Ranking 2025-26 NBA Farm Systems From 1-30

(Header image by Emiliano Naiaretti)

Few sports have as much obsession over prospects as the NBA. Potential is king in the league, and collecting potential leads to success when done correctly. But you hardly ever see comprehensive rankings that reflect the true depth of young talent in the NBA.

With how many games I’ve watched around the league over the past couple of seasons, I sat with a stack of notes, clips, and stats, wondering what I could do with them. Then, last year, I read Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospects list, and it hit me. Why not do the same for basketball?

It’s my second year in a row putting together my Top 100 prospects list in the NBA. I compiled my film, scouting priors, game notes, and key stats to take my best shot at organizing more than 20% of NBA players into this list. It’s not going to be perfect, but from 1-100, I have some idea of what each player is or can be. I don’t blindly shoot from the hip.

Some notes on the methodology before we get into the list. Players in their first three years of NBA action are eligible for the list; if you’ve hit the summer where rookie extensions start, you’re off the list. Similar to baseball Top 100 lists, I wanted to set a benchmark for “graduating”, and it’s different in a league where the minor league system is an afterthought compared to the MLB. There will also be some honorable mentions if I considered a player in any meaningful way for a spot.

Using Kevin Pelton’s draft pick value scale, I assigned numerical values to each prospect. It operates on a logarithmic scale, assigning a heavier weight to the top prospects. For example, the top overall prospect is worth ten times the 60th-best prospect in this exercise. The 1-100 ranking was entirely subjective based on my own opinions of the player, but the rankings of each team were done by adding up the “Pelton values” of each team.

I’m not paying attention to fit here. This is about having the talent; even if three players have redundant skill sets, you still have three players. Getting talent in the door is often the most challenging part of building a team.

Now that we’ve set the expectations and laid the groundwork, it’s time to dig into the rankings, starting with the top spot.

2024-25 Rank: 3rd

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: Jeremy Sochan (No. 47), Julian Champagnie (No. 60)

It pays to be king. Last season, the Spurs came in third in my rankings and had the highest average value per prospect. With Victor Wembanyama in his last year of prospect eligibility, it feels right that they own the top spot. That would have been a close-fought battle with the No. 2 team, but they hit lottery gold once again, jumping up to the 2nd overall pick and nabbing Dylan Harper.

Harper changes their farm outlook significantly. Now they have a talented shot creator and table setter who won’t compromise their defense. And the addition of Carter Bryant is the cherry on top. He spent all of Summer League slapping the floor and living in opposing players’ jerseys like a bad tattoo. He’s got the hustle and the respect of his teammates; add in athleticism that makes you cower in fear, and you’ve got a potential fast riser in these rankings.

Stephon Castle has a harder ceiling than most seem to think. Shooting is one thing, but he has a limited passing tree and problems with short-area verticality. I understand why people look at him and see Jimmy Butler, but that’s one of the most difficult outcomes to achieve. His on-ball defense and driving brings a solid floor, but I don’t see him as an inner circle core piece of the Spurs. He’s more of a question mark than I’d like him to be.

How far they tumble when Wemby graduates next year is a question that cannot be answered yet. For now, bask in the glory of the top spot, Spurs fans.

Honorable Mention: Riley Minix

2024-25 Rank: No. 6

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: None

Washington came in sixth in last year’s rankings on the strength of four prospects. Now they’ve amassed nine total players nearly vaulting them into the top spot.

I’m not a Wizards rebuild truther like the Twitterati and prestige NBA podcasters; there are many flaws with the players they’ve acquired. However, I am an ardent Bilal Coulibaly believer. The top three prospects here are slam-dunk stars, and he’s the next best bet in my mind to crash into that group. I know to most this is a jarring take, so if you need more explanation, look no further.

Alex Sarr’s concerning lack of an offensive niche was evident last year, but he did bring a strong defensive presence as a rookie. He’s not so disastrous that I can write off his potential. Tre Johnson was a strong pick to add a nuclear on-ball shooting prospect into this defense-first prospect pool. Having a player like him to take the Corey Kispert role a step further is important for tying together this roster. After that, it’s a grab bag of maybes.

Kyshawn George has some ardent supporters, but I want to see more offensively to justify his role. Bub Carrington doesn’t have a skill set that excites me, nor did his rookie play. AJ Johnson flashed in the March silly season after being traded mid-season from the Bucks, but the sample size is too low and the play too inconsistent. Cam Whitmore may truly be on his last chance to pop and doesn’t have the role player traits needed to have a floor. Jamir Watkins and Will Riley intrigue me as second round rookie darts with solid role player traits and athletic upside.

Ultimately, the Wizards did brute force their way into the top tier. A whopping nine prospects led the entire league in this ranking. Many other teams have the top guys or better-fitting pieces, but Washington does have a lot of bites at the apple, as Danny Leroux would say. It’s still a team that needs a blue chip prospect to make things fit, but the good news is they’re bound to be bad enough to get that guy in the next draft.

Honorable Mention: Tristan Vukcevic

2024-25 Rank: No. 15

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: Jaden Hardy (No. 46), Olivier Maxence-Prosper (No. 97)

This is where the log scale really kicks into gear. Dallas ends up with about 75% of the total prospect value that Washington has with two players. “Lucking” into Cooper Flagg can undoubtedly change your outlook after placing 15th in the rankings last season; Dallas is the biggest riser from the previous season.

