2018-19 NBA player rankings: 20-11
Ahead of the 2018-19 season, theScore's basketball editors ranked the top 30 players in the NBA. As a reminder, these rankings are based solely on how we project players to perform in the coming season.
Player Rankings: 30-21
Player Rankings: 10-1
20. Nikola Jokic - Denver Nuggets
Centers don't come equipped with the smooth shooting stroke and level of court awareness that Jokic has - a product of playing point guard in his youth. He's an anomaly of what being a five man is supposed to entail, serving as a subpar defender, yet one who facilitates and makes those around him better. Jokic's 6.1 assists were the most of any center in the 3-point era. - Walder
19. Ben Simmons - Philadelphia 76ers
Only six players had ever managed to average at least 15 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in a season prior to Simmons joining that exclusive club in just his rookie year. His spectacular numbers weren't enough to shield him from criticism over his non-existent range, though. Simmons found early success without a reliable 3-point shot, but should he ever choose to add one to his arsenal, he'd be practically unstoppable. - Walder
18. Rudy Gobert - Utah Jazz
The Stifle Tower is the foundation of the league's only defense to finish in the top three in points allowed per 100 possessions each of the last two seasons. You can't teach a 7-foot-8 wingspan, which Gobert uses to impose his will as both a shot-blocker and glass cleaner. He doesn't need many touches on offense, yet still needs to be accounted for at all times because of his size and length. - Walder
17. Karl-Anthony Towns - Minnesota Timberwolves
As far as Towns has come three years into his career, the new $190-million man is still very much a work in progress, which is a frightening concept. The 22-year-old still has a lot to learn about defending, but he lands this high on our list because of what he brings to the table in all other facets of the game. Towns can stretch the floor, work the post area with both power and grace, and attack the basket in the blink of an eye. - Walder
16. Victor Oladipo - Indiana Pacers
Perhaps getting away from Russell Westbrook was his saving grace, or maybe Oladipo was finally prepared to live up to being a former second overall pick. No matter what the reason, the Oladipo we got in 2017-18 was rejuvenated, making the leap from an under-the-radar contributor to a full-blown star with plenty of hardware and accolades to cement his status. - Walder
15. Damian Lillard - Portland Trail Blazers
Lillard will be on a mission to erase the memory of a first-round sweep by the Pelicans where he was stifled by Jrue Holiday. That chip on his shoulder still exists, and with many writing off Portland after a surprise third-place finish in the West last season, we could see the best, most motivated version of Lillard to date. - Walder
14. Draymond Green - Golden State Warriors
How can someone who's averaged just 11.8 points and shot under 34 percent from deep over the last four seasons be the league's 14th best player? Easy: Green is the most versatile defender in NBA history, and his preternatural ability to anticipate the game makes him perhaps the most indispensable player on the league's best team. - Chick
13. Kyrie Irving - Boston Celtics
On paper, the Boston Celtics have the league's deepest lineup and are the odds-on favorite to come out of the East in 2018-19. Their success will be dictated by Irving's play at the point. He's still one of a handful of players capable of going off for 50 at any moment. - Chick
12. Jimmy Butler - Minnesota Timberwolves
It could get awkward if Butler is playing games for the Timberwolves when the regular season starts, but he alone makes them a much better team. There aren't many who are better two-way players than Butler. He's in a contract year to boot. - Chick
11. Paul George - Oklahoma City Thunder
George has been in the upper echelon of NBA players for several seasons now, but his first year as Russell Westbrook's sidekick in OKC was a revelation defensively. In addition to posting a career highs in steals and keeping opponents like Kevin Durant in check, he still averaged 22 points a night on 40 percent 3-point shooting. - Chick