This article is part of our The Prospect Post series.
On the eve of All-Star weekend, it seemed like the perfect time to update the dynasty league rankings for the top players under 25 years old. At the start of the season, I ranked the top-50 players under 25, and at the halfway mark that list will be kept to 25 players, with the next top-50 list coming prior to the start of next season.
- This list is intended for dynasty league owners only.
- Only players on NBA rosters who are under 25 years old at the time the article is published were considered.
- Current abilities, projected gains in talent, team context and age were the four main factors in determining the rankings.
- These rankings are incredibly subjective.
- There are many different keeper league formats, but these specific rankings assume that one can keep each player for eternity at the same price.
- Players' ages and their previous ranking are noted.
Tier 1 - Cornerstones
1. Anthony Davis - 22 (PR: 1)
2. Karl-Anthony Towns - 20 (PR: 5)
3. Kawhi Leonard - 24 (PR: 6)
4. Kristaps Porzingis - 20 (PR: 44)
This is a pretty secure tier of four, though one could argue that it should be two tiers of two, as Davis and Towns were the only players in the mix for the top spot. It was a very tough decision, and the order at the top could change even over the next few weeks, but Davis is such a sure thing that his floor gave him
On the eve of All-Star weekend, it seemed like the perfect time to update the dynasty league rankings for the top players under 25 years old. At the start of the season, I ranked the top-50 players under 25, and at the halfway mark that list will be kept to 25 players, with the next top-50 list coming prior to the start of next season.
- This list is intended for dynasty league owners only.
- Only players on NBA rosters who are under 25 years old at the time the article is published were considered.
- Current abilities, projected gains in talent, team context and age were the four main factors in determining the rankings.
- These rankings are incredibly subjective.
- There are many different keeper league formats, but these specific rankings assume that one can keep each player for eternity at the same price.
- Players' ages and their previous ranking are noted.
Tier 1 - Cornerstones
1. Anthony Davis - 22 (PR: 1)
2. Karl-Anthony Towns - 20 (PR: 5)
3. Kawhi Leonard - 24 (PR: 6)
4. Kristaps Porzingis - 20 (PR: 44)
This is a pretty secure tier of four, though one could argue that it should be two tiers of two, as Davis and Towns were the only players in the mix for the top spot. It was a very tough decision, and the order at the top could change even over the next few weeks, but Davis is such a sure thing that his floor gave him a narrow edge. Leonard gets the nod over Porzingis because of the shooting percentages, but they could easily be flipped, as Porzingis' upside is through the roof. And, for the record, I was dead wrong on Porzingis in the preseason rankings, as he was the top gainer among players who were mentioned before the season.
Tier 2 - Sure Things
5. Andre Drummond - 22 (PR: 15)
6. Kyrie Irving - 23 (PR: 3)
7. C.J. McCollum - 24 (PR: 33)
8. Derrick Favors - 24 (PR: 13)
Drummond would be in the first tier if his free-throw shooting wasn't a category killer. Irving gets hurt by his situation, as it's impossible for him to fully reach his potential next to LeBron James. McCollum could legitimately get the top spot in this tier if he has another level to reach, but it's possible that he peaked early. Favors might be the most underrated player in the league, if that honor doesn't belong to Paul Millsap. He averages over a steal and a block per game, while offering the typical big man numbers, and he continues to improve each year.
Tier 3 - Take Your Pick
9. Giannis Antetokounmpo - 21 (PR: 8)
10. Andrew Wiggins - 20 (PR: 2)
11. D'Angelo Russell - 19 (PR: 4)
12. Devin Booker - 19 (PR: 46)
13. Victor Oladipo - 23 (PR: 10)
14. Rodney Hood - 23 (PR: Honorable Mention)
15. Khris Middleton - 24 (PR: 14)
16. Rudy Gobert - 23 (PR: 7)
17. Myles Turner - 19 (PR: Not Ranked)
This tier could be in almost any order, depending on preference. Wiggins could be as low as last on this list, depending how much growth one expects from him on defense and with his three-point shot. I'm still all in on Russell, but Byron Scott needs to be exiled, and it is unclear if the Lakers are ever going to do that, considering it has been clear that he is hindering Russell's growth all season. Oladipo might need a change of scenery, but even after getting jerked around a little by Scott Skiles, his across the board production is hard to ignore. Booker, Hood and Turner could be the big gainers here over the second half of the season.
Tier 4 - Not Much Has Changed
18. Brandon Knight - 24 (PR: 20)
19. Julius Randle - 21 (PR: 23)
20. Jahlil Okafor - 20 (PR: 16)
21. Dennis Schroder - 22 (PR: 28)
22. Zach LaVine - 20 (PR: 24)
23. Bradley Beal - 22 (PR: 12)
24. Nerlens Noel - 21 (PR: 17)
25. Tobias Harris - 23 (PR: 11)
Not much has changed with these guys since the start of the season. Obviously, Randle has proven himself as a legit double-double monster heading into next season, but he may just be a two-category guy. Schroder could jump a tier if he or Jeff Teague gets traded. LaVine might need a new situation, but he definitely needs a new coach, as they should not be denying him minutes at the two alongside Ricky Rubio. Sure, he has more upside as a point guard, but what he needs more than anything is minutes. Beal, Noel and Harris are what they are at this point.
Honorable Mention
Jordan Clarkson
Aaron Gordon
Michael Carter-Williams
Jonas Valanciunas
Harrison Barnes
Evan Fournier
Willie Cauley-Stein
Enes Kanter
Jusuf Nurkic
Justise Winslow
Clint Capela
Nikola Jokic
Allen Crabbe
