12. James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers
If there was one player that I had a difficult time ranking, it was James Harden. He has so much uncertainty revolving around him heading into the 2023-24 NBA season. But based on talent and production, he’s easily one of the 12-best point guards at this point in his career. If it wasn’t for his health concerns and postseason shortcomings, he’d probably be ranked higher on this list. But this is more of a projection for the upcoming season than a ranking based on accolades; let’s remember that.
Here are the facts: Harden is 34 years old and is likely going to hit a wall over the course of the next couple of seasons. I think it may happen sooner rather than later, and there’s no guarantee that we see him at all this season anyway. What if the Sixers continue to call his bluff and don’t trade him? Will he sit out the first part of the season? Is he willing to sit out until the NBA Trade Deadline?
There are so many questions revolving around Harden’s future in the NBA. Talent-wise? He’s still a top-12 point guard in the NBA, but he’s clearly dropping.