Analysis Media Site Preseason Player Rankings

[NotoriousHOP]

Instead of starting multiple threads for each media site, I'm going to try to do one thread. Scott will merge The Ringer thread and this one together.

CBS Sports

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-top-100-players-2025-26-season/

31
De'Aaron Fox
San Antonio Spurs PG
Last year's rank: 27. We didn't get to see much of the Fox-Victor Wembanyama connection, but the lightning-quick point guard put up big-time numbers in an uncomfortable situation in Sacramento before he was traded. Fox averaged 25 points, six assists and five rebounds with the Kings -– only eight other NBA players put up those numbers last season. Add in the fact that he's one of the league's best clutch performers, and you have a 27-year-old poised to lead a Spurs team hoping to make a leap in the Western Conference. -- Colin Ward-Henninger

5
Victor Wembanyama
San Antonio Spurs C
Last year's rank: 12. In Season 3 of The Wemby Show, the question is just what kind of offensive player he's going to be. Already the league's most game-breaking defender, Wembanyama has the skill set to be equally dominant with the ball in his hands. Will the 21-year-old take a step forward as a 3-point shooter? A passer? A post-up guy? This is an unprecedented player with limitless potential, and the best part is that he's fully intent on making the most of it. If the 7-foot-5 wonder barges into the MVP conversation, don't be shocked. It would only be slightly ahead of schedule. -- James Herbert

 

[NotoriousHOP]

Bleacher Report

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25259327-top-100-players-2025-26-nba-season-ranked

91. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
2024-25 Stats: 14.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 42.8 FG%, 28.5 3PT%

Age: 20

Four Spurs have captured NBA Rookie of the Year honors: David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Victor Wembanyama and Castle. For now at least, Castle is the one player who's clearly not like the others, but he earned that honor with stingy defense, aggressive scoring and solid shot-creation.

The question now is whether that award was the signal of a rising star, or if he just happened to capitalize on a pretty dismal year for rookies. Because if he can't find more in his game—better efficiency, a wider gap between his assists and turnovers—he could get left behind in a backcourt that has added an All-Star (De'Aaron Fox) and a No. 2 pick (Dylan Harper) since Castle's arrival.

Perhaps this competition brings out the best in everyone. Or maybe it proves that the overlapping skills between them, which everyone else is worried about, are actually issues. If Castle can improve his shooting and increase his off-ball value, he has a real chance to improve this ranking mid-season, next year, and solidify his place in San Antonio's long-term future.

—Eric Pincus

Highest Rank: 51

Lowest Rank: Unranked

36. De'Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs
2024-25 Stats: 23.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 6.3 APG, 0.4 BPG, 1.5 SPG, 46.3 FG%, 31.0 3PT%

Age: 27

Fox earned his lone All-Star berth in 2022-23, the only year the Sacramento Kings made the playoffs in a long, long time. He was arguably better the following year, but the Kings weren't—the team's trajectory eventually led to Fox's mid-season trade to the Spurs last season.

Unfortunately, Victor Wembanyama was shut down with a deep vein thrombosis. Still confident in the duo, San Antonio rewarded Fox with a lucrative long-term extension.

Now, Fox and Wembanyama will team up to help elevate the franchise back into playoff contention. Fox is one of the fastest guards in the league with the ball. At his best, he's a paint-scoring point guard who has shown that he can shoot the three (though his career-average of 33 percent is subpar).

The bigger-picture question for the Spurs and Fox has to do with the team's last two drafts, taking current Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle (No. 4) in 2024 and Dylan Harper (No. 2) in June. How will the young guards develop if Fox dominates the ball? Too much talent is rarely an issue. Fox is in his prime but will miss the initial start of the season with a hamstring injury. The Spurs will presumably use Castle (a strong defender) and Harper in complementary roles as they continue to develop. The Fox and Wembanyama combination should prove to be dynamic enough to propel San Antonio into playoff (or at worst, play-in) range.

