As we shared yesterday, this week ESPN is publishing their annual ranking of the Top 100 Players currently in the NBA. Donovan Clingan, Ja Morant, Jrue Holiday, and Damian Lillard all ranked between 51-100 on the list. Players 40-10 were revealed today.
As expected, Deni Avdija—Portland’s All-Star—made the grade. ESPN ranked Avdija 27th overall, just above Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, just below Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley. Of Avdija, ESPN staff member Ben Golliver said:
Few observers
saw Avdija’s rapid ascension coming when the Blazers acquired him from the Wizards in a largely overlooked 2024 trade. The punishing wing enjoyed a breakout 2025-26 campaign, posting career highs in scoring, player efficiency rating and win shares while earning his first All-Star selection and leading Portland to the playoffs for the first time in five years. There’s more good news: Avdija projects as one of the NBA’s best values in 2026-27 given that his bargain $13.1 million salary is less than the midlevel exception.
While Avdija’s inclusion was not a surprise, the omission of Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara from the list entirely was. Camara is a former All-NBA Defensive Team member. He played more minutes this past season than he did the year prior, when he received that award. He also improved his scoring and several major per-minute and advanced stats. Many fans in Portland assumed his absence from the 51-100 list indicated he would appear in the 1-50 bracket. It turns out, that was because ESPN left out Camara entirely. Unless, of course, the four-letter experts intend to rank Camara Top 10 in the NBA. One can always hope.
What do you think? Good call on Deni’s ranking, or should he be higher or lower? Boo for omitting Toumani? Share your thoughts and analysis in the comments section below!
