NBA Rank 2025: The League’s Top 10 Players Revealed

10. Jalen Brunson, G, New York Knicks

2024 NBA Rank: 12

Jalen Brunson continued his meteoric rise last season, earning his second consecutive All-Star and All-NBA second-team selections. In just three years, he has cemented his status as one of the greatest players in Knicks history, leading them to their first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years and a third straight year with a playoff series win – a feat not seen since the legendary Knicks teams of the 1990s and early 2000s. For Brunson and the Knicks, anything less than reaching the NBA Finals this season would be considered falling short.

Biggest question: How will Brunson adapt to new head coach Mike Brown?

Brunson`s exceptional ascent in New York has been closely tied to former coach Tom Thibodeau, with whom he shared a strong bond and trust. Thibodeau`s system, which often built offenses around smaller guards, allowed Brunson to thrive as the Knicks` primary leader and ball-handler.

Undoubtedly, Brunson remains a phenomenal player and will continue to be central to the Knicks` offense. However, Coach Brown has articulated plans for a faster pace and increased ball movement, similar to his successful tenure in Sacramento. This contrasts with Brunson`s apparent preference for a slower tempo and constant ball possession under Thibodeau.

Observing how this dynamic unfolds will be fascinating. Yet, one thing is clear: Brunson is the undeniable leader in Gotham, and his performance will largely dictate whether the Knicks can end their 26-year Finals drought next spring. — Tim Bontemps

Signature stat: Brunson averaged a career-high 7.3 assists last season, becoming the first player in Knicks history to average 25 points and seven assists in a single season.

Fantasy projection: 26.3 PTS, 3.0 REB, 7.2 AST

9. Kevin Durant, F, Houston Rockets

2024 NBA Rank: 9

After a first-round playoff exit that highlighted their need for a primary offensive threat, the Houston Rockets secured Kevin Durant. Heading into the 2025-26 season, Durant stands 8th all-time in scoring with 30,571 points, closing in on Wilt Chamberlain`s 31,419. Even at nearly 37, Durant remains an incredibly efficient and elite scorer, bringing invaluable championship experience, high basketball IQ, and an intense work ethic that will undoubtedly inspire Houston`s youthful roster.

Biggest question: Does Durant`s arrival transform the Rockets into legitimate contenders?

Yes, but their contention hinges on the supporting cast`s ability to integrate Durant effectively. Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, having coached Durant in Brooklyn, understands that the 15-time All-Star doesn`t demand his teammates defer to him. Instead, Durant thrives when naturally woven into the team`s fabric, which in turn diversifies Houston`s offensive strategies.

Therefore, maximizing Durant`s impact relies on the continued development of players like Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun. Sengun, for instance, spent the summer in Istanbul refining his post moves for greater effectiveness with Rockets development staff.

Durant has already encouraged his new teammates to play their natural game, trusting he`ll find his role to best benefit the team. His extensive experience across various systems ensures he`ll adapt; the key is how quickly this synergy forms. — Michael C. Wright

Signature stat: Kevin Durant has maintained averages of at least 25 points, 50% field goal shooting, and 40% from 3-point range for three consecutive seasons, an unprecedented streak in NBA history.

Fantasy projection: 24.9 PTS, 5.8 REB, 4.2 AST

8. LeBron James, F, Los Angeles Lakers

2024 NBA Rank: 7

LeBron James slips one spot to No. 8 despite an exceptionally strong 22nd season where he averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds, earning an All-NBA second-team selection and finishing sixth in MVP voting. His late-career productivity remains unparalleled; he is set to become the first player ever to play 23 seasons this fall. His enduring presence in the NBA Rank is equally historic: by comparison, Kobe Bryant plummeted to No. 93 at the start of his 20th and final season in 2015-16.

Biggest question: Is this James`s final season in a Lakers uniform?

While James has always lived by the mantra “become comfortable being uncomfortable,” tensions with the Lakers escalated this summer. His agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, informed ESPN`s Shams Charania, “We do want to evaluate what`s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career,” after James opted into his $52.6 million contract for the upcoming season.

