The NBA is a players league always and forever. The superstars are the engine that drive the league’s popularity and fuel the success of their respective teams. In terms of star power, there’s never been a time like this before. The upper echelon of the NBA is currently comprised of age-defying legends (LeBron, Steph, and KD), ascending supernovas like Wemby and Ant-Man, and an unquestioned big four that prove the NBA is truly a global game. Here are the 50 best NBA players right now.
50.
Zion Williamson
Team: New Orleans Pelicans
2024 Ranking: 21
2024-25 Stats: 24.6 Points Per Game 7.2 Rebounds 5.3 Assists 56% Field Goal Percentage / 23% 3-Point Field Goal Percentage / 65% Free Throw Percentage
Read More
As Zion Williamson enters season seven, it’s still unclear whether he’s a bust or a potential All-NBA performer. The numbers are damning: Williamson has missed more career games (268) than he has played in (214). But his talent is tantalizing enough that we can’t quit on him despite the glaring red flags concerning his conditioning and durability. He’s an unstoppable force in the paint and an underrated playmaker but those skills are inconsequential if he isn’t on the court. —Thomas Golianopoulos
49.
Cooper Flagg
Team: Dallas Mavericks
2024 Ranking: Unranked
2024-25 Stats: 19.2 PPG 7.5 REB 4.2 AST 48%/38%/84% (College – Duke)
The ping-pong balls landed in the Mavericks’ favor last spring allowing them to pick one of the most complete prospects to enter the NBA since—dare we say —LeBron James. Flagg can shoot, distribute and bang on the boards. He’s also a twitchy athlete with a dogged competitive streak. Still, like with all rookies there are questions about how his game will translate to the NBA. Can he defend on the perimeter? Will Jason Kidd play him at the point? We’ll soon find out. —Thomas Golianopoulos
48.
Joel Embiid
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
2024 Ranking: 5
2024-25 Stats: 23.8 PPG 8.2 REB 4.5 AST 44%/29%/88%
Hampered by knee problems, the 2022-23 NBA MVP was a shell of his former self last season. Embiid looked slow and stiff laboring through 19 games, his lowest total since missing back-to-back seasons in 2014 and 2015. The 76ers have stated there’s a plan in place (a process?) to manage Embiid this season but haven’t specified whether that means a minutes restriction or if he will play in back-to-backs. It’s uncertain where Embiid goes from here. Some good news though: Embiid flirted with a triple-double in his preseason debut, dropping 14 points seven rebounds and eight assists in his first game in eight months. —Thomas Golianopoulos
47.
Trey Murphy III
Team: New Orleans Pelicans
2024 Ranking: Unranked
2024-25 Stats: 21.2 PPG 5.1 REB 3.5 AST 45%/36%/88%
Trey Murphy III provides some stability for a New Orleans Pelicans franchise that’s been in a constant state of flux since Chris Paul departed 15 years ago. He’s a two-way 3-and-D guy with budding playmaking skills and a 7-foot wingspan with still room for improvement on the defensive end. It’s up to the new front office to decide whether Murphy and his team-friendly contract (four years $112 million) are a pillar of the Hornets future or a huge chip to trigger their latest rebuild. —Thomas Golianopoulos
46.
Draymond Green
Team: Golden State Warriors
2024 Ranking: 48
2024-25 Stats: 9.0 PPG 6.1 REB 5.6 AST 42%/32%/68%
Let’s go straight to the facts: Draymond Green is a first-ballot Hall of Famer and one of the greatest defensive players of all time. The Warriors don’t win four NBA Championships without him anchoring their defense. But he can be a liability both on and off the court. The podcasting and trolling are frivolous yet maddening. His poor impulse control and tendency to sabotage the Warriors offense are of greater concern. —Thomas Golianopoulos
45.
LaMelo Ball
Team: Charlotte Hornets
2024 Ranking: Unranked
2024-25 Stats: 25.2 PPG / 4.9 REB / 7.4 AST 40.5% / 33.9% / 84.3%
LaMelo Ball is a highlight machine: ankle-breaking handles, slick dimes, graceful finishes at the rim. Injuries have limited his impact, but Melo’s ceiling is as high as the nosebleeds. If the 24-year-old stays healthy and sharpens his scoring efficiency, he can fully embrace his role as the Hornets’ franchise cornerstone. —John Kennedy
44.
