Ranking Each NBA Team’s Under 23 Core Players

As the NBA season approaches, it’s a fun time to take a look at the young core of each NBA team. A fun way to do that? Imagine a 5-on-5 tournament with the only eligible players being those under 23. (By the way, I used the Lineups rosters for this exercise–they’re seriously the best on the internet). Of course, upside and potential play into the rankings too, but essentially the question is “Which core would you rather have?”

Disclaimer: Players eligible for my list are those born after 1995, so technically it’s “U 23 and 8 months”, but I had to make a cutoff somewhere, so that’s what I chose.

* = G-League player that had to be included to round out the lineup

30. Houston Rockets

PG Shamorie Ponds (21)

SG Chris Chiozza (23)

SF Vincent Edwards (23)

PF Isaiah Hartenstein (22)

C Deyonta Davis (22)

 

29. Los Angeles Lakers

PG Wes VanBeck* (22)

SG Zach Norvell (21)

SF Talen Horton-Tucker (18)

PF Devontae Cacock (22)

C Kostas Antetokounmpo (21)

 

28. Milwaukee Bucks

PG Trevon Duval (21)

SG Donte Divincenzo (22)

SF Jordan Barnett (23)

PF D.J. Wilson (23)

C Dragan Bender (21)

 

27. Toronto Raptors

PG Lindell Wiggington (21)

SG Terence Davis (22)

SF Stanley Johnson (23)

PF OG Anunoby (22)

C Dewan Hernandez (22)

 

26. Detroit Pistons

PG Khyri Thomas (23)

SG Luke Kennard (23)

SF Bruce Brown (23)

PF Sekou Doumbouya (18)

C Thon Maker (22)

 

25. Charlotte Hornets

PG Malik Monk (21)

SG Robert Franks (22)

SF Miles Bridges (21)

PF Jalen McDaniels (21)

C P.J. Washington (21)

 

24. Washington Wizards

PG Isaac Bonga (19)

SG Admiral Schofield (22)

SF Rui Hachimura (21)

PF Mo Wagner (22)

C Thomas Bryant (22)

 

23. Minnesota Timberwolves

PG Jaylen Nowell (20)

SG Josh Okogie (21)

SF Jarrett Culver (20)

PF Keita Bates-Diop (23)

C Naz Reid (20)

 

22. Portland Trail Blazers

PG Anfernee Simons (20)

SG Gary Trent (20)

SF Nassir Little (19)

PF Skal Labissiere (23)

C Zach Collins (21)

 

21. Los Angeles Clippers

PG Landry Shamet (22)

SG Jerome Robinson (22)

SF Terance Mann (22)

PF Mfiondu Kabengele (22)

C Ivica Zubac (22)

 

20. Brooklyn Nets

PG Jaylen Hands (20)

SG Dzanan Musa (20)

SF Rodions Kurucs (21)

PF Nic Claxton (20)

C Jarrett Allen (21)

 

19. Oklahoma City Thunder

PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (21)

SG Luguentz Dort (20)

SF Terrance Ferguson (21)

PF Darius Bazley (19)

C Justin Patton (22)

 

18. Dallas Mavericks

PG Jalen Brunson (22)

SG Josh Reaves (22)

SF Luka Doncic (20)

PF Isaiah Roby (21)

C Billy Preston* (21)

 

17. Utah Jazz

PG Emmanuel Mudiay (23)

SG Justin Wright-Forman (20)

SF Donovan Mitchell (22)

PF Jarrell Brantley (23)

C Tony Bradley (21)

 

16. Orlando Magic

PG Markelle Fultz (21)

SG DaQuan Jeffries (22)

SF Chuma Okeke (21)

PF Jonathan Isaac (21)

C Mo Bamba (21)

 

15. Cleveland Cavaliers

PG Darius Garland (19)

SG Collin Sexton (20)

SF Dylan Windler (22)

PF Marquese Chriss (22)

C Ante Zizic (22)

 

14. San Antonio Spurs

PG Dejounte Murray (23)

SG Lonnie Walker (20)

SF Keldon Johnson (19)

PF Luka Samanic (19)

C Chimezie Metu (22)

 

13. Indiana Pacers

PG Aaron Holiday (22)

SG Brian Bowen (20)

SF T.J. Leaf (22)

PF Domantas Sabonis (23)

C Myles Turner (23)

 

12. Miami Heat

PG Justise Winslow (23)

SG Tyler Herro (19)

SF Derrick Jones (22)

PF KZ Okpala (20)

C Bam Adebayo (22)

 

11. Golden State Warriors

PG D’Angelo Russell (23)

SG Jordan Poole (20)

SF Eric Paschall (22)

PF Alen Smailagic (19)

C Kevon Looney (23)

 

10. Philadelphia 76ers

PG Ben Simmons (23)

SG Matisse Thybulle (22)

SF Zhaire Smith (20)

PF Furkan Korkmaz (22)

C Jonah Bolden (23)

 

9. Sacramento Kings

PG De’Aaron Fox (21)

SG Kyle Guy (22)

SF Justin James (22)

PF Marvin Bagley (20)

C Harry Giles (21)

 

8. Denver Nuggets

PG Jamal Murray (22)

SG Malik Beasley (22)

SF Michael Porter (21)

PF Jarred Vanderbilt (20)

C Bol Bol (19)

 

7. Chicago Bulls

PG Coby White (19)

SG Antonio Blakeney (22)

SF Chandler Hutchison (23)

PF Lauri Markannen (22)

C Wendell Carter (20)

 

6. New York Knicks

PG Dennis Smith (21)

SG Allonzo Trier (23)

SF R.J. Barrett (19)

PF Kevin Knox (20)

C Mitchell Robinson (21)

 

5. Phoenix Suns

PG Ty Jerome (22)

SG Devin Booker (22)

SF Cam Johnson (23)

PF Mikal Bridges (23)

C Deandre Ayton (21)

 

4. Memphis Grizzlies

PG Ja Morant (20)

SG Dillon Brooks (23)

SF Josh Jackson (22)

PF Brandon Clarke (22)

C Jaren Jackson (19)

 

3. Boston Celtics

PG Carsen Edwards (21)

SG Jaylen Brown (22)

SF Jayson Tatum (21)

PF Grant Williams (20)

C Robert Williams (22)

 

2. New Orleans Pelicans

PG Lonzo Ball (21)

SG Nickeil Alexander-Walker (20)

SF Brandon Ingram (22)

PF Zion Williamson (19)

C Jaxson Hayes (19)

 

1. Atlanta Hawks

PG Trae Young (20)

SG Kevin Huerter (21)

SF Cam Reddish (19)

PF DeAndre Hunter (21)

C John Collins (21)

Post
I grew up in a small town in Indiana, about an hour outside of Chicago. I’ve been a diehard Chicago sports fan my entire life, and basketball has always been my favorite sport. In high school, I founded a Sports Media Club, where my classmates and I wrote articles and produced podcasts. After graduating, I kept writing and podcasting on my own. Now I’m a freshman at Purdue University, and I am excited to join Lineups and continue to further the growth of the content side of the site.

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