I don’t think much needs to be said about Flagg. He was an easy choice for the second spot in the rankings and dramatically altered the fortunes of this Mavericks team. It just goes to show you can shoot yourself in the foot, arm, chest and face and come out on top by sheer luck of the draw.

Dereck Lively II dropped a few spots, primarily due to injury concerns. His rookie season was impressive, but going from a mildly concerning 55 games played to 36 games played is a red flag. The improvements as a playmaker were noticeable, but he’s more or less in a holding pattern. Still, being a coverage-versatile big with above-the-rim finishing skills and legitimate short roll chops is immensely valuable in today’s league. Let’s just hope he can stay on the floor.

There are a lot of cooks in the kitchen here with Dallas. The presence of Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving throws some doubt onto their desired play style and timeline for contention. But with a true blue talent and another strong starting-level big in the wings, they earned their spot.

Honorable Mention: Ryan Nembhard

2024-25 Rank: No. 7

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: Shaedon Sharpe (No. 33), Jabari Walker (No. 92)

Rising in the team rankings while losing the 33rd-ranked player is extremely impressive. But the jump by Toumani Camara was undeniable. I hedged my bets last year, even as an ardent Tou supporter, ranking him 36th overall and fourth amongst Blazers players. Now he’s undeniably their top prospect, and perhaps their best player overall. I should have listened to myself.

Donovan Clingan brings an incredible defensive presence when he’s out there and functions as a substantial lob threat, but he has some fouling issues to address. I was pleasantly surprised at the passing reads Clingan can make; I suppose when you’re 7’2″, the court opens up a bit. The mix of his athletic tools and day-one polish (77th percentile EPM in his rookie season) makes him one of the best big man prospects around.

Scoot Henderson may be entering a make-or-break third season, but he did show growth. Granted, when you look like the worst player in the league out of the gate, there is only room to go up. But the burden on this extreme defense-first roster may be too much for him to handle.

Yang Hansen’s fit in the rotation is interesting to monitor, but the talent is undeniable. If he’s purely a backup five to Clingan, he’s going to eat against bench units. But if Chauncey Billups finds a way to work two-big lineups the way Cleveland did, the potential is through the roof.

I may end up having some egg on my face for placing Yang this low. But so it goes.

There’s a good chance that Portland retains a top-five spot going into next year with how young their talent is. As they push for a playoff spot this year, it’s a great place to be in.

Honorable Mention: Kris Murray

2024-25 Rank: No. 2

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: Jabari Smith Jr. (No. 20), Tari Eason (No. 29), Cam Whitmore (No. 65)

Speaking of a good place to be in. We all saw what an unleashed version of Amen Thompson looked like last year. Now, the Rockets have no choice but to give Reed Sheppard the keys to the point guard spot.

Amen is the third and final player of my locked-in star tier. The defensive XLNC, combined with his driving and playmaking skills, will be the focal point of Houston’s season as they look to contend for a title. Newly acquired Kevin Durant will shoulder the scoring burden, and Alperen Şengün will organize things offensively, but it’s Thompson and his growth that will dictate how far they can go.

Reed being a G League player for most of last season was a surprise. But given how he’s looked in Summer League and preseason, I can’t knock it. With Fred VanVleet out for the season, he’s locked into an important rotation role, if not a starting one. It’s a lot of fun to watch a would-be contender that hinges on the success of two young prospects.

Having blue-chip talents with a good blend of short-term utility and long-term upside is what makes this Houston team so interesting. Under head coach Ime Udoka, I trust their development to be handled properly.

Honorable Mention: Zay Crawford

2024-25 Rank: No. 11

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: Mark Williams (No. 35), Moussa Diabate (No. 80)

The game is about a bucket. Based on their drafting history, the Charlotte Hornets are aware of this. Brandon Miller is going into a crucial third season; his stellar rookie campaign was followed by an injury-riddled sophomore season that casts some doubts. But he’s still an athletic player with forward size and natural scoring talent. You can only drop a guy like that so far.

Kon Knueppel was tough to place. I like him a lot coming out of the draft, but the playmaking and defense is the real swing. Can he show he’s more than just a great shooter? I lean yes, but I need to see it before I believe it. In my opinion, they did make the right call in addressing backcourt scoring, because LaMelo Ball’s availability is not something to be counted on.

I love what Charlotte did later in this draft. Ryan Kalkbrenner didn’t rack up four straight Big East DPOYs in a row by accident. He’s a polished rotation big who will bring some stability to the frontcourt after a tumultuous 2024-25 season. Liam McNeeley has some scoring and shooting chops while bringing a five-star recruiting pedigree. He’s more of a gamble than Kalkbrenner, but a bet they should take. Sion James has all the tools to be a rotational defensive wing with some offensive upside; another good stability play.

I’m not really sure what to make of Tidjane Salaün yet. The only sell I see on him so far is the size, athleticism, and age. Pretty much everything was bad in his rookie year. Maybe there’s something to be unlocked in a more consistent rotation with stable center play, but I’m reserved in my optimism.

Trusting in the Hornets will get you stung. Surely they will find some way to muck things up, but for now, it’s easy to get excited about their crop of talent.

