NBA Top 75 2023 Mid-Season Rankings
By Taylor Wyman (@TaylorMetrics)
This is the first iteration of my top 75 players. The objective is to rank players by who provides the most on-court value when it comes to winning a championship right now (contracts are not taken into account). The results are a combination of analytics, tape study, and scrolling social media for highlights. It’s important to note that this list is not a ranking of who is having the best season. I will be taking into account the previous 2+ seasons (2023-22-21) to dampen recency bias. These rankings are in tiers, meaning if you disagree with the difference between player number 66 and 68 and they’re both in the same tier, it ultimately has little meaning. The plan is to update this list twice a year to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of the NBA: once in the middle of the season and once in the offseason.
There are a couple of stats I want to explain right off the bat because they will be cited heavily throughout. First is our flagship impact metric, LEBRON. LEBRON uses advanced on/off data and box score stats, uses some math wizardry to avoid normal data pitfalls, and gives you a single number to ballpark a player’s impact. LEBRON can be broken down into two smaller components, O-LEBRON and D-LEBRON, to isolate total offensive and defensive impact. (O-LEBRON + D-LEBRON = LEBRON)
Shooting Talent is another metric that will be cited heavily. It takes a player’s shot-making, quality, and creation into account. This is far superior to raw shooting percentages because it has built-in context adjusting for shot difficulty. It can be sliced and diced into smaller components to show a player’s strengths and weaknesses. (visualization below)
The last explanation is for our Playmaking Talent metric. This metric is superior to the classic assist because it looks at a player’s passing volume, quality, efficiency, versatility, and scoring gravity.
A lot of BBI metrics will be sighted in this article. I will do my best to include context along the way but there will also be a glossary at the bottom, so don’t be afraid to use Ctrl+F.
Argue with me on Twitter @taylormetrics
Tier 1
1) Nikola Jokic – Age 27
Being the back-to-back reigning MVP makes it pretty easy to have Joker in the top spot. This year with two core players back from injury (Murray and Porter Jr.) he’s orchestrating an unstoppable offense to the number-one seed in the west. He’s a devastatingly efficient scorer and the best playmaker in the league. The arguments about his greatness have mostly been settled on the offensive end, however, his defense is still a hotly contested debate. Looking at D-LEBRON, (our overall defensive metric) he’s contributed solid value for his position group over the last 2+ seasons (Rank in 2023-22-21 among centers, 8th-10th-47th).
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
LEBRON: 1st-1st-1st (You kidding me?)
Playmaking Talent: 1st-3rd-7th
Floater Talent: 12th-19th-31st (He has one of the best floaters in the game right now)
2) Luka Doncic – Age 23
Luka is only 23 years old, and he’s 3rd in O-LEBRON this season. He’s top 7 in Playmaking Talent, 3PT Shooting Talent, Mid-Range Talent, Finishing Talent, and One on One Talent. By every measure available to us through the cumulative knowledge of humankind, he is transcendent. And he’s like a D on defense.
Notable Numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
One-on-One Talent: 1st-1st-3rd
Playmaking Talent: 3rd-2nd-3rd
Finishing Talent: 5th-6th-15th
3) Giannis Antetokounmpo – Age 28
Giannis is nearly unstoppable getting to and finishing at the basket. In the last 2 seasons, he’s elevated his playmaking to a top-20 level. This year his defensive impact is down, but I would chalk that up to him playing so much basketball over the last few years and fatigue possibly playing a factor. He has the best 3-Year Playoff LEBRON (spanning 2020-2022) so a small dip in his numbers shouldn’t carry much weight. This is a good time to remind you that these rankings are in tiers, and he’s in the top tier.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
LEBRON: 2nd-2nd-4th
Finishing Talent: 2nd–2nd–2nd
Playmaking Talent: 16th-18th-42th (This improvement is a huge deal!)
4) Steph Curry – Age 34
Steph is still comfortably a 1st-team All-NBA level player and still has that lone-man scoring avalanche in his game. I’m not really afraid of an aging cliff with him. Normally the cliff is around 35, but Hall Of Famers have shown they can push that a few extra years. He’s 34 this season and in theory, his skill set should age better than anyone else’s. He was a good defender in his 20s and is an average one in his 30s.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
O-LEBRON: 9th-5th-2nd
3PT Shooting Talent: 1st-1st-1st (He owns this stat)
Playmaking Talent: 18th-9th-8th
=======================================
Tier 2
5) Jayson Tatum – Age 24
Tatum is the best player on the best team but lacks the dominant isolation scoring typical of a superstar. Tatum’s high-end off-ball shotmaking helps offset that fact. His flexibility extends to both ends of the floor. He’s above average in every one of our notable defensive metrics, all while guarding multiple positions (99th percentile in our Defensive Positional Versatility). His offense is great but his defense has always separated him from other young stars.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
Shooting Talent: 19th-22nd-13th
Playmaking Talent: 33rd-32nd-63rd (He’s become a viable playmaker)
3PT Shooting Talent: 11th-13th-8th
6) Joel Embiid – Age 28
Embiid is a classic dominant two-way big. This archetype is what franchises dream about building around. He is a legit 3 level scorer which is absurd for a player his size. He is currently 7th in Mid-Range Talent ahead of players like Booker and Kawhi. With that being said, the logical question is why do I have him at 6 and not higher? He is right on the cusp of jumping up a tier, but he hasn’t crested that peak just yet. A big-time playoff run this year can change that.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
LEBRON: 4th-3rd-3rd
One-on-One Talent: 11th-8th-4th
Playmaking Talent: 31st-47th-140th (Massive improvement)
7) LeBron James – Age 38
I wrote this blurb before the trade deadline and I still think it sums up the majority of his season well.
