Playoff basketball draws closer each day and the MVP race continues to heat up. The league's best players are stepping up, and every game feels like a preview to what's going to take place in the post-season. With so much talent on display, I've compiled my own list of what I believe to be the top 25 NBA stars right now—agree or disagree.
Keep in mind, you will not find ANY injured players on this list. If they're out for the season or haven't strung together enough games this season to impact their teams success, they can't make the cut. No disrespect, but availability matters and I aim to reflect off of the playoff picture.
With that being said—let's get into it.
Domantas Sabonis
Tyrese Maxey
Darius Garland
Alperen Sengun
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Jalen Williams
James Harden
Trae Young
Jaylen Brown
Devin Booker
Evan Mobley
Kevin Durant
Stephen Curry
Damian Lillard
Cade Cunningham
And now for the Top 10—these weren't easy selections.
Let's break it down:
Karl-Anthony Towns
In just his first stint in a New York Knicks uniform, Towns has proven himself to be the premier inside and outside scoring big in the NBA, flaunting a polished offensive game that combines guard skills with the physicality of a glass cleaner. Paired with an elite point guard in Jalen Brunson, Towns has pushed the Knicks well into playoff contention, securing them a spot as the third ranked team in the Eastern Conference and the sixth ranked team in the league.
Jalen Brunson
New York's success just wouldn't be possible without Bruson at the helm, putting up 26.3 points and seven assists on nearly 50% from the field. Suffering from an unexpected ankle injury, Brunson may have to sit on the sidelines for a while. However, a healthy JB has already cemented the Knicks as valuable contenders in the east. Now in his seventh year, the streaky left-handed offensive architect brings high energy to Madison Square Garden whenever he takes the floor.
Anthony Edwards
Bold, fearless, never afraid to speak his mind, Anthony Edwards seemingly always manages to back up his words with elite play. Averaging a career-high 27 points per game, Edwards has pushed the Timberwolves to a 36-29 record. On paper, we expect the Timberwolves roster to be good, and they're sitting in a rank we all could have predicted. So what would it take for Ant Man to become the NBA's poster boy, a title he tries to avoid? At just 23 years of age, Edwards' game will continue to flourish. While his number of three point field goal attempts are often criticized, Edwards makes up for it with rim-shattering dunks, explosive drives, and a mid-range game that keeps defenders guessing. If he continues refining his shot selection and playmaking, it won’t be long before he forces his way into the NBA’s Top 5 conversation.
Donovan Mitchell
As a devout Celtics fan, it was hard for me to make this decision. Ultimately, I can't ignore the statistics. Spida D-Mitch has meant business all season long, propelling the Cavaliers into the #1 ranked spot in the entire league. Mitchell's leadership has been the driving force behind Cleveland’s dominance, blending elite scoring and athleticism with improved passing and a budding defensive presence. His ability to take over games in the fourth quarter has made the Cavaliers the favorites to win an NBA title this season. Pair him up with two All-Star's in Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, and a star-caliber glass cleaner in Jarrett Allen, the Cavaliers are a nightmare matchup for any contender.
Luka Doncic
Make no mistake, Luka Doncic is capable of being a Top 3 NBA player at all times, but as he continues to get fully acclimated in a Lakers' uniform, I think putting him at the sixth spot is a fair placement. We all know he's capable of putting up MVP-caliber numbers like he did before his injury, but as he works his way back to full form, there are a few players who have simply been more dominant this season. However, Luka Doncic has been just what the Lakers needed, turn a team with laughable title hopes into a legitimate contender seemingly overnight. The perfect complimentary piece to King James, Luka has taken the offensive pressure off of the 40-year-old Lebron, averaging 28 points per game, 9 assists and 7 rebounds over the course of the last 5 games. Sitting comfortably at that number two rank in the West, it's hard not to root for the duo.
Now for the Top 5....