Honorable Mentions: KJ Simpson, Antonio Reeves

2024-25 Rank: No. 17

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: Walker Kessler (No. 62)

Well, at least the Jazz moved up. It’s frankly impressive to have eight players and only finish seventh in a ranking that rewards both volume and quality.

There are some good things here. Ace Bailey is having a strong preseason; there’s a level of shotmaking, athleticism, size, and effort that brings too much floor to ignore. The problem is that he’s almost strictly an off-ball player in Will Hardy’s system at the moment. A tall shooter who can defend a bit isn’t the reward they wanted from an abysmal 2024-25 season. Part of ranking individual talents is projecting future fits alongside four other players. Ace’s weaknesses require a lot of papering over from the other four players, which dinged his ranking.

We do have a few breakout candidates here. Kyle Filipowski has an offensive skill set that cannot be ignored, and could shine as their best prospect by the end of the year. Brice Sensabaugh has turned into a walking bucket during Summer League and preseason; at his size, that could pose a matchup nightmare. I love Isaiah Collier’s potential as a driver and playmaker. Walter Clayton Jr. was a shrewd business move in the first round, bringing a ready-made skillset in a sea of question marks. There’s something to be said for bringing stability in the midst of chaos.

After that, it gets weird. Taylor Hendricks had some solid potential, but the seriousness of his leg injury is hard to ignore. Keyonte George has not been good at any point in his career, and Walmart Anfernee Simons isn’t a skill set that moves me. Cody Williams was one of the worst starting players I’ve ever seen last season, and my expectations for him are in the basement.

Growth from the top half of that group could improve their standing as the season moves on. But it’s hard to get excited about the talent Utah has accumulated relative to the draft capital they have spent.

Honorable Mentions: John Tonje

2024-25 Rank: No. 4

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: Jaden Ivey (No. 25), Jalen Duren (No. 38)

Graduating two solid starter-ish players hurt their ranking. But when you have two top-12 players, the ranking could only fall so far.

A blood clot denied Ausar Thompson a stellar sophomore campaign. His brother gets a lot of the love, but they are on the same level in terms of defensive production and versatility. He’s bound to make several All-Defensive Teams over the course of his career. How high he can go offensively is a different question, but I’m inclined to think someone that athletic can carve out a niche.

I will not be surprised if I end up higher on Ron Holland II than Ausar by the end of the year. He’s another stellar defender with an infectious hustle that spreads to his teammates. What held him back was a legitimate scoring role. That outlook changed in Summer League, where Ron put up 21.7 PPG and 4.0 APG while shooting 46.7% from three. Not only is the shot looking better, but the drives are popping.

If he leaps offensively, the Flying Dutchman should start for the Pistons and become the second most crucial core piece of the team. He’s a way-under-the-radar MIP candidate for this season. Get on the train before it leaves the station.

Detroit’s rise has been fueled by youth. Having a true ace pairing of defensive wings could drive them from a frisky playoff team to a real contender for the East.

Honorable Mentions: Marcus Sasser, Chaz Lanier

2024-25 Rank: No. 1

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: Chet Holmgren (No. 2), Jalen Williams (No. 4), Jaylin Williams (No. 70), Ousmane Dieng (No. 72), Dillon Jones (No. 100)

There’s no shame whatsoever in this drop. Last season, OKC was the runaway top spot in my rankings; the gap between the Thunder and the second-place Rockets was equal to the gap between the Rockets and the 11th-place team. Chet Holmgren proved himself every bit the defensive anchor and floor-spacer we hoped to be, and Jalen Williams was the second fiddle on a championship team. Oklahoma City’s only problem was the third-year cutoff, which also cost them Jaylin Williams, a serviceable rotation big.

Despite “losing” more players than any other team, they stuck in the top 10 on the strength of their drafting. I am higher on Cason Wallace than most and think he has more meat on the bone offensively. The mix of drives and shooting with his excellent perimeter defense screams false ceiling. Ajay Mitchell looked like a legitimate rotation piece last season, Thomas Sorber will surprise many (except our own Matt Powers) when he returns from injury next season, and Nikola Topić could be a piece after redshirting his rookie season.

Wallace is a starter on most teams with a lot of upside; combined with their trio of interesting bets in the 45-60 range, it’s no surprise they landed here.

Honorable Mention: Brooks Barnhizer

2024-25 Rank: No. 21

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: None

The Pelicans barely squeaked into the top 10 this season as one of the biggest risers. Despite Jordan Hawkins taking a nosedive last season, adding two top-40 prospects in the same draft gave them a significant boost. But it’s difficult to ignore the context, even in a context-averse ranking.

I love Derik Queen, but he’s a particular archetype as a drive-first big with defensive question marks. Playing behind (or next to) Zion Williamson, an identical archetype, may not be a good thing. I’m not inclined to think that those overlapping skill sets will be a boon for either player or the Pelicans as a whole.

Yves Missi is an undeniable athlete who showed serious flashes in his rookie season. But he’s not a spacer or a polished defender yet, calling into question how he plays alongside Zion and Queen. Kevon Looney is a great player to learn from, but I’m concerned with how the puzzle pieces fit in this frontcourt.

Jeremiah Fears is a great boom-bust bet for New Orleans. The size and lack of defense could limit his upside, but there’s potential for a legitimate offensive engine out of the backcourt. But GM Joe Dumars acquired Jordan Poole and Dejounte Murray in this offseason, two guys who take away his touches and utility.

