔、凯文·佩尔顿、迈克尔·C·莱特、奥姆·扬米苏克、蒂姆·邦坦普斯、蒂姆·麦克马洪、文森特·古德维尔和扎克·克拉姆）对各队本赛季实力的判断。
往期排名： 季前赛 | 10月29日 | 11月5日 | 11月12日 | 11月19日 | 11月26日 | 12月3日 | 12月10日 | 12月17日
快速跳转至球队：
老鹰 | 凯尔特人 | 篮网 | 黄蜂 | 公牛 | 骑士
独行侠 | 掘金 | 活塞 | 勇士 | 火箭 | 步行者
快船 | 湖人 | 灰熊 | 热火 | 雄鹿 | 森林狼
鹈鹕 | 尼克斯 | 雷霆 | 魔术 | 76人 | 太阳
开拓者 | 国王 | 马刺 | 猛龙 | 爵士 | 奇才
1. 俄克拉荷马城雷霆
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 26胜4负
- 上期排名： 1
- 未来赛程： 12月25日对阵马刺，12月28日对阵76人，12月29日对阵老鹰
潜力新星： 阿杰·米切尔 (Ajay Mitchell)
曾有人认为，随着杰伦·威廉姆斯 (Jalen Williams) 的回归，米切尔在俄克拉荷马城将再次被下放至轮换阵容的末端，但事实并非如此。进入12月以来，米切尔场均出战25分钟，以高效的8.1次出手得到11.3分。这比他赛季首月的爆发表现略有下滑。在威廉姆斯缺席19场比赛后回归，米切尔的上场时间和创造进攻机会确实有所减少。但是，这位二年级球员已经凭借实力在这支联盟最佳球队中坐稳了每晚的轮换位置，无论情况如何，他都已成为联盟中最可靠的年轻替补组织者之一。 —— 安东尼·斯莱特 (Anthony Slater)
2. 底特律活塞
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 24胜6负
- 上期排名： 2
- 未来赛程： 12月26日客场对阵爵士，12月28日客场对阵快船，12月30日客场对阵湖人
潜力新星： 杰伦·杜伦 (Jalen Duren)
杜伦可能无法赢得本赛季的“最快进步球员”奖，但他确实取得了长足的进步。当然，相当一部分动力来自于他正处于合同年，即将成为受限制自由球员。（他正让管理层的决定变得异常简单。）但感觉这更像是一种自然成长，毕竟他一个月前才满22岁。他不仅是凯德·坎宁安 (Cade Cunningham) 在纵向空间上急需的空接搭档，杜伦在防守端——无论是在防守外线空间还是内线护筐方面——都取得了巨大进步。在上周四输给达拉斯的比赛中，他抢下了10个进攻篮板，目前场均进攻篮板数位列联盟第三。当季后赛中每一次额外的进攻机会都至关重要时，对手将不得不对他严加防范。 —— 文森特·古德维尔 (Vincent Goodwill)
3. 纽约尼克斯
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 20胜8负
- 上期排名： 6
- 未来赛程： 12月25日对阵骑士，12月27日客场对阵老鹰，12月29日客场对阵鹈鹕
潜力新星： 泰勒·科莱克 (Tyler Kolek)
科莱克是尼克斯阵中最接近真正意义上的年轻球员，在过去几周里，他赢得了更多的上场时间。主教练迈克·布朗 (Mike Brown) 甚至在NBA杯的比赛末段尝试让科莱克与杰伦·布伦森 (Jalen Brunson) 搭档出场，以观察这对组合的效果。效果相当不错，以至于在尼克斯逆转战胜步行者的比赛中，他能在关键时刻留在场上——他那场比赛出战26分钟，得到16分和11次助攻，均创下赛季新高。当布伦森健康时，科莱克的上场时间可能会减少，但考虑到尼克斯一直在寻找替补控卫，科莱克或许自己就能填补这个角色。 —— 古德维尔
4. 丹佛掘金
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 21胜8负
- 上期排名： 3
- 未来赛程： 12月25日对阵森林狼，12月27日客场对阵魔术，12月29日客场对阵热火
潜力新星： 佩顿·沃特森 (Peyton Watson)
23岁的沃特森在球队遭遇伤病潮后，抓住了成为首发的机会，角色也随之改变。截至周二，他在本赛季首发的16场比赛中，场均贡献14.6分和5.6个篮板，投篮命中率和三分命中率分别高达54.3%和45.0%。关于沃特森，一个更宏大的问题是，这位臂展出色且能提供护筐的侧翼球员，在本赛季之后是否还能符合掘金的薪资预算。由于掘金未能与他提前续签新秀合同，他将在今年夏天成为一名受限制自由球员。 —— 蒂姆·麦克马洪 (Tim MacMahon)
5. 圣安东尼奥马刺
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 22胜7负
- 上期排名： 4
- 未来赛程： 12月25日客场对阵雷霆，12月27日对阵爵士，12月29日对阵骑士
潜力新星： 迪伦·哈珀 (Dylan Harper)
我们正在实时见证圣安东尼奥著名“三巨头”的新版本上演——连续两届NBA年度最佳新秀得主维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama) 和斯蒂芬·卡斯尔 (Stephon Castle)，正与新秀哈珀并肩作战。哈珀有绝佳的机会帮助马刺成为首支连续三年培养出该奖项得主的球队。这位球风流畅的19岁左手将，打球的技巧和沉稳远超同龄人，显然他在圣安东尼奥的未来中扮演着重要角色。作为新秀，哈珀的三分命中率仅为27.7%。但他在这个领域，尤其是在左侧侧翼的投篮，正变得越来越自信。 —— 迈克尔·C·莱特 (Michael C. Wright)
6. 休斯顿火箭
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 17胜10负
- 上期排名： 5
- 未来赛程： 12月25日客场对阵湖人，12月27日对阵骑士，12月29日对阵步行者
潜力新星： 里德·谢泼德 (Reed Sheppard)
作为一名二年级球员，谢泼德在周六客场对阵丹佛的比赛中，投进6记三分球，成为自2017年路·威廉姆斯 (Lou Williams) 以来首位替补出场砍下25分并送出5次助攻的火箭球员，帮助球队终结了掘金的六连胜。谢泼德展现出弥补自身弱点的强烈意愿。他在夏天花了三周时间专门提升防守，期间甚至没有碰过篮球。 —— 莱特
7. 洛杉矶湖人
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 19胜9负
- 上期排名： 7
- 未来赛程： 12月25日对阵火箭，12月28日对阵国王，12月30日对阵活塞
潜力新星： 阿杜·蒂耶罗 (Adou Thiero)
湖人队在六月的选秀大会上，先是从第55顺位向上交易到第45顺位，再从第45顺位交易到第36顺位，最终选中了蒂耶罗。这位身材健硕、身高6英尺8英寸的前锋，数据目前还不起眼（场均不到1分、1篮板和1助攻），但他从左膝手术中恢复期间所展现的职业精神，已经给球队内部许多人留下了深刻印象。他显然是一个需要培养的项目，但年仅21岁的他，被洛杉矶视为一位具备巨大防守潜力的未来之星。 – 戴夫·麦克梅纳明 (Dave McMenamin)
8. 明尼苏达森林狼
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 19胜10负
- 上期排名： 9
- 未来赛程： 12月25日客场对阵掘金，12月27日对阵篮网，12月29日客场对阵公牛
潜力新星： 杰伦·克拉克 (Jaylen Clark) 和 小特伦斯·香农 (Terrence Shannon Jr.)
