A Utah Jazz player is nearing the top of ESPN's latest Top 100 rankings

With each NBA season comes new player rankings and analysis across the league's media, and as the 2024-25 season approaches, this year is no different.

As we're now just over a week away from the start of a new season, we've seen several outlets come out with their latest rankings ahead of the new year's latest launch ESPN with their annual top 100 player list. And according to them, the state of the league and its top talent appears to be a little different than it was this time a year ago.

Although we don't know the full scope of the list from one to 100 ESPN As the team gradually lowers its rankings to first place, we know that not only did a fifth of last season's rankings not appear on this year's rankings, but one of the Utah Jazz's best young players was also left off the list and instead landed at number one in a category just outside the top 100 called “on the threshold.”

That player was third-year Jazz center Walker Kessler, who is coming off a tumultuous sophomore season after a strong rookie season. ESPN Author Kevin Pelton discussed what he sees in Kessler and how he could potentially climb back into the top 100 this time next year.

“Kessler’s rim protection, the strength of his game, was just as effective as it was in his rookie season,” Pelton said. “When Kessler was the primary defender, opponents made just 51% of shots within 5 feet, third-worst among qualified players. The problem in the 2023-24 season was that Kessler's 2-point percentage dropped from 72% to 68%, as did his passing accuracy.” With Utah focusing on player development, I expect the 23-year-old Kessler over Collins who is entering the final season of his contract.

In addition to Kessler, neither John Collins nor Jordan Clarkson were ranked 100-51, suggesting that Utah left out two other candidates ESPN's List complete this year.

Kessler ranked 70th for last year ESPN but now lands in the same tier as Golden State Warriors guard De'Anthony Melton and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier. Both are top-notch players, but you'd still like to see one of the Jazz's best young contributors on the roster find his way up the rankings.

He finished last season with averages of 8.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks, which was significantly similar to his rookie year stats but didn't quite fit into the second season jump that many of the expected election for the first round in 2022. However, as Utah continues to embrace its youth and rebuilding movement, we should expect an upside for Kessler.

The 23-year-old started preseason with a place in the starting lineup and started his third year as a defender and center back. He appears to be on the right track to rebuilding his reputation as a defender and one of the league's best young talents.

Keep an eye on Walker Kessler as he may be in for a huge rebound season.

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