By NBA insiders / ESPN, 2026-09-23 19:00:00
NBA Rank 排名回归！距离揭幕战不到一个月，让我们继续盘点2026-27赛季联盟最佳球员。
继周二公布第100至第51位球员之后，我们的排名如今进入前50。这一梯队由前MVP、未来首轮入选的名人堂球员以及有望在本赛季实现重大飞跃的年轻球星领衔。
这也是勒布朗·詹姆斯 (LeBron James) 的排位所在——这是NBA Rank创办15年来他首次跌出前十。（你可以直接跳转至勒布朗的NBA Rank排名。）
排名将于周四揭晓专家评审团选出的前十球员，为整个榜单收官。而该评审团在2026年版中已进行了全面改组。
在过去几个赛季中，超过100位ESPN的NBA内部人士、记者、编辑和制作人对数千组球员对位进行投票，最终得出前100榜单。如今，这种“群体智慧”模式已被“七人智慧”取代：他们分别是ESPN的本·戈利弗、文森特·古德威尔、扎克·克拉姆、鲍比·马克斯、戴夫·麦克梅纳明、安德烈·斯内林斯以及马特·“数据”·威廉姆斯。（评审团成员各自的前100榜单被汇总为最终排名。）
不过投票标准保持不变。评审团被要求仅根据球员在2026-27常规赛的预期贡献——包括质量和数量——进行排名。
让我们来看看这份榜单，其中不乏与前十擦肩而过的超级巨星。
注：标志性数据由ESPN Research提供。
50. 迪伦·哈珀 (Dylan Harper)
后卫 | 圣安东尼奥马刺
年龄： 20
2025 NBA Rank： 未上榜
马刺队中最年轻的球员似乎在总决赛的高强度对抗中成长最快，有望在第二个赛季实现大幅跃升，无论他继续担任替补还是跻身首发。他将赢得裁判更多的哨声照顾（新秀赛季69场比赛仅1.7次罚球出手），在进攻中承担更重要的角色，并进一步提升本已可观的传球组织能力。哈珀是未来的全明星。——文森特·古德威尔
标志性数据： 哈珀在2026年季后赛中有6场比赛得到至少15分且投篮命中率达65%，为NBA季后赛历史上后卫最多。
梦幻体育预测： 15.2分、5.0助攻、4.4篮板
49. 劳里·马尔卡宁 (Lauri Markkanen)
前锋 | 犹他爵士
年龄： 29
2025 NBA Rank： 43
马尔卡宁是一名能拉开空间的得分手型前锋，却在犹他沦为了被遗忘的人。这位芬兰球星的能力常常与爵士在多年重建中提升选秀顺位的意愿相冲突，过去四个赛季他每年4月都只出战一场比赛。尽管对于一名缺乏最佳阵容履历的球员来说，他的合同过于慷慨，但马尔卡宁应能从爵士近期的天赋升级中受益，向个人职业生涯首次季后赛之旅发起冲击。——本·戈利弗
标志性数据： 马尔卡宁已有9个赛季命中至少100记三分，与卡尔-安东尼·唐斯和德克·诺维茨基并列NBA历史上7英尺长人中的最多纪录。
梦幻体育预测： 23.8分、7.2篮板、1.9助攻
48. 康·克尼普尔 (Kon Knueppel)
后卫 | 夏洛特黄蜂
年龄： 21
2025 NBA Rank： 未上榜
克尼普尔度过了一个历史性的新秀赛季。他以新秀纪录、黄蜂队史纪录和NBA赛季最高的273记三分命中数在最佳新秀评选中名列第二。即将到来的新赛季，克尼普尔将面临变化，因为拉梅洛·鲍尔和迈尔斯·布里奇斯都已离队。上赛季鲍尔送出了克尼普尔73记三分的助攻，是所有传球手-得分手组合中的第四高；布里奇斯则助攻了49记，为队内第二多。——马特·威廉姆斯
标志性数据： 克尼普尔是首位领跑NBA三分命中数（272记）的新秀。在上赛季之前，从未有新秀进入过该榜单前三。
梦幻体育预测： 20.0分、5.8篮板、3.7助攻
47. 德里克·怀特 (Derrick White)
后卫 | 波士顿凯尔特人
年龄： 32
2025 NBA Rank： 26
怀特依然是联盟最出色的防守者之一，但进攻端起伏不定的赛季让他下滑了21位。职业生涯首次，怀特的投篮命中率跌破40%。季后赛中，怀特的场均得分从常规赛的16.5分骤降至首轮的8.7分，投篮命中率30.9%，三分命中率26.5%。随着杰伦·布朗被交易至费城，凯尔特人需要怀特保持稳定，才能在重组后的东部保持竞争力。怀特合同还剩3年9800万美元。——鲍比·马克斯
标志性数据： 在符合统计资格的球员中，怀特的有效投篮命中率从2024-25赛季到2025-26赛季的降幅最大。
梦幻体育预测： 16.6分、5.3助攻、1.2盖帽
46. 布兰登·米勒 (Brandon Miller)
前锋 | 夏洛特黄蜂
年龄： 23
2025 NBA Rank： 76
夏洛特与明尼苏达（拉梅洛·鲍尔）和菲尼克斯（迈尔斯·布里奇斯）的交易不仅是球队方向转变的信号，也是对米勒的无声背书。这位2023年榜眼、身高6英尺7寸的前锋已被证明是可靠的得分手（生涯场均19.0分），并在上赛季提升了效率，三分命中率（38.3%）和罚球命中率（89.2%）均创个人生涯新高。——戴夫·麦克梅纳明
标志性数据： 尽管有鲍尔的存在和克尼普尔的崛起，上赛季仍是以场均20.2分领衔夏洛特的米勒。
梦幻体育预测： 22.3分、5.4篮板、3.7助攻
45. 弗朗茨·瓦格纳 (Franz Wagner)
前锋 | 奥兰多魔术
年龄： 25
2025 NBA Rank： 32
瓦格纳是一名天赋出众的侧翼射手兼得分手，6英尺10寸的身材让他每晚都能制造错位。阻碍瓦格纳首次入选全明星的主要因素是健康问题——过去两个赛季162场可能的比赛中他只打了94场。但瓦格纳在此期间场均得到22.9分，他与保罗·班切罗和德斯蒙德·贝恩的组合让魔术拥有了NBA最令人生畏的2-3-4号位组合之一。——安德烈·斯内林斯
标志性数据： 上赛季瓦格纳生涯最低的34场出战中，奥兰多取得20胜14负（缺阵时25胜23负）。
梦幻体育预测： 22.5分、5.7篮板、4.2助攻
44. 特雷·杨 (Trae Young)
后卫 | 华盛顿奇才
年龄： 28
2025 NBA Rank： 29
除了签下一份新的4年2.128亿美元合同——公平地说，这是一场巨大的胜利——过去一年对杨来说是值得遗忘的一年。他因伤病只打了15场比赛，还被交易到了联盟战绩最差的球队。与此同时，老鹰在送走他后战绩一路飙升。
在奇才的第一个完整赛季，杨必将竭尽全力提升一支上赛季进攻效率排名第29位的球队，但他无法改善排名第30位的防守。华盛顿的一大疑问是，杨会在多大程度上掌控球权，还是偶尔拉开空间、把机会让给奇才外线的年轻组织者。——克拉姆
标志性数据： 杨、奥斯卡·罗伯特森、拉塞尔·威斯布鲁克和尼古拉·约基奇是NBA历史上仅有的连续多个赛季场均至少25分10助攻的球员。
梦幻体育预测： 23.8分、10.8助攻、1.2抢断
43. 达龙·福克斯 (De’Aaron Fox)
后卫 | 圣安东尼奥马刺
年龄： 28
2025 NBA Rank： 35
在两人合作的第一个完整赛季中，福克斯顺利适应了作为维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama) 副手的新角色，但这位6英尺3寸后卫在总决赛中的糟糕表现招致批评，有人呼吁将他雪藏或交易。圣安东尼奥今夏选择力挺福克斯，保留了这位两届全明星以及62胜阵容的主体。然而，随着2025年乐透秀迪伦·哈珀寻求更大的角色，福克斯面临的审视只会愈发严苛。福克斯在2026年季后赛中惨淡的41/29/76投篮命中率必须改善，马刺才能实现冠军梦想。——戈利弗
标志性数据： 自2017-18赛季进入联盟以来，福克斯的关键时刻得分排名第四，仅次于德玛尔·德罗赞、勒布朗·詹姆斯和尼古拉·约基奇。
梦幻体育预测： 20.6分、5.6助攻、1.4抢断
42. 鲁迪·戈贝尔 (Rudy Gobert)
中锋 | 明尼苏达森林狼
年龄： 34
2025 NBA Rank： 49
森林狼上赛季防守效率排名第八，但他们的成功很大程度上取决于戈贝尔是否在场。当他在场时，球队防守效率为108.0；当他坐在替补席上时，这一数字升至115.9。而本赛季戈贝尔比赛中值得关注的一点，将是他与拉梅洛·鲍尔在挡拆中的配合。根据GeniusIQ球员追踪数据，鲍尔上赛季作为持球人发起挡拆的次数排名第二，而戈贝尔作为掩护者完成挡拆的次数排名第三。——威廉姆斯
标志性数据： 戈贝尔的4座最佳防守球员奖杯与迪肯贝·穆托姆博和本·华莱士并列NBA历史最多。
梦幻体育预测： 11.9分、11.7篮板、1.7盖帽
41. 乔尔·恩比德 (Joel Embiid)
中锋 | 费城76人
年龄： 32
2025 NBA Rank： 47
只要恩比德上场，他就高效且必须被写进每一份球探报告——27分8篮板如探囊取物，凭借在三个区域的得分能力成为对位噩梦。但“只要他上场”仍是问题所在，也是这支天赋满满的76人能否一路杀入5月季后赛的最大问号。自2023年荣膺MVP以来，他在246场可能的比赛中只出战了96场（39%）。——古德威尔
标志性数据： 恩比德生涯场均27.64分，排名NBA历史第四，也是前场球员中的第二高（威尔特·张伯伦：30.07）。
梦幻体育预测： 27.4分、8.2篮板、1.2盖帽
40. 安东尼·戴维斯 (Anthony Davis)
前锋 | 华盛顿奇才
年龄： 33
2025 NBA Rank： 14
自从从湖人被震惊性地交易至独行侠以来，戴维斯度过了灾难性的几个赛季。自2025年1月底以来他只出战了29场比赛，并于2月被第二次交易，来到奇才。由于手部伤病，戴维斯尚未代表华盛顿出战，但他将以完全健康的状态迎接2026-27赛季。在戴维斯的经纪团队与奇才今夏搁置续约谈判之后，他本赛季的场上表现将是他长期未来的关键。他本赛季薪水为5850万美元，2027-28赛季还拥有6280万美元的球员选项。——麦克梅纳明
标志性数据： 戴维斯是11位至少10个赛季场均20分10篮板的球员之一。这11人中唯一另一位在21世纪征战过的球员是沙奎尔·奥尼尔，他拥有联盟纪录的13个20+10赛季。
梦幻体育预测： 22.6分、11.4篮板、2.1盖帽
39. 凯里·欧文 (Kyrie Irving)