对森林狼而言，更大的担忧在于这个问题的答案不是罗伯·迪林厄姆 (Rob Dillingham)，这位前十顺位新秀已被博恩斯·海兰德 (Bones Hyland) 挤出了轮换阵容。但我们将这个名额给予克拉克和香农的组合，他们两人将继续有机会在侧翼位置上争取一个稳定的轮换席位，作为已离队的尼基尔·亚历山大-沃克 (Nickeil Alexander-Walker) 的长期替代者。 —— 蒂姆·邦坦普斯 (Tim Bontemps)
9. 波士顿凯尔特人
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 18胜11负
- 上期排名： 10
- 未来赛程： 12月26日客场对阵步行者，12月28日客场对阵开拓者，12月30日客场对阵爵士
潜力新星： 乔丹·沃尔什 (Jordan Walsh)
本赛季开始前，沃尔什能否成为波士顿的轮换球员还是个未知数。但这位2023年的次轮秀做到了，他不仅成为了这支令人惊喜的凯尔特人队中稳定的首发球员，而且尽管出手次数不多，三分命中率也远超40%。沃尔什集身高、运动能力和活力于一身，这使他成为波士顿阵中杰伦·布朗 (Jaylen Brown)、德里克·怀特 (Derrick White) 和佩顿·普理查德 (Payton Pritchard) 旁边的完美补充。如果他能保持这样的表现，他有机会在波士顿赢得一个长期的角色。 —— 邦坦普斯
10. 奥兰多魔术
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 17胜13负
- 上期排名： 8
- 未来赛程： 12月26日对阵黄蜂，12月27日对阵掘金，12月29日客场对阵猛龙
潜力新星： 安东尼·布莱克 (Anthony Black)
保罗·班凯罗 (Paolo Banchero)、弗朗茨·瓦格纳 (Franz Wagner) 和杰伦·萨格斯 (Jalen Suggs) 在健康时已经证明了他们的优秀和巨大潜力。但魔术队中另一位随着上场时间增多而崭露头角的年轻球员是布莱克。在周二客场对阵开拓者的比赛前，布莱克在过去16场比赛中有15场得分上双。在瓦格纳和萨格斯目前因伤缺阵的情况下，布莱克挺身而出，而他的上场时间和角色也恰好与本赛季早些时候班凯罗受伤的时期相吻合。布莱克凭借其防守、得分、传球和篮板能力，其多功能性对球队本赛季至关重要。截至周二，他场均贡献13.8分、4.1个篮板、3.3次助攻和1.2次抢断，在奥兰多全员回归健康后，他仍应是一位宝贵的贡献者。 —— 奥姆·扬米苏克 (Ohm Youngmisuk)
11. 费城76人
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 16胜12负
- 上期排名： 11
- 未来赛程： 12月26日客场对阵公牛，12月28日客场对阵雷霆，12月30日客场对阵灰熊
潜力新星： VJ·埃吉科姆 (VJ Edgecombe)
回想一年前，76人还认为他们毫无机会保住自己前六顺位保护的首轮签，而如今，他们成功留住了这个选秀权，并拥有了未来的后场组合——泰瑞斯·马克西 (Tyrese Maxey) 和新秀埃吉科姆，这实在令人惊叹。最近当马克西因病缺阵时，埃吉科姆展现了承担更多组织任务的能力，并且他的正负值领跑全队。这也符合主教练尼克·纳斯 (Nick Nurse) 的执教风格——他愿意信任一名新秀后卫，在一支志在季后赛的球队中扮演重要角色。 —— 邦坦普斯
12. 多伦多猛龙
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 18胜13负
- 上期排名： 13
- 未来赛程： 12月26日客场对阵奇才，12月28日对阵勇士，12月29日对阵魔术
潜力新星： 贾马尔·希德 (Jamal Shead)
在所有符合资格的球员中，尼古拉·约基奇 (Nikola Jokic) 以每36分钟11.6次助攻领跑联盟，而紧随其后位列第二的——甚至排在约什·吉迪 (Josh Giddey) 和凯德·坎宁安之前——正是猛龙队的替补球员希德，他每36分钟能送出9.6次助攻。希德的跳投还很粗糙（投篮命中率35.5%，三分命中率32.3%），但这位2024年的次轮秀是一名可靠的轮换球员，他能为队友创造机会，避免失误，并且尽管身材矮小，仍能提供强硬的防守。 —— 扎克·克拉姆 (Zach Kram)
13. 菲尼克斯太阳
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 16胜13负
- 上期排名： 15
- 未来赛程： 12月26日客场对阵鹈鹕，12月27日客场对阵鹈鹕，12月29日客场对阵奇才
潜力新星： 马克·威廉姆斯 (Mark Williams)
几个月前，湖人队以体检未通过为由，撤销了与黄蜂队关于威廉姆斯的交易。随后，太阳队组织了自己的交易方案，得到了这位7英尺1英寸的大个子。本月刚满24岁的威廉姆斯，一直是菲尼克斯队稳定的内线支柱——场均贡献12.6分、8.0个篮板、1.3次抢断，投篮命中率高达66.5%，更重要的是，他在太阳队29场比赛中出战了24场。 —— 麦克梅纳明
14. 克利夫兰骑士
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 17胜14负
- 上期排名： 14
- 未来赛程： 12月25日客场对阵尼克斯，12月27日客场对阵火箭，12月29日客场对阵马刺
潜力新星： 杰伦·泰森 (Jaylon Tyson)
作为2024年选秀的第20顺位新秀，泰森在经历了一个沉寂的新秀赛季后，本赛季已在骑士队崭露头角，成为一名合格的首发级别前锋。尽管球队整体表现挣扎，泰森依然保持着高效产出，场均贡献12.8分和5.4个篮板，投篮命中率和三分命中率分别达到51.9%和44.9%。骑士队在过去七场比赛中输掉了四场，在即将到来的圣诞大战对阵尼克斯时，他们是目前为止联盟中最令人失望的球队之一。但泰森抓住了身边的机会，为自己赢得了一席之地。 —— 贾马尔·科利尔 (Jamal Collier)
15. 迈阿密热火
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 15胜15负
- 上期排名： 12
- 未来赛程： 12月26日客场对阵老鹰，12月27日对阵步行者，12月29日对阵掘金
潜力新星： 克尔·威尔 (Kel’el Ware)
威尔年仅21岁，已经展现出巨大的潜力。在周二对阵多伦多的比赛前，威尔连续三场打出两双数据，表现惊人。在输给尼克斯的比赛中，他得到28分和19个篮板；在输给波士顿的比赛中，他贡献24分和14个篮板。在此之前，客场战胜布鲁克林的比赛中，他拿下22分、12个篮板和4次盖帽。在同一时期，这位7英尺大个子的三分球合计16投12中。当然，他的问题在于稳定性、努力程度以及能否达到埃里克·斯波尔斯特拉 (Erik Spoelstra) 的要求。就在这三场爆发之前，他在之前的四场比赛中总共只得到19分。状态低迷的热火队需要一个持续打出影响力的威尔，才能重回正轨。 —— 扬米苏克
16. 金州勇士
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 15胜15负
- 上期排名： 17
- 未来赛程： 12月25日对阵独行侠，12月28日客场对阵猛龙，12月29日客场对阵篮网
潜力新星： 昆滕·波斯特 (Quinten Post)
经过两个月的轮换阵容混乱之后，史蒂夫·科尔 (Steve Kerr) 终于确定了一套他表示希望保持下去的首发阵容。这套阵容包括二年级中锋昆滕·波斯特，与德雷蒙德·格林 (Draymond Green) 搭档前场。波斯特是一名7英尺高的空间型球员，能以高出手量投射跳投。他每36分钟8.6次的三分出手数，在全联盟所有中锋里仅次于布鲁克·洛佩斯 (Brook Lopez)。勇士队需要他的命中率有所提升，他本赛季的三分命中率为33.1%，而新秀赛季为40.8%。但这套阵容的理论很简单：在格林身边提供额外的进攻空间，同时减轻他的防守负担。波斯特本赛季的护筐数据令人鼓舞，当他在场时，勇士的防守效率为103.4，是全队最佳。 —— 斯莱特
17. 亚特兰大老鹰
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 15胜16负
- 上期排名： 16
- 未来赛程： 12月26日对阵热火，12月27日对阵尼克斯，12月29日客场对阵雷霆
潜力新星： 杰伦·约翰逊 (Jalen Johnson)
约翰逊刚满24岁，他可能是联盟中崛起最快的年轻天才之一。约翰逊上赛季的爆发表现因伤病而中断，但本赛季他又实现了一次巨大的飞跃。在周二老鹰对阵芝加哥的比赛前，他场均贡献23.8分、10.5个篮板和8.2次助攻，三分命中率高达39.3%。在赛季初期特雷·杨 (Trae Young) 因伤缺席了大部分比赛的情况下，约翰逊承担起了领袖角色，并拿下了六次三双，其中包括本月早些时候的连续四场。即使在杨回归后，约翰逊依然能砍下高分，上周对阵夏洛特得到43分，周日对阵芝加哥得到36分。约翰逊不仅是全明星级别的球员，他甚至有充分的理由竞争NBA最佳阵容。 —— 扬米苏克
18. 孟菲斯灰熊
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 14胜16负
- 上期排名： 18
- 未来赛程： 12月26日对阵雄鹿，12月28日客场对阵奇才，12月30日对阵76人
潜力新星： 塞德里克·考沃德 (Cedric Coward)
这位22岁的新秀已连续首发出场16次，在周一孟菲斯客场挑战俄克拉荷马城之前，他已连续16场比赛得分上双。灰熊在选秀夜向上交易至第11顺位选中了考沃德，他此前在华盛顿州立大学的大四赛季仅出战6场比赛。尽管如此，孟菲斯管理层对得到考沃德欣喜若狂，他在得分后卫位置上带来了体型和防守韧性，同时场均出手4.5次三分，命中率为32.1%。 —— 莱特
19. 芝加哥公牛
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 14胜15负
- 上期排名： 25
- 未来赛程： 12月26日对阵76人，12月27日对阵雄鹿，12月29日对阵森林狼
潜力新星： 马塔斯·布泽利斯 (Matas Buzelis)
公牛队这位二年级前锋是他们近期四连胜的关键，他在进攻端的崛起是球队为数不多的亮点之一。在过去四场比赛中，布泽利斯场均贡献19.0分、2.8个篮板、1.8次盖帽和0.8次抢断。这帮助芝加哥的进攻恢复到了赛季初的水平——当时他们分享球权，并以联盟最快的节奏之一打球，这种风格正能让布泽利斯如鱼得水。 —— 科利尔
20. 波特兰开拓者
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 12胜18负