—Eric Pincus

Highest Rank: 25

Lowest Rank: 48

6. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
2024-25 Stats: 24.3 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 3.7 APG, 3.8 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 47.6 FG%, 35.2 3PT%

Age: 21

Just after Victor Wembanyama was drafted, legendary reporter Adrian Wojnarowski said, "There's been no shortage of executives who I really respect in the NBA who think he could be the best player at both ends of the floor by his third or fourth year."

At the time, the praise almost seemed unfair. But now, just two short years later, it's hard to deny.

Wembanyama, now listed at 7'5", moves in a way most big men five or six inches shorter can't. He slides his feet like a wing. He shoots jumpers from angles most guards won't even try. And he doesn't sacrifice the benefits of his length for his size-defying skill and athleticism. No one in the NBA covers more ground and deters more would-be scorers on defense.

To top it all off, he has a burgeoning playmaking ability that could make him every bit as impactful on the offensive end as he is on the other. All of those skills have combined to give him jaw-dropping averages of 22.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.7 blocks and 1.2 steals over his first 117 career games.

If he plays enough games to qualify this season, there's an outside chance he could crash the MVP party.

—Andy Bailey

Highest Rank: 5

Lowest Rank: 11

 

[NotoriousHOP]

ESPN

NBA Rank is here! Experts stack the best players, from Nos. 100 to 51

We're counting down the top 100 players in the league for the 2025-26 season. What players broke into Nos. 100 to 51?

www.espn.com

Won't allow a cut and paste so here is the number ranking
99 - Stephon Castle, G, San Antonio Spurs

94 - Devin Vassell, G, San Antonio Spurs

NBA Rank 2025: Which players made the biggest leap into our Nos. 50-11?

NBA Rank 2025 continues! See which top players just missed the top 10, and who made the biggest leaps this season.

www.espn.com

35 - De'Aaron Fox, G, San Antonio Spurs

Top 10 not released yet.

 

[NotoriousHOP]

Sports Illustrated

2025 SI NBA 100 Rankings, Nos. 100–51: Stephon Castle Shines As Newcomer

Veterans like CJ McCollum and Klay Thompson still bring a lot of value, while younger players like Dyson Daniels and Brandon Miller have room to room.

www.si.com

100. Stephon Castle
Spurs PG | 14.7 PPG • 3.7 RPG • 4.1 APG

In a supporting role, Castle, last season’s top rookie, put up solid numbers: 14.7 points and 4.1 assists. In a starring role, which Castle took on in the final month of the season, with De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama out, they were even better. In 18 starts to close out the season, Castle averaged 18.1 points and 6.2 assists. Castle will have to work on his efficiency (42.8%/28.5%) and his role in the Spurs’ suddenly crowded backcourt, but Castle’s combination of skill and defensive versatility will keep him on the floor. Expect a strong sophomore season.

91. Devin Vassell
Spurs SG/SF | 16.3 PPG • 4.0 RPG • 36.8 3FG%

Vassell is a pretty good young player in a great position with the Spurs. While it’s become a crowded backcourt in San Antonio, Vassell is the best shooter of the various options coach Mitch Johnson has at his disposal. Last season showed how effective he can be playing off Victor Wembanyama as a scorer. Just as intriguing were the flashes of elite defense Vassell showed when he was locked in. However, his night-to-night production varied wildly. Entering the second year of a $100 million extension, Vassell has a lot of talent but just as much to prove and must start by giving consistent effort on both ends every game.

2025 SI NBA 100 Rankings, Nos. 50–11: Where Jalen Williams’s Unforeseen Rise Lands Him

Also, see where veterans like Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard and Stephen Curry land just outside of the top 10.

www.si.com

30. De’Aaron Fox
Spurs PG | 23.5 PPG • 6.3 APG • 1.5 SPG

The Spurs saw enough out of the 17 games Fox played after being acquired from Sacramento—including just five with Victor Wembanyama—to hand the speedy playmaker a four-year, $229 million extension this summer. Fox is sharp in the pick-and-roll and a blur in the open floor and is just a year removed from winning the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year award, all of which should help relieve the pressure on Wembanyama. Still, Fox is streaky from the perimeter (31% from three last season) and his assist-to-turnover ratio routinely isn’t great. The pressure will be on Fox to validate that big contract.

