With the summer offseason behind us and training camps now open around the league, now is the perfect time to take a look at who the best NBA players are heading into the 2025-26 season. There are many familiar faces like Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant. However, last season shook up the elite class in the league.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the 50 best NBA players right now.
Best players in the NBA from 25 to 50
Due to serious injuries suffered last season, perennial All-Stars Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard, and Kyrie Irving won’t be found in our top 50 since they are expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 season.
- Injured: Jayson Tatum
- Injured: Kyrie Irving
- Injured: Tyrese Haliburton
- Injured: Damian Lillard
Now, before we get to the top 25 players in the NBA right now, you will get a quick rundown of the back half of our top 50. Including Miami Heat star Tyler Herro and underrated Los Angeles Clippers forward Norman Powell.
- 50. RJ Barrett
- 49. Coby White
- 48. Josh Hart
- 47. Walker Kessler
- 46. Mikal Bridges
- 45. Kawhi Leonard
- 44. Zach LaVine
- 43. Scottie Barnes
- 42. Ivica Zubac
- 41. Franz Wagner
- 40. Jalen Green
- 39. Norman Powell
- 38. Evan Mobley
- 37. Tyler Herro
- 36. Darius Garland
- 35. Jamal Murray
- 34. Bam Adebayo
- 33. DeMar DeRozan
- 32. Domantas Sabonis
- 31. Zion Williamson
- 30. LaMelo Ball
- 29. Alperen Sengun
- 28. Joel Embiid
- 27. James Harden
- 26. Julius Randle
25. De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs
For much of this decade, De’Aaron Fox has been a player always hovering around an All-Star invite. While he only has one appearance on his resume, he is a high-level scorer who is the focus of opposing defenses every night. The new season will be his first full one with the Spurs, and the talented guard is sure to benefit in a major way by playing next to budding superstar Victor Wembanyama.
24. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
In year three, Thunder forward Jalen Williams took another huge leap in his development. The former first-round pick earned All-Star honors last season for the first time as he showed he was more than just a good sidekick to Gilgeous-Alexander. If not for some huge performances in the playoffs, OKC would not have won its first championship in June. Williams is just 24 and only getting better.
23. Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers hoped that when they traded for former Toronto Raptors star Pascal Siakam two years ago, he would be the missing piece to an NBA Finals contender. In his second season, he was exactly that as he played a huge role in getting Indy to the 2025 Finals. Now, with Tyrese Haliburton sidelined for all of the new season, the underrated star will be the top option for the Eastern Conference champs in 2025-26.
22. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
Over his first three seasons in Orlando, 2022 No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero continues to be one of the secret gems in the Eastern Conference, and why the Magic are a top-five-level team. Even though he didn’t earn All-Star honors in 2024-25, the 22-year-old had his best season yet as a pro. Unfortunately, injuries limited him to just 46 games. Nevertheless, he is set up to have another tremendous campaign in 2025-26.
21. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey showed last season that he was not just a future star; he is one of the better players in the game right now. After NBA greats Joel Embiid and Paul George were hampered by injuries for much of the 2024-25 season, Maxey took the lead and was a problem for opposing offenses. At 24, the Kentucky product is just scratching the surface of his potential.
20. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
There was a lot of weight on the slight shoulders of Hawks star Trae Young last season. The franchise chose to go with a pseudo-rebuild and youth movement, and Young had to help lead that group to being a competitive squad. Yet, despite having good reason to disappoint last season, Young elevated Atlanta’s young roster group to be a playoff contender as he earned All-Star honors again in 2025. It seems like Young is playing at a smarter and more mature level heading into this season.
19. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
After being traded to the New York Knicks in a blockbuster deal right before the season, the assumption was that Karl-Anthony Towns would have to sacrifice a lot of his game to fit in. However, that wasn’t the case, and he played at an All-Star level in his first season in Gotham. The New Jersey native turned into a key reason why New York reached the East Finals for the first time in 25 years this spring. Knowing the levels he can play at for the Knicks, KAT could have an even better showing in season two and under new head coach Mike Brown.
18. Jimmy Butler, Golden State Warriors
The man known as “Playoff Jimmy” is a unique individual. Wherever the six-time All-Star goes, he makes that team much better. However, the 35-year-old has traveled around a lot and did so again last season. After five and a half years in Miami, Butler forced his way out of town and to the Warriors. While Jimmy Butler is no longer in his prime, he seems like a great fit in Golden State and is set up for another impactful season late in his career.
17. Jaren Jackson, Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
Over his seven seasons in the league, Memphis Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. has slowly evolved into one of the two-way players in the game. For the early years of his career, he was seen as just the defensive anchor for the Grizz. However, over the last two seasons, he has shown the ability to be a go-to scorer, while still being one of the best defensive players in the game.
16. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Despite the insane hype surrounding Victor Wembanyama in his rookie season, the Frenchman showed he really is a special talent. He has only added to his growing legend by becoming an All-Star for the first time in his second season. The basketball unicorn can affect the game on multiple levels, and he has still only scratched the surface of what he can be as an NBA player. He is expected to fully recovered from the blood clot issue that ended his sophomore season early, and is primed for another big leap forward in 2025-26.
15. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
There is little doubt that Jaylen Brown can be a No. 1 option on a contending team. However, with Jayson Tatum on the roster, he has been asked to play a secondary role, and he has done that at an All-Star level. But with Tatum out for the season, all the weight of success for Boston in 2025-26 is on Brown. Don’t be surprised if the four-time All-Star has a career year as the No. 1 option in Beantown.
14. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
After missing much of the 2023-24 season due to suspensions and injuries, Ja Morant has regained his elite form this season and has led the Memphis Grizzlies back to being a top team in the West. If he is not distracted by drama off the court, there is no denying the immense talent he has. When he is on, he can be one of the best players on the planet.
13. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Devin Booker is back to being the undisputed face of the Phoenix Suns. His team-up with future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant was a failure, and now the team has gone back to making him the leader of the team again in 2025-26. He is sure to have a big season this year and prove why he was talked about as one of the new faces of the league just a few seasons ago.
12. Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks
Maybe Anthony Davis did not turn into the best player in the game like some foresaw when he was the No. 1 pick in 2012. But when healthy, he can be one of the most dominant forces in the NBA. He was playing like an MVP candidate in LA last season before he was shockingly traded to Dallas for Luka Doncic. While some frowned at the return for the Slovenian, GM Nico Harrison understands the two-way force Davis can be in Big D when healthy. However, being healthy can often be a problem for the 10-time All-Star.
11. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
The 2024 Summer Olympics showed that Stephen Curry still remains one of the most dangerous players in the sport of basketball. At 37, his best years are behind him, but when you are the greatest shooter in the history of the NBA, Father Time still has a lot of ground to make him before having enough of an effect to remove the Warriors icon from among the best players in the NBA today.
10. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Sure, Lebron James is not the player he once was. But what he can still do at 40 years old is absolutely mind-blowing. For the amount of games he’s played during an iconic career, he should be a shell of himself. But the Lakers’ star continues to play at an All-Star level because he puts in the financial and physical work to make his body an elite basketball machine. The big difference from his prime years is that he can’t carry a team to the Finals by himself anymore.
9. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons were one of the great stories in the 2024-25 NBA season. After being the worst team in the league two years ago, they nearly upset the Knicks in last season’s playoffs. Much of that is thanks to the outstanding play of young star Cade Cunningham. He led the team in scoring while also being their top ball-handler. It is hard to live up to the hype of being a No. 1 overall pick, but the Pistons star is becoming an elite talent in the game.
8. Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets
As with others on this list, getting a bit longer in the tooth has impacted Kevin Durant’s ability to stay healthy. Nonetheless, he’s shown he is still a top-10-level player despite being in the back half of his 30s. He remains one of the game’s best scorers, but in Phoenix, he showed he can be an impact player on defense if he is motivated. If he can help guide the Rockets to a championship this season, the aging great will rise in our top 10.
7. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
For much of his career, Donovan Mitchell has been one of the more underappreciated players in the game. It is the blessing and curse of playing in cities like Utah and Cleveland. But the Jazz wouldn’t have been a perennial playoff team without him, and he is the main reason why the Cavaliers are a serious contender to reach the Finals in 2025-26. The six-time All-Star is one of the premier scorers in the game.
6. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Jalen Brunson is an elite player in the game without being a special athlete. He has emerged as one of the league’s top players with offensive know-how, smarts, and incomparable craftiness. He also brings a flair for clutch moments — especially in the playoffs — that makes him stand out among his elite peers. There is a reason why New York Knicks fans absolutely love the former Villanova star.
5. Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers
At this point, it’s safe to assume that Luka Doncic is one of the best NBA players of the modern era. He’s played like an All-Star since making his debut in the Association back in 2018, and two seasons ago, he stamped his place as one of the game’s best by carrying the Mavericks to the Finals. While Dallas stunned the basketball world by trading him last season, he remains among the 99th percentile of talent in the league due to his immense impact on offense.
4. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards has gotten comparisons to Michael Jordan early in his career, and the claim may not be that far off. The 24-year-old has already taken his team to the West Finals twice and outplayed some of the game’s greatest players to do it. If he were playing in a major market like New York or Los Angeles, he would already be the face of the NBA’s marketing. Nevertheless, the amazing talent of Edwards is undeniable, and the Minnesota star is one of the game’s must-see players.
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has morphed into one of the best players in the NBA since coming over to the Oklahoma City Thunder from the Los Angeles Clippers in the Paul George trade six years ago. He had some doubters after an MVP-level season two years ago. However, he has stamped his place as one of the game’s elite talents in 2024-25 not only by winning NBA MVP honors but by leading OKC to the franchise’s first NBA championship in June.
2. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic has redefined what it means to be an NBA center today. In an era where athletes are as shredded as ever, the “Dad Bod God” has absolutely dominated the highest levels of the game despite looking like a seven-foot accountant. Sure, his defense could be better, but his MVP-level impact in multiple ways on offense, and at his size, is awe-inspiring.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
This past season, Giannis Antetokounmpo was back in MVP form. Three-point shooting is the only thing the Greek Freak can’t do on the floor. Otherwise, he would be illegal. He can score at an elite level while also doing the dirty work on defense and the boards that wins games and makes his teammates better. Antetokounmpo is as close to a perfect player as there is in the game today.