I’ll save you the, “Wow, I can’t believe he’s doing this at his age” praise. LeBron is 4th in O-LEBRON in the midst of one of the worst 3pt shooting seasons of his career. This is thanks to his still elite playmaking and finishing. He has dominated while being surrounded by mostly fringe NBA talent outside of an often injured AD. This roster makes the 2018 Cavs look like world-beaters. His defense hasn’t aged as well, but he’s still fantastic overall.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
Playmaking Talent: 5th-7th-5th
Finishing Talent: 9th-4th-5th
One on One Talent: 43rd-17th-16th (Yes, he is slowing down in isolation)
8) Damian Lillard – Age 32
It felt like Dame was forgotten last season. It was a down year affected and ultimately shortened by injury. But this year he’s back and potent as ever. He’s currently 1st in O-LEBRON. We talk about Steph’s gravity a lot and with good reason, he tends to pull teams apart. Dame’s gravity is different, he pulls you far away from the basket by taking the deepest 3’s in the league on average (27.7 feet). This opens up space vertically, creating massive holes in the defense to exploit (he’s currently 11th in our Playmaking Talent). While his offensive game is marvelous, his defense is an issue that constrains roster construction.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
O-LEBRON: 1st-12th-3rd
3PT Shooting Talent: 3rd-52nd-2nd
Playmaking Talent: 11th-14th-29th
9) Kevin Durant – Age 34
Durant is in the midst of a special scoring season. He has the worst Mid-Range Shot Quality in the league but the best Mid-Range Shooting Talent; his mid-range pull ups are at sage level. He leverages his devastating One on One Talent (3rd in the league) to create high-quality looks for teammates (96th% in our Passing Creation Quality).
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
O-LEBRON: 18th-8th-15th
Mid-Range Pull Up Talent: 1st-2nd-11th
Playmaking Talent: 28th-23rd-13th
10) Donovan Mitchell – Age 26
Mitchell’s season is going about as well as it could regarding both team and personal success. It was clear that the Cavs needed more offense after last year and he’s delivered in spades. Mitchell is 4th in Pull Up 3PT Shooting Talent and 10th in O-LEBRON. In years past we have seen him go nuclear in the playoffs (4th in 3-Year Playoff O-LEBRON 20-22).
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
One on One Talent: 15th-13th-23rd
==========================================
Tier 3
11) Kawhi Leonard – Age 31
I don’t have a lot to say here. Kawhi is coming along very slowly, and as of late has been good. He still needs to find another gear before the postseason but has time to do so. It’s crazy that 90% of Kawhi is 12th in LEBRON.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
Mid-Range Pull Up Talent: 9th-NA-9th
12) Ja Morant – Age 23
Ja is a historically good driver. Scouring the BBI database, (10 years of data) only one player has a season above the 90th percentile in Rim Shot Creation & Rim Shot Making, and 80th% in Drive Assist/Pass% (the percentage of kick-out passes that become assists). It’s Ja in 2023. On the defensive end, there are serious concerns about him in the playoffs (8th worst 3-Year Playoff D-LEBRON (2020-2022). His defensive role has changed this season moving him from point of attack to low activity. That makes sense in the regular season but it’s harder to hide guys in the playoffs.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
O-LEBRON: 8th-6th-29th
13) Anthony Davis – Age 29
When AD is on the court he is a game-changer, but he’s the only player in their 20s whose health scares me. Only 4 players have finished a season with a +2 or higher in both O & D LEBRON. Embiid (2), Kawhi (2), Giannis (5), and AD(5). He has a chance to do it again this year with a slight boost in offensive production.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
3-Year Playoff LEBRON: 2nd (2020-2022)
14) Jimmy Butler – Age 33
Jimmy has been underrated his entire career. He is an outstanding two-way player that has excelled in the playoffs. He’s 13th in our 5-Year Playoff LEBRON (2018-22) and was one shot away from 2 finals appearances in 3 years. He’s an interesting blend of skills being very strong across the board but lacking that one defining dominant offensive trait to hang his hat on. Defensively he is excellent leveraging his high basketball IQ and anticipation to disrupt and intercept passes like an All-Pro cornerback.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
LEBRON: 9th-12th-5th
15) Devin Booker – Age 26
Booker is a dangerous 2-level scorer that can get hot in a hurry. He’s strong from 3 and elite in the mid-range. He’s quite savvy working off screens and is one of the better off-ball scoring threats in the league. As a playmaker, he’s good but has limitations. Throughout his career, he has improved on defense. He was once one of the worst defenders in the league and is now around a D/D-. He’s carved out a role as an off-ball chaser and has made positive contributions there. The most realistic way for him to climb this list is to increase his scoring efficiency.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
