Yahoo Sports: Ranking the best 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th options in the NBA (Starting Lineup Power Rankings)

[bisme37]

Yahoo has a series of articles up ranking the best 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th options in the league. Here's what they came up with. Their reasoning for most of the rankings is given in the articles.

Best #1 options in the NBA:
1. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
2. Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
4. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Honorable mentions:
6. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
7. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
8. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
9. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
10. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
11. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
12. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
13. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies

The rest:
14. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers; 15. Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat; 16. Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans; 17. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers; 18. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers; 19. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic; 20. De'Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings; 21. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks; 22. Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz; 23. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors; 24. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons; 25. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets; 26. Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls; 27. Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers; 28. Jalen Green, Houston Rockets; 29. Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards; 30. Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets.
https://sports.yahoo.com/ranking-the-nbas-no-1-options-nikola-jokic-luka-doncic-and-the-leagues-best-leading-men-173440743.html

Best #2 options in the NBA:
1. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
2. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
3. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
4. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
5. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets

Honorable mentions:
6. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
7. Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks
8. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
9. Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers
10. Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks
11. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
12. Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
13. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
14. Julius Randle, New York Knicks

The rest:
15. Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans; 16. James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers; 17. Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic; 18. Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets; 19. Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers; 20. Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets; 21. Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers; 22. Andrew Wiggins, Golden State Warriors; 23. Devin Vassell, San Antonio Spurs; 24. R.J. Barrett, Toronto Raptors; 25. Bogdan Bogdanović, Atlanta Hawks; 26. Nikola Vučević, Chicago Bulls; 27. Tobias Harris, Detroit Pistons; 28. Collin Sexton, Utah Jazz; 29. Dennis Schröder, Brooklyn Nets; 30. Jordan Poole, Washington Wizards.
https://sports.yahoo.com/ranking-the-nbas-no-2-options-lakers-celtics-boast-the-leagues-best-co-stars-160133431.html

Best #3 options:
1. Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers
2. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves
3. Kristaps Porziņģis, Boston Celtics
4. Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
5. Desmond Bane, Memphis Grizzlies

Honorable mentions:
6. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
7. DeMar DeRozan, Sacramento Kings
8. Mikal Bridges, New York Knicks

The rest:

9. Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors; 10. Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers; 11. Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks; 12. Dejounte Murray, New Orleans Pelicans; 13. Fred VanVleet, Houston Rockets; 14. Bradley Beal, Phoenix Suns; 15. Coby White, Chicago Bulls; 16. Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks; 17. Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets; 18. Michael Porter Jr., Denver Nuggets; 19. Klay Thompson, Dallas Mavericks; 20. Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic; 21. Tyler Herro, Miami Heat; 22. Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers; 23. Ivica Zubac, Los Angeles Clippers; 24. Immanuel Quickley, Toronto Raptors; 25. Cameron Johnson, Brooklyn Nets; 26. Malcolm Brogdon, Washington Wizards; 27. Jeremy Sochan, San Antonio Spurs; 28. John Collins, Utah Jazz; 29. Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons; 30. Scoot Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers.
https://sports.yahoo.com/ranking-the-nbas-no-3-options-76ers-paul-george-leads-list-of-best-third-stars-in-the-league-143646881.html

Best #4 options:
1. Jrue Holiday, Boston Celtics
2. Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets
3. OG Anunoby, New York Knicks
4. Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks
5. Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers

Honorable mentions:
6. Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves
7. Herb Jones, New Orleans Pelicans
8. Alex Caruso, Oklahoma City Thunder
9. Marcus Smart, Memphis Grizzlies
10. Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors
11. P.J. Washington, Dallas Mavericks
12. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Orlando Magic