Dyson Daniels
Team: Atlanta Hawks
2024 Ranking: Unranked
2024-25 Stats: 14.1 PPG 5.9 REB 4.4 AST 49%/34%/59%
Dyson Daniels found an identity in Atlanta last season, rebranding as basketball’s best point of attack defender. Ascending as the yang to Trae Young’s yin, The Great Barrier Thief picked pockets and absorbed passing lanes to the tune of three steals a night. His active hands led to an All-Defensive First Team selection while finishing second in Defensive Player of the Year voting. A surge in scoring and all around activity made the 22-year-old Aussie the 2025 Most Improved Player. The above accolades and a referendum on defense league wide—see the full court pressure applied by both NBA Finals teams—make Dyson even more valuable as he eyes a contract extension and preys on an embattled East. – Ian Stonebrook
43.
Kyrie Irving
Team: Dallas Mavericks
2024 Ranking: 25
2024-2025 Stats: 24.7 PPG 4.7 REB 4.6 AST 47%/40%/91%
When he’s on the court, Kyrie Irving’s ballhandling and shotmaking sorcery make him one of the most immutably efficient offensive players in the NBA. The problem is, for the last six seasons, he’s barely been on it. This year is much of the same, as he’s recovering from an ACL injury he suffered in March. He’s not expected back before December. If he can return to full power before the playoffs, the Dallas Mavericks, equipped with Anthony Davis, No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, and a deep roster, could be one of the most dangerous teams in the West—and Kyrie can justify a higher position on this list.—Peter A. Berry
42.
Jalen Johnson
Team: Atlanta Hawks
2024 Ranking: Unranked
2024-2025 Stats: 18.9 PPG 10 REB 5 AST 50%/31%/74%
If the Atlanta Hawks do move on from Trae Young, they won’t have to look too far to find their next all-star. At 6’9” with altruistic court vision and slam dunk contest bounce, Jalen Johnson is a 24-year-old with the length, athleticism, and offensive creativity to become one of the NBA’s next great two-way threats. Injuries have kept him to only 92 games the last two seasons, but if he’s healthy enough to complete the leap he began in 2023, the Hawks can aspire to something greater than the play-in.—Peter A. Berry
41.
OG Anunoby
Team: New York Knicks
2024 Ranking Last Year: Unranked
2024-25 Stats: 18 PPG 4.8 REB 2.2 AST 47%/37%/81%
Outside of Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby might be the most popular Knick in New York City—and why wouldn’t he be? The Knicks are 65–32 over the last two seasons when he’s played, and his impact is undeniable: an elite defender who can also explode offensively when needed. With Mike Brown potentially implementing a more dynamic offense, OG will be a big winner. Of course, there’s one caveat: he has to stay on the court. And while he played more than 70 games last season, durability is always part of the conversation with him. He’s already missed most of the preseason due to a tweaked ankle. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo
40.
Franz Wagner
Team: Orlando Magic
2024 Ranking: 36
2024-25 Season Stats: 24.2 PPG 5.7 REB 4.7 AST 46%/29%/87%
The question ‘Can Franz Wagner shoot’ has haunted the Orlando Magic forward four years into his career. The Berlin-born baller is the rare wing that’s both a creator and a connector. At 24.2 PPG in 2024-25, Franz can certainly shoot – just not from 3 Point Land. An abysmal 18% beyond the arc in last year’s first round exit to the Celtics cemented that stance for doubters, though Eurobasket brilliance months later gave light to believers. Deep ball aside, feathery footwork and a real feel for the game make OnlyFranz the perfect Paolo Banchero co-star for downhill bully ball. If the threes start falling for Franz, an All-Star selection and Orlando home court advantage are almost certain. – Ian Stonebrook
39.
