With preseason two weeks out, the category-league board starts with the players who can tilt several columns at once: Nikola Jokić’s all-around efficiency, Victor Wembanyama’s game-breaking blocks and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s guard percentages set the early-draft standard. The movement around the league has reshaped touches, minutes and roster builds all the way through the late rounds.
Key takeaways
- Jokić, Wembanyama and Gilgeous-Alexander occupy the top tier because none requires a major category punt.
- Luka Dončić moves into a larger Lakers workload after LeBron James’ move to Philadelphia, though turnovers and field-goal percentage remain part of the price.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo’s arrival in Miami makes his free-throw and 3-point shortcomings even more important to address in a draft build.
- Achilles, ACL and other availability concerns push Tyrese Haliburton, Kyrie Irving, Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis and Kawhi Leonard below their per-game ceilings.
- Houston, Oklahoma City, San Antonio and Portland have enough rotation competition to make minutes projection a major late-round issue.
The front of the board: category anchors and build-around stars
The first several rounds are loaded with players who bring either elite efficiency or rare cross-category production. Wembanyama’s blocks can cover a roster by themselves, while Jokić remains the cleanest center for managers who want rebounds, assists and percentages without sacrificing threes. Gilgeous-Alexander’s efficiency gives him extra lift in category formats, and Dončić’s expanded creation role in Los Angeles brings first-round counting numbers even with the turnovers.
Boston’s new hierarchy places Jayson Tatum back at the center of the offense following his Achilles recovery and Jaylen Brown’s departure. Philadelphia’s remade roster creates different questions: Tyrese Maxey gets easier looks but potentially fewer possessions with Brown and James aboard, while Embiid’s upside remains immense whenever he is on the floor. Miami’s Giannis-Bam pairing changes the math for both bigs, particularly in rebounds and spacing.
| Rank | Player | Category-league notebook |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets | Elite high-volume field-goal shooting, positive free throws, workable threes, rebounds, assists and steals leave no meaningful category hole. |
| 2 | Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs | His blocks are the premier single-category weapon, supplemented by unusual center threes and rebounding. |
| 3 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder | A guard who delivers elite shooting percentages on major volume while adding steals. |
| 4 | Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers | LeBron James’ Philadelphia move should expand his usage. Points, assists and threes are elite, but turnovers and field-goal drag matter. |
| 5 | Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons | Assists, guard rebounding and threes carry the profile; turnovers and career shooting efficiency remain the concerns. |
| 6 | Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics | One season removed from his Achilles tear, he returns as Boston’s clear top option after Brown’s exit and can fit nearly any build. |
| 7 | Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves | High-volume threes, strong free throws and steals headline the line. LaMelo Ball’s arrival should improve shot quality but may reduce assists. |
| 8 | Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami Heat | Dominant in field-goal percentage, boards, steals and blocks, but managers must deliberately absorb his free-throw and 3-point deficits. |
| 9 | Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks | A 20-point, 10-rebound, six-assist forward with steals and blocks. Free throws, turnovers and past availability are the flags. |
| 10 | Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers | Threes, free throws and steals play well, though James and Brown could trim both usage and minutes. Efficiency should benefit from cleaner looks. |
| 11 | Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks | After a strong rookie year, he is positioned for a sophomore jump. Irving’s return should help his shot diet without taking much volume. |
| 12 | Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers | Elite assist-to-turnover work, threes and free throws remain valuable, but the Achilles recovery creates downside. |
| 13 | Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors | Forward steals, blocks, rebounds and assists fit categories perfectly. Low threes and weaker free throws remain issues, while Kawhi Leonard’s arrival cuts usage. |
| 14 | Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers | Reliable threes, free throws and steals. James Harden runs much of the offense, keeping Mitchell’s assist totals moderate. |
| 15 | Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks | Center eligibility with elite free throws, good field-goal percentage, threes and roughly 12 rebounds. Managers need blocks elsewhere. |
| 16 | Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets | Still a premium efficiency scorer with threes and about one block per game. He turns 38 at month’s end, putting rest days in play. |
