What happened: The NBA placed Ty Jerome at No. 11, Deni Avdija at No. 12, and Cade Cunningham at No. 13 in its latest rankings ladder. Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors and Jalen Brunson rounded out the five-player tier at Nos. 14 and 15.

Why it matters: All five players are averaging over 23 points per game through the opening weeks of the 2026-27 regular season. The placements highlight strong early production across the league, including Barnes helping keep Toronto at 4-4 through eight games.

What to watch: Barnes is listed as questionable with left adductor and groin soreness ahead of Toronto's next game. The remaining four players look to sustain their early scoring efficiency through November.