Derrick White
Team: Boston Celtics
2024 Ranking: 42
2024-25 Season Stats: 16.4 PPG 4.4 REB 4.8 AST 44%/38%/83%
Derrick White won’t wow you with highlight dunks or bloated stat sheets. What he will do is make the most of every ounce of trust allotted by his coach and teammates. More often than not he’s answered the call no matter how much the role required. Heading into 2025-26, White’s role and expectations are as odd as they’ve ever been. Playing point guard and mentor on a Mazzulla coached squad that’s lost three starters but might not want to lose games, it’s unclear whether White will be asked to double his offensive output or teach Anfernee Simons his winning ways. What is certain is that he’ll stick to the script. Will that mean leading a play-in push for the Celtics or becoming a trade target for contenders? We’ll have to wait and see. – Ian Stonebrook
38.
Desmond Bane
Team: Orlando Magic
2024 Ranking: 46
2024-2025 Stats: 19.2 PPG 6.1 REB 5.3 AST 48%/39%/89%
When Desmond Bane was traded to the Orlando Magic last year, the team immediately jumped to the top of the, “Wow, they’re deeper than I thought,” Power Rankings. In Bane, Orlando gained a reliable volume scorer and floor spacer with the physicality to fit in nicely with a Magic defense that ranked No. 1 last year in points against average. Combined with versatile shot-creators like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, Bane has the chance to help make the Magic, well, magical. —Peter A. Berry
37.
Ivica Zubac
Team: Los Angeles Clippers
2024 Ranking: Unranked
2024-2025 Stats:16.8 PPG 12.7 REB 2.7 AST 62%/N/A/66%
It took about a decade, but last year, Ivica Zubac went from “kind of alright” to “pretty damn good,” and it’s one of the biggest reasons you can’t sleep on the Clippers this year. For years he’d been a magnificent screener, prolific rebounder, and solid rim protector, but after getting consistent playing time, he proved himself a more than reliable tertiary scorer, too; his points per game total raised about as much as his minutes. With James Harden and a hopefully healthy Kawhi Leonard, it’s a late-career leap that has Clippers fans hoping they can soar past the second round.—Peter A. Berry
36.
De’Aaron Fox
Team: San Antonio Spurs
2024 Ranking: 23
2024-2025 Stats: 25.0 PPG 5.0 REB 6.1 AST 46%/31%/82%
De’Aaron Fox must be good. Steph Curry trusts him enough to make him the only other NBA player with a signature shoe under his Curry label with Under Armour. His production dropped slightly following the trade from Sacramento to San Antonio but he’s also not the only guy anymore, either. He’s got Wemby, and they are going to be a terror running pick and rolls this season.—Matt Welty
35.
Amen Thompson
Team: Houston Rockets
2024 Ranking: Unranked
2024-25 Season Stats: 14.1 PPG 8.2 REB 3.8 AST 55%/27%/68%
No 14 PPG scorer has had more eyeballs entering a season since Tracy McGrady moved to Orlando. Nevertheless, Amen Thompson is undoubtedly among the most exciting players in the NBA despite uncertainty regarding his role. Perhaps a point guard, absolutely an athlete, Amen has made a name for himself by bringing energy and verticality to both sides of the ball. An innate competitiveness got him in Ime Udoka’s good graces almost immediately while viral videos of in-game dunks made him a fan favorite. With all eyes on Amen this season, basketball’s best science project is taking off in Space City. —Ian Stonebrook
34.
Scottie Barnes
Team: Toronto Raptors
2024 Ranking: 34
2024-2025 Stats: 19.3 PPG 7.7 REB 5.8 AST 44%/27%/75%
It would be fair to argue that Scottie Barnes’ game has stagnated. After all, he’s ranked 34th just like last season. But the fact remains that he’s a capable volume scorer with power forward size and the ability to create offense for others and rebound the ball. He’s also just 24. With Brandon Ingram and RJ Barrett beside him, the Raptors should easily outperform last season’s 25-win record. Coming into his prime, Barnes is an embodiment of that potential. But the clock is ticking.—Peter A. Berry
33.
Domantas Sabonis
Team: Sacramento Kings
2024 Ranking: 31
2024-2025 Stats: 19.1 PPG 13.9 REB 6 AST 59%/41%/75%
Domantas Sabonis’ footwork, court vision, and scoring touch make him arguably the most-skilled offensive big man this side of Nikola Jokic, but that hasn’t resulted in a ton of wins. Is it because of his defense? The Kings’ poor roster construction? Either way, he’s only been to the postseason once during his four-year run in Sacramento (R.I.P. Light the Beam) and it doesn’t look like that number will improve this season. With an odd collection of gunners and vets like DeMar Derozan, Zach Levine, Dennis Schroder, and Russell Westbrook, the Kings hope to contend for a play-in spot.—Peter A. Berry
32.
