NBA

We Ranked the 101 Best NBA Players of the 2025–26 Season by Tiers

by stuart Views: 19

Every October, basketball fans start the same arguments: Who’s really the best player in the NBA right now? Rankings from ESPN, The Ringer, Sports Illustrated, and Bleacher Report flood social feeds, and their rankings rarely align. So we did the hard part compiling them into one unified, balanced evaluation. The result is part analytics, part eye test, and entirely ready to start a group chat fight.

The 2025–26 season feels like a turning point. The old guard still matters, the new generation is breaking through, and parity runs deep. We also have a little bit of a upper hand on the #NBARank lists from ESPN and Sports Illustrated; making this list a couple weeks into the season. So without further delay, here’s our own tiered breakdown of where the league’s elite (and soon-to-be elite) stand today.

Tier 1: Unquestioned Superstars

if there’s any agreement it’s this top tier of players; the NBA’s apex superstars that includes Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, and Victor Wembanyama who dominate games just by being on the floor. Nikola Jokic still plays basketball like he’s conducting an orchestra, bending every defensive coverage to his rhythm. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s power game remains unstoppable, while Luka Doncic is redefining pace and playmaking for the new-look Lakers.

Then there’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Canada’s basketball superstar and reigning NBA MVP (and this year’s favorite), whose rise has elevated not just the Thunder but his country’s hoops culture. SGA’s calm, efficient scoring mirrors the steady growth of Canadian excellence whether on the hardwood or even across industries like entertainment and the  top online casino in Canada, where precision and composure also define success.

Rounding out the top tier is Victor Wembanyama, who has made the leap from “next big thing” to “nightly cheat code.” His 8-foot wingspan isn’t just long; it’s changing the geometry of the sport. Each of these players controls not just outcomes, but how the entire league prepares for them.

