Luka Doncic Top Pick To Build Around; LaMelo Ball Falls

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In January of 2022, HoopsHype polled 15 NBA executives and asked them to rank their top five players under 25 years old by the start of the NBA season to build around. We have repeated the exercise ahead of the 2022-23 season.

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic was the unanimous first choice among the NBA executives polled, while Evan Mobley and Anthony Edwards were two of the top risers.

Four new players earned votes while three players fell in the ranking.

In our scoring system, the top player received five points, the second received four points, the third received three points, the fourth received two points, and the fifth player received one point for each ballot.

The results of the poll are listed below.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Share of the vote: 100 percent of maximum amount possible

Previous ranking: No. 1

Luka Doncic was the unanimous choice to build around, according to NBA executives for the first time in our poll since September 2020.

“Luka’s size, IQ, scoring ability from every level, and passing will allow him to continue to play at an MVP caliber level,” one NBA executive told HoopsHype.

After leading the NBA in usage percentage last season (37.4) and Dallas to the Western Conference Finals, Doncic has one of the best global ratings in the EuroBasket tournament thus far.

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Share of the vote: 69.3 percent of maximum amount possible

Previous ranking: No. 2

Jayson Tatum received 11 of 15 second-place votes from the NBA executives in our poll.

“Tatum has an elite ability to create and maintain advantages on the offensive end,” an NBA executive told HoopsHype. “His versatility and athleticism will allow him to continue to impact the game on both sides of the court.”

Tatum looked like a future MVP candidate during the playoffs as the primary defender on Kevin Durant in a sweep of the Nets and two impressive series against the Bucks and Heat, where he averaged a combined 26.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists before falling to the Warriors in the Finals.

Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Share of the vote: 44 percent of maximum amount possible

Previous ranking: No. 3

Four NBA executives voted Ja Morant as high as second overall on their ballots.

“I’m a believer in building around playmakers, and that’s why I love him,” one NBA executive said.

After becoming an All-Star for the first time, earning All-NBA honors, and winning the Most Improved Player award, Morant will look to lead Memphis past the Western Conference Semifinals for the first time since 2013.

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Share of the vote: 28 percent of maximum amount possible

Previous ranking: No. 6

Five NBA executives voted Evan Mobley as high as third overall on their ballots.

Despite losing the Rookie of the Year award to Raptors forward Scottie Barnes, Mobley ranked ahead of his classmate in this poll. Cleveland could also vault Toronto in the standings following the acquisition of All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell this offseason.

After tying for fifth in the NBA in blocks per game (1.7), Mobley projects as a future frontcourt All-Star.

Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports

Share of the vote: 16 percent of maximum amount possible

Previous ranking: No. 9

Two NBA executives voted Anthony Edwards as high as third overall on their ballots.

“He took a huge step last season,” an NBA executive said. “He played better defense and can score the ball. He’s got the potential to be a two-way player.”

After finishing Top 20 among all NBA players in scoring and minutes played and Top 15 in steals and three-pointers last season, Edwards shined on a national stage during the playoffs by averaging 25.2 points on 45.5 percent shooting from the field and 40.4 percent from three-point range against the Grizzlies.