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40: Anthony Davis (Washington Wizards) -19 places
He remains one of the toughest players to rank. At full strength, he is an obvious top-20 player, if not better. But as the years go by, the injuries keep piling up. Last season brought just 20 games and another trade, his latest. On a rebuilding team with two top prospects, a Trae Young who will have his share of the ball and constant rumours about a new destination, it is difficult to know where 'AD' fits. Is this the beginning of the end?
2025/2026 stats: 20.4 points on 50.6% shooting, 11.1 rebounds (20 games).
Reasonable 2026/2027 target: 25 points, 13 rebounds, All-NBA Team candidate
39: Deni Avdija (Portland Trail Blazers) +15 places
He made his first All-Star team last season - a logical reward after he excelled and showed he could do everything on a team without any real ambitions. His development appeared to be gathering pace, but now he will have to deal with the return of Damian Lillard, the sudden arrival of Ja Morant and, consequently, much loftier expectations. This is probably the season that will tell us whether he is a genuine star or simply a player putting up numbers in a vacuum...
2025/2026 stats: 24.5 points, 6.7 assists, 6.9 rebounds (66 games).
Reasonable 2026/2027 target: 27 points, 8 assists, 8 rebounds
38: Austin Reaves (Los Angeles Lakers) +30 places
This is a big one. His previous season was already an impressive one, but with a certain LeBron James gone, he is now officially Luka Doncic's lieutenant. The question now is whether he can continue to rise with even more eyes on him.
Will he handle the pressure that comes with his status, or will doubt creep in after his first poor game? We are inclined to believe he will rise to the occasion.
2025/2026 stats: 23.3 points on 49% shooting, including 36% from three-point range, 5.5 assists (51 games).
Reasonable 2026/2027 target: 25 points, 8 assists
37: Josh Hart (New York Knicks) =
No change in the rankings despite his team's title. That is ultimately fitting: he is a team player who will never look to hog the spotlight. But he is also an elite role player who lets his performances do the talking.
Above all, his value comes from his versatility. He may never receive the credit he deserves for the Knicks' incredible run last season. But if his team were to lose him to injury or anything else, it would be a huge blow.
2025/2026 stats: 12 points on 50.8% shooting, including 41.3% from the three-point range, 4.8 assists, 7.4 rebounds (66 games).
Reasonable 2026/2027 target: 15 points, 7 assists, 8 rebounds
36: Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks) +36 places
After just one season in the big league, everyone is already convinced. One of the most highly touted prospects of the past 15 years is surely a future superstar.
To make things even better, his team cleared the decks by parting ways with its veterans: it is now time for the youngsters. We should therefore see big numbers and plenty of highlights. As for the team's progress, we will have to wait, but his second season promises to be thrilling.
2025/2026 stats: 21 points, 4.7 assists, 6.5 rebounds (70 games).
Reasonable 2026/2027 target: 25 points, 7 assists, 10 rebounds, All-Star candidate
35: Amen Thompson (Houston Rockets) -5 places
We probably overrated him a little, just as we did his team. Expectations were high for the Rockets, and the season's results were disappointing. As for one of the Thompson twins, his production increased, but we were expecting a genuine breakout that would establish him as the future number two on his team, or even as an All-Star.
Will it happen this season? That remains a mystery.
2025/2026 stats: 18.3 points, 5.3 assists, 7.8 rebounds (79 games).
Reasonable 2026/2027 target: 20 points, 6 assists, 9 rebounds, All-Star candidate
34: Jaren Jackson Jr (Utah Jazz) -3 places
The rebuilding Memphis Grizzlies are waving goodbye to him, and Utah landed the prize and immediately put him on ice.
That says plenty about the team's ambitions for the season. But we are talking about an All-Star and former Defensive Player of the Year who shared leadership duties with Morant in Tennessee.
In terms of pure talent, he is the roster's biggest name. Will he lead a franchise that wants to go as far as possible?
2025/2026 stats: 19.4 points on 47.6% shooting, including 35.7% from three-point range, 5.7 rebounds, 1.4 blocks (48 games).
Reasonable 2026/2027 target: 22 points, 8 rebounds, Defensive Player of the Year candidate
33: LaMelo Ball (Minnesota Timberwolves) +18 places
Charlotte were one of the NBA's surprise packages and the league's darlings. Rather than continue the adventure, the Hornets sent their All-Star point guard to Minneapolis.
He is now set to form one of the most eagerly anticipated backcourts with Anthony Edwards. But after years as the de facto leader of a team without any real ambitions, can he make the leap to being the lieutenant of one of the NBA's best players on a championship contender? He has the talent to do it...
2025/2026 stats: 20.1 points on 47% shooting, including 36.8% from three-point range, 7.1 assists, 4.8 rebounds (72 games).
Reasonable 2026/2027 target: 23 points, 10 assists, 6 rebounds, All-Star candidate
32: Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder) -6 places
He was one of the players who made the biggest impact through his repeated absences, highlighting his importance to the Thunder's system. It would be a step too far to blame the title loss on his physical problems, and we will not take it.
But as he enters a huge contract for a second option, it is time to bounce back. He has all the tools to do so, but those physical issues cast doubt over the next stage of his development.
2025/2026 stats: 17.1 points on 48.4% shooting, 5.5 assists, 4.6 rebounds (33 games).
Reasonable 2026/2027 target: At least 23 points, All-Star candidate
31: Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets) +11 places
He finally earned his first All-Star selection last season, but an excellent individual campaign ended in a resounding collective failure. He was responsible without really being responsible, with his production dipping slightly and his impact limited in the biggest moments.
Being the second option to the best player in the world is not always easy, and he will take on that role again this season, brushing aside trade rumours and everything else. Can he take the next step?
2025/2026 stats: 25.4 points on 48.3% shooting, including 43.5% from the three-point range, 7.1 assists (75 games).
Reasonable 2026/2027 target: 28 points, All-NBA Team candidate
Catch up with the countdown here: 100-91, 90-81, 80-71, 70-61, 60-51, 50-41.