| 17 | Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors | Volume threes, elite free throws and useful steals are more valuable here than in points formats. Age and games played are the risk. |
| 18 | Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets | Strong three-point and free-throw production, a career-best field-goal mark beside Jokić, and steady assists with manageable giveaways. |
| 19 | Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets | A center source of field-goal percentage, rebounds, assists and steals. Heavy turnovers and no threes limit the ceiling. |
| 20 | Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets | Rare wing steals-and-blocks production with strong field-goal accuracy, but he requires a punt plan for threes and free throws. |
| 21 | Trae Young, Washington Wizards | Elite assists, threes and free throws, plus steals. Managers must account for poor field-goal shooting and turnovers. |
| 22 | Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers | James’ departure opens more usage for his high-volume free throws, threes and secondary playmaking; turnovers rise with the larger role. |
| 23 | LaMelo Ball, Minnesota Timberwolves | Supplies high-end threes, assists and steals, but field-goal percentage, turnovers, health and an Edwards-centered offense complicate the bet. |
| 24 | Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder | Center blocks and threes, good field-goal shooting and positive free throws make him especially valuable despite ordinary raw volume. |
| 25 | Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls | Rebounds, assists and steals from the point-guard spot, with improved threes. His triple-double style comes with turnovers. |
| 26 | James Harden, Cleveland Cavaliers | Threes, free-throw volume, assists and steals are strengths. Field-goal percentage and turnovers make him a roster-build decision. |
| 27 | Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns | Still Phoenix’s lead creator with free throws, assists and respectable threes. A rebound in field-goal percentage is the upside case. |
| 28 | Anthony Davis, Washington Wizards | Only 20 games last season, but his active line remains first-round caliber: field-goal percentage, boards, blocks and steals. |
| 29 | Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors | Can still post MVP-level two-way numbers. Last season’s health was encouraging, though Toronto’s depth may curb his minutes and usage. |
| 30 | Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans | Efficient, high-volume threes, strong free throws and low turnovers fit the format. Dejounte Murray’s return reduces some usage. |
| 31 | Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers | Blocks, steals, rebounds and normally good field-goal shooting. Last year’s shooting dip creates room for a rebound. |
| 32 | Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks | Excellent efficiency for a high-usage guard, with threes and assists. Defensive counting stats are thin. |
| 33 | Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings | Field-goal percentage, big rebounding and center assists remain excellent. Blocks and turnovers are the holes; Westbrook’s retirement and DeRozan’s exit should restore usage. |
| 34 | Derrick White, Boston Celtics | One of the best category shapes available: threes, steals, blocks, free throws and low turnovers. Tatum and Paul George may take shots, not those skills. |
| 35 | Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz | Threes, free throws and forward rebounds are the base. Utah’s win-now additions could help availability while cutting attempts. |
| 36 | Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat | A broadly useful center, although Giannis could pull down some of his rebounds while opening more perimeter attempts. |
| 37 | Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder | Wrist surgery and hamstring trouble derailed last season, but he remains Oklahoma City’s second option with a balanced line. |
| 38 | Walker Kessler, Los Angeles Lakers | Traditional big-man production should travel from Utah. Dončić’s passing gives him a strong lane to elite finishing. |
| 39 | Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers | An All-Star breakout brought threes, boards and forward playmaking. Field-goal percentage and turnovers hurt, while Morant and Lillard threaten touches. |
| 40 | Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks | Elite percentages, threes, steals and remarkably low turnovers for a high-usage guard. He is returning from an ACL tear at age 34. |
| 41 | Jaren Jackson Jr., Utah Jazz | Blocks, threes and rare big-man free-throw help. Field-goal percentage and foul trouble remain recurring problems. |
| 42 | Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons | Elite field-goal shooting and a double-double floor, with free throws improving. Limited blocks and no threes cap the profile. |
| 43 | Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets | Charlotte’s likely usage beneficiary after Ball’s trade, led by three-point volume. The breakout needs improved field-goal shooting. |
| 44 | Jaylen Brown, Philadelphia 76ers | Likely Philadelphia’s No. 2 scorer when Embiid sits or James rests, though his game has traditionally played better in points leagues. |
| 45 | Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets | Efficient shooting from both levels and volume threes make him a second-year breakout candidate with vacated Hornets usage available. |
