Star players are the greatest asset a team can have in the NBA. The more you have, the more likely you are to win games.
That’s not where it stops, though, for roster building. Every time we see a team get one, two or maybe even three star players on the roster, the conversation immediately migrates to which role players it can put around those stars to maximize their time on the floor. Role players can make or break a deep playoff run because at some point they’re going to be asked to produce in some way. Sometimes it’s 3-point shooting. Sometimes it’s scoring off the bench. Sometimes it’s facilitating, and often times it’s increasing the intensity and execution of the defensive game plan.
As we near the halfway point in the NBA season, role players are starring all around the league. Some have been huge contributors in how they affect their teams’ success, and some are still waiting to get a consistent shot to prove their worth on the court. This week in the Power Rankings, we’re still ranking 1-30 around the NBA. But I thought I’d highlight one X-Factor role player from each team I have my eye on, and what they mean to their team’s success moving forward.
Here’s how the Power Rankings work:
• It’s up to my discretion how the rankings shake out each week. For some teams, they’ll be hit in the short term. Others will be given the benefit for the long term.
• I do not believe in the transitive property with these teams. If Team X beats Team Y and Team Y beats Team Z, it doesn’t mean that Team X is automatically better than Team Z.
• If I have a team ahead of another team, there’s no reason to ask why they’re ranked above the team you like. The answer is pretty simple: I think that team is set up better for success.
• Leave a fun, snarky comment toward me, a team or a player and it will likely get picked by Wosny Lambre for our Power Rankings podcast, for subscribers only, which has Wos reading the best comments each week. Or it might even make The Restricted Area, our new NBA show on The Athletic’s YouTube channel.
• Only 15 teams will be deemed worthy of a GIF or video each week. That’s to help cut down on eating up your data and computer’s processor.
• This is supposed to be fun so let’s have fun with it.
The Power Rankings heading into Week 11 of the 2020-21 regular season begin now!
1. Utah Jazz (↑Previously 2nd), 27-7, +9.5 net rating
Weekly slate: Win over Hornets, Win over Lakers, Loss at Heat, Win at Magic
The X-Factor role player: Royce O’Neale
The easy answer here is Jordan Clarkson because he’s running away with the Sixth Man of the Year award on this juggernaut Utah Jazz team. But O’Neale is the guy they need to be a star role player in the playoffs. O’Neale is their best wing defender, and he’s been a deadeye shooter from deep this season. He was a 37.5 percent 3-point shooter coming into this season. He’s knocking down 41.4 percent from deep this season. It will be O’Neale’s job to slow down perimeter weapons for other teams. Kawhi Leonard or Paul George. Luka Doncic. Maybe even see some time on Damian Lillard if Utah faces Portland. And then, of course, the ultimate potential showdown — LeBron James. O’Neale has the hardest job on the Jazz moving forward.
Why are they ranked here? The Jazz are back in the top spot this week thanks to that win over the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn dropping a game to Dallas. Yes, the Jazz lost to Miami, but that team is surging and Utah followed it up by demolishing Orlando.
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2. Brooklyn Nets (↓Previously 1st), 22-13, +4.1 net rating
Weekly slate: Win over Kings, Win over Magic, Loss to Mavs
The X-Factor role player: Bruce Brown
Part of the trade that brought Landry Shamet to the Brooklyn Nets, Brown has actually been the best role player for this team outside of Joe Harris (can you still be a role player with $70 million coming your way?). Brown has given the Nets some timely scoring, great cutting toward the basket and some defensive intensity this team needs. The Nets are going to have issues on defense the rest of the way. They hope their offense will more than make up for it, but they need as many competent defenders around their big three as possible. Brown gives them such tremendous energy and effort. If he ends up approaching being even a league-average 3-point shooter (he’s currently 21.4 percent) at some point in the playoffs, he’s a monster role player for the Nets.
Why are they ranked here? They beat two bad teams and then lost to a surging Dallas team. To hold onto the top spot, they needed to remain perfect this week, and they couldn’t do that with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving out against Dallas.
