Pre-2019-20 Ran: #28. Pre-2020-21 Rank: #35, Pre-2021-22 Rank: #36, Pre-2022-23 Rank: #36, Pre-2023-24 Rank: #31.

Peak Period: From 2012-13 to 2018-19

The narrative on John Wall has taken a pounding over the last few years.  Wall lost the entire 2019-20 Season due to a torn ACL, and he was surprisingly traded to the Houston Rockets, where he was decent, but he sat out the year after.  He joined the Clippers in 2022-23, but all he did was cement that he is a shell of what was once the most exciting Point Guard in the NBA.  He has not played since, and may never again.

Pre-2019-20 Rank: #26, Pre-2020-21 Rank: #19, Pre-2021-22 Rank: #17, Pre-2022-23 Rank: #17, Pre-2023-24 Rank: #13.

*Positional Note:  Butler has played significant time over his career as a Shooting Guard and Power Forward.

*Peak Period: 2016-17 to 2022-23.

Jimmy Butler is a fascinating case for the Hall of Fame.  Known for his playoff and big-game performances, Butler has not yet won an NBA Title but has led his teams (especially Miami) closer than they deserved.  Butler is A six-time All-Star, a one-time Second Team, and four-time Third Team All-NBA Selection, but he has only finished in the top ten in MVP voting once.

If you consider Butler a bubble candidate, remember that his strength defensively (he is a five-time Second Team All-Defensive Selection) should increase his chances, but it feels like Butler needs a little more to get into the Hall in his first two years on the ballot.

Pre-2019-20 Rank: #25, Pre-2020-21 Rank: #26, Pre-2021-22 Rank: #26, Pre-2022-23 Rank: #26, Pre-2023-24 Rank: #20.

Peak Period: 2014-15 to 2020-21.

Much of the last decade’s success of the Golden State Warriors can be attributed to Draymond Green, the tenacious (and often dirty) defensive stud whose work makes it easier for his teammates beyond the paint.  A four-time Champion and four-time All-Star, Green won the 2016-17 Defensive Player of the Year and eight-time All-Defensive player, he could follow the long line of defensive specialists who have entered the Hall, but he is running dangerously close to “fouling out” due to his actions.

Ask Bill Laimbeer about that.

Pre-2019-20 Rank: #23.  Pre-2020-21 Rank: #25, Pre-2021-21 Rank #27, Pre-2022-23 Rank: #28, Pre-2023-24 Rank: #26

*Peak Period:  From 2009-10 to 2015-16

Last year, we said, “Al Horford's best years are behind him, but he is still a starter on an excellent Boston Celtics team that could win it all in 2024.”

That is what happened.

Horford has five All-Star Games on his resume, an NBA Champion, but the Hall looks at it all, including two NCAA Championships at Florida.  This is a better candidate than you might think, and he is still a favored championship contender.