This is the second year that I am doing my top 150 starters rankings at Sporting News. While other outlets rank top 10, 30, or even 100 players, our 150-player list is unique to our site.
There's a good reason for that. It takes a ton of work and expertise in order to attempt to rank so many players. I'm watching several hundred NBA games throughout the year, and I feel even more confident about this year's list than last year.
Despite all those games I watch, there are still a lot more that I miss. That makes this list imperfect. That's part of what makes rankings fun, though. Mine are based on which player you would want on a team over another. It's also restricted by projected starters, so you won't see players like Alex Caruso on here even though he's comfortably a top 150 player in the league.
Here's the first part of the list, ranking starters from No. 11 to No. 150. Part two will come out tomorrow.
STEPH NOH'S WIN PROJECTIONS: Eastern Conference | Western Conference
Ranking all 150 starters in the NBA: 11-150
Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Top 11-25 starters
| 11. | Cade Cunningham | Pistons |
| 12. | Kevin Durant | Rockets |
| 13. | Jayson Tatum | Celtics |
| 14. | Tyrese Haliburton | Pacers |
| 15. | Tyrese Maxey | Sixers |
| 16. | Anthony Davis | Wizards |
| 17. | Karl-Anthony Towns | Knicks |
| 18. | Scottie Barnes | Raptors |
| 19. | Jaylen Brown | Sixers |
| 20. | Devin Booker | Suns |
| 21. | LaMelo Ball | Wolves |
| 22. | Joel Embiid | Sixers |
| 23. | LeBron James | Sixers |
| 24. | Pascal Siakam | Pacers |
| 25. | Bam Adebayo | Heat |
There are four wildcards in this group. Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Davis, and Joel Embiid were all top 10 players the last time they were fully healthy. They all fall into this secondary tier of stars as they manage their injury history.
Tatum looked like 80 percent of himself in his brief stint last year. Embiid's defense looks like it will never be back at its elite level, but he's still a good enough offensive player to be in the top 25. Davis could have a huge year playing next to an elite lob thrower in Trae Young. And Haliburton is the biggest question mark after missing an entire season with his Achilles and shingles issues. His passing should immediately return. The conditioning and shooting touch may take longer.
The biggest risers from last year are Tyrese Maxey, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Scottie Barnes. Maxey is the most consistent scorer on the most interesting team in the league. Towns proved that he could quell his defensive concerns when it mattered most last year. Barnes quietly developed into a top five defender and the literal driving force behind the Raptors' rise.
LeBron is still a fringe All-Star based on talent entering his 24th season in the league. While the defense isn't there every single night, he can turn it up on critical possessions. And he's still capable of taking over on offense, as he showed in being the best Laker during their first-round victory over the Rockets.
LaMelo Ball at No. 21 is the biggest "against consensus" ranking in this group. Detractors point to unserious habits, a lack of defense, and wild shot selection. I have him higher than most because while the negatives have some validity, they ignore the immense positives. The talent is there, and he had the Hornets playing much better last season. In a winning environment and next to a defensive anchor in Rudy Gobert, I expect him to change his narrative.
MORE: Can the Sixers win a title with LeBron James?
Top 26-50 starters
| 26. | Jamal Murray | Nuggets |
| 27. | Jalen Williams | Thunder |
| 28. | Franz Wagner | Magic |
| 29. | Jalen Johnson | Hawks |
| 30. | OG Anunoby | Knicks |
| 31. | Evan Mobley | Cavs |
| 32. | Stephon Castle | Spurs |
| 33. | Chet Holmgren | Thunder |
| 34. | James Harden | Cavs |
| 35. | Kyrie Irving | Mavs |
| 36. | Austin Reaves | Lakers |
| 37. | Jalen Duren | Pistons |
| 38. | Jaren Jackson Jr. | Jazz |
| 39. | Deni Avdija | Blazers |
| 40. | Paolo Banchero | Magic |
| 41. | Zion Williamson | Pelicans |
| 42. | Alperen Sengun | Rockets |
| 43. | Lauri Markkanen | Jazz |
| 44. | Michael Porter Jr. | Nets |
| 45. | Trae Young | Wizards |
| 46. | Amen Thompson | Rockets |
| 47. | Desmond Bane | Magic |
| 48. | Kon Knueppel | Hornets |
| 49. | De'Aaron Fox | Spurs |
| 50. | Derrick White | Celtics |
Anunoby is a big riser, going from No. 47 last season to No. 30 this year. He's always had the 3-point shooting and superb defense. He's been healthier for the Knicks than he was with the Raptors, and he proved that he had the clutch gene with his massive playoff performances.
Knueppel had the biggest jump, going from No. 141 last year to No. 48 this season. That ranking was far too low, as Knueppel immediately stepped in as a rookie and delivered borderline All-Star production without the accolades. He's already one of the best shooters in the league.
Castle is the other big riser, going from No. 97 to No. 32. The gritty defensive guard and powerful driver has a good chance to make his first All-Star game this season.
Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero are controversial placements on this portion of the list. I am higher on Wagner at No. 28 than most, and lower on Bachero at No. 40. Wagner is the type of do-everything player that fits into any system and impacts games in multiple ways. Banchero's scoring juice stands out more, but he needs to clean up his shot selection. Both players stand to benefit from a coaching change in Orlando that should hopefully see them used in tandem more effectively.
Top 51-75 starters
| 51. | Darius Garland | Cavs |
| 52. | Tyler Herro | Bucks |
| 53. | Trey Murphy III | Pelicans |
| 54. | Damian Lillard | Blazers |
| 55. | Ivica Zubac | Pacers |
| 56. | Domantas Sabonis | Kings |
| 57. | Rudy Gobert | Wolves |
| 58. | Jaden McDaniels | Wolves |
| 59. | Nickeil Alexander-Walker | Hawks |
| 60. | Julius Randle | Nets |
| 61. | Cooper Flagg | Mavericks |
| 62. | Brandon Miller | Hornets |
| 63. | Jarrett Allen | Cavs |
| 64. | Mikal Bridges | Knicks |
| 65. | Paul George | Celtics |
| 66. | Ja Morant | Blazers |
| 67. | Aaron Gordon | Nuggets |
| 68. | Isaiah Hartenstein | Thunder |
| 69. | Norman Powell | Bulls |
| 70. | Josh Giddey | Bulls |
| 71. | Josh Hart | Knicks |
| 72. | Brandon Ingram | Clippers |
| 73. | Onyeka Okongwu | Hawks |
| 74. | Ausar Thompson | Pistons |
| 75. | Dillon Brooks | Suns |
More injury-prone stars litter this next grouping of players. Damian Lillard at No. 54 was one of the most difficult players to rank. The last time we saw him in a game, pre-Achilles tear, he was an All-Star averaging 25 points and seven assists a night. The last time we saw him in an arena, he was winning the 3-point contest while still rehabbing that injury. He is going to continue to shoot, but the drives may not return at age 36.
Domantas Sabonis, Paul George, Ja Morant, and Aaron Gordon have all plummeted out of the top 50 into this next tier. Sabonis is a great passer and rebounder who needs the right fit in order to succeed. The Kings are turning over their roster, and he looks like a clunkier piece now. Morant faces a poor fit as well with a defensively-challenged backcourt and too many point guards on the roster. George, meanwhile, should thrive in a smaller but perfect role with the Celtics. Gordon's fit has stayed the same, but he can't seem to shake his hamstring issues.
While those players are on their way down, Cooper Flagg and Brandon Miller are on their way up. Flagg, who jumped from No. 87 last year to No. 61 this year, finished an up-and-down rookie season on a high note. He'll have better guard play this season too with Kyrie Irving to take some of that point forward load off his plate. Miller will get more opportunities to show his three-level scoring and impact defense after the departure of LaMelo Ball.
Onyeka Okongwu doesn't get a ton of national recognition. The 6-foot-10 center took over the No. 1 job from Clint Capela last year and showed that he's a solid starter in the league. He's transformed himself into a very capable stretch five, and his activity and switchability on defense is critical for the Hawks.
Darius Garland is the player in this group who may be rated too low at No. 51. He finished his season off strong after being traded to the Clippers. He could easily recover his earlier All-Star form as a terrific passer and 3-point shooter that can be the engine for a good offense.
MORE: Evaluating Boston with Paul George, and what PG could bring back in a trade
Top 76-100 starters
| 76. | Devin Vassell | Spurs |
| 77. | Naz Reid | Hornets |
| 78. | Cason Wallace | Thunder |
| 79. | Fred VanVleet | Rockets |
| 80. | Keyonte George | Jazz |
| 81. | Dyson Daniels | Hawks |
| 82. | Dejounte Murray | Pelicans |
| 83. | Immanuel Quickley | Raptors |
| 84. | CJ McCollum | Hawks |
| 85. | Coby White | Hornets |
| 86. | Payton Pritchard | Celtics |
| 87. | RJ Barrett | Raptors |
| 88. | Matas Buzelis | Bulls |
| 89. | Cam Johnson | Nuggets |
| 90. | Zach LaVine | Kings |
| 91. | Walker Kessler | Lakers |
| 92. | Zach Edey | Grizzlies |
| 93. | Wendell Carter Jr. | Magic |
| 94. | Jaime Jaquez Jr. | Bucks |
| 95. | Cameron Boozer | Grizzlies |
| 96. | AJ Dybantsa | Wizards |
| 97. | Caleb Wilson | Bulls |
| 98. | Darryn Peterson | Jazz |
| 99. | VJ Edgecombe | Sixers |
| 100. | Ryan Rollins | Bucks |
Cason Wallace, at No. 78, is a name to keep an eye on. He'll get more opportunity after the Lu Dort trade, with a chance to show that he can expand his offensive game to go along with his elite defense during a contract year.
Payton Pritchard and Ayo Dosunmu make their first appearances on the list, at No. 88 and 95. That's not due to lack of talent. Both players will be full-time starters for the first time in their careers.