3. Phoenix Suns (↑Previously 5th), 22-11, +5.9 net rating
Weekly slate: Win over Blazers, Loss to Hornets, Win at Bulls, Win at Wolves
The X-Factor role player: Cameron Johnson
Johnson is one of six players on the Phoenix Suns averaging double-digit scoring (10.5), but playing the way he has in just his second season is highly impressive. We know Johnson can shoot. That was his biggest asset coming out of North Carolina. But he was considered a reach at 11th in the 2019 draft because of his injury history and concerns he wouldn’t do much more than shoot the ball. He’s been healthy so far in the NBA, and his defense as a second-year player is pretty impressive. He doesn’t have to be Mikal Bridges for them, as Bridges has become arguably their third most important player. Johnson just has to keep defending well in space, being active in the team concept and knocking down 3-pointers.
Why are they ranked here? They had a 3-1 week, and while the loss to Charlotte wasn’t great, they had good wins over Portland and Chicago. Everything is so jumbled near the top that a winning week versus a .500 week will move you up.
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4. LA Clippers (↓Previously 3rd), 24-12, +5.8 net rating
Weekly slate: Win over Wizards, Loss at Grizzlies, Win at Grizzlies, Loss at Bucks
The X-Factor role player: Marcus Morris Sr.
We didn’t see Morris get going for the LA Clippers until the playoffs last season. After joining the team midseason, his outside shooting fell off completely. But then he knocked down 47.5 percent of his 3-pointers in 13 postseason games, and he’s carried over that shooting to this season. Morris has been spectacular for this team this season. His ability to hit shots and be a reliable safety valve on offense is big, but his defensive capabilities for the Clippers will be what they need. He’s capable of defending multiple positions, both on the perimeter and interior. Morris is looking for a little redemption after accidentally galvanizing the Denver comeback in the playoffs. The Clippers are extremely confident in utilizing him in big moments too.
Why are they ranked here? Win over Milwaukee would’ve propelled them to second in the rankings, but a 2-2 week will drop them just a spot.
5. Los Angeles Lakers (↓Previously 4th), 24-11, +5.7 net rating
Weekly slate: Loss to Wizards, Loss at Jazz, Win over Blazers, Win over Warriors
The X-Factor role player: Kyle Kuzma
Since Anthony Davis joined the team, the Los Angeles Lakers have predictably asked Kuzma to do less and less on the basketball court in terms of a featured role. Prior to AD joining, Kuzma was one of the main scoring options. Now? He has to find ways to help. With him being more judicious in his scoring opportunities, we’ve seen an uptick in his outside shooting (31.6 to 36.3 percent), which mirrors more of what he did as a rookie (36.6 percent). More importantly, though, Kuzma has been a much better defender and a much more active hustle player than what we’ve seen in the past. His talent combined with this extended effort is what the Lakers were hoping to get out of him as a role player. It turns him into such a versatile weapon for them in the playoffs, especially whenever Davis slides over to the five.
Why are they ranked here? This team just isn’t the same without Davis in the mix. They’re trying to figure it out, and things look better with Dennis Schröder back on the floor, but a non-winning week is rough.
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6. Milwaukee Bucks (↑Previously 8th), 21-13, +7.8 net rating
Weekly slate: Win over Wolves, Win over Pelicans, Win over Clippers
The X-Factor role player: Bobby Portis
I may have foolishly thrown some Sixth Man of the Year prediction toward Portis with the Milwaukee Bucks in the preseason. That’s not going to come to fruition, but he’s still been a valuable member of this rotation. And I think he can actually end up proving to be even more of a weapon for them as the season progresses. We’ve never seen Portis this efficient with his jumper. He’s finishing over 70 percent of his makes around the rim, and he’s hitting 51.2 percent of his jump shots this season, including 50.7 percent on 3-pointers. He’s only played 21.9 minutes per game, but they’re destroying with him on the floor (plus-9.5 per 100 possessions).
Why are they ranked here? If the Lakers lost to Golden State, Milwaukee would’ve moved up even more. But a good week for them despite having an easier schedule prior to Sunday’s great win. Milwaukee is looking a lot more Milwaukee-esque lately.
7. Philadelphia 76ers (↓Previously 6th), 22-12, +2.9 net rating
Weekly slate: Win at Raptors, Win over Mavs, Loss to Cavs
The X-Factor role player: Matisse Thybulle
As we project toward the playoffs and try to figure out if anybody can actually stop the Brooklyn Nets’ offense, 76ers wing Thybulle becomes immensely important for this team. He shined as a defensive weapon in his rookie season last year, which is extremely difficult to do. Even if rookies show flashes of defense, they usually can’t contribute consistently on that end of the floor. Thybulle did. If the Sixers face Brooklyn in the playoffs, they’ll need Thybulle to spend time on Kevin Durant, James Harden and probably Kyrie Irving too. Thybulle teaming with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons on defense may be the difference between the Sixers making a deep run or them flaming out once again.