Ja Morant
Team: Memphis Grizzlies
2024 Ranking: 18
2024-25 Stats: 23.2 PPG 4.1 REB 7.3 AST 45%/30%/82%
Ja Morant’s challenge this season is simple: be reliable. Injuries and off-court setbacks have derailed his rise since his 2022 All-NBA campaign, but his potential impact remains undeniable. Memphis needs him to stay on the floor and lead with consistency if he’s to reclaim his star trajectory. —Brighid Tully
31.
Jamal Murray
Team: Denver Nuggets
2024 Ranking: 37
2024-25 Stats: 21.4 PPG 3.9 REB 6 AST 47%/37%/88%
After years of cost-cutting, Denver’s front office finally built a competent team around Jokic this summer. One of the biggest beneficiars should be Jamal Murray, who’s struggled with consistency in the past—partly due to injuries, partly due to slow starts. (He was particularly brutal in the first quarter of last season.) Jokic is Superman, so he doesn’t necessarily need Murray to be Batman if he’s got a squad of Super Friends. But Murray appears poised to reclaim his role as a capable number two on a championship team. Based on his preseason play, the signs are encouraging. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo
30.
Chet Holmgren
Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
2024 Ranking: 44
2024-25 Stats: 15 PPG 8 REB 2 AST 49%/37%/74%
Chet Holmgren enters 2025-26 with both promise and pressure. After injuries slowed his first two seasons, the Thunder’s 7-foot-1 forward-center has flashed dominant defensive instincts and a growing offensive touch. His health remains the biggest question: if he stays on the floor, Holmgren’s blend of rim protection and shooting could help OKC defend its title. —Brighid Tully
29.
Trae Young
Team: Atlanta Hawks
2024 Ranking: 20
2024-25 Stats: 24.2 PPG 3.1 REB 11.6 AST 41.1%/ 34%/ 87.5%
Whether he’s slicing through defenders or pulling up from the logo, Ice Trae always finds a way to score. The four-time All-Star hit new heights as a playmaker last season, leading the league in assists. Now, surrounded by young talent like Dyson Daniels and high-ceiling vets like Kristaps Porzingis, Trae is ready to put up numbers where they matter most: the win column.—John Kennedy
28.
Tyrese Maxey
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
2024 Ranking: 22
2024-25 Stats: 26.3 PPG 3.3 REB 6.1 AST 43%/33%/87%
The Sixers enter the season more confused than ever. Can Joel Embiid play more than 30 games? Will Paul George put down the podcast mic? What can we expect from rookie V.J. Edgecombe, who’s already shown promise in the preseason? The one place you can find some consistency is Tyrese Maxey, one of the most reliable bucket-getters in the league. He’s the unquestioned leader of the Sixers now. If he can shake off last year’s injury issues, expect an elite, All-NBA-level season for Maxey as he enters those prime mid-20 years. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo
27.
Darius Garland
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
2024 Ranking: Unranked
2024-2025 Stats: 20.6 PPG 2.9 REB 6.7 AST 47%/40%/87%
Like a certain Cleveland Cavaliers guard before him, the biggest question surrounding Darius Garland is his ability to stay healthy. With slithery ballhandling, a smooth jumper, and sharp court vision, he’s an All-NBA talent that helped make the Cavs the Eastern Conference No. 1 seed last year. But he, along with the rest of the Cavs roster, needs to be on the court at the right time to earn the league-wide recognition — and potentially, a deep playoff run — his play says he deserves.—Peter A. Berry
26.
Bam Adebayo
Team: Miami Heat
2024 Ranking: 24
2024-25 Season Stats: 18.1 PPG 9.6 REB 4.3 AST 48%/35%/76%
It appeared for a moment that Bam Adebayo hit a wall last year. A slow start coming off an Olympic Gold Medal summer and severe mileage from seven seasons of Heat Culture were fair reasons for a 6’9 center to not be at the peak of his powers. The declining narrative changed quickly as Bam began getting 30 point double-doubles before returning to the hub heroics he’s known for. As the Miami Heat start the season with Tyler Herro on the IR, a slow start can’t be in the cards. All of Bam’s running mates exist in prove-it purgatory until proven otherwise, putting the offensive onus on the man in the high post. Will he raise his reputation and that of his team’s in an up-for-grabs East? The burden will be on Bam’s broad shoulders all season long. – Ian Stonebrook
25.