Pritchard, the 2025 Sixth Man of the Year winner, will have big shoes to fill. After starting 50 games last year, he is slated to become a full-time starter after the Jaylen Brown trade. His scoring has become too invaluable to keep him under 30 minutes per game.
Dosunmu was a lighting bolt for the Wolves, scoring 43 points in a playoff win against the Nuggets. He'll have them playing faster, bring intense point-of-attack defense, and hopefully prove that his career-high 44 percent from 3 was not a fluke.
VJ Edgecombe is being suppressed down this list, at No. 99. He'd comfortably be in the top 75 on a different team, but the star power in Philadelphia will mean a smaller role for him than he's capable of. He will be an overqualified 3-and-D guard who can get some easy baskets every night in transition.
Last year's list featured only one rookie, Cooper Flagg, inside the top 100. This year contains four, which is a testament to the strength of the 2026 draft.
You can put Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, Caleb Wilson, and Darryn Peterson in any order. All of them have a good shot at winning Rookie of the Year. They're all special players that will get chances to shine as one-and-done college stars. Boozer appears the most NBA-ready, with high feel and a team full of solid NBA players around him. The others have talent, but slightly messier fits that may contribute to slower starts.
MORE: Best over bets for 2026-27 include Rockets, Raptors
Top 101-150 starters
| 101. | Jalen Suggs | Magic |
| 102. | Donovan Clingan | Blazers |
| 103. | Tobias Harris | Spurs |
| 104. | Draymond Green | Warriors |
| 105. | Miles Bridges | Suns |
| 106. | Andrew Nembhard | Pacers |
| 107. | Kristaps Porzingis | Warriors |
| 108. | Neemias Queta | Celtics |
| 109. | Aaron Nesmith | Pacers |
| 110. | Toumani Camara | Blazers |
| 111. | Herb Jones | Pelicans |
| 112. | Peyton Watson | Cavs |
| 113. | Brandin Podziemski | Warriors |
| 114. | Cedric Coward | Grizzlies |
| 115. | Myles Turner | Bucks |
| 116. | Jakob Poeltl | Raptors |
| 117. | Kyshawn George | Wizards |
| 118. | Andrew Wiggins | Heat |
| 119. | John Collins | Pistons |
| 120. | Jalen Green | Suns |
| 121. | Nic Claxton | Bulls |
| 122. | Jabari Smith Jr. | Rockets |
| 123. | Jonathan Kuminga | Wolves |
| 124. | P.J. Washington | Mavericks |
| 125. | Gui Santos | Warriors |
| 126. | Duncan Robinson | Pistons |
| 127. | Scotty Pippen Jr. | Grizzlies |
| 128. | Klay Thompson | Heat |
| 129. | Christian Braun | Nuggets |
| 130. | Dereck Lively II | Mavericks |
| 131. | Alex Sarr | Wizards |
| 132. | Jerami Grant | Grizzlies |
| 133. | Keegan Murray | Kings |
| 134. | Davion Mitchell | Heat |
| 135. | Mark Williams | Suns |
| 136. | Egor Demin | Nets |
| 137. | Max Christie | Mavericks |
| 138. | Moussa Diabate | Hornets |
| 139. | Quentin Grimes | Lakers |
| 140. | Jake LaRavia | Lakers |
| 141. | Brook Lopez | Clippers |
| 142. | Day'Ron Sharpe | Nets |
| 143. | Yves Missi | Pelicans |
| 144. | De'Andre Hunter | Kings |
| 145. | Derrick Jones Jr. | Clippers |
| 146. | Jusuf Nurkic | Jazz |
| 147. | Keaton Wagler | Clippers |
| 148. | Darius Acuff | Kings |
| 149. | Mikel Brown | Nets |
| 150. | Kyle Kuzma | Bucks |
Draymond Green was the biggest faller in this year's rankings, going from No. 44 all the way down to No. 104. He's still an elite defender. Everything else has taken a turn for the worse. He was never a huge threat to score. His offensive limitations are increasingly becoming problematic though, as are his technical fouls. The Warriors were significantly worse in his minutes last season.
Neemias Queta was ranked far too low last season, at No. 149 of 150 players. The Celtics big man went from six starts and 863 minutes in 2025 to 75 starts and 1926 minutes last year, showing that he could capably hold down a starting role with his energy, rebounding, defense, and finishing skills.
Queta is at a more appropriate No. 110 this season, one spot below his former Boston teammate Kristaps Porzingis. If he were healthy, Porzingis would comfortably be a top 50 starter in the league. Given that he only plays in half of the games, he drops considerably.
Near the bottom of the list are three lottery guards, Keaton Wagler, Darius Acuff, and Mikel Brown. All three have bright NBA futures and should be in the top 50 of this list by the time they are on their second contracts. But rookies are rarely positive contributors off the bat, and they all have holes in their games that they will have to plug. Wagler will need to put pressure on the rim, Acuff needs to improve his defense, and Brown must show more disciplined decision-making and consistent shooting.