LeBron James
LBJ continues to give Father Time a run for it's money. 22 years later, I still have no choice but to put this man in the top five. At 40, Lebron's game has only gotten more crisp, as he now consistently shoots over 40% from three and ranks among the best playmakers in the league. His ability to control the pace, set up teammates, and score efficiently from all three levels makes him just as dangerous as he was twenty years ago. Climaxing the 50,000 career point mark on March 4th, Lebron's legacy speaks for itself, but the story isn’t over. With the Lakers back in the title hunt, another title would put the final stamp on his GOAT case.
Jayson Tatum
With a ring under his belt, "The Anomaly" continues to hold the Celtics up to it's championship caliber standard now that a true competitor has risen. Tatum's 27 points per game, 8 rebounds and 5 assists have been pivotal, keeping the Celtics at that #2 spot in the East. It's no secret that NBA fans don't find Tatum the most "charismatic", but one thing is for certain, the man can play winning basketball. The Celtics remain one of the league’s most well-rounded teams, and with Tatum leading the charge, they have all the pieces repeat given that everyone stays healthy. A three-level threat with a polished offensive game, Tatum's as a good a player as ANYONE in this game, with more room to grow. As he continues to develop that killer instinct, there's no telling just how high his ceiling truly is.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
It's hard to imagine anyone being "better" than Giannis. An NBA 75 invitee at just 26 years of age, what can't the man do apart from consistently hitting threes? Even without a reliable jumper, Giannis dominates like few ever have, using sheer force, skill, and an unmatched motor to impose his will on the game. A two-way GOAT, Giannis is as elite on the defensive end as he is on the offensive end. At nearly 7'0", Giannis has mastered the art of inside scoring, boasting an elite field goal percentage of 60 percent. On January 8th, Giannis put up his 432nd career double double, taking one of Kareem's final franchise records and establishing himself as the greatest Milwaukee Buck to ever suit up. Eclipsing the 20,000 point career mark at just 30 years old, there's no doubt that the Greek Freak will be giving Karl Malone a run for his money, and it's scary just to see where he'll rank when it's all said and done. That being said, it's a competitve conference and the Bucks sit at number four. Will things be different in the playoffs? Only time will tell.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
No one could have predicted that Shai would emerge as one of the league’s most dominant offensive forces, but here he is, averaging MVP-caliber numbers in his sleep and solidifying the Thunder as one of the best franchises post-pandemic. The Thunder have solidifyed their number one spot in the east, and the analytics say it'll be him and D-Mitch squaring up in the NBA Finals. It's hard not to root for the guy. Upon joining the Thunder, Shai turned OKC into a true title contender through relentless work ethic and an unshakable mindset. With offense that just won't yield, Shai is the MVP favorite among many, averaging nearly 33 points per game, 6 assist and 5 rebounds on 52% field goal percentage. Shai was given the keys to a rebuilding team, and he’s turned it into a juggernaut. With the Finals in sight, the only thing left is for him to do to is give it his all.
And at the top spot is...
Nikola Jokic
You guessed it. MVP number four feels almost inevitable for The Joker. With career averages in scoring and passing, Jokic is in consistent conversation with the greatest centers of all time. His unique blend of size, skill, and basketball IQ makes him a one-of-a-kind talent, redefining what athleticism really looks like in the modern NBA. The Nuggets sit at the number 3 spot in the West, and apart from Jokic, it doesn't feel like the same squad that dominated their way to a championship last season. Injuries, inconsistencies, and roster changes have made this year’s run more challenging, but as long as Jokic is on the floor, Denver remains a legitimate threat. The man can score from anywhere on the floor and he makes it look effortless. Having just entered his thirties, it's scary imagining just how packed his trophy case will be when it's all said and done.
That's a wrap. This list may change over the course of the next month, but right now, this is where I stand. How do my picks stack up with your list? What would you change? Let me know in the comments!
That's the buzzer 🚨 Until next time!
JP
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