Mid-Range Pull Up Talent: 7th-6th-5th
16) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Age 24
This season SGA has taken the most important leap a player can: from promising young player to star. A big part of his improvement was the jump in his Mid-Range Pull Up Shooting Talent (42nd in 2022 to 8th in 2023). His playmaking has shown steady improvement over the years with an emphasis on taking care of the ball. In the past, his D-LEBRON has yielded mixed results. However, It’s been hard to draw any conclusions because of the state of the rebuilding Thunder. This season his D-LEBRON has skyrocketed thanks to strong on/off data and increased defensive playmaking.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
Finishing Talent: 7th-3rd-4th
17) Zion Williamson Age 22
On an almost nightly basis, there are portions of the game where Zion rivals one of Newton’s 3 laws of motion. He has the top Finishing Talent Grade (2021) in the entirety of the BBI database (10 years), and he is one pace this season to nearly match it. Beyond the scoring, he has improved as a playmaker and defender every season since he entered the league. I think next year he has a chance to crack the top 10 and possibly even the top 5 with a fully healthy season.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
O-LEBRON: 29th-NA-10th
18) James Harden – Age 33
Evaluating Harden post-Houston has been difficult. The Nets’ situation was volatile and he battled injuries the last few seasons. With that being said, he’s clearly not the same athlete he was a few years ago and that shows in his driving data. His Rim Shot Creation is half of what it was in previous seasons and his Drive Assist/Pass% (the percentage of kick-out passes that go for assists) is the lowest it’s ever been in our database (10 years). Simply put, he doesn’t have the same legs anymore. He’s still a top-tier passer, dangerous in isolation, and a deadeye on pull up 3’s. He reminds me of that Aaron Rogers quote: “Down years for me are career years for most QBs”.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
Playmaking Talent: 9th-8th-4th
=========================
Tier 4
19) Darius Garland – Age 23
I think this is my first hot take on the list. Garland broke out last year with the 17th-best playmaking grade in our database (10 years). His ability to disregard his defender and get into the paint with a live dribble puts an incredible amount of stress on defenses. He’s also a good scorer and a strong 3-point shooter both on/off-ball (13th in 3PT Shooting Talent). Garland looks like a slight positive on defense (on/off data likes him). He’s one of the best ‘sidekicks’ in the league.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
Playmaking Talent: 10th-4th-9th
20) Trae Young – Age 24
Ranking Trae was difficult. He moved up and down this list maybe more than any other player. On one hand, he’s a one-man army on offensive, that last year led the league in total points and assists. And on the other hand, he’s a D3 player on defense. To further complicate things, he’s one of the most heliocentric players in the league. It’s unclear how he fits next to other high-end talent and pairing him and Dejounte Murray has yielded less-than-stellar results so far this season.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
Playmaking Talent: 2nd-1st-1st
21) Jaren Jackson Jr. – Age 23
Triple J is a defensive monster who is on track to win DPOY. It’s hard to describe how imposing he feels on the defensive end. When I first saw him I assumed his diet was made up entirely of Manwiches. Not only is he massive, but he moves with the fluidity of a small forward. He is blocking shots at such an alarming rate that conspiracy theories have been launched on Reddit. And his combination of rim protection and mobility gives him a good chance to retain that DPOY caliber impact in a playoff environment.
On the offensive end, he fills the coveted role of “Stretch Big.” He’s been above average in our 3PT C&S Shot Making every season of his career (this looks at how well you shoot relative to your shot quality). On top of that, he’s a good finisher and an excellent offensive rebounder.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
Rim Points Saved/75: 4th-6th-NA
22) Jrue Holiday – Age 32
I love how Jrue Holiday plays basketball. His level of engagement and basketball IQ shines through in every game. He is a generational point-of-attack defender. He has an A grade in On-Ball Defense, Ball Screen Navigation, Pickpocket Rating (on-ball steals), and Matchup Difficulty. In simple terms, he has been among the best at defending on the perimeter in isolation and pick and rolls while creating turnovers against the top offensive players in the league. On the offensive end, he’s a solid scorer and strong playmaker.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
Playmaking Talent: 12th-12th-39th (Mamma Mia!)
