For the fourth consecutive year, Flashscore presents its ranking of the NBA’s Top 100 players ahead of the 2026/27 season. In this instalment, we examine players ranked 70th to 61st, spotlighting underrated contributors, emerging young talents and promising prospects still striving to fulfil their potential.

70: CJ McCollum (Atlanta Hawks) — Up 22 places

Although CJ McCollum may never reach All-Star status, his experience and reliability continue to make him a valuable presence in the NBA. With the Atlanta Hawks undergoing a significant rebuilding process, the veteran guard is expected to play an important leadership role.

After taking time to adapt to his new surroundings, McCollum should be capable of returning to the level of performance he has consistently delivered over the past decade. His experience and steady production could prove crucial to an ambitious Atlanta side looking to make progress this season.

Stats 2025/26: 18.7 points per game on 45.5% shooting, including 37.5% from three-point range (76 games).

2026/27 target: 22 points per game, 50% shooting and 40% from beyond the arc.

69: Cameron Johnson (Denver Nuggets) — Down 19 places

The Denver Nuggets endured a disappointing campaign last season, suffering a first-round playoff exit that raised questions about the quality of the supporting cast around Nikola Jokic.

Cameron Johnson is among those expected to shoulder some of the responsibility. Having developed from a promising prospect into a dependable role player, the 30-year-old still offers valuable shooting ability from beyond the arc. However, his ranking reflects concerns about his ability to maintain or improve his overall impact.

If Johnson struggles to make an impression during the opening months of the season, his name could become a talking point as the trade deadline approaches.

Stats 2025/26: 12.2 points per game on 48% shooting, including 43% from three-point range (54 games).

2026/27 target: At least 17 points per game.

68: Payton Pritchard (Boston Celtics) — Up 25 places

Payton Pritchard has steadily established himself as an important contributor for the Boston Celtics, one of the NBA’s most successful teams in recent years. Following his Sixth Man of the Year recognition, the guard is now stepping into a starting point guard role alongside Derrick White.

Despite his growing reputation, Pritchard still appears to have plenty of room for improvement. His evolution from an aggressive scoring option into a more complete and consistent playmaker could continue throughout the upcoming campaign.

With opportunities to take on a greater offensive workload, particularly as the team redistributes some of the shots previously taken by Jaylen Brown, Pritchard could deliver another significant statistical jump.

Stats 2025/26: 17 points per game on 46.4% shooting, including 37.7% from three-point range, alongside 5.2 assists (79 games).

2026/27 target: 20 points and eight assists per game.

67: Jarrett Allen (Cleveland Cavaliers) — Down five places

Playing for a contender such as the Cleveland Cavaliers should put Jarrett Allen in a strong position to succeed. However, sharing the frontcourt with Evan Mobley has presented challenges, with the pairing yet to consistently convince critics of its overall effectiveness.

Trade speculation has also surrounded Allen, creating uncertainty about his long-term role. Despite the criticism that sometimes follows the Cavaliers during difficult stretches, the centre continues to provide efficient production without demanding the spotlight.

Allen’s value remains clear, but his future standing could depend on whether Cleveland maintains its current frontcourt partnership or decides to make significant changes.

Stats 2025/26: 15.4 points per game on 63.8% shooting, with 8.5 rebounds (56 games).

2026/27 target: 18 points and 10 rebounds per game.

66: Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets) — New entry

The Charlotte Hornets enjoyed plenty of positive attention last season, with rookie Kon Knueppel playing a major role in their encouraging progress. He quickly demonstrated his shooting ability, composure and willingness to perform under pressure, living up to the expectations surrounding him.

Knueppel’s impressive debut campaign has raised expectations ahead of his second season. With greater responsibility potentially awaiting him, the young forward will need to demonstrate that he can maintain his efficiency while taking on a more prominent role in Charlotte’s offence.

The next challenge is turning an excellent introduction to the NBA into sustained success.

Stats 2025/26: 18.5 points per game on 47.5% shooting, including 42.5% from three-point range (81 games).

2026/27 target: 22 points per game on 50% shooting, including 45% from three-point range.

