For numbers 100-61 of the top 100, click links below.

100-81 | 80-61

#60: Paul Millsap: Power Forward for the Denver Nuggets

Even at 34, Paul Millsap deserves a spot on the top 100 list. A long-time player for the Jazz and Hawks, Millsap played his second year with the Nuggets last year, and his statistics were a tad disappointing. His PPG saw a decrease of 2, and his playmaking ability diminished as well, as his APG decreased as well. However, his rebounding and shooting percentages increased as well. If you are looking for a veteran that knows his role, and will play smart on both sides of the ball, there are few guys that are better than Paul Millsap with his unique skillset. Because of this unique skillset, Millsap cracks the top 60.

#59: John Wall: Point Guard for the Washington Wizards

Similar to Demarcus Cousins, John Wall is dealing with an Achilles injury and other leg injuries as well. Why Wall barely cracks the top 60 is due to how this injury will effect him. Wall is a guy that relies on speed and athleticism to create offense. He has been an inconsistent shooter, but his slashing ability is what contributes most to his career 19.0 PPG. When healthy Wall has shown he can be a top 30-40 player, but because Wall relies so much on his explosiveness and athleticism, these injuries may cause a Derrick Rose like down tick in production. The injuries and the affect they could have on Wall keep him from getting into the echelon he was before getting hurt.

#58: Demarcus Cousins: Center for the Los Angeles Lakers

He did not make SI’s top 100 due to injury, but as I stated previously, I will not let his injury keep him off my list. Cousins is too talented of a big man to keep off. However, nobody as big as Cousins has dealt with the leg injuries that Boogie has had to deal with. We all know what Cousins can be, a 25 PPG and 10 boards per game type player. But with the injuries he has had to come back from, his days of All-NBA statistics are long gone. That being said, Cousins still can be an effective NBA player, solidifying a spot on the top 100.

#57: Danilo Gallinari: Forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder

One of the many new faces on the Oklahoma City Thunder slots in #58. Photo Credits to clutchpoints.com

Coming off his career high in points per game last year (19.8), Gallinari did it efficiently. Shooting over 40% from three and over 90% on 6 free throws per game, Gallinari prides himself on his shooting ability. Defensively he has never been a lockdown guy, but you get what you see with Gallinari, a veteran that can score from all levels. He has had injury and durability issues throughout his career, but when healthy, Gallinari deserves a spot off his scoring ability alone.

#56: Malcolm Brogdon: Guard for the Indiana Pacers

One of the better 3-and-D guys in the league, the only thing that has held back Brogdon in his short 3-year career has been an injury. He has yet to play over 70 games since his rookie year. But when healthy, Brogdon is an incredibly efficient scorer. Coming off his first 50-40-90 year, Brogdon has immense potential scoring the ball, as he averaged 19.7 PPG last year, but defensively, he added in 2.3 defensive win shares. He is only 26 and coming into his 4th year in the league, has a new opportunity to step into a bigger role in Indiana.

#55: Robert Covington: Small Forward for the Minnesota Timberwolves

Similar to Brogdon, Covington has had injury issues. However, Covington’s issues have caused more miss time than Brogdon. When healthy, Covington is one of the best young wing defenders in the NBA. His defensive win shares were up to .9 from in his time with Minnesota after the Butler trade. His DPBM was 1.6 in Minnesota, so Covington’s true value comes from the defensive side of the ball. But his shooting and scoring ability has gotten better since coming into the league. If he can stay healthy, Covington should be able to jump into the top 50, but for now with injury issues and not being able to stay on the court keeps him at #55.

#54: Buddy Hield: Shooting Guard for the Sacramento Kings

Another young player that is coming off his best season yet, Hield had career highs in PPG with 20.7 points, APG with 2.5 assists, and rebounds with 3.7 RPG. On top of his career highs, Hield has consistenly shot over 40% from 3 point range since his trade to the Kings. Defensively he is improving, he is not great, but continuing to improve. Offensively, Hield has displayed his shooting ability playing off Fox and Bagley. The lack of defense keeps him out of the top 50, but Hield’s shooting ability in a shooting dominated league slots him at #54.

