N.B. Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, DeJounte Murray and Fred VanVleet are not included in this edition of the Top 100 due to serious injuries that cast a shadow over their seasons.
100 - Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers) - Down 19 places
He's announced it: this season will probably be his last. His 21st in the NBA in a minor role with the ambitious Clippers, as always. He still has to cohabit with James Harden and Bradley Beal, but his experience is an undeniable plus. And since this is his very last chance to get the ring he's been missing, we can count on Point God to finish on a high note.
2024/2025 stats: 8.8 points, 7.4 assists, 92.4% free throws
Target for 2025/2026: the title
99 - Naz Reid (Minnesota Timberwolves) - Down 15 places
This time last year, he was the reigning 6th Man of the Year, the centre that everyone wanted to have coming off the bench, and even a potential NBA starter. Unfortunately, while he has remained stable in terms of production, his impact has become questionable. At the age of 26, however, he still has plenty of time to rediscover his verve off the bench, in a team that is firmly established among the top teams in the Western Conference.
2024/2025 stats: 14.2 points, 6 rebounds.
Target for 2025/2026: 6th Man of the Year candidate
98 - Zaccharie Risacher (Atlanta Hawks) - NEW ENTRY
Ranked No.1 in the 2024 draft and arriving de facto with a lot of pressure on his shoulders, it's hard to say whether he lived up to expectations. He did finish second in the Rookie of the Year and had a decent season overall, but we'll always expect more from a No. 1 draft pick, and this season will be a test of his future: starter or bench player? Especially as there are a lot of people in Atlanta...
2024/2025 stats: 12.6 points, 35.5% three-pointers
Target for 2025/2026: 17 points at 40% from three-point range, undisputed starter status
97 - Dennis Schroder (Sacramento Kings) - NEW ENTRY
The situation of the Kings' new point guard is terribly paradoxical. He is an undisputed FIBA king, world and European champion and MVP of both competitions. But he has been in the NBA for 12 years now, and has never really made his mark, despite numerous opportunities and numerous teams. Now in Sacramento, will he finally become a player that people want to keep, or even build around, rather than trading him at the trade deadline to make room? At the age of 32, we don't think so...
2024/2025 stats: 12.5 points, 5.4 assists.
Target for 2025/2026: 18 points / 8 assists
96 - Walker Kessler (Utah Jazz) - NEW ENTRY
He made the news because no agreement could be reached on an extension after his rookie contract. A surprising choice, given that the Sheriff remains a relatively stable anchor defensively and has one of the best shooting percentages in the NBA with the few balls he has. Good enough for a Top 100 finish.
2024/2025 stats: 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 66.3% shooting.
Target for 2025/2026: 14 points / 14 rebounds
95 - Stephon Castle (San Antonio Spurs) - NEW ENTRY
The reigning Rookie Of the Year, nothing more, nothing less. The point guard was immediately at ease in San Antonio, having his hands free in a team with no real objectives, and with Chris Paul as his mentor. But now the hard part began. Wemby's Spurs have ambitions; he is the starting point guard, and he will have to assume his ROY status by putting himself at the service of his leader. Will he be up to the task?
2024/2025 stats: 14.7 points, 4.1 assists.
Target for 2025/2026: 18 points / 8 assists
94 - Jonathan Kuminga (Golden State Warriors) - Down 38 places
The interminable issue of his extension - or not - has finally come to an end. Kuminga has re-signed with the Warriors for another two years, but there are still a lot of grey areas surrounding his mentality and his role within an experienced squad whose only objective is to win the title. In terms of intrinsic talent, he is supposed to be much higher up in this ranking. This is his chance to show that he is the next generation of his team.
2024/2025 stats: 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds
Target for 2025/2026: 20-point average
93 - Payton Pritchard (Boston Celtics) - NEW ENTRY
A discreet player who tiptoed into a historic franchise in 2020. Five years later, he is an NBA champion and 6th Man of the Year. Is this his peak? He's a point guard, so he needs to improve at the creative end, but with the Celtics sailing blind due to Tatum's injury, he'll no doubt have plenty of options this season.
2024/2025 stats: 14.3 points, 3.5 assists, 40.7% three-point shooting.
Target for 2025/2026: 18 points, 8 assists, 40% three-pointers
92 - C.J McCollum (Washington Wizards) - Down 9 places
Heading for the capital for the veteran. The bulk of his career is now behind him, but we're talking about a player who will put in 20 points a game come what may. But he arrives in a rebuilding franchise with no particular objectives, and the season could potentially be a long one. Will he be comfortable in a mentoring role without it affecting his performance?
2024/2025 stats: 21.1 points, 37.3% three-pointers
Target for 2025/2026: 22 points at 40% from three-point range
91 - Jordan Poole (New Orleans Pelicans) - New ENTRY
McCollum is in Washington because he was traded for the former Warrior. A revelation at Golden State, he was sacrificed in place of Draymond Green, and in two seasons at the Wizards, the production was still there, but the impact and leadership were close to nil. Scoring 20 points a game is no longer enough in the NBA. You need more: Will Poole get his career off the ground with the Pelicans?
2024/2025 stats: 20.5 points, 4.5 assists, 37.8% three-pointers
Target for 2025/2026: 25 average points