James Harden
Team: Los Angeles Clippers
2024 Ranking: 49
2024-2025 Stats:22.8 PPG 5.8 REB 8.7 AST 41%/35%/87%
At 36, James Harden is coming off of what could be called a bounce back season. His scoring jumped from 16.6 points per game in 2023-24 (his lowest total since 2010-11) to 22.8 and he looked fitter and more engaged than he had in years. But is that enough to lead the geriatric Clippers to the NBA Finals? (Harden is one of eight 30-plus Clippers.) A notorious postseason underachiever, The Beard will be judged by how he performs in April and May. That’s the burden of being a former MVP and future first-ballot Hall of Famer.—Thomas Golianopoulos
24.
Jimmy Butler III
Team: Golden State Warriors
2024 Ranking: 28
2024-2025 Stats: 17.9 PPG 5.5 REB 5.9 AST 50%/30%/84%
Whether he’s trolling the world with his emo haircut, becoming the face of ALO’s sneakers, or being bud with Morgan Wallen, Jimmy Butler gives you the unexpected. But on the court, he’s as dependable as ever. At 36, he can still be Jimmy Buckets, a clutch scorer who can put his team on his back and turn a team’s season around. The Warriors went 23-8 after trading for Butler last February and were 16-2 when both Butler and Curry suited up.—Matt Welty
23.
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Team: Memphis Grizzlies
2024 Ranking: 47
2024-25 Stats: 22.2 PPG 5.6 REB 2 AST 48%/37%/78%
Jaren Jackson Jr. is amongst the most talented and perplexing players in the NBA. The 6’10 stretch big is a class act and All-Star at his best, yet over his career averages almost as many personal fouls a game (3.6) as he does rebounds (5.5). Both peculiar figures lend to the fact that JJJ is one of the best post defenders in the entire league and also one of the best shooting bigs, keeping him active amongst contact and far from the offensive glass. When Jackson and Ja Morant are healthy the Grizzlies are often as good as any team in the West. However, when JJJ enters the postseason, foul trouble increases and his offensive output craters. Memphis has bet big on Jackson being a cornerstone of their franchise and they’ve invested in an all-world guy. Getting the Grizz back to contention will rely on JJJ continuing to climb as he enters year eight. – Ian Stonebrook
22.
Kawhi Leonard
Team: Los Angeles Clippers
2024 Ranking: 12
2024-2025 Stats: 21.5 PPG 5.9 REB 3.1 AST 49%/41%/81%
When healthy, Kawhi Leonard remains a devastating three-level scorer who can still defend at All-NBA levels. But that hasn’t been the case recently. The 2019 NBA Finals MVP played in just 37 regular season games last season. Leonard had the Clippers rolling heading into the playoffs where they had the misfortune of drawing the best player in the world in the first round. If—if!—Leonard can stay healthy, the Clippers will be a team no one wants to face in the postseason.—Peter A. Berry
21.
Alperen Sengun
Team: Houston Rockets
2024 Ranking: 40
2024-25 Stats: 19.1 PPG 10.3 REB 4.9 AST 49%/23%/69%
Sengun is flirting with being a top 20 guy. Part of that comes earning his first All-Star appearance, while establishing himself as the offensive anchor for the No. 2 seed in the West last season. But the real hype around Sengun came from his performance at EuroBasket this summer. Playing for Turkey, he was cooking, looking like a baby Joker and leading his team to the finals, where they fell to Germany. Now, he’s carrying that momentum into the season, teaming up with KD to form one of the most potent one-two offensive punches in the league. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo
20.
