NBA Power Rankings: 1 player from each team who needs to step up
NBA Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's basketball editors.
This week, we're casting aside our usual positive approach by identifying an individual from each team who needs to step up, whether it's a player mired in a slow start or a squad's weakest link.
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ATL | BKN | BOS | CHA | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN | NOP | NYK | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX | POR | SAC | SAS | TOR | UTA | WAS
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (21-1)
Previous: 1
Jaylin Williams: It's hard to poke any holes in the Thunder when they're off to a dominant 21-1 start. However, Oklahoma City could use more efficient production from Williams, who's shooting a career-low 36.2% from the field on 5 attempts per game.
2. Detroit Pistons (17-4)
Previous: 3
Caris LeVert: It's not LeVert's fault that he's been tasked with running the Pistons' second unit as a point guard, though it's abundantly clear that he's more adept at being a secondary ball-handler. A trade looms for the veteran guard.
3. Los Angeles Lakers (15-5)
Previous: 4
Gabe Vincent: Vincent's strong showing during the Miami Heat's 2023 Finals run earned him a three-year, $33-million contract with the Lakers. But the seventh-year guard has struggled with injuries throughout his L.A. tenure and hasn't delivered the same offensive punch when available.
4. Houston Rockets (13-5)
Previous: 5
Alperen Sengun: Though elite offensively, Sengun's defensive limitations remain perceptible. The 23-year-old center's too easily burned on switches, and his poor timing neutralizes him as a rim-protector. It's no surprise Houston's defense is at its best (102.6 defensive rating) when he sits.
5. Denver Nuggets (14-6)
Previous: 2
Bruce Brown: Denver needs much more from Brown with Christian Braun out with an ankle sprain. In eight games without Braun, Brown is shooting just 32.1% (14.3% from distance) and hasn't had the defensive impact to make those numbers worth it.
6. New York Knicks (13-7)
Previous: 6
Jordan Clarkson: He was supposed to boost the Knicks' bench, but he's averaging career lows in points (10.2) and minutes (19.4). Those might temporarily rise in Landry Shamet's absence but could shrink again if New York acquires a backup point guard.
7. Toronto Raptors (15-7)
Previous: 13
Gradey Dick: The Raptors are 25th in made threes and 27th in attempts from deep. Dick's career-low 3-point percentage (31.3%) and scoring (6.9) haven't provided the punch off the bench that was expected from the third-year perimeter threat.
8. San Antonio Spurs (14-6)
Previous: 7
Jeremy Sochan: Sochan's role is dwindling after starting 149 games in his first three NBA seasons. The former No. 9 overall pick is a talented multi-positional defender, but his lack of offensive development is preventing him from getting more minutes.
9. Miami Heat (14-7)
Previous: 17
Nikola Jovic: Since a career-high 29 points against Portland on Nov. 8, Jovic's form has fallen off a cliff. He's averaging 3.3 points on 25.8% shooting in six games since. Miami also won five straight while he was out with a hip impingement.
10. Atlanta Hawks (13-9)
Previous: 9
Kristaps Porzingis: The Latvian was expected to make a bigger impact and is grabbing a career-low 5.9 boards for a team that sits 25th in rebounding. In the process, he's become Atlanta's second-most reliable center after Onyeka Okongwu.
11. Orlando Magic (13-8)
Previous: 16
Desmond Bane: While Orlando's blockbuster trade for Bane hasn't been disastrous, it's safe to say they expected more from him. Bane was supposed to solve the Magic's long-standing floor-spacing issues, but he's only making a career-low 32.4% of his 3-point attempts.
12. Cleveland Cavaliers (13-9)
Previous: 8
Darius Garland: Finding a rhythm was always going to be difficult for Garland due to his disruptive toe injury, but the Cavs are leaking buckets with him back. Cleveland's allowing a team-worst 120.6 points per 100 possessions with him on the court.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves (13-8)
Previous: 12
Rob Dillingham: The second-year guard was expected to take the next step, but he's shooting 35.3% from the field and 31.6% from deep. The T-Wolves' offensive rating when Dillingham's on the floor is a dismal 102.1 versus 120.5 when he sits.
14. Phoenix Suns (13-9)
Previous: 14
Nick Richards: Richards' rebounding numbers are down significantly, although Phoenix's backup center has always been known for his high energy on the glass. The Suns could use his presence on the boards - they rank 22nd in rebounds.
