NBA Rank 2026, players Nos. 100-51: Four rookies make their debuts

NBA Rank is back! With less than one month until opening night, let's start counting down the league's best players for 2026-27.

How many rookies landed in our top 100? Which stars who changed teams this summer are climbing our rankings? Where will the defending championNew York Knickscheck in?

Our countdown begins with players Nos. 100-51 and continues Wednesday with Nos. 50-11 and Thursday with our expert panel's predictions for this season's top 10.

And that expert 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.

Note: Signature stats provided by ESPN Research.

100. Luguentz Dort

G |Atlanta Hawks

Age: 27

2025 NBA Rank:64

The Dorture Chamber heads southeast, where the Hawks will be downright scary on the wings with Dort, Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels. Dort is still one of the league's most physical defenders and is entering the final year of his contract (at $18.2 million), so he'll be motivated in a new environment. His 3-point shooting fell off last season after two years at a 40% clip with the Thunder. Even if last season was a regression to the mean, the physicality Dort brings is the sell for the Hawks. -- Vincent Goodwill

Signature stat: Dort defended 2026 All-Stars for 1,238 matchups last season, the third most in the NBA.

Fantasy projection: 9.6 PTS, 3.8 REB, 1.0 STL

99. RJ Barrett

G |Toronto Raptors

Age:26

2025 NBA Rank:100

Barrett, the No. 3 pick in the 2019 draft, is a reliable secondary scorer who creates advantages with downhill attacks and plays well off lead options. Though the Toronto native hasn't developed into a franchise wing because of his mediocre outside shot and limited defensive impact, he thrilled his hometown fans in May with the signature moment of his seven-year career. When Barrett bounced home a last-second 3-pointer to beat the Cavaliers and force Game 7 in the Raptors' first-round playoff series, fans indulged in their most raucous celebration since the 2019 championship parade. -- Ben Golliver

Signature stat: Barrett shot 64% on layups and dunks last season, best in a season in his career and up from 55% in 2024-25, per GeniusIQ tracking.

Fantasy projection: 19.7 PTS, 5.6 REB, 3.9 AST

98. Jalen Suggs

G |Orlando Magic

Age:25

2025 NBA Rank:59

Suggs excelled at forcing turnovers last season, ranking sixth in steals per game among players to appear in at least 50 games. He also averaged a career high in defensive net points per 100 possessions, per ESPN Analytics. Health will be a factor to watch for Suggs, who has missed at least 25 games in four of his five NBA seasons. There might be questions around Suggs and Anthony Black for the point guard role, but they did share the floor for 459 minutes last season. The Magic had a plus-13.5 net efficiency in that time. -- Matt Williams

Signature stat: The Magic shot 55.5% directly off Suggs' passes last season, second best in the NBA among players with at least 400 assist opportunities, according to GeniusIQ.

Fantasy projection:13.2 PTS, 4.0 AST, 1.5 STL

97. Caleb Wilson

F |Chicago Bulls

Age:20

2025 NBA Rank:NR (rookie)

Wilson is the first of four rookies on this list, which befits the No. 4 pick from the most recent draft. He's an extraordinary athlete with immense potential, and he even flashed unexpected 3-point range at summer league (42% on 7.8 attempts per game). Like all rookies, he'll undergo growing pains this season -- he committed 21 turnovers to just seven assists during summer league -- but he's the Bulls' most compelling prospect since Derrick Rose. -- Zach Kram

Signature stat: Wilson was the second freshman to lead North Carolina in scoring, rebounding and steals in a season, joining Tyler Hansbrough in 2005-06.

Fantasy projection:17.9 PTS, 8.1 REB, 1.4 BLK

96. Peyton Watson

F |Cleveland Cavaliers

Age:24

2025 NBA Rank:NR

Watson's impact last year with Denver and his role this season has him cracking the top 100 for the first time. Before injuring his right hamstring Feb. 4, Watson was averaging 14.9 points while shooting 49.6% from the field and 41.7% on 3-pointers. (His 53% clip on corner 3s last season ranked sixth in the NBA among players with at least 1,000 minutes.) Following his offseason trade, Watson is likely to slide into the starting small forward role with Cleveland. -- Bobby Marks

Signature stat: Watson ranks second in field goal percentage allowed as the contesting defender since entering the league in 2022-23 among players to challenge at least 2,000 shots.

