Category: Marcus Smart

Celtics star Jaylen Brown’s hilarious response to Jaren Jackson Jr. teaming up with Marcus Smart

September 21, 2023

Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown said his goodbyes to former teammate Marcus Smart on Instagram. But not before a member of Smart’s new squad, the Memphis Grizzlies, rubbed the loss in Brown’s face.

Grizzlies big Jaren Jackson Jr. commented on Brown’s farewell post by declaring that Smart is his teammate now.

“My brotha now,” joked Jackson.

Brown captioned his Instagram collage dedicated to Smart, “My brother for life.” Clearly, Jackson saw the irony in the wording, as Brown’s teammate of seven seasons is now in Memphis after a shocking trade earlier this offseason. The Celtics saw an opportunity to acquire another star in Kristaps Porzingis, but at the end of the day, the deal cost them a lot with the departure of the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year.

Smart will now be alongside a fellow Defensive Player of the Year in Jackson, as the two will try and turn the upstart Grizzlies into a serious contender. However, Jaylen Brown isn’t ready just yet to anoint the defensive combo as true brothers:

In Memphis, Smart will probably take on an important role immediately. With star point guard Ja Morant suspended for 25 games, Smart could start to begin the season and quickly become a new leader on the younger team.

As for the Celtics, they’ll get ready for life after Smart ahead of the 2023-24 season. Without their vocal leader, the C’s will need someone else to step up, which could perhaps fall upon star Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown himself. Either way, Boston’s defense will look very different, yet hopefully, they can regroup this year and prepare for another chance at Banner No. 18.

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1 Grizzlies player in danger of losing starting job in 2023-24 NBA training camp

September 21, 2023

The arrival of Marcus Smart means that one of the guards in the Memphis Grizzlies’ starting rotation. But, it may not come too early because Ja Morant will be out because of his suspension. It will either be Desmond Bane, Luke Kennard or, if Taylor Jenkins opts to go small, John Konchar.

Taylor Jenkins just cannot choose to bench one of the best all-around defenders in the NBA. Marcus Smart is just a season removed from winning a Defensive Player of the Year with the Boston Celtics. His starting role might just be an absolute lock before the season starts. After all, his 11.5 points on 41.5% field goal percentage is likely to take a leap once Ja Morant is out. The playmaking chops that netted him a career-high average of 6.3 assists will also skyrocket because the Grizzlies are in dire need of a facilitator. It is just too much of a risk to not start Smart.

So, who goes off the bench for the Grizzlies once Ja Morant returns?

John Konchar is likely to be the one who gets relegated. The versatile small forward who sometimes plays as a shooting guard started for 23 games in the previous NBA season. His ceiling as a scorer has still not been proven. The most offensive output that he achieved was 19 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Averages of 5.1 points and 1.4 assists are not as lethal offensively as what Smart is able to offer on the table.

There is also so much to be desired when looking at his efficiency. He only attempted 4.4 field goals throughout the season which means that volume scoring really is not his thing. Despite having a few attempts, his shot selection can be quite questionable at times. He had a career-low field goal percentage of 43.1% on average.

The minutes given to him are a bit too much when contrasted with his production on the floor. He played a career-high 20.8 minutes per game. The usual expectation would be for him to get more points and assists as a forward or guard. The level of production just is not there yet for number 46.

Why it’s good for Konchar’s development with the Grizzlies?

Steven Adams’ recovery and, a-fresh-from-the-FIBA-World-Cup Jaren Jackson Jr. will lessen his strengths in the starting unit. Konchar’s bread and butter is his rebounding and screen-setting. He grabbed an average of 4.3 rebounds throughout the whole NBA season. Jackson and Adams will be able to handle those duties fairly well. The bench may need an elite rebounder which could be where he comes in.

One major improvement that John Konchar has made that will skyrocket off the bench is his on-ball defense. He is good at pickpocketing the ball and anticipating bad passes to convert them into steals. He got 1.1 steals per game because of this in the previous season. Sharing the court with Marcus Smart may not be a good idea for his development. He gets assigned less to the primary ball handler on defense. This means that these numbers are likely going to dip if he shares the floor with another great on-ball defender.

It’s a good thing that the Grizzlies will have Konchar off the bench. He has proven to be one of the most dependable players when it comes to availability. Playing 72 games last season was a huge testament to this. Will Taylor Jenkins relegate him to the bench?

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Marcus Smart’s wife Maisa Hallum

September 18, 2023

Marcus Smart is a combo guard on the Memphis Grizzlies and the newest weapon to be excited about on one of the league’s up-and-coming teams. The guard is also a newly married man, so let’s learn a bit more about Marcus Smart’s wife Maisa Hallum and how these two came together.