Why are they ranked here? Two good wins over Toronto and Dallas, but they dropped a spot because Milwaukee looks really good right now and losing to Cleveland is unacceptable for this Sixers team.
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8. Denver Nuggets (↑Previously 10th), 18-15, +4.4 net rating
Weekly slate: Win over Blazers, Loss to Wizards, Win at Thunder
The X-Factor role player: Facundo Campazzo
The Denver Nuggets love them some Campazzo. The Argentinian point guard has been one of the most exhilarating passers in the NBA this season, providing a bit of what the NBA has missed ever since Milos Teodosic left us for Europe again. About two-thirds of Campazzo’s minutes have come next to Monte Morris. Denver loves both backup point guards, and they’re playing them together often despite the lack of size in the backcourt. It’s working too. Campazzo keeps things going, and they know Morris’ ability to take care of the ball and score will help keep everything very low risk but high reward on offense. Campazzo struggles to score between the basket and 3-point line, but his basketball IQ helps them quite a bit.
Why are they ranked here? Really didn’t like the loss to the Wizards. But with a couple of teams having tough weeks, and the Nuggets beating Portland and OKC, they move up a couple of spots.
9. Miami Heat (↑Previously 18th), 17-17, -1.6 net rating
Weekly slate: Win at Thunder, Win over Raptors, Win over Jazz, Win over Hawks
The X-Factor role player: Goran Dragic
Look at what happened when Dragic and the Miami Heat got back to looking pretty healthy as a squad. Heat Culture is alive and thriving. Am I cheating a bit here by calling Dragic a role player? Yes. They still bring him off the bench, and his balance to the rotation with how he can attack in the second unit is just huge for them. The Heat are a winning team with Dragic on the floor this season, and they’re a losing team when he leaves the floor. Dragic, even when he’s having a bad game, is such a threat for opponents to track. He breaks down the defense, and the Heat know he’ll knock down big jumpers.
Why are they ranked here? Sure, they still don’t have a winning record, but the Heat finally look like what we saw from them last season. They’re not totally healthy either. The Heat is on.
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10. Golden State Warriors (↑Previously 17th), 19-16, +1.1 net rating
Weekly slate: Win at Knicks, Win at Pacers, Win over Hornets, Loss at Lakers
The X-Factor role player: Kelly Oubre Jr.
Will we see another dip in the Oubre roller coaster that is this season for the Golden State Warriors wing? He started out atrociously at the beginning of the season, and it felt like he might not make a jumper for weeks. Since then, he’s rebounded quite nicely and is making shots at a consistent rate. It’s helped fuel their attack around Steph Curry and given Draymond Green another guy to set up. After shooting 35.1 percent from the field and 20.2 percent from 3-point range in his first 16 games of the season, Oubre has made 49.6 percent of his shots and 41.7 percent of his deep shots over the last 19 games. In his last 19 games, he’s gone from 11.5 points per game to 18.8 points per game. If Oubre gives them anything close to this, the Warriors will be a lock for avoiding the play-in tournament as long as they don’t suffer any major injuries.
Why are they ranked here? Another winning week for the Warriors. They got trounced by the Lakers, but the Warriors had a 3-1 week to shoot back up the rankings while other teams previously above them struggled.
11. Dallas Mavericks (↑Previously 14th), 16-16, -0.8 net rating
Weekly slate: Win over Grizzlies, Win over Celtics, Loss at Sixers, Win at Nets
The X-Factor role player: Jalen Brunson
When Brunson is on the court with Doncic, we see a lot more of the Dallas Mavericks team we saw last season. They outscore opponents by 7.5 points per 100 possessions, and the defense is actually quite good. Brunson is obviously undersized, but he’s extremely active and vocal defensively. He’s also a deadeye shooter and someone who has been very reliable at making shots off the catch or creating a shot for himself attacking a scrambling defense. When Brunson and Doncic aren’t on the floor together, things fall apart either way. Rick Carlisle needs as much Brunson as possible the rest of the way.
Why are they ranked here? The Mavs have won eight of their last 11 games, and they had a great week. Memphis and Boston are struggling, but the win over Brooklyn was nice, even with a short-handed Nets squad.