Fantasy projection: 14.2 PTS, 5.0 REB, 1.3 BLK

95. Donovan Clingan

C |Portland Trail Blazers

Age:22

2025 NBA Rank:NR

Clingan makes his NBA Rank debut after developing into a reliable big in his second year in the league. He played 77 games and ranked third among all players in rebounds per game (11.6) and fifth in blocks (1.7). The 7-2 center will play for his third pro coach in as many seasons, with Micah Nori now roaming the sidelines in Portland. Clingan's crucial next step will be having his offense catch up to his defense. After averaging 12.1 points on 52% shooting in the regular season, he put up just 7.0 points on 30.4% shooting in a first-round loss to the Spurs. -- Dave McMenamin

Signature stat: Clingan led the NBA in offensive rebounds and contested shots on defense last season.

Fantasy projection:11.4 PTS, 11.1 REB, 1.7 BLK

94. Coby White

G |Charlotte Hornets

Age:26

2025 NBA Rank:71

White will get an upgraded role for the Hornets after they traded LaMelo Ball. White signed a large extension this offseason and moves into the starting guard spot after serving as a sixth man to end last season. White's career best averages in points (20.4) and assists (5.1) came as a starter in Chicago. He has a solid chance to top those numbers as the Hornets' new quarterback.-- AndréSnellings

Signature stat: White ranked ninth in points per direct drive among 73 players to record at least 500 drives last season, per GeniusIQ.

Fantasy projection: 20.0 PTS, 4.8 AST, 4.1 REB

93. Draymond Green

F |Golden State Warriors

Age:36

2025 NBA Rank:51

It's no surprise that Green has fallen to the back of the top 100 as he enters his late 30s. If anything, it's a testament to his long track record of success and continued defensive prowess that he -- a player who hasn't averaged double-digit points since 2017-18 -- is still on this list at all. Green is only a year removed from a first-team All-Defensive campaign, and he remains an excellent passer for his position. He has slipped just enough from his peak to no longer be realistically included in the All-Star conversation. -- Kram

Signature stat: Green averaged 4.6 3-point attempts last season, the most in his career.

Fantasy projection: 8.7 PTS, 6.1 REB, 5.7 AST

92. Jimmy Butler III

F |Golden State Warriors

Age:37

2025 NBA Rank:18

Butler's free fall in the rankings is easily explained by the right ACL injury he sustained in January. The wing could be sidelined until January or February 2027, according to ESPN's Anthony Slater, and faces real questions about whether he can regain his pre-injury form. The six-time All-Star, 37, will be an unrestricted free agent next summer and therefore should be motivated to make an impact once he returns. Sadly, his partnership with Stephen Curry already looks like a case of "what could have been." -- Golliver

Signature stat: The Warriors went 23-15 with Butler and 14-30 without him last season.

Fantasy projection: 19.4 PTS, 5.4 REB, 5.1 AST

91. Fred VanVleet

G |Houston Rockets

Age:32

2025 NBA Rank:NR (injury)

VanVleet is back with Houston after missing 2025-26 because of a torn ACL. Though last season's Rockets were in the top 10 in offensive efficiency, they ranked 27th in turnover percentage and 29th in that stat during clutch time. VanVleet will surely improve those figures; he was seventh in assist-to-turnover ratio in his last full season in 2024-25. -- Williams

Signature stat: VanVleet ranks seventh in career assist-to-turnover ratio among players to record at least 3,000 assists since individual turnovers were first tracked in 1977-78.

Fantasy projection:14.0 PTS, 6.0 AST, 1.3 STL

90. Ayo Dosunmu

G |Minnesota Timberwolves

Age:26

2025 NBA Rank:NR

After signing a five-year, $112 million contract in the offseason, Dosunmu is projected to have a significant role -- even with Minnesota's addition of LaMelo Ball. The Timberwolves are expected to be without guard Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) for an extended period. Acquired at the 2025 trade deadline from Chicago, Dosunmu averaged 14.4 points, and shot 52.1% from the field and 41.4% from 3 in his 24 games with Minnesota. -- Marks

Signature stat: In Game 4 against the Nuggets last postseason, Dosunmu had 43 points, the most in a playoff game off the bench since Fred Brown in 1976.

Fantasy projection: 15.3 PTS, 3.9 AST, 3.6 REB

89. Josh Hart

F |New York Knicks

Age:31

2025 NBA Rank:69

Hart enters 2026-27 after a title run and the best shooting season of his career. He shot 41% from 3-point range on nearly four attempts per game -- his most with the Knicks. And as New York's emotional barometer, Hart sounded the alarm after a March loss in Houston; the Knicks reeled off five straight wins before their season finale and title run. If the Knicks show slippage during their defense, Hart will call it out. -- Goodwill

Signature stat: Hart shot 5.3% above expectation on 3-pointers last season, third best among players to attempt at least 200 threes, per GeniusIQ.