This statement ignited widespread speculation about James`s desire to remain in L.A., with teams like Dallas, Cleveland, and New York mentioned as potential trade destinations. Paul later clarified to ESPN that a trade was never discussed with the Lakers, and given James`s no-trade clause, such discussions would need to originate from his camp. The fervor has since subsided, with James posting about early morning workouts and cheering Luka Doncic at EuroBasket on Instagram.

James embarks on an unprecedented NBA season, poised to pass the Lakers` torch to Doncic, play alongside his son Bronny, and with four titles and over 40,000 career points already on his resume. Perhaps the more pertinent question is whether this will be James`s final season in the league altogether, and what more he aims to achieve. — Dave McMenamin

Signature stat: James is entering his 23rd season, surpassing Vince Carter for the most in NBA history. With 50 more games played, he will also overtake Robert Parish as the all-time leader in games played.

Fantasy projection: 24.9 PTS, 7.7 REB, 8.2 AST

7. Stephen Curry, G, Golden State Warriors

2024 NBA Rank: 6

Despite facing defenses that aggressively deny him space and the ball, Stephen Curry still connected on 311 three-pointers in 70 games last season. This marks his sixth career season with over 300 made threes – a feat no other player in league history has accomplished more than once. His perimeter mastery continues to be legendary, shaping every defensive game plan against the Warriors. The team`s success remains inextricably linked to his presence; last season, they outscored opponents by a team-best 299 points with him on the floor, while being outscored by 28 points when he was off. With Curry, they defeated the 52-win Rockets in the first round and took a 1-0 lead against the Timberwolves in the semifinals. After he suffered a hamstring injury in Game 1 and was sidelined, the Warriors lost four consecutive games and were eliminated.

Biggest question: What potential concerns face the 16-season veteran?

The hamstring strain was Curry`s first soft tissue injury since an adductor strain in November 2018. He recovered relatively quickly, even contemplating a return for a hypothetical Game 6. Two months later, he competed in a celebrity golf tournament, reporting his body felt 100 percent. Curry is renowned for his disciplined workout regimen and unwavering commitment to physical conditioning. However, as he approaches 38 in March, the Warriors recognize the necessity of closely monitoring his workload to ensure he remains fresh for the playoffs. This objective, however, often conflicts with the team`s need to chase every regular-season win for optimal seeding. — Anthony Slater

Signature stat: Curry made at least 300 3-pointers in a season for the sixth time in his career in 2024-25. All other players in NBA history combined have only four such seasons.

Fantasy projection: 25.1 PTS, 4.5 REB, 5.8 AST

6. Anthony Edwards, G, Minnesota Timberwolves

2024 NBA Rank: 10

Anthony Edwards showed significant improvement across nearly every metric last season. He led the league with 320 made 3-pointers, hitting a career-high 39.5%. His scoring average climbed from 26 to 28 points per game. Crucially, he steered his team back to the Western Conference Finals despite the mid-season trade of All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns. Yet, Edwards himself would admit he fell short of his ultimate goals. After a five-game loss to the Thunder, he declared that “no one would work harder” to improve during the offseason. Edwards keenly observed how Oklahoma City’s superior depth, skill, and tactical approach managed to neutralize him in critical moments. To reach the superstar status predicted for him since his breakout with USA Basketball in 2023, Edwards must diversify his offensive arsenal and elevate his teammates` play.

Biggest question: Will his tendency for technical fouls and NBA fines persist?

Last season, Edwards amassed a league-leading 18 technical fouls and was fined over $400,000 by the NBA for various infractions, including obscene gestures, explicit language, and failing to leave the court after an ejection. This behavior not only impacts his public image and his candidacy as a future face of the league and top American star but also damages his reputation with referees and creates unnecessary distractions for his team. — Ramona Shelburne

Signature stat: Fueled by his league-leading 320 made 3-pointers, Anthony Edwards averaged 27.6 points last season, marking the highest single-season scoring average in Timberwolves history.

