Top ranked nba players

Below, we look at the 50 best NBA players right now. Some youngsters make the list for the first time while all-time greats such as LeBron James and Stephen Curry show no signs of slowing down. We look at that and more as the NBA season continues.

The offseason has flown by amid Damian Lillard and James Harden trade rumors, and here we are within two weeks of the start of training camp for the campaign. In the meantime, it's time for CBS Sports' annual list of the league's top players as we sit on the cusp of a new season. This is, to be clear, a futures post. These aren't based on past performances or career accomplishments. It's our staff's average ranking of the top players in the NBA based on how we see them performing this upcoming season. Some may think that any list that doesn't have LeBron James in the upper echelon just doesn't feel right.

Top ranked nba players

For a while now, the NBA has churned out a relatively stagnant group of players competing for the illustrious title of league MVP. Anthony Edwards is ascending to a new level of stardom in a follow-up to his postseason excellence. De'Aaron Fox is trying to lead the Sacramento Kings into contention. Tyrese Haliburton is orchestrating a historic offense for the Indiana Pacers. Tyrese Maxey is joining Embiid in the celestial realm for the Philadelphia 76ers. Most significantly, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is leaving little doubt he's that dude for the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the numbers bear out his surge toward true greatness. It's those numbers that will serve as the judge and jury here in this first edition of the top 50 player rankings based on RPR MVP score more on that below. Reputation is irrelevant, and heroics in previous seasons could not matter less. Only impact in comes into play. As explained in full on Sports Math Network , which also shows how successful the metric has been in predicting the MVP race over the last decade, RPR MVP looks at a player's individual impact and boils it down to a single number. Everything hinges on Rolling Player Rating RPR , which shows how a player has fared over his previous 10 games by using a schedule-adjusted version of the game score metric to provide a reasonable snapshot of on-court contributions. A player's RPR MVP score is calculated by summing the Z-scores in each of the five categories, thus accounting for position relative to the pack in each component.

But if he's able to continue being as efficient as he has been, increase his scoring and maintain his efficiency on 3s but with a higher volume, it's going to be hard to keep him out of All-NBA first team discussion for years to come, top ranked nba players.

To rank among the best of the best in The Association is to truly be on top of the basketball mountain. Best known as Ant, the speedy and athletic guard has helped turn Minnesota from a cellar dweller into one of the best teams in the Western Conference. Edwards's leaping ability and aggressive offensive style are perfect for the contemporary NBA. A big playoff run will move him higher on this list and he has the talent to shine in the playoffs. Wembanyama will soon be in the top 10 of this loaded list if he keeps taking over the league. While the Spurs have spent much of his rookie season as one of the worst teams in the NBA, Wemby has exceeded his draft hype to wow everyone from Durant to James. But when you're averaging

What about rookies and young stars ready to take the leap into the upper tier of NBA players? Kevin Durant , Stephen Curry vs. Ja Morant , Luka vs. Jayson Tatum We asked, "Which player will be better in ?

Top ranked nba players

Giannis Antetokounmpo. Stephen Curry vs. James Harden. Zion Williamson vs. Ja Morant. We asked, "Which player will be better in ?

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Jalen Duren DET. Bottom line: Davis is averaging 25 and 12 while dominating defensively. Vassell's diverse shot profile makes him a capable scorer while his length and anticipation give him the tools to be a strong defender. I like that Young and Wembanyama round out this list; I'm like everyone else in hoping they somehow end up playing together. If Young ever commits to moving without the ball, and just becomes a passable defender, he will be among the game's elite players. He's benefitted from the Pacers' lack of depth in the frontcourt, but Indiana hopes to get help from some new additions in As Michael Pina of The Ringer wrote, "In his first season since without Chris Paul running the show, Phoenix's franchise player has comfortably assumed a lead playmaking role that has catapulted him into the conversation for best point guard in the league. Whether his career continues in Chicago or another city moving foward, DeRozan will continue to be one of the best NBA players. Turnover Percentage 1. But this guy is a monster. Moritz Wagner ORL. His shooting, which fell off last season, remains the fulcrum on which his peak potential swings.

The mountaintop. That said, Tier 1C has served as sort of a holding tank in previous editions for players who have unquestionably been great, but for whom I have current questions. These are not meant to be read as firm player rankings.

Tobias Harris is solidifying his status as one of the NBA's most underrated players virtually every time he laces up his sneakers. You could argue that he's a little low on this list, but perhaps that's a product of a lack of team success more than anything. Maxey, who turns the corner as fast as anyone in basketball and owns a delicious bag of floaters and push shots, has been superb. The big man has been a mainstay in the NOLA rotation, and his consistency has helped the Western Conference playoff threat improve by 6. No all-in-one metric ever will be. That somehow fails to capture the full extent of his all-around devastation. Kyle Lowry PHI When Davis is right, it's hard to find a more impactful two-way player. Other than that, there's no reason to expect Durant to be anything less than a top-five player in He proved to be the exact type of leader the Knicks needed at point guard. Fox's playmaking has dropped off since partnering with Domantas Sabonis, but he shot a career-high