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
Contents
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)