It has certainly been a busy offseason for Smart and his wife. Smart had spent his entire career with the Boston Celtics, but on June 22, 2023, he was traded in a package that landed the Celtics Kristaps Porzingis. Smart is one of the best defensive players in the NBA and is set to replace Dillon Brooks as the Grizzlies’ new pesky defensive guru. The former first-round pick won Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, becoming only the second point guard to ever win the award and the first guard to win it since Gary Payton in 1996.

Defensive Player of the Year is just one of many of Smart’s accolades. He is also a three-time All-Defensive First-Team selection, a member of the 2015 All-Rookie Second Team, and a three-time recipient of the NBA Hustle Award. The guard has averages of 10.6 points, 4.6 assists, and 1.5 steals in his career. Smart set a career high in assists per game in 2022 with 6.3. His improved playmaking will be a necessity with new backcourt mate Ja Morant’s incoming 25-game suspension.

Smart has played in nine seasons and is a gritty player with a number of accomplishments that any team would want on their squad, but his biggest accomplishment just happened off the court. On Saturday, Sept. 16, Smart married Maisa Hallum. In this article, we will take a closer look at Marcus Smart’s wife.

Marcus Smart’s wife Maisa Hallum

Marcus Smart's wife, Marcus Smart, Maisa Hallum, Memphis Grizzlies, Boston Celtics

Maisa Hallum, now Maisa Smart, is a pretty private person. Not much is known about Smart’s wife. Most of what is known about Hallum is from a 2020 interview with Blueprint Concepts and their “Women Making Waves” series. It was revealed that she grew up in California.

Hallum is an entrepreneur and businesswoman. She is the founder and creative director of Sousa Swim, a swimwear company. The swimwear company’s Instagram page no longer exists, so the status of the company is unknown, but her business partner with Sousa Swim was her sister, Naseme.

Hallum has appeared at numerous events with Smart, and she can often be found sitting courtside for her husband’s basketball games.

Marcus Smart, Maisa Hallum’s relationship

The start of Smart and Hallum’s dating history is unknown, but they have seemingly been together since at least 2017. The pair are very private about their personal lives, but they were photographed together at the Celtics Shamrock Foundation Tip-Off Gala in 2017.

Marcus Smart’s Instagram is predominately filled with basketball content, but he did post when the two got engaged. Smart proposed to Hallum on Christmas Day in 2022. He received the help of Hallum’s favorite actor, Will Smith, who set up Smart’s proposal with a video recording from Antarctica.

Smart and Hallum officially tied the knot on Sept. 16, 2023. Numerous Celtics players and staff members were in attendance. Former teammates Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, and others showed up to support Smart. Brad Stevens and Joe Mazzulla, the organization’s president of basketball operations and head coach, were also in attendance.

The Celtics took numerous funny pictures together. Although Smart has moved on to play in Memphis, the city of Boston and his Celtics connections clearly hold a big part in his heart. The wedding served as a heartwarming reunion for Smart and the team he played with for so long.

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Marcus Smart’s wife Maisa Hallum

September 18, 2023

Marcus Smart is a combo guard on the Memphis Grizzlies and the newest weapon to be excited about on one of the league’s up-and-coming teams. The guard is also a newly married man, so let’s learn a bit more about Marcus Smart’s wife Maisa Hallum and how these two came together.

It has certainly been a busy offseason for Smart and his wife. Smart had spent his entire career with the Boston Celtics, but on June 22, 2023, he was traded in a package that landed the Celtics Kristaps Porzingis. Smart is one of the best defensive players in the NBA and is set to replace Dillon Brooks as the Grizzlies’ new pesky defensive guru. The former first-round pick won Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, becoming only the second point guard to ever win the award and the first guard to win it since Gary Payton in 1996.

Defensive Player of the Year is just one of many of Smart’s accolades. He is also a three-time All-Defensive First-Team selection, a member of the 2015 All-Rookie Second Team, and a three-time recipient of the NBA Hustle Award. The guard has averages of 10.6 points, 4.6 assists, and 1.5 steals in his career. Smart set a career high in assists per game in 2022 with 6.3. His improved playmaking will be a necessity with new backcourt mate Ja Morant’s incoming 25-game suspension.

Smart has played in nine seasons and is a gritty player with a number of accomplishments that any team would want on their squad, but his biggest accomplishment just happened off the court. On Saturday, Sept. 16, Smart married Maisa Hallum. In this article, we will take a closer look at Marcus Smart’s wife.

Marcus Smart’s wife Maisa Hallum

Marcus Smart's wife, Marcus Smart, Maisa Hallum, Memphis Grizzlies, Boston Celtics

Maisa Hallum, now Maisa Smart, is a pretty private person. Not much is known about Smart’s wife. Most of what is known about Hallum is from a 2020 interview with Blueprint Concepts and their “Women Making Waves” series. It was revealed that she grew up in California.

Hallum is an entrepreneur and businesswoman. She is the founder and creative director of Sousa Swim, a swimwear company. The swimwear company’s Instagram page no longer exists, so the status of the company is unknown, but her business partner with Sousa Swim was her sister, Naseme.