后卫 | 达拉斯独行侠
年龄： 34
2025 NBA Rank： 未上榜（伤病）
欧文两年前排名第25位，但在右膝前交叉韧带撕裂的康复期间跌出了前100。这位34岁的球员已连续9个赛季场均至少20分，如今重返一支重组后的独行侠，队中拥有库珀·弗拉格和新任主帅达斯蒂·梅。健康的欧文将改善一支助攻数排名第22位、三分命中数排名第29位的进攻。欧文合同还剩两年，包括2027-28赛季的球员选项，如果达拉斯在2月前已无缘季后赛争夺，他可能成为交易筹码。——马克斯
标志性数据： 欧文时常接近投篮命中率50%、三分命中率40%、罚球命中率90%的门槛，并在2020-21赛季真正达成。他是NBA历史上仅有的三位在场均至少20次出手的情况下打出50/40/90赛季的球员之一（斯蒂芬·库里2015-16赛季，拉里·伯德1986-87和1987-88赛季）。
梦幻体育预测： 24.6分、4.8助攻、1.3抢断
38. 斯蒂芬·卡斯尔 (Stephon Castle)
后卫 | 圣安东尼奥马刺
年龄： 21
2025 NBA Rank： 99
进入第二个赛季，卡斯尔在各个方面都提升了自己的比赛。大学时期他就是一位统治级的防守者，拥有大个侧翼的身材和力量，同时具备锁死对方控卫的速度和韧性。卡斯尔的进攻正在发展，他的投篮和传球都在进步，而这两项能力都建立在他运球突破至篮下的天赋之上。卡斯尔与文班亚马和哈珀一起，构成了马刺这支似乎注定要多次闯入总决赛的球队年轻而天赋异禀的核心。——斯内林斯
标志性数据： 上赛季，卡斯尔成为NBA历史上最年轻的单场至少得到40分、12篮板和12助攻的球员。
梦幻体育预测： 18.1分、7.6助攻、5.6篮板
37. 奥斯汀·里夫斯 (Austin Reaves)
后卫 | 洛杉矶湖人
年龄： 28
2025 NBA Rank： 60
里夫斯的梦幻赛季在4月因腹斜肌伤病戛然而止，叠加卢卡·东契奇的腿筋拉伤，共同葬送了湖人的季后赛。他仍获得了一份4年1.8亿美元的续约合同，留在洛杉矶，在勒布朗·詹姆斯自由球员身份加盟76人之后，与东契奇共同打造下一个时代。这位6英尺5寸的双能卫已展现出为自己和队友创造机会的高水准。迈向全明星的下一步，将是他在防守端的持续进步，以及像2023-24赛季那样保持健康、打满全部82场比赛。——麦克梅纳明
标志性数据： 里夫斯是仅有的两位签下亿美元NBA合同的落选秀之一，另一位是同为威奇托州立大学校友的弗雷德·范弗利特。
梦幻体育预测： 23.4分、5.9助攻、4.9篮板
36. 保罗·班切罗 (Paolo Banchero)
前锋 | 奥兰多魔术
年龄： 23
2025 NBA Rank： 17
班切罗是一位气势逼人的前锋，但由于未能打磨掉自身的粗糙棱角，他的身价略有下滑。尽管这位2022年状元秀持续填满数据栏，并率领魔术连续三年闯入季后赛，但也招致了批评者的质疑，他们抨击他不合时宜的出手选择和断断续续的决策。在上赛季至少出手1000次的42名球员中，班切罗的真实投篮命中率仅排第33位，而在他的职业生涯中，魔术的进攻效率从未高于第18位。——戈利弗
标志性数据： 上赛季，班切罗与卢卡·东契奇成为仅有的两位在生涯前两场抢七大战中都得到至少35分的球员。
梦幻体育预测： 23.4分、7.9篮板、5.2助攻
35. 拉梅洛·鲍尔 (LaMelo Ball)
后卫 | 明尼苏达森林狼
年龄： 25
2025 NBA Rank： 63
森林狼需要一名控卫，以及安东尼·爱德华兹身边额外的组织者，而他们通过鲍尔得到了这些。健康问题在过去几个赛季一直困扰着他，但鲍尔在2025-26赛季出战了72场比赛，是他自2021-22赛季（75场）以来的最多出勤。尽管场均时间创生涯新低，鲍尔的三分命中数仍排名第二，并且是八位场均20分7助攻的球员之一。——威廉姆斯
标志性数据： 鲍尔生涯场均命中3.22记三分，在出战至少300场的球员中排名NBA历史第二。（斯蒂芬·库里的场均3.97记排名第一。）
梦幻体育预测： 23.1分、8.0助攻、5.4篮板
34. OG·阿努诺比 (OG Anunoby)
前锋 | 纽约尼克斯
年龄： 29
2025 NBA Rank： 41
上赛季季后赛，阿努诺比的一切终于水到渠成。这位联盟最稳定的球员之一——尽管从未入选全明星——走到了聚光灯下。总决赛第四场的那记补篮是麦迪逊广场花园历史上最伟大的进球之一，他将因此永远被奉为传奇。不过值得一提的是，他可能是尼克斯季后赛中第二好的球员（场均20.1分，命中率高达56/49/85），同时依然保持着锁死级的防守。随着尼克斯力争卫冕，他将承担起防守侧翼和大个子的重任。——古德威尔
标志性数据： 阿努诺比与沃尔特·弗雷泽和伯纳德·金一起，成为仅有的几位在季后赛中场均至少20分、5篮板且命中率55%的尼克斯球员。
梦幻体育预测： 16.9分、5.2篮板、1.5抢断
33. 杰伦·杜伦 (Jalen Duren)
中锋 | 底特律活塞（受限制自由球员）
年龄： 22
2025 NBA Rank： 未上榜
一个最佳阵容赛季让杜伦首次跻身前35，但尽管上赛季常规赛表现出色，疑问依然存在。首先，合同僵局能否在训练营开始前打破？还是杜伦将以一年960万美元的资质报价打完本赛季？签署报价的截止日期是10月1日。其次，杜伦的季后赛挣扎是否会延续？根据ESPN Research的数据，在2026年季后赛中，杜伦场均仅得10.1分，是NBA历史上从常规赛到季后赛得分降幅第二大的球员。——马克斯
标志性数据： 上赛季，杜伦成为首位场均至少15分、10篮板且投篮命中率60%的活塞球员。
梦幻体育预测： 20.3分、11.7篮板、1.0盖帽
32. 詹姆斯·哈登 (James Harden)
后卫 | 克利夫兰骑士
年龄： 37
2025 NBA Rank： 23
在很多方面，如今已年近40的哈登与五年前、甚至在某种程度上与巅峰时期的他并无二致。他总能梳理出高效的进攻。他出手（并命中）聪明的投篮，依然能制造大量罚球。而在最好的情况下，他也只是一个态度平平的防守者。
在赛季中期被交易到克利夫兰后，哈登与多诺万·米切尔配合默契——据databallr统计，当这对组合同时在场时，骑士的进攻效率高达126.4。克利夫兰期待在两人合作的第一个完整赛季中重现、甚至超越这种表现。——克拉姆
标志性数据： 哈登已有7个赛季场均至少20分8助攻，与奥斯卡·罗伯特森（10次）并列历史第二。
梦幻体育预测： 20.6分、8.1助攻、5.0篮板
31. 阿门·汤普森 (Amen Thompson)
前锋 | 休斯顿火箭
年龄： 23
2025 NBA Rank： 37
身高6英尺7寸、体格健壮、弹跳爆发力惊人，汤普森本被视为典型的3D侧翼。但在他三个赛季的职业生涯中，他的进攻技术每年都在快速进步，凭借运球突破的能力和出色的传球视野撕裂对方防线，让他得以大量扮演控球前锋的角色。汤普森就是篮球场上的“五项全能”新秀，正在成长为球队的核心支柱。——斯内林斯
标志性数据： 汤普森和克利夫兰的埃文·莫布利是上赛季仅有的两位完成至少200次扣篮的球员。汤普森的201次扣篮是自2018-19赛季蒙特雷斯·哈雷尔（203次）以来身高不足6英尺10寸球员中的最多纪录。
梦幻体育预测： 17.7分、7.7篮板、5.1助攻、1.5抢断
30. 阿尔佩伦·申京 (Alperen Sengun)
中锋 | 休斯顿火箭
年龄： 24
2025 NBA Rank： 25
在火箭上赛季的揭幕战中，申京面对雷霆投进生涯新高的5记三分，似乎预示着他即将迎来飞跃。但赛季剩余的比赛并未如预期发展，申京最终交出的数据与近几个赛季几乎如出一辙。例如，过去三年他的球员效率值分别为22.0、21.4和21.4。
这些数据足以让申京入选全明星，却不足以让他成为争冠球队的头号选择。进攻端的停滞不前，加上防守端的轻微退步，让申京的天花板看起来比一年前更低了。——克拉姆
标志性数据： 申京、奥斯卡·罗伯特森和卢卡·东契奇是NBA历史上仅有的三位在24岁前多个赛季场均20分8篮板5助攻的球员。
梦幻体育预测： 20.0分、9.4篮板、5.7助攻
29. 帕斯卡尔·西亚卡姆 (Pascal Siakam)
前锋 | 印第安纳步行者
年龄： 32
2025 NBA Rank： 22
在泰瑞斯·哈利伯顿于2025年NBA总决赛受伤后的惨淡赛季里，西亚卡姆是步行者唯一的亮点。他入选了全明星，并以更高的出手量交出了生涯第二高的场均得分。本赛季，哈利伯顿回归，西亚卡姆也将重新回到一支志在重返总决赛的球队的二当家角色。32岁的他依然能保持高效，有时还能成为火力全开的得分手（14场比赛得到30分或以上）。——古德威尔
标志性数据： 西亚卡姆是过去八个赛季中每个赛季都至少出战2000分钟并得到1000分的三名球员之一（德玛尔·德罗赞、尼古拉·约基奇）。
梦幻体育预测： 22.8分、7.3篮板、4.0助攻
28. 巴姆·阿德巴约 (Bam Adebayo)
中锋 | 迈阿密热火
年龄： 29
2025 NBA Rank： 21
上赛季，阿德巴约与沙奎尔·奥尼尔和阿隆佐·莫宁一起，成为仅有的几位单赛季场均20分10篮板的热火球员。他赛季的高光时刻出现在3月10日，当时他狂砍83分，为NBA历史单场第二高分。他热火生涯的下一章将与扬尼斯·阿德托昆博搭档。这位两届MVP、前雄鹿球员拥有与空间型中锋合作的经验，而阿德巴约也能在迈阿密提供同样的帮助。他上赛季出手了400记三分，比他前八个赛季的总和还多。——威廉姆斯
标志性数据： 阿德巴约的83分之夜是自1962年3月威尔特·张伯伦的100分以来的单场最高得分。
梦幻体育预测： 20.2分、10.0篮板、1.2抢断
27. 德尼·阿夫迪亚 (Deni Avdija)
前锋 | 波特兰开拓者
年龄： 25
2025 NBA Rank： 66
当开拓者在2024年一笔几乎无人关注交易中从奇才得到阿夫迪亚时，很少有观察家预见到他会如此迅速地崛起。这位打法强硬的侧翼在2025-26赛季迎来爆发，得分、球员效率值和胜利贡献值均创生涯新高，同时首次入选全明星，并率领波特兰五年来首次重返季后赛。还有更多好消息：考虑到他1301万美元的廉价薪水低于中产特例，阿夫迪亚堪称2026-27赛季NBA性价比最高的球员之一。——戈利弗