The talent is here, and the ranking is the ranking for simply having the talent. But I have serious worries about how all three players can develop amid this train wreck.

Honorable Mention: Jordan Hawkins

2024-25 Rank: No. 18

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: Ricky Council IV (No. 66)

The margins are tight in the 8-22 range; cutting Ricky Council IV in the offseason knocked the Sixers out of the top ten. But their lottery luck gave them a major boost. VJ Edgecombe has unlimited physical potential as a defender and rim attacker, and he’s looking to catch bodies left and right.

There have been a lot of playmaking flashes that caught my eye during the summer runs. I wasn’t particularly high on VJ in pre-draft, but he could rise quickly if some of his less-heralded skills start to pop.

Jared McCain is more of a health question than anything. His shooting was unbelievably good in his rookie year, and the potential of a McCain-Maxey backcourt is exciting. Sure, there are defensive questions, but a healthy Jared will flirt with top-five status by the end of the year. He’s just that good of a shotmaking talent.

Justin Edwards isn’t the sexiest prospect here, but he looked like a rotational-ish wing as an undrafted free agent this past season. The shotmaking and size alone get him a spot here. If he doesn’t take meaningful steps as a defender, I won’t be as high on him as a dependable piece, but there’s a foundation here.

Adem Bona was a tough cut. I did not think he had the phone-booth agility needed to stick on either end of the floor, but he looked like a serviceable innings eater at times. One thing is for sure: with Joel Embiid’s health, Bona will get some good run next year, and give us a better idea of what he can be.

Honorable Mentions: Adem Bona, Johni Broome

2024-25 Rank: No. 5

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: Paolo Banchero (No. 3), Jett Howard (No. 79)

Graduating the No. 3 player from last season, Paolo Banchero, takes some shine off this group. But the Magic continue to build a strong base of supplemental talent behind Paolo, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, and the newly acquired Desmond Bane.

Anthony Black as a sixth or seventh man excites me. Already a strong defender, he showed a lot of development as a floor processor and driver last season. Another step forward would boost Orlando’s rising contender status, and I am a believer in that next step. Jase Richardson was a good get as a day one backcourt contributor; it speaks to their depth that he may not have a guaranteed role out of the gate. The mix of athleticism and shooting paints him as a quality 3-and-D guard with the potential for more.

Tristan da Silva is another great piece who had a solid EuroBasket tournament alongside Franz Wagner. I want to see more from him this season as an older prospect that struggled with efficiency last season, but it’s hard to ignore the context of that 2024-25 Magic team being ruined by injuries. A full year of a bench role with a stable rotation could change his outlook for the better.

Noah Penda is another fun acquisition in the second round. Young, athletic, and lengthy with a strong defensive pedigree, he’s undoubtedly the longest developmental bet of these four. But hopefully, he can learn some things from Jonathan Isaac. No, not those things. Or those things. Actually, let’s keep him away from JI.

Honorable Mention: Reece Beekman

2024-25 Rank: No. 9

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: Vince Williams Jr. (No. 41), Jake LaRavia (No. 45), GG Jackson (No. 52), Scotty Pippen Jr. (No. 53)

Memphis suffered a lot from graduation and general regression. VWJ hit his third-year cap, Jake LaRavia is elsewhere, GG Jackson II took a step back, and Scotty Pippen Jr. also graduated. But they still have a strong ranking due to their solid drafting record.

I’m unclear on the upside of Jaylen Wells, but he’s a No. 2 perimeter defensive option at worst who can knock down shots and move well. A lack of growth this season would be a cause for concern, but the floor feels safe. Not bad at all for a 39th pick.

Zach Edey sure has upside, but there are questions here. Is he too specific of a skillset to stick as an every-game starter? How serious are the injury concerns? And can he become a legitimate floor spacer and connective passer? I’m optimistic enough about these questions to keep him near the top 25, and he could be a riser here.

Cedric Coward could be another success story for Memphis drafting older wings. Their track record in that area speaks for itself. Still, there are legitimate worries about Coward’s performance against top NCAA teams, and my optimism for him is capped at the moment. But Memphis has proven me wrong before.

Honorable Mention: Javon Small

2024-25 Rank: No. 19

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: None

Here’s the ranking that will earn me the most threatening DMs. Toronto should have a strong team defense next year, and the addition of Collin Murray-Boyles is huge. He has the potential to be their best defender sooner than later, and there’s plenty of reason to think the offense can keep him on the court.

He’s their closest thing to a blue-chip prospect; what to do with the rest of the roster is unclear. Gradey Dick has a lot of holes in his game, and the shooting isn’t popping as expected. Jonathan Mogbo has the look of a strong defensive big, but he’s undersized and has yet to carve out an offensive niche. Ja’Kobe Walter is in the strange space of flipping his prospect profile, looking like a strong perimeter defender while the scoring hasn’t quite translated.

There are outcomes where all three are rotation pieces. But there are a lot of cooks in the kitchen on this Raptors roster, and it’s possible those three need to be elsewhere to realize their potential. Still, all three of those players have shown enough to warrant placement in the middle and back half of the rankings. Also, shoutout to Jamal Shead, a real floor-slapper. I see you.

