NBA Rank 2026: Revealing Players 100-51 in Our Top 100 Countdown

NBA Rank is back! With less than one month until opening night, let's start counting down the league's best players for 2026-27.

How many rookies landed in our top 100? Which stars who changed teams this summer are climbing our rankings? Where will the defending champion New York Knicks check in?

Our countdown begins with players Nos. 100-51 and continues Wednesday with Nos. 50-11 and Thursday with our expert panel's predictions for this season's top 10.

• The countdown begins: Nos. 100-51 revealed

• Wednesday: Nos. 50-11 | Thursday: Nos. 10-1

• 10 players to watch in NBA Rank ... 2027

• NBA team rankings: Three-year outlooks for all 30

And that expert panel has been overhauled for the 2026 edition.

In previous seasons, more than 100 ESPN NBA insiders, reporters, editors and producers voted on thousands of possible player vs. player matchups to arrive at the final top 100 list.

That "wisdom of the crowd" approach has given way to the wisdom of seven: ESPN's Ben Golliver, Vincent Goodwill, Zach Kram, Bobby Marks, Dave McMenamin, André Snellings and Matt "Stats" Williams. (The panelists' individual top-100 lists were combined to create our final rankings.)

Voting guidelines, however, remained unchanged. The panel was asked to rank players based on predicted contributions -- quality and quantity -- for the 2026-27 regular season only.

Let's get to the list.

Note: Signature stats provided by ESPN Research.

G | Atlanta Hawks

Age: 27

2025 NBA Rank: 64

The Dorture Chamber heads southeast, where the Hawks will be downright scary on the wings with Dort, Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels . Dort is still one of the league's most physical defenders and is entering the final year of his contract (at $18.2 million), so he'll be motivated in a new environment. His 3-point shooting fell off last season after two years at a 40% clip with the Thunder. Even if last season was a regression to the mean, the physicality Dort brings is the sell for the Hawks. -- Vincent Goodwill

Signature stat: Dort defended 2026 All-Stars for 1,238 matchups last season, the third most in the NBA.

Fantasy projection: 9.6 PTS, 3.8 REB, 1.0 STL

G | Toronto Raptors

Age: 26

2025 NBA Rank: 100

Barrett, the No. 3 pick in the 2019 draft, is a reliable secondary scorer who creates advantages with downhill attacks and plays well off lead options. Though the Toronto native hasn't developed into a franchise wing because of his mediocre outside shot and limited defensive impact, he thrilled his hometown fans in May with the signature moment of his seven-year career. When Barrett bounced home a last-second 3-pointer to beat the Cavaliers and force Game 7 in the Raptors' first-round playoff series, fans indulged in their most raucous celebration since the 2019 championship parade. -- Ben Golliver

Signature stat: Barrett shot 64% on layups and dunks last season, best in a season in his career and up from 55% in 2024-25, per GeniusIQ tracking.

Fantasy projection: 19.7 PTS, 5.6 REB, 3.9 AST

G | Orlando Magic

Age: 25

2025 NBA Rank: 59

Suggs excelled at forcing turnovers last season, ranking sixth in steals per game among players to appear in at least 50 games. He also averaged a career high in defensive net points per 100 possessions, per ESPN Analytics. Health will be a factor to watch for Suggs, who has missed at least 25 games in four of his five NBA seasons. There might be questions around Suggs and Anthony Black for the point guard role, but they did share the floor for 459 minutes last season. The Magic had a plus-13.5 net efficiency in that time. -- Matt Williams

Signature stat: The Magic shot 55.5% directly off Suggs' passes last season, second best in the NBA among players with at least 400 assist opportunities, according to GeniusIQ.

