ESPN’s Bold Predictions for NBA Players
ESPN has made some intriguing predictions about the top 100 NBA players heading into the 2025-26 season. Notably, Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder ranks No. 11, while Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons comes in at No. 12. Impressively, Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg is already at No. 52, despite yet to play a professional game.
It’s crucial to note that these ESPN rankings are more about predicting how players will finish the season instead of reflecting their current performance. Personally, I’m not convinced Cunningham is on par with Donovan Mitchell or Anthony Davis, but that’s just a small detail. Overall, the ESPN writers have done a solid job giving fans a glimpse of the current league hierarchy.
Earlier this week, I discussed four players from the ESPN list who I believe are overrated. Now, shifting focus, there are three players I think are underrated based on these rankings. If my thoughts hold true, these players could see significant improvements in their rankings next year. Definitely keep an eye on that.
No. 61 Zion Williamson, F, New Orleans Pelicans
I’m getting swept up in the Zion hype again. I’ve followed him closely since his high school days, so I might be a bit biased, hoping for a happy ending for his career. Now, he hasn’t managed to avoid injuries, which complicates things, but he seems to be in a great place now and is saying all the right things. The bone bruise on his back that ended his last season shouldn’t be a long-term issue, and had the Pelicans not been focused on losing, he might have returned earlier. In the 30 games he did play, he excelled—ranking in the 96th percentile among offensive players based on EPM. Also, he has shown improvement in his passing game. Yes, he’s missed more games than he’s played since joining the league, but aside from that, he’s generally durable every other year. I’m optimistic he can maintain that health this season, especially given his solid preseason conditioning. If he plays at his best, he can be incredibly powerful in the paint. At 25, he’s likely approaching the peak of his career. I hope this year marks a turning point for him, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see him rise 40 spots on this list next year.
No. 63 LaMelo Ball, G, Charlotte Hornets
I’m still a believer in LaMelo. He was rated as the top player in his draft class back in 2020. Sure, Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Halliburton have surpassed him, especially given LaMelo’s injury struggles, which have made his trajectory a bit uncertain. I’m concerned that his ankle issues might be more persistent than Zion’s challenges. But if he stays healthy, he has the potential to shine as one of the league’s top young guards. Last season, he ranked in the 98th percentile in offensive performance per EPM. In the 47 games he played, he was a strong playmaker, finishing behind big names in assists. His scoring efficiency dipped largely due to poor shot selection, and while he’s one of the top 3-point shooters, he definitely needs to cut down on ambitious shots. Rookie Con Knupel should help him with reliable shooting, providing some support when LaMelo is off the ball. There’s a ton of talent there, but he needs to refine his game a bit. Oh, and let’s not forget he was an All-Star at just 20 years old. If he can avoid injuries and mature as a player, I could see him climbing 30 spots on this list next year.
No. 25 Alperen Sengun, C, Houston Rockets
After placing him 6th on my preseason MVP watchlist, it’s clear I have high hopes for Sengun, especially following his standout performances in Eurobasket. Even with Kevin Durant sitting at No. 9, I genuinely believe Sengun is Houston’s best player as the season unfolds. He became an All-Star at just 22, and there’s plenty of reason to think he can make another leap this year. Sengun is one of the league’s most imaginative passers and should see frequent usage in Houston’s half-court setup, especially with Fred VanVleet being injured. His scoring will likely improve as he turns more floaters into rim attempts, along with better shooting from beyond the arc and at the free-throw line. It’s pretty remarkable to note that he had a better defensive rating than offensive rating last year, according to EPM. With the right adjustments, his skill set could flourish. Using him strategically alongside Kevin Durant instead of Jalen Green could really unlock his potential. The Rockets still have a strong chance to perform well despite VanVleet’s absence, largely thanks to Sengun.
