Trae Young — Atlanta Hawks
When Trae Young is brought up in conversation, it’s inevitable that the Draft Day deal involving Luka Doncic gets brought up as well. Up until last year’s playoffs, the general consensus was that the Mavericks fleeced the Hawks by acquiring the superior player — Doncic — in the deal. And then, the Hawks made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals and the conversation surrounding the two young stars got a whole lot different.
Young led the Hawks past the Knicks and 76ers, earning his first two series wins before Doncic managed to win one. The gap between the two has certainly shrunk, as Young continues to light the league on fire from the offensive end. His ability to manipulate defenses with his passing while also scoring 30-plus every night is magnificent.
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Jayson Tatum — Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown? The Celtics hope to have both on the roster for the next several years. While there is a bit of overlap in their skillsets, Tatum gains the edge for his better playmaking and steadier outside shot. Brown has made strides in both areas since joining the league, though Tatum has always been the more creative offensive player. Both guys are capable defenders.
In ’22, Tatum is averaging over 8.0 rebounds per game while notching nearly one block and one steal every night, as well. We’re still waiting for that next step in Tatum’s development. The former Blue Devil was left off every All-NBA team last season after being named to the Third-team in ’20. Improved shot selection would go a long way in Tatum’s development.
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Kevin Durant — Brooklyn Nets
For a moment last year, there were rumblings that James Harden was in fact Brooklyn’s most important player. There was some merit to that discussion. After all, Harden is a former league MVP (and three-time runner-up) and is Brooklyn’s main offensive initiator. That being said, Kevin Durant is not only the best player on the Brooklyn Nets — he’s the best the league has to offer.
Durant took the mantle of the league’s best player at some point during his Golden State tenure. His efficiency plus scoring volume is unmatched. Durant is comfortable in every spot on the floor. There isn’t a defensive matchup he can’t take advantage of. Additionally, he’s morphed into a quality defender averaging over 1.1 blocks per game over his career. KD is the best of the best.
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LaMelo Ball — Charlotte Hornets
It didn’t take long for LaMelo Ball to get acclimated to the NBA. After logging a season in Australia, some scouts wondered if Ball could flourish against top NBA talent. He slipped all the way to third in the 2020 NBA Draft, and the Charlotte Hornets could not have been happier. The 20-year-old has already stamped his fingerprints all over the previously desolate franchise.
In just a year’s time, the Hornets went from one of the most boring teams in the league to a must-watch product every night. Just like his brother Lonzo, LaMelo exhibits excellent court vision and can dazzle with a full array of circus passes. Ball has exceeded all expectations and is even shooting it better than most expected (36-percent from three and 80-percent from the line over two seasons).
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DeMar DeRozan — Chicago Bulls
Before the season started, Zach LaVine would have likely occupied this spot. The prized piece in the Jimmy Butler trade, LaVine has done everything the Bulls have asked of him since joining the team. He’s become a more efficient offensive player while also developing into a quality playmaker and defender. However, we’d be foolish to not acknowledge the season DeMar DeRozan has enjoyed. In his first year with the Bulls, DeRozan has set the league on fire. He’s scoring at a career-high rate and has been one of the league’s most clutch players in crunch time. DeRozan has swung a handful of games in the fourth quarter while leading the charge for a Bulls team that sits atop the Eastern Conference standings.
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Jarrett Allen — Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs have done well in securing talent with their high draft selections. 2018 first-rounder Collin Sexton is one of the league’s top scoring guards. With Sexton out for the remainder of the season, Cleveland’s current backcourt is comprised of two former fifth overall picks — point guard Darius Garland and wing defender Isaac Okoro. And, perhaps the best overall talent on the roster is the team’s most recent draft pick — former USC big man Evan Mobley.
However, the team’s most impactful player currently is not even a former Cavalier draft pick. Jarrett Allen landed in Cleveland as a piece in the James Harden trade. Allen has been an anchor on both ends of the floor for a Cavaliers team that is massively overachieving in ’22. At just 23 years old, Allen is already an efficient offensive player who rebounds and defends at a very high level.
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Luka Doncic — Dallas Mavericks
Not much needs to be said here. 22-year-old Luka Doncic has already cemented himself as a top-10 player in the league. The 6-foot-7 maestro is a playmaking savant. Doncic is capable of dismantling defenses with his elite passing or his shot-making ability. The Slovenian-born Doncic wasted no time getting acclimated to the NBA after being drafted third overall in 2018.