Fantasy projection: 13.2 PTS, 4.0 AST, 1.5 STL

F | Chicago Bulls

Age: 20

2025 NBA Rank: NR (rookie)

Wilson is the first of four rookies on this list, which befits the No. 4 pick from the most recent draft. He's an extraordinary athlete with immense potential, and he even flashed unexpected 3-point range at summer league (42% on 7.8 attempts per game). Like all rookies, he'll undergo growing pains this season -- he committed 21 turnovers to just seven assists during summer league -- but he's the Bulls' most compelling prospect since Derrick Rose. -- Zach Kram

Signature stat: Wilson was the second freshman to lead North Carolina in scoring, rebounding and steals in a season, joining Tyler Hansbrough in 2005-06.

Fantasy projection: 17.9 PTS, 8.1 REB, 1.4 BLK

F | Cleveland Cavaliers

Age: 24

2025 NBA Rank: NR

Watson's impact last year with Denver and his role this season has him cracking the top 100 for the first time. Before injuring his right hamstring Feb. 4, Watson was averaging 14.9 points while shooting 49.6% from the field and 41.7% on 3-pointers. (His 53% clip on corner 3s last season ranked sixth in the NBA among players with at least 1,000 minutes.) Following his offseason trade, Watson is likely to slide into the starting small forward role with Cleveland. -- Bobby Marks

Signature stat: Watson ranks second in field goal percentage allowed as the contesting defender since entering the league in 2022-23 among players to challenge at least 2,000 shots.

Fantasy projection: 14.2 PTS, 5.0 REB, 1.3 BLK

C | Portland Trail Blazers

Age: 22

2025 NBA Rank: NR

Clingan makes his NBA Rank debut after developing into a reliable big in his second year in the league. He played 77 games and ranked third among all players in rebounds per game (11.6) and fifth in blocks (1.7). The 7-2 center will play for his third pro coach in as many seasons, with Micah Nori now roaming the sidelines in Portland. Clingan's crucial next step will be having his offense catch up to his defense. After averaging 12.1 points on 52% shooting in the regular season, he put up just 7.0 points on 30.4% shooting in a first-round loss to the Spurs. -- Dave McMenamin

Signature stat: Clingan led the NBA in offensive rebounds and contested shots on defense last season.

Fantasy projection: 11.4 PTS, 11.1 REB, 1.7 BLK

G | Charlotte Hornets

Age: 26

2025 NBA Rank: 71

White will get an upgraded role for the Hornets after they traded LaMelo Ball . White signed a large extension this offseason and moves into the starting guard spot after serving as a sixth man to end last season. White's career best averages in points (20.4) and assists (5.1) came as a starter in Chicago. He has a solid chance to top those numbers as the Hornets' new quarterback. -- Andr é Snellings

Signature stat: White ranked ninth in points per direct drive among 73 players to record at least 500 drives last season, per GeniusIQ.

Fantasy projection: 20.0 PTS, 4.8 AST, 4.1 REB

F | Golden State Warriors

Age: 36

2025 NBA Rank: 51

It's no surprise that Green has fallen to the back of the top 100 as he enters his late 30s. If anything, it's a testament to his long track record of success and continued defensive prowess that he -- a player who hasn't averaged double-digit points since 2017-18 -- is still on this list at all. Green is only a year removed from a first-team All-Defensive campaign, and he remains an excellent passer for his position. He has slipped just enough from his peak to no longer be realistically included in the All-Star conversation. -- Kram

Signature stat: Green averaged 4.6 3-point attempts last season, the most in his career.

Fantasy projection: 8.7 PTS, 6.1 REB, 5.7 AST

F | Golden State Warriors

Age: 37

2025 NBA Rank: 18

Butler's free fall in the rankings is easily explained by the right ACL injury he sustained in January. The wing could be sidelined until January or February 2027, according to ESPN's Anthony Slater, and faces real questions about whether he can regain his pre-injury form. The six-time All-Star, 37, will be an unrestricted free agent next summer and therefore should be motivated to make an impact once he returns. Sadly, his partnership with Stephen Curry already looks like a case of "what could have been." -- Golliver

Signature stat: The Warriors went 23-15 with Butler and 14-30 without him last season.

