We are entering the final stretch of the offseason before the 2026-27 NBA season tips off. When it does, the game’s greatest players will be back on the floor to help lead their teams to contention.
Lakers Nation has spent the last couple weeks ranking the 100 best players in the league with the upcoming campaign nearing. Next, we look at Nos. 21-30, entering into the potential All-NBA candidates.
This list ranks solely based on the 2026-27 campaign with no regard for future seasons. Previous segments of the list can be viewed here:
Nos. 31-40
Nos. 41-50
Nos. 51-75
Nos. 76-100
Nos. 21-30 on Lakers Nation’s Top 100
21. LeBron James, Philadelphia 76ers
It is unfathomable that a 41-year-old entering his 24th NBA season would still rank this high, and yet, here we are. James was an All-Star last season for the 22nd consecutive year – an all-time record – and averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists. His numbers might drop on a more top-heavy 76ers team, alongside Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, but his impact should still be sky-high.
22. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
Barnes had the best two-way season of his career in 2025-26, and was named to the All-Star team and All-NBA Defense Second Team as a result. He finished top 10 in both Value Over Replacement Player (VORP) and Box Plus-Minus. The 25-year-old appears to be rounding into form, and with Kawhi Leonard potentially joining him on the wings, he is in line for another leap.
23. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
Injuries were the story for the Thunder star last season, but make no mistake about Williams’ game. He is one of the best two-way players the NBA has to offer, and at 25, already has a ring, an All-NBA and All-NBA Defense selection.
24. Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers
It remains to be seen if Avdija’s talent correlates to winning at the highest level. However, his ascension in 2025-26 cannot be ignored. He averaged 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists, and finished 13th in Box Plus-Minus and 16th in VORP to earn his first All-Star nod.
25. OG Anunoby, New York Knicks
Anunoby is perhaps the league’s best and most essential role player as the third option on the reigning champion Knicks. He finished last season on the All-NBA Defense Second Team before being a vital presence in New York’s run to the Larry O’Brien.
26. Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
Don’t be surprised if Johnson flirts with averaging a triple-double in 2026-27 as the leader of the rising Hawks. He averaged 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists last season – all career-highs – and earned an All-NBA Third Team nod. At 24, his best years appear to be ahead of him.
27. Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers
Reaves has gotten better each year of his career with greater responsibility. Injuries likely prevented him from landing his first All-Star selection last season, but his output when healthy was extraordinary. As the bona fide No. 2 option on a new max contract in L.A., expect him to continue to ascent to stardom.
28. Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
Fred VanVleet getting injured in training camp last season thrust a higher-than-expected usage rate on Thompson. He handled it as well as could be expected of a 23-year-old in his third season. But a return to his natural role as a high-flying two-way secondary creator should show how great a player he really is.
29. Jaylen Brown, Philadelphia 76ers
Brown finished sixth in MVP voting last season after averaging 28.7 points and helping guide the Boston Celtics to a playoff spot despite missing Jayson Tatum for over half the year. However, his oft-discussed advanced metrics aren’t strong, dropping him close to the 30s on this list. How he performs in a situation where he’s fighting to be the first option with Maxey and Embiid will be fascinating to watch.
30. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Booker, 29, is entering his 12th season in Phoenix, and has become one of the defining pillars of the franchise’s history. He was an All-Star last season, and led the Suns to a surprise playoff berth when nobody expected them to be a winning team.
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