- 上期排名： 20
- 未来赛程： 12月26日对阵快船，12月28日对阵凯尔特人，12月29日对阵独行侠
潜力新星： 谢登·夏普 (Shaedon Sharpe)
在经历了一个缓慢的开局后，夏普取得了开拓者所期望的进步，球队在十月份与这位22岁的后卫续签了一份为期四年的合同。自11月1日以来，夏普场均得到23.5分，有效命中率高达55%。他的防守也足够可靠，在上赛季被长时间安排在替补席后，本赛季已能胜任首发。经验更丰富的德尼·阿夫迪亚 (Deni Avdija) 是波特兰的基石球员，但夏普正用表现巩固自己作为开拓者核心成员的地位。 —— 凯文·佩尔顿 (Kevin Pelton)
21. 达拉斯独行侠
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 12胜19负
- 上期排名： 19
- 未来赛程： 12月25日客场对阵勇士，12月27日客场对阵国王，12月29日客场对阵开拓者
潜力新星： 库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg)
状元秀库珀·弗拉格，上周末刚满19岁，正不负众望地兑现着自己的天赋。勒布朗·詹姆斯 (LeBron James) 是唯一一位在18岁时打出与弗拉格相似表现的球员。弗拉格在赛季初曾被安排在控球后卫这个不熟悉的位置上。自从回到他自然的锋线位置后，弗拉格场均贡献20.3分、6.2个篮板和4.0次助攻，投篮命中率为50.5%。他是同届新秀中唯一一位在得分、篮板、助攻、盖帽和抢断五项数据上均排名前三的球员。 —— 麦克马洪
22. 密尔沃基雄鹿
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 12胜18负
- 上期排名： 21
- 未来赛程： 12月26日客场对阵灰熊，12月27日客场对阵公牛，12月29日客场对阵黄蜂
潜力新星： 莱恩·罗林斯 (Ryan Rollins)
后卫罗林斯的崛起是这支自由落体般下滑的雄鹿队为数不多的亮点之一。自从扬尼斯·阿德托昆博 (Giannis Antetokounmpo) 本月早些时候拉伤右小腿以来，雄鹿在过去七场比赛中输掉了五场。两年多前被奇才裁掉的罗林斯，如今场均能贡献17分和5.9次助攻，投篮命中率和三分命中率分别为47.2%和38.7%。然而，在过去六场比赛中，罗林斯的场均上场时间已降至25.8分钟，并且最近一直担任替补，因为主教练道格·里弗斯 (Doc Rivers) 试图将他和另一位控卫小凯文·波特 (Kevin Porter Jr.) 的上场时间错开。罗林斯整个赛季以来都是球队表现最好的球员之一，如果球队还有机会挽救这个赛季，他的角色不应被削弱。 —— 科利尔
23. 夏洛特黄蜂
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 10胜20负
- 上期排名： 22
- 未来赛程： 12月26日客场对阵魔术，12月29日对阵雄鹿
潜力新星： 康·克努佩尔 (Kon Knueppel)
周一，4号秀克努佩尔打破了NBA历史上命中100记三分球速度最快的球员纪录，他在自己的第29场比赛中就达成了这一成就——比前纪录保持者劳里·马尔卡宁 (Lauri Markkanen) 少用了12场比赛。克努佩尔兼具高产量（场均出手8.7次）和高效率（41.4%的命中率），距离进入“50-40-90”投篮命中率俱乐部也已不远。（他目前的总投篮命中率仅为47%。）他的杜克大学队友库珀·弗拉格已经超越他，成为年度最佳新秀的热门人选，但无论如何，对于一支急需建队基石的球队来说，克努佩尔无疑是其中之一。 —— 佩尔顿
24. 犹他爵士
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 10胜19负
- 上期排名： 23
- 未来赛程： 12月26日对阵活塞，12月27日客场对阵马刺，12月30日对阵凯尔特人
潜力新星： 基昂特·乔治 (Keyonte George)
作为一名三年级后卫，乔治应该入选任何“最快进步球员”奖项的候选短名单。他上赛季中段失去了首发位置，但本赛季他的场均得分已从7.1分飙升至23.9分，同时在投篮命中率（.447）、真实命中率（.603）和助攻（6.9次）方面也取得了类似的飞跃。爵士队乐观地认为，22岁的乔治和19岁的新秀埃斯·贝利 (Ace Bailey) 能够成为犹他的建队基石，帮助球队在不久的将来迎来转折，重返竞争行列。 —— 麦克马洪
25. 新奥尔良鹈鹕
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 8胜23负
- 上期排名： 26
- 未来赛程： 12月26日对阵太阳，12月27日对阵太阳，12月29日对阵尼克斯
潜力新星： 德里克·奎恩 (Derik Queen)
在经历3胜22负的开局后，鹈鹕队取得了一波不可思议的五连胜，而奎恩正是其中的核心人物。在这五场比赛中，他场均贡献15.7分、8.7个篮板和5.0次助攻，投篮命中率高达59.1%。他的乐透秀队友耶利米·菲尔斯 (Jeremiah Fears) 也表现出色，作为一名青少年首发控卫，他保持了比同龄人更高的效率。但奎恩尽管选秀顺位比菲尔斯低了六位，却展现出了更强的潜力。这波连胜也降低了新奥尔良队因交易得到奎恩而送出一个前四顺位选秀权的概率。 —— 佩尔顿
26. 布鲁克林篮网
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 9胜19负
- 上期排名： 24
- 未来赛程： 12月27日客场对阵森林狼，12月29日对阵勇士
潜力新星： 诺阿·克劳尼 (Noah Clowney)
克劳尼是这支战绩不佳的篮网队中的一个亮点。然而，篮网在过去一个月表现有所好转，克劳尼的表现也与之同步。在卡梅伦·托马斯 (Cam Thomas) 和小迈克尔·波特 (Michael Porter Jr.) 缺阵的情况下，他找到了自己的节奏，承担起更重要的角色。过去一个月，克劳尼场均得到17.3分，三分命中率为37%。篮网当然希望这个数字能接近40%，但考虑到他的出手量，这已经是一个积极的进步。篮网队保留了去年六月选秀中得到的全部五个首轮签，这种情况正适合有人抓住机会脱颖而出，而进入第三个赛季的克劳尼，似乎是进步最明显的那一个。 —— 古德维尔
27. 洛杉矶快船
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 8胜21负
- 上期排名： 27
- 未来赛程： 12月26日客场对阵开拓者，12月28日对阵活塞，12月30日对阵国王
潜力新星： 科比·桑德斯 (Kobe Sanders)
尽管外界对快船休赛期的人员决策多有议论，认为其更偏向于“养老院”而非“新生代”，但23岁的桑德斯在球队赛季初的挣扎中一直是一个亮点。这位身高6英尺8英寸的后卫，在第二轮第50顺位被选中，场均出战19.4分钟，贡献6.2分、2.0个篮板和1.3次助攻。在本月早些时候洛杉矶客场115-92战胜亚特兰大的比赛中，他更是关键先生，6投5中砍下17分并送出4次助攻。 —— 麦克梅纳明
28. 萨克拉门托国王
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 7胜23负
- 上期排名： 29
- 未来赛程： 12月27日对阵独行侠，12月28日客场对阵湖人，12月30日客场对阵快船
潜力新星： 马克西姆·雷诺 (Maxime Raynaud)
伤病使得多曼塔斯·萨博尼斯 (Domantas Sabonis) 本赛季至今仅出战11场比赛。他的半月板部分撕裂，将迫使他至少再缺席一个月。这给前场留下了空缺，而优先培养年轻球员的国王队，已将首发中锋的位置交给了二轮秀雷诺。他已连续首发八场比赛，在此期间场均贡献稳定的14.3分和9.6个篮板，主要扮演拉塞尔·威斯布鲁克 (Russell Westbrook) 的“喂饼”对象，威斯布鲁克已为雷诺的33次运动战进球送出助攻（比其他任何队友多25次）。球队内部多人对雷诺过去一个月的成长赞不绝口。 —— 斯莱特
29. 印第安纳步行者
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 6胜24负
- 上期排名： 28
- 未来赛程： 12月26日对阵凯尔特人，12月27日客场对阵热火，12月29日客场对阵火箭
潜力新星： 本尼迪克特·马图林 (Bennedict Mathurin)
马图林正处于联盟中最有趣的合同状况之一：这位前6号秀是球队自1980年代以来顺位最高的球员，但他在去年春天的季后赛中表现时好时坏，并将在明年夏天成为受限制自由球员。步行者没有给马图林提供续约合同，所以他们现在可以等到明年夏天再与他续约，或者让他离开，或者尝试在赛季中期交易他。很难说马图林在球队中的定位如何。他仍然是一名爆发力十足的得分手（本赛季场均18.7分创生涯新高），但在其他方面贡献不多，其职业生涯的失误次数比助攻还多。 —— 克拉姆
30. 华盛顿奇才
- 2025-26赛季战绩： 5胜23负
- 上期排名： 30
- 未来赛程： 12月26日对阵猛龙，12月28日对阵灰熊，12月29日对阵太阳
潜力新星： 亚历克斯·萨尔 (Alex Sarr)
在2024-25赛季，作为2号秀的萨尔在新秀赛季表现得非常稚嫩，虽然展现了潜力，但其有效命中率（45.7%）在所有符合资格的球员中是最低的。然而，进入二年级后，萨尔取得了巨大进步：他场均得到18.9分，投篮效率达到联盟平均水平（有效命中率54.9%），并且他场均1.9次盖帽的数据在NBA排行榜上名列前茅。 —— 克拉姆
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
点击查看原文：NBA Power Rankings: All 30 teams' most exciting young rising player
NBA Power Rankings: All 30 teams’ most exciting young rising player
The NBA regular season is in full swing ahead of a blockbuster slate of games on Christmas Day.
In the East, the New York Knicks are riding their NBA Cup championship, surging to second in the East. However, the rest of the conference remains in flux as the other eight teams besides the Knicks and Pistons remain within 1.5 games of each other.
