NBA Rank 2025: Biggest Snubs and Surprises from the New Top 100

While Victor Wembanyama is undeniably a phenomenal talent, a top-10 ranking feels premature. Although he possesses the potential to reach that echelon, perhaps even by the end of the upcoming season, he currently lacks the established track record and experience in high-pressure games that other top-10 players have accumulated.

The undervaluing of Tyler Herro (No. 68) is quite disrespectful. Despite an early-season foot injury that will sideline him, Herro was an All-Star last season. For a fourth consecutive campaign, he averaged over 20 points, concluding the 2024-25 season with five games scoring 35+ points, a career-best 47.2% field goal percentage, and 5.5 assists per game. He also played a career-high 77 games last season.

I concur with Bobby regarding Herro. Furthermore, Herro achieved nearly 24 points per game with 38% three-point shooting last season, even without being the primary offensive option for the Heat. Everyone remembers Pat Riley`s challenge to Jimmy Butler III (No. 18) over a year ago, but few recall Riley also called out Herro at the same press conference. Herro subsequently delivered his finest career season. He also demonstrated remarkable professionalism and leadership during the Butler situation. Herro ought to be ranked somewhere between 40 and 55.

Ivica Zubac (No. 36) surprised me. Not because his improvement isn`t justified, but because the basketball community seems to have finally recognized his caliber to such an extent. Zubac was absent from our top 100 last year, overlooked in favor of players like Jonas Valanciunas (No. 87 this year) and Jaime Jaquez Jr. (now unranked). This year, Zubac is ranked above Jamal Murray (No. 46), Joel Embiid (No. 47), and Rudy Gobert (No. 49), and is only three spots behind Ja Morant (No. 33). His ninth NBA season was his career-best, averaging 16.8 points and 12.6 rebounds with elite interior defense. However, the 28-year-old Clippers center has consistently been a dependable starting center for a considerable period.

While playing only 58 games across the last two seasons is a significant consideration, Joel Embiid`s ranking (No. 47) appears remarkably low given his immense talent. When healthy, Embiid stands among the league`s elite, having earned MVP honors in 2023 and consistently averaging at least 30 points for three straight campaigns. In 2023-24, he became the first player since Wilt Chamberlain (1961-62) to record more points than minutes played. Embiid is expected to vastly exceed his current ranking, assuming he can maintain his health. His placement seems to reflect the panel`s doubts about his durability.

Keegan Murray`s exclusion from the top 100 is utterly baffling. He`s a legitimate and versatile two-way player, standing 6-foot-8, and consistently takes on the Kings` toughest defensive assignments. Beyond his defensive prowess, he boasts a career 38% three-point shooting accuracy and contributes effectively without needing the ball constantly. He moves well off-ball, makes smart cuts to the basket, and excels in transition. On any other team, he would likely be ranked within the 55 to 70 range.

Jalen Duren. His Pistons teammate from the same 2022 draft class, Jaden Ivey (No. 85), secured a spot on the back end of the top 100, but that position could easily have gone to Detroit`s formidable big man. Duren, while not without flaws and areas for development, is a dominant force on the boards. He consistently created numerous rebounding opportunities and second-chance points during the postseason, averaging a double-double in the first-round series against the Knicks.

I`ll make a case for two players: Herbert Jones and Jordan Poole. Did the voters forget that Jones was named NBA All-Defensive First Team in 2024? I understand that the top 100 often reflects recent performance, and Jones`s career-low 20 games due to multiple injuries might not fit this criterion. As for Poole, his career highs in points, assists, steals, and three-point percentage for 2024-25 will likely be overlooked due to the Wizards` poor 18-win record last season.

Poole is an excellent choice. It seems his reputation is unfairly tarnished by his blooper reels and the dramatic final year of his tenure with the Warriors. Back in 2022, during a significant third-season surge, he averaged 18.5 points per game, playing a crucial role in an NBA championship team. Although circumstances became difficult the following preseason, we`ve witnessed his capacity to be a key contributor to a winning team at the highest level. He`s led the league in free throw percentage, and the Warriors` subsequent struggles with secondary scoring after trading him highlight his value. Furthermore, he rebounded from a challenging first season with the Wizards to deliver a productive and efficient second year in Washington D.C.

While Duren and Jones immediately come to mind, I`d like to advocate for Detroit`s Ausar Thompson. The Pistons made a substantial defensive leap last season, finishing 10th in defensive efficiency, largely thanks to Thompson`s contributions. According to GeniusIQ tracking, among players who contested at least 400 shots in 2024-25, he ranked in the top five for field goal percentage allowed as the contesting defender. His primary area for improvement remains his perimeter shot, as he converted only 15 of 60 jump shots last season.

I believe Stephen Curry has the strongest probability. He still possesses a seemingly boundless reservoir of stamina and an unparalleled offensive gravity that compels defenses to react to his every move from beyond the arc. Despite their advanced ages, all three players face high expectations for deep playoff runs this season in a highly competitive Western Conference. The Warriors, Lakers, and Rockets have all made significant roster enhancements over the past year, placing pressure on these veterans not only to continue performing like stars but also to remain healthy enough to lead their teams to contention.

Perhaps I`m in the minority, but a compelling argument can be made for all three — James, Durant, and Curry — to remain in the top 10 next season, provided they stay healthy. James is entering his 23rd season and will turn 41 in December, yet there`s no indication that Father Time has caught up to him. From December 30th onwards last season, he averaged 25.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists in regular-season play. As for Durant, he shared the distinction with Nikola Jokic as the only players last season to average 25 points with 50% field goal shooting and 40% from three-point range.

Assuming all three participate in the 2026-27 season, James, Durant, and Curry will retain their spots in the top 10. After James turned 40 on December 30th, only three players averaged 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists: James himself, Jokic, and Luka Doncic. Durant`s game is adaptable to any team, and he now joins a new squad. Last season, Durant shot an impressive 51% on off-the-dribble jumpers, a rate only surpassed by himself in the 2022-23 season since player tracking began in 2013-14. According to Genius IQ tracking, Curry maintained an average offensive movement speed of nearly 5 mph last season, ranking in the league`s top 10, and his ability to maintain this pace will be critical as he ages. He also achieved four made three-pointers per game for the ninth time in his career in 2024-25, an NBA record by a significant margin.

I wouldn`t bet against any of these three legends. Curry`s exceptional shooting ability will likely enable him to age most gracefully among the trio. However, have you seen how James still looks heading into his 23rd year? Durant also demonstrated remarkable efficiency last season, and his skill set is precisely what the Rockets need. He is the primary reason they will contend for the Western Conference title.

I would rank them: Curry, then James, then Durant. Curry enters the season with the most predictable role. He will remain the central figure in the Warriors` offense, as he has been for over a decade. If he stays healthy, it`s reasonable to anticipate his season will closely mirror last season`s performance, both visually and statistically, which would place him in the top 10. Durant will be adapting to a new environment in Houston. James is adjusting to playing alongside Luka Doncic (a top-10 player). These latter two scenarios present more unpredictable circumstances.

This is an easy choice for me. Cade Cunningham (No. 12) is an undeniable star, and his continuous leaps in development will catapult him into the upper echelons of superstardom. His blend of size and skill—often reminiscent of Luka Doncic in his ability to survey defenses—is the reason the Pistons are becoming a must-watch team in the Eastern Conference. Cunningham`s pick-and-roll execution is already elite, and he possesses significant growth potential to become a three-level scorer. Additionally, his wingspan and defensive acumen allow him to effectively guard multiple positions.

Anthony Davis (No. 14). This might be a controversial or at least a risky prediction, given his recent injury history. However, if Davis remains healthy, he should be incredibly motivated to loudly reassert his status and remind people that he isn`t just a secondary figure in the Doncic trade. The narrative aligns well for Davis: if the Mavericks manage a surprising season—perhaps securing a top-six playoff seed—they would have accomplished this largely without Kyrie Irving for most or all of the regular season. While No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg (No. 52) will undoubtedly capture headlines, Davis is currently the most impactful player on the Mavs` roster and is still in his late prime.

Donovan Mitchell (No. 15). The Cavaliers were a significant disappointment in the playoffs last season, but none of that can be attributed to Mitchell. He has been consistently outstanding since joining Cleveland. If the Cavs once again dominate the regular season and are finally poised for a deep playoff run—perhaps even reaching the Finals—Mitchell is almost guaranteed to be a pivotal factor. He would then gain momentum similar to Tyrese Haliburton after a strong postseason showing.

Paolo Banchero (No. 17). If the initial five games of the 2024-25 regular season provided any indication, Banchero is primed for an All-NBA-caliber campaign. Before suffering a torn right oblique, Banchero was averaging an astounding 33.2 points. He ultimately concluded the season averaging a career-high 25.9 points. With the offseason additions of Desmond Bane (No. 39) and Tyus Jones, the Magic are projected to finish among the top three teams in the Eastern Conference.

Coming off his first All-Star appearance last season and an exceptional run at EuroBasket, Alperen Sengun (No. 25) possesses the skill set to break into the top 10. Although it resulted in a series loss, Sengun performed brilliantly for the Rockets in the first round against the Warriors, becoming only the fifth player in league history to average 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists in his debut playoff series. Furthermore, increased defensive attention on Durant should only continue to unleash Sengun`s versatile game.