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12. New York Knicks (↑Previously 15th), 18-17, +1.1 net rating
Weekly slate: Loss to Warriors, Win over Kings, Win over Pacers, Win at Pistons
The X-Factor role player: Reggie Bullock
The New York Knicks are a surprisingly good 3-point shooting team. After this latest week, they rank 11th in 3-point shooting at 37.1 percent. Bullock is a pretty good reason for that. While Julius Randle has surprised many with his newfound 3-point accuracy, Bullock has been the guy teams fear and still can’t stop from deep all season long. He’s a known shooter, and his 38.0 percent from downtown has really helped keep them steady. He was lights out in January and dipped a little bit in February. But Bullock is still a guy opposing teams are uneasy leaving in a defensive rotation.
Why are they ranked here? It’s time to believe this Knicks team is good. I’m not sure that means they get past the first round of the playoffs in the East, but the fact that I’m even hesitant on the idea shows how far they’ve come this season.
13. Toronto Raptors (↓Previously 9th), 17-17, +2.3 net rating
Weekly slate: Loss to Sixers, Loss at Heat, Win over Rockets, Postponed vs Bulls
The X-Factor role player: Chris Boucher
For the first month of the season, everybody was throwing their Most Improved Player support to Christian Wood in Houston. But he hasn’t played in a very long time, and Boucher has actually done quite a bit to make this a very tough argument for anybody else to be a frontrunner for the award. He’s already one of the best rim protectors in the NBA, and he’s knocking down jumpers at roughly 6-foot-10. He still needs to get a bit stronger and find ways to be more comfortable attacking closeouts off the dribble, but we’re a little over a year away from Boucher getting crazy paid as a free agent. He’s huge for the Raptors’ climb up the East.
Why are they ranked here? A couple of teams surging knock them down a couple of spots, and the only win the Raptors got this week was over a horrendous Houston squad.
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14. Portland Trail Blazers (↓Previously 7th), 18-14, -1.1 net rating
Weekly slate: Loss at Suns, Loss at Nuggets, Loss at Lakers
The X-Factor role player: Gary Trent Jr.
Maybe you were wondering if Trent was just a bubble fluke and couldn’t contribute with his defense and shooting back in a normal environment. Well, if that’s the case, you’re being proven wrong this season. Trent has been phenomenal once again. He’s starting in place of the injured CJ McCollum, and his outside shooting has held up. Last year, he knocked down 41.8 percent on 4.4 3-point attempts per game. He’s increased his volume to 7.8 attempts and his percentage sits at 41.6 percent. While the Blazers defense is a mess, he’s one of the lone bright spots on that end of the floor still. He’ll be heavy in Terry Stotts rotation even when the team is back to full health.
Why are they ranked here? The Blazers faced a string of good opponents this week and now find themselves on a four-game losing streak. Need to see them rebound with Golden State, Charlotte and Sacramento all at home before the break.
15. Boston Celtics (↓Previously 13th), 17-17, +0.7 net rating
Weekly slate: Loss at Mavs, Loss at Hawks, Win over Pacers, Win over Wizards
The X-Factor role player: Marcus Smart
Is this one too obvious? The Boston Celtics have fallen apart since Smart went down with his calf injury. They’re just 7-10 without him over their last 17 games, and the fragility of their young rotation has been obvious. Smart is clearly one of the best defensive players in the NBA. He’s also a pretty underrated pick-and-roll player and a good distributor in general. Smart wasn’t a big-time shot-maker by any means. Any good feelings from some timely shooting in the bubble have come back down to earth. But the Celtics are holding on by a thread without him, and they’ll need him back in the second half of the season to stabilize.
Why are they ranked here? A 2-2 week from the Celtics does actually feel like progress, but they’re going to drop a bit and stay in this zone until they prove they look more like the team we saw last season.
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16. San Antonio Spurs (↓Previously 12th), 17-12, -0.3 net rating
Weekly slate: Postponed at Pacers, Loss at Thunder, Win at Pelicans
The X-Factor role player: Rudy Gay
Does Gay count here? I’m going to say he counts here because he is a role player and he’s an important one for the San Antonio Spurs moving forward. Sometimes just having an adult in the room is super important for a pretty young core like what the Spurs have. Gay may not be the expert shot-maker or scorer he used to be, but his impact with the Spurs is massive. They’re a team that blows out opponents (plus-9.5 per 100 possessions) when he’s on the floor and they get destroyed (minus-6.9 per 100 possessions) when he’s on the bench. His size and versatility just allow the young guys to play a little looser, especially on defense when they can focus more on flying around the perimeter.