Pascal Siakam
Team: Indiana Pacers
2024 Ranking: 35
2024-25 Stats: 20.2 PPG 6.9 REB 3.4 AST 51%/38%/73%
Spicy P has been as good as advertised since finding his footing in Indiana, becoming the picture perfect blueprint of everything you’d ever want from a modern 4 and second option. Reliable, active, great vibes, and made for the moment, Siakam soared in the Pacers playoff run averaging over 20 points and six rebounds a night. With Tyrese Haliburton out for the season, Pascal will return to the top dog role he once held in Toronto. One would imagine a slightly slower offense in Indiana with even more weight put on Pascal. Another All-Star season seems imminent, but team pace and potential remain in question. – Ian Stonebrook
19.
Jaylen Brown
Team: Boston Celtics
2024 Ranking: 19
2024-25 Stats: 22.2 PPG 5.8 REB 4.5 AST 46%/32%/76%
With Jayson Tatum sidelined, Jaylen Brown is entering his most pivotal season yet as Boston’s undisputed No. 1 option. A 2022 All-NBA nod, 2023 super-max deal, and 2024 Finals MVP reflect his steady ascent into the league’s upper echelon. Now, Brown’s scoring versatility and two-way impact will be tested as he expands his role as the Celtics’ offensive leader.—Brighid Tully
18.
Paolo Banchero
Team: Orlando Magic
2024 Ranking: 30
2024-25 Stats: 25.9 PPG 7.5 REB 4.8 AST 45%/ 32%/ 72%
Few defenses have an answer for Paolo Banchero. At 6’10” with a linebacker’s build, the 22-year-old forward can create off the dribble as easily as he can bully smaller wings in the paint. To hit true All-Star status, he’ll need to bring that same intensity on defense and consistently lead Orlando’s hungry core, night in and night out.—John Kennedy
17.
Karl-Anthony Towns
Team: New York Knicks
2024 Ranking: 32
2024-25 Stats: 24.4 PPG 12.8 REB 3.1 AST 52%/42%/82%
Put some respect on the big man’s name. Karl-Anthony Towns remains one of the most gifted offensive players the NBA has ever seen, and moving to power forward in Mike Brown’s system will free him to dominate the perimeter. Yet, defensive lapses and foul issues persist, limiting consistency even if his offensive ceiling remains All-NBA caliber. —Brighid Tully
16.
Anthony Davis
Dallas Mavericks
2024 Ranking: 11
2024-25 Stats: 24.7 PPG 11.6 REB 3.5 AST 51%/28%/77%
As we all said right when it happened, the Dallas Mavericks might have won the Luka Doncic trade. With the addition of Anthony Davis, the Jason Kidd coached roster is made in the image of the evolving NBA: one built off of defense, IQ, and versatility. AD still fits said standards to a tee. Off-season weight gain and added steps that come with playing the 4 full time put the injury narrative back in full force, but a lucky lottery ball and real team identity have Davis in the mix to be his best self. Surrounded by positional size, theoretical spacing, and defensive depth, Davis has more support and motivation coming into this season than perhaps ever before. – Ian Stonebrook
15.
Devin Booker
Team: Phoenix Suns
2024 Ranking: 14
2024-2025 Stats: 25.6 PPG 4.1 REB 7.1 AST 46%/33%/89%
If there’s a light at the end of the tunnel in Phoenix, it’s unclear whether Devin Booker can see it. With Kevin Durant leaving for the Houston Rockets, he’s now left with a roster of journeymen and neophytes. Barring a significant trade, it’s hard to see them making the playoffs. The Suns roster is what it is, and no amount of Booker’s smooth scoring and playmaking can change that. It will be up to the Phoenix front office to ensure he doesn’t waste the remainder of his prime fighting for a play-in spot.—Peter A. Berry
14.
Evan Mobley
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
2024 Ranking: Unranked
2024-2025 Stats: 18.5 PPG 9.3 REB 3.2 AST 55%/37%/72%
There’s an alternate world where Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell, and Darius Garland were all healthy last season at the same time and made a run to the finals. Their 64-18 record says they were that good, and Evan Mobley’s multi-positional, Defensive Player of the Year-winning defense and efficient scoring were a big reason why. With a little more luck, he and the Cavs should be the favorite to come out of the East this year, and don’t be surprised if Mobley wins Eastern Conference Finals MVP.—Peter A. Berry
13.