Hallum has appeared at numerous events with Smart, and she can often be found sitting courtside for her husband’s basketball games.

Marcus Smart, Maisa Hallum’s relationship

The start of Smart and Hallum’s dating history is unknown, but they have seemingly been together since at least 2017. The pair are very private about their personal lives, but they were photographed together at the Celtics Shamrock Foundation Tip-Off Gala in 2017.

Marcus Smart’s Instagram is predominately filled with basketball content, but he did post when the two got engaged. Smart proposed to Hallum on Christmas Day in 2022. He received the help of Hallum’s favorite actor, Will Smith, who set up Smart’s proposal with a video recording from Antarctica.

Smart and Hallum officially tied the knot on Sept. 16, 2023. Numerous Celtics players and staff members were in attendance. Former teammates Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, and others showed up to support Smart. Brad Stevens and Joe Mazzulla, the organization’s president of basketball operations and head coach, were also in attendance.

The Celtics took numerous funny pictures together. Although Smart has moved on to play in Memphis, the city of Boston and his Celtics connections clearly hold a big part in his heart. The wedding served as a heartwarming reunion for Smart and the team he played with for so long.

The post Marcus Smart’s wife Maisa Hallum appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Marcus Smart wedding turns into a Celtics reunion with Jayson Tatum, Ime Udoka

September 18, 2023

Marcus Smart was traded out of Boston, but that doesn’t mean his love for the Celtics is gone.

And speaking of love, Smart tied the knot last weekend with Maisa Hallum, whom he proposed to while still on the C’s in December. The wedding was also a reunion of sorts, as plenty of current and former Celtics were in attendance.

The Memphis Grizzlies guard hosted Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Robert Williams III, and even more rostered Celtics. As for his other teammates during his nine-year tenure with the C’s, there was Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier, 2023 FIBA World Cup champion Daniel Theis, and Dallas Mavericks forward Grant Williams.

As for coaches and organizational leaders, Smart invited them too. For example, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens and head coach Joe Mazzulla were spotted at the wedding. They even posed in the photo booth with Tatum:

Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck, vice president of basketball operations Mike Zarren, and former Boston assistant coaches Ben Sullivan and Damon Stoudamire also showed up for Smart. But perhaps the most interesting guest of all was Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, who helped guide Smart and company to the NBA Finals in 2022.

Although Udoka was suspended by the C’s and shown the door following a scandal, it’s clear his former players still admire him. All of the details might never be known about Udoka’s inappropriate relationships with Celtics personnel, however, whatever he did wasn’t bad enough to prevent him from getting another high-profile job.

In the wake of the happy wedding, most of the NBA guests will go their separate ways. Udoka will lead a new-look Rockets team, the Celtics will chase Banner No. 18 again, and Smart will try and establish himself in Memphis. While Marcus Smart is no longer a Celtic, the city of Boston has no shortage of love for him. The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year will return to Beantown when the C’s host the Grizzlies on February 4th, 2024.

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‘He’s pissed’: Malcolm Brogdon reportedly still angry with the Celtics after near trade

September 18, 2023

In late June, the Celtics were hours away from sending Malcolm Brogdon across the country. The 2023 Sixth Man of the Year was going to be involved in a three-team deal that’d trade him to the Los Angeles Clippers and bring Kristaps Porzingis to Boston. However, Brogdon’s recent injury to his shooting arm halted the exchange, and Marcus Smart was dealt instead to the Memphis Grizzlies to acquire Porzingis (and draft picks).

This drastic change shocked the NBA world and Celtics fans especially, and it’s easy to see how Brogdon would be frustrated with the whole ordeal as well. The 30-year-old guard had a great season coming off the bench and although injuries hampered his production in the playoffs, Brogdon would still start for most teams. Rather than getting praise for his performance, Brogdon was nearly traded by the C’s, and he’s reportedly still mad about it, per Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe.

“He’s angry with the team,” Washburn told Celtics on CLNS. “I don’t think communication between [Brogdon and the Celtics] has been fruitful … Malcolm Brogdon was not happy about being potentially dealt. He was pissed.”

After failing to trade Brogdon to the Clippers, Boston ultimately settled on keeping him. This is a bit of a risk given his injury history and potentially disgruntled attitude, yet it doesn’t seem like many other teams were willing to take a chance on Brogdon.

Now, the C’s will have to hope that Brogdon recovers before the 2023-24 season begins on October 25th. Whether or not that’s possible remains to be seen, but first, the Celtics must repair their relationship with the former Rookie of the Year.

Boston doesn’t have the guard depth to cast Brogdon aside, as the loss of Smart means Derrick White and Payton Pritchard are arguably the only proven ball handlers on the roster. If the C’s can’t work it out with Brogdon, they’ll be thin at a critical position.