标志性数据： 阿夫迪亚上赛季的造犯规次数排名NBA第四，而他在内线制造身体接触方面最为出色。据GeniusIQ统计，阿夫迪亚在内线造成267次犯规，排名NBA第二，仅次于保罗·班切罗（275次）。
梦幻体育预测： 23.0分、7.2篮板、6.3助攻
26. 埃文·莫布利 (Evan Mobley)
前锋 | 克利夫兰骑士
年龄： 25
2025 NBA Rank： 13
骑士续约了多诺万·米切尔，重新签下詹姆斯·哈登，并交易得到佩顿·沃特森。但决定骑士本赛季能走多远的未知数，可能是莫布利。这位2025年的最佳防守球员（同时还入选了最佳阵容第二阵容）在防守端出现了小幅下滑，进攻端也有所退步。常规赛中，莫布利在场时骑士每百回合净胜5.9分，但到了季后赛，这一数字恶化了近10分。——马克斯
标志性数据： 自2022年进入联盟以来，莫布利是六位同时达成400次盖帽和200次抢断的球员之一。
梦幻体育预测： 18.9分、9.8篮板、1.7盖帽
25. 杰伦·威廉姆斯 (Jalen Williams)
后卫 | 俄克拉荷马城雷霆
年龄： 25
2025 NBA Rank： 11
伤病毁掉了威廉姆斯的2025-26赛季，最终也可能成为我们没有把雷霆当作卫冕冠军来讨论的头号原因。首先，在夺得印第安纳冠军后的休赛期手腕手术，导致威廉姆斯缺席了常规赛开局阶段的19场比赛；随后双腿腿筋拉伤又让他缺席了季后赛的大部分比赛。年仅25岁、身高6英尺5寸的威廉姆斯是一名三级得分手段兼备、且在防守端全力以赴的球员。他的三分命中率将成为本赛季的X因素——2023-24赛季他三分命中率达42.7%，而上赛季在有限的出场中仅为29.9%。——麦克梅纳明
标志性数据： 伤病让威廉姆斯上赛季只打了生涯最低的33场比赛，且在雷霆15场季后赛中仅出战5场。
梦幻体育预测： 20.6分、5.3助攻、1.4抢断
24. 切特·霍姆格伦 (Chet Holmgren)
中锋 | 俄克拉荷马城雷霆
年龄： 24
2025 NBA Rank： 24
霍姆格伦拥有护框所需的臂展和时机判断，使他成为除文班亚马之外这一代最出色的防守者。他还具备投篮手感和运球启动的敏捷性，让大多数对方大个子防守他时陷入错位困境。事实上，霍姆格伦的技术如此全面，以至于他面临的最大批评是他在进攻端不够果断，未能充分利用这些错位优势。霍姆格伦依然是雷霆的支柱，但进攻心态的转变可能让他站上超级巨星的门槛。——斯内林斯
标志性数据： 上赛季，霍姆格伦的场均得分（17.1分）、场均篮板（8.9个）和投篮命中率（56%）均创生涯新高。
梦幻体育预测： 16.5分、8.4篮板、2.1盖帽
23. 库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg)
前锋 | 达拉斯独行侠
年龄： 19
2025 NBA Rank： 52
弗拉格的新秀赛季开局平淡，他在被推到不熟悉的控卫位置上时难以适应NBA。但赛季末在他真正的小前锋位置上强势收官——包括4月连续两场砍下51分和45分的疯狂表现——最终助他如愿捧起最佳新秀奖杯。
这位前状元秀要到12月才满20岁，却已是联盟最好的攻防兼备侧翼之一，拥有扎实的防守基础和日益成熟的进攻技术。弗拉格必须提升他的跳投（上赛季三分命中率29.5%），但这可能是他通往全明星之路上唯一的真正障碍。——克拉姆
标志性数据： 弗拉格是NBA历史上首位单场得到50分的青少年球员。
梦幻体育预测： 22.3分、7.0篮板、4.8助攻
22. 杰伦·约翰逊 (Jalen Johnson)
前锋 | 亚特兰大老鹰
年龄： 24
2025 NBA Rank： 44
老鹰将火炬从特雷·杨手中传给约翰逊显然是正确的决定，后者凭借高产得惊人的2025-26赛季首次入选全明星。这位6英尺8寸的前锋在老鹰的快节奏进攻中如鱼得水，既擅长组织又精于终结，并帮助球队取得了自2015-16赛季以来的最多胜场。更重要的是，他+3.2的净效率值超过了杨此前四个赛季中的最佳纪录。要想在排名中继续攀升，这位24岁的约翰逊必须证明自己的比赛风格能完全转化到季后赛中——此前他对阵尼克斯的系列赛表现平平。——戈利弗
标志性数据： 约翰逊上赛季的13次三双创造了老鹰队史纪录。
梦幻体育预测： 23.0分、10.6篮板、7.9助攻
21. 贾马尔·穆雷 (Jamal Murray)
后卫 | 丹佛掘金
年龄： 29
2025 NBA Rank： 46
穆雷在本次排名中跃升幅度位居前列，他生涯首次入选全明星并跻身最佳阵容。他是2025-26赛季唯一一位场均至少25分、7助攻且三分命中率40%的球员。穆雷还在关键时刻得分和助攻两项数据中均排名前二，最终在年度关键球员评选中名列第二。——威廉姆斯
标志性数据： 上赛季，穆雷的场均得分（25.4分）、场均助攻（7.1次）和三分命中数（245记）均创生涯新高。
梦幻体育预测： 23.1分、6.6助攻、4.1篮板
20. 德文·布克 (Devin Booker)
后卫 | 菲尼克斯太阳
年龄： 29
2025 NBA Rank： 16
布克是适应力最强的球星之一，尽管太阳近年来围绕他组建了多套不同的阵容，他依然持续闪耀。从与克里斯·保罗搭档，到与凯文·杜兰特并肩作战，再到如今与迪隆·布鲁克斯成为队友。可以放心地为他写下26分6助攻的数据，外加胜任两个后卫位置的能力，以及带伤作战的坚韧。他在联盟的11个赛季全部效力于菲尼克斯，且合同签至2029-30赛季——一位罕见的一人一城球星。——古德威尔
标志性数据： 据GeniusIQ追踪数据，布克是上赛季至少完成1000次突破的五名球员之一，也是突破得分达到1000分的八名球员之一（至少500次突破）。
梦幻体育预测： 26.5分、6.7助攻、4.2篮板
19. 泰瑞斯·哈利伯顿 (Tyrese Haliburton)
后卫 | 印第安纳步行者
年龄： 26
2025 NBA Rank： 未上榜（伤病）
如果不是在2025年NBA总决赛第七场遭遇跟腱撕裂，哈利伯顿本应位列去年前15。整个上赛季作壁上观的哈利伯顿，眼睁睁看着联盟最出色的进攻之一在各项数据上全面崩塌。步行者的进攻效率排名第27位，投篮命中率第26位，三分命中率第20位，快攻得分第18位。——马克斯
标志性数据： 自1977-78赛季开始统计个人失误以来，哈利伯顿的助攻失误比（3.81）排名NBA季后赛历史第二（至少300次助攻）（约翰·帕克森：4.31）。
梦幻体育预测： 19.2分、9.9助攻、1.3抢断
18. 勒布朗·詹姆斯 (LeBron James)
前锋 | 费城76人
年龄： 41
2025 NBA Rank： 8
看到詹姆斯跌出前十令人错愕。但换个角度看，一位几个月后就将年满42岁的球员仍位列前25，或许才是更恰当的视角，足以体现这位22届全明星仍在书写的成就。上赛季詹姆斯已成功担任湖人的第三选择，如今他很可能在76人继续扮演类似角色，位居泰瑞斯·马克西和杰伦·布朗之后。不同的是，在湖人时詹姆斯的出手权要让位于东契奇和里夫斯，而在费城他的触球权可能不会受到太大影响。76人篮球运营总裁迈克·甘西已表示，球队将让詹姆斯打控球前锋、梳理进攻，类似于他在湖人2020年夺冠时的角色。——麦克梅纳明
标志性数据： 41岁的詹姆斯上赛季的快攻得分排名NBA第二，仅次于新队友马克西。
梦幻体育预测： 21.0分、7.0助攻、6.3篮板
17. 斯科蒂·巴恩斯 (Scottie Barnes)
前锋 | 多伦多猛龙
年龄： 25
2025 NBA Rank： 30
巴恩斯已从2022年的最佳新秀成长为即将开启第六个赛季的两届全明星。他是猛龙攻防两端无所不能的引擎，在最佳防守球员投票中排名第五，同时领跑全队助攻并场均贡献近20分。本赛季，他将与科怀·伦纳德一起，成为猛龙的核心，力争从附加赛边缘的顽强竞争者蜕变为真正的季后赛劲旅。——斯内林斯
标志性数据： 巴恩斯上赛季在篮板、助攻、抢断和盖帽四项数据上均领跑全队。自2017-18赛季以来，只有勒布朗·詹姆斯（2021-22赛季）和尼古拉·约基奇（2017-18赛季）曾达成这一壮举。
梦幻体育预测： 18.8分、7.7篮板、6.0助攻、1.4抢断
16. 卡尔-安东尼·唐斯 (Karl-Anthony Towns)
中锋 | 纽约尼克斯
年龄： 30
2025 NBA Rank： 27
上赛季很少有球员的声誉像唐斯那样大幅提升。纵观职业生涯，这位2015年状元秀一直饱受愚蠢失误——致命的失误、无谓的犯规——的批评，甚至在上赛季中期，关于他在迈克·布朗执教下纽约进攻体系中角色的争议仍不绝于耳。
但这一切在一段神奇的季后赛之旅中彻底改变，唐斯三分命中率达46%，并打出了生涯最佳、最稳定的防守，一路夺得总冠军。他在季后赛中场均仅得16分，却是一位教科书级别的角色球员。随着米切尔·罗宾逊以自由球员身份转投波士顿，如果唐斯在中锋位置上的挣扎重现，尼克斯并没有太多B计划。但他在季后赛中已经充分证明了自己。——克拉姆
标志性数据： 在尼克斯2026年夺冠之旅中，唐斯成为NBA季后赛历史上首位在至少出战400分钟的情况下打出55/45/90命中率的球员。
梦幻体育预测： 21.9分、11.2篮板、4.4助攻
15. 科怀·伦纳德 (Kawhi Leonard)
前锋 | 多伦多猛龙
年龄： 35
2025 NBA Rank： 20
在快船的七个赛季以不光彩的方式收场后，伦纳德远走高飞前往加拿大。虽然这位七届全明星在NBA薪资规避调查中仅被罚款70万美元，但据报道，他的猛龙重逢之旅将在另一项联邦调查的阴影下进行。在球场上，伦纳德上赛季的得分和球员效率值均创生涯新高——考虑到他6月才年满35岁，这是了不起的成就。多伦多的年轻阵容应能受益于他的冠军经验，但自2021年以来再未突破首轮的伦纳德，必须证明自己仍能在季后赛中火力全开。——戈利弗