2025 SI NBA 100 Rankings, Nos. 10–1: Victor Wembanyama Has Arrived

Plus, LeBron James remains in elite territory and the arguments for the top three spots could get spicier this season.

www.si.com

5. Victor Wembanyama
Spurs PF/C | 24.3 PPG • 11.0 RPG • 3.8 BPG

San Antonio Spurs forward-center Victor Wembanyama drives to the basket.
San Antonio Spurs power forward/center Victor Wembanyama. | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
As remarkable as it seems, the 21-year-old Wembanyama is already among the league’s very best players. He is a true unicorn defensively, combining an alien wingspan of eight feet with excellent instincts, unbelievable quickness and a tremendous sense of court awareness to completely lock down the paint. He erases any shots within his general vicinity and led the league by averaging a whopping 3.8 blocks per game. Offensively, the French big man is still coming into his own and learning what his size and length allow him to do, but nevertheless still averaged 24.3 points to go with 11.0 rebounds per game. The NBA has never seen a player quite like Wembanyama, but it’s undeniable that he completely changes the geometry of the floor. The flow of play warps around his otherworldly proportions. Assuming he comes back at full force, Wembanyama is a one-of-a-kind star.

 

[NotoriousHOP]

HoopsHype

NBA Ranking: The Top 100 players for 2025-26

HoopsHype projects and ranks the 100 players for the 2025-26 NBA season, featuring Shai-Gilgeous Alexaner, Nikola Jokic, Anthony Edwards and more.

www.hoopshype.com

94. Stephon Castle (San Antonio)
2024-25 stats: 14.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.1 apg, 0.9 spg, 42.8 FG%

2025-26 salary: $9,560,520 (179th overall)

The reigning Rookie of the Year, former UConn Husky Stephon Castle has yet to turn 21 years old, indicating he could have a high ceiling for the San Antonio Spurs.

Castle’s got a quick first step and a strong shoulder, allowing him to use his athleticism to finish around the basket explosively. Castle still has to add some refinement to his game - his shooting is inconsistent, as is his decision-making - and the fact that he’ll now have to share so much of the ball with a more established point guard (who is coming up later in this ranking) could hurt his short-term production outlook this season. San Antonio also added another guard who projects to need a lot of the ball, reigning No. 2 overall draft pick Dylan Harper, to the fold, further muddying Castle’s outlook.

Even so, overall, Castle is very promising, possessing All-Star-level tools on both ends of the floor.

27. De’Aaron Fox (San Antonio)
2024-25 stats: 26.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 6.1 apg, 1.8 spg, 43.7 FG%

2025-26 salary: $37,096,620 (39th overall)

The explosive De’Aaron Fox possesses lightning speed and off-the-dribble scoring ability from all three levels, with elite athleticism on both ends of the floor. If he were simply a more consistent shooter from beyond the arc, Fox would be a perennial All-NBA player due to his two-way abilities.

It’ll be interesting to see how Fox produces this season, his first true campaign playing alongside phenom Victor Wembanyama, by far the most talented player Fox has ever graced the floor with, but one who will demand a lot of the ball. Regardless, we expect Fox, thanks to his fantastic speed and defending ability, to remain one of the most impactful point guards in the league.

9. Victor Wembanayama (San Antonio)

2024-25 stats: 24.3 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 3.7 apg, 47.6 FG%, 35.2 3P%

2025-26 salary: $13,376,695 (138th overall)

We’re putting a lot of faith here in Victor Wembanyama’s health here, as his second season ending due to a blood clot was concerning to say the least. Then again, if that health scare remains in the past, we have full confidence Wembanyama will be one of the top players in the league, not just among centers, as evidenced by us having him as a Top 10 player in the league this year.As a rookie, the French big man became the first first-year player to earn 1st Team All-Defense honors. He has led the league in nightly blocks in both of his seasons in the league. He’s a high-level rebounder and is a good creator, too. And that’s without mentioning Wembanyama’s offensive game, which looks like a supersized version of Kevin Durant - replete with ridiculous scoring off-the-dribble and from all three levels - in a 7-foot-3 body with an otherworldly 8-foot wingspan. Wembanyama can also handle like a guard, making slower-footed foes look foolish in the process of trying to stay in front of him.