65: Jalen Green (Phoenix Suns) — Down 17 places

Jalen Green’s move to Arizona was expected to provide a fresh start and establish him as the primary supporting scorer alongside Devin Booker for the Phoenix Suns. Instead, inconsistency and inefficient shooting limited his progress, while an injury further disrupted his campaign.

The decline is particularly disappointing given Green’s status as the second overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Several players from the same draft class have already established themselves as All-Stars, increasing the pressure on the young guard to take the next step.

Green still possesses considerable scoring potential, but he must become more efficient and consistent if he is to meet the expectations that accompanied his arrival in the league.

Stats 2025/26: 17.8 points per game on 42.2% shooting, including 31.3% from three-point range (32 games).

2026/27 target: 22 points per game on 50% shooting, with 40% accuracy from beyond the arc.

64: Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs) — New entry

Dylan Harper has already shown why he was selected second overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. The young guard made a particularly strong impression during the playoffs, producing several encouraging performances as his team advanced to the Finals.

With his confidence and impact continuing to grow, Harper could be ready for a significant breakthrough in the 2026/27 campaign. However, competition for minutes and touches will remain intense as he shares the backcourt with Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox, while also playing alongside French centre Victor Wembanyama.

Harper’s long-term potential is considerable, and he could eventually become the San Antonio Spurs’ second offensive option. Delivering consistent performances throughout the season will be the next important step in his development.

Stats 2025/26: 11.8 points per game on 50.5% shooting, including 34.3% from three-point range (69 games).

2026/27 target: 17 points per game and 40% shooting from three-point range.

63: Jaden McDaniels (Minnesota Timberwolves) — Up 18 places

Jaden McDaniels remains one of the NBA’s most underappreciated players. His willingness to handle defensive assignments and perform the less glamorous aspects of the game often leaves him outside the spotlight enjoyed by his team’s biggest stars.

Nevertheless, the Minnesota Timberwolves forward has considerable potential to become an even more influential player. While his offensive game still has room to develop, his defensive abilities already make him an important component of the team’s structure.

If McDaniels can take another step forward as a scorer without sacrificing his defensive effectiveness, he could emerge as a serious candidate for the Most Improved Player award and earn recognition among the league’s best defenders.

Stats 2025/26: 14.8 points per game on 51.5% shooting, including 41.2% from three-point range (73 games).

2026/27 target: 19 points per game, with potential recognition as a Most Improved Player candidate and an NBA All-Defensive Team contender.

62: Alex Caruso (Oklahoma City Thunder) — Up seven places

Few players embody the term underrated quite like Alex Caruso. Even after helping the Oklahoma City Thunder establish themselves among the league’s elite, the defensive specialist continues to receive less recognition than his contributions arguably deserve.

Caruso is not known for his scoring, but his defensive instincts, ability to disrupt opponents and commitment to team basketball make him a valuable asset. His impact often extends well beyond what traditional statistics can capture.

As the Thunder look to remain competitive, Caruso is expected to continue providing the defensive intensity and unselfish play that have become hallmarks of his career. Another strong season could strengthen his case for a place among the NBA’s top defensive players.

Stats 2025/26: 6.2 points and 1.3 steals per game (56 games).

2026/27 target: 10 points and two steals per game, alongside a potential NBA All-Defensive Team selection.

61: Trey Murphy III (New Orleans Pelicans) — Down six places

Trey Murphy III has developed into a reliable scoring threat for the New Orleans Pelicans, comfortably averaging more than 20 points per game while offering an effective outside shooting option.

The forward’s individual ability is rarely in doubt. However, his next challenge is translating his personal production into greater team success. New Orleans have struggled to establish themselves as consistent contenders, and Murphy must now demonstrate that he can take on a stronger leadership role.

With his scoring ability and shooting range already established, the 2026/27 season represents an opportunity for Murphy to become more than a dependable offensive contributor. If he can influence games more consistently and help drive the Pelicans forward, he could justify a higher position in future rankings.

Stats 2025/26: 21.5 points per game on 47% shooting, including 37.9% from three-point range (66 games).

2026/27 target: 25 points per game.