Ranking the NBA Crew’s Top 50 Players Ahead of the 2024-25 Season, Part 1 | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

In a few weeks everyone here could have a strong case to be in the top 20, but this is a difficult group.

Being one of the 30 best players in the NBA today is a monumental achievement.

30. Kawhi Leonard, forward (Clippers)

Kawhi Leonard hasn’t finished a playoff run healthy since 2020. He had to sit out the entire preseason due to a current knee injury. So one can certainly be skeptical about its impact in 2024-25. But removing him from the top 50 completely (like Chuck) is bold. Even after missing the entire 2021-22 season, he is 30th in total wins against reserve since the start of this season.

29. Tyrese Maxey, Guard (76ers)

An aspiring playoff contender, Tyrese Maxey has a career plus/minus in the postseason that nearly doubles his regular season mark. And with a legitimate third star on the roster in him and Joel Embiid, Maxey’s chops and outside shots could be even more dangerous. If teams send help to either Embiid or Paul George, he will be able to take advantage of disorganized defenses.

28. Jrue Holiday, guard (Celtics)

Even in his mid-30s, Jrue Holiday may still be the best offensive point defender in the NBA. His error-free style of play also makes life easier for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. And in the 2023-24 season, he shot an incredible 61.9 percent on corner three-point attempts.

27. Karl-Anthony Towns, Big (Knicks)

Karl-Anthony Towns should look better with the New York Knicks than he did in his last two seasons with the Timberwolves. He is back in his natural center position and can attack a limited area that is not clogged by a perimeter runner. His 25 and 10 days could be on the way back.

26. Domantas Sabonis, Center (Kings)

Without Jokić, Domantas Sabonis would almost certainly be heralded as the NBA’s best playmaker since his father Arvydas was in the league. He averaged a whopping 8.2 assists last season, but that’s obviously not all he delivers. Sabonis is also a real battering ram among scorers and has led the NBA in rebounds per game in each of the last two seasons.

25. Tyrese Haliburton, point guard (Pacers)

Injury has slowed Tyrese Haliburton quite a bit during the 2023-24 season, but early in the season it looked like he was almost poised for an All-NBA nomination. In his first 33 games, he posted 23.6 points, 12.5 assists and 3.4 three-pointers while shooting 40.3 percent from distance. If he’s healthy and can put up numbers like that again, the Indiana Pacers have a real chance to compete again.

24. De’Aaron Fox, point guard (Kings)

De’Aaron Fox, one of the league’s fastest overall playmakers, showed significant improvement in two of his only weaknesses during the 2023-24 season. He shot 36.9 percent from distance last season (up from 32.1 percent in his first six seasons) and led the league in steals per game with 2.0.

23. Donovan Mitchell, guard (Cavaliers)

Despite playing alongside a more traditional point guard in Darius Garland in recent seasons, Donovan Mitchell has increased his play volume as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the 2023-24 season, he averaged 6.1 assists, the highest of his career. Add that and his high point total, and he’s a perennial All-NBA candidate (assuming he plays enough games).

22. Damian Lillard, point guard (Bucks)

Damian Lillard’s effective field goal percentage fell by more than five points from 2022-23 to 2023-24, and it may be a little optimistic to expect a complete rebound in his 34-year-old season. But he has now had a full season and needs to get used to his new role and his new team. And when he plays with Giannis Antetokounmpo, he often faces disadvantaged defenses. Another All-Star campaign could be on the way.

21. Jimmy Butler, Wing (Heat)

If “Playoff Jimmy” Butler, who Barkley described as “just a winner,” shows up for the entire regular season, the Miami Heat could be in the running for a top-four spot, and that ranking might seem a little low. But one of the reasons we all know “Playoff Jimmy” so well is Butler’s more relaxed approach to the regular season. That could change in this contract year, but we have several seasons that suggest he will treat the season like a warmup for the playoffs.

That’s it for now, folks. But don’t worry, you’ll get the full lists of all three members of the Within the NBA Crew next week as well as the overall ranking of the trio.