| 46 | Onyeka Okongwu, Atlanta Hawks | An established 32-minute starter offering field-goal percentage, rebounds and blocks. His new range adds meaningful three-point value. |
| 47 | Desmond Bane, Orlando Magic | Efficient volume threes, good free throws, steals and few turnovers as Orlando’s established third option. |
| 48 | Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic | Counts across the stat sheet, but mediocre field-goal percentage, uneven free throws, low defensive stats and turnovers create category drag. |
| 49 | Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers | Posted a double-double baseline with blocks and strong field-goal percentage in 27.2 sophomore minutes. Portland’s frontcourt could open a bigger role. |
| 50 | Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta Hawks | The Most Improved Player built his case on threes, steals and clean efficiency in a reliable role. |
| 51 | Darius Garland, Los Angeles Clippers | Los Angeles’ lead playmaker brings free throws, threes and assists, with recent injuries the primary concern. |
| 52 | Dejounte Murray, New Orleans Pelicans | Returns from an Achilles tear to a projected 30-plus-minute role with steals, rebounds and assists. |
| 53 | LeBron James, Philadelphia 76ers | Still carries triple-double potential and efficient production, but his role, minutes and games played at this stage are hard to forecast. |
| 54 | Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers | Reliable field-goal percentage, steals and low turnovers. Haliburton’s return lowers possessions but should preserve efficiency. |
| 55 | Keyonte George, Utah Jazz | Coming off an All-Star-level breakout, but Utah’s offseason additions put his usage projection under pressure. |
| 56 | Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks | Steals remain the draw even after last season’s historic total. Good field-goal percentage helps; threes and free throws do not. |
| 57 | OG Anunoby, New York Knicks | A low-turnover 3-and-D wing supplying threes, steals, blocks and good field-goal accuracy. |
| 58 | Cameron Boozer, Memphis Grizzlies | The highest-positioned rookie, though category leagues charge rookies fully for efficiency problems and turnovers. |
| 59 | Kel’el Ware, Milwaukee Bucks | Blocks, boards, field-goal percentage and some stretch shooting. Rebuilding Milwaukee should have minutes available. |
| 60 | Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls | A sophomore breakout forward who can still add minutes and development to an already useful two-way line. |
| 61 | Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers | When active, he can win free throws, blocks and field-goal percentage outright. Philadelphia’s upgrades reduce the need to extend his minutes. |
| 62 | Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic | A healthy Wagner can provide 22 points, five rebounds and five assists, but injuries and erratic three-point and free-throw shooting create a discount. |
| 63 | Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs | Assists and steals are positives, but poor efficiency and turnovers are especially costly in this scoring format. |
| 64 | Tyler Herro, Milwaukee Bucks | Career-high usage as a lead creator should boost threes and free throws, while also increasing turnovers. Defensive production is minimal. |
| 65 | Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn Nets | Efficient threes, rebounds and low turnovers fit cleanly. Julius Randle’s arrival may reduce shot volume. |
| 66 | Ivica Zubac, Indiana Pacers | Haliburton should create easy looks for a dependable center, though inconsistent blocks keep him behind other bigs. |
| 67 | Julius Randle, Brooklyn Nets | Can lead Brooklyn in combined scoring and assists while adding boards and solid free throws. Defensive numbers are limited. |
| 68 | Ryan Rollins, Milwaukee Bucks | Last year’s breakout featured steals, threes and efficiency with Giannis sidelined. Herro, Porter Jr. and Brayden Burries cloud the wing minutes. |
| 69 | Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies | Excellent per-minute boards, blocks and finishing after a foot-injury lost season. A 30-minute role would change the ceiling. |
| 70 | De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs | Injuries interrupted his year, and Castle and Harper have cut into touches, but a bounce-back remains possible. |
| 71 | Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers | Even in decline, elite free throws and threes translate. Age, injuries and Portland’s crowded backcourt are the concerns. |
| 72 | Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves | His volume has slipped, but durability and a secure role keep the floor stable. |
Middle and late rounds: minutes bets, defensive specialists and rookie variance
The middle rounds become more dependent on rotations. Portland has to sort out the ball pressure created by Ja Morant and Damian Lillard around Deni Avdija, while Milwaukee’s rebuilding environment could create runway for Kel’el Ware but also leaves guards such as Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. fighting for clarity. San Antonio’s deep backcourt affects Fox, Castle and Dylan Harper, and Houston’s collection of veteran creators makes every secondary-minute projection worth monitoring.
