ESPN has released the latest batch of entries in its annual NBA Rank series. After including Washington Wizards rookie AJ Dybantsa at No. 78, two more names have appeared on the list highlighting players ranked from No. 11 to No. 50: Anthony Davis and Trae Young.
Both are surprisingly low at No. 40 and No. 44, but Davis' decline from the top 15 to barely cracking the top 40 feels a bit egregious. Thankfully, a statement year can cure all woes—he just may be running out of time to produce one at 33 years of age.
Davis has dealt with his share of injuries, but when he's been healthy, he's ranked among the best players in the NBA. Unfortunately, it was difficult for ESPN to overlook just how drastically Davis' availability has been limited in recent seasons.
Per Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Davis' decline from No. 14 to No. 40 is based largely on the fact that he's played just 29 games over the past 20 months.
"It has been a disastrous couple of seasons for Davis since his shocking trade from the Lakers to the Mavericks. He has appeared in just 29 games since late-January 2025 and was traded a second time to the Wizards in February."
Though it's fair to rank Davis lower than No. 14 after such an extensive period of time passed with him hardly playing, the Wizards star still feels far lower than he should be. The question is: Can he produce a healthy enough season to restore his reputation?
Anthony Davis falls from No. 14 to No. 40 in ESPN's NBA Rank
In fairness to ESPN, Davis appeared in just nine games after a mid-season trade to the Dallas Mavericks in 2024-25 and played just 20 in 2025-26. He's yet to play a game for the Wizards, which acquired him at the February trade deadline.
In saying that, it seems strange for Davis to be ranked so low when one considers how he can legitimately dominate games on both ends of the floor. Getting back to the level he's previously resided at would put things back as they should be.
Davis is a five-time All-NBA honoree with four First Team nods. He's also a five-time All-Defense selectee, a 10-time All-Star, and a three-time blocks leader. Perhaps even more importantly, he's an NBA champion who ranks among the best postseason players of his era.
Davis boasts career postseason averages of 26.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game. He has both a title and a second trip to the Conference Finals under his belt. As ESPN noted, he's also put himself in rare air during the regular season.
Davis joins Shaquille O'Neal as the only 21st century players to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game across at least 10 seasons.
"Davis is one of 11 players to average 20 points and 10 rebounds per game in at least 10 seasons. The only other player among the 11 to have played in the 21st century is Shaquille O'Neal, with a league-record 13 20-10 seasons."
Thankfully, if Davis gets back to being the elite two-way player he's been throughout his career, his ranking should rise, his accolades should grow, and his reputation should be restored.
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