Honorable Mentions: Jamal Shead, Jamison Battle

2024-25 Rank: No. 8

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: Bennedict Mathurin (No. 26), Andrew Nembhard (No. 31)

Both Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard were key pieces to Indiana’s Finals run this past season. Now they’ll be asked to lead the charge alongside Pascal Siakam as the Pacers navigate Tyrese Haliburton’s injury and Myler Turner’s departure. Some assistance from the young guys down the roster would be helpful.

Maybe this is the year where Rick Carlisle gives Jarace Walker a bit more slack. Despite his limited role, the former Houston star continues to be a menace on the defensive ride of the ball, while showing growth offensively. Knocking down over 40% of his career 240 attempts from deep, there’s a lot of potential here for a year-three breakout in his age-22 season.

I am certainly higher on Ben Sheppard than most. It was a rough rookie season that left him unranked on my board, but he showed growth in all aspects of his game while looking like a good rotation piece on a team that nearly captured a title. How he grows alongside TJ McConnell in bench units is of great interest to me.

Johnny Furphy still oozes athleticism, but I’d like to see him be more than an aura and hype moments prospect. Kam Jones may get some legitimate run this year in Hali’s absence as a sound playmaking guard who can be trusted with the ball in his hands. Whether or not these two can look like rotation pieces this year is anyone’s guess, but the potential is there.

Honorable Mentions: None

2024-25 Rank: No. 20

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: Josh Minott (No. 94)

For a team coming off back-to-back conference finals appearances and still owing picks over the Rudy Gobert trade, Minnesota has done a very impressive job at accumulating talent.

Jury is still out on the Rob Dillingham trade, but he has a path to an increased role this season. They’ll need extra scoring punch as the combination of NAW’s departure and Mike Conley’s decline hits home. Dilly will have to compete defensively to justify a role, but if he does, that’s a potent sixth man for the would-be contenders.

Terrence Shannon Jr.’s breakout late in the season sure opened some eyes. I didn’t rank him last year due to his age and lack of clear niche, but he’s proven to be a rotation-caliber wing. The mix of defense and some microwave scoring ability could change Minnesota’s outlook if he can find some consistency.

I didn’t know much about Joan Beringer going into this draft, but the athleticism pops off the page. A raw ball of clay at the center spot, it was a shrewd move to prepare for Rudy Gobert’s eventual decline. Asking him to play a rotation role out of the gate could be a bit much, but he’s oozing potential.

Jaylen Clark may be asked to be the 1:1 Nickeil Alexander-Walker replacement, and he’s up to the task. A good shooter and strong point-of-attack defender, he could bring a lot of value this season in a limited role. Upping the three-point confidence and cleaning up screen navigation would raise him in the rankings.

Leonard Miller, I cannot quit you. Even though he only has 84 NBA minutes through two seasons, the athleticism and age-relative dominance in the G League keep the belief alive. Perhaps Minnesota will never find a spot for him, but one of these days, the 21-year-old will get a chance and pop.

Minnesota has done an impressive job at spreading out their prospects without overlapping skill sets, finding complementary players, and mixing upside bets with quick-to-translate talents. It’s impressive how Tim Connelly finds ways to operate within the budget constraints placed upon him.

Honorable Mentions: Rocco Zikarsky

2024-25 Rank: No. 10

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: Keegan Murray (No. 6), Keon Ellis (No. 68)

It’s a bit concerning for me, personally, that the Kings find a way to draft my favorite players over and over again. Some serious self-reflection is in order.

I loved Devin Carter coming out of the draft, but the lingering shoulder injury concerns forced me to move him down. But he’s still a monster on defense at the point of attack, and has lots of potential as a downhill threat. If Carter can fix his shot, he could be a gem for Sacramento. However, Sacramento may have soured on him under new management; he’s going to be a second-draft darling. Good thing the Kings have never been burned by trading a guard picked in the lottery during his rookie deal.

Nique Clifford was another huge get. A do-it-all wing who doesn’t make many mistakes was just what this team needed. Even though he’s on the older side, Nique has a lot of upside to go with his ready-made skillset. That’s already popping in preseason after a Summer League where Clifford often looked like the best player on the court.

Of course, I can never quit Maxime Raynaud. I campaigned to pre-pre-draft him after his freshman season at Stanford; then he went on to average 20 and 10 in his senior season while shooting 35% on 5.5 three-point attempts per game. There are concerns here, especially on defense, but the tools are undeniable. A center who can average double-digit rebounds and take people off the dribble from the corners is a rare thing.

To quote Sacramento State beat writer Jack Dann, picking up Clifford and Raynaud in one draft feels like winning a raffle on the Titanic. But at least when the Kings get real and start showing some of their veterans the door, they have a trio of great prospects waiting in the wings.

Honorable Mention: Isaac Jones

2024-25 Rank: No. 25

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: None

Things looked pretty rough at the beginning of last year for the Chicago Bulls. But they’ve certainly made some inroads on building up the prospect pool, and that starts with the rise of Matas Buzelis.

I wasn’t very high on Buzelis in his class, and he was the only ranked Bulls prospect last season, coming in at 59th overall. But what he’s done over the summer cannot be ignored. The scoring and defending potential is popping every night, and he’s learning more playmaking tricks. Already one of the fastest risers in my rankings, it wouldn’t surprise me if he has an ironclad top-15 argument going into next year. Just enjoy these preseason highlights.

