25 Best NBA Players By Tiers (December 2023)

Continuing our series following our November rankings, it is time to list the 25 Best NBA Players By Tiers for December 2023. This tier system separates the kings of the NBA from the rest, along with welcoming some new faces who have performed at an elite level on both ends of the court. As we approach the New Year, there has been some movement in the tier system.

As the hardwood narratives unfold, this running monthly ranking system promises to reflect the ever-changing landscape of elite basketball prowess. Join us as we navigate the twists and turns of the season, breaking down the standout performances that shape the tiers of excellence in the NBA. Remember, a player’s status is not considered but rather the performance and impact over a month based on stats, impact, and all-around play regarding team performance.

Tier 5

Damian Lillard (Tier 5 in previous month - November)

Kawhi Leonard (N/A in previous month - November)

Julius Randle (N/A in previous month - November)

Devin Booker (N/A in previous month - November)

Alperen Sengun (N/A in previous month - November)

Jimmy Butler (N/A in previous month - November)

Tier 5 in December 2023 showcases a diverse mix of players in the final month of 2023. Damian Lillard, adapting well to Milwaukee, boasts impressive scoring with 25.0 PPG and a 35.0% three-point accuracy, hinting at ongoing improvement as he looks to get back to his usual scoring numbers.

Kawhi Leonard emerges as one key contributor for the Los Angeles Clippers, who are one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now going 7-3 over their last 10 games. Luckily for the Clippers, Leonard has been performing admirably and is posting 23.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while slowly getting back to his best on defense. 

Julius Randle continues to maintain an All-Star level of play with a solid 22.0 points per game for the 13-9 New York Knicks, showcasing his scoring prowess and also his ability to affect the game in other ways (9.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game). New York's best player was not in any tier in the month of November and it would be harsh to leave him out of this tier considering his consistency this month. 

Devin Booker is back to playing consistent basketball, and he has more than impressed. Averaging 27.7 points per game over 14 games this season, the superstar shooting guard is proving to be a consistent offensive player and if he continues to play at this level, he will climb the tiers by the New Year. 

Alperen Sengun's inclusion in the top 25 is justified by his impressive all-around impact, averaging 20.5 PPG, 9.1 RPG, and 5.6 APG, drawing comparisons to a "mini Jokic." The Houston Rockets are above .500 and Sengun has been their standout player this season.

Finally, Jimmy Butler's leadership for the Miami Heat is evident, securing a top-25 spot with 21.9 PPG and a 40.4% three-point accuracy, solidifying his status as one of the best two-way players in the league. Overall, Tier 5 reflects a dynamic mix of players excelling in various aspects, from scoring and leadership to resilience and all-around impact.

Tier 4

Stephen Curry (Tier 2 in previous month - November)

Donovan Mitchell (Tier 4 in previous month - November)

Domantas Sabonis (Tier 4 in previous month - November)

Trae Young (Tier 4 in previous month - November)

Bam Adebayo (Tier 4 in previous month - November)

Rudy Gobert (N/A in previous month - November)

Stephen Curry drops two tiers because the Golden State Warriors have been faltering badly this season, currently holding a 10-14 record which places them out of a playoff spot. Curry is posting 29.1 PPG so he is a top-20 player, but he has not been able to lead the Warriors to a respectable record so far.

One of the best shooting guards in the NBA, Donovan Mitchell is continuing his scoring dominance by posting 27.4 PPG with the Cleveland Cavaliers as he remains in Tier 4. Mitchell is not only a consistent scorer but an explosive athlete and he has brought some exciting basketball to the city of Cleveland.

One of the best passing centers in recent memory, Domantas Sabonis is having an excellent season in 2023-24. The 6’10” All-Star is averaging 18.5 PPG, 12.2 RPG, and 6.9 APG in a terrific all-around season for the Sacramento Kings. To help his case, Sabonis has the Kings sitting fifth with a 13-10 record in the Western Conference.

It is very hard to ignore how great Trae Young is offensively. The talented scorer and playmaker is averaging 26.8 PPG and 10.5 APG for the Atlanta Hawks, who are still struggling to find wins despite ranking 3rd in PPG. Young has the team’s offense firing on all cylinders but a 9-13 record is simply not good enough and that means there is a risk that Young falls out of Tier 4.

There is no question that Bam Adebayo is having an excellent campaign on both ends of the court, averaging 22.3 points and 9.9 rebounds to go along with 1.0 blocks per game. Most importantly, Adebayo is spearheading the 9th-best defense in the NBA as he defends all five positions as needed in any pick-and-roll situation. Based on the raw impact for the 13-10 Heat, Adebayo belongs in Tier 4.

Rudy Gobert finds his place in Tier 4 following his dominance on the defensive end. Quite possibly the favorite for the Defensive Player of the Year, which would be his fourth, Gobert is posting 12.2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game as he spearheads the second-ranked defense in the NBA.  