Fantasy projection:12.2 PTS, 7.7 REB, 5.0 AST

88. Matas Buzelis

F |Chicago Bulls

Age:21

2025 NBA Rank:NR

The Bulls' high-flying forward virtually doubled his production from his rookie to sophomore seasons to crack NBA Rank for the first time. The 6-foot-8 Buzelis boosted his averages from 8.6 to 16.3 points, from 3.5 to 5.8 rebounds and from 1.0 to 2.1 assists per game. How he meshes with Chicago's No. 4 pick, Caleb Wilson, will be paramount for his continued development in the Windy City. -- McMenamin

Signature stat: Buzelis increased his scoring average by 7.7 points from 2024-25 to 2025-26, second-largest increase in the NBA, trailing Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

Fantasy projection:16.7 PTS, 6.0 REB, 1.6 BLK

87. CJ McCollum

G |Atlanta Hawks

Age:35

2025 NBA Rank:NR

The Hawks acquired McCollum in the Trae Young deal, and the move ignited their second-half run, during which they posted the seventh-best record in the NBA after the deal. More scoring guard than point guard, McCollum fit perfectly next to do-everything point forward Jalen Johnson. McCollum is the best perimeter shot creator on the team, and his shooting range lets him space the floor and generate good looks for his teammates. He joins Most Improved Player Nickeil Alexander-Walker and former steals champion Dyson Daniels to give the Hawks one of the most dynamic backcourts in the league. -- Snellings

Signature stat: McCollum ranked fifth in points per direct handoff among 69 players to receive at least 200 handoffs last season, according to GeniusIQ.

Fantasy projection:19.1 PTS, 3.9 AST, 3.4 REB

86. Norman Powell

G |Chicago Bulls

Age:33

2025 NBA Rank:82

Powell followed a career campaign in 2024-25 (21.8 points per game) with an almost identical season in 2025-26 (21.7), which earned him his first All-Star nod at 32 years old. It's a brilliant late-career renaissance for the veteran guard, who is a career 40% 3-point shooter and even averaged a career-best 2.5 assists last season. He'll now be tasked with spacing the floor and scoring for a young Bulls team that traded away much of its offense last season.-- Kram

Signature stat: Powell ranked fourth in points per touch among players to record at least 1,000 touches last season, per GeniusIQ.

Fantasy projection: 24.0 PTS, 3.8 REB, 2.6 AST

85. Cameron Boozer

F |Memphis Grizzlies

Age:19

2025 NBA Rank:NR (rookie)

The 19-year-old Boozer enters his rookie season as perhaps the most NBA-ready prospect in his class because of his strong physique, excellent feel and winning history. During his freshman season at Duke, the 6-foot-8 forward averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists while leading the nation in win shares. After the Grizzlies traded Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., Boozer should have the chance to emerge as the team's lead scoring option in the first year of a long-term rebuild. -- Golliver

Signature stat: Boozer was the first underclassman to average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in a season since Larry Bird in 1976-77.

Fantasy projection:18.5 PTS, 7.9 REB, 3.1 AST

84. Alex Caruso

G |Oklahoma City Thunder

Age:32

2025 NBA Rank:53

Caruso dropped in these rankings from last year, but there is a case he should be higher in this edition. He had another standout season defensively, ranking first among qualified guards in defensive Net Points per 100 possessions, according to ESPN Analytics. Although not known for his offense, Caruso showed that side of his game in the Western Conference finals against the Spurs, averaging 14.9 points and shooting 50% on 3-pointers during the seven-game series. -- Williams

Signature stat: Caruso shot 45% on 3-pointers in the 2026 playoffs, up from 29% in the regular season.

Fantasy projection:8.4 PTS, 3.6 REB, 1.7 STL

83. Darryn Peterson

G |Utah Jazz

Age:19

2025 NBA Rank:NR (rookie)

Peterson might have been the NBA draft's biggest enigma, but those questions feel long gone after a critic-quieting performance in Las Vegas. But in the NBA, he won't be browbeaten in a losing environment. The Jazz can bring him along slowly with Jaren Jackson Jr., Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George, who recently received an extension,already in the fold. Peterson won't have the weight of carrying a Jazz franchise that hasn't been in the playoffs since 2022. -- Goodwill

Signature stat: Peterson averaged 20.2 points last season, the most by a freshman in Kansas history.

Fantasy projection: 19.4 PTS, 3.8 REB, 2.8 AST

82. Jrue Holiday

G |Portland Trail Blazers

Age:36

2025 NBA Rank:91

Holiday moves up nine spots from last year's top 100 despite playing his fewest games (53) since 2014-15 and turning 36 years old in June. Holiday continues to impact winning. Including 2025-26, Portland's first postseason appearance since 2021, Holiday has been on a playoff team six straight seasons. He joins a crowded backcourt this season with Damian Lillard and Ja Morant.-- Marks

Signature stat: Holiday averaged career highs in 3-point makes and attempts last season.

