![]() Why he fell four spots:Thompson didn't drop in the rankings because of a down year. Improvement in that area is something he has stated as a goal for this season, and worked on this summer. If Harden is either traded or not playing, however, Maxey will need to take significant steps forward as a playmaker for Philadelphia to remain a threat in the East. If Harden is around, Maxey will remain in a role as a secondary playmaker focused more on scoring. One huge question for the season:What will Maxey's role be this season? Not surprisingly, that answer is tied in part to the fate of Harden in Philadelphia. If he can make a leap yet again this season, he could put himself in contention for an All-Star spot. Why he rose two spots: Maxey continued his impressive start to his career by eclipsing 20 PPG for the first time in his career and once again improving both his 3-point percentage (43.4) and his attempt rate (6.2 per game). But if Harden is on the court and engaged with the 76ers, they have a chance to compete with Milwaukee and Boston atop the East. One huge question for the season: This one is simple: Where is Harden going to play this season? So far, it appears he will be in Philadelphia, despite asking for a trade away from the 76ers and calling the team's president of basketball operations, Daryl Morey, a "liar" this summer. Harden's trade request and uncertain future with the 76ers makes predicting the former MVP's impact this season a tricky task. But he lacked the same sort of burst he displayed earlier in his career as a scorer, and Philadelphia once again saw its season end in the Eastern Conference semifinals with a heartbreaking seven-game loss to the Boston Celtics. Why he fell 32 spots: Harden led the NBA in assists for the second time in his career last season, forming a potent partnership with Joel Embiid. Both Pelicans executive David Griffin and coach Willie Green have talked about the outstanding shape McCollum has entered camp in. For the first time, his team didn't make the playoffs. Why he could exceed this ranking: McCollum has had the longest offseason of his NBA career. McCollum has averaged 20.0 PPG or more in eight consecutive seasons - yet he hasn't been named an All-Star. Why he rose one spot:McCollum stays close to where he was a season ago simply because of the consistency he has shown throughout his NBA career. With how much he'll continue to have the ball under coach Tom Thibodeau, remaining an at least somewhat efficient player is going to be crucial for the Knicks to replicate last year's success. In the year in between, it was under 46%, and the Knicks missed the playoffs. In the two years he has made the All-Star team, he has had an effective field goal percentage of over 50. Swing skill: Randle's efficiency has yo-yoed from year to year with the Knicks. Why he rose 26 spots: Randle bounced back from a disappointing 2021-22 season by once again making the All-Star and All-NBA teams and helping the Knicks not only return to the playoffs for a second time in three years, but win a playoff series for the first time in a decade. 3 option and should benefit from the enormous attention Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo will command. Middleton can slide into his wing position as the No. But his role in Milwaukee will also be much different this year after the team acquired Damian Lillard. Why he could exceed his ranking: Staying on the floor will be a key factor for Middleton this season if he wants to climb back up this list. Yet, he returns to Milwaukee on a new three-year contract hoping for a bounce-back season. ![]() He did not play in his first game until December and played in just 33 games, never quite looking like the three-time All-Star Bucks fans had grown accustomed to in recent seasons. Why he fell 15 spots: Injuries derailed Middleton's 2022-23 season from the start. What's clear is that San Antonio will use the rookie in different ways. Wembanyama said there are no limitations on his role. One huge question for the season: How exactly will the Spurs use Wembanyama? Coach Gregg Popovich said one of the cool questions to be answered in training camp is figuring out if Wembanyama is a power forward, center or even a small forward. Still, how much of that translates to the NBA right away remains to be seen. ![]() Wembanyama averaged 21.6 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.2 blocks in the French Pro A League last season on his way to winning MVP honors. 47: Wembanyama is unlike any prospect we've seen enter the NBA.
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