ESPN`s expert panel recently unveiled its 15th annual ranking of the NBA`s top players for the upcoming 2025-26 season. To gauge reactions and gain deeper insights, ESPN consulted a diverse group of league insiders, including scouts, coaches, and executives. Their feedback provided valuable perspectives on the new top 100 list, highlighting both areas of consensus and points of contention.
This article delves into some of the most significant questions and debates sparked by the latest NBA Rank edition. Key discussion points include the potential longevity of Denver Nuggets star and three-time MVP Nikola Jokic`s reign at the top, the prospects of an American player eventually claiming the No. 1 spot, and how much longer veteran superstars LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry can maintain their elite status.
How long will No. 1 stay No. 1?
Discussions with insiders suggest that Nikola Jokic, consistently a top contender or the undisputed No. 1 player for several years, is expected to hold his top spot for at least two more seasons before potentially beginning a gradual descent in the rankings. An Eastern Conference executive noted, “That might seem low, but we never account for how fast things change in the league.”
According to league insiders, Jokic`s continued dominance is attributed not only to his enduring skill but also to how his playing style is expected to age. As a player whose MVP-caliber impact relies less on raw athleticism and more on skill and basketball IQ, a graceful transition through the latter part of his prime seems likely.
“There`s no reason his game will slow down,” an East scout commented.
“It`s all about his motivation to stay in shape,” another insider added.
Which players could jump into the top 10 next season?
Naturally, some experts pointed to Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum as a top-10 lock, provided he was healthy. Tatum, fresh off his fourth consecutive All-NBA First Team selection, is unfortunately expected to miss most of the upcoming season due to a torn right Achilles suffered in May.
However, Tatum wasn`t the only name mentioned. Several analysts identified Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (ranked 11th), Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (12th), Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (15th), and Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (17th) as strong candidates to break into the top 10.
The argument for Williams is bolstered by his pivotal role in Oklahoma City`s NBA title win last spring, notably his 40-point performance in Game 5. Cunningham, on the other hand, was lauded for his significant development last season, leading Detroit to its most successful season in a decade, and for his continuous skill expansion.
“He`s got size, playmaking, shooting, he can guard,” an Eastern executive commented. “He checks a lot of boxes.”
Mitchell and Banchero`s cases followed similar reasoning: both lead teams positioned for a breakthrough in a highly competitive conference. A deep playoff run or an NBA Finals appearance by either player`s team could solidify their place in the top 10.
“If Banchero comes in and plays the right way, and they do what they are supposed to do,” an Eastern assistant coach stated, “I could absolutely see him in there next year.”
What is your top five for this season?
For the second consecutive year, a consistent core of four players was universally named in the top five: Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Luka Doncic.
However, the fifth spot saw a variety of votes, with Victor Wembanyama, Stephen Curry, Anthony Edwards, Kevin Durant, and Donovan Mitchell all receiving mentions.
“Wembanyama was already good,” a Western scout observed, “and now he`s got guys around him and they`re trying to win.”
“Edwards just continues to grow,” another insider commented.
“Mitchell doesn`t get enough credit for how he`s lifted that franchise,” an Eastern scout remarked, “and for how he`s changed his game to mesh with the guys they had.”
Do LeBron, Steph and KD still belong in the top 10?
It`s notable that three players—LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant—who will be 37 or older by the start of the 2025-26 season (with James being the league`s oldest player for the second consecutive year) still feature in the top 10 of these rankings. For the most part, league insiders concurred with this placement. While some felt one or two might be borderline selections, none disputed the trio`s overall presence in the top 10.
“They should be there,” a Western assistant coach affirmed. “They`re just not top-five guys anymore.”
“They are for sure top 10 as long as they are healthy,” an Eastern scout noted, “but that`s no sure thing at this point.”
“They`re moving down for sure,” an Eastern executive stated, “but they should still be there.”
Flagg or bust? Will an American player become No. 1 any time soon?
Considering the league has seen seven consecutive international MVP selections, with the top five players on this list all being international, and France`s Victor Wembanyama emerging as the sport`s most prominent young star, the most common answer to whether an American player will soon claim the No. 1 spot was, for the second year running, `no`.
However, with his successful entry into the NBA, there was considerable respect for No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, and his potential to eventually challenge for the top spot, last held by an American (Kevin Durant) in 2021.
“You don`t go to Team USA last summer and do what he did,” an Eastern assistant coach remarked, “and not have a chance.”
Other American players mentioned as having the potential to reach this pinnacle included Anthony Edwards, Paolo Banchero, and Jayson Tatum.
Where will Flagg rank ahead of 2026-27?
The consensus view on Cooper Flagg is that he is poised for a significant climb in the rankings next season.
“Top 25,” a Western assistant coach predicted. “He`ll be a borderline All-Star, and the conversation will revolve around whether he deserves the nod as a second-year player.”
Many others placed Flagg within the top 30 for next year`s rankings, forming the general consensus. The primary concerns regarding Flagg`s potential didn`t relate to his individual game but rather to the Dallas Mavericks` veteran-laden roster, which some league insiders worried might present an initially awkward fit.
A Western assistant, who projected Flagg to be in the top 50 rather than higher next season, commented, “I just don`t like the role for him on that team.”
Where would you rank Joel Embiid?
Almost unanimously, insiders agreed that a healthy Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers` MVP big man, ranks among the top 10 to 15 players. However, given that NBA Rank considers both the quantity and quality of play for the upcoming season, and Embiid played only 19 games last season, questions arose about his potential placement.
A few league insiders expressed doubt about his inclusion on the list at all. A Western executive stated, “I just don`t think he`ll play enough.”
Nevertheless, most projected Embiid to rank somewhere within the top 40, with some even placing him in the top 25. An Eastern scout justified this, saying, “The upside is just too great to have him much lower than that.”
Which group would you rather have for this season: the Knicks (seven players in the top 100) or the Cavs (four players in the top 50)?
Considering both franchises are Eastern Conference favorites with no clear consensus on which is superior, it was unsurprising that this question resulted in an approximate 50-50 split among respondents. Advocates for the Knicks emphasized the team`s superior depth, while those favoring the Cavaliers highlighted their concentration of elite talent.
A Western scout, referring to the Knicks reaching Game 7 of the conference finals last season, remarked, “They`re more battle-tested.”
An Eastern scout countered, “The Cavs are more athletic, they have better defensive potential and a higher ceiling.”
Rupert Hollis