The rest:
13. Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets; 14. Andrew Nembhard, Indiana Pacers; 15. Tyus Jones, Phoenix Suns; 16. Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings; 17. Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs; 18. Jonas Valančiūnas, Washington Wizards; 19. Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls; 20. Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets; 21. Terry Rozier, Miami Heat; 22. Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers; 23. Caleb Martin, Philadelphia 76ers; 24. Jakob Poeltl, Toronto Raptors; 25. D'Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers; 26. De'Andre Hunter, Atlanta Hawks; 27. Keyonte George, Utah Jazz; 28. Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons; 29. Derrick Jones Jr., Los Angeles Clippers; 30. Josh Green, Charlotte Hornets.
https://sports.yahoo.com/ranking-the-nbas-no-4-options-celtics-jrue-holiday-headlines-group-of-elite-role-players-140736600.html

Hey they added a new article for 5th best options (or 5th best players on a team might be more accurate).

Best 5th options:
1. Derrick White, Boston Celtics
2. Isaiah Hartenstein, Oklahoma City Thunder
3. Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans
4. Mike Conley Jr., Minnesota Timberwolves
5. Dereck Lively II, Dallas Mavericks

Honorable mentions:
6. Chris Paul, San Antonio Spurs
7. Wendell Carter Jr., Orlando Magic
8. Max Strus, Cleveland Cavaliers
9. Dillon Brooks, Houston Rockets

The rest:
10. Mark Williams, Charlotte Hornets; 11. Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors; 12. Deandre Ayton, Portland Trail Blazers; 13. Terance Mann, Los Angeles Clippers; 14. Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets; 15. Jusuf Nurkić, Phoenix Suns; 16. Kevin Huerter, Sacramento Kings; 17. Nikola Jović, Miami Heat; 18. Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons; 19. Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies; 20. Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles Lakers; 21. Kelly Oubre Jr., Philadelphia 76ers; 22. Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks; 23. Taurean Prince, Milwaukee Bucks; 24. Christian Braun, Denver Nuggets; 25. Aaron Nesmith, Indiana Pacers; 26. Clint Capela, Atlanta Hawks; 27. Patrick Williams, Chicago Bulls; 28. Taylor Hendricks, Utah Jazz; 29. Gradey Dick, Toronto Raptors; 30. Alex Sarr, Washington Wizards.
https://sports.yahoo.com/ranking-the-nbas-no-5-options-the-best-fifth-starters-in-the-league-featuring-a-former-no-2-134912065.html

[UglyBugBall]

Jokic as the best first option? I don't think hes top 5. He's a pass first big. He's arguably the best player in the NBA, but I'd consider him an elite second option, not a first. When someone says first option they usually mean who do you want to taking a shot in a close game? Jokic isn't a guy you'd be comfortable doing that. He's not a big game scorer, although he can occasionally put up points. I think this is:

1. Luka
2. Shai
3. Embiid
4. Curry
5. Brunson

I could see 3-5 being switched in any order although 1-2 is inarguable.

[KyRo23]

Jokic as the best first option? I don't think hes top 5. He's a pass first big. He's arguably the best player in the NBA, but I'd consider him an elite second option, not a first. When someone says first option they usually mean who do you want to taking a shot in a close game? Jokic isn't a guy you'd be comfortable doing that. He's not a big game scorer, although he can occasionally put up points. I think this is:

1. Luka
2. Shai
3. Embiid
4. Curry
5. Brunson

I could see 3-5 being switched in any order although 1-2 is inarguable.

[brackdan70]

Seems close. I could see arguments for SGA being above Tatum.
The weirdest thing is having Jrue as Bostons fourth option over Derrick White. White has a higher usage and more points/ assists etc.
one could Argue that White is the third option even.

[brackdan70]

Jokic as the best first option? I don't think hes top 5. He's a pass first big. He's arguably the best player in the NBA, but I'd consider him an elite second option, not a first. When someone says first option they usually mean who do you want to taking a shot in a close game? Jokic isn't a guy you'd be comfortable doing that. He's not a big game scorer, although he can occasionally put up points. I think this is:

1. Luka
2. Shai
3. Embiid
4. Curry
5. Brunson

I could see 3-5 being switched in any order although 1-2 is inarguable.

