Analysis of the Best NBA Players: Perspectives for the 2025-26 Season
The Alofoke Deportes expert panel has completed its 15th annual ranking of the best NBA players. For a more complete view, we have consulted scouts, coaches, and executives from across the league, who shared their perspectives on the Top 100 for the 2025-26 season. Here’s a summary of the main questions and discussion points from our latest “NBA Rank”, including how long Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets star and three-time MVP, will stay on top, if any American player could dethrone him, and how much longer active legends like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry will remain among the league’s elite stars.How Long Will Jokic Stay at Number 1?
The widespread opinion is that Jokic, who has been the dominant player or has been in the conversation for several years, has at least two more seasons as number one before starting to descend on the list. “That may seem short,” commented an Eastern Conference executive, “but we never take into account how quickly things change in the league.” Jokic’s longevity at the top will depend as much on how his game ages as on the performance of those trying to surpass him. Since he doesn’t rely on speed or jumping ability to have an MVP impact, aging gracefully shouldn’t be a problem.“There’s no reason for his game to decline.”
Eastern Conference Scout
“Everything depends on your motivation to stay in shape.”
Eastern Conference Scout
Which Players Could Rise to the Top 10 Next Season?
The answers pointed to players who, if healthy, would be fixed in the top 10. Among them, Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, who comes from being selected to the First Team All-NBA for the fourth consecutive time, but will miss a large part of the season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon. Others mentioned were Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder (No. 11), Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons (No. 12), Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers (No. 15) and Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic (No. 17) as possible candidates. Williams’ case is based on his contribution to Oklahoma City’s NBA championship, including 40 points in Game 5. Cunningham, for his part, was praised for his growth and for leading Detroit to its best season in a decade, as well as his ability to expand his game.For Mitchell and Banchero, the argument is based on the fact that they lead teams with the potential to excel in a very open conference. Entering the top 10 could be a reality if they achieve a deep playoff run or reach the NBA Finals.“He has size, playmaking ability, shooting, and can defend. He meets many requirements.”
Eastern Conference Executive
“If Banchero plays the right way and they do what is expected, I could see him there next year.”
Eastern Conference Assistant Coach
What’s your Top 5 for this Season?
For the second year in a row, each person surveyed immediately named four names: Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Luka Doncic. Several players received at least one vote for fifth place, including Victor Wembanyama, Curry, Anthony Edwards, Durant, and Mitchell.“Wembanyama was already good, and now he has players around him and they are trying to win.”
Western Conference Scout
“Edwards keeps growing.”
Western Conference Scout
“Mitchell doesn’t get enough credit for how he has lifted that franchise and for how he has changed his game to fit with the players they had.”
Eastern Conference Scout
Do LeBron, Steph, and KD Still Deserve to Be in the Top 10?
It’s notable that three players who will be 37 or older at the start of the 2025-26 season (James will be the oldest player for the second consecutive year) remain in the top 10 of these rankings. League experts largely agreed with this assessment. Some argued that one or two of them are borderline selections, but no one said that the rankings of this trio were incorrect.“They should be there. They’re just not top 5 players anymore.”
Western Conference Assistant Coach
“They’re surely in the top 10, as long as they’re healthy, but that’s not certain at the moment.”
Eastern Conference Scout
“They’re definitely going down, but they should still be there.”
Eastern Conference Executive
Cooper Flagg or Failure? Will an American player become number 1 soon?
With seven consecutive international selections as league MVP, the top five players on this list all being international, and the biggest young star in the sport being the Frenchman Wembanyama, the most popular answer to this question, for the second year in a row, was no. However, after his successful entry into the NBA, there was great respect for Cooper Flagg, the first draft pick, and his ability to eventually aspire to the position Durant held in 2021.Other players mentioned were Edwards, Banchero, and Tatum.“You don’t go to Team USA last summer and do what he did, and you don’t get a chance.”
Eastern Conference Assistant Coach
Where Will Flagg Be Classified Before the 2026-27 Season?
The consensus on Flagg is that he will make a solid jump on this list next season.Several others placed Flagg within the top 30 in next year’s rankings, which was the consensus response. The only questions raised about Flagg’s potential did not focus on his game, but on the veteran roster of the Dallas Mavericks, which league experts feared could be an awkward fit, at least initially.“Top 25. He will be a borderline All-Star and the conversation will be about whether he should be one as a second-year player or not.”
Western Conference Assistant Coach
The coach placed him within the top 50 next season, instead of higher.“I just don’t like the role he has on that team.”
Western Conference Assistant Coach
Where Would You Rank Joel Embiid?
Practically everyone agreed that, being healthy, the MVP of the Philadelphia 76ers is a top 10 or top 15 player. However, given that the “NBA Rank” is a combination of quantity and quality of play for the upcoming season, and that Embiid comes from playing only 19 games last season, where could they see him being placed?
Some league experts said they couldn’t see him on the list. “I just don’t think he’ll play enough,” said one Western Conference executive. Most, however, said they would rank Embiid somewhere within the top 40, with some elevating him to the top 25. “The potential is too great for him to be much lower,” said a scout from the Eastern Conference.Which Team Would You Prefer for this Season: the Knicks (seven players in the top 100) or the Cavs (four players in the top 50)?
Given that these franchises are the two favorites in the East, and that there is no consensus on which is better at the moment, it was not surprising that this question led to what basically amounted to a 50-50 split. Those who favored the Knicks pointed to the team’s superior depth, while those who chose the Cavaliers opted for the concentration of more top-tier talent.
“They are more battle-tested.” Ojeador de la Conferencia Oeste “They are more athletic, have better defensive potential, and a higher ceiling.”