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‘Never going to be Kevin Garnett’: Jayson Tatum vocal on his leadership style with Celtics

September 7, 2023

Jayson Tatum is well aware that someone must account for the leadership that was lost when the Boston Celtics traded Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies. The obvious player to fill that role is Jayson Tatum, the Celtics’ top star. Tatum will do so in his own way, but don’t expect the 25-year-old to wear his heart on his sleeve quite like Smart.

“I’m never going to be Kevin Garnett,” Tatum told The Messenger. “As much as people want me to be, that’s not who I am. The way I lead, the public may not ever see what I do.”

“When I need to, I make sure my voice is heard and I do it in my own way. I’m not going to be out there jumping up and down screaming. That’s just not my personality. As much as people want to talk about it and want me to be that, I’m not changing who I am. I lead in my own way. When I talk, everybody in that organization is going to listen. And whatever I say is always for the betterment of the team — and my teammates know that.”

Tatum is coming off the best individual season of his career. The four-time All-Star averaged 30.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. He shot 46.6% from the field and finished fourth in the 2023 NBA MVP voting.

The Celtics, however, took a step back from the previous year. After coming two games shy of winning the 2022 NBA Finals, Boston was eliminated in Game 7 of the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals.

Kristaps Porzingis will replace Smart in the Celtics’ starting lineup.

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‘Never going to be Kevin Garnett’: Jayson Tatum vocal on his leadership style with Celtics

September 7, 2023

Jayson Tatum is well aware that someone must account for the leadership that was lost when the Boston Celtics traded Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies. The obvious player to fill that role is Jayson Tatum, the Celtics’ top star. Tatum will do so in his own way, but don’t expect the 25-year-old to wear his heart on his sleeve quite like Smart.

“I’m never going to be Kevin Garnett,” Tatum told The Messenger. “As much as people want me to be, that’s not who I am. The way I lead, the public may not ever see what I do.”

“When I need to, I make sure my voice is heard and I do it in my own way. I’m not going to be out there jumping up and down screaming. That’s just not my personality. As much as people want to talk about it and want me to be that, I’m not changing who I am. I lead in my own way. When I talk, everybody in that organization is going to listen. And whatever I say is always for the betterment of the team — and my teammates know that.”

Tatum is coming off the best individual season of his career. The four-time All-Star averaged 30.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. He shot 46.6% from the field and finished fourth in the 2023 NBA MVP voting.

The Celtics, however, took a step back from the previous year. After coming two games shy of winning the 2022 NBA Finals, Boston was eliminated in Game 7 of the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals.

Kristaps Porzingis will replace Smart in the Celtics’ starting lineup.

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NBA Top 100 player rankings for 2023-24 season: 70-61

September 4, 2023

Who is the best player in the NBA?

This is a question basketball fans debate every single year, and it’s one that often has no right answer. MVP candidates such as Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry and LeBron James are obviously amongst the best of the best, but one player cannot win his team a championship. Getting to and winning the NBA Finals is a team effort, which is why the 100th-best player in the league can hold nearly as much importance as the top player.

Across the league, the talent gap from team to team has closed dramatically, so the 2023-24 season could be the most competitive we have seen in a while. There are so many impactful and skillful basketball players across all 30 teams, which makes it difficult to narrow things down to only 100 players.

However, that is exactly what we have done here at ClutchPoints!

The 2023-24 NBA season will officially begin on Oct. 24, per the league’s official schedule release, and we will be revealing our Top 100 rankings in groups of 10 players weekly. These rankings take into account the season each player is coming off of, their role on their team, what we have been accustomed to seeing from them and much more, so of course, this list is simply a matter of opinion.

*NOTE: Rookies such as Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson and Chet Holmgren were not included in these rankings, as they have yet to play in a regular-season game. 

In case you missed any of the previous Top 100 player rankings, be sure to check them out with the links below:

This week, we are taking a look at the 10 players who find themselves ranked 70th through 61st in the NBA. Let’s dive right into things with a veteran guard who was recently traded this offseason.

70. Marcus Smart – PG/SG – Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis Grizzlies, Marcus Smart

2022-23 NBA season stats (Celtics): 11.5 points, 6.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 41.5 FG%, 33.6 3P%

Perhaps the most shocking trade that happened this NBA offseason involved the Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards. Boston had been pursuing former All-Star big man Kristaps Porzingis and initially appeared to be on the verge of trading away 2022-23 Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon to get him, but acquiring Porzingis ended up costing them Marcus Smart. Going from the Eastern Conference to the Western Conference, Smart now joins a young, dynamic Grizzlies team that believes they can contend for a title.

The question for Smart in Memphis revolves around what his role is going to look like. He was the Celtics’ point guard the last few years and will likely be the Grizzlies’ starting point guard on opening night with Ja Morant suspended. When Morant returns, though, who knows what role the former Defensive Player of the Year will hold, especially since Desmond Bane has been the team’s starting shooting guard through the years.

