Dallas Mavericks stars Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic were clear picks for CBS’ NBA Top 100 player list, ranking 35th and fourth, respectively. Both players were chosen All-Stars last season, and their absence would have been terrible.
Surprisingly, the two guards were not the only Mavericks players named to the coveted list. Grant Williams, a 6-6 forward came over from the Boston Celtics in a sign-and-trade this summer, ranked No. 100 for the second season in a row (his first season with the Mavs).
Doncic, who made his fourth consecutive All-NBA First Team, climbed one spot in the rankings from last year. The 6-7 point guard outperformed famous players including Kevin Durant and reigning league MVP Joel Embiid.
Irving, on the other hand, was moved even further down the list than the previous year. His 31st rank from last season fell to 35th after CBS highlighted his inability to stay on the court due to off-court concerns as the primary cause.
Williams ranked 100th on the list for the second season in a row. His shooting and defensive skills for the Celtics during the Eastern Conference playoffs helped them reach the conference finals. His toughness on the opposite end of the ball fills a need for the Mavericks this season, allowing him the opportunity to raise his rating even higher for the next season.
Doncic remains the only Mavericks player on the list who began the season with the team last year, which is a positive trend for Dallas fans. The front office hopes that this adjustment results in a deep playoff run similar to what we saw during the 2021-22 season.