Both would have a strong case for the top 10. Tatum, without question, would retain his position in the latter half of the top five due to his consistent excellence. However, Haliburton`s playoff performance was so exceptional it could significantly alter these rankings. While Haliburton had a few less-than-stellar scoring nights, his on-court impact single-handedly propelled his team through a run to Game 7 of the Finals – an achievement few players ranked from No. 11 to No. 17 (aside from Devin Booker at No. 16) can claim. And while Jalen Williams (No. 11) was outstanding during the Finals, Haliburton`s influence in the mid-series almost tipped the balance in Indiana`s favor, and Haliburton didn`t benefit from the offensive gravity of an MVP playing alongside him.

Tatum is easily a top-10 player if healthy. It`s impossible to overlook a talent who consistently averages at least 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. Haliburton`s ranking is more complex due to the high caliber of players in the 10-20 range. Nevertheless, I would place Haliburton at No. 17, shifting everyone from Banchero downwards by one slot.

Both players would be in my top 10. Tatum has consistently demonstrated his status as a premier NBA player. While Haliburton doesn`t always put up the flashiest statistics, his exceptional passing vision and clutch performances solidify his place in that top-10 category for me.

Tatum is easily a top-10 player, and likely even closer to the top five. It feels as though he has occupied that fifth spot on MVP ballots for half a decade, and he`s still only 27. He was playing at an unprecedented level last season before his injury. As Bobby mentioned, Haliburton is more challenging to place. He delivered a handful of spectacular and historic playoff moments, but his overall postseason wasn`t overwhelmingly dominant. He averaged 17.3 points and 8.6 assists, shooting 46% from the field, with both huge games and quiet ones. Haliburton was the face of the Pacers` well-oiled machine, but in my estimation, he belongs closer to the 20-30 range than the top 10 right now.

Tatum would have been in the top 10 if healthy, following a season where he achieved a career-high in assists and joined Larry Bird and John Havlicek as the only Celtics to average 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. Haliburton would be in the 11-15 range after leading his team to the Finals and earning an All-NBA selection. Even before the playoffs, Haliburton went on an impressive run post-All-Star break, averaging 20.6 points and 11.0 assists with only 26 turnovers across a 21-game span.

Wherever he ultimately lands in the top 10, Giannis Antetokounmpo will climb higher on this list next season. He has become increasingly efficient and dominant in recent years and will shoulder even greater responsibility for Milwaukee this season. This setup will lead to a monumental year for Antetokounmpo, potentially making a strong case for the top spot overall.

Amen Thompson (No. 37) will crack the top 20. I`m not yet ready to predict an All-NBA team selection for Thompson, but his defensive body of work last season in Houston warrants serious discussion for NBA All-Defensive Team and Defensive Player of the Year honors this season. Thompson had a breakout sophomore season, leading the NBA in effective field goal percentage allowed as a contesting defender and ranking fifth in defensive estimated plus-minus. However, his offensive game remains a work in progress, as evidenced by his 27.5% three-point shooting and 68.4% free throw percentage.

Wembanyama will become the fourth player in NBA history to win both MVP and DPOY (joining Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Antetokounmpo). He`s a lock for DPOY, provided he plays the required number of games. For him to win MVP in a competitive Western Conference, the Spurs would need to secure a top-six seed. I`m willing to bet that circumstances will align in their favor, and the Spurs will improve sufficiently to meet that benchmark.

After being ranked No. 90 last season and No. 89 in these current rankings, Andrew Wiggins will continue this trend and finish at No. 88 ahead of the 2026-27 season. This might seem like an unexciting prediction, but there`s an unspectacular consistency to Wiggins` game. He was the central figure in a midseason trade involving Butler, moving cross-conference into a new team environment, yet his statistics remained almost perfectly stable. So, I anticipate a respectable, understated season, a possible trade away from Miami, and that 88th ranking in the summer of 2026.

I`ll offer predictions for two players, both from the Hawks: Jalen Johnson (No. 44) will elevate to a top-25 player next season, and Trae Young (No. 29) will break into the top 15. Before his season concluded due to a torn labrum, Johnson was achieving career highs across the board and was a vital component of the Hawks` offense. Young is coming off a season where he averaged a league-high 11.6 assists per game, setting a Hawks franchise record. The addition of Kristaps Porzingis (No. 50) will significantly benefit Young as the Hawks aim for their first Finals appearance since 1961, when the franchise was based in St. Louis.