Ranking the 100 Best NBA Players of 2026
# Player Team ESPN TheRinger SI HoopHype
1 Nikola Jokic Denver Nuggets 1 1 1 2
2 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Oklahoma City Thunder 2 2 2 1
3 Giannis Antetokounmpo Milwaukee Bucks 4 3 3 3
4 Luka Doncic Los Angeles Lakers 3 4 4 4
5 Victor Wembanyama San Antonio Spurs 5 11 5 9
6 Anthony Edwards Minnesota Timberwolves 6 6 6 5
7 Stephen Curry Golden State Warriors 7 5 11 11
8 Donovan Mitchell Cleveland Cavaliers 15 8 10 7
9 Jalen Brunson New York Knicks 10 9 12 6
10 LeBron James Los Angeles Lakers 8 12 8 19
11 Anthony Davis Dallas Mavericks 14 13 13 16
12 Cade Cunningham Detroit Pistons 12 16 9 8
13 Alperen Sengun Houston Rockets 25 36 38 21
14 Kawhi Leonard LA Clippers 20 15 14 39
15 Kevin Durant Houston Rockets 9 14 15 22
16 Bam Adebayo Miami Heat 21 32 28 35
17 Jalen Williams Oklahoma City Thunder 11 20 20 10
18 Devin Booker Phoenix Suns 16 19 22 18
19 Tyrese Maxey Philadelphia 76ers 28 39 34 31
20 Jaylen Brown Boston Celtics 19 21 18 17
21 Pascal Siakam Indiana Pacers 22 23 24 12
22 Paolo Banchero Orlando Magic 17 22 21 15
23 Trae Young Atlanta Hawks 29 33 37 20
24 Jimmy Butler Golden State Warriors 18 24 23 42
25 Evan Mobley Cleveland Cavaliers 13 17 19 13
26 James Harden LA Clippers 23 30 27 25
27 Karl-Anthony Towns New York Knicks 27 18 26 14
28 De’Aaron Fox San Antonio Spurs 35 26 30 27
29 Jamal Murray Denver Nuggets 46 29 31 36
30 Josh Giddey Chicago Bulls NR 81 72 66
31 Austin Reaves Los Angeles Lakers 60 54 56 52
32 Lauri Markkanen Utah Jazz 43 53 54 58
33 Domantas Sabonis Sacramento Kings 34 31 39 24
34 Ivica Zubac LA Clippers 36 35 32 29
35 Chet Holmgren Oklahoma City Thunder 24 27 25 49
36 Jalen Johnson Atlanta Hawks 44 48 43 57
37 LaMelo Ball Charlotte Hornets 63 49 53 48
38 Jaren Jackson Jr. Memphis Grizzlies 31 25 35 32
39 Ja Morant Memphis Grizzlies 33 34 44 26
40 Franz Wagner Orlando Magic 32 37 42 28
41 Scottie Barnes Toronto Raptors 30 46 51 38
42 Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers 47 84 17 23
43 Amen Thompson Houston Rockets 37 41 48 45
44 Julius Randle Minnesota Timberwolves 42 52 52 34
45 Zion Williamson New Orleans Pelicans 61 45 40 46
46 Deni Avdija Portland Trail Blazers 66 61 69 56
47 Darius Garland Cleveland Cavaliers 38 28 36 33
48 Aaron Gordon Denver Nuggets 40 42 41 67
49 Desmond Bane Orlando Magic 39 47 50 55
50 Derrick White Boston Celtics 26 38 46 30
51 Tyler Herro Miami Heat 68 51 47 37
52 Jarrett Allen Cleveland Cavaliers 45 57 68 44
53 Mikal Bridges New York Knicks 48 60 67 40
54 Dyson Daniels Atlanta Hawks 55 59 61 59
55 Zach LaVine Sacramento Kings 72 68 57 54
56 Kyrie Irving Dallas Mavericks NR 44 29 79
57 DeMar DeRozan Sacramento Kings 80 67 65 43
58 Draymond Green Golden State Warriors 51 50 55 NR
59 Cooper Flagg Dallas Mavericks 52 NR NR 89
60 OG Anunoby New York Knicks 41 40 45 41
61 Myles Turner Milwaukee Bucks 57 76 76 50
62 Norman Powell Miami Heat 82 58 60 60
63 Jaden McDaniels Minnesota Timberwolves 75 77 77 73
64 VJ Edgecombe Philadelphia 76ers NR NR. NR. NR
65 Rudy Gobert Minnesota Timberwolves 49 55 49 47
66 Kristaps Porzingis Atlanta Hawks 50 70 79 65
67 Coby White Chicago Bulls 71 71 74 61
68 Dylan Harper San Antonio Spurs NR NR NR NR
69 Brandon Ingram Toronto Raptors 77 72 83 71
70 Paul George Philadelphia 76ers 54 90 59 82
71 Michael Porter Jr. Brooklyn Nets 70 73 81 63
72 Jrue Holiday Portland Trail Blazers 91 69 80 92
73 Cam Johnson Denver Nuggets 67 75 73 53
74 Trey Murphy New Orleans Pelicans 58 56 89 74
75 Brandon Miller Charlotte Hornets 76 NR 58 90
76 Payton Pritchard Boston Celtics 97 89 62 69
77 Isaiah Hartenstein Oklahoma City Thunder 56 65 78 70
78 Josh Hart New York Knicks 69 79 86 51
79 Luguentz Dort Oklahoma City Thunder 64 78 66 83
80 Jalen Suggs Orlando Magic 59 62 NR 76
81 Naz Reid Minnesota Timberwolves 90 77 71 68
82 Christian Braun Denver Nuggets 62 83 75 87
83 Andrew Nembhard Indiana Pacers 81 74 93 85
84 Alex Caruso Oklahoma City Thunder 53 63 63 NR
85 RJ Barrett Toronto Raptors 100 80 64 99
86 De’Andre Hunter Atlanta Hawks NR 82 87 75
87 Aaron Nesmith Indiana Pacers 65 91 92 NR
88 Nikola Vucevic Chicago Bulls NR 92 97 62
89 CJ McCollum Washington Wizards NR 85 90 77
90 Toumani Camara Portland Trail Blazers 78 95 NR 84
91 Dereck Lively II Dallas Mavericks 73 NR 95 91
92 Jalen Green Phoenix Suns NR 98 NR 64
93 Anfernee Simons Boston Celtics NR 87 NR 78
94 Jalen Duren Detroit Pistons NR 97 NR 72
95 Devin Vassell San Antonio Spurs 94 86 91 NR
96 Jabari Smith Jr. Houston Rockets 74 NR NR NR
97 Tobias Harris Detroit Pistons 84 NR NR 81
NR Damian Lillard Portland Trail Blazers NR 43 33 NR
NR Fred VanVleet Houston Rockets NR 64 85 NR
NR Jayson Tatum Boston Celtics NR 10 7 NR
NR Tyrese Haliburton Indiana Pacers NR 7 16 NR

Tier 2: Established Elite and True Contenders

Tier Two houses legends, near-legends, and future Hall of Famers still chasing new rings and includes Steph Curry, Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant. Curry remains basketball’s gravity engine his mere presence rearranges defenses. LeBron is now entering his 22nd season, continues to defy biology, while Anthony Davis’s two-way dominance keeps him among the game’s most valuable big men.

