Yesterday, I spent time focusing on preparing the updated NBA Pre-Postseason Players Tiers. I revealed Tier 3 (players ranked 24th to 42nd) and Tier 4 (Nos. 43-80).
Today, I want to dive deeper into some interesting placements and trends. One common feedback I received after releasing Tiers 3 and 4 was the challenge of comparing elite role players to good-but-not-great primary or secondary creators. A senior analytics staffer in the league even preferred the majority of Tier 4A, consisting of elite role players, over Tier 3B, which includes borderline All-Star primaries.
This debate is difficult to resolve as it often depends on team composition rather than individual player value. For example, comparing Mikal Bridges to Jaylen Brown might yield different results based on their respective teams’ needs.
Rating sub-elite on-ball players remains a challenging task. Identifying the value of players between elite and mediocre shot creators is crucial for roster evaluation and avoiding the misuse of the term “franchise player.”
Teammates like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner highlight this dilemma. Banchero’s performance is impacted by Orlando’s lack of creators, while Wagner excels in various areas, making him a versatile addition to any team.
Several players, like Tyrese Haliburton and Damian Lillard, have seen changes in their tiers throughout the season due to performance fluctuations and playoff uncertainties.
As the playoffs approach, players like Luka Dončić and Joel Embiid have opportunities to showcase their greatness, while veterans like Jimmy Butler and Jamal Murray have proven track records of playoff success.
Some players, like Ja Morant, present challenges in tier placement and may require further scrutiny in the future.
Finally, promising rookie Victor Wembanyama has shown significant growth and potential, positioning himself among the league’s top players.
NBA Player Tiers: ’20 | ’21 | ’22 | ’23: T5 | T4 | T3 | T2 | T1 | ’24: T3&4
This exercise is essential for recognizing player value and assessing roster dynamics, highlighting the significance of player roles and contributions.