23) Paul George – Age 32
George is a very talented two-way wing. He’s a good athlete, versatile, and a very smooth operator. But outside of his 2019 season, he’s never been elite on offense. He’s slotted nicely in LA as the second fiddle.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
3PT Shooting Talent: 15th-48th-12th
24) Jaylen Brown – Age 26
I was impressed by Brown in the Finals last year. He kept them in games with aggression and shot-making on the biggest stage. He’s a multidimensional scorer that is good on/off-ball. Brown is one of the best players in the league at attacking closeouts and has the skill to finish in the mid-range or at the rim with consistency. As a passer, he’s improved throughout his career and now offers decent playmaking. Defensively he probably benefits a bit from being on such a talented team but is solid.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
Finishing Talent: 18th-15th-34th
=========================================
Tier 5
25) Bam Adebayo – Age 26
Bam’s an ideal center for the modern game, he’s switchable with a strong basketball IQ. There’s a lot to like and in the playoffs, he has shined [He’s 14th in 3-Year Playoff LEBRON (2020-22)]. His offense is solid, can pass some, and blends his scoring into the offense nicely. His limiting factor is that he lacks any dominance on that end.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
Playmaking Talent: (Among centers) 7th-10th-3rd
26) Khris Middleton – Age 31
Middleton is similar to Jaylen Brown in my eyes. They both provide good shot-making with above-average efficiency and are solid defenders. Khris is a better shooter and playmaker while Brown outshines him in getting to and finishing at the rim. He’s missed most of the season due to injury which is a little concerning, but at 31 years old he should have a few good seasons left in him.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
3PT Shooting Talent: 168th-27th-20th
27) Kyrie Irving – Age 30
This blurb is a test of my professionalism. Kyrie is an exceptional offensive player. He’s a creative scorer who’s one of the shiftiest players in the league. He’s very strong across the board in all of our shooting talents. The downside of him is he’s not very durable (he’s only cracked 2000 minutes played twice since 2016). He’s a pretty bad defender, and oh yeah, he’s a ticking time bomb who at some point, will hit the eject button and tear your franchise’s plans to bits.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
One on One Talent: 2nd-10th-1st
28) Pascal Siakam – Age 28
Siakam is a two-way wing that traded out some of his defensive impact for offense in recent years. His mid-range pull up game is velvet, he’s a strong passer, and he’s able to step out and hit the three-ball at a viable clip. His defense is still solid with versatility remaining his calling card.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
Positional Defensive Versatility: 99th%-95th%-96th%
29) Tyrese Haliburton – Age 22
Haliburton is in the midst of a breakout season. My concern with him heading into this year was his inability to create his own shot at the rim. Well, he proved me wrong. He had the 4th largest jump in Unassisted Rim FGA/75 Possessions in the league and that extra rim pressure has taken his Playmaking Talent from very good (26th in 2022) to elite (7th in 2023). To go along with some of the best playmaking in the league he sports a rather unorthodox but extremely effective 3pt shot (97th% in our 3PT Shooting Talent). Offensively his data is quite similar to Darius Garland and could find himself sharing the same tier with another strong showing next year.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
Finishing Talent: 96th%-83rd%-34th%
30) De’Aaron Fox – Age 25
Fox is having a fantastic year. A coaching change and an improved roster have helped him achieve a career-high LEBRON this season. He’s one of the top finishing guards and has improved his Mid-range Pull up Talent every year he’s been in the league. An interesting tidbit about his Playmaking Talent is that it’s actually higher this year compared to the previous three even though his passing volume is lower. This is due to an increase in his Passing Creation Quality and Passing Efficiency. Defensively, he’s always been pretty good on-ball, but his overall defensive impact has always been extremely low. This year he’s jumped from an F to a D in D-LEBRON (our overall defensive impact metric) and I think that is greatly aided by having more NBA talent around him.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
Finishing Talent: 3rd-5th-3rd
31) LaMelo Ball – Age 21
It was clear when he first stepped on an NBA court that he was a special passer. In his rookie season, he was the top playmaker in his class, then again in his sophomore season. This year he’s neck and neck with Tyrese Haliburton to finish in the top spot. As a scorer, he’s a great 3-point shooter both on/off-ball with a lethal floater. However, his lack of explosiveness and vertical pop limit him as a finisher. Defensively he’s been a minus to start his career but he has played with basically zero defensive talent around him in 2+ seasons. I like his defensive instincts off-ball jumping passing lanes.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
Playmaking Talent: 17th-6th-17th
===============================================
Tier 6
32) Draymond Green – Age 32
Draymond is still one of the best defenders in the league. He’s versatile and remains strong defending at the rim. His turnover generation is at a career low in the BBI database (10 years), but the Warriors’ struggles as a team could be playing a part in that. On offense, he’s a pretty big negative because of his inability to score but he remains a strong passer.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
D-LEBRON: 8th-3rd-11th
33) Domantas Sabonis – Age 26