Fantasy projection: 27.8 PTS, 5.8 REB, 4.7 AST

5. Victor Wembanyama, C, San Antonio Spurs

2024 NBA Rank: 11

Victor Wembanyama appears primed for a dominant season. Recently, during a San Antonio Spurs visit to Ingram Tom Moore High School, an area severely affected by floods in July, Wembanyama led an abbreviated team workout. Demonstrating his athleticism, he tossed the ball off the backboard, jumped to catch it mid-air, put it through his legs, and unleashed a thunderous dunk, electrifying the crowd. Wembanyama made it look effortless.

Biggest question: Will Wembanyama`s intense summer training pay dividends this season?

It absolutely should. After missing the final 30 games of last season due to deep vein thrombosis, Wembanyama received a clean bill of health in July. His busy summer included a 10-day training stint at a Shaolin temple in Zhengzhou, China, and sessions with Hall of Fame big men Kevin Garnett and Hakeem Olajuwon. It`s reasonable to expect that his work with Garnett will instill greater aggression in his game, while Olajuwon likely imparted the exquisite footwork and post moves that made the 12-time All-Star virtually unstoppable for 18 NBA seasons. Wembanyama himself believes that some of his Kung Fu training movements directly translate to his on-court actions. — Michael C. Wright

Signature stat: Victor Wembanyama became only the third player to achieve a 5×5 game, a 10-block game, and a 50-point game all within the same season since blocks/steals became official in 1973-74, joining David Robinson (1992-93) and Hakeem Olajuwon (1989-90).

Fantasy projection: 24.7 PTS, 11.5 REB, 4.0 BLK

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, F, Milwaukee Bucks

2024 NBA Rank: 3

Giannis Antetokounmpo concludes a season where he averaged a 30-point double-double, ranking second in the league in scoring, only behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Had the Bucks achieved a higher regular-season standing, he would have garnered more MVP consideration, yet he still secured a top-four finish in voting for the seventh consecutive season. Milwaukee`s dominant big man shows no signs of decline, having reinvented his game by favoring midrange jumpers over three-pointers, making him even more efficient. Antetokounmpo arguably remains the NBA`s premier two-way threat, but he hasn`t advanced past the conference semifinals since 2022.

Biggest question: Still in his prime, can Antetokounmpo secure another championship in Milwaukee?

Antetokounmpo`s performance in recent years has actually surpassed his back-to-back MVP seasons. Over the past two seasons, he has averaged 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists on 60% shooting – a feat no other player in NBA history has achieved even once. This combination of efficiency and dominance rivals the peak eras of Shaquille O`Neal and Wilt Chamberlain. For the first time in three years, Antetokounmpo was healthy for the 2025 playoffs, where his numbers further improved (33 PPG and 14 RPG on 64% shooting). However, the Bucks still faced a first-round exit for the third consecutive season. Antetokounmpo has consistently stated that winning another championship is his paramount goal, but despite his status as one of his generation`s most dominant players, Milwaukee has drifted further from title contention. This situation brings Antetokounmpo`s future into sharp focus for the 2025-26 season. He turns 31 in December, and if the Bucks fail to build a legitimate contender around him, how much longer will his patience last? — Jamal Collier

Signature stat: Antetokounmpo has averaged 30 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 60% shooting in each of the past two seasons, a unique achievement in NBA history.

Fantasy projection: 31.5 PTS, 12.2 REB, 6.5 AST

3. Luka Doncic, G, Los Angeles Lakers

2024 NBA Rank: 2

Luka Doncic changed teams but only slightly shifted his position near the top of the NBA Rank, moving from No. 2 to No. 3. The 26-year-old had a successful summer, slimming down, signing a three-year, $165 million contract extension with L.A., and leading Slovenia to the EuroBasket quarterfinals with an impressive 34.7 points per game. Last season was the first since his rookie year that Doncic received no MVP votes, as a calf injury and his mid-season trade limited him to a career-low 50 games. NBA Rank voters are clearly anticipating a return to his Dallas-era trajectory now that he`s committed to the Lakers.