Averaging a career-high 6.3 assists per game this past year and being a great on-ball defender, Smart should be able to help Memphis become one of the best defensive teams in the league, especially since they have the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Jaren Jackson Jr.

69. Deandre Ayton – C – Phoenix Suns

2022-23 NBA season stats: 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 58.9 FG%

Say what you want about Deandre Ayton, but he has been nothing short of a productive big man since being drafted first overall in 2018. Ayton was instrumental in the Phoenix Suns’ run to the 2021 NBA Finals and has put up steady numbers in his career. Even with the changes Phoenix made to the roster last season, he still managed to put up respectable numbers. Ayton averaged a double-double for the fifth consecutive year and is a great finisher around the rim. Being able to create second-chance opportunities for an offense run by Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal is what makes him so dangerous.

If the Suns big man can continue to stretch his game out of the paint, it will be very hard to leave him off the list of the best centers in the league. He may not be Joel Embiid or Nikola Jokic, but Ayton plays his role well and will be the key to them possibly making a run to the 2024 NBA Finals, assuming he is still on the team and not traded after plenty of rumors.

68. Scottie Barnes – SF/PF – Toronto Raptors

2022-23 NBA season stats: 15.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.1 steals, 45.6 FG%

The Toronto Raptors lost Fred VanVleet in free agency this offseason. With Pascal Siakam’s name coming up in trade rumors as well, it is clear to see that the Raptors believe in Scottie Barnes enough to make him the face of their franchise moving forward. Barnes is a two-way threat and truly a positionless player, but what makes him special is his ability to be a point forward.

Much like how Draymond Green is utilized with the Warriors, Toronto envisions Barnes holding a similar role for them. However, they are going to lean on him more on the offensive end of the floor. It is going to be interesting to see how Barnes reacts to his increased workload in his third season, especially since he is still an underdeveloped shooter. All-Star potential definitely exists within the recent Rookie of the Year.

67. Kyle Kuzma – SF/PF – Washington Wizards

Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards

2022-23 NBA season stats: 21.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 44.8 FG%, 33.3 3P%

For some reason, Kyle Kuzma does not command the respect he deserves. Maybe this is because he is no longer with the Los Angeles Lakers, but Kuzma has been getting better and better as an all-around contributor at either forward position. With Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis gone, it is not hard to believe that the 28-year-old is the face of the Washington Wizards after agreeing to a new four-year, $102 million deal in free agency.

Kuzma is looking more comfortable as a facilitator on offense, he made a career-high 2.5 threes per game this past season and is a very underrated rebounder. Maybe he won’t be an All-Star talent, but every team in the league needs key contributors on the wing who can go for 20-plus points on any given night. This is the kind of player Kuzma is, which is why it would not be shocking to see a contending team target him ahead of the trade deadline.

66. Myles Turner – C – Indiana Pacers

2022-23 NBA season stats: 18.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, 54.8 FG%,37.3 3P%

It seems like there are conversations about a potential Myles Turner trade every single season. Once again, Turner heard his name come up in trade rumors during the offseason, yet the Indiana Pacers have not been wanting to get rid of their big man. He even agreed to a new two-year extension recently in January.

A stretch center who has consistently established himself as one of the best rim protectors in the league, Turner is the backbone of the Pacers. He needs to be great and healthy in order for Indiana to take that next step as a franchise. Alongside All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton, Turner has really improved as a secondary scorer. While not a top-50 player in the league, Turner is definitely one of the most impactful centers because of his two-way presence.

65. Tyrese Maxey – PG/SG – Philadelphia 76ers

2022-23 NBA season stats: 20.3 points, 3.5 assists, 2.9 rebounds, 48.1 FG%, 43.4 3P%

What happens with James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers will dictate what Tyrese Maxey’s role will look like during the 2023-24 season. If Harden stays, which seems unlikely, Maxey will continue to be held back as the No. 3 option on this team. Should the Sixers move on from Harden, though, the 2020 first-round pick will finally be able to showcase his All-Star potential alongside Joel Embiid.

This past year was Maxey’s best, as he averaged a career-high 20.3 points per game while shooting a career-best 43.4 percent from three-point range, good enough for the fifth-best three-point shooting percentage in the league. Maxey can score from the perimeter and is very dangerous running in transition due to his speed with the ball in his hands. Confidence is the one word that comes to mind when watching the young Sixers guard play, and he is only going to get better as he continues to gain more experience over the course of the season.

64. Tyler Herro – SG – Miami Heat

Tyler Herro, Miami Heat

2022-23 NBA season stats: 20.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 43.9 FG%, 37.8 3P%

Tyler Herro is a completely different player than Maxey, but the reason he finds himself above the Sixers guard is because of his offensive skill set. The Miami Heat are very lucky to have Herro, especially since he is comfortable playing off stars like Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. If he had not broken his hand in the playoffs, Miami would have definitely forced a longer NBA Finals series against the Denver Nuggets.