I see first option more as who do you want to have the ball in his hands, not necessarily shooting. Jokic is probably the guy.
Curry is no longer in the top 5 here. He was arguably number 1 at points in his career but not now.

[stepic]

Jokic as the best first option? I don't think hes top 5. He's a pass first big. He's arguably the best player in the NBA, but I'd consider him an elite second option, not a first. When someone says first option they usually mean who do you want to taking a shot in a close game? Jokic isn't a guy you'd be comfortable doing that. He's not a big game scorer, although he can occasionally put up points. I think this is:

1. Luka
2. Shai
3. Embiid
4. Curry
5. Brunson

I could see 3-5 being switched in any order although 1-2 is inarguable.

You can’t be the best player in the league and not a top 5 first option. That doesn’t make any sense lol

[Woodsanity]

Jokic as the best first option? I don't think hes top 5. He's a pass first big. He's arguably the best player in the NBA, but I'd consider him an elite second option, not a first. When someone says first option they usually mean who do you want to taking a shot in a close game? Jokic isn't a guy you'd be comfortable doing that. He's not a big game scorer, although he can occasionally put up points. I think this is:

1. Luka
2. Shai
3. Embiid
4. Curry
5. Brunson

I could see 3-5 being switched in any order although 1-2 is inarguable.

I would take Jokic over any of those guys quite easily as much as I love Brunson.

Embiid forget about him he's not even in my top 20. He's the biggest playoff choker for an MVP of all time.

[bovice]

giannis isn't a #1 option. he's probably the best 2nd tho

[Jadoogar]

Jokic as the best first option? I don't think hes top 5.

[cupcakesnake]

Jokic as the best first option? I don't think hes top 5. He's a pass first big. He's arguably the best player in the NBA, but I'd consider him an elite second option, not a first. When someone says first option they usually mean who do you want to taking a shot in a close game? Jokic isn't a guy you'd be comfortable doing that. He's not a big game scorer, although he can occasionally put up points. I think this is:

giannis isn't a #1 option. he's probably the best 2nd tho

Guys... please stop wasting people's time.

[brackdan70]

giannis isn't a #1 option. he's probably the best 2nd tho

What? Who is the number one on the Bucks?

[cupcakesnake]

It can be confusing to use the word "option". Ben Rohrbach is clearly making this about best player, 2nd best player etc. rather than where they fall in an offensive hierarchy as shot takers, playmakers or usage eaters. For example, Rudy is our 4th or 5th option on offense, but he's our 2nd or 3rd most important player. I mostly agree with Rohrbach's ranking of players within teams.

After that it's just player evaluation. I'm higher or lower on plenty of guys but his list seems reasonable and well thought out.

[Frank Dux]

Jokic as the best first option? I don't think hes top 5. He's a pass first big. He's arguably the best player in the NBA, but I'd consider him an elite second option, not a first. When someone says first option they usually mean who do you want to taking a shot in a close game? Jokic isn't a guy you'd be comfortable doing that. He's not a big game scorer, although he can occasionally put up points. I think this is:

1. Luka
2. Shai
3. Embiid
4. Curry
5. Brunson

I could see 3-5 being switched in any order although 1-2 is inarguable.

Weird take. Just because Jokic isn’t some ball hog volume scorer doesn’t mean he’s not a first option.

Jokic orchestrates his offense, AND is a volume scorer on historically good efficiency. He scores at every level, elite post play, can shoot threes- while being the engine to his offense. I don’t know what else you can ask of the guy.

Jokic is the best first option in the world. I don’t think it’s close either.

