Before every season, CBS does their annual “NBA Top 100 players, ranked” article, and fans everywhere either lose their minds or are occasionally pleasantly surprised. The 2024-2025 iteration is no different, however there are some interesting things to discuss when it comes to where the Denver Nuggets' “Core 4” ended up on this list.
Last year, there were five Nuggets ranked in the top 100, but the departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (ranked 99th last year), has dropped that number down to 4 for Mile High Basketball. KCP, now suiting up for the Orlando Magic, finds himself ranked 95th this year and former Nuggets Isaiah Hartenstein (73rd) and Jerami Grant (78th) are also ranked.
As for current Nuggets, all of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Michael Porter Jr. are on the top 100 list, but there are some questionable rankings to say the least. Where did the former NBA championship starters find themselves ranked this year in CBS’ top 100 players?
2 Nuggets look to prove haters wrong, 2 more aim to stay on track
Michael Porter Jr. - Ranked 68th
Michael Porter Jr. is ranked… just right. Following the championship run, where MPJ played well in the playoff series leading up to the 2023 NBA Finals, but couldn’t find his shot against the Miami Heat, CBS had him ranked 69th. This year, the 6’10” sniper jumps up just one spot, and while some could nitpick, the placement feels fine.
MPJ saw his PPG drop slightly last season (17.4 → 16.7) in addition to his 3FG% taking a small hit (41.4% → 39.7%) from 2022-2023. Regardless, he suited up for a whopping 81 games, was a high-level rebounder averaging 7 per game, and was much more consistent defensively.
Other wings ranked in the same range: Trey Murphy III (72nd), Devin Vassell (67th), Brandon Miller (66th), and Jaden McDaniels (62nd).
Where did the Joker, Mr. Nugget, and the Blue Arrow finish in the top 100?