I liked the Noa Essengue pick for Chicago. He’s the kind of player they should be developing, a young, toolsy forward with a high defensive floor. It’s not just raw tools, which burned them somewhat with the Patrick Williams drafting-then-for-some-reason-paying debacle. His path to real minutes is unclear, but the upside is.

I don’t think either of these guys will be good enough to free Chicago from their eternal play-in purgatory that Arturas Karnisovas so dearly loves. But that doesn’t take away from their talents.

Honorable Mention: Julian Phillips

2024-25 Rank: No. 23

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: None

Now that Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal are gone, the rebuilding of the Phoenix Suns can begin. And it’s going to be a lengthy process.

They got off to a good start with this past draft. Khaman Maluach, acquired in the KD deal, brings a serious defensive presence to the frontcourt with a lot of offensive upside. He’s got the athletic tools to be explosive on both ends of the floor, with plenty of reason to think he can space the floor eventually. I love the mix of upside and short-term utility that Phoenix got with this pick. He also loves dropping quotes.

Phoenix took good shots in the second round as well, selecting Rasheer Fleming with the 31st pick and Koby Brea with the 41st. Both are specialists with upside: Fleming as the defense-first combo big, and Brea as a long movement shooter on the wings. I came close to adding both to the top-100, and while they didn’t make it, the Suns do deserve a shout for that drafting process.

Ryan Dunn’s defense is undeniably valuable, but there are questions after the shot went off the rails last season. Being a 31% three-point shooter, 51% free-throw shooter, and only posting a 5.8% assist rate makes him difficult to put in a complementary role on offense. If he can find a real offensive niche, he’s a good rotation piece at a minimum.

Oso Ighodaro’s standing on this team got a lot murkier this offseason. The additions of Maluach and Mark Williams via trade make it difficult to see a world where he gets the minutes he got last year. I still see the defensive value here and some solid offensive contribution, but the unclear development path makes him difficult to project.

Phoenix certainly dug itself a hole in the past couple of seasons, and these players alone aren’t enough to dig out. But it’s a step in the right direction.

Honorable Mentions: Koby Brea, Rasheer Fleming

2024-25 Rank: No. 16

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: None

In a strange, roundabout way, the Warriors have found a way to reload this roster after the two timelines phase ended. The James Wiseman experiment failed horribly, and Jonathan Kuminga, one way or another, is on the outs in Golden State. They did turn Moses Moody into a solid rotation piece, but pouring time and resources into those two years of drafting did not pan out.

Now that this self-imposed pressure has ended, they’ve done a great job at filling rotation spots with limited capital. Brandin Podziemski is a starter-level player with plenty of upside. Not only is he an elite rebounding guard, but he’s shown a lot of potential as a shooter, defender, and secondary ballhandler. The Jimmy Butler acquisition unlocked his utility in a way they hadn’t seen before. I’m a big believer in Podz taking another leap as a scorer and locking in his status as Golden State’s fourth most important player.

Quinten Post was a huge surprise last season. He’s got a ways to go defensively, but the lights-out shooting as a true seven-footer is hard to ignore. They’re also getting some good production from Will Richard in preseason; a hard-nosed defender and shooter, he’s the kind of three-and-D guard/wing that Steve Kerr values.

They also have a couple of honorable mentions who could sneak onto the list. Trayce Jackson-Davis cracked the top 50 for me last season, then forgot how to make layups. An older big who can’t finish around the rim is a non-starter as far as prospects go, but if he rediscovers the touch, he can work his way back in. Not only does Gui Santos have incredible hair and infectious hustle, but he’s starting to knock down shots and gobble up rebounds. Both will get a shot at rotation minutes this season.

In 2023, the Warriors won in spite of their youth. If they get back to their championship ways, this time it’ll be due to the depth and upside their youth provides.

Honorable Mention: Trayce Jackson-Davis, Gui Santos

2024-25 Rank: No. 13

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: Nikola Jović (No. 37)

Miami continues to make something out of nothing with their draft capital. Kel’el Ware was one of the biggest risers on the board last year; his talent is truly undeniable. Head coach Erik Spoelstra has rightfully brought up concerns about his professionalism and execution, but you don’t find his skill set often. Being able to stick alongside Bam Adebayo would be huge for his development, and the shooting will play a significant role in that.

It’s difficult to place a ceiling on Ware. I trust Erik Spoelstra to get everything he can out of the Kryptonian.

The fall from grace for Jaime Jaquez Jr. is tough to explain. The drives got worse, the defense regressed, and the shooting hasn’t developed. Perhaps he can find it again, but I’m not optimistic. Kasparas Jakučionis has his believers, but I’m not one of them. The turnover propensity and rough shotmaking aren’t a good sign for a player who already has athletic and defensive limitations. My belief in Miami’s ability to develop limited wings keeps me intrigued, but I wouldn’t place all my eggs in the Kaspar basket. He might go ghost sooner than later.

Miami may end the season looking awfully Ware-centric in terms of their prospect pool. But it’s not the worst thing to be dependent on his growth.