Late in a category draft, blocks, steals, threes and low turnovers can outweigh raw scoring. Toumani Camara, Cason Wallace, Peyton Watson and Davion Mitchell fit that lane. Several rookies offer opportunity, but their expected turnover and percentage volatility is more damaging here than it would be in a points league.
| Rank | Player | Category-league notebook |
|---|---|---|
| 73 | Alex Sarr, Washington Wizards | Blocks and stretch shooting are useful, but a reshaped Washington roster may leave fewer opportunities for the third-year big. |
| 74 | Naz Reid, Charlotte Hornets | Should clear 30 minutes as a starting power forward, bringing threes, blocks and good field-goal percentage. |
| 75 | Mikal Bridges, New York Knicks | His durability compounds over 82 games, with threes, steals, good field-goal shooting and few turnovers. |
| 76 | Paul George, Boston Celtics | Recent absences and age lower the floor, but he remains a low-turnover 3-and-D player with secondary creation. |
| 77 | Brandon Ingram, Los Angeles Clippers | A top-two Clippers option after the Leonard swap, capable of 25 points, five rebounds and five assists, though without standout 3-and-D production. |
| 78 | Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves | Forward steals and blocks, decent field-goal percentage and improving threes. Ball’s playmaking should create easier attempts. |
| 79 | Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics | Starter-level three-point volume, strong free throws and almost no turnovers. Tatum and George cut shots, not the shooting-category appeal. |
| 80 | Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons | Elite per-minute steals and blocks create upside if his workload rises. Perimeter shooting is still a major weakness. |
| 81 | Ja Morant, Portland Trail Blazers | He joins a team where he is no longer the franchise centerpiece, leaving role uncertainty on top of injury concerns. |
| 82 | Immanuel Quickley, Toronto Raptors | Stable point-guard production offers a safe floor, although Toronto’s several scorers restrict his ceiling. |
| 83 | Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers | Minutes and production have trended down, but the efficient double-double possibility remains. |
| 84 | Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans | Field-goal percentage drives his value, offset by poor free throws, no threes and turnovers. His 62 games last year were encouraging but unusual. |
| 85 | VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers | Secure sophomore minutes, steals and threes give him a useful floor even if Philadelphia’s additions limit a usage leap. |
| 86 | Coby White, Charlotte Hornets | Charlotte’s undisputed starting point guard with volume threes and helpful free throws. |
| 87 | Myles Turner, Milwaukee Bucks | Center blocks, threes and free throws remain premium. An uneven first Milwaukee season and unstable roster have created disagreement. |
| 88 | Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs | A playoff breakout came in 22.6 rookie minutes, with steals and solid efficiency. The Spurs’ backcourt logjam is the obstacle. |
| 89 | Ty Jerome, Memphis Grizzlies | In only 15 healthy games last season, he posted elite percentages, threes and low turnovers. The talent is clear; the minute outlook is not. |
| 90 | Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic | A defense-first lead guard whose production suits categories, provided he can stay healthy. |
| 91 | Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans | Played 81 games as a rookie with good finishing, rebounding and big-man passing. Turnovers and frontcourt competition are the barriers. |
| 92 | Norman Powell, Chicago Bulls | Two straight efficient 20-point seasons, built on field-goal, free-throw and three-point shooting, with little else added. |
| 93 | Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls | Expected to start and play 30 minutes, with steals and blocks upside. Rookie percentages are the cost. |
| 94 | Josh Hart, New York Knicks | Wing rebounds, assists and steals now come with improved threes. Free throws are weak and his minutes dipped last year. |
| 95 | Isaiah Hartenstein, Oklahoma City Thunder | Field-goal percentage, rebounds, assists and steals from center. Calf trouble and Oklahoma City’s depth constrain the upside. |
| 96 | Nicolas Claxton, Chicago Bulls | Elite field-goal percentage, blocks and steals, but poor free throws and no threes. Chicago acquired him with a path to more minutes. |