Fantasy projection:12.6 PTS, 4.7 AST, 4.5 REB

81. Naz Reid

F |Charlotte Hornets

Age:27

2025 NBA Rank:90

Reid has a new home after spending the first seven years of his career in Minnesota. The 6-9 big was part of the Timberwolves' swap with the Charlotte Hornets for LaMelo Ball and will fit his quick-release 3s and rim-running abilities alongside Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel this season. The move will likely come with a role change for the 2023-24 Sixth Man of the Year, as Reid is penciled in as a starter with the revamped Hornets. -- McMenamin

Signature stat: Reid was one of three players to score at least 1,000 points off the bench last season.

Fantasy projection:15.9 PTS, 7.1 REB, 1.1 BLK

80. Josh Giddey

G |Chicago Bulls

Age:23

2025 NBA Rank:NR

Giddey nearly averaged a triple-double last season and had career highs in points, rebounds and assists. A major area of improvement for the 6-7 guard is his long-distance shooting; since joining the Bulls ahead of the 2024-25 season, Giddey has increased his 3-point percentage while almost doubling his 3-point volume. Still only 23 but entering his sixth season, Giddey is on a career upswing and will form the centerpiece, along with rookie forward Caleb Wilson, for the young Bulls. -- Snellings

Signature stat: Giddey had 13 triple-doubles last season, second most in a season in Bulls history, trailing Michael Jordan's 15 in 1988-89.

Fantasy projection: 18.5 PTS, 9.6 AST, 9.2 REB

79. Ajay Mitchell

G |Oklahoma City Thunder

Age:24

2025 NBA Rank:NR

Second-year players don't typically fare well on Most Improved Player ballots, because many voters think their improvement should be expected. But that didn't stop Mitchell from placing fifth in the award's voting last season, as the 2024 second-rounder blossomed into a crucial contributor to one of the NBA's top teams.

Mitchell now serves as a reliable secondary playmaker behind back-to-back MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Mitchell is a sufficient enough perimeter defender not to be torched on the other end. Oklahoma City went 10-1 in playoff games in which Mitchell played last season, but just 1-3 without him as the Thunder lost to the Spurs after injuries to Mitchell and Jalen Williams.-- Kram

Signature stat: Last season, Mitchell ranked in the top 10 in net points per 100 possessions among qualified guards, per ESPN Analytics.

Fantasy projection: 12.2 PTS, 3.3 AST, 3.0 REB

78. AJ Dybantsa

F |Washington Wizards

Age:19

2025 NBA Rank:NR (rookie)

Dybantsa, the Wizards' first No. 1 pick since John Wall in 2010, led the nation in scoring, averaging 25.5 points as a BYU freshman. A dynamic forward who excels at drawing contact, Dybantsa joins a Washington roster that includes a mix of recent first-round picks plus established veteran stars,Anthony Davis and Trae Young. Where Dybantsa falls in the Wizards' pecking order will shape his Rookie of the Year candidacy and the franchise's hopes of snapping a five-year streak of finishing in the lottery. -- Golliver

Signature stat: Dybantsa is the first player to lead the nation in scoring and then get selected No. 1 in the NBA draft since Glenn Robinson in 1994.

Fantasy projection: 20.1 PTS, 4.9 REB, 2.8 AST

77. Ja Morant

G |Portland Trail Blazers

Age:27

2025 NBA Rank:33

Morant has a new home with the Trail Blazers, and the main topic will be his availability. He has played just 79 games the past three seasons. His new team has an abundance of backcourt players as coach Micah Nori rotates among Morant, Lillard, Holiday and Scoot Henderson (and eventually Shaedon Sharpe when he returns from a torn meniscus in his right knee). Morant will look to get back to the production he had earlier in his career with Memphis, where he averaged the most points for a career in Grizzlies history. -- Williams

Signature stat: Since his rookie season in 2019-20, Morant is one of just nine players to average at least 20 points and seven assists.

Fantasy projection: 21.0 PTS, 7.2 AST, 3.8 REB

76. Dillon Brooks

F |Phoenix Suns

Age:30

2025 NBA Rank:NR

Dillon the Villain is now Dillon the culture changer. Last season, he averaged a career-high 20.2 points as the Suns were one of the surprise teams in the West. Brooks deserves some credit for that turnaround, and the Suns gave him a three-year extension. Houston went from 22 to 41 wins in Brooks' first season there, and Phoenix had a nine-win improvement last season. -- Goodwill

Signature stat: Brooks ranked in the top 10 in made 2-point jumpers last season, according to GeniusIQ.