Sabonis gets a lot of praise for being a skilled big man which is well deserved, but he’s also just really strong. He consistently creates his own shot at the rim and finishes well. On top of that, he has a good post-game, is a heck of a rebounder, and obviously is a very good passer. Defensively he’s always been just ok.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
Playmaking Talent: 93rd%-91st%-88th%
34) Desmond Bane – Age 24
At age 24 Bane is already one of the premier shooters in the league. He’s been above 42% from three in each of his 2+ seasons. He has a solid floater and his mid-range pull up jumper has improved year over year. His Overall Shot Creation took a massive leap this season and along with it, his Playmaking Talent has seen a nice rise. On defense, he’s been above average as both a Wing Stopper and Chaser over the last two seasons. His shooting, blossoming on-ball game, and defense makes him an ideal candidate to pair with top-tier talent.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
3PT Shooting Talent: 93rd%-99th%-91st%
35) Jalen Brunson – Age 26
Brunson is an elite version of the electric, small, shifty ball handler archetype. 3 things set him apart from players with a similar style. The first is that he’s able to stay under control at high speeds. The second is that he can stop on a dime making his short mid-range game extremely difficult to suppress. The third is that he’s become a good 3-point shooter. Brunson’s defense is a negative but has traditionally handled ball screens well. Overall he’s closer to Kyrie than you think.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
Mid-Range Pull Up Talent: 99th%-99th%-97%
36) Karl-Anthony Towns – Age 27
It will probably surprise some folks to see KAT this far down the list. He’s a big-time scorer who is an excellent 3pt shooter. The offense is fantastic, there’s no denying that. However, his defense is very poor. And yes, there are players above him on this list that are very bad at defense. But bigs are far more important than perimeter players regarding team defense.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
D-LEBRON (among bigs): 53rd%-17th%-47th%
37) Julius Randle – Age 28
Randle is having a bounce-back year coming off a disappointing season after winning MIP the season prior…..So yeah. Your guess is as good as mine. The data says he’s having the best season of his career.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
LEBRON: 95th%-63rd%-86th%
38) Bradley Beal – Age 29
Beal is a weird player because he’s pretty darn good but isn’t dominant. On paper, he can score in bunches and provides some playmaking. But none of his skills breach the “this guy’s a problem” threshold. Offensively he’s sort of like the guard version of Jimmy Butler but with none of the defense.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
Mid-Range Pull Up Talent: 96th%-96th%-98th%
=======================================
Tier 7
39) Zach LaVine – Age 27
LaVine has an ideal skill set as a secondary scorer. He shoots the 3 extremely well, is dangerous in isolation, and has elite Off-ball Shot Making (99th percentile this season). Unfortunately, he’s not much of a playmaker and defends poorly. I think if we saw LaVine in a better situation he would be held in higher regard.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
3PT Shooting Talent: 95th%-98th%-99th%
40) Anthony Edwards – Age 21
Edwards looks to be the total package mid-development. His O & D-LEBRON have improved every season and so has every offensive indicator I look at while researching players. That’s crazy… When his playmaking takes a leap he’s top 20 bound.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
Finishing Talent: 99th%-97th%-94th%
41) Lauri Markkanen – Age 25
Markkanen was a nice player last year and always had an intriguing mixture of size and skill. In the off-season, he went ballistic in Eurobasket and was moved to the rebuilding Jazz. Markkanen’s started off the year red hot and hasn’t looked back, earning his first All-Star nod. He’s an elite stretch big that’s currently 6th in Off-Ball Shot-Making (a measure of how well you shoot relative to shot quality). Right now he’s a scorer, not a creator. A jump in playmaking would propel him to the stars.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
O-LEBRON: 97th%-90th%-69th%
=====================================
Tier 8
42) Jarrett Allen – Age 24
Allen is an excellent defensive anchor and play-finisher. His impact on both ends is very straightforward and easy to feel. To my surprise, he’s only 6’9’ but has a 7’6’ wingspan. Players with those types of builds often fall into the “he plays bigger than he is” category. His slightly lower center of gravity shows up in his general mobility. Offensively, he has a good feel for the game and excels roaming on the baseline. This helps him create easier passing windows for teammates.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
D-LEBRON: 97th%-97th%-80th%
43) Rudy Gobert – Age 30
Gobert was shipped to Minnesota this offseason in a blockbuster trade and his play has been disappointing. Prior to this season, he had been a hyper-dominant anchor big. This year, he’s 20th in D-LEBRON. That’s tough to swallow when the expectation was that he would transform the Timberwolves’ defense. If he doesn’t bounce back next year the already steep price Minnesota paid will only look worse.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21)
D-LEBRON: 20th-1st-1st
44) Aaron Gordon – Age 27
Gordon was always an interesting mix of skills, size, and athleticism. In Denver, his versatility has been much appreciated on both ends of the court. On offense, his ability to cut, seal, and occasionally step out to the three-point line has synergized well with Jokic’s passing. On defense, his ability to take on tough matchups, guard multiple positions, and offer supplemental rim protection is invaluable.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
O-LEBRON: 93rd%-92nd%-82nd%
45) Jamal Murray – Age 25