The Western Conference is beginning to show just how much of a gauntlet it has proved to be in the past few seasons. Besides the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, other contenders – San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets – are neck and neck in a race toward the top.
This week we asked our NBA insiders to pick one young player on each team who is making an outsize impact so far this season – and what that might mean for the franchises they play for.
Here is where all 30 teams stack up in this week’s Power Rankings.
Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Dave McMenamin, Jamal Collier, Kevin Pelton, Michael C. Wright, Ohm Youngmisuk, Tim Bontemps, Tim MacMahon, Vincent Goodwill and Zach Kram) think teams belong this season.
Previous rankings: Preseason | Oct. 29 | Nov. 5 | Nov. 12 | Nov. 19 | Nov. 26 | Dec. 3 | Dec. 10 | Dec. 17
Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
- 2025-26 record: 26-4
- Previous ranking: 1
- Next games: vs. SA (Dec. 25), vs. PHI (Dec. 28), vs. ATL (Dec. 29)
Young riser: Ajay Mitchell
There was some belief that Jalen Williams’ return would send Mitchell back to the rotational basement in Oklahoma City, but that hasn’t been the case. Mitchell is averaging 11.3 points on an efficient 8.1 shots in 25 minutes per game in December. That’s a tick down from his opening-month surge. There aren’t quite as many minutes or creation opportunities with Williams back from a 19-game absence. But Mitchell, in his second season, has done enough to surge into a nightly rotation staple on the league’s best team regardless of circumstance, becoming one of the more reliable young bench playmakers in the NBA. – Anthony Slater
2. Detroit Pistons
- 2025-26 record: 24-6
- Previous ranking: 2
- Next games: @ UTAH (Dec. 26), @ LAC (Dec. 28), @ LAL (Dec. 30)
Young riser: Jalen Duren
Duren probably won’t win Most Improved Player, but he has made a sizable leap this season. Surely a decent amount of motivation comes from being in a contract year, with restricted free agency looming. (He’s making the decision quite easy for the front office.) But this feels like natural growth, as he just turned 22 a month ago. Not just the lob talent Cade Cunningham desperately needs for vertical spacing, but Duren has taken big strides as a defender – in space and especially in the interior. He grabbed 10 offensive rebounds in last Thursday’s loss to Dallas and is third in offensive rebounding per game. Opponents will have to account for him in the playoffs when extra possessions are critical. – Vincent Goodwill
3. New York Knicks
- 2025-26 record: 20-8
- Previous ranking: 6
- Next games: vs. CLE (Dec. 25), @ ATL (Dec. 27), @ NO (Dec. 29)
Young riser: Tyler Kolek
Kolek is the closest thing the Knicks have to true youth on this roster, but he’s earning more playing time over the past couple of weeks. Mike Brown even experimented with Kolek playing alongside Jalen Brunson late during the NBA Cup, just to see how the duo would fare. It did well enough for him to be on the floor late in the Knicks’ comeback win over the Pacers – his 26 minutes were a season high, as well as his 16 points and 11 assists. With a healthy Brunson, the minutes available for Kolek might dwindle, but considering the Knicks were looking for backup point guard help, Kolek may fit the role himself. – Goodwill
4. Denver Nuggets
- 2025-26 record: 21-8
- Previous ranking: 3
- Next games: vs. MIN (Dec. 25), @ ORL (Dec. 27), @ MIA (Dec. 29)
Young riser: Peyton Watson
Watson, 23, has seized his opportunity as a starter after injuries led to his role changing. He has averaged 14.6 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 54.3% from the floor and 45.0% from 3-point range in 16 starts this season entering Tuesday. The bigger-picture question about Watson, a rangy wing who provides rim protection, is whether he will fit into the Nuggets’ budget beyond this season. He will be a restricted free agent this summer after Denver didn’t get him locked into an extension of his rookie deal. – Tim MacMahon
5. San Antonio Spurs
- 2025-26 record: 22-7
- Previous ranking: 4
- Next games: @ OKC (Dec. 25), vs. UTAH (Dec. 27), vs. CLE (Dec. 29)
Young riser: Dylan Harper
We’re seeing a new iteration of San Antonio’s famed Big 3 play out in real time with back-to-back NBA Rookie of the Year winners Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle playing alongside rookie Harper, who has a real opportunity to help the Spurs become the first franchise to produce three consecutive winners of that award. The smooth, 19-year-old lefty plays with a craftiness and poise uncommon for players his age, and it’s clear he figures prominently into San Antonio’s future. As a rookie, Harper is shooting 27.7% from 3-point range. But he’s gaining confidence in that area, especially from the left wing. – Michael C. Wright