| 97 | Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets | A useful role-player floor, though shots are hard to find behind Durant, Sengun, Amen Thompson and Fred VanVleet. |
| 98 | AJ Dybantsa, Washington Wizards | The No. 1 pick can create his own offense, but rookie efficiency and competition from Young and Davis could be costly. |
| 99 | Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets | Expected starting center with elite rebounding, efficient interior scoring and useful steals. Free throws and past minute limits remain risks. |
| 100 | Miles Bridges, Phoenix Suns | Starting forward with threes and good free throws, but he is third behind Booker and Green and supplies limited defense. |
| 101 | Ayo Dosunmu, Minnesota Timberwolves | Expanded role brings field-goal percentage, steals, scoring and assists after he earned a five-year contract. |
| 102 | Andrew Wiggins, Miami Heat | A quietly complete third-option line behind Antetokounmpo and Adebayo: threes, steals, blocks and solid field-goal percentage. |
| 103 | Collin Murray-Boyles, Toronto Raptors | Versatile forward with steals, blocks and good finishing, offset by no threes, shaky free throws and a minute question. |
| 104 | Fred VanVleet, Houston Rockets | Threes, free throws, steals and assists are attractive, but he returns from a torn ACL at 32 into a crowded guard room. |
| 105 | Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings | Threes, blocks, reasonable field-goal shooting and low turnovers. He played only 23 games last year, while a healthy rebuild should offer shots. |
| 106 | Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies | A second-year breakout candidate with efficient threes, steals and a likely larger role on a young roster. |
| 107 | Kristaps Porziņģis, Golden State Warriors | Per-game value could crush this slot, but he has reached 65 games only twice in his career. |
| 108 | John Collins, Detroit Pistons | Replacing Tobias Harris should provide more minutes and touches than he received with the Clippers. |
| 109 | Neemias Queta, Boston Celtics | Breakout field-goal percentage, boards and blocks are real, but sharing center minutes with Mitchell Robinson lowers certainty. |
| 110 | Kevin Porter Jr., Milwaukee Bucks | Career-best assist and three-point numbers over 38 games, but Herro, Burries and Rollins leave his role unsettled. |
| 111 | Khaman Maluach, Phoenix Suns | Mark Williams’ expected absence gives the impressive Summer League rookie a possible starting lane and double-double, two-block upside. |
| 112 | Toumani Camara, Portland Trail Blazers | A strong late category fit: a starting wing providing steals, blocks, threes and decent field-goal percentage. |
| 113 | Darryn Peterson, Utah Jazz | The No. 2 pick starts at shooting guard and has a dependable three-point stroke, though Utah’s remade roster complicates volume. |
| 114 | Ajay Mitchell, Oklahoma City Thunder | Efficient from the field and line, with more usage available after the wing exodus. He has Sixth Man candidacy and starter upside. |
| 115 | Cason Wallace, Oklahoma City Thunder | Steals, accurate threes, good field-goal percentage and few turnovers make him a late-round category specialist despite modest offense. |
| 116 | Zach LaVine, Sacramento Kings | He has missed 108 games across three seasons and could be traded into a smaller role, but currently has a path to lead Sacramento in scoring efficiently. |
| 117 | Peyton Watson, Cleveland Cavaliers | A breakout 3-and-D wing with a starting job. Usage will be scarce, but his category production does not need heavy shot volume. |
| 118 | CJ McCollum, Atlanta Hawks | Defined backcourt role with threes, solid percentages and low turnovers; dependable rather than high-upside. |
| 119 | Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors | Coming off a career year with a well-rounded shooting-guard line. Beyond Curry, Golden State has offensive opportunity available. |
| 120 | Jalen Green, Phoenix Suns | Explosive scoring is undermined by poor field-goal percentage and limited defensive stats, a difficult category combination. |
| 121 | Jusuf Nurkić, Utah Jazz | Likely starter after Kessler’s departure, with boards and center assists. Health and late-game closing status are uncertain. |
| 122 | Kyshawn George, Washington Wizards | A Year 2 two-way breakout, but Washington’s crowded offseason makes his role difficult to project. |