标志性数据： 上赛季场均27.9分创生涯新高的伦纳德，在快船的最后57场比赛中每场都得到至少20分，追平了鲍勃·麦卡杜保持的队史最长连续纪录。
梦幻体育预测： 25.1分、6.2篮板、1.7抢断
14. 杰伦·布朗 (Jaylen Brown)
前锋 | 费城76人
年龄： 29
2025 NBA Rank： 19
随着杰森·塔图姆缺席2025-26赛季的大部分比赛，布朗的使用率排名联盟第三，仅次于东契奇和阿德托昆博。他在这些时间里不负众望，场均得到28.7分，为凯尔特人队史单赛季第五高。此外，布朗成为凯尔特人队史第四位单赛季场均25分5篮板5助攻的球员，与塔图姆、拉里·伯德和约翰·哈夫利切克齐名。但转投76人带来了新的疑问：与詹姆斯、恩比德和马克西并肩作战时，他的使用率会是什么样子？——威廉姆斯
标志性数据： 上赛季，布朗的场均得分（28.7分）、篮板（6.9个）和助攻（5.1次）均创生涯新高。
梦幻体育预测： 23.9分、5.9篮板、4.3助攻
13. 凯文·杜兰特 (Kevin Durant)
前锋 | 休斯顿火箭
年龄： 37
2025 NBA Rank： 9
尽管人们总在谈论NBA的不老传奇，但凯文·杜兰特（周二将年满38岁）并不算低调，可他的持久力却有些被低估了。他第12次入选最佳阵容，与德克·诺维茨基、哈基姆·奥拉朱旺和杰里·韦斯特等人并列联盟历史第七。自2019年右跟腱重伤以来，他场均交出27分6篮板5助攻，命中率为53/41/88。他在加盟火箭的首个赛季帮助球队稳住阵脚，但火箭在首轮不敌湖人黯然出局。杜兰特是一位以身作则的领袖，而这有时似乎与队内的年轻球员产生冲突。火箭是否有足够的领导力？在头重脚轻的西部，他是否还有足够的油箱？——古德威尔
标志性数据： 杜兰特带着连续四个赛季场均至少25分、投篮命中率50%、三分命中率40%的纪录进入2026-27赛季。没有任何其他球员生涯达成过超过三个这样的赛季。
梦幻体育预测： 25.0分、5.6篮板、4.4助攻
12. 斯蒂芬·库里 (Stephen Curry)
后卫 | 金州勇士
年龄： 38
2025 NBA Rank： 7
对耐久性的担忧让库里跌出前十。在因腿筋伤势缺席2025年第二轮大部分比赛后，库里在2025-26赛季的出战场次为生涯第三少。（自1月24日起，他因右膝伤势缺席了29场比赛。）即便吉米·巴特勒三世和摩西·穆迪将长期缺阵，管理库里的出场时间仍将是关键。上赛季，他的场均出场时间为过去六个赛季最低。这位38岁的球星有资格签下一份最高2年1.37亿美元的续约合同。——马克斯
标志性数据： 库里为勇士砍下26528分，在NBA历史单一球队得分榜上排名第三，仅次于科比·布莱恩特（湖人33643分）和德克·诺维茨基（独行侠31560分）。
梦幻体育预测： 25.8分、5.3助攻、4.2篮板、4.6记三分
11. 泰瑞斯·马克西 (Tyrese Maxey)
后卫 | 费城76人
年龄： 25
2025 NBA Rank： 28
马克西的场均得分在进入联盟的六个赛季中逐年攀升，上赛季达到场均28.3分（联盟第五），并因此入选最佳阵容第三阵容。马克西的存在对勒布朗·詹姆斯决定加盟76人起到了多大作用，怎么强调都不为过。这位25岁的双能卫将肩负起让詹姆斯和杰伦·布朗感到宾至如归的重任，同时还要最大化恩比德和VJ·埃奇科姆等留队天赋的价值。从马克西的比赛风格和个性来看，没有任何理由怀疑他无法在本赛季聚光灯更加耀眼的情况下继续大放异彩。——麦克梅纳明
标志性数据： 马克西在NBA生涯的每个赛季都提升了场均得分和三分命中率。
梦幻体育预测： 24.8分、5.8助攻、1.6抢断
由生成式 AI 翻译，翻译内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
查看原文：NBA Rank 2026, players Nos. 50-11: Where LeBron, Steph, KD check in
NBA Rank 2026, players Nos. 50-11: Where LeBron, Steph, KD check in
NBA Rank is back! With less than one month until opening night, let’s continue counting down the league’s best players for 2026-27.
After unveiling players Nos. 100-51 on Tuesday, our rankings now enter the top 50. It’s a group headlined by former MVPs, future first-ballot Hall of Famers and young stars expected to take major leaps this season.
It’s also where LeBron James checks in, his first time outside the top 10 in NBA Rank’s 15-year history. (You can jump to LeBron’s NBA Rank here.)
The rankings rollout concludes Thursday with our expert panel’s top 10 players. And that panel has been overhauled for the 2026 edition.
In previous seasons, more than 100 ESPN NBA insiders, reporters, editors and producers voted on thousands of possible player vs. player matchups to arrive at the final top-100 list. That “wisdom of the crowd” approach has given way to the wisdom of seven: ESPN’s Ben Golliver, Vincent Goodwill, Zach Kram, Bobby Marks, Dave McMenamin, André Snellings and Matt “Stats” Williams. (The panelists’ individual top-100 lists were combined to create our final rankings.)
Voting guidelines, however, remained unchanged. The panel was asked to rank players based on predicted contributions – quality and quantity – for the 2026-27 regular season only.
Let’s get to the list, which features plenty of superstars who just missed our top 10.
Note: Signature stats provided by ESPN Research.
50. Dylan Harper
G | San Antonio Spurs
Age: 20
2025 NBA Rank: NR
The youngest member of the Spurs was the one who seemed to rise highest in the altitude of the Finals and stands to make a big jump in Year 2, whether he stays coming off the bench or makes the leap to the first five. He will earn more respect from the officials (1.7 free throw attempts in 69 games as a rookie), take a bigger role in the offense and improve on his already-respectable playmaking. Harper is an All-Star in the making. – Vincent Goodwill
Signature stat: Harper had six games with at least 15 points and 65% shooting from the field in the 2026 playoffs, the most by a guard in NBA postseason history.
Fantasy projection: 15.2 PTS, 5.0 AST, 4.4 REB
49. Lauri Markkanen
F | Utah Jazz
Age: 29
2025 NBA Rank: 43
Markkanen, a scoring forward who can stretch the court, has languished as a forgotten man in Utah. The Finnish star’s competence often came into conflict with the Jazz’s desire to improve their draft positioning during a multiyear rebuilding effort, and he has appeared in only one game in April over the past four seasons. Though his contract is overly generous for a player lacking All-NBA credentials, Markkanen should benefit from Utah’s recent talent upgrades as he eyes his first career postseason appearance. – Ben Golliver
