Post by Go Niners on Jan 20, 2023 18:53:21 GMT -8
Ahsan's Top 15 Most Valuable Players
DISCLAIMER: Please note that these are all OPINIONS. I may have forgotten somebody here and there and for that, I do apologize. But this is my ranking of whom I feel are the top players from a value standpoint. If you disagree, I do urge you to write your own rebuttal article. Thank you.
These are the players in my mind which would demand a king's ransom if moved in order of potential cost:
- Kareem Abdul-JabbarPosition: C/PF
Age: 23
Experience: 1
Ratings: A- C C+ A- A A
Stats: 36.8 26.0 13.1 4.0 1.2 3.2 2.0 .454 .868 .000
Contract: $3,104,934 $3,321,514 $3,517,514 $0
Analysis: People may call me a homer for saying this but I honestly do believe it with my heart of hearts, Kareem is the player in the league who should command the most in trade if ever placed on the block. Following his rookie year, he got +15 to his potential to get it back up to 100 so likely still has potential in the 90s. The reigning Rookie of the Year has made the All-Star Game in each of his first two seasons, his stocks are developing well to go along with elite-level scoring/rebounding and near-max handles for the center position. He will be a force in the league for many seasons to come.
2.
- Lou HudsonPosition: SG/SF
Age: 26
Experience: 4
Ratings: A- A B+ B- C+ B
Stats: 39.3 33.4 7.8 5.1 1.5 1.8 1.2 .499 .836 .419
Contract: $12,000,000 $13,500,000 $15,000,000 $16,500,000 $18,000,000 $19,500,000 $21,000,000 $0
Analysis: Honestly this guy looks like the next Sam Jones/John Havlicek level type of player. Scores efficiently at an elite clip, elite-level rebounder for an SG, great handles and terrific stocks (especially blocks) at the SG position. Sweet Lou looks amazing. I might be overrating him a bit but dude looks sick and is still fairly young. Should be a scary force in this league for many years to come.
3.
- Oscar RobertsonPosition: PG/SG/SF/PF/C
Age: 32
Experience: 10
Ratings: A- A+ A- B B+ D
Stats: 37.8 33.9 11.1 5.0 1.5 1.2 1.7 .509 .901 .490
Contract: $18,900,000 $20,979,000 $23,286,690 $25,848,226 $28,350,000 $30,712,500 $0
Analysis: You can easily argue that he is the best player in the league. A triple-double threat at PG though this season, looks like the easy winner of the 6th Man of the Year award. He is really good at everything. Scoring, rebounding, handles, stocks. Multiple MVPs, a championship, a Playoff MVP. He may be 32 with 10 years experience but he isn't slowing down any time soon. Should demand a massive haul in any deal. I'm sure Skillz would absolutely get it soon.
4.
- Rick BarryPosition: SG/SF
Age: 26
Experience: 5
Ratings: A- A+ B+ B C+ A
Stats: 38.4 33.9 7.6 4.8 1.6 0.8 2.0 .512 .915 .468
Contract: $13,500,000 $15,000,000 $16,500,000 $18,000,000 $19,500,000 $21,000,000 $0
Analysis: The second Sonic on this list, JR has a good young core. Barry is an elite scorer/rebounder and eligible to play the SG position which is scary. Solid stocks-to-turnover ratio too. And at age 26, he should still be amazing for the next decade plus.
5.
- McCoy McLemorePosition: SG/SF
Age: 28
Experience: 7
Ratings: A- A+ C B- B- D
Stats: 37.2 34.0 8.6 3.2 1.5 1.6 1.4 .489 .877 .453
Contract: $16,500,000 $18,000,000 $19,500,000 $21,000,000 $0
Analysis: McLemore has been around for a while and seems to be getting better every year. Started as a PF, then moved to SF, now moved to SG where his rebounding is maxed out for the position. His scoring is absolutely elite. His stocks are great and his handles are exceptional. He is the perfect starting SG for any team.
6.
- Willis ReedPosition: PF/C
Age: 28
Experience: 6
Ratings: A- C D+ A- A B
Stats: 36.4 31.1 13.2 1.9 1.5 3.3 1.6 .499 .801 .000
Contract: $12,060,000 $13,065,000 $14,070,000 $15,075,000 $0
Analysis: Hilariously, #5 and #6 were traded for eachother a few seasons ago in a wild trade between kobe and DeeperThanSims and both are the best at their respective positions (McLemore at SG and Reed at PF). Reed is entering his prime and absolutely spectacular at everything. Scoring is elite, rebounding is elite, stocks are elite, handles are elite. Can argue him higher but feel like bigs are easier to find than wings overall.
7.
- Dan IsselPosition: SF
Age: 22
Experience: 0
Ratings: B A- C B+ B- A
Stats: 35.2 24.8 8.3 2.3 1.0 1.0 1.3 .432 .811 .392
Contract: $2,888,256 $3,104,934 $3,321,514 $3,517,514 $0
Analysis: Issel is a rookie but looks to have that McLemore-like potential in a league where everyone is looking for the next McCoy McLemore. His stats don't look that special right now but being traded, his value is set. He was dealt by hf to The Cincinnati Paingals for an elite big in Dave DeBusschere (whom I accidentally disrespected in my last article) along with a future elite big in Clifford Ray. So clearly, his value is through the roof right now being a rookie. I think it's fair to put him in the middle of my list.
8.