Tier 3

Tyrese Maxey (Tier 3 in previous month - November)

De’Aaron Fox (Tier 4 in previous month - November)

Anthony Davis (Tier 5 in previous month - November)

Anthony Edwards (Tier 3 in previous month - November)

LeBron James (Tier 3 in previous month - November)

Kevin Durant (Tier 3 in previous month - November)

There is no way Tyrese Maxey will fall out of Tier 3 because he has not slowed down offensively just yet. Maxey is posting 27.0 points and 6.7 assists per game this season and has been on fire all over the court. The likely first-time All-Star is shooting an incredible 47.0% from the field, 40.7% from three, and 89.9% from the stripe.

De’Aaron Fox climbs up a tier for his incredible efforts on the court. We are seeing the growth as one of the best point guards in the NBA right now as he averages 29.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game for the Sacramento Kings. The team ranks 8th in offense and Fox is the driving force of the team so far.

Anthony Davis just keeps getting more dominant as the weeks go by. The big man is in the running for Defensive Player of the Year this season as he posts 12.6 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 2.7 blocks per game. The Los Angeles Lakers might have dropped the game against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night, but Davis has performed admirably for the side.

Anthony Edwards retains his spot in Tier 3 as the best-performing natural shooting guard in the NBA. Edwards is posting 24.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, but his impact has been particularly impressive. The Minnesota Timberwolves hold a solid 17-5 record as they rank 2nd in defense but also have an elite ability to close games right now, thanks to Edwards’s offensive confidence.

It is truly amazing how The King, LeBron James, continues to be the go-to star for the Los Angeles Lakers at nearly 39 years old. LeBron is still the best player on the Lakers in terms of impact and leadership, averaging 25.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game while nailing 55.1% from the field, 40.5% from three, and 71.7% from the free-throw line. No doubt, James belongs in Tier 3 right now.

It is hard to ignore what Kevin Durant is doing on the court for the Phoenix Suns, who have struggled with injuries. Devin Booker has only played in 13 games and Bradley Beal has missed time with only three games played, meaning Durant has been carrying the Suns so far. Posting 31.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game, Durant has been a firecracker on offense. Even more impressively, the superstar is shooting 52.1% from the field, 50.0% from three, and 89.2% from the stripe.

Tier 2

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Tier 3 in previous month - November)

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Tier 2 in previous month - November)

Jayson Tatum (Tier 2 in previous month - November)

Tyrese Haliburton (Tier 4 in previous month - November)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to show Los Angeles Clippers fans what they are truly missing by not having him right now. The superstar guard is averaging 30.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game and doing it on 55.0% shooting from the field. At only 25 years old, the sky is the limit for the 2023 All-NBA First Team member and he has been absolutely on fire so far.

No surprise, Giannis Antetokounmpo does not fall outside of Tier 2. The superstar forward is averaging 30.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game while shooting an incredible 61.7% from the field. The Greek Freak is still a top-five player in the world when looking at what he does on both ends, and he has been the star for the championship-contending Milwaukee Bucks.

Jayson Tatum is simply a pleasure to watch offensively. His ball-handling, shooting, and improved ability in attacking the rim make him the most complete offensive package right now. Averaging 27.4 points per game on 49.1% from the field and 34.9% from three, the four-time All-Star is only 25 years old and is still getting better. As the best player on the best team in the Eastern Conference, Jayson Tatum belongs in Tier 2 and has to fight very hard to one day crack the spot in Tier 1.

The new member in Tier 2 is Tyrese Haliburton, the best playmaker in the world right now. The 6’5” guard is posting 26.3 points and 12.3 assists per game for the exciting Indiana Pacers who rank 1st in points per game. The offense is firing on all cylinders right now and Haliburton has been one of the 10 most valuable players in the world right now.

Tier 1

Joel Embiid (Tier 1 in previous month - November)

Nikola Jokic (Tier 1 in previous month - November)

Luka Doncic (Tier 1 in previous month - November)

The first member of Tier 1 is Joel Embiid. The 76ers have done better than anybody would have thought, going 15-7 as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Embiid is proving to be an MVP candidate even without James Harden and is averaging 33.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.9 blocks per game. Embiid is the most unstoppable center in the game offensively because he has no weakness and his mid-range game cannot be stopped. He is also a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, and he remains a top-three MVP candidate as a result.

As the month of December continues, Luka Doncic continues to go for the MVP award because the Dallas Mavericks are winning games simply because of him (32.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 8.9 assists per game). The Mavericks are 16-8 and have been in great form because the Slovenian is doing it all on the court in terms of scoring, rebounding, and playmaking. Dallas ranks 6th in scoring and Doncic is the driving force behind that, meaning the player is a top-three MVP candidate right now.

There might be some MVP voters who are already penciling in Nikola Jokic as this season’s MVP winner because he is right there with Luka Doncic in terms of raw impact. Jokic is posting a near triple-double again as a center with 28.2 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 9.6 assists per game. The Denver Nuggets hold an impressive 16-9 record in the Western Conference and are still one of the absolute favorites to make the NBA Finals again, and Jokic is the main reason because he is completely unstoppable right now.