Doncic was named Rookie of the Year after his first season, and has followed up a stellar first-year campaign with two consecutive All-NBA First-team selections. The Mavericks haven’t done a terribly good job at surrounding their young star with talent. The best teammate Doncic has had thus far is Kristaps Porzingis — a one-time All-Star who played his best years in New York.
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Nikola Jokic — Denver Nuggets
No surprises here, the reigning MVP is the straw that stirs the drink in Denver. Nikola Jokic has solidified himself as a superstar in today’s league. Already considered one of the greatest passing big men of all-time, Jokic has continued to develop other facets of his game over the years. After shying away from threes early in his career, Jokic has emerged as a knockdown shooter who made nearly 39-percent of his attempts from beyond the arc during his MVP campaign.
While he won’t be confused for an All-NBA defender, Jokic has become serviceable on the defensive end and has always had quick hands (1.2 career SPG). Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. are All-Star caliber talents, but Jokic is clearly the main fulcrum of Denver’s attack. Jokic has the Nuggets competing for a playoff spot even with his two co-stars on the mend.
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Jerami Grant — Detroit Pistons
When Jerami Grant was a free agent two seasons ago, the versatile wing yearned for a team that would give him a bigger opportunity on the offensive end. Grant had just gone to the Western Conference Finals with the Denver Nuggets, though he was primarily a defensive stopper and spot-up shooter for a team that featured both Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. While many pundits believe that was the perfect role for a player of Grant’s abilities, the Syracuse product yearned for more.
Grant landed in Detroit and was instantly given the green light for a talent-deprived team. Grant obliged by putting up career numbers across the board, though it didn’t translate to much winning. While Grant is a talented two-way player, he’s better off being a third or fourth option for a title-contending team — rather than a go-to scorer for a lottery-bound squad.
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Stephen Curry — Golden State Warriors
Another team without much controversy over who the best player is. Stephen Curry has been one of the league’s best for nearly a decade. The Davidson product was drafted in 2009, made his first All-NBA team in ’14, and was named league MVP in ’15 and ’16. The three-time NBA Champion has solidified himself as the greatest shooter of all-time and has shown no signs of slowing down in Year 13.
The only time Curry’s place at the top of the Golden State food chain was put into question was when he had Kevin Durant as a teammate. There were times where it was a bit more difficult to decipher which Warrior was more important to the team’s success — though most considered Durant to be the better overall player. Curry’s contributions don’t always show up in the stat sheet. Defenses are always wary of where he is on the floor, making it easier for Curry’s teammates to find open spots and get easy buckets.
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Christian Wood — Houston Rockets
Christian Wood is in a eerily similar position as Detroit’s Jerami Grant. Both guys are a bit underqualified as No. 1 options. If Wood (or Grant) is your best player, your team probably isn’t going to win a whole lot of games. It’s not necessarily due to a lack of talent. Wood is an immensely gifted big who has the ability to stretch the floor and score in bunches. However, he doesn’t provide much in other areas of the game. Wood is not an adept playmaker or defender. With the Rockets going nowhere fast, we could easily see a contender with a solid nucleus in place try and swoop in on the 26-year-old. If Wood gets dealt, the Rockets would then primarily lean on rookie Jalen Green to provide an offensive spark.
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Domantas Sabonis — Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have at least three players in contention for this spot — with apologies to Caris LeVert who is the only current Pacer with a 50-point game on his resume. Malcolm Brogdon and Myles Turner are both All-Star caliber talents. Brogdon is a steady lead guard who does a bit of everything. Though his perimeter shot comes and goes, Brogdon is a quality playmaker who doesn’t turn the ball over. Turner is an elite rim protector and arguably the game’s best shot blocker. While he’s a bit limited offensively, Turner is a decent enough shooter who can completely change the game on the defensive end. However, Sabonis is the best of the lot. He’s a two-time All-Star who can score, pass, and rebound at a high level. Looking at all the talent the Pacers possess, it’s a wonder why the team hasn’t been better over the last two seasons.