Murray is a dynamic scorer who excels in the mid-range and from 3. However, he comes with limitations. He fails to get to the rim consistently and struggles when he gets there. That leads to a lower free throw rate and caps his scoring efficiency (He’s a shade under league average for his career). He does offer some playmaking but has never created great looks for teammates (his Passing Creation Quality is below average compared to other guards over his career). Murray is also a bad defender. With all that being said he can drop 40 in a playoff game and that can make you look past some things.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
O-LEBRON: 95th%-94th%-94th%
46) Brandon Ingram – Age 25
He’s Demar DeRozan 2.0. He’s taller, a better 3-point shooter, playmaker, and team defender. His Mid-Range Pull Up Talent hasn’t hit the sage level that DeRozan’s has, but with time I think he’s plenty capable. He displays on a nightly basis that he’s unfazed by extremely heavy contests, routinely knocking down shots over outstretched arms. The question on everybody’s mind is what is his ceiling? I ask my magic 8-ball that very same question every night.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
Mid-range Pull Up Talent: 99th%-99th%-99th%
===================================
Tier 9
47) Klay Thompson – Age 32
Klay is similar to James Harden. We have all accepted they are not who they once were, but are still pretty good. This is a place where analytics shine. LEBRON still has him comfortably as a top-50 offensive player but is a clear negative on defense. He still sports one of the most valuable skill sets in the form of off-screen 3pt shooting and has already shown that his current iteration still provides offensive pop in the playoffs. I usually lean heavily toward the numbers but we all know Klay’s got a little magic in him.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
C&S 3PT Shot Making: 97th%-81st%-NA
48) Brook Lopez – Age 34
Lopez has been fantastic this season. He’s one of three centers that has an A grade in D-LEBRON and a B in C&S 3PT Shot Making (3pt C&S results with shot quality taken into account) this season. Brook can still post up and take advantage of when opposing teams try to go small.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
Rim Pts Saved: 99th%-99th%-99th%
49) Myles Turner – Age 26
Turner is a terrific rim protector and strong 3-point shooter. He’s performed well in our 3PT C&S Shot Making (results with shot quality taken into account) throughout his career. Finally being paired with a high-end playmaker has seemed to unlock more of his offense.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
Rim Pts Saved: 98th%-97th%-100th%
50) CJ McCollum – Age 31
McCollum is a savvy vet that can score. He’s a great shooter both in the mid-range as well as from three. He’s upped his playmaking since heading to the Pelicans mid-way through last year. Earlier in his career, he was a decent wing stopper, but he’s been bad as a point-of-attack defender the last few seasons. His off-ball shooting separates him from other score-first ball handlers.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
3PT Shooting Talent: 95th%-97th%-99th%
51) Fred Vanvleet – Age 28
Vanvleet is a player with an ideal skill set. He shoots the 3 at a high level and is a good playmaker. Fred is a darn good on-ball defender who generates a ton of turnovers. He is probably a little over-taxed in his current situation but would thrive if he was moved down a spot in the pecking order.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
Pickpocket Rating: 94th%-98th%-97th% (On-ball steals)
52) Rob Williams III – Age 25
Williams was a huge part of Boston’s playoff run last year. He is a game-changing defender who ranks 1st in our 3-Year Playoff D-LEBRON (2020-22). He is a unique combination of mobility, range, and bounce for a 6’9 big man. On offense, he is a great lob threat and offensive rebounder. He does uncork the occasional impressive pass, but for the most part, he’s strictly a play finisher. His biggest issue is his inability to stay healthy, but when your player comp is the board game “Perfection” it’s not really a surprise.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
Defensive Positional Versatility: 94th%-97th%-86th%
53) Nic Claxton – Age 24
Claxton is another candidate for MIP. Throughout his career he has been used as a Mobile Big meaning he switches and hedges more often in ball screens. This season he is far and away the best big defending on the perimeter. On top of that, his rim protection has been great (11th in Rim Pts Saved/75). His versatility on defense and strong finishing on offense could soon give Bam Adebayo a run for his money as the best Mobile Big in the league
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
On-Ball Defense: (among bigs) 100th%-74th%-99th%
54) DeMar DeRozan- Age 33
DeRozan is coming off a special year in Chicago. He posted the top Mid-Range Pull Up Talent in our 10-year database and has 3 of the top 4 seasons recorded. One thing I wanted to mention about Demar is how good he is getting to, and finishing at the basket. He consistently ranks near the top of the league in our Finishing Talent, and I don’t think he’s praised enough as a two-level scorer. His lack of a 3-point shot and poor defense really hold back his value. His problem, along with others in this tier is that they are pretty good on-ball but not better than other stars. He has really struggled in the playoffs, and at this point, it’s a really big sample size.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
Mid-range Pull Up Talent: 99th%-100th%-99th%
==============================================
Tier 10
55) Mikal Bridges – Age 26
Bridges is a prototypical wing stopper. He has the height, length, and athleticism you’re looking for. He’s been one of the better on-ball defenders in the league for a number of years who brings versatility and high-end pick-and-roll defense. On offense, he has benefitted from fantastic shot quality much of his career and has performed well on it. This year he’s seen his on-ball scoring duties increase and he has responded admirably. His mid-range game has slowly evolved over the years and is a nice compliment to his 3-point shooting.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