LeBron James
Team: Los Angeles Lakers
2024 Ranking: 7
2024-25 Stats: 24.4 PPG 7.8 REB 8.2 AST 51%/37%/78%
It’s a strange time for LeBron James. For the first time in his career, he’s entering the season as a clear second banana, which is part of why there’s a simmering tension between Bron and the Lakers that feels destined to come to a head at some point this year. To make things shakier, he’s starting the season in street clothes after being diagnosed with sciatica, an unpredictable and nagging nerve injury. And yet, it’s still hard to bet against James, who, in year 23, remains one of the best players in the world—capable of dominating every aspect of a game at will, especially when he’s able to pace himself. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo
12.
Donovan Mitchell
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
2024 Ranking: 17
2024-25 Stats: 24 PPG 4.5 REB 5 AST 44%/36%/82%
After a First Team All-NBA season last year, Spida is looking to take another leap. The question now: Can he evolve from an elite scorer and playmaker on a deep, regular-season powerhouse into the undisputed alpha—a top-five player leading a true championship contender? If there’s ever a time to do it, it’s this season: he’s 28, right in the heart of his athletic prime; the Eastern Conference is in shambles, with the Knicks as the only real threat; and Evan Mobley, who is still only 24, looks poised to make a leap of his own. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo
11.
Jalen Williams
Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
2024 Ranking: 38
2024-25 Season Stats: 21.6 PPG 5.3 REB 5.1 AST 48%/36%/78%
Jalen Williams went from a guy to that guy in just three seasons. An NBA Finals outing for the ages capped off a Championship run, All-Defensive Second Team selection, and All-NBA Third Team honors. Entering year four as an All-Star and NBA Champion, J-Dub’s ceiling has shifted from a working class Kawhi Leonard to a more creative and compact Scottie Pippen. Typically speaking, big wings with a 7 foot wingspan, two-way talent, and three level scoring ability end up with orange jackets. This season, Jalen will continue to build on his bag, putting on both his hard hat and beret for the defending champs. —Ian Stonebrook
10.
Kevin Durant
Team: Houston Rockets
2024 Ranking: 6
2024-25 Stats: 26.6 PPG 6 REB 4.2 AST 52%/43%/ 83%
A million and one questions follow KD in Year 18 as he joins his third team in six seasons. Can he mesh with Houston’s young, defensive-minded squad? Can Durant lead the Rockets past their potential and back to the promised land? Maybe. But one thing is never in doubt: The Slim Reaper can still get buckets on anyone, from anywhere on the court. —John Kennedy
9.
Cade Cunningham
Team: Detroit Pistons
2024 Ranking: 43
2024-25 Season Stats: 26.1 PPG 6.1 REB 9.1 AST 46%/35%/84%
For a second it looked like it might not happen for Cade Cunningham. Early injuries and deplorable Pistons records kept Cade out of the next up conversation even if counting stats suggested otherwise. Last year, that all changed. Playing point guard and alpha dog for an upstart team took Cade to his first All-Star appearance and the Pistons to the postseason. It all clicked as the 6’6 floor general showcased the ability to lead, the poise to control pace, and just enough nasty to make everyone around him buy-in. If Cade and his comrades make another leap this year don’t be surprised if the once doubted top pick becomes a darkhorse MVP candidate. —Ian Stonebrook
8.
Stephen Curry
Team: Golden State Warriors
2024 Ranking: 8
2024-2025 Stats: 24.5 PPG 4.4 REB 6.0 AST 44%/39%/93%
Though now in his post-prime era, Steph Curry is still capable of being the best player on a championship team. The 37-year-old marksman continues to evolve. He can still push the pace and hit the big shot but he’s now also a plus defender. While Golden State’s two timelines plan failed to materialize, Curry now leads a veteran championship core that can still contend in the loaded Western Conference.— Thomas Golianopoulos
7.
Jalen Brunson
Team: New York Knicks
2024 Ranking: 15
2024-25 Stats: 26 PPG 2.9 REB 7.3 AST 48%/38%/82.1%
Nobody is tougher in crunch time than Jalen Brunson. The NBA’s reigning Clutch Player of the Year led the Knicks to their deepest playoff run in 25 years thanks to his unshakable poise and big-time shotmaking. With Big Body Brunson at the helm, these ‘Bockers have good reason to believe they can take the wide-open East.—John Kennedy
6.