6. Houston Rockets
- 2025-26 record: 17-10
- Previous ranking: 5
- Next games: @ LAL (Dec. 25), vs. CLE (Dec. 27), vs. IND (Dec. 29)
Young riser: Reed Sheppard
A second-year veteran, Sheppard became the first Rocket to rack up 25 points with five assists off the bench since Lou Williams back in 2017 on Saturday, when he knocked down six 3-pointers on the road in Denver as Houston snapped the Nuggets’ six-game winning streak. Sheppard has shown a willingness to work on the weaknesses of his game. He spent three weeks over the summer working primarily on improving as a defender and didn’t even touch a basketball during that span. – Wright
7. Los Angeles Lakers
- 2025-26 record: 19-9
- Previous ranking: 7
- Next games: vs. HOU (Dec. 25), vs. SAC (Dec. 28), vs. DET (Dec. 30)
Young riser: Adou Thiero
The Lakers moved up from the 55th pick to the 45th pick and then the 45th pick to the 36th pick to acquire Thiero in the second round of the draft in June. The chiseled 6-foot-8 forward’s stats don’t jump off the page just yet (he averages less than one point, one rebound and one assist per game), but he has already impressed many within the organization with his work ethic in getting healthy from surgery on his left knee. He is clearly a project, but at just 21 years old, L.A. views Thiero as an up-and-coming player with major defensive potential. – Dave McMenamin
8. Minnesota Timberwolves
- 2025-26 record: 19-10
- Previous ranking: 9
- Next games: @ DEN (Dec. 25), vs. BKN (Dec. 27), @ CHI (Dec. 29)
Young risers: Jaylen Clark and Terrence Shannon Jr.
The larger concern for the Timberwolves is that this answer isn’t Rob Dillingham, the former top 10 pick who has been excised from the rotation in favor of Bones Hyland. But we’ll give the nod instead to the combination of Clark and Shannon, both of whom will continue to have cracks at earning a consistent rotation spot on the wing as a long-term replacement for the departed Nickeil Alexander-Walker. – Tim Bontemps
9. Boston Celtics
- 2025-26 record: 18-11
- Previous ranking: 10
- Next games: @ IND (Dec. 26), @ POR (Dec. 28), @ UTAH (Dec. 30)
Young riser: Jordan Walsh
Entering this season, it wasn’t clear whether Walsh would become a rotation player for Boston. But the 2023 second-round pick has done just that, becoming a consistent starter on the surprising Celtics and, although on low volume, shooting well over 40% from 3-point range. Walsh’s combination of length, athleticism and energy has made him a perfect complementary player alongside Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard in Boston, and he has a chance to carve out a long-term role in Boston if he keeps this play up. – Bontemps
10. Orlando Magic
- 2025-26 record: 17-13
- Previous ranking: 8
- Next games: vs. CHA (Dec. 26), vs. DEN (Dec. 27), @ TOR (Dec. 29)
Young riser: Anthony Black
Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs have proved, when healthy, how good and promising they can be. But one young Magic player who is rising with more minutes is Black. Entering Tuesday’s game at Portland, Black had scored in double figures in 15 of his previous 16 games. Black has stepped up with Wagner and Suggs currently sidelined, and his minutes and role also coincided with when Banchero was injured earlier this season. Black’s versatility has been big for the team this season with his ability to defend, score, pass and rebound. He averaged 13.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.2 steals entering Tuesday and should still be a valuable contributor once Orlando is fully healthy again. – Ohm Youngmisuk
11. Philadelphia 76ers
- 2025-26 record: 16-12
- Previous ranking: 11
- Next games: @ CHI (Dec. 26), @ OKC (Dec. 28), @ MEM (Dec. 30)
Young riser: VJ Edgecombe
It remains remarkable to think that, at this time a year ago, the 76ers thought they had no chance at keeping their top-six protected first-round pick, and now they find themselves with their backcourt of the future in Tyrese Maxey and rookie Edgecombe after managing to do so. Edgecombe has shown the ability to take on an increased playmaking role lately when Maxey has been sidelined with an illness, and is the team’s leader in plus-minus, which falls in line with coach Nick Nurse’s willingness to trust a rookie guard to take on a big role for a team with playoff ambitions. – Bontemps
12. Toronto Raptors
