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How Many Current NBA Players Rank Ahead of Luka Doncic?

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Sep 29, 2023; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) poses for a photo during the Mavs Media Day at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Listing the greatest current NBA players without mentioning Luka Doncic is impossible. Even though he is just 24, his accolades and stats don’t lie, and he is heavily regarded as the best point guard in the league.

While debates continue, how many players should rank ahead of Doncic? Will he take the top spot before his career is over? Fortunately for the fans, the hard work to rank every player this season has already been done.

How Many Current NBA Players Rank Ahead of Luka Doncic?

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Only a Handful Sit Ahead of the Superstar Prodigy

In a recent list created by ESPN’s NBArank, a list that is made every season over the past 13 years, Doncic checks in as the fourth-best player in the league. Giannis Antetokounmpo ranks as the No. 1 player, followed by reigning Finals MVP Nikola Jokic and league MVP Joel Embiid.

While the conversation remains up for debate, Doncic still sits ahead of some of the league’s best players. Stephen Curry, widely regarded as the greatest shooter of all time, is ranked fifth.

With more surprises, Jayson Tatum (6) and Kevin Durant (7) were also beat out by Doncic. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander comes in at eighth. Los Angeles Lakers teammates LeBron James and Anthony Davis check in as the ninth and 10th best players in the league.

To further drive the point home, Doncic was part of a Dallas Mavericks team that won just 38 games and didn’t make the Play-In tournament. It was another disappointing season for the future MVP, but even with the lackluster season, Doncic did everything he could.

Doncic ended last season with a career-best 32.4 points per game while also averaging 8.0 assists. He finished second in points behind Embiid and ninth in assists.

Even when someone is top 10 in points and assists, thanks to the talent of today’s NBA, it still isn’t enough to earn a playoff spot.

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How Can the Dallas Mavericks Help Luka Doncic?

The age-old question. What more can the team do to surround Doncic with perennial players?

Doncic works best on the open floor while not being afraid to pass the ball. Adding Kyrie Irving to the mix hasn’t been the recipe for winning the team has been looking for, but it should take a huge load off of Doncic.

Doncic’s special abilities can really come into display as Irving can also create open looks for him. With egos pushed aside, it’s clear this is Doncic’s team.

The Mavericks drafted the best center prospect, Dereck Lively II. From a roster standpoint, it made sense because they needed a center, but Lively doesn’t have the ability to space the floor.

The best course of offense would be to run pick and rolls and let Doncic feast. An athletic Lively should also gel perfectly with the passing ability of Doncic.

The name that many teams keep an eye on due to the circling trade rumors has to be Indiana Pacers shooting guard Buddy Hield. With a career 40% three-point average, teams will have no idea how not to double Doncic.

There are plenty of ways to help Doncic. This can help bolster his chances of one day being the No. 1 ranked player in the league. Or perhaps even better, to win an NBA championship.

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The Last Word on Luka Doncic

While arguments can be made about where Doncic should be ranked, the fact that he’s already among the elite at 24 years old is only a sign of things to come. Doncic is a special talent that the Mavericks don’t want to waste.

There’s no chance the Mavericks will let Doncic walk, so the next best course of action is to build around him. Doncic’s skills are enough to help Dallas earn their second NBA title in franchise history before his career is over.

The post How Many Current NBA Players Rank Ahead of Luka Doncic? appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.