| 123 | RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors | Scores 20 points a night, but weak free throws, few threes and almost no defensive production limit category impact. |
| 124 | Jaime Jaquez Jr., Milwaukee Bucks | Well-rounded offense after a breakout year and a good chance at forward minutes, though he does not supply many threes. |
| 125 | Jakob Poeltl, Toronto Raptors | A solid traditional-center line, but a back problem limited him to 46 games and 25 minutes last season. |
| 126 | Egor Dëmin, Brooklyn Nets | Rookie threes and assists come with poor interior efficiency. Mikel Brown Jr., Randle and Porter Jr. may be ahead in the pecking order. |
| 127 | Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets | His category skills translate, but Houston adding Marcus Smart and getting VanVleet back tightens the rotation path. |
| 128 | Maxime Raynaud, Sacramento Kings | Finished last season well, though a healthy Sabonis limits the available center minutes. |
| 129 | Saddiq Bey, New Orleans Pelicans | Coming off a career year and a new extension, but New Orleans has a crowded group competing for possessions. |
| 130 | Sandro Mamukelashvili, Los Angeles Lakers | An efficient per-minute player with sixth-man potential behind a Lakers frontcourt lacking depth. |
| 131 | Anthony Black, Orlando Magic | Last season’s breakout was real, but a healthy Orlando roster leaves unclear minutes and touches. |
| 132 | Darius Acuff Jr., Sacramento Kings | Expected to start as a rookie point guard in a rebuild, where turnovers and field-goal percentage make him more attractive in points leagues. |
| 133 | Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans | A high-usage microwave scorer, though Murray’s return and Bennedict Mathurin’s arrival narrow the growth path. |
| 134 | Andrew Nembhard, Indiana Pacers | His 16.9 points and 7.7 assists without Haliburton represent a ceiling rather than an expected baseline. |
| 135 | P.J. Washington, Dallas Mavericks | Starting-power-forward value comes from threes, steals, blocks and roughly seven rebounds, with a crowded frontcourt as the concern. |
| 136 | Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz | Bench scoring volume and shot-making upside, but a reloaded Jazz roster leaves his role unclear. |
| 137 | DeMar DeRozan, Denver Nuggets | Elite free throws, good field-goal percentage and low turnovers beside Jokić. He is favored to become Denver’s sixth man, though the role is not settled. |
| 138 | Tari Eason, Houston Rockets | Excellent per-minute steals, blocks and rebounds, but Houston’s depth keeps the minutes capped. |
| 139 | Davion Mitchell, Miami Heat | Assists, an exceptionally low turnover rate and improved threes make him more useful in categories than basic totals suggest. |
| 140 | Collin Gillespie, Phoenix Suns | Threes, strong free throws and low turnovers; likely a bench shooter when Phoenix is healthy, but that role can still move categories. |
| 141 | Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets | Field-goal percentage and improving threes in a secure role beside Jokić and Murray. Injuries remain the recurring issue. |
| 142 | Paul Reed, Detroit Pistons | One of the league’s better per-minute bigs and the primary reserve behind Duren. |
| 143 | Tre Jones, Chicago Bulls | Assists-and-steals specialist who received more opportunity during Giddey’s extended absence; this season’s role is less certain. |
| 144 | Devin Vassell, San Antonio Spurs | Late threes, good free throws, steals and low turnovers, though declining usage on an improving Spurs team is a concern. |
| 145 | Christian Braun, Denver Nuggets | Set for another 30-plus-minute role next to Jokić, but injury-influenced regression last year clouds the projection. |
| 146 | Quentin Grimes, Los Angeles Lakers | Threes, free throws and steals as a release valve for Dončić and Reaves. The upside comes if he claims the third-option role. |
| 147 | Yaxel Lendeborg, Golden State Warriors | A rookie with a chance to start, fitting Golden State’s preference for versatile two-way players. |
| 148 | Jrue Holiday, Portland Trail Blazers | Steals, threes, free throws and low turnovers remain useful after scoring fades, but he is 36 and now sits behind Morant and Lillard. |
| 149 | Cameron Johnson, Denver Nuggets | His Denver counting stats dropped while the shooting held, a profile that holds up better in categories than in points leagues. |
| 150 | Pelle Larsson, Miami Heat | Showed real upside last season, and Miami’s reworked group should need his offensive bursts. |