Ball Screen Navigation: 97th%-97th%-97th% (Perimeter ball screen defense)
56) Andrew Wiggins – Age 27
First off, I wanna say that I can’t believe Wiggins got shipped to Golden State and transformed into an ideal 3&D wing. Over the past few years he’s been great on C&S opportunities, solid in the mid-range, and a good finisher prior to this season. On defense, he’s a good team defender whose versatility and supplemental rim protection blends well with what Golden State wants to do.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
C&S 3PT Shot Making: 84th%-96th%-85th%
57) OG Anunoby – Age 25
I could copy and paste the Mikal Bridges blurb here and it would be pretty accurate. On defense, he’s not as strong defending on-ball but is extremely disruptive in passing lanes. This season he’s taking on the toughest matchups in the league (99% Matchup Difficulty) and performing well. On offense, he’s been good on C&S’s throughout his career.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
3Pt Shooting Talent: 71st%-85th%-84th%
58) Jerami Grant – Age 28
Grant is a legit two-way wing that brings offensive punch and defensive flexibility. Over his career he has been a good helper, rotating from the corner, but this season he’s being used as a wing stopper and not missing a beat. On offense, he’s solid across the board being able to score on/off-ball.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
One on One Talent: 93rd%-92nd%-90th%
59) Chris Paul – Age 37
Paul is so close to the cliff that he can see the abyss beyond the horizon. The question on everybody’s mind is can he put together one more playoff run? He’s still positive on both ends but can’t score like he used to. The KD trade makes it so he doesn’t need to. So, maybe.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
Playmaking Talent: 98th%-99th%-99th%
================================================
Tier 11
60) Tyrese Maxey – Age 22
Maxey is an electric scorer who had a 20-point game in 6 of his 12 playoff appearances last season. He can shoot it from deep and is a blur getting to the rim. The biggest concern with Maxey is his lack of passing. He just does not pass the ball….which is weird and probably an issue. On the defensive end, he’s ok on-ball, but doesn’t have any defensive playmaking and is a bad team defender.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
Finishing Talent: 91st%-97th%-91st%
61) Tyler Herro – Age 23
Herro is similar to Jamal Murray in some ways. He has plenty of self-creation and he’s a good shooter. He’s not a super athlete, and that restricts his ability to get to the rim. He does have good touch when he gets there and when he’s cut off he can rely on his floater. Like Murray, this caps his free throw rate and scoring efficiency (He’s below league average in 2023 and for his career). As a playmaker, he’s a low-volume, low-efficiency passer, further tape study revealed an issue with tunnel vision. Defensively, he was moved off-ball this season and his numbers have improved a bit. It will be interesting to see if that holds when the matchup hunting starts in the playoffs.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
3PT Shooting Talent: 95th%-98th%-90th%
62) Evan Mobley – Age 21
Mobley came into the league last year playing at an all-defensive level and has only improved in his second season. His versatility is a key part of the Cavs’ defensive dominance this year. On offense, his improvement as a finisher as well as in the mid-range has contributed to an uptick in his efficiency. It’s only a matter of time until he becomes a top-20 player.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
D-LEBRON: 99th%-98th%-NA
63) Al Horford – Age 36
Horford will be on this list until he retires. He can stretch the floor, switch on ball screens, has great awareness, positions himself well, and is a solid passer. Glue guy, little things, big things, and a proven playoff performer.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
C&S 3PT Shot Making: 78th%-34th%-77th
64) Deandre Ayton – Age 24
Ayton is a hyper-efficient scorer who is possibly the most versatile finishing big in the league (outside of Jokic). He’s automatic in the short mid-range and is a good pick-and-roll partner. On defense, he’s below average and fails to impact the game in any meaningful way.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
Finishing Talent: 83rd%-38th%-90th%
65) Kristaps Porzingis – Age 27
Porzingis is a good shooter who can score in the post. On defense, he can protect the rim but that’s kind of it. Porzingis is difficult to rank because he has a lot of talent but I fail to see how he plugs into a winning team.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
3PT Shooting Talent: 86th%-66th%-86th%
66) Dejounte Murray – Age 26
Murray was brilliant in 2022. The combination of his playmaking, mid-range game, and defense was genuinely impressive. He was traded to the Hawks and everything regressed (except his 3pt shooting, oddly enough). Atlanta has been a conundrum for a while and Murray only further complicates it. Next season will be a make or break for him, it’s a contract year, and his play will help shape the direction of the Hawks franchise.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
O-LEBRON: 85th%-97th%-85th%
=========================================
Tier 12
67) Alex Caruso – Age 28
Caruso is the best perimeter defender in the world, full stop. His ability to impact playoff games on defense (15th in 3-year playoff D-LEBRON) is palpable. He’s a nonfactor as a scorer but is a strong ball mover.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
D-LEBRON: 99th%-91st%-98th%
68) Marcus Smart – Age 28
