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ESPN's NBA panel debated the network's top 100 player rankings for the 2026-27 season, with insiders split on whether LeBron James deserved his No. 18 placement and unanimously projecting Victor Wembanyama to claim the No. 1 spot.

What is a key fact in this story? (1)

**ESPN** continued its top 100 players countdown for the 2026-27 NBA season, revealing spots 50-11 after previously unveiling 100-51, with the top 10 set to follow.

What is a key fact in this story? (2)

**LeBron James** landed at No. 18, prompting panel debate; Jamal Collier called it 'questionable' given James carried the Lakers to a playoff series win with Luka Doncic injured, while Brian Windhorst noted James shot 54% after the All-Star break with a career-low usage rate.

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Insiders weigh in on snubs, surprises and biggest questions — SkimNews

By ESPN · Summarized & edited by Kapil Samant · 2026-09-23

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ESPN continued its top 100 players countdown for the 2026-27 NBA season, revealing spots 50-11 after previously unveiling 100-51, with the top 10 set to follow.
LeBron James landed at No. 18, prompting panel debate; Jamal Collier called it 'questionable' given James carried the Lakers to a playoff series win with Luka Doncic injured, while Brian Windhorst noted James shot 54% after the All-Star break with a career-low usage rate.
Tyrese Haliburton at No. 19 was called 'too low' by Collier, who cited his top-10-caliber 2025 playoff play and back-to-back Eastern Conference finals appearances.
Walker Kessler jumped 25 spots despite playing only five games last season, with MacMahon attributing the leap to 'the Lakers limelight' and the pick-and-roll synergy with Doncic.
The top three race was called one of the closest in NBA Rank history, with all four panelists predicting Victor Wembanyama at No. 1, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at No. 2, and Nikola Jokic at No. 3.
Jalen Brunson was flagged by Windhorst as 'the guy who was No. 1 when it mattered most last season,' teasing curiosity about where the panel ranked him in the final top 10.
Scottie Barnes at No. 17 drew Windhorst's note that the ranking underrates Barnes looking forward, particularly with Kawhi Leonard arriving in Toronto to support him.

Why it matters: ESPN's panel projections carry weight across the league: anointing Wembanyama as the consensus No. 1 despite his lack of an MVP or championship cements a passing-of-the-torch moment, while LeBron at No. 18 — behind both Tyrese Maxey (No. 11) and Jaylen Brown (No. 14) — signals how Philadelphia's new roster reshapes his role and market value on a veteran minimum contract.