Brunson and Mitchell are the heartbeats of their franchises, combining leadership with relentless competitiveness. Cade Cunningham’s poise and mid-range craft are earning Detroit long-overdue relevance. And while Kevin Durant isn’t quite the nightly takeover machine he once was, his scoring touch still feels automatic. These are the players who can’t win 82 games alone anymore — but can still decide seven in June.

Tier 3: The Rising Core of the NBA

Tier Three belongs to the next wave includes: Cade Cunningham, Jalen Williams, Evan Mobley, Paolo Banchero, Jaylen Brown, Devin Booker, Pascal Siakam, and Karl-Anthony Towns; stars who are almost there. Evan Mobley’s defense is beginning to anchor a contender in Cleveland. Paolo Banchero’s combination of power and finesse is turning the Magic into an Eastern threat. Devin Booker continues to fine-tune his game as a complete offensive leader, while Jalen Williams has become OKC’s second (and sometimes first) weapon next to SGA.

Jaylen Brown and Siakam remain two-way workhorses, their physicality built for playoff basketball. Karl-Anthony Towns, now thriving in New York, is rediscovering balance between spacing and aggression. Every player here could make the All-NBA leap this year — all that separates them from Tier Two is late-game trust and postseason proof.

Tier 4: The Proven Veterans and High-Impact Specialists

This is the group that includes Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, De’Aaron Fox, Trae Young, and Alperen Sengun. Coaches dream of players who bring stability, toughness, and elite impact without always needing the spotlight. Jimmy Butler continues to age like playoff wine, capable of stealing series through willpower alone. Bam Adebayo is still Miami’s soul — a defensive anchor who also facilitates offense.

Fox and Young are polar opposites stylistically but equally dangerous when the game speeds up. Sengun and Holmgren headline the new-age centers, both able to pass, shoot, and defend with intelligence far beyond their years. Jaren Jackson Jr. remains an All-Defense mainstay who just needs more consistency on the boards. These are the difference-makers who turn a “good” team into a real problem.

Tier 5: The Future All-Stars, X-Factors, and Veterans Hanging On

Tier Five is basketball’s gray area stars in waiting, veterans fighting decline, and players one step from breakout including Franz Wagner, Jamal Murray, Scottie Barnes, OG Anunoby, Zion Williamson, Lauri Markkanen, Tyrese Maxey, and Jaren Jackson Jr. Jamal Murray still owns the clutch gene, but health defines his ceiling. Franz Wagner and Scottie Barnes represent the modern prototype: tall, switchable, and team-first. Zion Williamson is still capable of 30 on any night, but his availability is as fragile as his highlights are powerful.

Lauri Markkanen remains Utah’s quiet assassin, and Tyrese Maxey continues to thrive as Philadelphia’s future cornerstone. OG Anunoby rounds out this group as the glue guy every contender craves. These are the names that could break the tiers completely next season — or fall out of them if consistency doesn’t follow.

Tier 6: Rising Prospects and Wildcards

The future belongs to this group. It includes Cooper Flagg, Brandon Miller, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Suggs, Amen Thompson, Jaden McDaniels, Dereck Lively II Cooper Flagg hasn’t even played an NBA game yet but already looks like the most complete teenage prospect since LeBron. Brandon Miller is blossoming into a multi-level scorer with defensive chops, while Dyson Daniels has quietly become one of the league’s most versatile young guards.

Amen Thompson’s raw athleticism is drawing early comparisons to prime Westbrook, and Jalen Suggs continues to show flashes of defensive brilliance. McDaniels and Lively II anchor the list — one as an elite perimeter stopper, the other as a rim-running force. These are the players every scout watches closely, knowing a few will make next year’s Top 50.

The 2025–26 NBA season might be the most balanced era in modern memory. Jokic, SGA, Giannis, Luka, and Wembanyama headline a top tier that feels mythic, but the talent below them keeps closing the gap. Veterans like Curry and LeBron are passing the torch, while a generation of hybrid stars — from Banchero to Holmgren — is already lighting the path forward.

Greatness now comes in every form: seven-foot shot creators, 6’2” defensive dynamos, and point guards who play like chess masters. Whether you follow the numbers, the highlights, or even the betting boards on Betway, one thing’s clear: basketball’s hierarchy has never been more fluid, more global, or more fun to argue about.

 

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