Lakers: Ranking LeBron James and the 10 best players in the NBA

By Jason Reed | Apr 13, 2022

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks at Crypto.com Arena on February 08, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

9. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant took the NBA by storm this season. After a great rookie season and an even better second season in the league, Morant took the leap to superstardom this year and has cemented himself as one of the best players in the entire league.

Just look at the Memphis Grizzlies. While Ja certainly has talent around him that helped the Grizzlies become the second seed in the West, you do not win that many games if you do not have a superstar piloting the ship and it is undeniable that the Grizzlies have themselves a superstar.

Morant should be considered one of the favorites to win the MVP award next season as he is only going to get better with more experience in the league. The third-year guard started to turn a corner with his three-point shot this season and if he continues those improvements then he will be nearly impossible to stop.

Morant could easily find himself in the top five or six depending on how next season goes and one thing is for certain: out of anyone on this list, Morant undoubtedly provides the most can’t-miss moments.

In the same way that Stephen Curry did seven years ago, Morant is capturing the imagination of the league and is the NBA’s next future superstar.