Fantasy projection: 18.6 PTS, 3.6 REB, 1.0 STL

75. Cason Wallace

G |Oklahoma City Thunder

Age:22

2025 NBA Rank:NR

Wallace joins the top 100 for the first time, primarily because of his defensive impact. Named All-Defense for the first time in his career, Wallace led all players in steals this season. During the regular season, Wallace held opponents to 41.6% shooting as the closest defender, the fifth-best mark in the NBA, per GeniusIQ. And in the playoffs, Wallace held Austin Reaves, Devin Booker, Stephon Castle and Jalen Green to a combined 25% on 3-pointers. Wallace has played at least 68 games in each of his first three seasons, including 82 in his rookie year. He is eligible to sign a rookie extension before the Oct. 19 deadline. -- Marks

Signature stat: Wallace led the NBA in total steals and deflections last season.

Fantasy projection: 8.4 PTS, 3.1 REB, 1.9 STL

74. Isaiah Hartenstein

C |Oklahoma City Thunder

Age:28

2025 NBA Rank:56

Injuries have held Hartenstein to just 94 games over the past two seasons, but he has established his value while on the court as OKC's rugged interior centerpiece. He has averaged a double-double, but perhaps more importantly, he has been disruptive on defense while crashing the boards heavily on offense. Hartenstein's size and energy pair with the length and skill of Chet Holmgren to create one of the best big man combinations in the league. -- Snellings

Signature stat: Hartenstein ranked fifth in total defensive net points last season, per ESPN Analytics.

Fantasy projection: 9.5 PTS, 9.6 PTS, 3.5 AST

73. Walker Kessler

C |Los Angeles Lakers

Age:25

2025 NBA Rank:98

Kessler's potential fit alongside Luka Doncic has him vaulting 25 spots on the NBA Rank list, despite playing just five games last season. The surgically repaired torn labrum in Kessler's left shoulder didn't discourage the Lakers from trading unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, plus pick swaps in 2028 and 2030 to pry the 7-2 center from the Jazz. L.A. inked Kessler to a four-year, $130 deal, banking on him to anchor the defense while providing Doncic an ideal lob partner. -- McMenamin

Signature stat: Kessler has averaged 2.4 blocks in his career, second most since entering the NBA in 2022-23, trailing Victor Wembanyama.

Fantasy projection: 11.5 PTS, 12.4 REB, 2.6 BLK

72. VJ Edgecombe

G |Philadelphia 76ers

Age:21

2025 NBA Rank:NR

It might seem natural that the No. 3 pick in the 2025 draft would finish third in Rookie of the Year voting, but that placement undersells Edgecombe's impressive debut season. As a Day 1 starter for a team that reached the second round of the playoffs, Edgecombe averaged 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists while making 35% of his 3s. Perhaps most impressively, he ranked 11th in the league in minutes despite having to adjust to a full NBA schedule. -- Kram

Signature stat:Edgecombe played 2,623 minutes last season, the most by a rookie since Ben Simmons and Donovan Mitchell in 2017-18.

Fantasy projection: 15.2 PTS, 5.4 REB, 1.4 STL

71. Tyler Herro

G |Milwaukee Bucks

Age:26

2025 NBA Rank:68

Herro endured a major one-two punch this summer: A few weeks after he was traded from the Heat to the Bucks, the scoring guard was on the wrong end of a physical altercation with former teammate Bam Adebayo in Las Vegas. A return to his hometown of Milwaukee offers a fresh start for the 2025 All-Star, who blossomed from sixth man to lead initiator during his seven-year run in Miami. Herro should enjoy a green light on the rebuilding Bucks, who must reconstruct their offense after parting with franchise legend Giannis Antetokounmpo. -- Golliver

Signature stat: According to GeniusIQ, Herro ranked second in points per direct isolation last season among players with at least 100 isolations, trailing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Fantasy projection: 22.5 PTS, 5.1 REB, 4.7 AST

70. Payton Pritchard

G |Boston Celtics

Age:28

2025 NBA Rank:97

Pritchard saw a jump in usage as he became a consistent starter before shifting back to the bench in early February. Pritchard averaged career highs in points (17.0), rebounds (3.9) and assists (5.2). His touches per game also went from 51.8 in 2024-25 to 68.9 in 2025-26, the second-largest increase among 33 players to record at least 4,000 touches in each season, behind Portland's Deni Avdija. -- Williams

Signature stat: Pritchard started 50 games last season after making 17 starts across his first five seasons.