#53: Gary Harris: Shooting Guard/Small Forward for the Denver Nuggets

Another wing that has dealt with injuries throughout his young career, Gary Harris has yet to play all 82 games in his first five years playing. Offensively Harris has shown bright spots, scoring 17.5 PPG in 2017-2018, but has had his ups and downs with his efficiency shooting the ball. Defensively, Harris has shown his value defending wings in the west, averaging at least a steal per game the past 4 years. He is still young, only 25, with room to improve offensively. With his combination of speed, length, defense, and potential, Harris cracks the top 100.

#52: Trae Young: Point Guard for the Atlanta Hawks

A player coming into his second year at #52 sounds crazy. However, his impact on the Hawks was too significant. Averaging 19.1 PPG and 8.1 APG, Trae Young was the Rookie of the Year runner-up, mainly due to his offense. To improve from #53, Trae Young cannot be as bad as the -2.8 DBPM he showed last year. But for now, Young is at #52 coming into his sophomore season.

#52: Bojan Bogdanović: Forward for the Utah Jazz

A career 39% 3 point shooter, Bogdanović serves as one of the best floor spacers in the NBA. Last year he averaged his career high with 18 PPG, stepping into a bigger role after Oladipo got injured. Rebounding and playmaking isn’t quite Bogdanović’s forte, but his ability to score and shoot plays a necessary role for any team he plays for. He proved he can be a number one scoring option playing for a playoff team last year, and has consistenly improved his statistics since coming into the league. At this point in his career, at 30, Bogdanović is a scorer that any team could use.

#50: Jamal Murray: Point Guard for the Denver Nuggets

5 years – $170 Million? That’s how much Murray just got paid this offseason by Denver, and he may got overpaid, but he plays an important role as a secondary playmaker and scorer off Jokic in Denver. He averaged 18.2 PPG last season on 43.7% shooting from the field. Defensively, Murray is a tad undersized and struggles defending guards in the west, shown by a negative DBPM. Murray is only 22, and was a point guard and one of the main scoring options on the 2nd seed Nuggets last year. So with room to improve, his scoring ability, and playing on a playoff team should bode well for Murray. But the defensive struggles and inefficiency at times keeps Murray at #50 on the top 100.

#49: Clint Capela: Center for the Houston Rockets

A player that has benefited playing off of James Harden, Clint Capela has done nothing but get better since getting into the NBA, helping him find a spot in the top 50. Photo Credits to skysports.com

Last year was Capela’s best year yet, averaging 16.6 PPG and 12.7 RPG, Capela was a key piece for the Rockets in their playoff run last year. Not only did he average a double-double, Capela averaged over a block per game as well. Both his OBPM and DBPM are above average, and Capela contributed 7.8 offensive win shares. His advanced statistics and counting averages are top of the line for Capela. Harden used his big man perfectly in the pick and roll game, but defensively Capela has some flaws. As good as he is offensively in the pick and roll, defensively Capela can get exposed defending the pick and roll. He isn’t quite the modern center with the lack of shooting ability, but Capela can still serve as an adequate big man in today’s NBA.

#48: Lou Williams: Guard for the Los Angeles Clippers

The back to back sixth man of the year deserves a spot in the top 50. Lou Williams may not start, but in his 75 games last year, Williams averaged 26.6 minutes per game, so he plays the majority of each game. The past two years, Lou Will averaged at least 20 PPG. Not only is he a consistent scorer off the bench, his playmaking ability has shown through as well, averaging over 5 APG in the past two seasons. He is not known for his defense, but Lou Williams plays an important role for any team, almost a “microwave”, coming off the bench to heat up and supply a scoring option off the bench. Now playing with Kawhi and Paul George, Williams will have more space and room to thrive scoring the ball, he will have room to improve even though he is already in the top 50.

