NBA Top 75 Player Rankings For 2021-22 Season: From 50 to 26

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#35 Julius Randle – PF – New York Knicks

2020-21 Stats: 24.1 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 6.0 APG, 0.9 STL, 45.6 FG%, 41.1 3P%, 81.1 FT%

In terms of having a surprising, breakout season, Julius Randle really shocked many around the league when he went out and not only had an All-Star season last year but won the Most Improved Player award and helped elevate the Knicks to the 4-seed in the Eastern Conference, after not having made the playoffs since 2013.

Randle has turned himself into the face of the New York Knicks and carries some very hefty expectations into the 2021-22 season. In the postseason, New York struggled to score, so they went out and added Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier to this veteran, experienced team.

Now, Randle is joined by R.J. Barrett, Kemba Walker, Derrick Rose, Evan Fournier, Alec Burks, Mitchell Robinson, and others, forming a team that could wind up being a real contending threat in the Eastern Conference. He may have to sacrifice some shots and overall production with the arrivals of Walker and Fournier, but Julius Randle has turned himself into one of the best frontcourt players in the entire NBA. 

#34 Brandon Ingram – SF/PF – New Orleans Pelicans

2020-21 Stats: 23.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 4.9 APG, 0.7 STL, 0.6 BLK, 46.6 FG%, 38.1 3P%

Since joining the New Orleans Pelicans ahead of the 2019-20 season, Brandon Ingram has been the definition of consistency, as he has averaged 23.8 points per game each of the last two seasons and has put up almost identical shooting splits each season.

Offensively, Ingram does not have anything else to prove, as he is one of the best wing scorers in the league, but defense is where the key lies for him and the Pelicans making it back to the postseason. Given his length and athleticism, Brandon Ingram can definitely turn himself into a two-way threat, similar to the likes of Kawhi Leonard.

With former Suns’ assistant coach Willie Green now the head coach of this young Pelicans team, we should expect to see not just Ingram, but this entire team dialed in defensively from Day 1. Similar to how the Grizzlies snuck into the postseason last year, do not be surprised if the Pelicans earn their playoff spot this year through the play-in tournament. 

#33 De’Aaron Fox – PG – Sacramento Kings

2020-21 Stats: 25.2 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.5 STL, 47.7 FG%, 32.2 3P%, 71.9 FT%

I am sorry Kings fans, but the Sacramento Kings stink and have been terrible for the last 15 years. However, times are finally starting to change as De’Aaron Fox is an All-Star caliber player that they have under-contract through the 2025-26 season. Fox has flown under the radar in the NBA and does not seem to get as much love as he should because Sacramento is a “bottom-feeder” in the league.

LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: NBA Top 75 Player Rankings For 2021-22 Season: From 75 to 51

Not only did he turn himself into one of the best scorers in the league last season, averaging 25.2 points per game, but the young point guard has shown flashes of his full potential that are very reminiscent of a young John Wall in this league.

He is as quick as any other player in the NBA and if Fox can continue to improve from the perimeter, then there is no doubt that he can work his way up to being one of the best offensive players in the entire league. De’Aaron Fox is the future of the Sacramento Kings and will ultimately be the one to help snap their now 15-year playoff drought, but unfortunately, this streak is going to be extended to 16-years this season. 

#32 Rudy Gobert – C – Utah Jazz

2020-21 Stats: 14.3 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 2.7 BLK, 67.5 FG%, 62.3 FT%

Rudy Gobert is the best defensive big man in the league and last season, he won his third Defensive Player of the Year award in the last four seasons, joining the likes of Dwight Howard, Ben Wallace, and Dikembe Mutombo as the only players in NBA history to win the award three times in a four-year span.

LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: NBA Top 75 Player Rankings For 2021-22 Season: From 75 to 51

However, Gobert and the Jazz seemed to be exposed defensively in the playoffs against a smaller Clippers lineup that forced Utah to switch every ball screen. Rudy Gobert being switched out onto the perimeter was not his fault and the Clippers did a great job at out-executing the Jazz, but this is going to be a big year for the French center.

Rudy Gobert is a 2x All-Star and a defensive nightmare in the paint for opposing teams, but if he does not make strides to better himself offensively, the Jazz could be forced to take things in a new direction. Donovan Mitchell is an MVP-caliber player, but Utah’s potential to win a title may be non-existent with Rudy Gobert being not much of a factor offensively. 

#31 Jrue Holiday – PG – Milwaukee Bucks

2020-21 Stats: 17.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 6.1 APG, 1.6 STL, 50.3 FG%, 39.2 3P%, 78.7 FT%

Trading for Jrue Holiday before the start of last season seemed to work pretty well for the Milwaukee Bucks, as they won a title in their first year with the veteran guard. After winning a title, Holiday then went with Team USA to Tokyo and won a gold medal in the Summer Olympics.

LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: NBA Top 75 Player Rankings For 2021-22 Season: From 75 to 51

Throughout his entire career, Jrue Holiday does not seem to get the respect he deserves and quite honestly, he is one of the best on-ball defenders in the entire association. Offensively, he can be a little streaky at times, but you know what you are getting with a guy like Jrue Holiday and there is no reason he should not be First Team All-Defense every single year.

No guard has won Defensive Player of the Year since Gary Payton won in 1995-96, so Holiday definitely has a chance to have a historic season on defense this year. 

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