- 2025-26 record: 18-13
- Previous ranking: 13
- Next games: @ WAS (Dec. 26), vs. GS (Dec. 28), vs. ORL (Dec. 29)
Young riser: Jamal Shead
Nikola Jokic leads all qualified players with 11.6 assists per 36 minutes, and in second place – right ahead of Josh Giddey and Cade Cunningham – is Shead, a backup in Toronto, who’s averaging 9.6 dimes per 36 minutes. Shead has a rough jump shot (35.5% from the field, 32.3% on 3-pointers), but the 2024 second-round selection is a solid rotation player, able to make plays for teammates, avoid turnovers and provide hard-nosed defense despite his diminutive size. – Zach Kram
13. Phoenix Suns
- 2025-26 record: 16-13
- Previous ranking: 15
- Next games: @ NO (Dec. 26), @ NO (Dec. 27), @ WAS (Dec. 29)
Young riser: Mark Williams
A few months after the Lakers rescinded their deal with the Hornets to acquire Williams, citing a failed physical examination, the Suns put together their own trade package for the 7-1 big man. Williams, who turned 24 this month, has been a steady presence for Phoenix – averaging 12.6 points on 66.5% shooting, 8.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals and, most importantly, appearing in 24 of the Suns’ 29 games. – McMenamin
14. Cleveland Cavaliers
- 2025-26 record: 17-14
- Previous ranking: 14
- Next games: @ NYK (Dec. 25), @ HOU (Dec. 27), @ SA (Dec. 29)
Young riser: Jaylon Tyson
The No. 20 pick in the 2024 draft, Tyson has emerged for the Cavs as a legit starting-caliber forward after a quiet rookie season. Tyson is averaging 12.8 points and 5.4 rebounds on 51.9% shooting and 44.9% from 3, continuing to produce despite the team struggling around him. The Cavs have dropped four out of seven games and will enter their Christmas game against the Knicks as one of the most disappointing teams in the league so far. But Tyson has taken advantage of the opportunity around him to carve out a role for himself. – Jamal Collier
15. Miami Heat
- 2025-26 record: 15-15
- Previous ranking: 12
- Next games: @ ATL (Dec. 26), vs. IND (Dec. 27), vs. DEN (Dec. 29)
Young riser: Kel’el Ware
Ware is still only 21 and has flashed massive potential. Entering Tuesday’s game against Toronto, Ware went on a three-game double-double tear. He had 28 points and 19 rebounds in a loss to the Knicks, and in a loss to Boston, Ware put up 24 points and 14 rebounds. Before that, in a win at Brooklyn, Ware had 22 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks. During that same span, the 7-footer buried a combined 12-of-16 from beyond the arc. Of course, the issue is consistency, effort and delivering what Erik Spoelstra needs. Just before that massive three-game stretch, Ware had a combined 19 points in the four games prior. The slumping Heat will need a consistently impactful Ware to get back on the right track. – Youngmisuk
16. Golden State Warriors
- 2025-26 record: 15-15
- Previous ranking: 17
- Next games: vs. DAL (Dec. 25), @ TOR (Dec. 28), @ BKN (Dec. 29)
Young riser: Quinten Post
After two months of rotation chaos, Steve Kerr has landed on a starting lineup he said he wants to maintain. That includes second-year center Quinten Post next to Draymond Green in the frontcourt. Post is a 7-foot stretch option, getting up a high volume of jumpers. His 8.6 attempted 3s per 36 minutes are the second most among all NBA centers behind only Brook Lopez. The Warriors need the accuracy to tick upward. He’s at 33.1% after making 40.8% as a rookie. But the theory is simple: Provide extra offensive space next to Green while also easing his defensive burden. Post has encouraging rim protection numbers this season, and the Warriors have a 103.4 defensive rating with him on the floor, the best on the team. – Slater
17. Atlanta Hawks
- 2025-26 record: 15-16
- Previous ranking: 16
- Next games: vs. MIA (Dec. 26), vs. NYK (Dec. 27), @ OKC (Dec. 29)
Young riser: Jalen Johnson
Johnson just turned 24, and he might be one of the fastest-rising young talents in the league. Johnson’s breakout season last year was cut short because of injury, but he took another massive leap forward, averaging 23.8 points, 10.5 rebounds and 8.2 assists with 39.3% 3-point shooting entering the Hawks’ game against Chicago on Tuesday. With Trae Young out for a good chunk of the early season because of injury, Johnson stepped into the lead role and had six triple-doubles, including four straight earlier this month, entering Tuesday night. Even with Young back, Johnson has put up big points, scoring 43 against Charlotte last week and 36 against Chicago on Sunday. Johnson isn’t just an All-Star; he has a solid argument for being in contention for All-NBA. – Youngmisuk