Smart is a fantastic defender whose strength, awareness, and timing see him routinely mentioned among the elite. The mixture of his defensive playmaking and versatility against the toughest matchups is impressive. On offense, Smart’s playmaking has been shockingly good this season (13th in the league). His ability to improve as a passer with such little scoring gravity is a testament to his dedication to the craft.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
Playmaking Talent: 98th%-97th%-89th%
69) Derrick White – Age 28
White is a great glue guy. He’s one of the best on-ball defenders of the last half-decade who features strong passing and solid scoring efficiency. He’s one of the best guards defending at the rim, and offensively offers solid rim pressure for a role player.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
On-ball defense: 96th%-89th%-90th%
70) Robert Covington – Age 32
Covington is an analytics darling. He is an elite defensive playmaker (99th% in Passing Lane Defense) who’s rangy and switchable. His athleticism and length also make him a strong rotator. Offensively, he’s been a good 3pt C&S player his entire career. Strangely, he’s had inconsistent playing time on the Clippers this season.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
D–LEBRON: 84th%-99th%-98th%
71) De’Anthony Melton – Age 24
Melton is the prototypical 3&D guard. He’s an elite defensive playmaker both on/off-ball who defends well in isolation. He’s a career 37% 3-point shooter who has above average 3PT Shot Making (results with shot quality taken into account) for his career. I listened to a Sixers game this year and the amount of times the announcer mentioned Melton affecting the game was astounding.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
Passing Lane Defense: 96th%-99th%-98th% (deflections+intercepted passes)
72) Lonzo Ball – Age 25
Ball is another fantastic 3&D player. Sadly he has been sidelined since part way through last year and appears to be shut down for this season. If he is able to return to the court close to full strength next year the Bulls will be getting back one of the better perimeter defenders in the league who has strong spacing and playmaking.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
D-LEBRON: NA-96th%-54th%
=========================================
Tier 13
73) Walker Kessler – Age 21
Kessler has been a rim-protecting monster as a rookie. He’s massive at 7’1 245, with good mobility for his size. As of writing this, he’s in the midst of a 20-game stretch where he’s tallied 5 blocks or more six times. That’s Paul Bunyan stuff. Right now on offense, he’s just a play finisher on low volume but he’s doing it with blistering efficiency. He has a DPOY award in his future and possibly a ROY in his present.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
D-LEBRON: 99th%-NA-NA
74) Bojan Bogdanovic – Age 33
Bogdanovic is an excellent off-ball shooter, he is able to isolate on the wing, and moves the ball well. This season he’s shown a strong mid-range game both on pull ups and floaters. If he was a baseball player they would call him a “professional bat” because on defense he’s a saloon door.
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
Off-Ball Shot Making: 99th%-87th%-80th%
75) Jordan Clarkson – Age 30
Clarkson is a chucker, but he’s a pretty good chucker. His tough shot-making in the half-court is valuable. Defensively he’s a sieve. Most importantly, his offense translates to the playoffs (he’s 27th in 5-year Playoff O-LEBRON) but unfortunately so does his defense (124 out of 139 qualifying players in 5-year D-LEBRON)
Notable numbers (Rank in 2023-22-21) displayed in percentile, where 50% is league average
One-on One Talent: 87th%-90th%-96th%
===========================================
Guys that just missed the cut: Jordan Poole, Scottie Barnes, Franz Wagner, Kevin Huerter, Michael Porter Jr.
Glossary:
LEBRON: Basketball Index’s flagship all-in-one stat. It takes everything a player does and filters it down into a single number. It shows how valuable a player is compared to league average on a per 100 possession basis.
O-LEBRON: This is the offensive half of LEBRON. It gives a single number to show how much better or worse a player is on a per-100 possessions basis.
D-LEBRON: This is the defensive half of LEBRON. It gives a single number to show how much better or worse a player is on a per-100 possessions basis.
3-Year Playoff LEBRON: This metric works the same way as normal LEBRON but uses multiple playoff seasons to account for the small sample size.
5-Year Playoff LEBRON: This metric works the same way as normal LEBRON but uses multiple playoff seasons to account for the small sample size.
Offense:
Drive Assist/Pass%: The percentage of kick-out passes on drives that become assists.
Shooting Talent: It takes a player’s shot making, quality, and creation into account. It can be broken down further to look at a specific type of shooting including 3PT Shooting Talent, Mid-Range Shooting Talent, Finishing Talent, and One on One Talent.
Shot Making: Any shot making stat looks at how a player performs relative to their shot quality. (ex: 3PT Shot Making, Catch & Shoot 3Pt Shot Making)
Shot Quality: A measure of how difficult a player’s shots are.
Shot Creation: How often a player self-generates a scoring opportunity.
Playmaking Talent: A measure of a player’s playmaking that takes into account passing volume, quality, efficiency, versatility, and scoring gravity.
Defense:
On-ball Defense: A measure of how well a player lowers shot quality and suppresses attempts defending in isolation on the perimeter.
Matchup Difficulty: An estimate of the difficulty a defender takes on with their defensive matchups/assignments.
Defensive Positional Versatility: A measure of how often a player guards multiple positions.
Passing Lane Defense: Deflections + intercepted passes.
Pickpocket Rating: On-ball steals.
Rim Pts Saved/75: A measure of how often and how disruptive a player is defending at the basket per 75 possessions.