[Jadoogar]

Shouldn't Derrick White be the 4th option on the celtics? he's better than Jrue at this point imo

[Statlanta]

Jokic as the best first option? I don't think hes top 5. He's a pass first big. He's arguably the best player in the NBA, but I'd consider him an elite second option, not a first. When someone says first option they usually mean who do you want to taking a shot in a close game? Jokic isn't a guy you'd be comfortable doing that. He's not a big game scorer, although he can occasionally put up points. I think this is:

giannis isn't a #1 option. he's probably the best 2nd tho

Guys... please stop wasting people's time.

TBF I think they have a point in that you usually don't go to your big man with the game on the line as they are usually your worst shooters/ball-handlers and the paint is the most protected place at the end of games. Hell Murray had the GW's in the playoffs.

When you think the top C's of all time you don't usually associate game winning shots with them(clutch plays yes but not scoring/passing ones)

[phanman]

The only real argument looking at this list is that Booker is the Suns #1 option not KD.. who somehow slots over Brunson?! It really doesn't impact the rankings much because i'd still rather AD as the premier #2 option over KD.

I'd also have KP over Rudy but seems like a solid list.

[cupcakesnake]

Shouldn't Derrick White be the 4th option on the celtics? he's better than Jrue at this point imo

It's really tough to rank the Celtics top 5. Statistically White might even be the 2nd option, so seeing him left off entirely doesn't seem great. Someone had to be left out, and this writer valued the longer track record of Jrue vs. White.

He says in the article:

The beauty of the Celtics is that either Holiday or Derrick White could be considered their fourth option, and either one would rank among the best players here. Holiday has the longer track record. He was a No. 2 on a New Orleans Pelicans team that reached the second round of the playoffs and a No. 3 on the Milwaukee Bucks, who won a championship with him in that role. The Bucks traded him for a No. 2, Damian Lillard.

[cupcakesnake]

Jokic as the best first option? I don't think hes top 5. He's a pass first big. He's arguably the best player in the NBA, but I'd consider him an elite second option, not a first. When someone says first option they usually mean who do you want to taking a shot in a close game? Jokic isn't a guy you'd be comfortable doing that. He's not a big game scorer, although he can occasionally put up points. I think this is:

giannis isn't a #1 option. he's probably the best 2nd tho

Guys... please stop wasting people's time.

TBF I think they have a point in that you usually don't go to your big man with the game on the line as they are usually your worst shooters/ball-handlers and the paint is the most protected place at the end of games. Hell Murray had the GW's in the playoffs.

When you think the top C's of all time you don't usually associate game winning shots with them(clutch plays yes but not scoring/passing ones)

Is Jokic the worst shooter or least dependable ball handler?
No idea where you're going with this.

[BelgradeNugget]

Jokic as the best first option? I don't think hes top 5. He's a pass first big. He's arguably the best player in the NBA, but I'd consider him an elite second option, not a first. When someone says first option they usually mean who do you want to taking a shot in a close game? Jokic isn't a guy you'd be comfortable doing that. He's not a big game scorer, although he can occasionally put up points. I think this is:

1. Luka
2. Shai
3. Embiid
4. Curry
5. Brunson

I could see 3-5 being switched in any order although 1-2 is inarguable.

What you think usually doesn't count because it is not based on basketball knowlage, just the opposite. But hey, since you are on basketball forum use this chance to learn

[BelgradeNugget]

Jokic as the best first option? I don't think hes top 5. He's a pass first big. He's arguably the best player in the NBA, but I'd consider him an elite second option, not a first. When someone says first option they usually mean who do you want to taking a shot in a close game? Jokic isn't a guy you'd be comfortable doing that. He's not a big game scorer, although he can occasionally put up points. I think this is:

giannis isn't a #1 option. he's probably the best 2nd tho

Guys... please stop wasting people's time.

TBF I think they have a point in that you usually don't go to your big man with the game on the line as they are usually your worst shooters/ball-handlers and the paint is the most protected place at the end of games. Hell Murray had the GW's in the playoffs.

When you think the top C's of all time you don't usually associate game winning shots with them(clutch plays yes but not scoring/passing ones)

Well, for Jokic yes, you associate him with game winning shots/assists

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