Fantasy projection: 16.0 PTS, 4.8 AST, 3.8 REB

69. Damian Lillard

G |Portland Trail Blazers

Age:36

2025 NBA Rank:NR (injury)

It's hard to project Lillard's place in these rankings after he missed all of last season recovering from an Achilles injury, and especially with Morant joining the already-crowded backcourt. The last time Lillard played, he was still a 25-point scorer who shot 38% from 3-point range. Returning to Portland will be heartwarming as Lillard seeks a bounce-back season. -- Goodwill

Signature stat: After missing last season, Lillard will play for Portland for the first time since 2022-23. He has the most career points and second-most career assists in Trail Blazers history.

Fantasy projection: 21.7 PTS, 6.2 AST, 4.0 REB

68. Keyonte George

G |Utah Jazz

Age:22

2025 NBA Rank:NR

Another newcomer to the list, George would have been a candidate for Most Improved Player if not for the league's 65-game rule. George was one of 18 players this season to increase their scoring average by at least 6.8 points and is one of 11 players to average at least 23 points and six assists last season. The arrivals of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Darryn Peterson should have Utah contending for a playoff spot this season. If that happens, expect George's ranking to improve in future seasons. The guard is eligible for a rookie extension until the Oct. 19 deadline. -- Marks

Signature stat: George is the second Jazz player with 3,000 points and 1,000 assists within his first three NBA seasons, along with Deron Williams.

Fantasy projection: 22.3 PTS, 6.1 AST, 3.7 REB

67. Paul George

F |Boston Celtics

Age:36

2025 NBA Rank:54

The Celtics will be George's fourth team after spending the first seven years of his career in Indiana. After a solid first-round performance for the 76ers in their seven-game series victory over Boston -- 17.4 points on 55% from 3 with 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.4 steals -- the Celtics traded for George as part of the stunning Jaylen Brown deal. Just like in all of his other spots, George will be contributing to a team expected to make noise in the postseason, and he'll be looking to make his third trip to a conference finals in his 17th season. -- McMenamin

Signature stat: George needs just two 3-pointers to pass Kyle Korver for eighth on the all-time list.

Fantasy projection: 19.8 PTS, 5.4 REB, 1.7 STL

66. Ivica Zubac

C |Indiana Pacers

Age:29

2025 NBA Rank:36

Zubac entered last season fresh off a breakout campaign, during which he finished fourth in the league in rebounding (12.6 per game) while making second-team All-Defense. He was well on his way to averaging his second straight double-double before injuries interfered, and he was ultimately traded from the Clippers to the Pacers. This season, he is the interior anchor for a Pacers squad that will try to return to prominence with their core players healthy. Zubac's rebounding and defense will be a key to the Pacers' postseason aspirations. -- Snellings

Signature stat: Zubac held opponents to 49% shooting at the rim last season, fourth best among players to defend at least 200 shots, per GeniusIQ.

Fantasy projection: 14.3 PTS, 10.9 REB, 1.1 BLK

65. Brandon Ingram

F |LA Clippers

Age:29

2025 NBA Rank:77

In the 2019-20 season, his first in New Orleans, Brandon Ingram won the Most Improved Player award. And he has produced at basically that level in all seven seasons since, averaging between 20 and 25 points every season and combining a high usage rate with roughly league-average efficiency.

But now, Ingram is on his third team in three seasons, as his overall impact doesn't match his shiny scoring totals. He'll continue to get buckets for the Clippers this season, but it's unclear how much he'll do beyond that. -- Kram

Signature stat: Ingram made 197 shots from the midrange last season, third most in the NBA, trailing DeMar DeRozan and Kevin Durant.

Fantasy projection: 22.6 PTS, 5.7 REB, 4.8 AST

64. Aaron Gordon

F |Denver Nuggets

Age:31

2025 NBA Rank:40

Gordon's impact on winning remains crystal clear: The Nuggets played at a 62-win pace with him in the lineup and a 48-win pace without him last season, then they crumbled in the first round of the playoffs as he battled a calf ailment. The veteran forward has averaged just 53 games played in the three years since Denver's 2023 championship run, and his rankings' drop reflects growing concerns that he has become a chronic injury risk. Even so, Gordon's activity, experience and defensive versatility make him the perfect fit alongside Denver's star duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. -- Golliver

Signature stat: Gordon has shot 41% on 3-pointers over the past two seasons after shooting 32% from beyond the arc across his first 10 seasons.

Fantasy projection: 15.5 PTS, 5.5 REB, 3.1 AST

63. Jarrett Allen

C |Cleveland Cavaliers

Age:28

2025 NBA Rank:45

The Cavaliers will get a full season of Allen running on-ball screens with James Harden, an action they went to quite a bit after Harden arrived in Cleveland. According to GeniusIQ, Allen set 13.7 on-ball screens per game with Harden as the ball handler, ranking in the top five among duos to run 100 pick actions together from Feb. 7 until the end of the regular season. Allen also had a jump in his offensive production in the 13 regular-season games he played with Harden, averaging 18.4 points and 70.5% shooting from the field. -- Williams

Signature stat: Allen shot 64% from the field last season, fifth best in the NBA among qualified players.