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Kawhi Leonard — Los Angeles Clippers
Kawhi Leonard hasn’t suited up for the Clippers all year, and there’s no telling when he’ll be on the floor again. The two-time Finals MVP suffered a knee injury during last year’s postseason and has been out ever since. The Clippers expect Leonard back at some point this year, though his timeline remains a bit unclear. Make no mistake about it, the Clippers are not a title contender without Leonard.
Though Paul George is a great talent (and one of the 20 best players in the league), Leonard is the team’s true superstar. He’s done it on the biggest stage, winning a pair of championships with the Spurs and Raptors. If the Clippers hope to finally breakthrough into the NBA Finals, they will need Leonard back at 100-percent.
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LeBron James — Los Angeles Lakers
On a team filled with former All-Stars, MVP’s and future Hall of Famers, it’s glaring how much one star stands out among the rest. In Year 19, LeBron James is somehow still at his peak. James has defied all logic as it pertains to aging. He looks as athletic as ever — though James has picked up a couple of injuries since joining the Lakers. Many would have predicted Anthony Davis to take the mantle as the top Laker by this point in their careers.
James seems to be the more durable (and consistent) of the two LA stars despite being 10 years older. While the league has been filled with a new era of superstars, James remains in the MVP conversation and may still be the league’s best player.
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Ja Morant — Memphis Grizzlies
Ja Morant has officially arrived. As the clear leader on an up-and-coming Grizzlies squad, it’s only a matter of time until Morant starts to get recognition for his strong play. He’s a near lock for the All-Star game and has played as well as any guard in the league. Don’t be surprised if Morant joins Stephen Curry in the All-NBA First-team backcourt. Morant is the most athletically-gifted point guard since a prime Russell Westbrook. He has jaw-dropping hops and is always looking to attack the basket.
Morant’s infectious style of play energizes his teammates and it’s easy to spot great leadership skills within the 22-year-old. Morant is also a hard worker. Considered his weakest skill entering the NBA, Morant is already a much improved shooter from when he started in the league. He’s only going to get better from here.
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Jimmy Butler — Miami Heat
Miami’s trio of stars all bring winning traits to the table. Kyle Lowry is an NBA champion who has played in 97 playoff games in his career. Bam Adebayo is a two-time All-Defensive team selection and has developed a well-rounded offensive game. While both Lowry and Adebayo are key in Miami’s pursuit of a title, Butler remains the team’s catalyst. The NBA world saw Butler’s value in the 2020 Finals.
Facing off against the duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Butler willed an injury-riddled squad to two wins over the heavily-favored Lakers. While the Heat ultimately lost the series, Butler’s individual performance was remarkable — highlighted by a 40-point triple-double in Miami’s Game 3 win.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo — Milwaukee Bucks
There are times it feels like Giannis’ greatness is taken for granted. Fans have grown accustomed to the Greek Freak putting up monstrous stat lines on a nightly basis. When some critics pointed to Milwaukee’s lack of postseason success, Antetokounmpo silenced their qualms with a dominant run through the ’21 postseason en route to an NBA title. In reality, Giannis had always been a strong playoff performer despite the Bucks’ struggles.
Since ’17, Giannis has played in 58 playoff games and is averaging 27.3 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 5.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, and 1.4 BPG on 54.6-percent shooting. In just eight seasons, Giannis has already won two MVP’s, a Defensive Player of the Year award, and a Finals MVP. The sky is the limit for the 27-year-old who just seems to get better every year. When it’s all said and done, the Bucks star will be considered as one of the all-time greats.
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Karl-Anthony Towns — Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards is knocking on the door, but the T’Wolves still run through Towns for the time being. There are some who have been disappointed by Towns’ tenure in Minnesota. Since Jimmy Butler was jettisoned to Philadelphia following the now-infamous intrasquad scrimmage, the Timberwolves have failed to make much noise in the Western Conference as they’ve attempted to build around Towns.
A gifted offensive player, Towns is one of the best shooting big men the league has seen. He’s also adept at scoring in the low post, though he has preferred to stay on the perimeter throughout his career. The next step for Towns is making a bigger impact as a playmaker and defender. If he continues to stay stagnant in those two areas, it’s only a matter of time until Edwards takes over as the team’s star.