Leading the league in free-throw percentage this past year, Herro has proven that he is not afraid to attack the rim and is a very aggressive shooter as well. Herro plays with a level of swag in his game that resonates with his teammates. Whether or not the 23-year-old remains with Miami is the big question right now, as the Heat have been linked to Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard for months. He would most definitely be involved in any potential deal for Lillard, which is why the 2021-22 Sixth Man of the Year’s future is uncertain at this time.

63. Jordan Clarkson – PG/SG – Utah Jazz

2022-23 NBA season stats: 20.8 points, 4.4 assists, 4.0 rebounds, 44.4 FG%, 33.8P%

From the 2021-22 Sixth Man of the Year to the 2020-21 Sixth Man of the Year, Jordan Clarkson has stepped up to be a leader of a young, emerging Utah Jazz team. In fact, he is now the longest-tenured player on Utah’s roster, as he joined the team during the 2019-20 season. Clarkson started in all 61 games he played in this past year, averaging a career-high 20.8 points per game while shooting 44.4 percent from the floor.

With Donovan Mitchell no longer on the Jazz, Clarkson assumed the role as the leading scorer in Utah’s backcourt. This team suddenly has a terrific one-two punch with Lauri Markkanen having a breakout year as well. The Jazz are going to go as far as their two leaders are able to take them, which is why Clarkson will need to have yet another stellar season scoring the ball. Being 31 years old and having nine years of experience, the Jazz guard is just now reaching the peak of his career.

62. Brook Lopez – C – Milwaukee Bucks

2022-23 NBA season stats: 15.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 53.1 FG%, 37.4 3P%

At 35 years old, Brook Lopez has seemed to hit the second prime of his career. Maybe he’s not the All-Star-like player he was earlier in his career, but Lopez’s resurgence in Milwaukee has been a sight to see. He has developed a consistent three-point jumper, is still a handful to deal with in the paint and also just averaged a career-high 2.5 blocks per game. Lopez’s 193 total blocks this past year ended up being the most in the league.

A true Defensive Player of the Year candidate and the anchor of the Milwaukee Bucks’ defense, Lopez has proven his worth as a veteran who can still be a valuable secondary contributor. This is why the Bucks awarded him with a two-year, $48 million contract in free agency. The Bucks went 58-24 last season, which was the best record in the league during the regular season. Although they lost in the first round of the playoffs, Lopez has proven his worth to his franchise and will need to have another terrific two-way season in order for them to possibly contend for a title.

61. Jarrett Allen – C – Cleveland Cavaliers

Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers

2022-23 NBA season stats: 14.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 64.4 FG%

Jarrett Allen is a lot younger than Lopez and is a terrific pick-and-roll big man. This is why he finds himself one spot above the veteran on this list. The Cleveland Cavaliers are a young, rising team in the Eastern Conference, and it is not hard to believe that they could end up contending for a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals if they put things together with their new bench. Various teams have pursued Allen over the last year, yet the Cavs have been unwilling to include him in trade talks. This is because he’s a very valuable two-way talent at the center position.

Alongside Evan Mobley, Allen has helped create one of the better defensive frontcourts in the league and is one of the better double-double threats at the center position. As far as his offensive game goes, Allen is a lob threat in every single pick-and-roll situation, plus his ability to set screens oftentimes goes unnoticed. Allen is a high-IQ player who just understand where to be on the court at all times, which is why he is so valuable to Cleveland’s success. The Cavaliers have a great thing going right now with a young nucleus that is only going to continue to grow together.

The post NBA Top 100 player rankings for 2023-24 season: 70-61 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

NBA Top 100 player rankings for 2023-24 season: 70-61

September 4, 2023

Who is the best player in the NBA?

This is a question basketball fans debate every single year, and it’s one that often has no right answer. MVP candidates such as Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry and LeBron James are obviously amongst the best of the best, but one player cannot win his team a championship. Getting to and winning the NBA Finals is a team effort, which is why the 100th-best player in the league can hold nearly as much importance as the top player.

Across the league, the talent gap from team to team has closed dramatically, so the 2023-24 season could be the most competitive we have seen in a while. There are so many impactful and skillful basketball players across all 30 teams, which makes it difficult to narrow things down to only 100 players.

However, that is exactly what we have done here at ClutchPoints!

The 2023-24 NBA season will officially begin on Oct. 24, per the league’s official schedule release, and we will be revealing our Top 100 rankings in groups of 10 players weekly. These rankings take into account the season each player is coming off of, their role on their team, what we have been accustomed to seeing from them and much more, so of course, this list is simply a matter of opinion.

*NOTE: Rookies such as Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson and Chet Holmgren were not included in these rankings, as they have yet to play in a regular-season game. 

