Over the past few days in preparation for the 2025-26 NBA season, ESPN has been rolling out a ranking of the top 100 players in the league.
It first rolled out Nos. 100-51, then Nos. 50-11 and finally the top 10 on Thursday.
Among players on the rebuilding Utah Jazz squad, Lauri Markkanen came in at No. 43, while Walker Kessler snuck in at No. 98.
Of Markkanen, Ramona Shelburne wrote, “Markkanen had an incredible performance leading Finland to the bronze medal game at EuroBasket -- including an upset of Serbia. But Markkanen didn’t quite reach expectations last season in Utah after signing a monster extension in the offseason, playing in just 47 games and averaging 19 points and just 5.9 rebounds for the tanking Jazz.
“That’s as much on the Jazz as it is Markkanen, who reminded everyone this summer just how versatile and dangerous he can be.”
Of Kessler, Shelburne wrote, “The Jazz have made it clear the fourth-year center is part of their future by consistently rebuffing trade calls from inquiring teams. From the moment Kessler came into the league, he has been an elite shot blocker and defensive presence.
“The issue is that Utah is still a perennial lottery team, so it’s hard to evaluate Kessler’s growth when his games played has declined each season with the Jazz jockeying for draft positioning. Kessler started all 58 games he played last season and averaged career highs in points (11.1), rebounds (12.2) and assists (1.7).”
In addition to current Jazzmen Markkanen and Kessler, there are several former Jazz players on the list. Donovan Mitchell is at No. 15, Rudy Gobert is at No. 49 and Nickeil Alexander-Walker is at No. 96.
One other player with Utah ties — former Utah Runnin’ Utes big man Jakob Poeltl now of the Toronto Raptors — came in at No. 93.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams, the older brother of Jazz second-year forward Cody Williams, is ranked No. 11. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the cousin of Alexander-Walker and the reigning NBA MVP, is at No. 2.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is at No. 1.