January 2022, Hoops Hype polled Fifteen NBA executives have asked them to rank and build the top five players under the age of 25 by the start of the NBA season. I’ve been practicing for the 2022-23 season.
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic He was the unanimous first choice among NBA executives polled. Evan Mobley When Anthony Edwards They were two of the top risers.
4 new players gained votes and 3 players fell down the ranks.
In our scoring system, the top player received 5 points for each vote, 2nd received 4 points, 3rd received 3 points, 4th received 2 points, and 5th received 1 point.
The voting results are as follows.
Kevin Jairaj – USA TODAY Sports
Voting percentage: 100% of the maximum possible amount
Previous Ranking: First place
Luka Doncic For the first time in our poll, it was a unanimous choice to build, according to NBA executives September 2020.
“Luka’s size, IQ, ability to score from any level and passing will allow him to continue playing at the MVP caliber level,” an NBA executive told HoopsHype.
After leading the NBA in utilization (37.4) last season and leading Dallas to the Western Conference Finals, Doncic is one of the best players in the game. Global evaluation in previous EuroBasket tournaments.
AP Photo/Adam Hanger
Voting percentage: 69.3% of maximum possible amount
Previous Ranking: No. 2
Jason Tatum In our poll, we got second place with 11 of 15 votes from NBA executives.
“Tatum has a great ability to create and maintain an advantage on the offensive end,” an NBA executive told HoopsHype. “His versatility and athleticism will allow him to continue to make an impact on the game on both sides of the court.”
Tatum looked like a future MVP contender as the playoff’s main defender. Kevin Durant In a sweep for the Nets and two impressive series against the Bucks and Heat, he combined to average 26.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists before falling to the Warriors in the Finals.
Petre Thomas-USA TODAYSports
Voting percentage: 44% of maximum possible
Previous Ranking: No. 3
Four NBA executives vote Ja Morant Second highest overall in their vote.
“I believe in building around a playmaker, and that’s why I love him,” the NBA executive said.
Morant, a first-time All-Star, earning All-NBA honors and winning the Most Valuable Player award, is looking to lead Memphis to the Western Conference Semifinals for the first time since 2013.
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Voting percentage: 28% of maximum possible amount
Previous Ranking: No. 6
Five NBA executives vote Evan Mobley Third highest overall in their vote.
Despite losing Rookie of the Year to Raptors forward Scotty Burns, Mobley ranked higher than his classmates in this poll. Cleveland could also leapfrog Toronto in the standings following acquisition of the All-Star guard. Donovan Mitchell this off-season.
After tying for fifth in the NBA in blocks per game (1.7), Mobley is being slated as a future Frontcourt All-Star.
Nick Wosika-USA TODAYSports
Voting percentage: 16% of the maximum amount possible
Previous Ranking: No. 9
Two NBA executives vote Anthony Edwards Third highest overall in their vote.
“He took a big step forward last season,” said an NBA executive. “He defends well and can steal the ball. He has the potential to be a two-way player.”
After being among the top 20 NBA players in scoring and minutes played last season and among the top 15 in steals and 3-point shooting, Edwards completed 45.5% from the field and made three shots during the playoffs. He shone on the national stage with an average of 25.2 points with a 40.4% percentage. -Point range against the Grizzlies.
Chuck Cook – USA TODAY Sports
Voting percentage: 12% of the maximum possible amount
Previous Ranking: No. 7
One NBA Executive Voted Despite Missing All Last Season Zion Williamson 3rd highest overall in his vote.
“Two years ago, Zion was a top-five offensive player,” an NBA executive said. “His case is very simple. If we start over and improve our defense, he’s definitely a franchise guy.
On the one hand, executives have a point about whether Williamson can stay healthy, but considering he’s only played a total of 85 games in the past three seasons, it’s a big question.
Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Voting percentage: 8% of the maximum possible amount
Previous Ranking: N/R
Two NBA executives vote Scotty Burnsthe reigning Rookie of the Year, was the fourth highest overall in their vote.
“Barnes is a legitimate two-way player who can play multiple positions,” an NBA executive told HoopsHype. His grab-and-go ability is valuable because of the rule change to 2020. On the defensive side, his ability to defend multiple positions, contain the perimeter and shrink the court will continue to be valuable going forward. will.”
If Barnes can improve his 3-point shooting (.301), he could jump multiple spots on this ballot by next edition.
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAYSports
Voting percentage: 6.67 percent of maximum possible
Previous Ranking: No. 4
1 NBA executive voted lamelo ball 3rd highest overall in his vote. In the last poll, surprisingly, Ball was the only player, other than Doncic, to receive the number 1 vote for him in the votes of top executives building his players.
An NBA executive told HoopsHype, “My vote is a bet in his favor. LaMelo is a 6’7” lead creator. No, but he’s much younger and his skill set easily fits many players.I’m completely wrong about that. There may be, but we are betting on who has the most overall advantage and diversity.”
Ball’s versatility helped him become an All-Star last season after ranking in the top 20 in total points, top 15 in three-pointers, and top 10 in assists and steals per game.When Miles Bridges With the legal situation unresolved, Ball will need an even better performance this year to bring the Hornets into playoff contention.
Brett Davis-USA TODAYSports
Voting percentage: 4% of maximum possible amount
Previous Ranking: No. 5
1 NBA executive voted Trae Young 3rd highest overall in his vote.
“Young is a game changer,” an NBA executive told HoopsHype. “We play in the guard league. He supports the team and makes everyone around him better.”
However, Young struggled hard in the playoffs against the Heat, averaging 15.4 points on 31.9% shooting and 6.0 assists. Maybe that’s why he fell in this poll.
After leading the NBA in total points scored (2,155) and total assists (737), the Hawks earned an All-Star. Dejounte Murray It takes the attention away from Young and helps lead Atlanta deep into the playoffs.
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Voting percentage: 4% of maximum possible amount
Previous Ranking: N/R
Three NBA executives vote Darius Garland 5th overall in their vote.
After being named a top breakout player by NBA executives, hoop hype pole In September 2021, Garland lived up to the hype and became an All-Star.
Justin Ford/Getty Images
Voting percentage: 2.67% of maximum possible amount
Previous Ranking: No. 13
Two NBA executives vote Cade Cunningham 5th overall in their vote.
Cunningham showed why he could be a potential All-Star for the Pistons, averaging 22.9 points, 7.0 assists and 5.9 rebounds per game in Detroit in March.
AP Photo/Michael Wyke
Voting percentage: 2.67% of maximum possible amount
Previous Ranking: N/R
Green became only the second NBA rookie to score 30 or more points in five consecutive games since last season. Allen Iverson. Michael Jordan He did so in four straight games as a rookie.
AP Photo/Bruce Crackhorn
Voting percentage: 1.3% of maximum possible amount
Previous Ranking: No. 8
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Entering the first phase of a maximum five-year extension with Oklahoma City. In March, Gilgeous his Alexander averaged 29 points on 52% overall shooting and 40% on his range from 3-point range, while he averaged 7.5 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game. Showed all-star potential.
Having played just 91 combined games over the past two seasons, management’s view of the poll is that his lack of vacancies has hurt his stock.