#47: Eric Bledsoe: Point Guard for the Milwaukee Bucks

Averaging around 14 PPG, 5 APG, and 4 RPG, Bledsoe can do it all as a point guard, contributing by scoring, playmaking, or hitting the boards. On top of that, Bledsoe’s combination of strength and athleticism make him one of the better guard defenders in the NBA. Joining Giannis in Milwaukee has made life for Bledsoe easier on both sides of the ball, and if he can improve his 3 point inconsistencies, Bledsoe will jump up from #47 in next years top 100.

#46: Kevin Love: Power Forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers

One of the best stretch 4s of the 2010s, Kevin Love had no problem getting into the top 50. Photo Credits to sbnation.com

Last year Love dealt with injury for one of the few times in his lengthy career. When healthy, he is a double-double machine, as he averaged 18.3 PPG and 11.3 RPG over his career. Now 31, Love is entering the back end of his prime, but there is still a role for a big man that can stretch the floor as effectively as Love.

#45: Marc Gasol: Center for the Toronto Raptors

Gasol had arguably the best offseason an NBA player could have, coming off of winning the NBA Finals, Gasol lead Spain to a FIBA World Cup victory as well. For both victories, Gasol played an important role on both sides of the ball. Few can defend the post as strong as Gasol can, and only a few big men can stretch the floor as effectively as Gasol can. Once traded to Toronto, Gasol finished the season shooting over 40% from three and had a DBPM of 3.5, showing his worth on both sides of the ball. One of the savvier veterans offensively, Gasol can hurt you multiple ways whether it is the pick and roll, pick and pop, or just back to the basket. His effectiveness defensively, offensive versatility, and basketball IQ all contributed to his #45 spot on the top 100.

#44: John Collins: Power Forward for the Atlanta Hawks

Coming into his 3rd year of his young career, John Collins took a huge step this past season, and many are expecting another step in the right direction. Averaging 19.5 PPG and 9.8 RPG, Collins came close to averaging a double-double. But the statistics do not truly display the athleticism and bounce that Collins showed in his first two years with the Hawks. The 2-man game of Collins and Young will be fun to watch in the upcoming years as both are progressing on what should be a improved Hawks team. Defensively, Collins has shown some inconsistency, but his size, strength, and athleticism combined with his averages put him in the top 45.

#43: Myles Turner: Center for the Indiana Pacers

The points per game and rebounding numbers do not jump off the page for Turner. However, his length, athleticism, and defensive ability do. Coming off a year where he led the NBA in blocks per game, Turner has proven to be a defensive force. On top of his defense, Turner has continued to improve his jump shot, shooting a career-best 38.8% from behind the arc last year. Offensively the game could use a little work for Turner, but defensively with a DBPM up over 4.5, he is an elite defender, and that attribute alone gets him into the top 100.

#42: Jayson Tatum: Forward for the Boston Celtics

In his young 2 year career thus far, Tatum has had his fair share of ups and downs. His sophomore season, Tatum averaged more PPG and RPG, but scored less efficiently on more shots. He is only 21 and has a lot of potential. But potential alone does not put Tatum at #42. He has shown flashes of being able to score from all three levels and defend multiple positions. Most of those flashes were in the 2018 NBA Playoffs on some of the biggest stages against the likes of Giannis and LeBron. Like I said, he has a lot of potential, but he has shown the star he can be at times, which gets him into the top 100.

#41: Andre Drummond: Center for the Detroit Pistons

Averaging 14.1 PPG and 13.7 RPG, Drummond is one of the more consistent players in the NBA. You know what you will get with Drummond and that is: top 5 in rebounds per game in the NBA, above average efficiency scoring, and a block or two a game. In a league that has been dominated by shooters and guards, Drummond has found a niche and been one of the best players in his craft at it. That niche is rebounding the basketball. Granted his free throw percentage could use an uptick, Drummond is one of the best rebounders in the game, put that alongside an improving offensive game, that slots him at #41.

Featured Image. Straightforward Sports | linkedin. Photo Credits to straightforwardsports.com

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