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Brandon Ingram — New Orleans Pelicans
Expecting someone else? Of course, Zion Williamson is still a member of the Pelicans — for the time being. When he’s available, Williamson is the most impactful player on the team. However, availability has been an issue for Williamson throughout his career. Ingram hasn’t been the most durable player, either, but he’s an ironman compared to Zion (since both joined New Orleans in ’20, Ingram has played in 158 games to Williamson’s 85).
Named the league’s Most Improved Player following his first year with the Pels, Ingram is still just 24 years old and continues to get better. He’s become far more comfortable as a facilitator in Year 6 while averaging a career-high in assists (5.2).
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Julius Randle — New York Knicks
It’s not too often you see a player completely transform himself in Year 7. The recipient of last year’s Most Improved Player award did just that. Julius Randle was a revelation for the Knicks as he led the squad to their first postseason appearance since 2013. Randle was acknowledged as an All-NBA Second-team forward (alongside LeBron James) for his efforts. Sparking Randle’s rise was his newly-found shooting touch. After coming into the season as a below 30-percent career shooter, Randle caught fire en route to a 41-percent mark from three on 5.5 attempts per game.
Randle’s ability to knock down threes consistently opened up the lane for the power forward to wreak havoc in the paint. While Randle endured a lousy postseason run, he remains the key to the Knicks’ success moving forward — at least, until R.J. Barrett is ready to take over.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — Oklahoma City Thunder
It’s a shame Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is marooned on a Oklahoma City team that has no immediate plans of contending. SGA joined OKC as part of the Paul George trade in the 2019 offseason. Joining forces with Chris Paul and Dennis Schroder, Gilgeous-Alexander helped guide the Thunder to a postseason berth. With Paul and Schroder departing, the keys to the Thunder offense were handed to the former Kentucky Wildcat.
Gilgeous-Alexander has sported the look of an All-Star ever since. Though the Thunder aren’t consistently winning games, Gilgeous-Alexander provides an endless stream of highlights thanks to his elite one-on-one ability. He can get by defenders at will and is an improved shooter. Just 23 years old, we still haven’t seen the best SGA has to offer. Just wait until he gets some real talent around him…
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Cole Anthony — Orlando Magic
The Magic don’t have a roster filled with elite talent. We don’t mean to disparage Cole Anthony with that statement. The former Tar Heel has enjoyed a breakout year as a sophomore guard. Anthony is a solid scorer who rebounds particularly well for a backcourt player. He’s always been an extraordinary athlete dating back to his time as a top high school recruit at Oak Hill Academy. Anthony doesn’t have a whole lot of competition for this spot. Jonathan Isaac hasn’t played since the Bubble, and Franz Wagner is about a year away. To be quite frank, Anthony would not be considered his team’s best player if he were on any other team in the league.
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Joel Embiid — Philadelphia 76ers
Joel Embiid was always the 76ers best player. While the team sorely misses Ben Simmons’ defensive versatility and vision, Embiid is the team’s most valuable player. On a nightly basis, Embiid is a nightmare matchup for every other opposing center in the league. The three-time All-NBA selection is virtually unstoppable inside the three-point line. He can face up and blow by defenders with his first step, or dominate on the block with his back to the basket. He’s even knocking down threes at a higher clip (38-percent over the last two years) and has always been a great foul shooter.
Simmons has been on the trade block since before the season began. The 76ers have reportedly struggled to find a deal which involves them receiving a star in exchange for their disgruntled point-forward. If Embiid was ever placed on the block, every team in the league would be willing to move mountains to acquire the big man’s services. That’s the big difference between Philly’s top two players.
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Chris Paul — Phoenix Suns
Choosing between Devin Booker and Chris Paul as Phoenix’s best player is arguably the closest contest on this list. Both players were vital to the Suns’ run to the NBA Finals last year. Paul is the steady point guard who does a little bit of everything. Booker is the offensive dynamo capable of taking over games with his elite scoring ability. Both players are among the 20 or so best in the league. Unfortunately for Booker in this case, Paul gets the slight edge due to his winning pedigree.
Despite a strong run in the NBA Bubble, the Suns have been a dumpster fire for several years. While he hasn’t captured that elusive NBA title just yet, Paul has won games at every stop of his NBA career. Phoenix failed to win even 25 games (out of 82) in Booker’s first four years with the team. In Paul’s first year, the Suns won 61 games (including playoffs).
