Top 25 NBA Players for 2025-26: Jokic Stays No. 1, But SGA Is Coming

Rankings fuel the NBA. Always have, always will. Few things spark more heated barbershop debates, Reddit threads, or late-night group texts than trying to stack the league’s best against each other.

So, we asked 12 experts across the USA TODAY Network to weigh in on 40 of the league’s biggest stars. Their votes gave us the official Top 25 NBA Player Rankings for the 2025-26 season. Some names rose, some fell, and some are going to have fans throwing their phones.

And before you ask: yes, we left out stars who are likely to miss most of the year (Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton, Kyrie Irving).

Top 25 NBA Players for 2025-26:

25. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies

A reminder of just how electric Ja is when healthy. Injuries and off-court issues have slowed him down, but when he’s on the floor, he’s still one of the most dangerous slashers in the league.

24. Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers

Fresh off an All-Star season and an Eastern Conference Finals MVP, “Spicy P” helped fuel Indy’s postseason breakthrough.

23. James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers

Resurgence alert: Harden just posted his best scoring numbers in five years. No longer MVP Harden, but a steady floor general who still knows how to dominate stretches.

22. Jimmy Butler, Golden State Warriors

It’s all about Playoff Jimmy. Even at 36, Butler’s postseason gear keeps him in this mix. The question is how much longer that tank lasts.

21. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year is blossoming into more than a shot-blocker. He’s becoming a legit two-way threat for a Cavs team on the rise.

20. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

Last year’s Finals MVP slots in here, now tasked with leading Boston while Tatum sits out. Best No. 2 in the league? Maybe the best No. 1 option in waiting.

19. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

The fall is steep: from 5th last year to 19th now. Injuries have wrecked his momentum, but on the floor, he’s still one of the most dominant forces alive.

18. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks

A monster first year in New York. With Brunson, Towns gave the Knicks their best season in decades, showing why he’s one of the best-shooting bigs ever.

17. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder

Call it the rise of J-Dub. All-NBA, All-Defense, max extension — Williams is making sure OKC’s future is right now.

16. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic

Despite an injury setback, Banchero came back sharper, more versatile, and looking like Orlando’s franchise cornerstone.

15. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

Durant and Beal are gone. This is Booker’s team again. Still one of the deadliest scorers alive — and now the unquestioned face of the Suns.

14. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

Health remains the big “if,” but when Kawhi plays, he’s still an elite two-way wing who terrifies defenses.

13. Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks

New team, same story: when AD is healthy, he’s a top-10 guy. The problem? He rarely is. Still, his defense keeps him this high.

12. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

Career-highs across the board, a playoff berth, and a franchise finally stabilized — Cade is blossoming into the leader Detroit has begged for.

11. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

Clutch Player of the Year. The engine of New York’s resurgence. Brunson has become the heartbeat of Madison Square Garden.

The Top 10:

10. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs’ star guard is consistent, clutch, and finally backed by a roster that highlights his strengths.

9. Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets

Still KD. New city, same mid-range mastery. He’s not slowing down nearly as fast as people expected.

8. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

Year 23. Age 40. Still one of the league’s best all-around forces. The man is basically timeless.

7. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Already an elite defender, now adding offensive polish. Wemby’s not just the future — he’s arriving right now.

6. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

The GOAT shooter still strikes fear every time he crosses half court. At 37, the decline is starting, but the respect remains.

5. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Swagger, scoring, defense. Ant is the league’s rising face — and he’s already flirting with superstardom.

4. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers

Yes, he’s in purple and gold now. Luka is still Luka — a wizard with the ball, and one of the most unstoppable offensive players in the game.

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

A force of nature, still putting up 30+ points with efficiency that feels video-game broken. The Bucks’ title hopes rest squarely on his shoulders.

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

The reigning MVP and leading scorer. Calm, smooth, surgical. He just delivered OKC’s first championship and signed a supermax to keep them in contention.

1. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

The best player in basketball. Again. Jokic averaged a triple-double, set career highs in 3-point shooting, and remains the game’s most unguardable puzzle. He’s revolutionized the center position and isn’t slowing down.

Final Thought

Three players — Jokić, SGA, and Giannis — all got first-place votes. But Jokic ran away with it, and for good reason: triple-doubles, MVP dominance, and the most versatile offensive skill set we’ve ever seen from a big man.

So now the fun part: argue about it. Is Edwards too high? Did Embiid deserve such a steep drop? Should Wembanyama already be in the top five? And how long before Shai takes over Jokic’s throne?

Because if there’s one thing NBA fans love more than watching the games, it’s debating lists like this.