Signature stat: Markkanen has nine seasons with at least 100 3-pointers, tied with Karl-Anthony Towns and Dirk Nowitzki for the most by a 7-footer in NBA history.
Fantasy projection: 23.8 PTS, 7.2 REB, 1.9 AST
48. Kon Knueppel
G | Charlotte Hornets
Age: 21
2025 NBA Rank: NR
Knueppel had a historic debut season. He finished second for Rookie of the Year with a rookie-record, Hornets-record and NBA season-high 273 made 3-pointers. There will be change for Knueppel this coming season, as LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges are both gone. Ball assisted on 73 of Knueppel’s 3s last season, the fourth most by any passer-scorer combination. Bridges assisted on 49, the second most on the team. – Matt Williams
Signature stat: Knueppel was the first rookie to lead the NBA in made 3-pointers (272). Before last season, no first-year player had ever finished in the top three.
Fantasy projection: 20.0 PTS, 5.8 REB, 3.7 AST
47. Derrick White
G | Boston Celtics
Age: 32
2025 NBA Rank: 26
White continues to be one of the league’s best defenders, but an inconsistent season on offense has him sliding back 21 spots. For the first time in his career, White shot less than 40% from the field. In the playoffs, White’s points per game decreased from 16.5 in the regular season to 8.7 in the first round. He shot 30.9% from the field and 26.5% on 3s. With Jaylen Brown traded to Philadelphia, the Celtics need consistency from White to contend in the revamped Eastern Conference. White has three years and $98 million remaining on his contract. – Bobby Marks
Signature stat: Among qualified players, White saw the largest drop in effective field goal percentage from 2024-25 to 2025-26.
Fantasy projection: 16.6 PTS, 5.3 AST, 1.2 BLK
46. Brandon Miller
F | Charlotte Hornets
Age: 23
2025 NBA Rank: 76
Charlotte’s deals with Minnesota (LaMelo Ball) and Phoenix (Miles Bridges) weren’t just signals of a change in the franchise’s direction but also were a tacit endorsement of Miller. Selected No. 2 in 2023, the 6-7 forward is a proven scorer (19.0 PPG for his career) and made strides in his efficiency last season by setting personal bests in accuracy from 3 (38.3%) and the foul line (89.2%). – Dave McMenamin
Signature stat: Despite the presence of Ball and the emergence of Knueppel, it was Miller who led Charlotte with 20.2 points per game last season.
Fantasy projection: 22.3 PTS, 5.4 REB, 3.7 AST
45. Franz Wagner
F | Orlando Magic
Age: 25
2025 NBA Rank: 32
Wagner is a talented shooter-scorer on the wing whose 6-10 size makes him a nightly mismatch. The main thing standing between Wagner and his first All-Star selection has been health, with him playing only 94 of a possible 162 games the past two seasons. But Wagner has averaged 22.9 points per game in that span and matches with Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane to give the Magic one of the most formidable 2-3-4 combos in the NBA. – André Snellings
Signature stat: Orlando went 20-14 in Wagner’s career-low 34 games played last season (25-23 without).
Fantasy projection: 22.5 PTS, 5.7 REB. 4.2 AST
44. Trae Young
G | Washington Wizards
Age: 28
2025 NBA Rank: 29
Other than landing a new four-year, $212.8 million contract – a huge win, to be fair – the past year was one to forget for Young. He played only 15 games due to injuries and was traded to the team with the worst record in the league. Meanwhile, the Hawks took off in the standings after dealing him.
In his first full season as a Wizard, Young will surely do his part to boost an offense that ranked 29th in efficiency last year, but he won’t help a defense that ranked 30th. One major question for Washington is how much Young dominates on the ball, versus occasionally spacing the floor and deferring to the Wizards’ young playmakers on the perimeter. – Kram
Signature stat: Young, Oscar Robertson, Russell Westbrook and Nikola Jokic are the only players in NBA history with at least 25 points and 10 assists per game in consecutive seasons.
