I have typically / consistently rated Jaylen as a top 20 player over the last 2 years or so. However, I do feel he is closer in value to guys in that 20-25 range than he is to players in that 10-15 range. Essentially more an All-Star than an All-Pro.
It is interesting to wonder about guys like D Sabonis, Bam and Markkanen. I would rate them more in the 20s. So I'd value Jaylen slightly higher but on a similar tier to them.
So, an interesting question: If you are BOS do you trade Jaylen for Sabonis, Bam or Markkanen? Then how about the opposite, if you are SAC do you trade Sabonis for Jaylen? Utah trade Markkanen for Jaylen? Miami trade Bam for Jaylen?
SAC: I would not trade D Sabonis for Jaylen even though I rate Jaylen as slightly better. D Sabonis is a much better fit for their team and makes them a better team than Jaylen would.
MIA: I would not trade Bam for Jaylen. Bam & Jimmy are a better duo than Jaylen & Jimmy would be. Miami would struggle without Bam's interior presence and high post facilitator role on offense. His replacement would likely be a low skill center. MIA is better with Bam.
UTA: Not sure. Maybe. Could go either way. With Jaylen's contract about to expire, it would surely be no but otherwise it is a 50-50 call.
BOS: I wouldn't trade Jaylen for D Sabonis. I have at times been tempted by Bam for Jaylen but generally have been against it because Bam is inconsistent and hurt a lot. It is tempting when Bam is playing well but those bad spells loom large. The Markkanen one is new and interesting, tempting. Maybe.
If Jaylen is truly on a tier above these guys, shouldn't be an easy yes for these teams. Of course we'll take Jaylen. That offer is too good to turn down. Even if a bit awkward for team construction.
I see him on the same tier albeit near the top of the tier.
Is Jaylen a top 20 player? He might be, but I don't think it is a given. This is always the point I seem to diverge from the board because I don't think it is all that clear.
And before anyone says name 20 guys better here is how I roughly see the tiers
Argument for best player on planet - Jokic, Giannis (2)
Best argument for top 5 - Curry, Durant, Embiid (5)
Clear top 10 - Tatum, Lillard, Doncic (8 )
Clear top 10 on a good day - Lebron, Davis, Kawhi, Zion (12)
Argument for top 10 - Morant, Booker, Butler, SGA (16)
Argument for top 15 - Mitchell, Harden, George, Young, Beal, Edwards (22)
Argument for top 20 - Brown, Ingram, J. Murray, Fox, Sabonis, Towns, Bam, Holiday, Siakam, Gobert, LaVine (32)
So that is 32 players (31 better or in Brown's tier) and that doesn't even include Kyrie, DeRozan, LaMelo, Klay, Maxey, Garland, D. Murray or obviously the rising stars like Cunningham, Banchero, Wemby, Mobley
In other words, this board loves to call Brown a top 20 player and it certainly isn't clear that he is one (and that isn't trade value, Brown obviously has more trade value than someone like Harden, but if you were just ranking the players, Harden in my view is better and more impactful mostly because of his passing).