Admin October 22, 2024
Kenny Smith on future with Shaq, Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson
“Inside the NBA” has been a fixture in the world of basketball for years. For The Win’s Mike Sykes talks to one of its stars, Kenny Smith, about what’s next for this crew. Kenny Smith joins Sykes on behalf of Abbott.
Coming Wednesday: Players ranked Nos. 1-15
LeBron James is fast approaching 40. Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant are 36. Jimmy Butler is 35, Paul George will be 35 by season’s end and Damian Lillard is less than a year from turning 35.
Among the interesting developments on the 2024-25 edition of USA TODAY Sports’ top 30 NBA players – who’s No. 1, who dropped off the list, who is new to the list – is that older players are redefining how long into their careers they can be stars.
The aforementioned players – all an integral part of the NBA for the better part of the past two decades – cracked our top 30, including top-10 spots for James, Curry and Durant. Depending on how long they want to play, they can remain on the list beyond this season. Simply remarkable, and a map for younger stars to follow.
With the 2024-25 season opening Tuesday night between New York-Boston and Minnesota-Los Angeles Lakers, here’s our list of the top 30 players in the league, starting with Nos. 30-16. And come back Wednesday to see who is ranked No. 1. USA TODAY Sports writers and USA TODAY Network writers voted for the players on this list:
30. New York Knicks forward-center Karl-Anthony Towns
2023-24 stats: 21.8 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 3.0 apg, 50.4% FG, 41.6% 3PT, 87.3% FT (62 games)
Why he’s ranked here: Karl-Anthony Towns made the All-Star team for the fourth time and was instrumental in Minnesota’s run to the Western Conference finals last season. Solid across the board – inside and outside on both ends of the court as a scorer, shooter, passer, rebounder and defender.
Last season’s ranking: not ranked
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29. New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson
2023-24 stats: 22.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.1 spg, 57% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 70.2% FT (70 games)
Why he’s ranked here: Zion Williamson played in a career-high 70 games, posting All-Star and All-NBA caliber numbers though he made neither team. However, his production is a major reason the Pelicans won 49 games and made the playoffs. If there’s improvement and he stays on the court, Williamson is headed for his third All-Star nod and first All-NBA selection.
Last season: Not ranked
28. Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero
2023-24 stats: 22.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 5.4 apg, 45.5% FG, 33.9% 3PT, 72.5% FT (80 games)
Why he’s ranked here: Paolo Banchero proved why he is the centerpiece of the Magic’s rise in the East. He followed up his 2022-23 Rookie of the Year campaign with an All-Star season that included increases in scoring, field goal percentage, 3-point percentage and assists. Continued progress will solidify his spot among the league’s best players.
Last season’s ranking: Not ranked
27. Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard
2023-24 stats: 24.3 ppg, 7.0 apg, 4.4 rpg, 1.0 spg, 42.4% FG, 35.4% 3PT, 92% FT (73 games)
Why he’s ranked here: In his first season with Milwaukee in 2023-24, Damian Lillard had slight decreases in field goal and 3-point shooting percentages but still averaged at least 24 points, seven assists and four rebounds. He was an All-Star for the eighth time and remains capable of an All-NBA performance.
Last season’s ranking: No. 12
26. Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant
2023-24 stats: 25.1 ppg, 8.1 apg, 5.6 rpg, 47.1% FG, 27.5% 3PT, 81.3% FT (nine games)
Why he’s ranked here: Ja Morant played in just nine games due to a suspension related to Morant shown holding a gun on social media posts and then a shoulder injury. In his brief time back, he showed the ability to be the player he was in 2021-22 and 2022-23 when he was an All-Star in both seasons and All-NBA and Most Improved Player in 2022.
Last season’s ranking: No. 19
25. Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler
2023-24 stats: 20.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.3 spg, 49.9% FG, 41.4% 3PT, 85.8% FT (60 games)
Why he’s ranked here: Jimmy Butler wasn’t an All-Star or All-NBA (he didn’t play in the minimum 65 required games) but still posted quality stats offensively and defensively, including a career-best 3-point shooting percentage, that make him one of the league’s top players.
Last season’s ranking: No. 11
24. Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving
2023-24 stats: 25.6 ppg, 5.2 apg, 5.0 rpg, 1.3 spg, 49.7% FG, 41.1% 3PT, 90.5% FT (58 games)
Why he’s ranked here: A rejuvenated Kyrie Irving found success with Dallas. Though he didn’t make the All-Star team or qualify for All-NBA eligibility, he was a tiny fraction from reaching celebrated 50-40-90 shooting percentages from the field, 3-point range and free throws and was just one of nine players with at least 55 games played to average at least 25 points, five assists and five rebounds. His playoff performance was instrumental to the Mavericks’ run to the Finals.