Fantasy projection: 23.8 PTS, 10.8 AST, 1.2 STL
43. De’Aaron Fox
G | San Antonio Spurs
Age: 28
2025 NBA Rank: 35
Fox smoothly downshifted into his new life as Victor Wembanyama’s sidekick in their first full season together, but the 6-3 guard’s poor play in the Finals led critics to call for him to be benched or traded. San Antonio stood by Fox this summer, opting to keep the two-time All-Star and the bulk of its 62-win team intact. However, the scrutiny on Fox will only intensify with 2025 lottery pick Dylan Harper eyeing an expanded role. Fox’s unsightly 41/29/76 shooting splits in the 2026 playoffs simply must improve for the Spurs to fulfill their championship dreams. – Golliver
Signature stat: Fox ranks fourth in clutch time points since entering the league in 2017-18, behind DeMar DeRozan, LeBron James and Nikola Jokic.
Fantasy projection: 20.6 PTS, 5.6 AST, 1.4 STL
42. Rudy Gobert
C | Minnesota Timberwolves
Age: 34
2025 NBA Rank: 49
The Timberwolves ranked eighth in defensive efficiency last season, but their success varied depending on the presence of Gobert. When he was on the floor, they had a 108.0 defensive rating. That rose to 115.9 when Gobert was on the bench. But the intriguing part of Gobert’s game this season will be his partnership with LaMelo Ball in the pick-and-roll. Ball ranked second in on-ball screens as the ball handler last season, while Gobert was third in picks set as the screener, according to GeniusIQ player tracking. – Williams
Signature stat: Gobert’s four Defensive Player of the Year awards is tied for the most in NBA history with Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace.
Fantasy projection: 11.9 PTS, 11.7 REB, 1.7 BLK
41. Joel Embiid
C | Philadelphia 76ers
Age: 32
2025 NBA Rank: 47
When Embiid plays, he’s productive and must be accounted for on every scouting report – a shoo-in for 27 points and eight boards and a matchup nightmare with his ability to score at all three levels. But “when he plays” is still an issue, the biggest question mark for whether this talent-laden 76ers experiment can lead to a run through May. Since winning MVP in 2023, he has played in a possible 96 of 246 games (39%). – Goodwill
Signature stat: Embiid has averaged 27.64 points per game throughout his career, fourth most in NBA history and second most by a frontcourt player (Wilt Chamberlain: 30.07).
Fantasy projection: 27.4 PTS, 8.2 REB, 1.2 BLK
40. Anthony Davis
F | Washington Wizards
Age: 33
2025 NBA Rank: 14
It has been a disastrous couple of seasons for Davis since his shocking trade from the Lakers to the Mavericks. He has appeared in just 29 games since late-January 2025 and was traded a second time to the Wizards in February. Davis has yet to play for Washington due to a hand injury but enters 2026-27 fully healthy, and his on-court performance this season will be key to his long-term future after Davis’ representatives and the Wizards shelved extension talks this summer. He’s owed $58.5 million this season and has a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28. – McMenamin
Signature stat: Davis is one of 11 players to average 20 points and 10 rebounds per game in at least 10 seasons. The only other player among the 11 to have played in the 21st century is Shaquille O’Neal, with a league-record 13 20-10 seasons.
Fantasy projection: 22.6 PTS, 11.4 REB, 2.1 BLK
39. Kyrie Irving
G | Dallas Mavericks
Age: 34
2025 NBA Rank: NR (injury)
Irving was 25th two years ago but dropped out of the top 100 while recovering from a torn right ACL. The 34-year-old has averaged at least 20 points per game in nine straight seasons and rejoins a revamped Maverick roster featuring Cooper Flagg and new coach Dusty May. A healthy Irving will improve an offense that ranked 22nd in assists and 29th in 3-pointers made. Irving has two years left on his contract, including a player option in 2027-28, and could be a trade candidate if Dallas is out of playoff contention by February. – Marks
Signature stat: Irving, who has routinely flirted with shooting splits of 50% from the field, 40% from 3 and 90% from the free throw line, pulled off the feat in 2020-21. He is one of three players in NBA history with a 50/40/90 season on at least 20 shots per game (Stephen Curry in 2015-16, Larry Bird in 1986-87 and 1987-88).
Fantasy projection: 24.6 PTS, 4.8 AST, 1.3 STL
38. Stephon Castle
G | San Antonio Spurs
Age: 21
2025 NBA Rank: 99
Castle raised his game in every way as a sophomore. He was a dominant defender coming out of college, with the size and strength of a big wing but with the quickness and tenacity to lock up opposing point guards. Castle’s offensive game is developing as he improves as both a shooter and a distributor, both skills building from his natural ability to get to the rim off the dribble. Castle joins Wembanyama and Harper as the young, supremely talented nucleus of a Spurs team that seems destined for many more Finals trips. – Snellings
Signature stat: Last season, Castle became the youngest player in NBA history to record at least 40 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists in a game.
Fantasy projection: 18.1 PTS, 7.6 AST, 5.6 REB
37. Austin Reaves
G | Los Angeles Lakers
Age: 28
2025 NBA Rank: 60
Reaves’ dream season was cut short in April by an oblique injury that, paired with Luka Doncic’s hamstring strain, helped derail the Lakers’ postseason. He was still rewarded with a four-year, $180 million extension to stay in L.A. and build the next era with Doncic after LeBron James’ departure to the 76ers in free agency. The 6-5 combo guard has shown his ability to make plays for himself and others at a high level. The next step in him reaching All-Star status will be his continued improvement defensively and having health on his side like in 2023-24 when he played all 82 games. – McMenamin
Signature stat: Reaves is one of two undrafted players to sign a $100 million NBA contract, along with fellow Wichita State alum Fred VanVleet.
Fantasy projection: 23.4 PTS, 5.9 AST, 4.9 REB
36. Paolo Banchero
F | Orlando Magic
Age: 23
2025 NBA Rank: 17
Banchero is an imposing forward whose stock has taken a slight hit due to his inability to smooth out his rough edges. While the 2022 No. 1 overall pick has regularly stuffed the stat sheet and led the Magic to three straight playoff appearances, he has also collected naysayers who decry his anachronistic shot selection and choppy decision-making. Banchero ranked 33rd in true shooting percentage out of the 42 players who attempted at least 1,000 shots last season, and the Magic have never ranked higher than 18th in offensive efficiency during his career. – Golliver
Signature stat: Last season, Banchero joined Luka Doncic as the only players to score at least 35 points in their first two career Game 7s.
Fantasy projection: 23.4 PTS, 7.9 REB, 5.2 AST
35. LaMelo Ball
G | Minnesota Timberwolves
Age: 25
2025 NBA Rank: 63
The Timberwolves needed a point guard and additional creator next to Anthony Edwards and they got that in Ball. Health had been an issue over the past few seasons, but Ball played 72 games in 2025-26, his most since 2021-22 (75). And despite a career low in minutes, Ball ranked second in made 3-pointers and was one of eight players to average 20 points and seven assists per game. – Williams
Signature stat: Ball averages 3.22 made 3-pointers per game for his career, the second most in NBA history among players with at least 300 games played. (Stephen Curry’s 3.97 per game is first.)
Fantasy projection: 23.1 PTS, 8.0 AST, 5.4 REB
34. OG Anunoby
F | New York Knicks
Age: 29
2025 NBA Rank: 41
It all came together for Anunoby last postseason. One of the league’s most consistent players, despite never making an All-Star team, stepped into the forefront. That tip-in in Game 4 of the Finals was one of the biggest baskets in Madison Square Garden history, and he’ll be royalty forever for it. Quietly, though, he might’ve been the Knicks’ second-best player in the postseason (20.1 points on ridiculous 56/49/85 splits) while still playing lockdown defense. He’ll be tasked with guarding wings and bigs as the Knicks try to repeat. – Goodwill
Signature stat: Anunoby joined Walt Frazier and Bernard King as only Knicks players to average at least 20 points, five rebounds and 55% shooting in the postseason.
Fantasy projection: 16.9 PTS, 5.2 REB, 1.5 STL
33. Jalen Duren
C | Detroit Pistons (restricted FA)
Age: 22
2025 NBA Rank: NR
An All-NBA season puts Duren in the top 35 for the first time, but questions remain despite last year’s regular-season success. First, will the contract stalemate end before the start of training camp or will Duren play out this season on a one-year, $9.6 million qualifying offer? The deadline to sign the offer is Oct. 1. Second, will Duren’s postseason struggles carry over? In the 2026 playoffs, Duren averaged 10.1 points per game, the second-largest scoring decrease from the regular season to the postseason in NBA history, according to ESPN Research. – Marks
Signature stat: Last season, Duren became the first Piston to average at least 15 points, 10 rebounds and 60% shooting from the field.
