New York — ESPN released the opening section of its annual “NBA Rank” on Tuesday, outlining positions No. 100 through No. 51 for the 2025-26 season. The survey, compiled by more than 150 reporters, editors, producers and analysts, asked voters to choose the better player in more than 20,000 head-to-head matchups based on projected impact — both quality and quantity — for the coming season alone.
The list features returning stars, first-time entrants and several notable risers and fallers compared with last year’s rankings. The countdown continues Wednesday with slots No. 50-11 and concludes Thursday with the top 10.
The 2025-26 NBA Rank: Nos. 100-51
- 100. RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors — Down from No. 53 after a career-best 21.1 PPG season in his hometown.
- 99. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs — Rookie of the Year and Slam Dunk Contest runner-up enters the list unranked a year ago.
- 98. Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz — Fourth-year center remains an elite shot-blocker and posted career highs of 11.1 points and 12.2 rebounds.
- 97. Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics — Reigning Sixth Man of the Year poised for larger role with Jayson Tatum sidelined.
- 96. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta Hawks — Has played all 82 games in two straight seasons; joins Hawks as two-way reserve.
- 95. P.J. Washington, Dallas Mavericks — Signed four-year, $89 million extension; one of only two players with 50-plus steals and blocks in each of the past five seasons.
- 94. Devin Vassell, San Antonio Spurs — Coming off foot surgery but remains a potential two-way cornerstone.
- 93. Jakob Poeltl, Toronto Raptors — Posted career highs across the board and secured a three-year extension through 2029-30.
- 92. Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks — Returned from injury to dominate the boards during New York’s playoff run.
- 91. Jrue Holiday, Portland Trail Blazers — Two-time champion returns to Portland to mentor a young core in his 17th season.
- 90. Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves — Sixth Man winner earned a five-year, $125 million extension after career-best numbers.
- 89. Andrew Wiggins, Miami Heat — Averaged 19 points in 17 games after trade from Golden State.
- 88. Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies — Recovering from ankle surgery but impressed as a 7-foot-4 rookie.
- 87. Jonas Valančiūnas, Denver Nuggets — Veteran center acquired to ease Nikola Jokić’s workload.
- 86. Bradley Beal, LA Clippers — Slides from No. 70 after joining Clippers on a reduced contract.
- 85. Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons — Extension-eligible guard aims to build on pre-injury averages of 17.6 PPG on 46% shooting.
- 84. Tobias Harris, Detroit Pistons — Veteran “safety blanket” helped guide Detroit back to the postseason.
- 83. Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors — Breakout 20.8-PPG playoff run raises free-agency stakes.
- 82. Norman Powell, Miami Heat — Led NBA in points per touch last year; acquired cheaply after Clippers’ cap crunch.
- 81. Andrew Nembhard, Indiana Pacers — Becomes primary ball-handler with Tyrese Haliburton out for the season.
- 80. DeMar DeRozan, Sacramento Kings — Enters 17th year with 25,000 career points and 12 straight 20-point seasons.
- 79. Onyeka Okongwu, Atlanta Hawks — Averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds after moving into the starting lineup in February.
- 78. Toumani Camara, Portland Trail Blazers — Second-year forward drew a league-high 31 charges and shot 37.5% from deep.
- 77. Brandon Ingram, Toronto Raptors — Signed three-year, $120 million extension despite missing most of last season with ankle sprain.
- 76. Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets — Returning from wrist surgery after averaging 21 points in 27 games.
- 75. Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves — Played all 82 games and averaged 14.7 PPG in playoffs.
- 74. Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets — Secured $122 million rookie extension; Rockets were 40-17 with him in the lineup.
- 73. Dereck Lively II, Dallas Mavericks — Recovering from foot surgery; holds 73% career field-goal mark.
- 72. Zach LaVine, Sacramento Kings — Averaged 23.3 PPG on 51% shooting after midseason trade from Chicago.
- 71. Coby White, Chicago Bulls — Career-best 20.4 PPG in contract year after LaVine’s departure.
- 70. Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn Nets — Joins rebuilding Nets, leaving Denver to expand playmaking role.
- 69. Josh Hart, New York Knicks — Recorded nine triple-doubles, the most in a single Knicks season.
- 68. Tyler Herro, Miami Heat — Underwent offseason surgery after efficient 20-5-5 campaign.
- 67. Cameron Johnson, Denver Nuggets — Career highs in scoring and efficiency before offseason trade to Denver.
- 66. Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers — Averaged 19.1 points, 7.7 rebounds from late November onward in first season with Portland.
- 65. Aaron Nesmith, Indiana Pacers — Shot 49.2% from deep in playoffs, sparking Pacers’ Finals run.
- 64. Luguentz Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder — Earned first-team All-Defensive honors while hitting 41% from three.
- 63. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets — Posted career-high 25.2 PPG but played only 47 games due to ankle issues.
- 62. Christian Braun, Denver Nuggets — Stepped into starting role, averaging 15.4 PPG on 58% shooting.
- 61. Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans — Limited to 30 games; averaged 24.6 points before March shutdown.
- 60. Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers — Coming off 20.2 PPG season and declined four-year, $90 million extension.
- 59. Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic — Averaged 16.2 PPG before knee surgery ended his season.
- 58. Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans — Career highs of 21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds in 53 games before shoulder injury.
- 57. Myles Turner, Milwaukee Bucks — Joined Bucks after leading Pacers to Finals; career-best 39.6% from three.
- 56. Isaiah Hartenstein, Oklahoma City Thunder — First Thunder player since 2019 to average a double-double.
- 55. Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks — Most Improved Player averaged 3.0 steals, the highest mark since 1990-91.
- 54. Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers — Played 41 games in an injury-shortened debut season with Philadelphia and is recovering from July knee procedure.
- 53. Alex Caruso, Oklahoma City Thunder — Veteran glue guy recorded 17 steals off the bench during the NBA Finals.
- 52. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks — No. 1 overall pick enters league at age 18 on a veteran-laden Dallas roster.
- 51. Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors — Earned ninth All-Defensive nod and finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
The remaining 50 spots — including Nos. 50-11 on Wednesday and the top 10 on Thursday — will complete ESPN’s projection of the league’s best players heading into the 2025-26 campaign.
Source: ESPN