Last season’s ranking: No. 17
23. Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey
2023-24 stats: 25.9 ppg, 6.2 apg, 3.7 rpg, 1.0 spg, 45% FG, 37.3% 3PT, 86.8% FT (70 games)
Why he’s ranked here: Tyrese Maxey’s first All-Star season in 2023-24, along with winning Most Improved Player, strengthened his position as one of the league’s bright young stars. He delivered career bests in points, assists and rebounds per game while shouldering more responsibility and more minutes. Maxey is a vital part of the 76ers’ present and future.
Last season’s ranking: not ranked
22. Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George
2023-24 stats: 22.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.5 spg, 47.1% FG, 41.3% 3PT, 90.7% FT (74 games)
Why he’s ranked here: Paul George is part of a generation of players still performing at an All-Star level into their mid-30s, and he continues to be an effective two-way player. He shot career highs from the field, on 3-pointers, from the free throw line and in true shooting percentage in 2023-24 – his 14th NBA season and ninth in which he made the All-Star team.
Last season’s ranking: No. 18
21. Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo
2023-24 stats: 19.3 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 3.9 apg, 1.1 spg, 52.1% FG, 35.7% 3PT, 75.5% FT (71 games)
Why he’s ranked here: Bam Adebayo is one of the league’s best defensive players, can guard multiple positions anywhere on the court and protect the rim. He has a solid offensive game as a scorer, passer and rebounder and has developed a 3-point shot, adding to his versatility. He is a five-time All-Defensive selection and made his second consecutive All-Star team (and third overall) in 2023-24.
Last season’s ranking: No. 22
20. Sacramento Kings forward-center Domantas Sabonis
2023-24 stats: 19.4 ppg, 13.7 rpg, 8.2 apg, 59.4% FG, 37.9% 3PT, 70.4% FT (82 games)
Why he’s ranked here: Domantas Sabonis is an efficient triple-double threat every game and led the league in triple-doubles (26) and double-doubles (77). He is another one of the league’s ultra-skilled big men with elite scoring, passing and offensive rebounding abilities, which led to his second All-NBA selection.
Last season’s ranking: No. 28
19. Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox
2023-24 stats: 26.6 ppg, 5.6 apg, 4.6 rpg, 2.0 spg, 46.5% FG, 36.9% 3PT, 73.8% FT (74 games)
Why he’s ranked here: De’Aaron Fox was not an All-Star or All-NBA – he was in 2022-23 – but he could’ve been both. His points, rebounds and league-best steals per game were career highs and he showed steady improvement with his 3-point shooting percentage.
Last season’s ranking: No. 21
18. Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell
2023-24 stats: 26.6 ppg, 6.1 apg, 5.1 rpg, 1.8 spg, 46.2% FG, 36.8% 3PT, 86.5% FT (55 games)
Why he’s ranked here: Donovan Mitchell made the All-Star team but didn’t play in enough games to be considered for All-NBA. He had the second-best shooting season of his career and was one of six players to average at least 25 points, six assists and five rebounds.
Last season’s ranking: No. 15
17. Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton
2023-24 stats: 20.1 ppg, 10.9 apg, 3.9 rpg, 1.2 spg, 47.7% FG, 36.4% 3PT, 85.5% FT (69 games)
Why he’s ranked here: In addition to his second consecutive All-Star appearance, Tyrese Haliburton became an All-NBA selection for the first time, averaging at least 20 points and 10 assists for the second consecutive season. His 10.9 assists per game led the league and his reliability as a shooter makes Haliburton one of the game’s best point guards.
Last season’s ranking: No. 30
16. San Antonio Spurs forward-center Victor Wembanyama
2023-24 stats: 21.4 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 3.9 apg, 3.6 bpg, 1.2 spg, 46.5% FG, 32.5% 3PT, 79.6% FT (71 games)
Why he’s ranked here: Victor Wembanyama skyrocketed onto this list after a Rookie of the Year season that left the imagination wide open about what’s possible for a 7-footer in the NBA. Gifted offensively with plenty of room to grow as a scorer and passer and already elite defensively, he is headed toward dominance on both ends of the court.
Last season’s ranking: not ranked
Editor’s note: USA TODAY reporters Jeff Zillgitt, Scooby Axson and Lorenzo Reyes, and USA TODAY Network reporters Jim Owczarski and Dustin Dopirak voted for this year’s top 30. They ranked players from first to 30th, with 30 points for first, 29 for second through to one for 30th.
Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt
