[2025-26] ESPN Top 100 Player Ranking

daywalker02 · Sep 23, 2025 at 10:25 AM

Still Ongoing

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id...25-2026-flagg-beal-reaves-best-players-100-51

74. Jabari Smith Jr., F, Houston Rockets
2024 NBA Rank: 92

The epitome of homegrown talent in Houston, Smith was rewarded over the offseason with a $122 million rookie extension. Smith provides versatility on defense and floor spacing, not to mention optionality with the big lineups the Rockets will employ throughout the season. Houston drafted Smith No. 3 overall in 2022, and he has played an important role in the team's culture and growth over the years as a starter and reserve near the end of last season and the playoffs. -- Wright

Signature stat: Last season, the Rockets went 40-17 with Smith and 12-13 without. When he came off the bench, Houston went 15-3.

Fantasy projection: 13.1 PTS, 7.5 REB, 1.3 AST
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daywalker02 · Sep 24, 2025 at 8:46 AM

Tons of Sir Charles Barkley mentions

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id...026-williams-harden-morant-best-players-50-11

37. Amen Thompson, G, Houston Rockets
2024 NBA Rank: Unranked

Unquestionably one of the most elite talents in the NBA, Thompson is poised to take the next step in his ascension after making the NBA's All-Defensive first team in his second season. Thompson already plays with the intensity Rockets coach Ime Udoka covets. That allowed Thompson last season to become the first player since Charles Barkley in 1993 to post 25 points, 5 steals and 3 blocks in a playoff game. Now, it's all about refining Thompson's skill set, most notably his 3-point shot (27.5% last season). Thompson's tireless work ethic suggests he'll improve there. -- Michael C. Wright

Signature stat: Thompson was the first Rockets player with at least 80 steals and 80 blocks since Hakeem Olajuwon (1998-99).

Fantasy projection: 14.1 PTS, 8.4 REB, 1.5 STL
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25. Alperen Sengun, C, Houston Rockets
2024 NBA Rank: 54

All the work Sengun put in over the summer in Istanbul paid off on the international stage, with the 23-year-old leading Turkey to the FIBA EuroBasket final on the way to earning all-tournament recognition. Houston's brass wanted Sengun to ramp up his stamina over the summer while focusing on the strongest elements of his post game. He accomplished those goals, placing him in a position to be a dominant force in Houston's devastating double-big lineups. -- Wright

Signature stat: Sengun is the second Rockets player to average at least 15 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists in a season (joining Charles Barkley).

Fantasy projection: 19.6 PTS, 10.5 REB, 5.0 AST
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cmoak1982 · Sep 24, 2025 at 9:01 AM

daywalker02 said: ↑

Tons of Sir Charles Barkley mentions

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id...026-williams-harden-morant-best-players-50-11
Click to expand...

Don’t agree with a couple above Amen and Alp. But, not bad

Snow Villiers · Sep 24, 2025 at 9:07 AM

Mobley and Cade in the top 15 and Jalen didn’t even make the list @RB713

RB713 · Sep 24, 2025 at 9:08 AM

Snow Villiers said: ↑

Mobley and Cade in the top 15 and Jalen didn’t even make the list @RB713
Click to expand...

in stone we trust.

who has more commercials and a used up thot? Jalen.

mfastx · Sep 25, 2025 at 7:36 AM

This ranking used to be more reputable back when more panelists were involved. Now it just reeks of recency bias, I love Jabari but he is not top 100...yet. Hopefully this year.

daywalker02 · Sep 25, 2025 at 8:44 AM

Jokic

SGA

Luka Doncic

Giannis

Victor Wembanyama

Anthony Edwards

Steph Curry

Lebron James

Kevin Durant

Jalen Brunson

9. Kevin Durant, F, Houston Rockets
2024 NBA Rank: 9

The Rockets entered last postseason pondering whether they needed to acquire a go-to offensive engine and received an answer resoundingly by way of a first-round exit. Enter Durant, who heads into 2025-26 ranked eighth all time in scoring (30,571 points) just behind Wilt Chamberlain (31,419). Even at age 36, Durant remains an efficient and elite scorer who brings championship experience and I.Q. to go with a relentless work ethic, which is sure to rub off on Houston's relatively young roster.

Biggest question: Does Durant's arrival make the Rockets legitimate contenders?

Yes, but only if Houston's supporting cast does its part in helping Durant to find his fit within the group. Having worked with Durant during his tenure in Brooklyn, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka knows the 15-time All-Star isn't the type of player who wants teammates to defer to him unnecessarily. Durant wants to be integrated into the group naturally, which in turn diversifies Houston's options for attacking opponents.

So, the best way to maximize Durant's potential impact is continued growth from players such as Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun, who spent a good chunk of the summer in Istanbul, Turkey, working with Rockets developmental staffers on whittling down his post moves to focus on what's most effective.

Durant has already told teammates to be themselves, and he'll find a way to fit in that best helps the team. Durant's vast experience in a variety of systems over the years ensures he'll find his way; it's just a matter of how quickly. -- Michael C. Wright

Signature stat: Kevin Durant has averaged at least 25 points, 50% shooting and 40% on 3-pointers in three straight seasons, the longest streak in NBA history.

Fantasy projection: 24.9 PTS, 5.8 REB, 4.2 AST
Click to expand...

Joe Joe · Sep 25, 2025 at 8:52 AM

Durant, JSJ too high
Amen, Sengun, Tari too low. I'd guess Tari should not be in the Top 100, but I think he's better than more than a handful of players on their list.

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