Fantasy projection: 19.4 PTS, 5.4 REB, 5.1 AST

G | Houston Rockets

Age: 32

2025 NBA Rank: NR (injury)

VanVleet is back with Houston after missing 2025-26 because of a torn ACL. Though last season's Rockets were in the top 10 in offensive efficiency, they ranked 27th in turnover percentage and 29th in that stat during clutch time. VanVleet will surely improve those figures; he was seventh in assist-to-turnover ratio in his last full season in 2024-25. -- Williams

Signature stat: VanVleet ranks seventh in career assist-to-turnover ratio among players to record at least 3,000 assists since individual turnovers were first tracked in 1977-78.

Fantasy projection: 14.0 PTS, 6.0 AST, 1.3 STL

G | Minnesota Timberwolves

Age: 26

2025 NBA Rank: NR

After signing a five-year, $112 million contract in the offseason, Dosunmu is projected to have a significant role -- even with Minnesota's addition of LaMelo Ball. The Timberwolves are expected to be without guard Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) for an extended period. Acquired at the 2025 trade deadline from Chicago, Dosunmu averaged 14.4 points, and shot 52.1% from the field and 41.4% from 3 in his 24 games with Minnesota. -- Marks

Signature stat: In Game 4 against the Nuggets last postseason, Dosunmu had 43 points, the most in a playoff game off the bench since Fred Brown in 1976.

Fantasy projection: 15.3 PTS, 3.9 AST, 3.6 REB

F | New York Knicks

Age: 31

2025 NBA Rank: 69

Hart enters 2026-27 after a title run and the best shooting season of his career. He shot 41% from 3-point range on nearly four attempts per game -- his most with the Knicks. And as New York's emotional barometer, Hart sounded the alarm after a March loss in Houston; the Knicks reeled off five straight wins before their season finale and title run. If the Knicks show slippage during their defense, Hart will call it out. -- Goodwill

Signature stat: Hart shot 5.3% above expectation on 3-pointers last season, third best among players to attempt at least 200 threes, per GeniusIQ.

Fantasy projection: 12.2 PTS, 7.7 REB, 5.0 AST

F | Chicago Bulls

Age: 21

2025 NBA Rank: NR

The Bulls' high-flying forward virtually doubled his production from his rookie to sophomore seasons to crack NBA Rank for the first time. The 6-foot-8 Buzelis boosted his averages from 8.6 to 16.3 points, from 3.5 to 5.8 rebounds and from 1.0 to 2.1 assists per game. How he meshes with Chicago's No. 4 pick, Caleb Wilson, will be paramount for his continued development in the Windy City. -- McMenamin

Signature stat: Buzelis increased his scoring average by 7.7 points from 2024-25 to 2025-26, second-largest increase in the NBA, trailing Nickeil Alexander-Walker .

Fantasy projection: 16.7 PTS, 6.0 REB, 1.6 BLK

G | Atlanta Hawks

Age: 35

2025 NBA Rank: NR

The Hawks acquired McCollum in the Trae Young deal, and the move ignited their second-half run, during which they posted the seventh-best record in the NBA after the deal. More scoring guard than point guard, McCollum fit perfectly next to do-everything point forward Jalen Johnson. McCollum is the best perimeter shot creator on the team, and his shooting range lets him space the floor and generate good looks for his teammates. He joins Most Improved Player Nickeil Alexander-Walker and former steals champion Dyson Daniels to give the Hawks one of the most dynamic backcourts in the league. -- Snellings

Signature stat: McCollum ranked fifth in points per direct handoff among 69 players to receive at least 200 handoffs last season, according to GeniusIQ.

Fantasy projection: 19.1 PTS, 3.9 AST, 3.4 REB

G | Chicago Bulls

Age: 33

2025 NBA Rank: 82

Powell followed a career campaign in 2024-25 (21.8 points per game) with an almost identical season in 2025-26 (21.7), which earned him his first All-Star nod at 32 years old. It's a brilliant lat

_Originally reported by [ESPN](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/49965238/nba-rank-2026-players-100-51-featuring-zion-dybantsa-peterson-boozer-more)._