In case you missed any of the previous Top 100 player rankings, be sure to check them out with the links below:

This week, we are taking a look at the 10 players who find themselves ranked 70th through 61st in the NBA. Let’s dive right into things with a veteran guard who was recently traded this offseason.

70. Marcus Smart – PG/SG – Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis Grizzlies, Marcus Smart

2022-23 NBA season stats (Celtics): 11.5 points, 6.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 41.5 FG%, 33.6 3P%

Perhaps the most shocking trade that happened this NBA offseason involved the Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards. Boston had been pursuing former All-Star big man Kristaps Porzingis and initially appeared to be on the verge of trading away 2022-23 Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon to get him, but acquiring Porzingis ended up costing them Marcus Smart. Going from the Eastern Conference to the Western Conference, Smart now joins a young, dynamic Grizzlies team that believes they can contend for a title.

The question for Smart in Memphis revolves around what his role is going to look like. He was the Celtics’ point guard the last few years and will likely be the Grizzlies’ starting point guard on opening night with Ja Morant suspended. When Morant returns, though, who knows what role the former Defensive Player of the Year will hold, especially since Desmond Bane has been the team’s starting shooting guard through the years.

Averaging a career-high 6.3 assists per game this past year and being a great on-ball defender, Smart should be able to help Memphis become one of the best defensive teams in the league, especially since they have the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Jaren Jackson Jr.

69. Deandre Ayton – C – Phoenix Suns

2022-23 NBA season stats: 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 58.9 FG%

Say what you want about Deandre Ayton, but he has been nothing short of a productive big man since being drafted first overall in 2018. Ayton was instrumental in the Phoenix Suns’ run to the 2021 NBA Finals and has put up steady numbers in his career. Even with the changes Phoenix made to the roster last season, he still managed to put up respectable numbers. Ayton averaged a double-double for the fifth consecutive year and is a great finisher around the rim. Being able to create second-chance opportunities for an offense run by Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal is what makes him so dangerous.

If the Suns big man can continue to stretch his game out of the paint, it will be very hard to leave him off the list of the best centers in the league. He may not be Joel Embiid or Nikola Jokic, but Ayton plays his role well and will be the key to them possibly making a run to the 2024 NBA Finals, assuming he is still on the team and not traded after plenty of rumors.

68. Scottie Barnes – SF/PF – Toronto Raptors

2022-23 NBA season stats: 15.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.1 steals, 45.6 FG%

The Toronto Raptors lost Fred VanVleet in free agency this offseason. With Pascal Siakam’s name coming up in trade rumors as well, it is clear to see that the Raptors believe in Scottie Barnes enough to make him the face of their franchise moving forward. Barnes is a two-way threat and truly a positionless player, but what makes him special is his ability to be a point forward.

Much like how Draymond Green is utilized with the Warriors, Toronto envisions Barnes holding a similar role for them. However, they are going to lean on him more on the offensive end of the floor. It is going to be interesting to see how Barnes reacts to his increased workload in his third season, especially since he is still an underdeveloped shooter. All-Star potential definitely exists within the recent Rookie of the Year.

67. Kyle Kuzma – SF/PF – Washington Wizards

Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards

2022-23 NBA season stats: 21.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 44.8 FG%, 33.3 3P%

For some reason, Kyle Kuzma does not command the respect he deserves. Maybe this is because he is no longer with the Los Angeles Lakers, but Kuzma has been getting better and better as an all-around contributor at either forward position. With Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis gone, it is not hard to believe that the 28-year-old is the face of the Washington Wizards after agreeing to a new four-year, $102 million deal in free agency.

Kuzma is looking more comfortable as a facilitator on offense, he made a career-high 2.5 threes per game this past season and is a very underrated rebounder. Maybe he won’t be an All-Star talent, but every team in the league needs key contributors on the wing who can go for 20-plus points on any given night. This is the kind of player Kuzma is, which is why it would not be shocking to see a contending team target him ahead of the trade deadline.

66. Myles Turner – C – Indiana Pacers

2022-23 NBA season stats: 18.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, 54.8 FG%,37.3 3P%

It seems like there are conversations about a potential Myles Turner trade every single season. Once again, Turner heard his name come up in trade rumors during the offseason, yet the Indiana Pacers have not been wanting to get rid of their big man. He even agreed to a new two-year extension recently in January.

A stretch center who has consistently established himself as one of the best rim protectors in the league, Turner is the backbone of the Pacers. He needs to be great and healthy in order for Indiana to take that next step as a franchise. Alongside All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton, Turner has really improved as a secondary scorer. While not a top-50 player in the league, Turner is definitely one of the most impactful centers because of his two-way presence.

