ESPN’s NBA Rank Boldly Puts Inexperienced Rookie Ahead of Multiple Great NBA Veterans

ESPN is starting to release its Top 100 players list. NBA Rank 2025 is where ESPN’s NBA insiders debate and create a list of the Top 100 players entering the next NBA season. On Tuesday, they revealed the 100-51 ranked players, and it sparked much controversy.

The biggest debate is about the placement of No. 1 overall pick, Cooper Flagg, on the list. Flagg has obviously never played in an NBA game, but he is considered one of the best prospects the league has seen in a long time.

“The 18-year-old Flagg, who might be the most anticipated American prospect since LeBron James, arrives in the NBA in a distinctive position of being a No. 1 pick on a veteran-heavy roster with playoff aspirations. Mavs coach Jason Kidd plans to give the 6-foot-9 Flagg plenty of opportunities to prove that he can flourish as a point forward. Kidd took a similar approach with a young Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, but the Greek Freak wasn't surrounded by 30-something future Hall of Famers the way Flagg will be in Dallas.” - MacMahon

Signature stat: He was the first ACC freshman to lead a team in points, rebounds, and assists since freshmen became eligible in 1972-73.”

Flagg landed at the 52nd spot on the list. Flagg is projected to be incredible, but putting him that high before he has proven anything is wild. He is ranked above players like Paul George, Austin Reaves, and Zion Williamson.

All of those players have already been 20-point-per-game scorers in the NBA. Paul George is obviously on the back end of his prime, but Reaves and Williamson are right in the middle of theirs. Flagg needs to prove himself before being put ahead of these and a few others on this list. Even if he has a great rookie season, the chances of him outplaying Reaves or a healthy Zion are extremely unlikely.