25. Russell Westbrook – Los Angeles Lakers
Russell Westbrook had arguably one of the best years of his career last season. The stretch he went on to drag the Wizards to the playoffs was absolutely incredible, and his value is undeniable, regardless of his shooting abilities.
24. Rudy Gobert – Utah Jazz
It may seem disrespectful to put the reigning Defensive Player of the Year this low, but Gobert got effectively played off the court last season. He’s still a great player, but that just can’t happen.
23. Bradley Beal – Washington Wizards
Bradley Beal might be the best pure bucket getter in the league. Even though it isn’t completely his fault, he just hasn’t been able to replicate the same team success as some of the players around him on this list.
22. Jrue Holiday – Milwaukee Bucks
Offensively, Jrue Holiday isn’t always on, but defensively, he’s one of the best in the league. His value on that end showed up when it mattered most last season, as he won his first ring with the Bucks.
21. Donovan Mitchell – Utah Jazz
Donovan Mitchell is sometimes seen as the second-best player on his own team, but considering how he played last year, that seems absurd. He has proven that he can lead a team to the one seed and a deep playoff run, so he certainly deserves this place on the list.
20. Trae Young – Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young just led the Hawks on an amazing run to the ECF. His lack of defense hurts him on this list, but it’s undeniable how great of a player he truly is.
19. Bam Adebayo – Miami Heat
Bam Adebayo is one of the best defenders in the league and is often underrated by some casual fans. The Miami Heat have the pieces to win a title this year, so hopefully, he’ll start to get the respect he deserves.
18. Khris Middleton – Milwaukee Bucks
When the Bucks needed him most, Khris Middleton stepped up to the plate. He’s the epitome of an elite two-way player, and his shot-making helped lead the Bucks to an NBA championship.
17. Devin Booker – Phoenix Suns
Devin Booker nearly won the Suns their first-ever NBA title last year. Chris Paul certainly helped him out, but he’ll be leading Phoenix on title runs for years with his unreal offensive arsenal.
16. Paul George – Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers managed to make their first-ever WCF last season behind Paul George. When Kawhi Leonard went down, he stepped up and led his team when it mattered most.