Fantasy projection: 15.8 PTS, 10.0 REB, 1.0 BLK

62. Darius Garland

G |LA Clippers

Age:26

2025 NBA Rank:38

The two-time All-Star slid down the NBA Rank list after playing just 45 games last season and being dealt from the Cavaliers to the Clippers. One encouraging sign for Garland's upcoming campaign is that the Clippers went 13-6 in the 19 games he played after the trade. As one of the 71 active players with 1,000 or more made 3-pointers in their career, Garland will be relied on to space the floor in coach Ty Lue's matchup-based offense. -- McMenamin

Signature stat: Garland ranked 10th in points per direct pick last season among 51 players to run at least 1,000 on-ball screens as the ball handler, per GeniusIQ.

Fantasy projection: 21.6 PTS, 7.4 AST, 1.3 STL

61. Mikal Bridges

F |New York Knicks

Age:30

2025 NBA Rank:48

The NBA's current iron man sits eighth on the all-time list of consecutive games played (638) and could pass Harry Gallatin, Bill Laimbeer and Dolph Schayes this season. And Bridges settled into his role right as the playoffs rolled around last spring; his scoring was its lowest since 2022, but he shot a blistering 56% in the postseason and made several big shots in the Knicks' run. Perhaps it's something that extends to this season. -- Goodwill

Signature stat: Bridge's iron man streak is the second-longest consecutive games streak to begin a career in NBA history, trailing Johnny Kerr (844).

Fantasy projection: 15.2 PTS, 3.7 AST, 1.2 STL

60. Michael Porter Jr.

F |Brooklyn Nets

Age:28

2025 NBA Rank:70

A change in scenery helped Porter rise 10 spots in the rankings. Acquired last offseason from Denver, along with a 2032 unprotected first-rounder, Porter averaged a career-high 24.2 points and shot 36.3% on 3s, his fourth consecutive season shooting better than 36% from deep. Before suffering a strained left hamstring late in the season, Porter had missed just 14 games since 2023-24. He is on an expiring $40.8 million contract and is eligible for four additional years and up to $234 million. -- Marks

Signature stat: Porter had 14 games of scoring at least 30 points last season, more than double what he had in any other season of his career.

Fantasy projection: 23.5 PTS, 7.2 REB, 2.9 AST

59. Ausar Thompson

G |Detroit Pistons

Age:23

2025 NBA Rank:NR

For all the fair questions about Thompson's shooting, his ability to be a defensive menace is undeniable. That was on display in last season's playoffs, when he recorded nearly four steals plus blocks per game. The Pistons just rewarded him with a deal that could be a steal in a couple of years even with modest improvement. If not for Victor Wembanyama, a Defensive Player of the Year award could be within reach. -- Goodwill

Signature stat: Thompson led the NBA in steals per game and ranked second in total deflections last season.

Fantasy projection: 10.4 PTS, 6.0 REB, 2.0 STL

58. Domantas Sabonis

F |Sacramento Kings

Age:30

2025 NBA Rank:34

Sabonis will look to bounce back after Sacramento's nightmare 2025-26 campaign, during which he played a career-low 19 games because of a season-ending knee surgery. Despite the first extended absence of his 10-year career, Sabonis remains a productive offensive lynchpin who ranks second leaguewide in double-doubles over the past five seasons. The 6-10 center stands out with energy and deft passing, but his lack of 3-point range and poor rim protection have made it challenging to construct a consistent winner around him. -- Golliver

Signature stat: Sabonis' three-year streak ofleading the league in rebounds per game ended last season.

Fantasy projection: 18.9 PTS, 13.6 RPG, 6.8 AST

57. Trey Murphy III

F |New Orleans Pelicans

Age:26

2025 NBA Rank:58

Murphy is one of the best examples of a 3-and-D player in the NBA, and he's one of the season's most appealing potential trade candidates for that reason. The 26-year-old is a career 38% 3-point shooter on high volume -- he ranked sixth among qualified players in 3-point makes per game last season -- and he has also increased his assist average in every season of his career, hinting at yet-untapped potential in his all-around offensive game. -- Kram

Signature stat: Last season, Murphy became the second player in league history with at least 200 3-pointers and 100 dunks in a season. Lauri Markkanenaccomplished it in 2022-23.