Biggest question: Did Doncic`s dominant summer set the stage for an MVP season?

First, he physically transformed himself with a rigorous workout and dietary plan. Then, he secured a massive three-year, $165 million contract extension with the Lakers. To top it off, he guided Slovenia to the EuroBasket quarterfinals, averaging an astounding 34.7 points per game in the international tournament. Just a year prior, Doncic was lauded as the game`s best young talent after an unexpected run to the NBA Finals with the Mavericks. However, a tumultuous season, marked by a significant calf strain and a shocking trade to the Lakers, saw Shai Gilgeous-Alexander claim that mantle, winning both MVP and Finals MVP while leading the Thunder to a championship. Is the 26-year-old Doncic – who boasts the third-highest regular-season scoring average and second-highest postseason scoring average in league history – now ready to resume his ascent and claim his first MVP award? — Dave McMenamin

Signature stat: After making his Lakers debut on February 10, Luka Doncic led the team in average points, rebounds, assists, steals, and three-pointers.

Fantasy projection: 30.1 PTS, 8.5 REB, 8.2 AST

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G, Oklahoma City Thunder

2024 NBA Rank: 4

Scoring champion, MVP, Western Conference Finals MVP, Finals MVP, and NBA Champion. It is no exaggeration to state that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander`s 2024-25 season stands among the greatest individual campaigns in basketball history. And he is only just entering his prime at 27.

Biggest question: How can SGA continue to elevate his game?

He has consistently refined his scoring efficiency, achieving a career-best true shooting percentage of 63.7% last season. During this time, he also attempted and made significantly more three-pointers than ever before (163 of 435, 37.5%). Further extending his shooting range will render him even more formidable to defend. Additionally, he has demonstrated steady growth as a playmaker, averaging a career-high 6.4 assists – a figure that could climb even higher as his young supporting cast develops into more potent scoring threats. — Tim MacMahon

Signature stat: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander became only the fourth player in NBA history to win the scoring title, NBA MVP, and NBA championship in the same season, joining an elite club that includes Shaquille O`Neal, Michael Jordan, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Fantasy projection: 33.2 PTS, 5.2 REB, 6.5 AST

1. Nikola Jokic, C, Denver Nuggets

2024 NBA Rank: 1

For the second consecutive year, Nikola Jokic tops ESPN`s NBA Rank, and the reasons are abundantly clear. While Oklahoma City`s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was a truly deserving winner of the league`s regular-season and Finals MVP awards, and indeed defeated Jokic in their playoff matchup, even the Thunder themselves would acknowledge that Jokic delivered some otherworldly performances in that hard-fought second-round series. They were fortunate to advance.

Simply put, Jokic is at the pinnacle of his basketball prowess and should be considered an MVP frontrunner as long as he maintains this elite level. Last season, Jokic achieved a historic feat, becoming only the third player ever to average a triple-double for a season (29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists) and posting the fourth-highest Player Efficiency Rating (32.04) in league history. He ultimately finished as runner-up to Gilgeous-Alexander largely because the Thunder performed significantly better as a team than the dysfunctional Nuggets, who fired their coach and general manager at season`s end and underperformed with a fourth-place Western Conference finish.

Biggest question: Have the Nuggets adequately addressed the depth issues that hampered them last season?

A major factor behind Jokic`s astonishing statistics was the heavy burden he had to shoulder after the Nuggets lost key players for the second straight offseason following their championship win. This season, Denver has adopted a more aggressive approach, aiming to surround Jokic with greater talent and a deeper bench. However, it remains to be seen whether these roster changes will translate as effectively on the court as they appear on paper. If Denver rebounds and challenges the Thunder for supremacy in the West, Jokic has the opportunity to become only the sixth player in NBA history to win four MVP awards, joining an exclusive group: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and LeBron James. — Ramona Shelburne

Signature stat: Last season, Jokic became only the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season, following Oscar Robertson (1961-62) and Russell Westbrook (who achieved it four times).

Fantasy projection: 29.0 PTS, 12.7 REB, 10.1 AST