NBA: Reacting to ESPN’s ‘Top 25 players under 25’ list

Utah Jazz Donovan Mitchell (Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports)
Utah Jazz Donovan Mitchell (Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports)
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Memphis Grizzlies
NBA Memphis Grizzlies Ja Morant (Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports)

NBA players under-ranked by ESPN

Ja Morant (#15) and Trae Young (#16)

These two point guards have been victims of their own success to some degree. I understand the (justified) criticisms of both. Ja Morant’s jumper has stagnated (in the last 73 games he’s shot 26.3% from deep), and with it so has Memphis’ overall offense. It’s looking like he’ll never be a difference-maker on the defensive end.

Trae Young’s individual brilliance has regressed as he (tries to) learn how to work with better teammates.

To me, Ja and Trae should be in the top 10 – which is where they were in last year’s rankings. Both have had prolonged stretches of carrying their teams as the lone shot-creator.  How many other players that age have taken on that type of offensive burden?