Why are they ranked here? Postponed against Indiana, so the Spurs only had two games this week. Nice win against New Orleans, but the loss to Oklahoma City caused them to drop.
17. Indiana Pacers (↓Previously 11th), 15-17, +0.7 net rating
Weekly slate: Postponed vs Spurs, Loss to Warriors, Loss at Celtics, Loss at Knicks
The X-Factor role player: Justin Holiday
I have never understood why Holiday wasn’t more sought after on the open market. But everybody else’s apathy has been the Indiana Pacers’ gain. Holiday is one of those solid wing players who can play defense and knock down 3-pointers. It’s not like the shooting is a flash in the pan either. He’s made 41.8 percent of his 3-pointers this year, which capitalizes off the 40.8 percent he shot for Indiana last year. The Pacers really need him with all the injuries and changes they’ve had to their perimeter options.
Why are they ranked here? The Pacers were terrible this week with an 0-3 record, and we need to see consistency out of them moving forward to get them moving back up the rankings.
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18. Chicago Bulls (↑Previously 20th), 15-17, -0.6 net rating
Weekly slate: Win at Rockets, Win over Wolves, Loss to Suns, Postponed at Raptors
The X-Factor role player: Thaddeus Young
Much like Gay mentioned above for the Spurs, Young has had a huge impact on the Chicago Bulls this season. They’re a team that wins comfortably with him on the floor and really struggles when he’s not playing. His facilitating and playmaking have been pretty big for them, and he’s a reliable scorer around the basket. For example, Young and All-Star Zach LaVine on the floor together help put the Bulls up on opponents 8.9 points per 100 possessions. But leave LaVine on the court and put Young on the bench, the Bulls swing to minus-9.9 points per 100 possessions. That’s nearly a 20-point swing essentially over the course of a game. The Bulls need Young, and he’s a big reason they’re in the playoff hunt.
Why are they ranked here? Would’ve liked to see them get a chance to close out the week against the Raptors, but this Bulls team had a good enough week at 2-1 to move them up a couple of spots.
19. Memphis Grizzlies (↑Previously 22nd), 15-15, +0.5 net rating
Weekly slate: Loss at Mavs, Win over Clippers, Loss to Clippers, Win at Rockets
The X-Factor role player: Dillon Brooks
If the Memphis Grizzlies could just get some consistent shot-making out of Brooks, they’d probably go on a massive run this season. Brooks consistently has the green light on this team, and he continues to put up shots. He’s second on the team in shots per game taken, and he’s the leader in total shots taken for the Grizzlies this season. The problem is he doesn’t really make a good percentage of them. He’s under 40 percent from the field, and he’s under 33 percent from deep. He’s just not efficient, and teams seem thrilled with the idea of him taking shots instead of Ja Morant. The Grizzlies trust him enough, but they could really use that trust getting justified at some point.
Why are they ranked here? A 2-2 week propelled them a little bit with a nice win over the Clippers in which they shut down Leonard and George.
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20. Charlotte Hornets (↑Previously 21st), 16-17, -1.1 net rating
Weekly slate: Loss at Jazz, Win at Suns, Loss at Warriors, Win at Kings
The X-Factor role player: Malik Monk
After three full seasons of people ready to write off Monk, the Charlotte Hornets shooting guard has finally found his groove for this team. He’s having by far his best season in the NBA, and Monk has been lights out in scoring and shooting the ball. He was supposed to be a shooter out of Kentucky and instead put up 32.2 percent from deep his first three seasons and an abysmal 28.4 percent last year. Now he’s knocking down 47.1 percent of his deep shots, and he’s attacking the basket whenever the defense overplays taking away his outside shot. This is the Monk they’ve been waiting for.
Why are they ranked here? Tough schedule for them this week, and the comeback win over the terrible Sacramento Kings probably saved them from dropping.
21. Washington Wizards (↑Previously 23rd), 13-19, -3.9 net rating
Weekly slate: Win at Lakers, Loss at Clippers, Win at Nuggets, Win over Wolves, Loss at Celtics
The X-Factor role player: Davis Bertans
It’s so nice of Bertans to join the Washington Wizards after signing that big contract to stay with them in the offseason. Bertans is a career 40.6 percent 3-point shooter for his career. His lethal jumper helped secure an $80 million contract this past offseason. And through his first 17 games of the season, he shot just 32.8 percent from deep. His last 11 games have brought back the accuracy. He’s knocking down 46.6 percent from downtown in those games, and it’s helped the Wizards go on a run. His shooting gives Bradley Beal extra space to operate, and it’s what the Wizards were missing most of the season.