18. Memphis Grizzlies
- 2025-26 record: 14-16
- Previous ranking: 18
- Next games: vs. MIL (Dec. 26), @ WAS (Dec. 28), vs. PHI (Dec. 30)
Young riser: Cedric Coward
The 22-year old rookie started in 16 consecutive games, scoring in double figures in 16 straight contests headed into Memphis’ matchup Monday at Oklahoma City. The Grizzlies traded up to No. 11 on draft night to select Coward, who played in just six games during his senior season at Washington State. Still, Memphis’ brass was ecstatic to acquire Coward, who brings size and tenacity on the defensive end at shooting guard while shooting 32.1% from deep on 4.5 attempts per game. – Wright
19. Chicago Bulls
- 2025-26 record: 14-15
- Previous ranking: 25
- Next games: vs. PHI (Dec. 26), vs. MIL (Dec. 27), vs. MIN (Dec. 29)
Young riser: Matas Buzelis
The Bulls’ second-year forward has been the key to their recent four-game winning streak, and his ascension on offense has been one of the team’s few bright spots. Buzelis is averaging 19.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 0.8 steals during the past four games. That has helped Chicago’s offense get back to the level it began at at the start of the season, when it shared the ball and played at one of the fastest paces in the league, a style that helps Buzelis thrive. – Collier
20. Portland Trail Blazers
- 2025-26 record: 12-18
- Previous ranking: 20
- Next games: vs. LAC (Dec. 26), vs. BOS (Dec. 28), vs. DAL (Dec. 29)
Young riser: Shaedon Sharpe
After a slow start, Sharpe has delivered the kind of step forward the Blazers were hoping for after signing the 22-year-old guard to a four-year contract extension in October. Sharpe is averaging 23.5 PPG since Nov. 1, shooting an effective 55% from the field. And Sharpe’s defense has been reliable enough to count on him as a starter after being moved to the bench for an extended stretch last season. The more experienced Deni Avdija is Portland’s cornerstone player, but Sharpe is cementing his case as part of the Blazers’ core. – Kevin Pelton
21. Dallas Mavericks
- 2025-26 record: 12-19
- Previous ranking: 19
- Next games: @ GS (Dec. 25), @ SAC (Dec. 27), @ POR (Dec. 29)
Young riser: Cooper Flagg
No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, who turned 19 over the weekend, is living up to the hype. LeBron James is the only player who had similar production as an 18-year-old as Flagg, who played out of position as a point guard to start the season. Since shifting to his natural forward position, Flagg has averaged 20.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting 50.5% from the floor. He’s the only rookie to rank in the top three in his class in scoring, rebounding, assists, blocks and steals. – MacMahon
22. Milwaukee Bucks
- 2025-26 record: 12-18
- Previous ranking: 21
- Next games: @ MEM (Dec. 26), @ CHI (Dec. 27), @ CHA (Dec. 29)
Young riser: Ryan Rollins
The emergence of guard Rollins has been one of the few bright spots for the free-falling Bucks, who have dropped five of their past seven games since Giannis Antetokounmpo strained his right calf earlier this month. Rollins is averaging 17 points and 5.9 assists on 47.2% shooting (38.7% from 3) just over two years after being waived by the Wizards. Yet, Rollins has seen his minutes dwindle to 25.8 per game in the past six, and he has been coming off the bench recently as coach Doc Rivers aims to split up his two point guards, Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. Rollins has been one of the team’s best players all season long and shouldn’t see his role reduced if the team has a chance to save its season. – Collier
23. Charlotte Hornets
- 2025-26 record: 10-20
- Previous ranking: 22
- Next games: @ ORL (Dec. 26), vs. MIL (Dec. 29)
Young riser: Kon Knueppel
On Monday, No. 4 pick Knueppel smashed the record for fastest NBA player ever to 100 career 3-pointers, accomplishing the feat in his 29th game – 12 games fewer than Lauri Markkanen, the previous record holder. Knueppel has combined high volume (8.7 attempts per game) with 41.4% accuracy and is not far from 50-40-90 shooting splits. (He’s shooting just 47% overall.) Duke teammate Cooper Flagg has surpassed Knueppel as the favorite for Rookie of the Year, but either way, Knueppel is a building block for a franchise badly in need of one. – Pelton
24. Utah Jazz
- 2025-26 record: 10-19
- Previous ranking: 23
- Next games: vs. DET (Dec. 26), @ SA (Dec. 27), vs. BOS (Dec. 30)
Young riser: Keyonte George