Wembanyama has legit MVP potential, and we think he could start approaching that ceiling as soon as this season.

We’re just hoping the blood clot issue was a one-time thing.

 

[scott]

So turns out I don't know how to merge threads... but I like this one. Eventually I'll figure out how to move the comments from the Ringer thread over here.

 

[NotoriousHOP]

So I looked at the lists and am coming up with one or two people that I believe Castle should be ahead of or, if he was omitted, who he should replace.

Castle wasn't on The Ringer nor CBS Sports.

For The Ringer, Castle over TJ McConnell. McConnell has grit and can score in bunches but I said what I said.

For CBS Sports, I think Daniel Gafford benefited greatly from being on the receiving end of Doncic passes. Without even Irving to feed him, I don't see him being above Castle. And it's my opinion that Castle will be better than Podziemski.

 

[Arguendo]

Thanks for the thread, Ringer's the only one I would've sought out. It'll be interesting to check back in on these when they update.

I'm super optimistic this is the yr Wemby really becomes elite on O, get close to the level of Joker/SGA/Luka, and like them lifts every single player who shares the court with him.
There's superstars that lift everyone up typically by being elite/unselfish/smart passers, than there's the ones that are phenomenal and create gravity but don't necessary lift in the same way. I'm confident Wemby is the former (he's already that on D) and will show it this year.

That alone could easily lift Castle and Vassell way up in these rankings. Harper could be there real quick.
I know I shouldn't be super hopefully about Vassell (and honestly I want Champ to start), but he really could be either a very high end #4 or a potential 6th man playing next to Harper and just playing his damn role and putting all that dribble-dribble-dribble energy into D effort. I thought his D intensity/effort was impressive this preseason (at least on the Vassell curve, it was notable but sample size).

Tired of hypotheticals, sooooo ready for this season. 6 more days, LFG!

 

[inagra]

Preseason	Wemby	Fox	Vassell	Castle
Ringer	6	28	86	na
CBS Sports	5	31	na	na
SI Sports	5	30	91	100
Bleacher Report	6	36	na	91
ESPN	5	35	94	99
Hoopshype	9	27	na	94
Clutchpoints	9	29	97	74

ClutchPoints' NBA Top 100 player rankings for 2025-26 season: The full list

Who are the top 100 players entering the 2025-26 NBA season? We answered this question at ClutchPoints with our full list.

clutchpoints.com

 

[scott]

Preseason	Wemby	Fox	Vassell	Castle
Ringer	6	28	86	na
CBS Sports	5	31	na	na
SI Sports	5	30	91	100
Bleacher Report	6	36	na	91
ESPN	5	35	94	99
Hoopshype	9	27	na	94

Love this chart, thank you!

 

[NotoriousHOP]

Thanks for the Cluchpoints add! That's a nicely aggressive ranking for Castle. Love it.

Back to my rankings disagreement where I select a player or two that I believe Castle should be ahead of

Bleacher Report

I'd take Castle over Jabari Smith Jr. And I like Castle over Onyeke Okongwu although some may disagree.

Sports Illustrated
Castle over Donte DiVincenzo

 

[The_Second_Coming_of_VY65]

Preseason	Wemby	Fox	Vassell	Castle
Ringer	6	28	86	na
CBS Sports	5	31	na	na
SI Sports	5	30	91	100
Bleacher Report	6	36	na	91
ESPN	5	35	94	99
Hoopshype	9	27	na	94
Clutchpoints	9	29	97	74

ClutchPoints' NBA Top 100 player rankings for 2025-26 season: The full list

Who are the top 100 players entering the 2025-26 NBA season? We answered this question at ClutchPoints with our full list.

clutchpoints.com

These sorts of charts are awesome for ratings.

Also lol ringer for having Vassell at 86 (what the actual fuck) and not even ranking Steph. Weirdly, ESPN's seems the most accurate.

Related, but did anyone catch Vecenie revising his preseason expectations upwards based on what VIc has shown in the preseason?