- Bob LanierPosition: C/PF
Age: 22
Experience: 0
Ratings: A- C C- B+ A- A
Stats: 35.8 25.5 12.0 1.9 0.9 1.4 1.5 .486 .840 .000
Contract: $2,830,491 $3,042,835 $3,255,084 $3,447,164 $0
Analysis: Now if Issel has that McLemore potential, Lanier has that Willis Reed like upside. A do-it-all big already showing elite scoring/rebounding, good handling and stock-potential. He's scary good as a rookie and should win the Rookie of the Year award. I'm sure autumn harold is very happy with him and I'm happy that he is happy. He deserves happiness. Regardless, back to the point - Lanier WILL be an elite big in this league and is scary good as a rookie.
9.
- Walt FrazierPosition: PG/SG
Age: 25
Experience: 4
Ratings: B A A- A C+ C
Stats: 38.8 29.1 7.1 12.2 1.9 0.1 1.7 .458 .916 .426
Contract: $12,000,000 $13,200,000 $14,400,000 $15,600,000 $16,800,000 $18,000,000 $0
Analysis: The first TRUE point guard on this list, Frazier is an elite rebounder at the position (second best behind Oscar in terms of players eligible to play the position right now). A stock-to-turnover ratio above 1 (which is difficult to find in a PG) and drops almost 30 PPG. Amazing shooter with B inside (also difficult to find in a PG). Perfect PG, beautiful player and I'm sure the original michael is very happy to have "Clyde" on his team.
10.
- Dick Van ArsdalePosition: SF/SG
Age: 27
Experience: 5
Ratings: A- A- C A C+ B
Stats: 39.4 34.3 7.8 2.9 1.7 1.0 1.3 .478 .933 .478
Contract: $13,200,000 $14,400,000 $15,600,000 $16,800,000 $18,000,000 $0
Analysis: DVA is a champ who was already traded for a prime Bill Russell so obviously his value is at an elite level. Since getting dealt as a rookie, he has only continued to improve. One of the best scorers in this league playing the SF position (and eligible to play the highly coveted SG position). Elite handles, elite defense, great stocks, great boards. He's just really good at everything. Feel like Dream's Team would demand a king's ransom for him (and that has likely stopped him from rebuilding as nobody is willing to pay the price).
11.
- Bob DandridgePosition: SF
Age: 23
Experience: 1
Ratings: B+ A C B+ B- A
Stats: 35.1 27.1 7.5 2.3 1.2 0.5 1.6 .468 .895 .414
Contract: $2,863,892 $3,063,659 $3,244,443 $0
Analysis: Felt like Dandridge was the second best player in the previous draft and he is only proving me right. His rebounding is amazing for a wing, handles are solid. Scoring 27.1 PPG at solid efficiency. I'm sure greeme knows what he has in Bob. B+ A scoring as a sophomore is wild. He is going to continue to get better, the stocks should get to an elite-level eventually and scoring efficiency will only continue to improve. He should be one of the best players in the game very soon if he isn't already.
12.
- Pete MaravichPosition: SG
Age: 23
Experience: 1
Ratings: B- A B+ B- C A
Stats: 37.7 25.6 6.0 4.9 2.1 0.0 2.3 .442 .889 .359
Contract: $3,042,835 $3,255,084 $3,447,164 $0
Analysis: I'll be honest, feel like Pistol is mostly name-value. He is a fun player who should be a big part of the Nuggets future with Royal at the helm. He is a good scorer, he does get 2.1 steals. He isn't particularly good at anything else but is only a sophomore continuing to improve. Should be interesting to see the type of player he becomes in this league. Jerry West was never great but always commanded a massive haul due to name value.
13.
- Connie HawkinsPosition: SF
Age: 29
Experience: 3
Ratings: A- A- C A B+ C
Stats: 38.2 32.0 9.5 3.8 1.6 1.2 1.7 .485 .881 .418
Contract: $14,400,000 $15,600,000 $16,800,000 $18,000,000 $0
Analysis: Connie might be 29 but only 3 years experience, feel like he hasn't yet entered his prime (as scary as that may sound). He is an elite rebounding wing with elite scoring. Solid stocks too. Handles are decent. I'm sure Braz is trying to get a lot for him as he is currently on the trade block. Should be interesting to see what he commands in trade.
14.
- Wilt ChamberlainPosition: C
Age: 34
Experience: 11
Ratings: A- C D+ A+ A+ B
Stats: 37.0 34.5 14.9 2.0 1.7 3.5 1.4 .503 .941 .000
Contract: $16,632,000 $18,144,000 $19,656,000 $21,168,000 $0
Analysis: I know he is 34 but with the potential resets (going back up to 75 this TC for the last time), I feel like he will play until age 44 and be elite throughout that entire time period. I honestly do believe that he is overall, the best player in the league (and honestly, not trying to be a homer, I am trying to be objective, I just do believe that with my heart of hearts). He is leading the league in scoring and rebounding right now while pulling over 5 stocks to only 1.4 turnovers. He is scary good. The biggest issue hurting him is being forced to be the top option in an inside offense when the inside offense is difficult to win with (don't think anyone in this league has won a title with an inside offense). But I'm obviously hoping that changes. I did give up two really good rookie prospects for Wilt along with all my picks while giving the Cavaliers their own pick back so they can tank. Clearly, his value is incredibly high despite the advanced age.
15.
- Dave CowensPosition: SF/PF/C
Age: 22
Experience: 0
Ratings: B B- C B+ B+ A
Stats: 33.0 19.8 10.3 2.8 0.7 1.3 1.5 .451 .782 .425
Contract: $3,042,835 $3,255,084 $3,447,164 $0
Analysis: I honestly feel like long-term, his position will be SF on a great team. The third overall pick in this past draft looks to be a potential double-double machine with solid defense. He is getting 2 stocks to 1.5 turnovers. As that B B- offense continues to improve, he should become a dangerous player in this league. Second player on this list for the Nuggets, Royal has a good thing going in Denver as they are poised to add another lotto pick this offseason.
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