Honorable Mentions: Vladislav Goldin, Pelle Larsson

2024-25 Rank: No. 12

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: Dyson Daniels (No. 9), Kobe Bufkin (No. 84), Dominick Barlow (No. 99)

Atlanta comes in as the last of the teams with real prospect capital. Graduating breakout star Dyson Daniels hurts, but they still have a starting-caliber wing in Zaccharie Risacher. Risacher has oddly become a false ceiling player; the defensive upside and potential for further offensive responsibility are underrated. His growth as a passer over the summer seems real. Atlanta doesn’t need him to be a superstar, but going from a solid starter to a No. 3-type option with real defensive chops would be huge.

I like Asa Newell’s defensive potential and nose for the ball as a rebounder. They need more athleticism from the bench, and he should be a solid understudy for Jalen Johnson. Reportedly, Atlanta believed in him enough to pick him 13th overall, and still got him 23rd after being offered one of the most lopsided draft day trades in history by the New Orleans Pelicans.

Most of Atlanta’s strength comes from second-contract young players, but they’ve done well enough to supplement positions of need through the draft. It’s going to play a role in their success for this upcoming season.

Honorable Mentions: Keaton Wallace, Mouhamed Gueye, Nikola Đurišić

2024-25 Rank: No. 22

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: Max Christie (No. 77)

Leading the “I guess you have something?” tier is the Los Angeles Lakers. In a stunning turn of events, Lakers fans dramatically overrated a fine-but-not-great prospect in Dalton Knecht. He’s got tons of athleticism and is a solid shooter with confidence, but off-ball wings that aren’t stellar at anything in particular aren’t tough to find. Add in the fact that he’s a 24-year-old sophomore, you’d have a hard time making the upside case for “Westside Knecht”.

Adou Thiero comes in as my favorite Lakers prospect. Described by teammate Austin Reaves as “maybe too athletic,” he’s the dictionary definition of jump-out-of-the-gym athletic. I had him as a clear first-round talent, and getting him in the second round was a coup. With his raw offensive skillset and LA’s deep forward/guard room, it’s unclear how quickly he can crack the rotation, but he’s a great developmental bet with a very high ceiling.

Bronny James cracks the list after a productive summer. Refining his offensive game while continuing to look solid at the point of attack, he’s got rotational upside. Perhaps it’s me wanting him to shut up the nepotism-claiming talking heads and show that he’s a real NBA player, but the NBA tools are there without a doubt.

LA’s drafting record has not been good recently, but having a trio of decent rotation bets with one possessing massive upside is pretty good for a team on the LeBron James timeline.

Honorable Mention: Christian Koloko

2024-25 Rank: No. 24

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: None

Ah boy. At last we arrive here. It’s hard to find words for the Nets.

I had only two Nets ranked last season: Jalen Wilson and Noah Clowney. Both had such rough years that I had to bump them off the list. It’s frankly impressive to have six first-round picks eligible for the list and end up this low.

Ben Saraf has interesting tools as a ballhandler and passer, with some great size for the point guard spot. Nolan Traore would be higher on this list if he was taller and a more consistent handler. Danny Wolf is a fun skill set, but there’s too many trap doors for him to fall through, whether it be the athleticism, defense, or shooting. Egor Dёmin needs the ball in his hands to make sense as a prospect, and I don’t think he’s good enough to demand those touches down the road. Drake Powell is pretty much just an athlete they’re trusting to develop in a chaotic context; I didn’t even feel confident enough to rank him above Ricky Council IV, another pure athlete castoff from the Sixers.

At the very least, Jordi Fernandez is a coach I trust to make the best of things. They have some solid bigs as a foundation. But the lack of veterans and series of overlapping skill sets only complicates things. There’s no need to keep piling on, as the “what is Brooklyn doing?” horse has been beaten so long it’s no longer recognizable as a horse. I will be watching this team with great interest (derogatory) this season.

Honorable Mentions: Jalen Wilson, Noah Clowney, Grant Nelson, Tyrese Martin

2024-25 Rank: No. 14

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: Christian Braun (No. 30), Peyton Watson (No. 56)

Finally, Denver has brought in some real veterans to lessen their dependence on the youth. But they still have a couple of decent bets.

DaRon Holmes II’s torn Achilles tendon not only ruined his rookie season but also made his long-term outlook very difficult to project. Thankfully, he looked like the explosive player we saw at Dayton during Summer League. It’ll take some time to get a read on his short-area agility, but I love how his athleticism translates as both a 4 and a 5. If the shooting is real, he can be a fun bench piece and should pair well next to Nikola Jokic in certain lineups. Imagine this touchdown connection with the best outlet passer in the game.

Denver’s over-reliance on Julian Strawther last season was a problem. Plain and simple, they ran out of players who could take and make threes. Now that Tim Hardaway Jr. is in the fold, he’s less of a necessity, which is good for his development. But the confidence and shotmaking ability give him a floor. If Straw can clean up the defensive mistakes, his role as a prolific movement shooter can pop for this team.

Putting more of their chips into veterans was the right call for Denver, as they improved their contender status without question. But it helps to have a couple of young bets in the wings; considering the draft capital they’re working with, I think they’ve done well.

Honorable Mentions: None

2024-25 Rank: No. 27

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: None

Cleveland ends up having the oddest case on here. Understandably, a team pouring draft assets into their contending squad doesn’t have much in the cupboard. But you still have to make the picks from time to time. And I think they hit the Jaylon Tyson selection out of the park.