Fantasy projection: 19.5 PTS, 5.2 REB, 3.4 AST

56. Jaden McDaniels

F |Minnesota Timberwolves

Age:25

2025 NBA Rank:75

Though McDaniels is often discussed for his defense, his offensive improvement is why he climbed 19 spots in the rankings. McDaniels had a career year, averaging his best marks in points (14.8), assists (2.7) and 3-point field goal percentage (41%). That was on display when McDaniels had a playoff career-high 32 points in Game 6 to eliminate the Nuggets in the first round. With Julius Randle and Naz Reid being traded this summer and Donte DiVincenzo missing at least most of the season because of a torn right Achilles, McDaniels will get a larger offensive workload even with Minnesota's acquisition of LaMelo Ball. -- Williams

Signature stat: McDaniels defended 2026 All-Stars for 1,163 matchups last season, fourth most in the NBA, per GeniusIQ.

Fantasy projection: 14.2 PTS, 4.4 REB, 1.1 STL

55. Nickeil Alexander-Walker

G |Atlanta Hawks

Age:28

2025 NBA Rank:96

In his first season with the Hawks, Alexander-Walker set career highs in scoring (20.8 points per game) and in efficiency, establishing himself as the starting shooting guard for one of the hottest teams in the NBA down the stretch of 2025-26. Alexander-Walker is a shooter/scorer who can create off the dribble or operate as a spot-up shooter, and is a disruptive defender. The reigning Most Improved Player has All-Star upside this season. -- Snellings

Signature stat: Alexander-Walker increased his scoring average by 11.4 points from 2024-25 to 2025-26, the largest increase in the NBA.

Fantasy projection: 19.2 PTS, 3.5 AST, 1.2 STL

54. Julius Randle

F |Brooklyn Nets

Age:31

2025 NBA Rank:42

Randle fell 12 spots despite averaging more than 20 points for a fifth time in six seasons. However, his regular-season production took a nosedive in the postseason. Randle averaged five fewer points while shooting 39% from the field and 24.4% on 3-pointers. Traded in the offseason from Minnesota to Brooklyn, expect Randle to improve the flow of the Nets' 30th-ranked offense. In the lineups where Minnesota did not play with a point guard, Randle averaged 5.0 assists per game. He has two years left on his contract, including a player option for 2027-28. -- Marks

Signature stat: Randle was one of four players to record at least 1,500 points, 500 rebounds and 300 assists last season.

Fantasy projection: 22.0 PTS, 8.1 REB, 5.0 AST

53. Jaren Jackson Jr.

F |Utah Jazz

Age:27

2025 NBA Rank:31

With the flurry of offseason activity, the Jazz's acquisition of the former Defensive Player of the Year in February is easy to overlook -- especially because Jackson suited up for the Jazz just three times after the trade. But his career averages of 18.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks will make him a key cog alongside Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, Ace Bailey and No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson as Utah eyes its first postseason berth since 2022. -- McMenamin

Signature stat: Jackson ranked in the top 10 in effective field goal percentage allowed as the contesting defender among players to contest at least 800 shots, per GeniusIQ.

Fantasy projection: 21.9 PTS, 5.7 REB, 1.6 BLK

52. Desmond Bane

G |Orlando Magic

Age:28

2025 NBA Rank:39

Bane brought consistent 3-point shooting to the Magic, who desperately needed it. He also played in all 82 games on a team with a starting lineup that was otherwise ravaged by injury. He has averaged more than 20 points in three of the past four seasons, but it is his five straight seasons averaging at least two 3s per game on strong percentages that make him invaluable to the Magic's playoff aspirations. -- Snellings

Signature stat:Bane was one of four players to start all 82 games last season, along with Toumani Camara, Mikal Bridges and Donte DiVincenzo.

Fantasy projection: 20.7 PTS, 4.8 REB, 4.8 AST

51. Zion Williamson

F |New Orleans Pelicans

Age:26

2025 NBA Rank:61

The good news is that Williamson was mostly healthy last season, with his 62 games representing the second-highest total of his career. The bad news is that his impact was more muted than usual during that time. Williamson's usage rate and scoring average (21.0 points per game) were career lows.

During his first few seasons, Williamson was a high-risk, high-reward enigma. He was rarely healthy, but he produced at an All-Star level and looked frequently unstoppable when he was available. Yet now, he has seemingly settled into a more mundane existence in his mid-20s: Given his defensive limitations and lack of shooting range, Williamson is a tricky fit in a modern NBA lineup, and he hasn't made an All-Star team since 2023. -- Kram

Signature stat: Williamson averaged 15.4 paint points last season, the most in the NBA among players to appear in at least 40 games.

Fantasy projection: 22.8 PTS, 6.1 REB, 4.3 AST

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