Fantasy projection: 20.3 PTS, 11.7 REB, 1.0 BLK
32. James Harden
G | Cleveland Cavaliers
Age: 37
2025 NBA Rank: 23
In many ways, Harden remains the same player now, in his late 30s, as he was half a decade ago, or even to some extent in his prime. He always orchestrates efficient offenses. He takes (and makes) smart shots and still generates gobs of free throws. And he’s an indifferent defender at the best of times.
After a midseason trade to Cleveland, Harden meshed well with Donovan Mitchell, as the Cavaliers posted a 126.4 offensive rating with that duo on the floor, per databallr. Cleveland is hoping for more of the same, or an even better performance, in their first full season together. – Kram
Signature stat: Harden has seven seasons with at least 20 points and eight assists per game, tied with Oscar Robertson (10) for second all time.
Fantasy projection: 20.6 PTS, 8.1 AST, 5.0 REB
31. Amen Thompson
F | Houston Rockets
Age: 23
2025 NBA Rank: 37
At 6-7 with a sturdy frame and explosive leaping ability, Thompson profiled as a prototypical 3-and-D wing. But his offensive game has developed rapidly in each of his three seasons, allowing him to play a lot of point forward with his ability to penetrate off the dribble and break down opposing defenses with an eye for playmaking. Thompson is the basketball equivalent of a five-tool prospect who is growing into a franchise centerpiece. – Snellings
Signature stat: Thompson and Cleveland’s Evan Mobley were the only players with at least 200 dunks last season. Thompson’s 201 dunks were the most by a player shorter than 6-10 since Montrezl Harrell in 2018-19 (203).
Fantasy projection: 17.7 PTS, 7.7 REB, 5.1 AST, 1.5 STL
30. Alperen Sengun
C | Houston Rockets
Age: 24
2025 NBA Rank: 25
In Houston’s first game last season, Sengun made a career-high five 3-pointers against the Thunder; it seemed as if he was poised to take a leap. But the rest of the season didn’t quite work out that way, as Sengun finished with essentially the same numbers as he has in every recent season. For instance, his player efficiency rating has been 22.0, 21.4 and 21.4 over the past three years.
Those numbers are still sufficient to make Sengun an All-Star, but not the primary option on a contender. Combine that offensive plateau with a minor step back defensively, and Sengun’s ceiling looks lower now than it did a year ago. – Kram
Signature stat: Sengun, Oscar Robertson and Luka Doncic are the only players in NBA history to average 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists in multiple seasons before turning 24 years old.
Fantasy projection: 20.0 PTS, 9.4 REB, 5.7 AST
29. Pascal Siakam
F | Indiana Pacers
Age: 32
2025 NBA Rank: 22
Siakam was the lone bright spot in a miserable Pacers season following Tyrese Haliburton’s injury in the 2025 NBA Finals. He made the All-Star team and put up the second-highest scoring average in his career on higher volume. This season, Haliburton returns and Siakam returns to his role as co-star on a team that has designs on getting back to the NBA Finals. At 32 years old, his game should still be highly effective, and at times he can be a potent scorer (14 games of 30 points or more). – Goodwill
Signature stat: Siakam is one of three players with at least 2,000 minutes and 1,000 points in each of the past eight seasons (DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Jokic).
Fantasy projection: 22.8 PTS, 7.3 REB, 4.0 AST
28. Bam Adebayo
C | Miami Heat
Age: 29
2025 NBA Rank: 21
Last season, Adebayo joined Shaquille O’Neal and Alonzo Mourning as the only Heat players to average 20 points and 10 rebounds in a season. The highlight of Adebayo’s campaign came on March 10, when he scored 83 points, the second most in a game in NBA history. The next chapter in his Heat career pairs him with Giannis Antetokounmpo. The two-time MVP and former Buck has experience playing with floor-spacing centers, and Adebayo can provide the same help in Miami. He attempted 400 3-pointers last season, more than his first eight seasons combined. – Williams
Signature stat: Adebayo’s 83-point night was the highest-scoring game since Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 in March 1962.
Fantasy projection: 20.2 PTS, 10.0 REB, 1.2 STL
27. Deni Avdija
F | Portland Trail Blazers
Age: 25
2025 NBA Rank: 66
Few observers saw Avdija’s rapid ascension coming when the Blazers acquired him from the Wizards in a largely overlooked 2024 trade. The punishing wing enjoyed a breakout 2025-26 campaign, posting career highs in scoring, player efficiency rating and win shares while earning his first All-Star selection and leading Portland to the playoffs for the first time in five years. There’s more good news: Avdija projects as one of the NBA’s best values in 2026-27 given that his bargain $13.1 million salary is less than the midlevel exception. – Golliver
Signature stat: Avdija finished fourth in NBA in drawing fouls last season, but he was at his best drawing contact in the paint. Avdija drew 267 fouls in the paint, second in the NBA behind Paolo Banchero (275), per GeniusIQ.
Fantasy projection: 23.0 PTS, 7.2 REB, 6.3 AST
26. Evan Mobley
F | Cleveland Cavaliers
Age: 25
2025 NBA Rank: 13
The Cavaliers extended Donovan Mitchell, re-signed James Harden and traded for Peyton Watson. But the wild card in how far the Cavaliers go this season could become Mobley. Named Defensive Player of the Year in 2025 (he was also named All-NBA second team), Mobley saw a small dip on the defensive end and regressed offensively. The Cavaliers were plus-5.9 points per 100 possessions with Mobley on the court in the regular season but nearly 10 points worse in the postseason. – Marks
Signature stat: Since entering the league in 2022, Mobley is one of six players with 400 blocks and 200 steals.
Fantasy projection: 18.9 PTS, 9.8 REB, 1.7 BLK
25. Jalen Williams
G | Oklahoma City Thunder
Age: 25
2025 NBA Rank: 11
Injuries sabotaged Williams’ 2025-26 season and ultimately could be the No. 1 reason why we’re not talking about the Thunder as back-to-back champs. First, offseason wrist surgery following the title over Indiana caused Williams to miss 19 games to start the regular season, then hamstring strains to both legs sidelined him for most of the postseason. Still only 25, the 6-5 Williams is a three-level scorer who commits on the defensive end. His 3-point accuracy will be an X factor for him this season. He shot 42.7% from deep in 2023-24 but just 29.9% in limited action last year. – McMenamin
Signature stat: Injuries limited Williams to a career-low 33 games last season, and he played in just five of Thunder’s 15 playoff games.
Fantasy projection: 20.6 PTS, 5.3 AST, 1.4 STL
24. Chet Holmgren
C | Oklahoma City Thunder
Age: 24
2025 NBA Rank: 24
Holmgren has the length and timing as a shot blocker to make him the best defender of his generation outside of Wembanyama. Holmgren also has the shooting touch and quickness off the dribble to make him a mismatch for most opposing big men to defend. Holmgren’s skill set is so strong, in fact, that the biggest criticism he faces is that he isn’t aggressive enough on offense to take advantage of those mismatches. Holmgren remains a pillar for the Thunder, but a shift in offensive mindset could put him on the brink of superstardom. – Snellings
Signature stat: Last season, Holmgren set career highs in points per game (17.1), rebounds per game (8.9) and field goal percentage (56%).
Fantasy projection: 16.5 PTS, 8.4 REB, 2.1 BLK
23. Cooper Flagg
F | Dallas Mavericks
Age: 19
2025 NBA Rank: 52
Flagg’s rookie season began with a whimper, as he struggled to adjust to the NBA while being thrust into the unfamiliar position of point guard. But it ended with a bang at his rightful position of small forward, as a torrid late-season burst – including back-to-back games with 51 and 45 points in April – propelled him to his expected Rookie of the Year honor.
The former No. 1 pick doesn’t even celebrate his 20th birthday until December, yet he’s already one of the best two-way wings in the league, with a strong defensive foundation and a budding offensive skill set. Flagg must improve his jump shot (29.5% on 3s last year), but that might be the only real obstacle standing in the way of an All-Star berth. – Kram
Signature stat: Flagg is the first teenager in NBA history to record a 50-point game.
Fantasy projection: 22.3 PTS, 7.0 REB, 4.8 AST
22. Jalen Johnson
F | Atlanta Hawks
Age: 24
2025 NBA Rank: 44
The Hawks clearly made the right call by passing the torch from Trae Young to Johnson, who earned his first All-Star selection with an absurdly productive 2025-26 season. The 6-8 forward thrived as a playmaker and finisher in Atlanta’s up-tempo attack, and he helped lead the franchise to its most wins since 2015-16. What’s more, his plus-3.2 net rating surpassed Young’s best mark in any of the previous four seasons. To climb even further up these rankings, the 24-year-old Johnson must prove his game can fully translate to the postseason after an underwhelming series against the Knicks. – Golliver
Signature stat: Johnson’s 13 triple-doubles last season set the Hawks franchise record.