He didn’t get much run last season, but the athletic flashes were clear. The real eye-opener was his Summer League performance. Across three games in Vegas, the 22-year-old put up 19.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game. If he can shoulder more scoring burden and legitimately move the ball, they have a player on their hands. Heck, if the defense continues to pop, they’ve got a REAL player on their hands.

If there’s a place of need for Cleveland, it’s bench wing depth and secondary scoring punch. Tyson is in a good position to provide both this season and show off his upside. I think Kenny Atkinson will give him a real role out of the gate with Max Strus sidelined, and he may never give the role back.

Honorable Mentions: Tyrese Proctor, Craig Porter Jr.

2024-25 Rank: No. 26

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: None

Another case of a contender devoid of picks that’s making the most out of things. Despite having little draft capital to work with, GM Leon Rose has collected some decent bets at the end of the roster.

Pacome Dadiet was a long-shot developmental bet in the late first round of 2024, and finally showed the tools during the summer. He’s got the baseline athleticism needed to be a combo forward, and showed some defensive chops before, but now the shot is showing up. And with the shot comes the drives; I’ve liked what he is doing as a closeout attacker.

If he’s buying into role player responsibilities, it’s a great sign for his future development.

Speaking of upside swings, Mohamed Diawara was doing some absolutely wild things in Summer League. He went from completely off my radar to a clear developmental star in the right context. I love a 20-year-old bag of tools 6’9″ forward; though he may spend the whole year in Westchester, he’s a name to monitor for the future.

Tyler Kolek was a decent bet for a backup guard, but it’s not quite going to plan. A sophomore 24-year-old guard should have performed much better in Summer League, but Kolek shot 35% from the floor and scored a hair over nine points per game. He snuck onto the list only barely, and may drop off unless some real growth was shown.

Ariel Hukporti was quite literally the last player I cut from the list, but you don’t get points for number 101. Even then, it wouldn’t change their ranking much. But he’s got some fun tools, and looks like rotation caliber minutes are in his future.

Honorable Mention: Ariel Hukporti

2024-25 Rank: No. 28

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: None

Now we come to the “yikes” tier of teams. Milwaukee is making a case for the worst drafting team in the league. With Tyler Smith being waived over the weekend, it solidifies a brutal stat: no Milwaukee Bucks draft pick has made it to their second contract since Giannis Antetokounmpo. But we’re here to talk about what they have, not what they’ve missed.

Andre Jackson Jr. is a funky fit as a role player. He’s tall, long, and a strong perimeter defender in addition to great rebounding from the backcourt. But the fit is a difficult proposition.

AJJ is shooting 38.5% from three in his career, but he’s taking only 2.85 threes per 75 possessions. Volume is key to floor spacing more than efficiency, and the volume just isn’t there. They’ve experimented with him as a screener and cutting specialist, but nothing has clicked yet. And I’m not counting on Doc Rivers to get creative. There may be an okay role player in here, and he does have the defensive floor, but it’s a tricky proposition.

Honorable Mentions: None

2024-25 Rank: No. 29 (tied)

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: None

Last year, the Celtics were one of two teams to not have a player on the list. But they’ve done a good job at collecting intriguing talents in the last couple of drafts, and that starts with Hugo Gonzalez.

I had him pegged as a developmental wing bet when they took him at the end of the first round, but if this preseason has shown anything, it’s that his timeline might need to be moved up a big.

The athleticism looks like it’ll translate, his shot is workable, and I love the nose for the ball when rebounds are up for grabs. With Boston needing wing contributors this season, he should get a chance to show some stuff this season.

Amari Williams is one player knocking on the door of the top 100. He looked terrific during his fifth-year stint at Kentucky, and has an all-around game that could translate well to the center spot. Boston’s frontcourt feels wide open this season, and don’t be surprised to see him grab a role this season.

When you win a title and then win 60 games the next year, nobody knocks you for having little waiting in the wings. But I think Boston could jump out of the bottom tier with a breakout performance or two.

Honorable Mentions: Jordan Walsh, Amari Williams, Max Shulga

2024-25 Rank: No. 29 (tied)

Players Graduated or Lost from 2024-25: None

I’ve done this list twice, and both times I haven’t come particularly close to including a Los Angeles Clipper. Their drafting futility is truly the stuff of legend.

Here are the players they’ve taken in the last few drafts that would be eligible: Kobe Brown, Jordan Miller, Jason Preston, Cam Christie, Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Jahmyl Telfort, and Kobe Sanders. I only thought about Niederhauser and Christie as long-shot developmental bets here, but there’s a lot of ugly. Hand up, I genuinely did not know who Yanic was when they took him in the first round. Many of my more draft-centric colleagues didn’t even have him on their board, let alone their first round.

Without a first-round pick this season, they don’t have much of a chance of adding anyone to the pool this year. But, considering their drafting record, they wouldn’t make a dent in their ranking even if they did have a pick.

Honorable Mention: Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Cam Christie

Wrapping Up

Okay, that was a lot of typing, and I won’t keep you much longer. But this is becoming my favorite yearly exercise, one where my passion for player development can run wild. I encourage you all to do your own lists; it’s exciting to sit down and think deeply about what skill sets you value, how to weigh upside against production, and see how things shake out. I hope you enjoyed reading this and that your wheels got spinning as a result.