Top 25 of 25 & Under

With such an abundance of talent in NBA right now certainly means the future of the league and the game are bright. So, I decided to do a top twenty-five of players that are 25 years old or younger, the criteria I used was who would you start a franchise with today and their potential to become a part of the top star tier in the NBA pretty basic formula I guess.

But before we get into the list there are some honorable mentions and unfortunately some incredibly young talent that I left out the list because of some of their off the court issues and situations they are in that can affect their futures if nothing changes.

Disqualified from the list.

Josh Giddey (Oklahoma City Thunder 21 years old)

Kevin Porter Jr (23 years old)

Miles Bridges (Charlotte Hornets 25 years old)

*Hopefully, things will change where these young guys can be apart of something like this next time*

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Honorable Mentions:  Amen Thompson (Houston Rockets 20 years old), Ausur Thompson (Detroit Pistons 20 years old), Austin Reaves (LA Lakers 25 years old), Nic Claxton (Brooklyn Nets 24 years old), Walker Kessler (Utah Jazz 22 years old), Tyler Herro (Miami Heat 23 years old), Brandon Miller (Charlotte Hornets 21 years old), DeAndre Ayton (Portland Trailblazers 25 years old)

Top 25 of 25 and Under

1. Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks 24 years old):  Well number one should be an easy decision here with Luka Doncic, just under 25 years old and he is already one of the NBA’s top 5 or 10 players without a doubt with his prime years still ahead of him.  Now whether we see that explosion in Dallas or not is different conversation and article for if you had to pick a player that is 25 years old or younger to start your team with the clear answer would Doncic.

2. Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves 22 years old): Anthony Edwards has been slowly emerging onto the national scene this past summer and the start of this season has been an explosion as far as him entering the top tier of the NBA. Timberwolves fans have not had this kind of excitement since Kevin Garnett when it comes to Ant-Man, where he is driving force behind the team’s turnaround so far this season and will be one of the top vote getters for the all-star game but if you had Edwards as your centerpiece of a team that’s pretty damn good.

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder 25 years old): Anyone who has followed my writing knows I have been a huge frontline supporter, truther, and defender of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his unlimited potential. There is alternate universe where SGA could be number 1 on this list because his insane versatile skill set has rightfully placed him in the top 5 or 10 player discussion with last year’s first team all-NBA choice. Truthfully the first 3 or 5 spots are neck and neck so there is no wrong choice, but SGA right now is making the case with Thunder who look ahead of schedule in the development and a top four team in the competitive western conference this year.

4. Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers 23 years old): Another one of the few young talents I was right on early was pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who has embraced the small market city and culture while start a renaissance with the Pacers who are one of the more exciting teams to watch. His performance in the in-season tournament certainly gained some new viewers and fans on a bigger scale which only helps the NBA as an entertainment product showcasing Haliburton and his skill set.

5. Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics 25 years old):  Becoming a Celtic mainstay like Paul Pierce and Larry Bird before him Jayson Tatum has certainly lived up to those legendary expectations. Even with no championship yet, Tatum has become a beloved Celtic which is not easy, and his talent is highly sought after but it is certain that Tatum will retire in the Green but has been a top five player over the past few years with that undeniable talent.

6. Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder 21 years old): The Oklahoma City Thunder certainly have a gold mine of young and transcendent talent like SGA and their super unicorn Chet Holmgren. Holmgren missed all of last year with a foot injury but has been an enormous impact player in his first season this year so far. His unique offensive skills for his size, rim protection of defense, and ultra competitiveness put him up a few spots on this list ahead of my number 7 player who was universally considered the greatest prospect ever in sports and has done his best to live up to those expectations to start his promising career.

7. Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs 19 years old):  Considered the greatest prospect ever Victor Wembanyama certainly came to the NBA with a lot of buzz that was called for, but his start has been a bit rough for no fault of his own. Wembanyama has shown glimpses of why the hype around was so strong with some of his performances and been productive despite the impossible expectations. The Spurs are clearly rebuilding and figuring out the pieces around him but the upside with Wembanyama is almost limitless where he could change game before he is done playing so being in the top 10 of this kind is a great start.

8. LaMelo Ball (Charlotte Hornets 22 years old:  One of the more popular if not the most popular players on social media, LaMelo Ball can be an amazing player to start a team with. Ball and his style of play guarantees him to go viral. Despite being on an underwhelming team with the Hornets, Ball’s style of play is fun and gets others involved that can be enticing to others. Despite some early injuries Ball and his potential have not even begun to be reached yet that is promising for his career.

9. Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies 24 years old): When I started this list Ja Morant was one of the players disqualified from being on the list but decided that being a reckless knucklehead on social media shouldn’t disqualify him but certainly will be a huge concern dropping down some spots. Morant without question should be in the top 5 if not top 3 on this list but his off-court actions and here we are at number nine. Now obviously Morant is already the face of a franchise with the Grizzlies and his talent is amazing but his decision making outside of hooping is such a red flag that it’s enough to stay away but hopefully maturity will happen and this can all change putting Morant higher on the list where he should be.

10. Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans 23 years old): Another potential mega star from the 2019 draft is the number one pick Zion Williamson. Williamson should be a top 10 player but like Morant for very different reasons his lack of maturity is what is holding him back from being that level of star. From his issues with staying in shape to his commitment to improving his game, Williamson has been under some harsh criticism because of it where it has all of us asking “Will he ever get it?” Williamson can certainly turn all this around and become that mega star with his talent and potential, but his maturity and possibly his desire to be that great is up for questioning whether Zion wants that or not.

11.  Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic 21 years old):  Paolo Banchero is 1 of the reasons for the surprise turnaround the Magic are having so far this season, the duke mega forward has been impactful from day one slowly rising up the ranks as one of the league’s promising big men. As the season continues hopefully Banchero will continue to evolve and lead his team to playoff contention, but Banchero is going to be a force in the NBA for years to come.

12. De’Aaron Fox (Sacramento Kings 25 years old): The Kings were the bright spot of last season and are clearly turning the corner on being regulars in the western conference playoff picture. One reason for that is point guard De’Aaron Fox who finally broke through last season where he is considered one of the best PGs in the league certainly the fastest. Fox is pivotal to the Kings success and has been a game changer who seems to be improving more and more which makes Fox a promising cornerstone player for any team.

13. Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers 23 years old): If anyone greatly benefited from the James Harden/76er drama it is without question Tyrese Maxey, who has thrived in his new role on the team under coach Nick Nurse. Free to use his amazing speed, Maxey has exploded this season where he is the front runner for most improved player, potentially can be an all-star and all-NBA player who has become the perfect sidekick for Joel Embiid as well as a franchise player for Philadelphia’s future.

14. Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons 22 years old): Cade Cunningham could be in the top 10 but unfortunately some set of injuries has held him back early on in his career. Despite those injuries when he did play you saw the absolute promise Cunningham has and can build around, unfortunately the Pistons are certainly not making the best of Cunningham and other potential but hopefully Cunningham’s promise will shine through.

15. Scoot Henderson (Portland Trailblazers 19 years old): Despite his rough start because of his position and team, Scoot Henderson is a superstar waiting to happen. Playing point guard comes with a rough learning curve which Henderson is currently learning but his raw talent and ability is enough to see how dynamic he is going to be in the future.

15. Jalen Green (Houston Rockets 21 years old): Athletic stud Jalen Green has shown signs of superstardom despite being on some less than desirable Rockets team until this year where they are shockingly competitive. Maturity will be a major part of Green’s progression of becoming a star in the NBA or not, but his dynamic talent is too much to ignore or pass on.

17. Alperen Sengun (Houston Rockets 21 years old): Alperen Sengun has slowly grown into a major piece for a team being the Nikola Jokic- like center for a young Rockets team on the rise. Maybe he becomes another Jokic, but time, patience, and experience will tell us if that is legitimate.

18. Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic 22 years old): The other piece of the Orlando Magic’s turnaround success is swingman Franz Wagner, who was incredible this summer in the FIBA world cup was sign of things to come this season in his growth where he may be all-star candidate if he keeps improving which is a solid piece alongside Paolo Banchero in the land of make believe.

19. Jaren Jackson Jr (Memphis Grizzlies 24 years old):  The reigning defensive player of the year is young with plenty of room to grow into more. Triple J has all the tools to be a Kevin Garnett like big which he sort of is on defense already, but his offense still needs work but if you’re looking a young franchise big man to build with Jared Jackson Jr is on a short list possibly at the top.

20. Darius Garland (Cleveland Cavaliers 23 years old): The Cavs have a promising core for the future and one of those pieces is Darius Garland. Garland has is a throwback traditional point guard who sets up the floor, who can be a shot creator and a lot of room to grow into more as his career progresses.

21. Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers 22 years old): The other part of that Cavalier future is big man Evan Mobley, who has shown signs of being a potential Kevin Garnett or Tim Duncan type but has been up and down offensively. That inconsistency along with experience has given some pause to how great Mobley could be, but his defensive and playmaking ability makes him sure thing for all-NBA going forward.

22. Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors 22 years old): As a Raptors fan Scottie Barnes so far has been loving him and hating him. Perhaps coming in under the irrational expectations of being the new Kawhi Leonard for Toronto may have set him back early on, but Barnes seems to have found his rhythm this season being the focus of this new era for the Raptors while steadily improving every game.

23. RJ Barrett (New York Knicks 23 years old): RJ Barrett is promising swingman who can change a franchise’s fortune if given the opportunity to do so, but maybe his situation with the Knicks isn’t the best for him and the team but maybe a change of scenery will do some good and open up the possibilities for RJ’s career.

24. Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder 22 years old): We are heading to that gold mine of young talent in Oklahoma City where second year wing Jalen Williams makes the list. Williams certainly gives off early OKC days James Harden vibes with his play making and importance to this Thunder group and their success this season and beyond.

25. Keegan Murray (Sacramento Kings 23 years old):  Keegan Murray finishes my top 25 of 25 and younger players, which is not a knock to Murray who has been solid in his play for Kings and their sudden turnaround who has been steal for Sacramento putting him alongside De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis forming a great trio for years to come.