Why are they ranked here? What a week and what a stretch for the Wizards. Wins over the Lakers and Nuggets were huge. They’ve won seven of their last nine.
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22. New Orleans Pelicans (↓Previously 16th), 14-19, -0.4 net rating
Weekly slate: Win over Pistons, Loss at Bucks, Loss to Spurs
The X-Factor role player: JJ Redick
Maybe they’ll trade Redick at some point before the deadline and end up getting some kind of asset in return for him. But if the New Orleans Pelicans keep him around, we’re going to keep seeing that deadly 3-point shot helping out their offense. First 16 games of the season? Redick shot an uncharacteristic 29.8 percent from deep. In his last 13 games, Redick has knocked down 46.8 percent of his 3-pointers. We’re still seeing some tough moments for Redick on the floor, and he doesn’t look totally comfortable still. But at least the 3-point shot is falling, and guys like Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram will benefit from that extra spacing.
Why are they ranked here? A 1-2 week isn’t a disaster for the Pelicans, but they need to win games like the one against San Antonio.
23. Atlanta Hawks (↓Previously 19th), 14-20, -0.3 net rating
Weekly slate: Loss at Cavs, Win over Celtics, Loss at Thunder, Loss at Heat
The X-Factor role player: Danilo Gallinari
Earlier this week, Gallinari went off in a lopsided victory by the Atlanta Hawks over Boston. It was a nice reminder of why the Hawks went out and spent so much money on him this past offseason. He’s missed a bunch of games due to injury, and we’ve seen his effectiveness around the rim suffer because of his body not fully being on his side here. But Gallo is still a great shooter from outside, and his size makes him an easy passing target for Trae Young and Rajon Rondo. The Hawks aren’t getting anything close to the Gallinari from OKC last season, but if they can get that in the second half, they’ll take flight.
Why are they ranked here? A 1-3 record for the Hawks is inexcusable when they had games against Cleveland and OKC, losing both of them.
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24. Cleveland Cavaliers (↑Previously 30th), 13-21, -8.2 net rating
Weekly slate: Win over Hawks, Win over Rockets, Win at Sixers
The X-Factor role player: Dylan Windler
After missing roughly a month to start the season, the rookie campaign of Windler is in full effect for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He didn’t get to play last season, but he’s played in 19 of the past 20 games for the Cavs. He’s providing a service the Cavs desperately need — outside shooting. Cleveland ranks 27th in the NBA this season in 3-point accuracy at 34.5 percent. Windler is shooting 39.0 percent from deep on the season and 40.0 percent since coming back in January. He’s going to have to show he can attack closeouts and defend competently, but the guard duo of Collin Sexton and Darius Garland needs a shooter around it to help open things up.
Why are they ranked here? The Cavs had been on a 10-game losing streak, and they didn’t just break out of it. They started surging seemingly out of nowhere. They get rewarded for it.
25. Oklahoma City Thunder (↑Previously 28th), 14-20, -5.9 net rating
Weekly slate: Loss to Heat, Win over Spurs, Loss to Hawks, Loss to Nuggets
The X-Factor role player: George Hill
While most players on this Oklahoma City Thunder team are shooting horribly this season, veteran point guard Hill is doing a good job of complementing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the court. Hill always gives a steady hand at the point, even if he’s not a huge creator for others. His ability to knock shots from all over the floor means a lot to this Thunder team. Pairing him in the backcourt gives the Thunder a balanced attack as they hope for everybody else to find their shooting stroke. Maybe this will turn Hill into a trade commodity before the deadline, but either way, teams know they can’t help off Hill to stop SGA.
Why are they ranked here? Really, it’s Sacramento, Orlando and Houston falling so much that moved OKC up here. Good win over the Spurs, though.
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26. Orlando Magic (↓Previously 24th), 13-21, -6.8 net rating
Weekly slate: Loss to Pistons, Loss at Nets, Loss to Jazz
The X-Factor role player: Terrence Ross
As the Orlando Magic continue to struggle, scoring for them has never been more of a premium. We know Nikola Vucevic can put up big points and do so efficiently. But where does the other scoring come from? Who else is reliable, especially for a Magic team that really needs a table-setter? Ross isn’t going to be a guy who sets up a lot of people, but he can get good scoring stretches for himself. They need it. For Ross, him scoring efficiently is really the difference for this Magic team. When Ross shoots 40 percent or better from the floor, the Magic are 9-7 this season. When he’s in the 30s or worse, the Magic are 4-13. Ross has to find ways to score efficiently for them because it gives Vucevic some much-needed assistance.