A third-year guard, George should be on any short list of Most Improved Player candidates. He lost his starting job midway through last season but has boosted his scoring average from 7.1 points to 23.9 points per game while making similar leaps in field goal percentage (.447), true shooting percentage (.603) and assists (6.9). The Jazz are optimistic that George, 22, and 19-year-old rookie Ace Bailey can be foundation pieces in Utah as the franchise turns the corner to become competitive in the near future. – MacMahon
25. New Orleans Pelicans
- 2025-26 record: 8-23
- Previous ranking: 26
- Next games: vs. PHX (Dec. 26), vs. PHX (Dec. 27), vs. NYK (Dec. 29)
Young riser: Derik Queen
Queen has been central to the Pelicans’ improbable five-game winning streak after a 3-22 start, averaging 15.7 PPG, 8.7 RPG and 5.0 APG on 59.1% shooting in that span. Fellow lottery pick Jeremiah Fears has been impressive, too, maintaining better efficiency than the typical teenage starter at point guard, but Queen has emerged as the stronger prospect despite going six picks after Fears. The winning streak has also reduced the likelihood of New Orleans giving up a top-four pick from the deal for Queen. – Pelton
26. Brooklyn Nets
- 2025-26 record: 9-19
- Previous ranking: 24
- Next games: @ MIN (Dec. 27), vs. GS (Dec. 29)
Young riser: Noah Clowney
Clowney is a bright spot on the lowly Nets. However, the Nets have fared better in the past month and Clowney’s performances have mirrored that, as he’s finding his way in the absence of Cam Thomas and Michael Porter Jr., taking even more of a leading role. Clowney averaged 17.3 points and shot 37% from 3 in the past month. The Nets would certainly like that number closer to 40, but on the volume he’s taking, it’s a positive development. With the Nets keeping all five of their first-round picks from last June’s draft, the situation was ripe for someone to take full advantage, and it has been Clowney, in Year 3, who looks to be stepping forward the best. – Goodwill
27. LA Clippers
- 2025-26 record: 8-21
- Previous ranking: 27
- Next games: @ POR (Dec. 26), vs. DET (Dec. 28), vs. SAC (Dec. 30)
Young riser: Kobe Sanders
Though much has been said about the Clippers’ offseason personnel decisions skewing more toward the nursing home than neophytes, Sanders, 23, has been a bright spot despite the team’s early struggles. The 6-8 guard, taken with the No. 50 pick in the second round, is averaging 6.2 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 19.4 minutes per game and was key in LA’s 115-92 road win in Atlanta earlier this month when he put up 17 points on 5-for-6 shooting and four assists. – McMenamin
28. Sacramento Kings
- 2025-26 record: 7-23
- Previous ranking: 29
- Next games: vs. DAL (Dec. 27), @ LAL (Dec. 28), @ LAC (Dec. 30)
Young riser: Maxime Raynaud
Injuries have sidelined Domantas Sabonis for all but 11 games. He has a partially torn meniscus that will force him to miss at least another month. That has left a frontcourt void, and the Kings, prioritizing youth, have given the starting center job to second-round rookie Raynaud. He has started eight consecutive games and averaged a steady 14.3 points and 9.6 rebounds during that stretch, living as a dump-off target for Russell Westbrook, who has assisted on 33 of Raynaud’s made field goals (25 more than any other teammate). Several people in the organization have been raving about Raynaud’s growth over the past month. – Slater
29. Indiana Pacers
- 2025-26 record: 6-24
- Previous ranking: 28
- Next games: vs. BOS (Dec. 26), @ MIA (Dec. 27), @ HOU (Dec. 29)
Young riser: Bennedict Mathurin
Mathurin is in one of the more interesting contractual situations in the league: The former No. 6 pick is the franchise’s highest-drafted player since the 1980s, but he ran hot and cold in the playoffs last spring and is set to become a restricted free agent next summer. The Pacers didn’t give Mathurin an extension, so now they could wait until next summer to re-sign him, let him leave or try to trade him in-season. It’s hard to say where Mathurin fits onto the team. He remains an explosive scorer (career-high 18.7 PPG this season) but doesn’t contribute much else, with more career turnovers than assists. – Kram
30. Washington Wizards
- 2025-26 record: 5-23
- Previous ranking: 30
- Next games: vs. TOR (Dec. 26), vs. MEM (Dec. 28), vs. PHX (Dec. 29)
Young riser: Alex Sarr
Sarr was incredibly raw as a rookie in 2024-25, as the No. 2 pick showed flashes of potential but had the worst effective field goal percentage (45.7%) of any qualified player. As a sophomore, however, Sarr has made massive strides: He’s averaging 18.9 points per game on league-average shooting efficiency (54.9% eFG), and his 1.9 blocks per game rank near the top of the NBA leaderboard. – Kram
By NBA insiders | ESPN, via ESPN