Fantasy projection: 23.0 PTS, 10.6 REB, 7.9 AST
21. Jamal Murray
G | Denver Nuggets
Age: 29
2025 NBA Rank: 46
Murray had one of the bigger jumps in the rankings after being named an All-Star and making All-NBA for the first time in his career. He was the only player to average at least 25 points, seven assists and 40% on 3-pointers in 2025-26. Murray also finished second for Clutch Player of the Year after ranking top two in clutch time points and assists. – Williams
Signature stat: Last season, Murray set career highs in points per game (25.4), assists per game (7.1) and 3-pointers made (245).
Fantasy projection: 23.1 PTS, 6.6 AST, 4.1 REB
20. Devin Booker
G | Phoenix Suns
Age: 29
2025 NBA Rank: 16
Booker is one of the most malleable stars, as the Suns have assembled various teams around him in recent years yet he continues to thrive. From teaming with Chris Paul to playing alongside Kevin Durant to now having Dillon Brooks as a running mate. Pencil him in for 26 points and six assists, the ability to play both guard positions, and playing through nicks and bruises. His 11 years in the league have been in the Valley, and he’s signed through 2029-30 – a rare one-team star. – Goodwill
Signature stat: Booker was one of five players with at least 1,000 drives last season and was one of eight players to score 1,000 points when he drove (min. 500 drives), per GeniusIQ tracking.
Fantasy projection: 26.5 PTS, 6.7 AST, 4.2 REB
19. Tyrese Haliburton
G | Indiana Pacers
Age: 26
2025 NBA Rank: NR (injury)
Haliburton would have been in the top 15 last year had he not suffered a torn Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. On the sideline for all last season, Haliburton witnessed one of the best offenses plummeting in all statistical categories. The Pacers ranked 27th in offensive efficiency, 26th in field goal percentage, 20th in 3-point percentage and 18th in fast-break points. – Marks
Signature stat: Haliburton has the second-best assist-to-turnover ratio (3.81) in NBA postseason history (min. 300 assists) since individual turnovers were first tracked in 1977-78 (John Paxson, 4.31).
Fantasy projection: 19.2 PTS, 9.9 AST, 1.3 STL
18. LeBron James
F | Philadelphia 76ers
Age: 41
2025 NBA Rank: 8
Seeing James outside the top 10 is jarring. Then again, seeing a guy who turns 42 in a few months still inside the top 25 is probably the better framing to appreciate what the 22-time All-Star continues to accomplish. James already had success as L.A.‘s No. 3 option last season and will likely reprise that role behind Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown for the 76ers. The difference is that while James’ scoring took a back seat to Doncic and Reaves for the Lakers, his touches might not suffer too much in Philly. Sixers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey has indicated the team will have James play point forward and orchestrate the offense, similar to his role with the Lakers when they won the 2020 title. – McMenamin
Signature stat: The 41-year-old James finished second in the NBA in fast-break points last season, behind only new teammate Maxey.
Fantasy projection: 21.0 PTS, 7.0 AST, 6.3 REB
17. Scottie Barnes
F | Toronto Raptors
Age: 25
2025 NBA Rank: 30
Barnes has developed from the 2022 Rookie of the Year to a two-time All-Star entering his sixth season. He has been the do-everything engine for the Raptors on offense and defense, finishing fifth in the Defensive Player of the Year vote while leading the team in assists and scoring nearly 20 points per game. This season he will join Kawhi Leonard as the nucleus of a Raptors squad that is trying to make the leap from play-in scrappy competitors to playoffs contenders. – Snellings
Signature stat: Barnes led his team in rebounds, assists, steals and blocks last season. Since 2017-18, LeBron James (2021-22) and Nikola Jokic (2017-18) are the only other players to accomplish the feat.
Fantasy projection: 18.8 PTS, 7.7 REB, 6.0 AST, 1.4 STL
16. Karl-Anthony Towns
C | New York Knicks
Age: 30
2025 NBA Rank: 27
Few players saw their reputations rise as high last season as Towns. Throughout his career, the 2015 No. 1 pick had been dogged by criticisms of his foolish mistakes – costly turnovers, silly fouls – and even in the middle of last season, drama swirled about his role in New York’s offense under coach Mike Brown.
But that all changed during a magical playoff run in which Towns made 46% of his 3-point attempts and played the best, most consistent defense of his career en route to a title. He averaged only 16 points during the playoffs, but he was a picture-perfect role player. With Mitchell Robinson gone to Boston in free agency, the Knicks don’t have much of a Plan B if Towns’ struggles at center return. But he more than proved himself in the postseason. -- Kram
Signature stat: During the Knicks’ run to the 2026 title, Towns became the first player in NBA postseason history to record 55/45/90 shooting splits with least 400 minutes played.
Fantasy projection: 21.9 PTS, 11.2 REB, 4.4 AST
15. Kawhi Leonard
F | Toronto Raptors
Age: 35
2025 NBA Rank: 20
Leonard flew the coop to Canada after his seven-season run with the Clippers ended in infamy. While the seven-time All-Star escaped the NBA’s salary cap circumvention investigation with only a $700,000 fine, his Raptors reunion will reportedly play out under the cloud of a separate federal investigation. On the court, Leonard posted career highs in points and player efficiency rating last season – a remarkable feat considering he turned 35 in June. Toronto’s young roster should benefit from his championship experience, but Leonard, who hasn’t advanced past the first round since 2021, must prove he can still crank it up in the playoffs. – Golliver
Signature stat: Leonard, who set a career high with 27.9 points per game last season, scored at least 20 in each of his final 57 games for the Clippers. That tied Bob McAdoo for the longest streak in franchise history.
Fantasy projection: 25.1 PTS, 6.2 REB, 1.7 STL
14. Jaylen Brown
F | Philadelphia 76ers
Age: 29
2025 NBA Rank: 19
With Jayson Tatum missing most of the 2025-26 season, Brown posted the third-highest usage rate in the league behind Doncic and Antetokounmpo. He delivered in those minutes, averaging 28.7 points, the fifth most in a season in Celtics history. In addition, Brown became the fourth Celtics player to average 25 points, five rebounds and five assists in a season, joining Tatum, Larry Bird and John Havlicek. But the move to the 76ers opens questions about what his usage looks like playing alongside James, Embiid and Maxey. – Williams
Signature stat: Last season, Brown set career highs in points (28.7), rebounds (6.9) and assists (5.1) per game.
Fantasy projection: 23.9 PTS, 5.9 REB, 4.3 AST
13. Kevin Durant
F | Houston Rockets
Age: 37
2025 NBA Rank: 9
For all the talk of the ageless wonders in the NBA, Kevin Durant (who’ll turn 38 on Tuesday) doesn’t quite fly under the radar, but his longevity feels somewhat underappreciated. He made the All-NBA team for the 12th time, tied for seventh in the history of the league with the likes of Dirk Nowitzki, Hakeem Olajuwon and Jerry West, among others. Since his right Achilles injury in 2019, he has averaged 27/6/5 on 53/41/88 splits. He helped keep the Rockets afloat in his first season, but they flamed out in the first round against the Lakers. Durant is a leader by example, and this seemed to conflict with the youth on the roster at times. Do the Rockets have enough leadership, and will he have enough gas in a top-heavy West? – Goodwill
Signature stat: Durant enters 2026-27 on a four-season streak of at least 25 points per game, 50% shooting from the field and 40% shooting from 3. No other player has more than three such seasons for their career.
Fantasy projection: 25.0 PTS, 5.6 REB, 4.4 AST
12. Stephen Curry
G | Golden State Warriors
Age: 38
2025 NBA Rank: 7
Durability concerns have Curry falling out of the top 10. After missing most of the 2025 second round with a hamstring injury, Curry played the third-fewest games of his career in 2025-26. (He missed 29 games after Jan. 24 with a right knee injury.) Managing Curry’s minutes will be key even with Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody out an extended period. Last season, he averaged his fewest minutes of the past six seasons. The 38-year-old is eligible to sign up to a two-year, $137 million extension. – Marks
Signature stat: Curry has 26,528 career points with Warriors, third most with a single franchise in NBA history behind Kobe Bryant (33,643 with Lakers) and Dirk Nowitzki (31,560 with Mavericks).
Fantasy projection: 25.8 PTS, 5.3 AST, 4.2 REB, 4.6 3PM
11. Tyrese Maxey
G | Philadelphia 76ers
Age: 25
2025 NBA Rank: 28
Maxey’s scoring average has increased in each of his six seasons in the league, topping out at 28.3 points per game last season (No. 5 in the league), which earned him an All-NBA third-team selection. It cannot be overstated how much Maxey’s presence factored into LeBron James’ decision to sign with the 76ers, and it will be on the 25-year-old combo guard to make James and Jaylen Brown feel welcome while still maximizing the holdover talents of Embiid and VJ Edgecombe. There’s nothing about Maxey’s game or personality that would suggest he won’t be able to continue to thrive with the spotlight even brighter this season. – McMenamin
Signature stat: Maxey has increased his points per game and 3-point percentage in each season of his NBA career.
Fantasy projection: 24.8 PTS, 5.8 AST, 1.6 STL
By NBA insiders / ESPN
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