These 15 players have no business ahead of Jaylen Brown in recent NBA rankings

For years, people doubted Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. They had the talent, but they hadn’t won anything. Because of that some questioned how great they truly were. Last year, they put those questions to bed by winning the 2024 NBA Championship. But new questions arose.

Instead of being criticized for not winning, they were effectively knocked for having too good of a team. Brad Stevens put too many great pieces around them. Adding Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis made the Celtics into a ‘super team,’ somehow leading to the notion that Tatum and Brown were carried by those around them.

It’s backwards logic, but that’s how the conversation is approached.

Action Network’s latest NBA Player Rankings reflect this insane logic, especially when it comes to Brown. They ranked him as the 32nd best player in the NBA, and there are 15 players ahead of him who shouldn’t be.

1. Jamal Murray (#31)

For as great as his postseason resume is, Brown’s is better. Jamal Murray is a fine player, but he’s never made an All-Star team, he’s never won conference finals MVP, and he’s never won Finals MVP. Brown has all of those accolades on his resume.

Murray’s offensive talent as a playmaker supersedes Brown, but the Celtics star is worlds above him on defense, and his scoring is a notch ahead, too.

2. Pascal Siakam (#30)

Getting traded to the Indiana Pacers will turn out to be a blessing for Pascal Siakam, and he was better in the postseason than most people give him credit for. But he doesn’t touch Brown.

Siakam’s versatility on offense and defense are underrated, but Brown is still a superior scorer, and his point-of-attack defense really pushes him over the top in the discussion.

3. Tyrese Maxey (#29)

Perhaps there’s a world where Tyrese Maxey passes Brown by the end of next season, but right now, the Celtics forward should still top him in any player rankings.

Maxey’s shiftiness and impressive scoring put him in the discussion, but Brown’s prowess as a two-way player should close the book here.

4. Kristaps Porzingis (#28)

Some friendly fire here. For as great as Kristaps Porzingis was in his first Celtics season, he was barely on the court. The best ability is availability, as they say.

Brown is more durable, a more versatile scorer, and while Porzingis’ interior defense is incredible, his teammate is no slouch on that end, either.

5. Domantas Sabonis (#27)

Of all the names listed so far, this is the tightest argument. Domantas Sabonis might be the most underrated player in the NBA, but Brown’s versatility at the forward position should put him over the edge.

Sabonis’ wide-raning impact on the basketball court is undeniable, but he’s still a questionable scorer come playoff time, and for a big body, his defense leaves something to be desired at times.

6. De’Aaron Fox (#26)

For as great as De’Aaron Fox is, his star teammate should be above him in the rankings, and so should Brown. Once again, this is simply the case of being a two-way player.

Fox isn’t a terrible defender by any means, but that side of the ball is often thrown out the window in most instances. The Kings guard is a great scorer and has supersonic speed with the ball in his hands, but Brown’s defense and versatility should give him the edge.

7. James Harden (#25)

A few years ago, James Harden deserved to be above Brown in the rankings. But that was a few years ago. This is now. And Harden simply isn’t the same player.

He’s still one of the best playmakers in the game, but his defense has only declined with age, and at this point, Brown has been a better overall scorer for a few seasons, even if it’s simply because of the roles Harden has been put into.

8. Chet Holmgren (#24)

What are we even doing here. Chet Holmgren is a phenomenal basketball player and will be one of the best defenders in the league for years to come, but putting him above Brown on any list is an embarrassment at this point in their careers.

Holmgren is still a bit undersized (in terms of mass), his scoring is extremely reliant on those around him, and for a 7-foot-1 big man, his rebounding needs some work. This is egregious.

9. Lauri Markkanen (#23)

As one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA, Lauri Markkanen deserves a spot in the Top 40 conversations. Not the Top 25 conversations. His game is simply too one-dimensional.

He’s a fine defender and has great size for his position, but he doesn’t have half the resume of Brown. One has a Finals MVP and the other has never made the playoffs. Do the math.

10. Trae Young (#22)

This is going to be the same argument that has been made a bunch of times (and will continue to be made), but Trae Young is not a two-way player. Brown is. It’s that simple.

Young’s offensive talent is incredible, but he’s consistently been one of the worst defensive players in basketball, while Brown has been in All-Defensive conversations.

11. Paul George (#21)

Similar to Sabonis, there’s a real case for Paul George to be above Brown in these rankings. But at this point in their careers, they are very similar players, and Brown has been more effective for a few years.

Not only has he been healthier, but his scoring numbers have looked better, and he’s put up far better performances in the postseason. This one is close, and George could very well top Brown, but that’s not how we have it.

12. Damian Lillard (#20)

People were a bit too harsh on Damian Lillard last season, and he could be in store for a bounce-back season. But even if he’s gets back to being (close to) his normal self, Brown’s defense still gives him the edge.

Too often do great offensive players get placed above other great offensive players because they have a slight edge in that category, when in reality, the gap on the other end is otherworldly.

13. Ja Morant (#17)

By the end of next season, Ja Morant will likely be right back above Brown, but heading into next year, the Celtics star is the reigning Finals MVP, and the Grizzlies guard missed almost all of last season.

There’s not denying Morant’s talent, but staying healthy (and out of trouble) means something. Until further notice, Brown should be above Morant.

14. Donovan Mitchell (#14)

In the playoffs, Donovan Mitchell put up a valiant effort against the Celtics, but once again, this all comes down to being a two-way player. And Mitchell is not.

He’s a fine defender. He tries his best. But he’s undersized, and other teams take advantage of that. That’s now the case with Brown.

15. Tyrese Haliburton (#7)

Finally, and perhaps the most ridiculous ranking on this list, Tyrese Haliburton was a whopping 25 spots higher than Brown. That’s simply insane.

Haliburton isn’t a two-way player, and the Pacers looked just as good with him off the floor in the Eastern Conference finals. He’s above Brown, LeBron James, Tatum, Victor Wembanyama, and Stephen Curry, among others. 

This goes beyond insanity. It’s objectively incorrect.