The season is getting ready to begin, but before the games get started, Bleacher Report published their top 100 players in the NBA. Sports publications tend to post their rankings prior to the season beginning, as we touched on a few others here. Luckily, three Wizards made the Bleacher Report top 100.
The criteria for these rankings are a little bit different compared to most. The staff is ranking where they believe the player will be ranked by the end of the season. The final rankings for each player in the top 100 is the average for where they were placed across the staff.
Kyle Kuzma – 90th
The first player to make the list was Kyle Kuzma. His highest ranking was 51st, while the lowest ranking was 135th. There is a case to be made that Kuzma could be higher on the list after the season he had last year.
A career high in rebounds and assists, while contributing in the scoring department, showed that Kuzma is not just a celebrity playing basketball, which is how he was portrayed with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The love for Kuzma in D.C. comes from not only the fans, but also his Wizards teammates.
Kristaps Porzingis on Kyle Kuzma as a point forward 👀
— Hoop District (@Hoop_District) October 11, 2022
“He’s great, that’s one of the things I like most about him. His ability to create for everybody, he’s big he sees over defenses, he knows how to pass the ball.” pic.twitter.com/RIqcxninLT
Kuzma could easily fulfil his highest ranking projection if he continues to go on an upward projection.
Kristaps Porzingis – 64th
The next Wizards player to make the list is the “Unicorn”, Kristaps Porzingis. His highest ranking was 44th, while the lowest was 92nd. This is not the first time Porzingis has cracked one of these types of rankings before this season.
Porzingis is an interesting case for where he is placed within the NBA. The talent is immense, but the health is a huge concern, and has been for several years now.
Porzingis was acquired last trade deadline and played less than 20 games with the Wizards. However, his short stint towards the end of the season looked promising. Hopefully that can translate to this season.
The biggest question heading into the season is if he can play with Bradley Beal. (more on his ranking soon) By the time Porzingis was traded to the Wizards, Beal was already out for the season due to a wrist injury.
This season will be the true test to see if the two can form a dynamic duo and lead the Wizards to a playoff appearance.
Bradley Beal – 25th
The last Wizard on the list is none other than the $250 million dollar man, Bradley Beal. The highest ranking for Beal was 12th, while the lowest 35th. Top 25 is a great spot to be in a loaded NBA, but that is a testament to how great Beal can be when healthy.
That is the key here; health. Last year was a struggle for him and the season-ending injury made it even worse. Now Beal will have to bounce back to back up the supermax extension.
Despite the lack of games played, and a down season prior to the injury, Bleacher Report still has Beal as a top 10 guard in the league.
Bleacher Report’s Top 10 Guards in the NBA:
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 11, 2022
1. Luka Doncic
2. Stephen Curry
3. Ja Morant
4. Trae Young
5. Devin Booker
6. Damian Lillard
7. James Harden
8. Donovan Mitchell
9. Kyrie Irving
10. Bradley Beal
The respect for Beal is still present, but another down season can have that same respect disappear.