Victor Wembanyama
Team: San Antonio Spurs
2024 Ranking: 9
2024-2025 Stats: 24.3 PPG 11.0 REB 3.7 AST 47%/35%/83%
Victor Wembanyama is something that should only work in theory. The Frenchman is 7’5” (with an 8-foot wingspan), wears a size 20.5 shoe (we’re still waiting on him to get a signature Nike sneaker), and can move and shoot. He’s given the Spurs a new hope after the team drifted into mediocrity following the departure of their championship core, which is what happens when your ceiling happens to be Hakeem Olajuwon on the defensive end and KD on the other. Full stop: Wemby is a potential GOAT. —Matt Welty
5.
Anthony Edwards
Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
2024 Ranking: 13
2024-25 Stats: 27.6 PPG 5.7 REB 4.5 AST 44%/39%/83%
Ant-Man has improved steadily over his first five seasons solidifying a spot amongst the NBA’s elite, while leading a mismatched Timberwolves roster to back-to-back Western Conference Finals berths in the process. Now comes the hard part: Making the leap into the rarefied air occupied by the best of the best. He’s got the athleticism and skills to achieve it. Just as important: Edwards aspires to be great. Like Kobe and LeBron before him, he seems to refine his game each summer. And at 24 years old, he has time on his side. —Thomas Golianopoulos
4.
Luka Dončić
Team: Los Angeles Lakers
2024 Ranking: 2
2024-25 Stats: 28.2 PPG 8.2 REB 7.7 AST 45%/36%/78%
The shock of the trade sending Luka Dončić from Dallas to Los Angeles hasn’t subsided but it’s time to move on and look at the state of his game. The Don is the most lethal offensive weapon in the NBA. He’s a maestro in the pick and roll, lethal from behind the arc, and a savvy playmaker. But he’s been roasted for his defense and conditioning since his rookie season. An off-season workout regimen should help in that regard. (Have you heard that he toned up this summer?) Now let’s see if he can lead the Lakers to their 18th NBA Championship. —Thomas Golianopoulos
3.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Team: Milwaukee Bucks
2024 Ranking: 3
2024-25 Stats: 30.4 PPG 11.9 REB 6.5 AST 60%/22%/61%
The Greek Freak is still putting up numbers comparable to his back-to-back MVP campaigns in 2019 and 2020 yet has become something different. He can no longer be goaded into taking silly three-pointers, is an astute playmaker, and more unstoppable than ever in the paint. Giannis is the closest thing this generation has to Shaquille O’Neal. But he’s also no longer a world class defender capable of guarding all five positions. He’s also stuck in basketball purgatory for the first time in his career with the Bucks nowhere near contending, not even in the unsettled Eastern Conference. —Thomas Golianopoulos
2.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
2024 Ranking: 4
2024-25 Stats: 32.7 PPG 5.0 REB 6.4 AST 51%/37%/89%
The best player on the league’s best team shows no signs of slowing down. SGA and OKC are here to stay. The defending MVP is the perfect modern-day player on both sides of the ball. He’s a three-level scorer with a knack for creating contact and drawing whistles (NBA twitter calls it a cheat code) and an aggressive defender with supreme ball-hawking skills. Don’t be surprised if Gilgeous-Alexander becomes the first person to repeat as both MVP and Finals MVP since LeBron James in 2012 and 2013. —Thomas Golianopoulos
1.
Nikola Jokic
Team: Denver Nuggets
2024 Ranking: 1
2024-25 Stats: 29.6 PPG 12.7 REB 10.2 AST 57%/41%/80%
The superlatives tossed around don’t do Nikola Jokic justice. He’s the most skilled big man of all time. The best playmaking big of all time. A walking triple-double. Etc. Etc. Like MJ and LeBron, he’s reached the point where MVP voters have gone numb to his greatness and look for reasons to bestow the honor upon others. The Joker is better than ever. Last season, he averaged a career high in points and assists en route to becoming the third NBA player to average a triple-double in a season. He’s now also a plus defender. With a retooled supporting cast in Denver, he remains the biggest obstacle in Oklahoma City’s path towards repeating as champion. —Thomas Golianopoulos