15. Philadelphia 76ers (11-9)
Previous: 15
Justin Edwards: He earned a three-year deal after impressing as an undrafted rookie, but he's looked out of sorts in his second season. Philadelphia is losing his minutes in 2025-26 by 14.3 points per 100 possessions, the worst net rating involving any of their players.
16. Golden State Warriors (11-11)
Previous: 11
Buddy Hield: Hield's pure scoring impact should theoretically outweigh his poor defense, but that hasn't been the case this year. His 3-point shooting is at a career-low 30%, which only magnifies a defensive rating of 117 that ranks second worst on Golden State.
17. Boston Celtics (12-9)
Previous: 20
Luka Garza: Opponents are shooting 51.5% when they attack Garza directly, the worst defended field-goal percentage of any Celtic, compared to 49.6% otherwise. As he's the only center on the main roster behind Neemias Queta, that's a glaring issue.
18. Chicago Bulls (9-11)
Previous: 18
Coby White: It might seem harsh to criticize White, who has been good on the offensive end, but his 111.7 defensive rating is the lowest among a sieve of a starting five and not compatible with Billy Donovan's attempts to establish a defensive-minded team.
19. Memphis Grizzlies (9-13)
Previous: 24
Ja Morant: When they dealt Bane, the Grizzlies were adamant that it wasn't the first step in a rebuild. They might regret that decision now that Morant is embroiled in a career-defining debacle. Good luck getting fair value for damaged goods.
20. Milwaukee Bucks (9-13)
Previous: 10
Kyle Kuzma: Kuzma is simply not giving the Bucks enough production, especially as their third-highest paid player. He's averaging 13 points, shooting an underwhelming 35.6% from deep, and has been maddeningly inconsistent on the defensive end.
21. Portland Trail Blazers (8-13)
Previous: 19
Kris Murray: Portland invested a 2023 first-round pick in Murray with the hope that he'd develop into a 3-and-D wing. Murray's hustle and defensive versatility are earning him more minutes, but his inconsistency from beyond the arc isn't helping the Blazers' shooting woes.
22. Charlotte Hornets (6-15)
Previous: 22
LaMelo Ball: There's no denying Ball's talent. He's an electric playmaker who can make every pass in the book. But his shot selection and worrying lack of defensive effort - especially as the face of the Hornets - leave a lot to be desired.
23. Utah Jazz (7-13)
Previous: 23
Cody Williams: Falling out of the rotation on this Jazz team isn't a great omen. A recent G League assignment may be Williams' last chance to regain the trust of the franchise that drafted him 10th overall just over a year ago.
24. Dallas Mavericks (7-15)
Previous: 26
D'Angelo Russell: Russell has racked up a couple of recent DNP-CDs while Jason Kidd turns to undrafted point guard Ryan Nembhard. The veteran's two-year, $13-million deal now amounts to a significant misuse of cap space. You can call that a new D-Low.
25. Sacramento Kings (5-16)
Previous: 25
Nique Clifford: Sacramento needs all the help it can get on both ends of the floor. First-year guard Clifford was known for his versatile skill set in college and has an opportunity to establish himself as a key part of the Kings' present and future.
26. Indiana Pacers (4-17)
Previous: 28
Jarace Walker: Indiana's campaign isn't entirely a lost cause, as Walker's got ample time to develop and prove that he's ready for a role on a contending squad next season. Improving on his 33.5% field-goal percentage would be a good start.
27. Los Angeles Clippers (5-16)
Previous: 21
Kawhi Leonard: Availability is the best ability, and after Chris Paul was abruptly sent home during a five-game road trip, the focus again shifts to Leonard, who's played in just 11 of 21 games. If the goal is to keep him fresh for the playoffs, the Clippers may want to check the standings.
28. Washington Wizards (3-17)
Previous: 30
Khris Middleton: The Wizards aren't actively trying to win, but they will look to trade CJ McCollum and Middleton at the deadline to acquire draft capital, and the latter is not exactly increasing his value with 10.1 points in 25.9 minutes per game.
29. New Orleans Pelicans (3-19)
Previous: 29
Jordan Poole: Poole's missed the past month with a quad strain, but the break may help reset his approach. He shot 35.4% through seven games before his injury, his worst rate since his 33.3% clip as a rookie on the 15-50 Warriors.
30. Brooklyn Nets (4-16)
Previous: 27
Ziaire Williams: The Nets are actively trying to lose games, so in consideration of this approach, they don't need anyone to step up. However, for the purposes of this exercise, Williams' criminal 38% field-goal percentage could, and should, be better.