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Damian Lillard — Portland Trail Blazers
The future of Damian Lillard is up in the air. 2022 is off to a rocky start. Lillard has been sidelined since New Year’s Eve. Given Portland’s current standing, it wouldn’t be a surprise if we don’t see Lillard for the remainder of the year. When he was on the floor, the six-time All-Star struggled. Lillard was posting career-low numbers across the board in the 29 games he played in ’21. However, that shouldn’t erase all of Lillard’s accomplishments. The Trail Blazers have been a consistent playoff team in a rough Western Conference throughout Lillard’s career (Portland last missed the playoffs in Lillard’s rookie season). He’ll be back playing at an All-NBA level soon enough — but will it be for the Blazers?
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De’Aaron Fox — Sacramento Kings
De’Aaron Fox’s time in Sacramento could be coming to an end. Fox’s name has come up in trade talks for the past few years. While the Kings aren’t completely lacking in talent, they haven’t been able to surround Fox with a winning roster. Fox is a talented player, though there are questions if he’s a winning player. He’s struggled with his outside shot and isn’t much of a difference maker on the defensive end despite being one of the fastest players in the league. It would be interesting to see how Fox would contribute to a contending team. Fox’s teammate Harrison Barnes — who was in play for this spot — arguably has more trade value given his positional versatility and shooting touch.
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Dejounte Murray — San Antonio Spurs
You better get acclimated to Dejounte Murray. The former Washington Husky is going to be around for a while. Selected 29th overall back in the 2016 NBA Draft, Murray has improved as a player each year of his career. He’s enjoying a career season in ’22 for a Spurs team lacking in other top-end talent. Murray is averaging a career-high in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and threes. His value as a two-way player will be integral to a team’s success in the postseason at some point in his career — whether that’s with the Spurs or another club.
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Fred VanVleet — Toronto Raptors
With Kyle Lowry gone, Fred VanVleet has stepped into a leadership role for the Raptors. While the team is hovering around a .500 record, VanVleet has emerged as an All-Star candidate in the midst of a career year. Not too long ago, it seemed as if Pascal Siakam would take the torch as the next, great Raptor. Siakam has regressed since the team won the NBA title in ’19, while VanVleet has gotten better every year.
VanVleet shares a lot of similarities to his former Raptors teammate. Just like Lowry, VanVleet can both score and facilitate at a high level. He’s also developed into one of the best long range bombers in the league. Only Stephen Curry has made more threes than Toronto’s point guard this season.
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Bradley Beal — Washington Wizards
The Wizards traded Russell Westbrook for a trove of role players. Now, Bradley Beal is surrounded by a better overall collection of talent — though none are worthy of co-star status. Beal is the only Wizard whom teams are forced to game plan against on a nightly basis. Beal has always been a good scorer, though he hasn’t been as consistent of a shooter throughout his career. After shooting just under 40-percent from three over his first five seasons, Beal is hovering around 34.5-percent since 2019. This year, Beal is struggling to sustain a 30-percent mark from beyond the arc.
Additionally, the new foul rules in place this year seem to be affecting Beal more than any other star. Beal is averaging three fewer free throw attempts per game compared to last season. His scoring numbers are down, but that was to be expected when the team swapped Russell Westbrook and his 11 APG for three score-first players in Spencer Dinwiddie, Montrezl Harrell, and Kyle Kuzma. Beal was named an All-NBA Third-team guard in ’21 and has been selected to three All-Star teams.
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Donovan Mitchell — Utah Jazz
Rudy Gobert or Donovan Mitchell? The answer to that question depends on who is being asked. Those who value defense and on-court/off-court figures will favor Gobert. Those in favor of offensive creativity and scoring acumen will be on Mitchell’s side. While both are All-Star talents, Mitchell is the more indispensable of the two stars. Gobert is an accomplished player and arguably the best defensive anchor in the league.
Mitchell offers more upside at the expense of some volatility. Mitchell’s bad games will look worse than Gobert’s bad ones. And that’s fine for the Jazz as long as Mitchell has good games more often than bad ones. The Jazz haven’t had much success in the postseason, but Mitchell has been remarkably good in big games. Mitchell currently holds the fifth-highest career playoff PPG mark of all-time (28.8).
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