65. Tyrese Maxey – PG/SG – Philadelphia 76ers

2022-23 NBA season stats: 20.3 points, 3.5 assists, 2.9 rebounds, 48.1 FG%, 43.4 3P%

What happens with James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers will dictate what Tyrese Maxey’s role will look like during the 2023-24 season. If Harden stays, which seems unlikely, Maxey will continue to be held back as the No. 3 option on this team. Should the Sixers move on from Harden, though, the 2020 first-round pick will finally be able to showcase his All-Star potential alongside Joel Embiid.

This past year was Maxey’s best, as he averaged a career-high 20.3 points per game while shooting a career-best 43.4 percent from three-point range, good enough for the fifth-best three-point shooting percentage in the league. Maxey can score from the perimeter and is very dangerous running in transition due to his speed with the ball in his hands. Confidence is the one word that comes to mind when watching the young Sixers guard play, and he is only going to get better as he continues to gain more experience over the course of the season.

64. Tyler Herro – SG – Miami Heat

Tyler Herro, Miami Heat

2022-23 NBA season stats: 20.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 43.9 FG%, 37.8 3P%

Tyler Herro is a completely different player than Maxey, but the reason he finds himself above the Sixers guard is because of his offensive skill set. The Miami Heat are very lucky to have Herro, especially since he is comfortable playing off stars like Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. If he had not broken his hand in the playoffs, Miami would have definitely forced a longer NBA Finals series against the Denver Nuggets.

Leading the league in free-throw percentage this past year, Herro has proven that he is not afraid to attack the rim and is a very aggressive shooter as well. Herro plays with a level of swag in his game that resonates with his teammates. Whether or not the 23-year-old remains with Miami is the big question right now, as the Heat have been linked to Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard for months. He would most definitely be involved in any potential deal for Lillard, which is why the 2021-22 Sixth Man of the Year’s future is uncertain at this time.

63. Jordan Clarkson – PG/SG – Utah Jazz

2022-23 NBA season stats: 20.8 points, 4.4 assists, 4.0 rebounds, 44.4 FG%, 33.8P%

From the 2021-22 Sixth Man of the Year to the 2020-21 Sixth Man of the Year, Jordan Clarkson has stepped up to be a leader of a young, emerging Utah Jazz team. In fact, he is now the longest-tenured player on Utah’s roster, as he joined the team during the 2019-20 season. Clarkson started in all 61 games he played in this past year, averaging a career-high 20.8 points per game while shooting 44.4 percent from the floor.

With Donovan Mitchell no longer on the Jazz, Clarkson assumed the role as the leading scorer in Utah’s backcourt. This team suddenly has a terrific one-two punch with Lauri Markkanen having a breakout year as well. The Jazz are going to go as far as their two leaders are able to take them, which is why Clarkson will need to have yet another stellar season scoring the ball. Being 31 years old and having nine years of experience, the Jazz guard is just now reaching the peak of his career.

62. Brook Lopez – C – Milwaukee Bucks

2022-23 NBA season stats: 15.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 53.1 FG%, 37.4 3P%

At 35 years old, Brook Lopez has seemed to hit the second prime of his career. Maybe he’s not the All-Star-like player he was earlier in his career, but Lopez’s resurgence in Milwaukee has been a sight to see. He has developed a consistent three-point jumper, is still a handful to deal with in the paint and also just averaged a career-high 2.5 blocks per game. Lopez’s 193 total blocks this past year ended up being the most in the league.

A true Defensive Player of the Year candidate and the anchor of the Milwaukee Bucks’ defense, Lopez has proven his worth as a veteran who can still be a valuable secondary contributor. This is why the Bucks awarded him with a two-year, $48 million contract in free agency. The Bucks went 58-24 last season, which was the best record in the league during the regular season. Although they lost in the first round of the playoffs, Lopez has proven his worth to his franchise and will need to have another terrific two-way season in order for them to possibly contend for a title.

61. Jarrett Allen – C – Cleveland Cavaliers

Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers

2022-23 NBA season stats: 14.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 64.4 FG%

Jarrett Allen is a lot younger than Lopez and is a terrific pick-and-roll big man. This is why he finds himself one spot above the veteran on this list. The Cleveland Cavaliers are a young, rising team in the Eastern Conference, and it is not hard to believe that they could end up contending for a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals if they put things together with their new bench. Various teams have pursued Allen over the last year, yet the Cavs have been unwilling to include him in trade talks. This is because he’s a very valuable two-way talent at the center position.

Alongside Evan Mobley, Allen has helped create one of the better defensive frontcourts in the league and is one of the better double-double threats at the center position. As far as his offensive game goes, Allen is a lob threat in every single pick-and-roll situation, plus his ability to set screens oftentimes goes unnoticed. Allen is a high-IQ player who just understand where to be on the court at all times, which is why he is so valuable to Cleveland’s success. The Cavaliers have a great thing going right now with a young nucleus that is only going to continue to grow together.

The post NBA Top 100 player rankings for 2023-24 season: 70-61 appeared first on ClutchPoints.