Why are they ranked here? Felt like the Magic had figured it out again when they won four out of five after losing 15 out of 18. But this week, they ran into a tough schedule. Losses to the Nets and Jazz are understandable, even though it happened by a combined 52 points. Losing to Detroit? Needed to take that one.
27. Detroit Pistons (↔Previously 27th), 9-25, -4.4 net rating
Weekly slate: Win at Magic, Loss at Pelicans, Loss to Kings, Loss to Knicks
The X-Factor role player: Delon Wright
A little tough to know how Wright will be with this abductor injury that will keep him out until after the All-Star break, but he’s been a huge plus for the Detroit Pistons backcourt this season. They lost Killian Hayes early on, and they moved Derrick Rose to New York. Dennis Smith Jr. is getting a little bit of a chance to build his career back up, but Wright has been the saving grace for them in the backcourt. Wright moves the ball, he rebounds the ball and he’s scoring efficiently for Dwane Casey’s squad. Wright is one of the few guys on the team who can get into the teeth of the defense and make something happen.
Why are they ranked here? The Pistons should’ve won that game against the Kings. Still looking pretty competitive even when the wins aren’t happening, but the Pistons don’t move this week.
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28. Sacramento Kings (↓Previously 25th), 13-21, -5.8 net rating
Weekly slate: Loss at Nets, Loss at Knicks, Win at Pistons, Loss to Hornets
The X-Factor role player: Richaun Holmes
This is an easy pick for the Sacramento Kings. Marvin Bagley III has stabilized his season enough to where the Kings aren’t completely reliant on Richaun Holmes for interior play, but he’s still the most important big man they have on the roster. He’s a rim-protecting threat on the worst defense in NBA history. He’s finishing at the rim nearly 80 percent of the time, and his rebounding has been best on the team. It’s a contract year for Holmes, and after the way he’s played these two seasons in Sacramento, he should be working his way toward a massive payday.
Why are they ranked here? Good win against Detroit in gutting that out, but the Kings are still just so tough to believe in.
29. Houston Rockets (↓Previously 26th), 11-21, -4.1 net rating
Weekly slate: Loss to Bulls, Loss at Cavs, Loss at Raptors, Loss to Grizzlies
The X-Factor role player: Jae’Sean Tate
The Houston Rockets are in such a bad place without Wood in the mix, so hopefully he’ll be back from that ankle problem in no time. In the meantime, there is a gem of a role player the Rockets unearthed this season. Tate is a 6-foot-4 forward, sort of in the mini mold of P.J. Tucker from a strength and playing up a position or two standpoint. Tate has come in and been pretty efficient, even though his 3-point shot (32.3 percent) isn’t quite what you’d want it to be. He’s pretty fearless going to the rack, where he’s converting nearly 70 percent of his attempts. The Rockets have him for at least two more years for about $3 million total.
Why are they ranked here? They’ve lost 11 straight games, and only three of them have been by single digits.
GIF ON THE BEAT:
30. Minnesota Timberwolves (↓Previously 29th), 7-28, -7.7 net rating
Weekly slate: Loss to Bucks, Loss at Bulls, Loss at Wizards, Loss to Suns
The X-Factor role player: Jarred Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt got a lot of time for the Minnesota Timberwolves for a couple of reasons. First, we saw Karl-Anthony Towns miss a ton of time. Second, Vanderbilt’s hustle has helped keep him in the rotation. He’s undersized for playing the four and the five, but we’ve seen him at both positions pretty often. He’s been starting for them, even with Towns back, since Valentine’s Day. Vanderbilt won’t give them anything outside of the paint on offense, but defensively, he’s all over the floor. For a team as bad as the Wolves are on defense, they need that energy constantly. He’s been a great addition to the team in that Malik Beasley deal.
Why are they ranked here? Minnesota changed its coach from Ryan Saunders to Chris Finch, and it turns out they’re still pretty bad. Hammered by the Bucks and Wizards. Barely lost to Chicago, but the Wolves have now lost eight straight.
(Illustration: Wes McCabe / The Athletic)
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